Can you see the best of Angkor Wat in one day?
Unless you are incredibly interested in temples or perhaps have an archaeological degree you can easily see the highlights of the temples of Angkor Wat in one day. Although Angkor, meaning ‘city’ in Sanskrit, is actually a complex of over 100 temples in various states of ruin dotted around the forests and lakes just outside of Siem Reap, if you carefully select which temples to visit you can still gain an appreciation for this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site with a whistle-stop sunrise to sunset day visiting Angkor Wat.
What is the perfect Angkor Wat one day itinerary?
Angkor Wat at sunrise
Wake up super early to begin your adventure of exploring Angkor Wat in one day. Your alarm going off before the crack of dawn is never a welcome sound however when you see Angkor Wat glowing as the sun rises from behind this iconic temple you’ll be glad you dragged yourself out of bed! Get dressed for your day of exploring ahead being mindful of the Angkor Wat dress code and head out to begin your Angkor Wat one day itinerary. It can be a little chilly in the mornings before the sun rises so perhaps add a thin jacket or cardigan to your outfit. Before heading to the temples you’ll first need to go to the Angkor Conservation ticket booth to get an Angkor Wat entrance ticket if you didn’t do so the day before. They add your photo onto your ticket so make sure you’re looking cute!
Afterwards your driver will take you to the entrance of Angkor Wat, and if you have a guide they will come with you to show you the best place to sit. If not remember to take a small torch, or use the one on your phone to help see in the darkness as the ground is quite uneven. I would recommend heading to the left hand side as you approach the temple and sitting on one of the rocks bordering the small lake, you can then capture some great shots of Angkor Wat reflected in the water. Due to the hot conditions the ground is often very dusty, if you are going to sit down it might be best to take a sheet of newspaper or dirty scarf to sit on so your clothes do not get dirty.
Once you’ve found your spot it is a bit of a waiting game as the sky begins to change colour and the silhouette of Angkor Wat becomes visible on the horizon – if you’ve managed to grab a good spot you can capture an amazing time-lapse video of the sun rises. Don’t make the mistake of leaving once the sky is light like many visitors do as you’ll miss out on the epic sight of the golden ball of sun rising up from behind the temple. Of course a perfect sunset is never guaranteed although even if you happen to visit on a cloudy morning the colourful sky is still a fantastic sight to see.
Breakfast (back at your hotel)
Dependent on your preference you can power on and start your day straight after the sun has risen. I would suggest heading back to the hotel briefly for a spot of breakfast, and a coffee is also highly recommended! As Angkor Wat is so close to the town centre of Siem Reap you’ll be back at your hotel in under 20 minutes, and you’ll be thankful for the bite to eat when you’re climbing up the steps to the temples in the midday sun.
Angkor Thom - Bayon, Temple of many faces
Head to Bayon temple first as you explore the vast Angkor Thom temple complex. Temple of many faces (over 200!), Bayon ended up being one of my favourite temples of Angkor Wat. Each of the towers is covered in huge stone faces and each face has a slightly different expression creating some amazing photos. If you’ve hired an Angkor Wat tour guide they can show you exactly where to stand to get a comical photograph of you touching noses with one of the faces, and of course fill you in on the history of the temple as the official state temple of King Jayavarman VII.
Around all of the Angkor Wat temples you’ll find intricate bas-reliefs etched into the wall telling stories from mythology and historical. The knowledgeable Angkor Wat guides seem to know all of the stories that are depicted in these reliefs although you might be there for days if you want to hear about all of them! It’s amazing the 3D quality to the carvings, and trying to fathom how long they would have taken to be carved.
Angkor Thom - Baphuon Temple
A short way from Bayon, along a raised walkway, lies the ‘temple mountain’ of Baphuon. This three tiered temple is much less popular relative to the other temples of Angkor Wat (I’m not sure why as I loved it), although this lack of popularity meant that we had the place to ourselves!
