If you’re traveling to Cambodia you’re likely going to be visiting many of the ancient temples there. Siem Reap is a city in north-central Cambodia and is the most popular destination for travelers in that country.
It also happens to be where one of the most famous temples in the world, Angkor Wat, is located. No visit there would be complete without watching the Angkor Wat sunrise. It’s a major bucket list item and I’m going to tell you everything you need to know so you can see it for yourself.
Purchase Tickets In Advance
Your first step to seeing the sunrise at Angkor Wat is to purchase your Angkor Wat Ticket. Nobody is allowed entry into the park without a ticket. There are three tickets available for purchase: a 1 day ticket for $37, a 3 day ticket for $62, and a 7 day ticket for $72.
You can purchase your ticket at the Angkor Enterprise office in Siem Reap, online through their website, in the Angkor Pass app, or at one of the kiosks located in town and at the temple.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Angkor Wat
More than 2 million people visited Angkor Wat in 2024, about 28% more than in 2023. It’s a VERY popular destination and people visit all year long. Depending on what you prioritize, there are certain times of the year for visiting Angkor Wat that are better.
Cambodia has a wet season, a dry season, and a “it’s so unbelievably hot” season. It never really gets cold in Cambodia but it definitely gets really hot and humid during certain times of the year.
If you’re planning a trip to Cambodia you’ll want to make sure you get your Visa for Cambodia at least a month before your trip.
Visiting Cambodia In The Dry Season
The overall best time of year to visit Angkor Wat is from November to February. During this time the temperatures are hot but not sweltering. My second visit to Cambodia took place in late November and it was warm enough to go swimming every afternoon at our hotel.
During this time there is less humidity and your chances of being able to see the sunrise in Angkor Wat are really good. Temperatures during this time of year are 72-86°F (22-30°C) making it really comfortable to explore.
You can spend 5 days in Cambodia or 2 weeks in Cambodia but I guarantee when it’s time to leave you’ll wish you stayed longer. There’s a lot to do and see in Cambodia so be sure to plan your Cambodia itinerary where you can fit it all in.
Cambodia’s Wet Season
From June through October, Cambodia gets a LOT of rain. You can expect frequent showers nearly every day which means the humidity will be high and the paths will be muddy. This makes it a little more difficult to maneuver through the temples but it’s not impossible.
The good thing about the wet season is you will likely have less crowds in Angkor Wat, although it will still be crowded, and lower prices on your accommodations. But, chances are really good you won’t get to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. So if you are set on experiencing it, this is not the time to visit.
Angkor Wat’s Unbearably Hot Season
The really hot and miserable season in Cambodia (I have all kinds of names for that time of year) is from March to May. The first time I went to Cambodia was in the month of April and I seriously thought I would die.
We went on a day trip from Bangkok because we were on a tour to Thailand but with Cambodia being right next door, I had to go. I had ONE day to see it all and I’m so glad I did but I would never choose to visit during that time again.
I cannot even begin to describe the misery of the weather. I’m from Texas, so I’m definitely used to heat and humidity, but Cambodia showed me that I hadn’t really seen heat and humidity before. It was the kind of humidity (it’s always the humidity) that made it hard to breathe.
It’s also pretty cheap to travel during this time of year which meant it was super crowded. Heat, humidity, and crowds make everything worse. The Angkor Wat temple was the last stop for us and we couldn’t even fully explore it. We were just done.
I do NOT recommend going at this time of year.
What Time Is Sunrise In Angkor Wat
Like everywhere around the world, sunrise time varies depending on the time of year. Sunrise at Angkor Wat occurs between 5:30am and 6:30am.
From November to February: between 6:15am – 6:30am
From March to May: 5:45am – 6:15am
From June to October: 5:30am – 6:00am
Remember, from June to October it’s the rainy season and chances are low for seeing the sunrise.
You can check the sunrise and sunset time at the Time and Date Website.
How To Get To Angkor Wat At Sunrise
After purchasing your entrance tickets for Angkor Wat, you’ll need to decide what day to go. I suggest going on your first full day just in case it does rain or if it’s too cloudy. That way you’ll be able to try again the following day.
Unfortunately, you can pick the right time of year to visit but you can’t choose what happens with the weather.
Rent a Motorbike
There are several ways to get around Angkor Wat but our favorite is driving ourselves. Anytime we can we like to rent a motorbike or scooter when we travel. Siem Reap is small enough to be able to ride one without worrying to much about the crazy traffic you’ll see in larger cities like Bangkok or Hanoi.
Renting a scooter is easy and affordable. You don’t even need to know how to shift gears because with scooters you just turn the key and go. If you do plan to rent a scooter make sure you have an International Drivers License.
Not every place will check for it but it only costs $20 a year which is cheaper than a fine. You can get one through AAA.
See the Sunrise By Tour
You can easily book a tour to see the Siem Reap Sunrise at Angkor Wat and let someone else do all the work. No need to figure out where you’re going (in the dark) because the tour operators know where to go.
