Angkor Wat Tour: 2-Day Itinerary - Welcome to Zimmin Around the World

Angkor Wat is one of the world’s most iconic sites and main reason visitors travel to Cambodia. Angkor Wat is a huge complex full of thousands of temples and structures. Booking an Angkor Wat tour is the best way to experience one of Southeast Asia’s best UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Many visitors will take a day trip to Angkor Wat and explore the small circuit and end the day with a sunset view on top of Phnom Bakheng Temple. I recommend a 2-day Angkor Wat Tour to get the most out of your trip for a more complete Angkor Wat Experience.

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Summary

Why Visit Angkor Archaeological Site: Plain and Simple visiting Angkor Wat Complex is a must for any traveler. Angkor Wat is exactly what you think it is, Ancient Ruins, giant trees, and a sense of exploration.

Top Things to do in Angkor Wat:

Visit Angkor Wat and see the sunrise over the temple.
Go to Ta Prohm also known as the “Tomb Raider Temple”.
Walk around Bayon Temple.

To fully explore Angkor Wat and see temples on the small and big circuit, I highly recommend this 2-Day Angkor Wat Tour.

A Brief History on Angkor Wat

The Angkor Complex was originally built in the early 12th century. Angkor Wat was commissioned by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu Temple that was dedicated to the God Vishnu.

Later on, Angkor Wat became primarily Buddhist. Today, you can see signs of both Hindu and Buddhist religions throughout the temples of Angkor.

Like much of Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge, Angkor Wat was abandoned for some time. Many of the religious relics were damaged during this time period and thieves stole a lot of artifacts.

Today, while exploring Angkor Wat, you can see the conservation and restoration of many temples from several countries to include France, India, the United States, Germany, Japan, and China.

Angkor Wat Tours

If planning on visiting Angkor Wat, you might be wondering whether to explore the ruins independently or if it’s worth joining a guided tour. After debating myself I am glad I went with the guided tour.

An Angkor Wat tour offers many advantages. An expert guide will provide historical insights and answer any questions, the guides know the best times to visit temples to limit overcrowding, and take you to the must-see temples at Angkor Wat.

Our tour also included hotel pickup/drop-off, water, and wet towels to cool off after exploring the temples in the hot and humid rainforest.

Here are a few of the Angkor Wat Tours that are highly rated on Viator and/or Get Your Guide.

✅ 2-Day Angkor Wat with Small, Big Circuit and Banteay Srei Tour (This is the one we did and highly recommend it)

✅ 1-Day Amazing Angkor Wat Tour with Sunset & Interesting Major Temples

✅ Siem Reap: Angkor Wat: SMall-Group Sunrise Tour

✅ Siem Reap: Angkor Wat Sunrise and Full-Day Sightseeing Tour

Why I Recommend a 2-Day Tour

When I moved to Asia back in 2019, Angkor Wat was a dream of mine to visit. Finally, 6 years later, I got a chance to travel to Cambodia, specifically to explore Angkor Wat.

There are a ton of day trips to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap. Although worth it, you only see some of the main temples on the small circuit. I wanted to explore as much of Angkor Wat as possible, so I decided to book this 2-Day Angkor Wat Tour.

A 2-Day tour of Angkor Wat covers all the main temples that a day tour to Angkor Wat does but you also get a chance to wake up at sunrise to see Angkor Wat, see temples that fall on the Big Circuit and see Banteay Srei.

In my personal opinion, I came all the way to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat, I really wanted to see as much of the temple ruins as I could.

The 2-Day tour was not rushed, the guide was extremely knowledgeable, and I definitely got my money’s worth.

If you only have a day to visit Angkor Wat, you won’t be disappointed, I just feel like 2 days is the perfect amount of time since the ruins covers a vast area.

Here is the tour I booked and Highly recommend: 2-Day Angkor Wat with Small, Big Circuit, and Banteay Srei Tour.

Visiting Angkor Wat Solo

Although I do recommend booking a tour of Angkor Wat, it can be done solo. In fact, I saw plenty of solo travelers exploring the ruins of Angkor Wat.

If you are visiting Angkor Wat on your own, it does allow for more flexibility and control of your budget.

I saw people that took tuk-tuks from Siem Reap that dropped them off at temples around Angkor Wat, you can easily hire a private driver.

If you follow my Angkor Wat itinerary below, you won’t miss out on any of the famous temples we visited on our tour. It might just take a little more planning and research on your end.

Admission and Hours

To visit Angkor Wat, you do need to pay for a ticket. The ticket also known as an Angkor Pass must be present on you during your time at the Angkor Complex.

Tickets for Angkor Wat can be purchased at the Angkor Enterprise.

You can purchase tickets online, via the app on their website, or at the site. If taking an Angkor Wat tour, the tour guide will drive you to the Angkor Enterprise at the start of the day.

Admission

1 Day: $37
2 Days: $62
7 Days: $72

Hours

Angkor Wat is open daily, 365 days a year.

