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Private Rolous Group Tour and Banteay Srei tour with 4 Main Temples
Most Angkor Visitors Miss These Four Temples Entirely - The Rolous Group Tour and Banteay Srei Tour Finally Takes You There
Private Rolous Group Tour and Banteay Srei tour
The Rolous Group Tour and Banteay Srei tour by Southeast Asia Journeys takes you to two of Cambodia’s most historically fascinating temple sites in one comfortable morning. You start at Banteay Srei, a 10th-century Hindu temple carved from warm pink sandstone, widely considered to have the finest stone carvings in the entire Angkor Archaeological Park. On the return drive toward Siem Reap, your guide stops at the Roluos Group — three 9th-century brick temples that formed the very first capital of the Khmer Empire, called Hariharalaya.
The Rolous Group Tour covers Bakong, Preah Ko, and Lolei temples, all in a single morning with no rushing and no alarm set for 4am. A local expert guide and private driver are included, lunch is sorted, and you’re back at your hotel before the afternoon gets hot.
Your guide speaks English, pickup covers all hotels, resorts, and villas in Siem Reap, and you choose your own start time from three options: 7:30 AM, 8:00 AM, or 8:30 AM.
Here are the four sites you visit on this tour:
Banteay Srei Temple — The pink sandstone temple built in 967 AD, about 30km north of Siem Reap. Famous for stone carvings so detailed that French archaeologists in the 1920s refused to believe they were made by human hands. Dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Often called the “Citadel of Beauty,” and that name earns its keep.
Bakong Temple — The largest of the three Roluos Group temples and the architectural model for the later pyramid-style temples at Angkor. Built by King Indravarman I in the 9th century. The steep stone staircases up to the main tower are worth the climb.
Preah Ko Temple — The oldest temple in the Roluos Group and one of the oldest surviving Hindu temples in the world. Six brick towers stand in two rows, their sandstone door carvings still largely intact after more than 1,100 years. Built to honor King Jayavarman II, the founder of the Khmer Empire.
Lolei Temple — Built in 893 AD by King Yasovarman I on a small island in the center of what was once a large water reservoir. The quietest and most atmospheric of the three Roluos temples. Scaffolding for ongoing restoration work may be present.
Itinerary
The Rolous Group Tour and Banteay Srei tour follows a simple, logical route. You drive north to Banteay Srei first, then stop at all three Roluos Group temples on the way back into Siem Reap. No doubling back, no unnecessary detours.
The full tour runs for 7 hours from pickup to drop-off, not counting lunch at the end. All three start times follow the exact same route and visit the exact same sites.
Pickup from Your Accommodation (7:30 AM / 8:00 AM / 8:30 AM)
Your English-speaking guide and driver come directly to your hotel, resort, or villa in Siem Reap. You don’t arrange your own transport or find a meeting spot. Your guide is at your door at the time you selected when booking.
Drive to Banteay Srei (1 hour)
The road to Banteay Srei is sealed and comfortable the full way. You pass through small villages, open rice paddies, and the countryside north of the Angkor Archaeological Park. Your guide talks you through the temple’s history during the drive so you arrive ready to look properly, not just take photos and move on.
Arrive at Banteay Srei: 8:30 AM / 9:00 AM / 9:30 AM
Banteay Srei Temple Guided Tour (2 hours)
This is where the Banteay Srei tour really comes into its own. You enter from the east, walking the main causeway past stone bollards and the remains of small satellite buildings toward the inner enclosure. Three towers rise in a row, every surface carved with scenes from Hindu mythology — battles, celestial dancers called apsaras, images of the god Shiva, and floral patterns so fine they look like they were drawn, not carved.
Your guide walks you through each section and explains the stories behind what you’re looking at. The temple is small enough that you can cover it properly without rushing, and detailed enough that two hours goes quickly.
Depart Banteay Srei: 10:30 AM / 11:00 AM / 11:30 AM
Drive to the Roluos Group (45 minutes)
The drive from Banteay Srei to the Roluos Group takes about 45 minutes. You’re moving from one part of the greater Angkor region to another, and the countryside shifts along the way. Your guide uses this time to set the scene for the three temples you’re about to visit — the 9th-century brick towers that were the very first capital of the Khmer Empire.
Arrive at Preah Ko: 11:15 AM / 11:45 AM / 12:15 PM
Preah Ko Guided Tour (50 minutes)
Preah Ko is the oldest temple in the Roluos Group and one of the oldest surviving Hindu temples in the world. Six brick towers stand in two rows, their sandstone door carvings still largely intact after more than 1,100 years. Built to honor Jayavarman II, the founder of the Khmer Empire, this temple is quiet, un-crowded, and easy to move around in.