There’s quite a steep climb to get to the top of Baphuon, but the views are definitely worth it as you can see for miles all around. Make sure you take some cold water with you as the steps are in the heat of the sun, and there’s quite a few to get to the top. As you descend down the far side of the temple, take a moment to look back and you’ll be able to spot a reclining buddha added into the original temple when this was changed from a Hindu to Buddhist temple.
Angkor Thom - Terrace of Elephants
Continuing your journey around the Angkor Thom complex make sure to stop at the famous Terrace of Elephants. As another of the iconic things to see in Angkor Wat in one day you’ll rejoin the crowds here to admire these giant elephant carvings.
Preah Khan
A short drive from Angkor Thom lies this hidden gem. Similar to the famous tomb raider temple, Preah Khan has been left largely in its natural state, complete with trees and vegetation growing amongst the ruins. Although not quite as impressive as Ta Prohm, I highly recommend stopping off at Preah Khan during your hectic Angkor Wat in one day itinerary as you’ll likely be the only visitors compared to the thousands that frequent Ta Prohm daily.
Spend some time exploring the ruins and marvel at how nature has prevailed, slowly taking back the land. You can capture some awesome photographs of this quite eerie place as you wander through doorways surrounded by tree roots where the temple and nature seem to have merged into one.
Ta Prohm, The Tomb Raider Temple
Apart from Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm is the most famous of Angkor’s temples making it a must see during your Angkor Wat one day tour. Made famous by the Tomb Raider movies, this temple is similar to Preah Khan in that the jungle has been allowed to grow around the temple resulting in massive trees intertwined with the temple’s structure.
Due to its popularity there is a strict route to follow around the temple in order to help preserve the temple and also to reduce any crowding. There are always hoards of visitors at Ta Prohm so be prepared to be patient as you slowly move through the temple. Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary ‘stegosaurus’ carving, and to spy a buddha’s head almost completely consumed by the roots.
Lunch (and some air conditioning!)
After all that exploring it’s time to refuel with a spot of lunch. Although the spots near the temples tend to be very touristy we still enjoyed a tasty meal at one of these restaurants, and at a very reasonable price. They even had a lovely air conditioned section to escape the midday heat, diners pay a premium (a mere $1 extra each) to eat in the air conditioned section, it’s 100% worth it!
If you want to escape the temples it’s only a short drive back to Siem Reap where there’s many varied restaurants to try. Check out my Siem Reap travel guide to find out my top picks.
Angkor Wat
Reenergised for the afternoon, head back to Angkor Wat to continue your Angkor Wat in one day tour by exploring this famous temple. Featured on Cambodia’s flag, and the country’s main attraction, spend your afternoon exploring Angkor Wat whilst most visitors have moved onto the lesser known temples. You may even spot several monks on a pilgrimage to this famous Buddhist monument.
Originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, and gradually transformed to a Buddhist monument, you can see elements of both religions across the temple complex. Wander around the outer galleries marvelling at the miles of detailed bas reliefs before making your way towards the centre and climbing up towards the central tower. The steps become steeper as you ascend up the levels representing the difficulty of ascending to the kingdom of gods, but don’t let the many steps put you off as the top level is the most intricate and least busy with great views back across the temple complex to boot.
Back at ground level head towards the lake where everyone gathers for sunrise to spot a perfect reflection of Angkor Wat. A popular photo spot there tends to be a lot of hawkers around the area selling postcards and various other souvenirs, if you want to buy any of these make sure to haggle first. I would recommend saving your shopping for the night markets of Siem Reap though.
Phnom Bakheng sunset
The final stop of your whirlwind visit to Angkor Wat in one day is one of the best places to see the sunset. Phnom Bakheng, a smaller temple sitting atop a hill offers amazing panoramic views of the many temple ruins dotted amongst the Cambodian jungle and of course the sunset.
