Choosing when to visit Angkor Wat changes the whole trip: the heat you walk in, the crowd you share the temple with, and the colour of the sunrise. This guide uses average weather data for Siem Reap and calculated sunrise times to help you pick the right month, and it was checked on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer: The best time to visit Angkor Wat is November to February, when it is driest and coolest, with the busiest crowds from December to January. March to May is hot, with April the hottest month. June to October is the green season: fewer visitors and lush scenery, but rain on many days, and September is the wettest month.
The three seasons at Angkor
Siem Reap has a tropical wet and dry climate, so the year splits into three seasons.
- Cool, dry season (November to February): average highs of about 29 to 32 degrees C, very little rain and the clearest skies, with January the clearest month. This is also peak season.
- Hot season (March to May): average highs of 34 to 35 degrees C, with April the hottest month. Afternoons are punishing, so temple days start at dawn.
- Green, rainy season (June to October): rain on 14 to 22 days a month, with August the cloudiest and September the wettest. The temples are quieter and the jungle is bright green.
Month-by-month: weather, sunrise and crowds
This table uses long-term averages for Siem Reap, so any single year can differ. Sunrise and sunset times are calculated for the 15th of each month and shift by a few minutes during the month.
| Month | Avg high / low | Rain | Rainy days | Sunrise / sunset | Typical crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31 / 22 C | 5 mm | 1 | 6:31 AM / 5:56 PM | Peak | Best: cool, dry, clear |
| February | 32 / 23 C | 13 mm | 2 | 6:27 AM / 6:09 PM | Peak | Excellent: dry, a little hotter |
| March | 34 / 26 C | 28 mm | 5 | 6:12 AM / 6:14 PM | Medium | Good: hot afternoons |
| April | 35 / 27 C | 56 mm | 9 | 5:52 AM / 6:17 PM | Medium | Hottest: go at dawn |
| May | 34 / 27 C | 117 mm | 16 | 5:38 AM / 6:23 PM | Low | Hot, humid, first rains |
| June | 32 / 27 C | 168 mm | 19 | 5:37 AM / 6:32 PM | Low | Green, fewer people |
| July | 31 / 26 C | 180 mm | 20 | 5:45 AM / 6:35 PM | Low | Green, showers most days |
| August | 31 / 26 C | 206 mm | 22 | 5:52 AM / 6:25 PM | Low | Wet and cloudy |
| September | 31 / 26 C | 216 mm | 21 | 5:53 AM / 6:05 PM | Low | Wettest month |
| October | 30 / 26 C | 117 mm | 14 | 5:55 AM / 5:45 PM | Low to medium | Rains ease, still green |
| November | 30 / 24 C | 30 mm | 5 | 6:03 AM / 5:34 PM | Rising | Very good: rains end |
| December | 29 / 22 C | 5 mm | 1 | 6:19 AM / 5:39 PM | Peak | Excellent: coolest nights |
The best time for the Angkor Wat sunrise
Angkor Wat opens at 5:00 AM, and through the year the sun rises between about 5:37 AM in early June and 6:31 AM in late January. In the dry season the skies are clearest, so the light is most reliable. In the green season clouds can hide the sun, yet they can also give a more dramatic sky.
If you want the classic mirror photo, choose December to February and arrive when the gates open. Around 20 March, many guides say, the sun rises close to the central tower, which draws extra crowds. Our Angkor Wat sunrise tour picks you up at 4:30 AM so you are at the gates when they open.
The best time to avoid the crowds
For the quietest temples, visit between June and October. Crowds build from late November and stay high until February. Mid-April, around Khmer New Year, is also busy because many Cambodians visit the temples, although the park stays open.
Whatever the month, you can beat the crowd by changing the order of your day. Visit Ta Prohm as it opens, take Angkor Wat later when the sunrise crowd has gone, and rest at midday. Our Angkor full-day tour without the crowds is built this way.
The best time for heat, rain and the floating villages
Heat. From March to May, plan temple walking between dawn and about 10 AM, then rest and return in the late afternoon. Carry water and wear a hat.
Rain. Between July and September, expect rain on most days. Start early, carry a light rain jacket, and keep a flexible plan.
Floating villages. Water level follows the seasons. High water, roughly August to December, lets boats travel farthest, while in the dry season the stilt houses stand taller. Both are worth seeing on our Tonle Sap floating village tour or the quieter Kampong Khleang tour.
Festivals and holidays that change the crowds
Three Cambodian holidays can change how busy the temples feel. Khmer New Year falls in mid-April, Pchum Ben usually in September or October, and the Water Festival usually in November. Their dates follow the lunar calendar, so check them for your year.
Angkor Archaeological Park is open every day of the year, including holidays, so you do not need to avoid these dates, only expect more local visitors at some temples and pagodas.
Which month is best for you?
- First-time visitors: December to February, for dry weather and clear skies.
- Photographers: November to March for clear light, or June to September for dramatic clouds and fewer people.
- Families: November to January, when days are cooler.
- Budget and crowd-averse travellers: June to October, with a rain jacket packed.
- Heat-sensitive travellers: avoid April and May, or keep every visit to dawn.
Tickets and timing tips
The Angkor Pass costs US$37 for one day, US$62 for three days and US$72 for seven days. The 3-day pass is valid for any three days within seven days. A pass dated for tomorrow lets you in from 4:45 PM today, and that evening does not count as a pass day, which gives you a free sunset the evening before.
Angkor Wat is open from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Phnom Bakheng, the classic sunset hill, from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Sunset falls between about 5:34 PM in November and 6:35 PM in July, so our Grand Circuit and Bakheng sunset tour ends at Phnom Bakheng for sunset, and Tivorn can shift the start time to match your date.
Match your month to a tour
- Dry season, clear skies: the Angkor sunrise and floating village private tour
- Quiet green-season days: the Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean tour and the Phnom Kulen waterfall tour
- Cooler months, longer days out: the Koh Ker and Beng Mealea day trip
- A relaxed pace: the 2-day private Angkor tour
Travelling from abroad? Read our Cambodia visa guide before you book flights.
Best time to visit Angkor Wat: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Angkor Wat?
January is the best single month: it is dry, cool and clear. December and February are almost as good.
Is Angkor Wat worth visiting in the rainy season?
Yes. From June to October the temples are quieter and the jungle is green, but expect rain on many days and pack a light rain jacket.
What is the hottest month at Angkor?
April, with an average high of about 35 degrees C. Visit at dawn and rest at midday.
What time does Angkor Wat open?
It is open from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day.
What time is sunrise at Angkor Wat?
Between about 5:37 AM in early June and 6:31 AM in late January. Use the table above for your month.
What is the best time of day to visit Angkor Wat?
Early morning has the best light and cooler air. For fewer people, see Ta Prohm at opening and Angkor Wat in the afternoon.
How many days do I need for Angkor?
One day covers the highlights, but a 3-day pass, valid within seven days, lets you see more at a gentler pace.
Does Angkor Wat close for holidays?
No. The park is open every day of the year.
Plan your Angkor Wat visit with a local guide
Tell Tivorn your travel dates and he will suggest the best tour for that month, the right pickup time for the sunrise or sunset, and a plan that fits your energy. He is a licensed Siem Reap guide with more than 10 years of experience, and you can book now and pay on the day with no deposit, as set out in our Terms.
Message Tivorn on WhatsApp to choose your date or browse all tours.
Last checked: 14 October 2026. Weather averages come from Weather Spark, park hours and ticket rules from Siemreap.net; sunrise and sunset times are calculated for Siem Reap. Always confirm ticket rules on the official Angkor Enterprise site.