Depart Preah Ko: 12:05 PM / 12:35 PM / 1:05 PM
Bakong Temple Guided Tour (1 hour 30 minutes)
Bakong is the largest of the three Roluos Group temples and the one that most directly previews the temple-mountain style that Angkor Wat would later perfect. A stepped stone pyramid rises above the flat countryside, with guardian statues flanking the staircases at each level. Your guide walks you through the architecture and explains what separates this 9th-century design from the later Angkor temples.
Depart Bakong: 1:35 PM / 2:05 PM / 2:35 PM
Prasat Lolei Guided Tour (40 minutes)
Lolei is the most atmospheric of the three Roluos Group temples. Built in 893 AD by King Yasovarman I on what was once a small island in a large reservoir, it sits apart from the other two temples in both location and mood. The grounds are quiet, the brick towers are worn and mossy in places, and the site rarely has more than a handful of visitors at any time.
Depart Lolei: 2:15 PM / 2:45 PM / 3:15 PM
Drive Back to Siem Reap (15 minutes)
The Roluos Group is only about 13 kilometers east of central Siem Reap. The return drive takes about 15 minutes.
Arrive back in Siem Reap: 2:30 PM / 3:00 PM / 3:30 PM
Lunch
Your guide recommends a local Cambodian restaurant near Siem Reap where you can try dishes like fish amok, lok lak, or fresh spring rolls, or brings you back to your hotel if you prefer lunch there. Either way, lunch wraps up the morning and the tour ends at your accommodation.
Pickup and Drop Off
All hotels, resorts, and villas in Siem Reap are covered in the pickup area.
When you book, you choose the start time that works best for you:
- 7:30 AM — The earliest option. Good if you want to arrive at Banteay Srei when the gates first open, when the light is softest and the site is at its quietest. You’ll still be back well before midday.
- 8:00 AM — The most popular choice. You get a proper breakfast in before your guide arrives, and you’re still at Banteay Srei before the main tourist push begins.
- 8:30 AM — The latest start. A good fit for travelers who prefer a slower morning, families with children who need a bit more time to get ready, or guests staying at accommodations where a hotel breakfast runs until 9:00 AM.
All three start times follow the same route and visit the same temple sites. The only difference is what time your guide knocks on your door.
Drop-off is back at your hotel, resort, or villa after lunch. Your driver handles all road logistics, so there’s nothing for you to arrange on the way in or out.
Included
- Private English-speaking local guide for the full tour
- Private air-conditioned car and driver
- Hotel, resort, or villa pickup and drop-off anywhere in Siem Reap
- All transport between temple sites
- Bottled water throughout the day
Tour Exclusions
- Lunch at a local Cambodian restaurant or hotel drop-off, your choice
- Angkor Archaeological Park Pass — required for all temple sites on this tour. Buy it the day before at the Angkor Enterprise ticket office. A 1-day pass costs USD 37, a 3-day pass USD 62, and a 7-day pass USD 72. Bring a passport photo when purchasing. Children under 12 enter free.
- Tips for your guide and driver (optional but appreciated)
- Personal purchases, snacks, and extra drinks
- Travel insurance
What to Bring
You don't need much for this tour, but packing the right things makes the morning noticeably more comfortable. Here's what to bring:
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees — required at all temple sites
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes
- Your Angkor Archaeological Park Pass
- Hat or cap
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Camera or phone, fully charged
- Small daypack
- Cash in US dollars or Cambodian riel
Additional Information
Start Times This tour runs at three set departure times: 7:30 AM, 8:00 AM, and 8:30 AM. You select your preferred time at the time of booking. All three options follow the same itinerary. If you’re a light sleeper, the 7:30 AM start gives you the quietest morning at Banteay Srei. If you want a relaxed hotel breakfast first, 8:00 AM or 8:30 AM are both good calls.
Pickup Coverage All hotels, resorts, and villas in Siem Reap are included in the pickup area. There’s no surcharge for locations further from the town center. When you book your Rolous Group Tour and Banteay Srei tour through Southeast Asia Journeys, you confirm your accommodation name and address, and your guide comes to you at the time you’ve selected. No need to walk to a central meeting point or sort out your own transport to the departure location.
Which Start Time Is Right for You?
- Choose 7:30 AM if you want maximum quiet at the temples and the softest morning light for photography at Banteay Srei.
- Choose 8:00 AM if you want a full breakfast at your hotel first and still prefer to reach Banteay Srei before the crowds build.
- Choose 8:30 AM if you’re traveling with children, prefer a slower pace getting ready, or your hotel breakfast runs late and you’d rather not rush.
There’s no wrong answer. All three starts get you to both temple sites at a good time, and none of them require you to set an alarm before sunrise.
Cancellation Policy
- Full refunds are issued for cancellations made with at least 24 hours’ notice.
- Non-refundable: Cancellations made within 24 hours or no-shows will not receive a refund.
- Amendments: Changes must be communicated at least 24 hours in advance.
- Refund Processing: Refunds will be issued within 7 business days.
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