Private 1 Day Trip with Sunrise at Angkor Wat

You will be picked up at the lobby of hotel where you are staying at 4:30AM. Then, you will be transferred to Angkor Wat to get an experience of the silhouette of the largest religious monument ever built slowly emerges in front of you as darkness gives way to the first rays of dawn…. This is a truly spectacular sight and well worth the early start today! You may wish to assume the classic viewing position by the lotus pond and see Angkor Wat and its reflection or find yourself a different vantage point to appreciate and photograph this mesmerising temple. When the colours of sunrise begin to fade you will explore the inner parts of Angkor Wat, learn about its history and the fascinating stories behind the intricate carvings adorning the walls of the temple galleries.

After that, you will go to visit Angkor Thom with the wall rising eight meters high, the laterite wall measures 3x3km and guards many treasures inside, protected by a moat still flooded today. You will enter the ancient city through its South Gate. In the very centre lies the temple of Bayon – silent witnesses of time, the 216 enigmatic faces gaze over the horizon and one can only wonder what they have seen throughout the ages. Your guide will point out the best angles for photography here and give explanation of the many intricate carvings on the walls of the galleries. You will then continue to Baphuon with its long causeway and an impressive giant Reclining Buddha, a jigsaw puzzle only put back together in 2011 following a 37 year-long disruption caused by the war. Phimeanakas is hiding in the shaded jungle and offers a decent over-the-tree-tops view to those who conquer the steep steps to the top. Continuing along the Esplanade of the Royal Palace more commonly known as the Terrace of the Elephants you will wind up your exploration in the shaded area of the picturesque Preah Palilay. Break for lunch.

Afternoon, Your day will start by briefly pausing at Srah Srang, the King’s Baths – a large reservoir still containing water today. From here it’s only a short walk to the sprawling labyrinth of the Buddhist temple Banteay Kdei. Our next stop, Ta Prohm, gained its 21^st Century fame from the movie Tomb Raider featuring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft. Today, with Lara long gone, this temple is on the itinerary of most visitors and rightfully so. Many corners of Ta Prohm showcase an intricate relationship between the roots of Spung tree (Tetrameles Nudiflora) and ancient stones covered in moss. Truly a photographer’s paradise, don’t miss the opportunity to capture your own explorer’s moments.

Drive back to hotel and drop off. End of Service.