Angkor Wat is open from 5:00 to 18:00

2-Day Angkor Wat Itinerary

The Angkor Complex is a huge series of temples located just outside of Siem Reap. The most famous temple in Angkor is Angkor Wat. Wat, meaning Temple in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.

With hundreds if not thousands of temples and structures at Angkor Wat, it is impossible to cover the entire complex. Most visitors spend a day at Angkor Wat but I did the 2-Day Angkor Wat tour.

Here is my detailed Angkor Wat itinerary. I hope I can convince you to join a 2-Day Angkor Wat tour.

Day 1: Angkor Wat Itinerary: Small Circuit

Day 1 of our Angkor Wat itinerary. Our guide picked us up from our lovely hotel, the La Riviere d’Angkor Resort. We picked up our 3-Day pass at the Angkor Enterprise just outside of Siem Reap. We then made our way to Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat, the main temple and grandest of them all at Angkor Complex. Angkor Wat was constructed in the 12th century during the reign of Suryavarman II.

Angkor Wat is a huge temple that covers about 200 hectares to include the moat.

Angkor Wat was built to symbolize Mount Meru which is a sacred mountain in the Hindu religion.

According to the site, Angkor Wat has some of the best examples of Khmer art that depict scenes from the Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as well as the procession of Syavarman II.

We visited Angkor Wat twice on our 2-Day tour. We started the tour here first because it was during the off season and not crowded and then we came back to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat.

Banteay Kdei

Banteay Kdei otherwise known as the “Citadel of Chambers” is a smaller temple complex in between Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm.

There is a small parking area here, the first thing you’ll notice is the Banteay Kdei East Gate. The East Gate has four faces that are well preserved.

Once you pass through the gate, you will walk through the smaller temple complex. Here you can see carved walls, ruined structures, and large trees growing out of some of the ruins.

Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm, also known as the “Tomb Raider Temple,” is an iconic temple in that was built in the late 12th century.

Other then being a part of the setting of the movie Tomb Raider, Ta Prohm is famous because of the large trees and massive tree roots protruding from the temple ruins.

Ta Nei Temple

Ta Nei Temple was another ruined temple located on the small circuit. We had this temple to ourselves. Ta Nei Temple is not restored, seeing it in its current state really makes you appreciate the restoration going on, but it also feels more adventurous.

The Victory Gate

The Victory Gate is one of the five grand entrances to the Ancient City. You can drive or walk through the Victory Gate, a road goes through it.

On the inner side of the gate there is a large moat and on each side of the bridge are the Gods and Demons playing tug-of-war holding a Naga.

Naga is the powerful serpent deity. Naga is the symbol of water, fertility, protection, and connection between the world of humans and the spiritual realm. You will see Naga all throughout Angkor Wat.

Bayon Temple

After Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, Bayon Temple was my favorite. Not only did this temple have macaques running around (I love seeing monkeys in the wild) but this temple was a huge complex that was well preserved.

Bayon Temple is known for its towers with stone faces. In total there are around 200 faces carved in the towers symbolizing Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist God of virtue of compassion.

Again we had Bayon Temple to ourselves since visiting Angkor Wat in May is considered low season. We explored the temple thoroughly, walked around the towers and the hallway networks.

Bayon Temple is a must visit and needs to be included in any Angkor Wat itinerary.

Baphuon and Phimeanakas Temples

Both Baphuon and Phimeanakas Temples are within walking distance from Bayon Temple and are relatively close to one another.

Baphuon Temple is a pyramid like structure where you can climb to the top of and get great views of nearby temples and the surround jungle. Keep in mine, the stairs can be steep and narrow.

If you are on a guided tour of Angkor Wat, have them point out the Giant Reclining Buddha etched in on the outer walls of the temple.

Phimeanakas is a smaller pyramid temple that was built in the 10th century. It is located at the old Royal Palace.

Terrace of the Elephants

The second to last stop on our Angkor Wat tour, was the Terrace of the Elephants.

The Terrace of the Elephants is not a temple like the rest. In fact, it is a 350-meter long platform that was used by King Jayavarman VII and other kings as a stage to view royal processions, parades, and ceremonies.

If you walk around, you will noticed detailed carvings of elephants, other animals, and figures all over the walls.

Sunset at Phnom Bakheng

Our last stop on the Angkor tour was to catch the sunset at Phnom Bakheng. This is the most popular sunset viewing platform at Angkor Wat and one of the oldest temple in the archaeological park.

It’s about a 20-minute hike to Phnom Bakheng. You have to come early, because it can get really busy. We were there about 2-hours early, so we waited around a lot.

Our experience wasn’t great here. A brief evening shower dumped on us as we waited and the sunset wasn’t that spectacular. In my mind we would have clear visuals on Angkor Wat. Instead you are looking at a tower of Phnom Bakheng with the jungle in the background.

I am sure you get a beautiful sunset here and there, but I don’t think it’s anything out of this world. So in my opinion or if I would do this again, I would skip the sunset at Phnom Bakheng and just explore the ruins and not waste 2-3 hours.

