Siem Reap Angkor Temples Sunrise Bike Tour with Breakfast

• Day tours by bike
• Cambodia
• Siem Reap

Watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat

Take a sunrise bike tour to the Angkor Park temples, and watch dawn breaking over the majestic towers of Angkor Wat. This family-friendly day tour is an unforgettable experience that provides a breathtaking encounter with the world's largest religious site and an icon of Cambodia’s rich heritage. Begin by watching the sunrise illuminate Angkor Wat's silhouette before enjoying a breakfast within the grounds of Angkor Park. You'll then cycle on to visit Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm, and local villages.

As you cycle up to the magisterial Angkor Wat, you'll be immediately struck by its magnificent scale and the stunning detail in every aspect of its construction. Marvel at the five towers that represent Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods, as you proceed towards the temple over the surrounding moat. Your guide will lead you to the perfect position to watch the warm glow of the sunrise illuminate the monumental quincunx of towers that form Angkor Wat's iconic outline.

The temple's construction took 28 years from 1122 to 1150 CE, and was ordered by the Khmer King Suryavarman II to be dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple was later converted to a Buddhist site, and your guide will point out the differences in the temple's towering statues and intricate decorations that reflect this transition between religions.

After taking some time to explore Angkor Wat's grounds you'll stop for a jungle breakfast just outside the temple, where you'll be able to satiate your appetite and reflect on the profound sight you've just witnessed. After this, cycle on and arrive at Angkor Thom, the final and longest-standing capital of the Khmer Empire, established in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII.

Enter through one of the ancient city's four gates, each lying at the cardinal points on a compass. Once inside, follow your guide as they lead you around the myriad temples, shrines, and towers within. Admire the bas-relief decorations, depicting the various gods, goddesses, and other-worldly beings of ancient Hindu myths and poems.

Venture onwards to the center of this complex, where you'll discover Bayon, the state temple. On every side of each tower, you'll see a stone carving of the smiling, serene face of the Buddha gazing upon you. You'll also stop at the Elephant Terrace, an epic viewing platform designed to allow the king to watch the return of his victorious armies. Allow your guide to point out the contrasts between the classical style of Angkor Wat and the baroque Khmer style of Bayon as you wander around in the temple's tranquil atmosphere.

Your guided tour then rides onwards towards the crumbling but captivating Ta Prohm temple. Marvel at how the jungle is slowly reclaiming this ancient structure, and find the famous Stegosaurus carving with the help of your guide, often touted as evidence that the Khmer knew of dinosaurs or even encountered them during their time.

Ride back to Siem Reap along dirt paths, passing scenic views of the Cambodian countryside. This bicycle tour will leave you feeling awed by a day in the ancient city of the Khmer Empire, whose intricacy of design and monumental architecture make this experience truly unforgettable. To discover more of Cambodia's breathtaking beauty, take the Siem Reap Countryside Bike Tour to ride the back roads and uncover the cottage industries that sustain rural life here.

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Highlights

Sunrise over Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Local village

What’s included

• Bike and helmet rental
• English-speaking guide
• Picnic breakfast and lunch
• Snacks
• Refreshments
• Support van

Meeting place & directions

The van service will pick you up from your hotel.