You’ll get picked up early and taken to the Angkor Wat Temple for the sunrise. You’ll have time to explore the temple after sunrise and then be taken to three more popular temples at the Angkor Wat Park.
You’ll still be responsible for purchasing your own Angkor Wat Ticket. The tour will stop at the ticket office after pickup so if you don’t have it already you can get it that morning.
Hire a Driver
There is no shortage of taxis and tuk-tuks in Siem Reap asking you if you want to go see the temples. Taxis will have air conditioning and the tuk-tuk is an open air vehicle so you’ll get plenty of air as you drive.
If you’ve already been in a Tuk-Tuk in Siem Reap and you like your driver, ask them if they’re available to take you to see the sunrise. You have a 99.9% chance that they will do it.
You can also ask your hotel or hostel if they will arrange for a driver. They will definitely have someone they can call up to take you.
Preparing for the Angkor Sunrise
You’ll be getting up pretty early so make sure you get back to your room early and set your alarm. You’ll likely be waiting at the Angkor Wat sunrise spot for at least 1-1.5 hours before the sun even rises so you’ll want to bring a few things with you.
- Camera: The most important item to bring for the Angkor Wat sunrise is your camera. Whether it’s a professional camera or your cell phone, don’t forget it. It’s the whole reason for getting up early!
- Battery Bank: You’ll be taking tons of photos as the sun is rising and once it’s all over you should explore the temple. You can expect to spend up to 2 hours just exploring inside Angkor Wat and outside on the grounds. You don’t want your phone to die so bring something to keep it charged.
- Water and snacks: You’ll be there a while so bring something to drink and to snack on.
- Shoes: It’s dark, it could be muddy, and you’ll be climbing stairs so bring good sturdy shoes.
- Sunscreen: You won’t need it at 5am but if you plan to stay in the park exploring more temples then make sure you have it with you.
- Cash: Not everyone in the park accepts credit cards so always have cash on you for souvenirs and more water.
- Clothing: There is a dress code in order to go inside any temple in Cambodia. You’ll need to have your shoulders and knees covered. You can buy thin wraps throughout Siem Reap or from the many vendors throughout the park.
Getting to Angkor Wat in the Dark
There is very little lighting at the temple site and you won’t be able to see where you’re walking so you’ll need to use a flashlight to get to your viewing spot. We used the flashlight on our phones to get to our spot.
If you want one of the best spots you need to show up early. It gets really crowded! Once you secure your spot you’re not going to want to leave.
Best Angkor Wat Sunrise Spots
Angkor Wat is surrounded by water so when you arrive you’ll have two bridges to walk over to get to the sunrise viewing areas. It’s a good idea to have in mind where you want to go since it will be dark.
Reflection Pools
The best areas for the iconic shots of the main temple are the Reflection Pools. I’ve marked them on the map below with the pink dots numbered 1 & 2. The left-side pool is the most popular because it reflects the temple’s towers in the water without obstructions.
We went to the right side and still had a reflection but there are more trees blocking some of the view. It was dark and I didn’t think it through! I’m still happy with my photos but next time I’ll try the other side. 🙂
If you’re there during the wet season then the right side Reflection Pool is better. With the position of the sun in different spots during the year, the right side is better. As long as there’s no rain on the day you go.
The best part about getting a spot at the Reflection Pool is nobody can get in front of you. Well, unless they get in the water and it’s doubtful that will happen.
Temple Entrance of Angkor Wat
After you feel like you’ve taken the perfect sunrise shot of Angkor Wat, start walking around to find other angles. Walk up the steps to the entrance and walk around to the sides and the back. Chances are good you will have the backside of the temple all to yourself.
Is the Sunrise In Angkor Wat Worth It?
Yes, the Angkor Wat sunrise is absolutely worth it. Well, unless it rains or is super cloudy but you can’t worry about things you can’t control. You can still get good photos if there are clouds.
You may get frustrated with the crowds but as long as you’re there early then you won’t have to worry too much about them.
Tips for Viewing The Sunrise In Angkor Wat
- Arrive early – get to Angkor Wat no later than 5am. Even if it’s the time of year where the sun doesn’t rise until 6am, you want to secure your spot for the best photos.
- Keep an eye on the weather. If there’s a chance of rain for the next morning, push your viewing of the sunrise at Angkor Wat to the next day.
- Get your entrance ticket the day before. The ticket office doesn’t open until 5am so you want to either get it the day before or purchase it online or through the app.
- Make sure your phone and batteries are charged up. How else will you prove you were there if you don’t have photos of it??
Final Thoughts On The Angkor Wat Sunrise
If you’re visiting Angkor Wat you cannot miss the sunrise there. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, unless you expect to go back again. Even so, you should still go because the next time it might rain and then you’ll be mad. Just wake up early and enjoy the view!