Day 2: Angkor Wat Itinerary: Big Circuit

Day 2 started off early. Our guide picked us up again from our hotel, the La Riviere d’Angkor Resort to view the sunrise at Angkor Wat. After the sunrise, we explored more of Angkor Wat before making our way to more temples on the Big Circuit.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

I prefer the sunrise over Angkor Wat compared to the sunset. Our day started early, between 4:30 – 5:00 am. We drove to the eastern entrance of Angkor Wat and stood at the edge of the moat to watch the sunrise.

It was cloudy that day, so there was not much of a sunrise. Still, I feel I got great photos of Angkor Wat and the temple was not crowded at this time. After an hour or so, we walked back to Angkor Wat to explore more of the temple.

Preah Khan

Preah Khan was the first temple we visited on the big circuit outside of Angkor Wat. This temple was built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. It was both a Buddhist monastery and university.

Preah Khan is worth adding to your Angkor Wat itinerary and should not be missed. This is another one we had to ourselves and it was amazing being able to explore it without other tourists.

At Preah Khan you can really see some of the Roman influenced architecture. Like the columns on some of the structures. The Khmer Empire was wealthy and powerful at the time, so they knew of Rome, hence some of the influence.

Neak Pean

One of the more unique and serene temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park is Neak Pean. Neak Pean is temple that is located in the middle of a reservoir.

Neak Pean features four connected pools that represent the elements of earth, fire, water, and wind. In the middle lies a centra tower that is surrounded by the Nagas.

Ta Som

Out the outer edge of the reservoir where Neak Pean Temple is, you can find the less visited Ta Som Temple.

This is a perfect temple to visit during the busy tourist season to escape the crowds. Ta Som was built in the late 12th century and is a classic Bayon-style architecture.

Eastern Mebon

Eastern Mebon Temple is an older temple built in the 10th century by King Rajendravarman. Our guide told us that this temple used to be on an island in what is now a dried up reservoir.

Eastern Mebon is known for its sandstone carvings and large elephant statues guarding each corner of the temple.

Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei is a must-visit temple although it is outside of the Angkor Archaeological Complex. It’s usually included in multi-day tours to Angkor Wat. It’s located about 25 kilometers from Angkor Wat.

Banteay Srei is regarded as one of the most beautiful temples in the area because of it’s intricate pink sandstone carvings.

The sign at Banteay Srei stated that in Khmer, Banteay Srei means “City of Women.” This temple was not built by or for the kings. Instead it was built by courtiers. Banteay Srei is small in scale and the temples are on a single level.

Because of its beauty and being so different then the other temples at Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei is a must visit.

Banteay Samre

One of my favorite temples on our 2-day Angkor Wat itinerary was Banteay Samre. We had this temple to ourselves as well. This temple doesn’t get as crowded as others and I don’t know why, but maybe that is a good thing.

This restored temple features your classic Angkor architecture and has a central tower with galleries on all sides.

Pre Rup

The final temple on our Angkor Wat tour and recommended one to visit on the itinerary is Pre Rup.

Pre Rup is a mountain-temple design, almost pyramid like. This temple was built in the 10th century for King Rajendravarman and it is believed that funerals were held here, as there is a crematorium chamber.

Tips and Advice on Visiting Angkor Wat

Start Early: Make sure to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Angkor Complex is huge, you need plenty of time to explore the temples. Starting early, allows you to avoid some of the brutal heat during midday in Cambodia.

Buy the Day or Multi-Day Passes: For flexibility and to get the most out of your experience, I recommend the 3-Day Angkor Pass.

Take a Guided Tour of Angkor Wat: A knowledgeable guide is key. You’ll get so much more out of your tour to Angkor Wat with a guide. You’ll learn everything you need to know and can ask questions.

Dress Appropriately and Bring Rain Gear: A day at Angkor Wat can be full of surprises. The heat, humidity, potential rain showers, and general walking can be intense. Plan for all weather and wear comfortable and breathable clothes.

Pack for the Day: Bring plenty of water and snacks on your day trip to Angkor Wat. Bring towels, extra clothes, sunglasses, and an umbrella.

Watch out for Monkeys: There are Long-Tailed Macaques that roam some of the temples, I saw a bunch at Bayon Temple. There are also Gibbons but they are less common at Angkor Wat. Give the monkeys distance and don’t feed them.

Time your Visit: We visited Angkor Wat in May which is not the tourist season. Angkor Wat was not crowded at all. In fact, some temples we had to ourselves.

Bathroom Situation: We found that there were plenty of restrooms around Angkor Wat. Not all temples had bathrooms but many of the larger ones had both men and women bathrooms.

Conclusion

Visiting Angkor Wat on a guided tour is in my opinion the best way to fully experience the Angkor Complex, Cambodia’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll learn so much more, discover temples off the beaten path, and get an overall better experience.

From viewing the sunrise at Angkor Wat to taking pictures of monkeys at Bayon Temple, an Angkor Wat tour almost guarantees a smooth, enriching, and time-efficient 2-Day tour.

Seeing Angkor Wat in person and the many temples at the Angor Complex has always been a dream of mine. Angkor Wat did not disappoint and I highly recommend you visit. If you have any questions or curious about anything, feel free to reach out!

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