Private 5-Day in Siem Reap Itinerary
Angkor Past and Present
Our 5 days in Siem Reap plan gets you VIP circus seats, private sunrise at Angkor Wat, and access to temples 95% of visitors never see!
Skip the crowds and boring tours. This 5 days in siem reap itinerary gives you secret temple access, VIP circus seats, and sunrise at Angkor Wat before anyone else arrives. You’ll meet local artists, walk through rice paddies, and watch the sun paint Cambodia’s most famous temple golden – all while supporting real communities.
5 Days in Siem Reap Itinerary: Secret Temples + Private Sunrise
5 Days in Siem Reap Tour Overview
A 5 Days in Siem Reap Itinerary is a complete Cambodia travel plan that covers Angkor Wat sunrise, hidden temples, cultural shows, and village visits over five days and four nights. It includes accommodation, private transportation, expert guides, and entrance fees to all major temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park.
Perfect for first-time visitors to Cambodia, this itinerary balances ancient temple exploration with modern cultural experiences. The tour includes special access to temples that regular tourists miss.
Key features include:
- Private sunrise viewing at Angkor Wat before crowds arrive
- VIP seats at Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus performance
- Secret temple paths used by less than 5% of visitors
- Village tours with local families and traditional craft workshops
- Expert local guides with 15+ years of experience
This itinerary works best for travelers who want authentic Cambodia experiences without rushing through tourist crowds. Most tours cost $1,500-$2,000 per person and run year-round, with November through March offering the best weather for temple exploration.
Cambodia calls to travelers who want more than just photo
5 Days in Siem Reap Tour Highlights
This 5 days in siem reap itinerary takes you deep into Angkor’s ancient world while connecting you with modern Cambodian life. You’ll watch sunrise paint Angkor Wat in golden light. Secret paths lead to temples most tourists never find. Local families will welcome you into their homes and teach you their crafts.
Your Siem Reap travel guide experience starts with history from the 10th century. But this isn’t just about old stones. You’ll see how Cambodian people live today, create art, and keep their culture alive. From temple ruins to village workshops, every day brings new stories.
The temples of Angkor hold secrets that tour buses miss. We know the quiet spots where monkeys play and ancient carvings tell their tales. Morning mist rises from jungle canopies. Evening light turns temple faces into living portraits.
This Cambodia trip plan gives you experiences money usually can’t buy:
- Private sunrise at Angkor Wat before crowds arrive
- VIP circus seats at Cambodia’s most inspiring performance
- Secret temple paths that 95% of visitors never see
- Artist studio visits with a local art expert who knows everyone
- Village family visits where you’ll learn traditional basket weaving
- Traditional breakfast overlooking royal bathing pools
- Expert local guides who share stories, not just facts
- Small group experience – no rushing, no crowds
Angkor Wat Itinerary - Places You'll Visit
Your 5 days in siem reap adventure takes you to these amazing spots:
Ancient Temple Complex
- Angkor Wat – Cambodia’s crown jewel at sunrise
- Angkor Thom – The great walled city with smiling faces
- Banteay Srei – Pink sandstone temple with detailed carvings
- Ta Prohm – Where jungle trees grow through temple walls
- Bayon Temple – 200 stone faces watching over you
- Secret temples – Places tour buses don’t know about
Modern Cultural Sites
- Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus – Amazing acrobats with VIP seating
- Local art galleries – Meet artists in their studios
- Traditional villages – Real families, real life
- Rice paddies – Walk where farmers work every day
- Local markets – Taste, smell, and experience real Cambodia
5 Days in Siem Reap Itinerary - Your Complete Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Temple Introduction
Your Siem Reap 5-day tour starts when you land. No waiting in visa lines – our airport helper takes care of everything. The hour drive from airport to city gives you first glimpses of Cambodian life.
After checking into your riverside hotel, afternoon temple visits begin. Banteay Srei sits 30km beyond Angkor Wat. This pink sandstone temple shows the finest stone carving in all of Cambodia. Local craftsmen spent years creating these detailed sculptures.
Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm temple visit complete your first day. Tree roots bigger than cars grow through Ta Prohm’s walls. Movies filmed here, but real life beats any screen story.
Meals: None included
Hotel: Jaya House River Park – Double Deluxe Room
Day 2: Sunrise at Angkor Wat and Walled City
Wake up at 5am for the experience of a lifetime. Sunrise at Angkor Wat means watching Cambodia’s most famous temple turn from black silhouette to golden wonder. Most tourists miss this magic moment because they sleep in.
Cool morning air makes temple walking perfect. After Angkor temple tour of the main temple, breakfast waits at Sala Kdei. This traditional wooden house overlooks Sra Srang royal bathing pool. Kings once bathed in these waters.
Afternoon brings Angkor Thom, the famous walled city. Bayon temple highlights include 200 stone faces smiling down at you. Each face tells a different story. Your guide knows which ones to watch as light changes throughout the day.
Several spots offer perfect sunset views. Your guide will ask where you want to watch day turn to night. This choice makes your experience personal, not just another tour stop.
Meals: Traditional breakfast included
Hotel: Jaya House River Park – Double Deluxe Room
Day 3: Secret Temples and Best Temples in Siem Reap Circus Night
7am start means beating all crowds to secret spots. Hidden roads lead to temples tourist buses never find. These quiet places let you hear bird songs and wind through ancient stones. Peace replaces noise here.
