• Angkor Wat - At 8:00 am, our local guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel. We’ll make a 15-minute stop at the ticket booth to purchase a pass for the Angkor temple complex. Our first stop will be Banteay Kdei, meaning “A Citadel of Chambers” or “Citadel of Monks’ cells,” a Buddhist temple in Angkor. Next, we’ll visit the Ta Prohm temple, famously known as the Tomb Raider temple. Our journey continues to Angkor Thom city, a remarkable expression of genius on a grand scale. We’ll explore the Bayon temple with its iconic faces and have lunch in front of Angkor Wat, spending around 2 hours there until the afternoon when there are fewer visitors.

• Angkor Wat - The most iconic of the Angkor temples, Angkor Wat is the largest religious building in the world and the Khmer Empire’s greatest legacy. It showcases the empire’s devotion to religion and their architectural prowess. Angkor Wat is a powerful symbol of Cambodian culture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Angkor Thom - Angkor Thom was one of the most impressive cities of the Angkor period, showcasing extensive urban planning. This ancient city spans 9 square kilometers, surrounded by four walls each 3 kilometers long. Each wall has a gate providing access over a moat, with the South Gate being the most impressive. At the center is Bayon, a temple adorned with 216 gigantic smiling faces. Numerous other sites surround it, best explored on foot.

• Bayon Temple - We highly recommend stopping at Bayon Temple on the small circuit. The surrounding temples are also worth exploring. From the parking area (Bayon Park on the map), walk west along the stone concourse into Bayon temple. Do a half loop of the inner walls to view the carvings before heading to the center to see the giant faces up close. Exit Bayon Temple northwards, and when you see another temple on your left, follow the thin stone causeway to Baphuon. Climb to the summit for wonderful views over the forest, then descend and wind your way through the trees to Phimeanakas, a Hindu temple surrounded by a pretty moat. Continue through the trees to the small but charming Preah Palilay, then return to the main path and head past the Terrace of the Leper King to the Terrace of the Elephants. Either get the tuk-tuk driver to pick you up here or walk back to where you parked the bike.

• Ta Keo - The Small Circuit exits Angkor Thom via the Eastern Gate, which is more ruined and less restored than the South Gate, making it a quick stop. The highlight here is Ta Keo, one of the first temples built entirely from sandstone. It is a monumental, stepped pyramid topped with five massive towers. Even if you don’t climb to the summit, it’s worth stopping for a photo from the base. The road then passes between two small temples, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda, which have interesting carved pediments but are often quickly passed by. Next is Spean Thmor, an ancient bridge that is not worth stopping at.

• Ta Prohm Temple - Ta Prohm is the Tomb Raider Temple, with ancient walls crumbling under the jungle’s constriction. The complex is a maze of corridors, vaults, and closed courtyards, many piled with boulders displaced by the jungle. Bas-reliefs adorn many walls and porches, enhanced by the shadows of huge encroaching trees. It’s a magical place and an essential stop on the Small Circuit. Don’t miss the door surrounded by roots from the Tomb Raider movie and the giant Crocodile Tree. The bas-reliefs on the Dancer’s Corridor are also exceptional.

• Banteay Kdei - Banteay Kdei is a maze of chambers and corridors, partially overrun by jungle. The temple is adorned with lions, Buddha statues, lintels, and a few bas-reliefs. It’s much less visited than most other temples of Angkor Wat, making it a refreshing place to stroll around. We enjoyed visiting, but it’s not as impressive as some other temples. Try to squeeze it in if you have time. Opposite Banteay Kdei is the massive reservoir of Srah Srang. The stone platform offers pretty views over the lake and it’s a popular spot for sunrise or sunset.

• Prasat Kravan - Prasat Kravan is a 10th-century site containing unique bas-reliefs on its inner walls. It’s a well-preserved small temple and, being only a short distance from the road, it only takes a few minutes to explore.

• Phnom Bakheng - If sunrise is too early for you, this is an excellent alternative. After breakfast at your guesthouse, complete the Small Circuit in reverse (anti-clockwise) starting at Prasat Kravan. If you leave mid-morning, you should arrive at Angkor Wat around 3:30 pm. Explore the temple’s interior first, then get photos from the libraries and over the ponds in the late afternoon (just before it closes at 5:30 pm) when gentle light streams onto its walls and towers. You can then walk up nearby Phnom Bakheng for sunset.

• English professional guide
• All local applicable taxes
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Hotel pick up 9:30 am to 10:00 am
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

• Angkor Pass 37$/.person
• Travel Insurance
• Appreciation Tip

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.