Is it Possible to Tour Angkor Wat in One Day?
Many friends and acquaintances have asked me this: Is it possible to tour Angkor Wat in one day? My answer to this is both yes and no. Here is a list of best temples of Angkor Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Tour Angkor Wat in one day – Nay
Angkor is not one temple Angkor Wat. There are scores and scores of temples scattered over an area of 1000sqkms. And all are in different stages of ruinous condition.
Some temples are still battling the tightening grip of Mother Nature. Some flattened to ground as if they are mere toys built with building blocks.
So for an ardent lover of ruins even 7 days of tour of Angkor Complex may seem less. And that explains why travelers and tourists keep returning to this UNESCO World Heritage site.
One Day tour of Angkor – Yea
I know many who visit the site only for one day. They are spiritually or religiously inclined, especially Hindus who feel a great satisfaction to visit the largest Hindu Temple.
Some get saturated with old temples so they plan just a day at Angkor. Then there are budget travelers and some who are genuinely constrained by time or cash. For them this guide to tour Angkor Wat in one day can be extremely useful. Here is the list of best temples in Angkor. It is very much possible to do one day photo tour of Angkor.
Maps and Guides for Angkor
Little bit of homework is always good. Make a good study of the place through maps and guide books. Once this homework is done it will be easier for you to orient yourself with the different temples there. I had both Lonely Planet guide on Cambodia and DK’s guide on Cambodia. One helped with info of the place and other helped to get good photographs.
Angkor Wat Tickets and Visiting Hours
Recently there has been a steep rise in price of tickets. It is 37$ for a day. I feel it is justified because it has been done after 22 years.
Ticket office is open from 5:00 am to 5:30 pm, any tickets sold after 5:00 pm are for the following day. But wait, you can still utilize that ticket for the same day for may be for an hour till sunset and visit 2 to 3 temples.
For that you have to be agile enough to get that ticket immediately after 5pm because many tourists are now aware of the vantage sunset points in Angkor complex. They all queue up to get the ticket after 5pm. A smart tuk tuk driver can take you to couple of those spots and your day is made!
Angkor Wat visiting time is from 5am to 6pm. Banteay Srei Temple visiting time is from 5am to 5pm.
Angkor Wat Sunsets
There are 34 sunset points in Angkor. Yes 34!
Unfortunately for me the evenings were cloudy and none of the seven days I could witness the sunset from any of these points there. Only positive thing I had was the days weren’t too sunny, else could have been roasted to core.
Tip here: Try and do the Royal enclosure, elephant terrace and Leper King and then proceed to a sunset point.
Phnom Bakheng Temple Area (be prepared to climb steep stairs) is said to be a best place for sunset photography unfortunately it is too crowded. On some days you may find it difficult to place your tripod.
Day One, Angkor Wat Sunrise
You have to start really early to get a good position for the best frame of Angkor Wat with rising sun. Try to get there by 5 AM. Sunrise at Angkor is rated as one of the best ones in whole world. Of course you wouldn’t want to miss it. For the best place and time check out the guide I wrote on:
Tips for best sunrise pictures in Angkor Wat.
Once you witness the morning glow in the sky with Angkor Wat’s silhouette head to the temple immediately. If you are early enough you will find no queue at the steps to Angkor Wat.
Estimated tour time of just the Angkor temple is half an hour.
Facade of Central Tower of Angkor Wat Siem Reap
Now as you exit the temple keep exploring the enclosures one after another. The other option is to explore the enclosures first and then the temple.
There are detailed sculptures on the walls, one of the reasons why Angkor Wat is in world heritage site list. The inner walls of the outer gallery are chiseled with large-scale scenes depicting episodes from Ramayana and Mahabharata, 37 heavens and 32 hells of Hindu mythology, the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, featuring Vishnu showing 88 devas and 92 asuras.
Estimated time for entire tour of Angkor Wat can take two to two and half hours.
Either ways do the temple completely first instead returning to hotel for breakfast and then come back to see the remaining part of Angkor Wat. You will save a lot of time this way. By now you must be hungry. Take a short break here for the packed breakfast within the walls of Angkor Wat.
By 8.30 AM you should be out of the place.
Bayon Temple
From Angkor Wat it is just a few minutes of drive in Tuk Tuk to Bayon Temple. Bayon Temple is a must see grand temple in Angkor Thom. The temple leaves you dazed with 200+ huge faces smiling at you from all directions.