Ta Keo Temple requires climbing to reach amazing views. From the top, jungle spreads in every direction. Angkor Thom wall walks follow, where nobody else goes. Beautiful and peaceful paths end at the East Gate. Ancient Cambodians used this gate for funeral processions. Bayon faces guard this entrance too, but you’ll see them alone.
Lunch break gives you free time in town. Our restaurant list helps you find perfect local markets in Siem Reap food.
Evening belongs to Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus. VIP seats mean no waiting in lines. This isn’t just entertainment – it’s inspiration. Young people who escaped difficult lives now create amazing art. Their acrobatics tell stories of Cambodia’s past and hope for its future. Supporting them supports real change.
Meals: Breakfast included
Hotel: Jaya House River Park – Double Deluxe Room
Day 4: Siem Reap Attractions Art Tour and Free Time
Art expert Robina Hanley has lived in Siem Reap for almost 20 years. She knows every artist, gallery, and creative space in town. This morning belongs to her Siem Reap Art Tour.
Your interests shape the tour route. Love photography? She’ll take you to the best studios. Prefer sculpture? Artists working with traditional and modern styles await. Contemporary Cambodian art mixes ancient symbols with new ideas. International pieces add global flavor to local scenes.
Each gallery visit feels personal because Robina knows the artists. Stories behind paintings make them more meaningful. Shopping chances come naturally, but pressure stays away.
Afternoon freedom lets you rest, shop, or explore on your own. Restaurant recommendations help you find perfect lunch spots.
Meals: Breakfast included
Hotel: Jaya House River Park – Double Deluxe Room
Day 5: Cambodian Countryside Village Tour and Departure
Your final morning takes you 25km east of Siem Reap to real village life. This village tour shows how most Cambodians actually live. Modern village homes look different from temple architecture, but families welcome visitors with the same warm hearts.
Pig farms and vegetable gardens feed local families. Traditional businesses keep old skills alive. Rice paddies stretch toward distant mountains. Walking through these green fields feels like stepping back in time.
Basket weaving families teach you their craft. These skills pass from grandparents to grandchildren. Fresh coconut drinks cool you down while you try your hand at weaving. Meeting neighbors shows you Cambodian community spirit.
Siem Reap day trips end with meaningful connections. Village families wave goodbye as you head back to the city.
Airport transfer timing matches your flight departure. Private transportation means no rushing or waiting for other passengers.
Meals: Breakfast included
Accommodation Provided During this Tour
This 5-day Siem Reap adventure takes you beyond the typical tourist path. You’ll watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat in peaceful silence before crowds arrive.
Your home base is Jaya House River Park resort, where you can relax by the water after long days of temple exploring.
The tour includes secret temples that most visitors never see. VIP seats at the famous Cambodian circus provide front-row entertainment. Local village visits show you real Cambodian life today.
Between all these activities, you return to your comfortable riverside room at Jaya House resort. The art tour with expert guide Robina reveals Siem Reap’s creative side.
This trip combines ancient history with modern comfort perfectly.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.
What's Included in Your Cambodia Tour Packages
Duration: 5 days, 4 nights. Group Size: Small groups or private tours. Difficulty: Easy to moderate (some hiking involved). Best Time: November to May (dry season). Age Range: Suitable for ages 12 and up. Languages: English-speaking guides. Transportation: Air-conditioned vehicles with driver
Accommodation
- 4 nights at The Aviary Hotel (Kingfisher Deluxe Room)
- Daily breakfast included
- Airport transfers both ways
Transportation
- Air-conditioned car or van with professional driver
- All transfers between temples and sites
- Fuel and parking fees covered
Meals
- Daily breakfast at hotel
- One breakfast at a unique location overlooking Srah Srang
- Bottled water throughout tour
Activities
- All temple admission fees
- Siem Reap historical sites entry tickets
- Phare Circus VIP seats
- Art Gallery entrance fees
Southeast Asia Journeys Travel Planning
Important Tour Information
Protecting Our Environment
Southeast Asia Journeys works hard to reduce plastic waste. We team up with local partners to cut down on single-use plastic. Hotels and restaurants on our tours are part of this effort.
You can help too. Bring a water bottle that filters water and can be used many times. Fill it up at your hotel room tap. Use drinking fountains and water stations. Each time you refill instead of buying plastic bottles, you help our planet.
Visa Requirements
Most places we visit need visas. Rules change often, so check with embassies or visa companies for the latest news. Visit https://www.evisa.gov.kh/ for more details about Cambodia visas.
Your passport should be good for at least 6 months after your tour ends. This keeps you safe from travel problems.
Weather in Cambodia
Cambodia stays warm all year. The dry season runs from November to May. Cool weather comes first, then hot and sticky weather from March to May. Rain falls between June and October.
Daytime temps will be 30-35 degrees. Pack hats and sunscreen for every day!
Travel Insurance
You must have insurance that covers emergency flights home if you get sick. Some regular insurance plans don’t cover all our tour activities. The places we visit might need special coverage too.
Buy a plan that covers your whole trip. Check our Insurance section for more help.
Booking Your Trip
Pay 30% of your tour cost to book your spot. Southeast Asia Journeys will hold your place once we get this payment.
What You Pay Extra For
Southeast Asia Journeys believes in clear pricing. No surprise costs hide in our tours. These items cost extra:
Visas and Travel Insurance: Visa needs depend on your country and tour. Travel insurance is required for all trips.
Tips for Guides: Tips are your choice. We give tip suggestions in your pre-trip papers.
International Flights: Book your own flights to and from Southeast Asia.
Plan your Southeast Asia adventure with southeastasiajourneys.com – your trusted travel partner for authentic regional experiences.