Angkor Wat itinerary: two circuits
Most visitors move through the park on two loops. The small circuit is about 17 km and runs through the heart of the park. The grand circuit is about 26 km and goes further out to the north and east. Both are planning models, not fixed routes with a set start point, and the distances do not include the ride from your hotel or the walks inside each temple.
How long a day takes depends on how often you stop. A suggested plan puts the small circuit on day one, the grand circuit on day two and an outer route on day three. You can also spread the small circuit over two days. If you want a guide for the loops, see Angkor Wat tours, and for the entry ticket see the ticket guide.
Small circuit and grand circuit compared
Temples on each loop, as commonly planned.
| Small circuit | Grand circuit | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | About 17 km | About 26 km |
| Stops | Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, Ta Keo, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang, Prasat Kravan | Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup |
| Suggested day | Day one, or spread over two days | Day two |
| Highlights | Angkor Wat towers, the Bayon faces, the tree roots at Ta Prohm | Long corridors at Preah Khan, the island temple of Neak Pean, the brick towers of Pre Rup |
For most first-time visitors with three days, the small circuit on day one, the grand circuit on day two and a choice from the outer temples on day three is a good balance. If you only have one day, start with sunrise at Angkor Wat, then Angkor Thom with the Bayon and Ta Prohm.
Our picks: one, two or three days
Two guided days with both circuits, a private grand circuit or Banteay Srei with sunset.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private grand circuit tour of the Angkor temples
- English-speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Transfers
A private guide and vehicle for the outer temples of the grand circuit. The temple pass ($37 for one day) is paid on the spot.
Check availability →
Two-day Angkor tour with sunrise and sunset
- Guide on both days
- Air-conditioned minibus
- Hotel pickup
The small circuit on one day and the grand circuit on the other, eleven temples with a guide and hotel transfers. The Angkor Pass is extra; a three-day pass costs $62.
Check availability →
Banteay Srei and the grand circuit with sunset
- English-speaking guide
- Sunset viewpoint
- Air-conditioned vehicle
A guided day to Banteay Srei and the grand circuit temples, ending at a sunset viewpoint. Temple entry ($37 for one day) is extra.
Check availability →Angkor Wat tours by circuit
Guided days on the small and grand circuit, sunrise tours and day trips from Siem Reap, with live prices and availability. Check each card to see whether the Angkor Pass is included.
One, two or three days
Pick the pass that matches your plan.
One day, $37
Sunrise at Angkor Wat, then Angkor Thom with the Bayon and Ta Prohm. You skip the outer sites and the grand circuit. See the sunrise page for timing.
Two days
The small circuit on day one at a relaxed pace and the grand circuit on day two. The three-day pass at $62 gives you a spare day within 7 days, and its days do not have to be consecutive.
Three days, $62
Small circuit, grand circuit and an outer route on the third day. Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean lie to the north, and Beng Mealea, Phnom Kulen and Koh Ker are separate trips. Outer sites can have their own fees.
Day trips →Seven days, $72
A slow stay with room for the outer temples, long breaks and rain. The pass is valid within 30 days.
Opening hours for planning
Times are ranges, so leave a margin.
| Place | Hours |
|---|---|
| Angkor Wat | 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Most temples of the small and grand circuit | 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. |
| Phnom Bakheng | 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Pre Rup, Srah Srang | 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
Scaffolding, restoration and upper levels can close parts of a temple. Ta Prohm has restoration work going on at the east and south gates. Walkways have been set up at the Bayon and Neak Pean, but that does not mean every terrace is open. Ask your guide or driver on the day.
Beyond the circuits
These sites need extra time and often extra fees.
Banteay Srei
The pink sandstone temple lies north of the main park, more than 30 km from the center of Siem Reap and over 20 km from the central Angkor area.
Banteay Srei →Beng Mealea
A collapsed jungle temple with a wooden walkway. It has its own $10 ticket card, so ask at the counter if your pass covers it.
Beng Mealea →Phnom Kulen
A mountain with a waterfall and a separate $20 visitor fee. Allow a long day for the drive.
Phnom Kulen →
Angkor Wat itinerary: frequently asked questions
How many days do I need for Angkor Wat?
One day covers the highlights, and three days let you walk both circuits and one outer route without rushing. The three-day pass is valid within 7 days.
What is the difference between the small and grand circuit?
The small circuit is about 17 km and includes Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm. The grand circuit is about 26 km and covers Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup.
Which temples are on the small circuit?
Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, Ta Keo, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang and Prasat Kravan.
Can I do the circuits on a bike?
Bicycles and guided e-bike tours are options. A private guided e-bike ride on either circuit costs $95 per person. Check battery range and routes before you go.
Does a one-day pass cover the grand circuit?
The one-day pass is valid for one day. How many temples you reach depends on your pace and transport, so a combined small and grand circuit in one day is ambitious.
Is angkorpark.org an official site?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to the park authority, the ticketing company or any tour operator.