Bayon Temple is one of the finest examples of the impressive architecture of Khmer. The photographer in you can easily lose track of time in this place. Interesting reliefs found on the walls of 2 galleries around the temple has more than 11,000 carved figures depicting scenes from Khmer history and everyday life.
However the only disadvantage I see with Bayon temple is that there is lot of climbing. People with weak knees may give this a pass.
Read more: 200 Smiling Faces in Bayon Temple.
Estimated tour time for Bayon Temple is one and half to two hours.
How many faces can you find in this picture? – Bayon Temple
Baphuon Temple
(optional if you don’t visit Banteay Srei) Even though Baphuon Temple is one of the badly planned and built temple in Angkor Thom it has a charm of its own. This enormous 11th century temple mountain has long causeway and steep steps to top. The views from the summit are the best in Angkor Complex.
Read more: Sad State of Baphuon Temple.
Estimated time to tour Baphuon Temple is approx 1 hour.
5th level Baphuon Temple Angkor Thom
Preah Khan Temple
Spectacular Preah Khan temple is located within a mini forest. Shaded by tall trees it is a good temple to explore during noon. Nature is in the process of reclaiming this temple too especially the walls at its eastern end. The sculptures here clearly indicate the confluence of Hinduism and Buddhism.
During 12th century this was much more than a temple. It played the role of a university with 1000 teachers and also that of a flourishing city. The temple was built in a site of major battle between Angkor and the Chams. So much of history associated with it the temple makes it more important.
Read more: Spectacular Preah Khan Temple.
Estimated tour time for Preah Khan temple: one hour.
Dancing Apsaras on lintel in Preah Khan Temple
Ta Prohm
Head to Ta Prohm from Preah Khan Temple. Important to remember here is that there is one smaller temple with the same name Ta Prohm in central Angkor. Bigger Ta Prohm is in eastern Angkor and is almost untouched.
The authorities have not disturbed the giant trees taking over the temple. Sheer size of the roots can startle you a bit. Tourists flock around the temple for its connection to the movie Tomb Raider. Here Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft picked a jasmine flower before falling through the earth. The huge trees provide protection from harsh sun. Visiting this midday will be a good idea.
Read more: Sacred Temple Ta Prohm.
Estimated tour time of Ta Prohm at least one hour.
Giant Ficus tree roots in Ta Prohm
Banteay Kdei
You can squeeze in Banteay Kdei to your one day itinerary of Angkor Complex as it is a small temple and hardly takes an hour to see it. Banteay Kdei is a smaller version of Preah Khan and Ta Prohm temples. This temple too is in the grip of huge ficus trees but is beautifully restored by the authorities. The Hall of Dancers here is one of the best.
Read more: Hall of Dancers at Banteay Kdei.
Estimated tour time of Banteay Kdei less than an hour.
Banteay Kdei west gate in Angkor Thom
Banteay Srei
(If you are including this your fare will increase but ticket cost remains same) Banteay Srei is the most charming temple of Angkor. Small one with extraordinary concentration of miniature mythological characters!
Banteay Srei is rightly called the ‘Jewel of Khmer Art’. The art work and sculptures here are very different from the other temples in Angkor Complex. However the place is barren with no trees around. It can get unbearably hot at noon. Closing time is at 5 so try and leave Angkor Wat latest by 3.30pm.
Estimated tour time for Banteay Srei less than an hour.
Banteay Srei Jewel of Khmer
Tips to visit Angkor Wat for a day
- Always carry your ticket with you. The security at various temple entrances can check in random.
- Drivers of Siem Reap are resourceful too. Plan the route to the various temples beforehand, note down the vehicle number and name. The rates can be around 15$ for the day trip to Angkor Wat and around 35$ to Beng Srei.
- Don’t hire the first driver you get. Not an easy thing to bargain with tuk tuk drivers of Siem Reap, better to talk to 2 or 3 of them. Remember it is day rate and not fuel rate.
- If you have a guide book to Angkor Wat it will be sufficient.
- However I don’t wish to spoil the chances of earning for the guides. For better understanding of Khmer architecture and civilization you can hire a guide. They have good stories and know good photography points and angles.
- Dress light clothing covering your body well. Remember it is their holy place. And if it is a cloudless day it can get unbearably hot.
- Keep yourself well hydrated to tour Angkor Wat in one day.
- Angkor Complex has small restaurants and roadside eateries. Tender coconuts are in plenty.
- There are several washrooms within Angkor Complex.
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Its impossible to cover Angkor Wat in one day if one is interested to explore the site to the fullest.