Due to increasing numbers of visitors threatening this temple there are now restrictions on the numbers of visitors that can climb up to witness the sunset. Make sure you get there early to secure a good spot and enjoy a birds eye view of Angkor Wat. There are a number of vendors at the bottom of the hill selling ice drinks and and ice creams which are perfect to enjoy during the walk up to the top.
When is the best time of year to visit Angkor Wat?
People flock to Angkor Wat all year round to see this iconic temple and explore the jaw-dropping ruins so there isn’t really a ‘quiet’ time to visit. If you are visiting Angkor Wat in one day and won’t have any flexibility on when this day is, your best bet is to visit during the dry, milder months from November to March.
April and May are still quite dry although the temperature and humidity starts to rise making it quite uncomfortable to walk around all the temples of Angkor Wat in one day. Avoid June to September if you can as these are the rainiest months and I’m not sure it would be overly enjoyable visiting Angkor Wat in the rain as there’s not many places to shelter from downpours!
What is the best way of getting to and getting around Angkor Wat?
Angkor Wat is only a 15-20 minute drive from Siem Reap, where the majority of the hotels, bars and restaurants are located, and where I recommend you stay during your visit to Angkor Wat. You can easily grab a tuk tuk or taxi to take you to Angkor Wat for a day, although make sure you get them to stop by the ticket office on the way in to grab your Angkor Wat entrance pass.
The easiest and most comfortable way of getting around Angkor Wat is to hire a driver for the whole day. You can either opt for a tuk tuk or, for ultimate luxury, hire an air conditioned car. There are no words to explain how grateful you’ll be to get in a nice cool car at regular intervals during your exploration of Angkor Wat in one day, it’s hot and sticky out there! Hiring a driver is cheaper than you might think, and some also offer guide services for an additional fee.
How much does a driver and Angkor Wat tour guide cost?
There are an astounding number of companies offering Angkor Wat tour guides and drivers which can make it difficult to know which company to book through. It’s worth doing your research and reading reviews prior to booking to make sure you have the best experience of Angkor Wat in one day. I booked through Happy Angkor tours and they were perfect, willing to adapt to what we wished to visit and always ready with a bottle of cold water.
Firstly you need to decide if you would like a tour guide to accompany you around Angkor Wat or whether you would like to explore on your own. When visiting Angkor Wat in one day I would recommend booking a tour guide as you’ll be able to learn so much more about Angkor Wat, and they often know hidden spots that are less crowded with tourists! A respected Angkor Wat tour guide costs around US $35 a day, with some additional fees chargeable for the outer temples, and is well worth it.
Secondly you need to consider what vehicle you would prefer, a tuk tuk is fun and authentic however a car with air conditioning offers a welcome relief from the heat of the day. On average a tuk tuk costs US $20 for a day, and a basic sedan car costs US $30+ with SUVs and mini-vans costing extra. Similarly to the Angkor Wat tour guides there will be an additional cost if you wish to visit some of the Angkor Wat temples that are outside of the main circuit.
If you are on a budget you can opt to hire bicycles and explore Angkor Wat by pedal power, many of the hotels in Siem Reap even offer bicycle rental for free to hotel guests. Remember to take several bottles of water with you as it’s thirsty work!
How do you get an Angkor Wat entrance pass and how much does it cost?
To explore the temples you must have an Angkor Wat entrance pass. These can be purchased at the Angkor Conservation Area ticket booth on the Charles de Gaulle road between Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. Head to the Angkor ticket booth at the start of your Angkor Wat in one day adventure to grab your ticket prior to sunrise whilst the queues are nice and short.
You can buy 1, 3 and 7 day passes from the Angkor Wat ticket booth; however you can only buy an Angkor Wat one day pass on the day you wish to visit the archaeological site, or after 5pm on the day before. Tickets are printed with a photo of yourself on to making them non-transferable, and non-refundable (make sure you pose for the photo to get a cute souvenir!).
