Angkor Grand Circuit and Bakheng Sunset Tour
Private Afternoon Temples and Sunset
Explore the quieter temples of Angkor’s Grand Circuit, then watch the sun set from Phnom Bakheng. Perfect for photographers, couples and travelers who want hidden gems beyond the usual route.
⭐ Licensed Local Guide · 🤝 10+ Years Experience · 🔒 Private Tour, Your Group Only · 🚐 Hotel Pickup Included · 💵 Book Now, Pay on the Day
Overview
Quick answer: The Angkor Grand Circuit and Bakheng sunset tour is a private afternoon trip of about six hours through Angkor’s quieter temples, Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup, ending with sunset at Phnom Bakheng. Pickup is at 1:30 PM. Choose an air-conditioned car (Lexus SUV), minivan or tuk-tuk. Private tours start at $60 per group, with the Angkor Pass extra.
This afternoon tour follows the Grand Circuit, a loop of temples that most visitors skip in favor of Angkor Wat and the Bayon. You visit the vast, tree-grown ruins of Preah Khan, the island shrine of Neak Pean, the fig-covered gate of Ta Som, the stepped pyramid of East Mebon with its stone elephants, and the warm laterite towers of Pre Rup.
The day ends at Phnom Bakheng, where you walk up through the forest to watch the sun set over the park and the distant towers of Angkor Wat. Your guide, Tivorn, a licensed local guide, explains each temple, and because the tour is private, you can spend longer wherever the light is best. It is an ideal partner to the sunrise tour, with a gentler pace and far fewer crowds.
⏰ Duration
About 6 hours
🕓 Departure
1:30 PM from your Siem Reap hotel
🔒 Tour Type
Private, your group only
🌐 Language
English
Full Itinerary
⏰ 1:30 PM — Hotel Pickup
Enjoy a relaxed morning, then pickup in Siem Reap city in your chosen vehicle: air-conditioned car (Lexus SUV), minivan or tuk-tuk. If you still need your Angkor Pass, we stop at the ticket office on the way.
⏰ 2:00 PM — Preah Khan Temple (45 minutes)
Step into the vast, unrestored ruins of Preah Khan, built by King Jayavarman VII in honor of his father: a maze of atmospheric corridors and carvings, with trees growing straight through the stonework.
⏰ 2:55 PM — Neak Pean Temple (30 minutes)
Walk a wooden causeway across the old reservoir to Neak Pean, a circular temple on an artificial island, designed as a healing sanctuary.
⏰ 3:35 PM — Ta Som Temple (30 minutes)
Explore a small, quiet temple known for its eastern gate, where a giant strangler fig has swallowed the entrance, one of the most photogenic spots in Angkor.
⏰ 4:15 PM — East Mebon Temple (20 minutes)
Climb the multi-tiered pyramid of this 10th-century temple, once surrounded by a vast reservoir and guarded at its corners by life-sized stone elephants.
⏰ 4:45 PM — Pre Rup Temple (20 minutes)
See the warm laterite and brickwork of this grand state temple glow in the late-afternoon sun.
⏰ 5:15 PM — Climb to Phnom Bakheng
Start the moderate walk up the forest path, with glimpses of the park through the trees.
⏰ 5:45 PM — Sunset at Phnom Bakheng
Reach the summit of this temple mountain and watch the sky change color as the sun sets over the jungle and the towers of Angkor Wat.
⏰ 7:00 PM — Return to Your Hotel
After a careful descent at dusk, drive back with a cold towel and drop-off at your hotel, with the evening free for dinner in Siem Reap.
Times are for the air-conditioned car. A tuk-tuk is slower, so Tivorn will confirm the timing if you choose one. Sunset falls between about 5:34 PM in November and 6:35 PM in July, so Tivorn will confirm the pickup time for your date, and you reach Phnom Bakheng before the sun goes down.
Choose Your Vehicle
Every tour is private, and the vehicle is your choice. Tivorn’s main vehicle is an air-conditioned Lexus SUV. A minivan or a tuk-tuk is available on request.
🚙 Air-Conditioned Car (Lexus SUV)
Tivorn’s main vehicle. Best for couples, families and groups of up to 4 guests.
$80 per group
🚐 Air-Conditioned Minivan
Best for larger groups and families traveling together up to 8 people.
$90 per group
🛺 Tuk-Tuk
A classic way to see the temples in the golden light (up to 3 guests). Open-air and not air-conditioned, so bring a light layer for the evening.
$60 per group
Private tour from $60 per group
Your group only. The Angkor Pass is not included: it costs US$37 per person for one day. Buy it online the day before, or we stop at the ticket office on the way. Book now and pay on the day, with no deposit.
Included / Not Included
✅ Included
✓ Licensed local guide
✓ Hotel pickup & drop-off in Siem Reap city
✓ Your choice of vehicle: air-conditioned car (Lexus SUV), minivan or tuk-tuk
✓ Bottled drinking water
✓ Cold towels in the car
❌ Not Included
✗ Angkor Pass (US$37 per person for one day)
✗ Meals and drinks
✗ Travel insurance
✗ Personal expenses
What Travelers Say
Tivorn Angkor Guide is rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor. Read what guests say about their days exploring Angkor, in their own words.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sunset falls between about 5:34 PM in November and 6:35 PM in July. Pickup is at 1:30 PM, and Tivorn will confirm the exact timing for your date so you reach the top of Phnom Bakheng before the sun goes down. See our best time to visit guide for sunset and sunrise times by month.
Yes. It pairs perfectly with the Angkor Wat sunrise tour: the sunrise tour covers Angkor Wat, the Bayon and Ta Prohm, and this afternoon tour covers the quieter temples of the Grand Circuit.
Sunset is popular, so the summit can be busy, but the Grand Circuit temples earlier in the afternoon are generally quieter. Starting the walk up on time gives you the best chance of a good spot.
It is a moderate uphill walk on a forest path. Allow about 30 minutes, and bring a phone torch, because the descent is at dusk.
Yes. The Angkor Pass is required and is not included. A 1-day pass costs US$37 per person; a 3-day pass costs US$62 and is valid for any 3 days within 7 days.
Yes. You travel only with your own group, with your own guide and vehicle, and you set the pace together.
The Lexus SUV, an air-conditioned car, suits most couples, families and groups of up to 4. The minivan suits bigger groups. A tuk-tuk is a classic way to see the temples, but it is open-air and slower, so bring a light layer for the evening. Tell Tivorn your group size and he will recommend the best fit.
Yes. The brick and laterite temples glow in the late-afternoon light, and Ta Som’s fig-covered gate and East Mebon’s stone elephants are favorites. Because the tour is private, you can stay longer where the light is best.
Message Tivorn on WhatsApp with your date and number of guests. You can book now and pay on the day, with no deposit, as set out in our Terms.
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Ready to Discover the Grand Circuit?
Message Tivorn on WhatsApp to check availability for your dates. Book now and pay on the day.