Angkor is such a beautiful site. I visited earlier this year and only spent a day exploring as I do get temple-tired quite easily. In hindsight, I do wish I’d spent 2 days exploring. Ta Prohm and Bayon temple were my favourites I saw though!
This is a perfect guide to Cambodia’s Angkor. I had heard its enormous but the scale seems far more than I anticipated. I fear even 3 days might be less. Very useful that you have given the estimated time to check these out. Fingers crossed that I make it there soon.
I’m planning to visit Cambodia in October so this post is handy! I didn’t know that there are so many temples in Angkor Wat. One day here seems to be rushed, but I think if I follow your guide it will be enough. Love your tips on the drivers and also carrying the ticket.
What a detailed post about one of our dream destinations. This is so helpful for those looking to cover the Angkor Wat temples in a day. It is so packed with useful and practical information. Like the fact that you have included time estimates as this will help plan better. The advice of packed breakfast is really sound as who would want to waste precious time heading back to the hotel.
When we visited Angkor Wat, I remember it was so overwhelming. What ticket to buy – single day or multiple day. Which temples to visit as there are so many, what is better.. sunset or sunrise. Bayon Temple looks so beautiful with 200 plus faces carved in. We have to go back to Cambodia and would love to experiences these picks to make our tour to Angkor Wat possible in one day. Nice tips at the end especially one with the tuk-tuk drivers. It can be quite an experience to bargain with them!
I’m planning to do an SE Asia trip next year and Angkor Wat is high up on my list. Nice to know it can be done in one day, but wow… 34 sunset points!? Might need an extra day or two there then hahaa. Will defs keep in mind about staying hydrated too since I always forget. Thanks for the lovely tips!
Great post! I wouldn’t have guessed that this would be able to be done in one day. Perfect for me as I try to optimize my time in any place to get as much in as possible for a short trip!
I am planning a Cambodia tour next year. I wish I could stay there for a week to visit all the ruins but I think eventually everything has to be cut short. So, this will be a great help to me. The temple architecture of the Deccan has a lot of similarities with these with some extra elements.
One day! I can’t imagine but as you say that may be all one can afford or it’s a religious constraint. I love your tips too. Always negotiate and don’t take the first deal. Keeping the ticket is also an important point. I so look forward to finally visiting.
I like your answer that you can and cannot visit Angkor Wat in a day. Thanks for a way to prioritize the temples you can see. The sunrise over Angkor Wat is such an iconic sight. I had no idea that there were 34 different points to catch the view. Good point to go right to the temple first thing. I might be kind of freaked out to see 200+ smiling faces at the Bayon Temple. I am surprised you saw so many in one day. But I guess a good tuk tuk driver would help.
Angor Wat is a dream of mine! And I can’t wait for the day I actually visit. I definitely have always imagined it to be just a temple complex…but didn’t realize it covered 1000 square kilometers. And who knew there are 34 sunset viewing points! That’s awesome! Bayon Temple seems like something you see in movies…it’s so cool that it is actually a real place!
I am not sure if I would like to visit Angkor Wat for just one day. I much prefer slow traveling and taking my time, and considering how many temples make up Angkor Wat, I feel it’s better to at least give yourself time. I can’t believe how many sunset vantage points there are at Angkor Wat. Good to know that there are more and more savvy tourists purchasing their tickets in time for sunset, so I will totally be prepared for this!
This is such a useful post for me, as I’ve yet to visit Cambodia. Angkor Wat looks incredible, and now I know there are more temples than one. I agree that Bayon Temple is so wonderful, especially with all the face carvings, how impressive!
I hired a guide when I visited and he was able to take me around at the right times so I avoided most of the tourists at peak times. I was only there a day and felt pretty satisfied with what I was able to see, but definitely could have spent more days there. While I was there some of the temples were being restored, so hopefully people who visit in the future will be able to see even more.
You can see it all in one day, but what a whirlwind of places to visit. I was there 15 years ago and it was dizzying with one week to do all of them.
It’s wonderful to have a guide like this when going to a place like Angkor Wat. I love UNESCO World heritage Sites, but I do get saturated so I would only do the best temple. I like the idea of visiting some at sunset and then going the next day on the same ticket.
Great tips on how to maximize your day at Angkor Wat – including packing breakfast and when to take a break.
I would visit Baphuon because you say it has the best views. I think that I would not add any temples like Banteay Srei because I get saturated.
Ya. It is indeed possible to f=do Angkor in a day. But that would be a grave injustice as most would attest. But when you are short on time, you can still get the feel of what this awesome place has to offer. Completely agree with your plan!