Angkor Wat entrance passes have recently increased in price for the first time in many years to reflect the popularity of this UNESCO site. Angkor Wat one day passes now cost US $37, a three day pass is US $62 and a seven day pass is US $72. Although quoted in US dollars you can purchase your Angkor Wat entrance passes in US dollars, Cambodian riel, Thai baht or Euros.
What does an Angkor Wat entrance ticket include?
Your Angkor Wat entrance ticket includes access to all sites within the Angkor Archaeological Park except for Beng Mealea and Phnom Kulen. Both these temples are quite far away from the main temple complex and cost an additional fee. Beng Mealea is US $5 to visit, whereas Phnom Kulen costs US $20 as it is a sacred pilgrimage site. If you are only visiting Angkor Wat for one day I would skip these additional temples and stick to the main temple complex.
Angkor Wat entrance tickets can be bought as 1, 3 or 7 day passes. The Angkor Wat one day pass must be used on the day of purchase, the three day pass can be used on any three days within that week, and the seven day pass is valid for any seven days of the following month. For your whistle-stop Angkor Wat in one day experience you will only need the one day pass.
What is the Angkor Wat dress code?
Angkor Wat is a religious monument therefore you should dress appropriately to show respect. The Angkor Wat dress code states that all visitors to this UNESCO site should wear clothing that covers their knees and shoulders. Due to several incidences of inappropriately dressed tourists you will no longer be able to purchase an Angkor Wat entrance pass should you be wearing clothing deemed to not fit in with the dress code. There are also officials located around the Angkor temple complex that will further enforce these dress codes.
Trying to fit in with the Angkor Wat dress code and be comfortable in the hot, humid weather can be challenging. For your Angkor Wat in one day adventure I would recommend a short sleeved maxi dress for women, and a t-shirt with lightweight trousers for men. You will be doing a lot of walking therefore a pair of comfortable shoes with good grip is best to explore the uneven ruins. I would opt for sandals so your feet can breathe, although they might get quite dusty!
Which are the best Angkor Wat temples?
Everyone’s version of the best Angkor Wat temples will differ dependent on the style of architecture they find most interesting, and will also likely be influenced by how busy the temple is during their visit. If you follow the Angkor Wat one day itinerary listed above you’ll get to experience the most popular temples at Angkor Wat in one day and can make your own mind up – perhaps the smiley faces of Bayon appeal to you or maybe you prefer the other-worldly temples where the trees have grown through the ruins.
During my Angkor Wat one day tour I struggled to pick a favourite temple as each is quite unique. If I had to pick it would probably be Bayon, part of the Angkor Thom complex, with the interesting faces each with their own unique expression. I also loved the trees interwoven with the architecture at Ta Prohm, although with it’s fame from the Tomb Raider movies this temple can get extremely busy, Preah Khan is similar and you may be the only visitors there! Angkor Wat itself is also beautiful and its worth climbing the steep stairs to get to the higher levels as you’ll be able to find some quieter areas and awesome views.
What are the other things to see in Siem Reap apart from Angkor Wat?
There are many other things to see and do in Siem Reap after you’re temple-d out, needless to say you’ll want a more chilled day after exploring Angkor Wat in one day. Even away from the temples you’ll spy Angkor Wat themed bars, restaurants and even mini golf dotted around Siem Reap.
Dependent on how much energy you’ve got left following your hectic Angkor Wat one day itinerary head to Phare circus for a enjoyable evening of dance, music and acrobatics telling the story of a Cambodian legend. Or for a culinary delight head to Cuisine Wat Damnak for a delicious blend of Cambodian flavours and French techniques.
If you’ve time I highly recommend joining Backstreet Academy for a creative workshop where local people will help you make your own souvenir to take home. I tried iron pencil drawing and made my very own picture of Angkor Wat to take away (thankfully with some help). If you’d rather buy a souvenir then head to Siem Reap’s night market for a plethora of Angkor Wat themed goodies to buy.