This brings back memories. I found Angkor very moving and exotic. Preah Khan temple was super interesting – I’d forgotten I was even there until your blog reminded me. We went for 3 days and extended it to 5 so I wouldn’t recommend going for one day – although you can pack a lot in if that’s all the time you have.
You need at least two days for Angkor Wat proper, but I think most people, including myself we’rent aware of how large the area is and how many beautiful temples there are to explore. I did it in two days, but would have loved to have a 3rd day. Your tips are extremely useful for someone visiting Siem Reap, I def wish I had known some of these!
Angkor Wat looks like such a fascinating place to visit. I didn’t realize how big and diverse it is until I read this post. It seems like the kind if place you could spend a lot of time exploring, but it’s great to have all these tips for people with limited time.
Angkor Wat has been on my list of places to see for SO long that there is no way I would travel so far to spend a single day at this extraordinary place. That said, I know many people reach here, and that’s all the time they have. Your information is helpful regardless! And your photographs are great!
Great shots. These are what I want to take back home. I will try to do it in a day.
I keep thinking theres only one or two temples in Angkor Wat but looks like theres dozens of them! Havent actually been there yet but planning a visit and I hope when I do, will use your guide to plan a trip. Theres a lot of useful information here I didnt know.
I didn’t realise there were so many temples in the area, as we haven’t visited before. You have a very comprehensive guide here, the tour times are very helpful if you haven’t been. Such amazing temples, we would love to go one day
Love how detailed you are in your guide and that you are honest about day trips or short visits not being totally worth it. I had no idea Angkor Wat spanned 1000sqkms!
Angkor looks like a wonderful place to visit. I’d love to spend there a day and see all these beautiful temples. 🙂
$37 does seem a bit on the steep side. But all that history and beauty. If I came that far I would have to see it all. I really want to go too.
First thing that came to my thought was a ‘no’. We had taken a monthly pass to roam around Angkor Wat complex and were doing it bit by bit, sometimes repeatedly. Remember, I was in Siem Reap for a much longer period? 🙂
But yes, by reading guide I think it’s possible if you are not inclined to do everything that’s there. One can choose wisely with the help of this guide to visit in a short time.
This is an easy guide knowing either to go in a day and or lots of days. Angkor is on my list, and the tips you mentioned clearly give me ideas on what to expect when I am there especially I will be traveling solo. I also didn’t know that there are like 34 sunset points, as I’ve researched there’s only one site I saw on videos. Great to know I also have some option. Thanks for the very informative post.
Each time I see temples like Angkor Wat, I am in wonder at the detail and structure the builders/artists were able to accomplish. If I were to visit Angkor Wat, I would love to go at either sunrise or sunset to enjoy the extra special splendor.
I think it depends on that particular person , what he actually want to see . You have written in detail in previous posts and it will help all to make their program accordingly.
I wouldn’t want to tour it in one day. I would want to spend a whole week just looking at each piece.
I can’t image doing angkor wat in one day, but if I was going to do it, this is an amazing guide on how to hit the highlights. Hopefully when I do it I can have at least one week!
I did not realize Angkor Wat is so spread out, research would be vital for sure! But with 34 sunset points how can you possibly choose? I always love the images of the Bayon Temple.
Angkor Wat is high on my bucket list. For those short on time it’s good that you laid out an achievable 1 day itinerary with times at each temple. I’d especially love to see the twisted trees at Ta Prohm.
Very well described in detail. Your photos capture the intricate carvings of temples beautifully. Will love to visit the place some day. Thanks for sharing.
I know there are numerous temples in Angkor Watt and I’ve read about most of them in your blog so I know you’ve spent a lot of time exploring them. Although I am sure it is not even fair to spare just a day to visit them, I know for a fact that when I do travel to Cambodia, I am likely to not have a lot of time in hand and my itinerary will have to be very packed so I may not really get more than a day (or max 2) to explore the temples. I am not religious at all so I don’t care about exploring Hindu temples. But I do love architecture and history, your guide is going to help me a LOT in choosing the best temples to visit in the short span of time.
I have not been to this bucket list item but I will probably just go to the major temple (Central Tower) of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom (Preah Khan) for a day.
this is so useful, and the photos are gorgeous. I didnt know just how expansive it is!
The temples are stunning! Wonderful photos and travel suggestions.
fabulous religious historical place thanks to sharing
Informative post with beautiful photos ?
Thanks for sharing ?
Superb shots.
Amazing temples. Very informative post.
Such a helpful post, Indrani. I wouldn’t rush through this in a day.