2 Days Tour in Siem Reap including Lunch, Dinner & Apsara Show

Siem Reap rewards an early start. This two-day private tour combines Angkor Wat at sunrise, the Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, a floating village, local food stops, and an Apsara dance performance, giving you a broad first look at Cambodia without having to arrange every transfer yourself.

I like the mix of major sights and everyday places. Kampong Phluk, Rolous Market, Preah Dak, and the floating-hut lunch add local texture to the famous temple circuit. I also like the personal care built into the private format, including hotel pickup, breaks, water, snacks, and help with photographs.

The main drawback is the packed schedule. A 5 AM start, several temple visits, a distant trip to Banteay Srei, and an evening show make for long days. The description also names Phnom Bakheng in one place and Phnom Krom in another, so confirm the sunset location before you go.

The quick take

• A private two-day plan: Only your group participates, with private transportation and hotel pickup in Siem Reap.
• A strong mix of Cambodia: You see Angkor’s famous temples, a floating village, a local market, countryside food, and traditional dance.
• Sunrise at Angkor Wat: The second day begins with a 5 AM pickup, allowing time for sunrise and an interior visit.
• Meals are part of the package: Water, snacks, community fees, boat tickets, lunch, and dinner are included, though the meal wording is worth confirming.
• The Angkor pass costs extra: The adult pass is listed at $37 and is not included in the $210 price.
• Warm guide service: The strongest praise focuses on friendly guides, careful attention, local pride, safety, and excellent photographs.

Why this two-day plan works

The clever part of this itinerary is its range. Many short Siem Reap tours focus almost entirely on Angkor. This one gives you the temples, but also makes room for water life at Kampong Phluk, a market visit, a village food stop, and an evening performance.

That matters because Cambodia is more than stone towers. You will see the polished side of the ancient Khmer kingdom, but you will also pass through places connected to present-day food, work, and community life. The result is a fuller introduction to Siem Reap.

The private setup is another advantage. You are not tied to the pace of a large coach group. The tour team can offer breaks and take photographs for you, details that were praised repeatedly by people who used the service. Several past customers also singled out the guides’ warmth, care, and pride in Cambodia.

At $210 per person, the value depends on what your group needs. The price covers private transport, boat tickets, community entrance fees, water, snacks, listed meals, and the Apsara Show. You still need to budget $37 per adult for the Angkor pass, plus any insurance. For a small group that wants a driver, guide, meals, and a fixed plan, the price is reasonable. Solo visitors may find it harder to justify than a larger group sharing the private vehicle.

Day one: Rolous Market and Kampong Phluk

Pickup begins at 8 AM from your hotel in Siem Reap. The first stop is Rolous Market, described as part of the ancient city that came before Angkor Wat. This adds useful context before the grand temple visits begin.

You should expect a more grounded start than the usual temple-only morning. A market stop can help you see the food and daily commerce of the area, though the supplied details do not specify how long you spend there or which stalls you visit. If markets interest you, ask your guide to explain what you are seeing instead of treating it as a quick photo stop.

The main morning experience is Kampong Phluk Floating Village. You explore by boat and kayak, depending on conditions and the arrangement for the day. Community entrance fees and boat tickets are included, which keeps the cost clearer than tours that advertise a low price and add the village fee later.

Kampong Phluk offers a different view of life around Tonle Sap. The boat ride is the key experience, and kayaking may provide a closer, quieter way to see the waterways if it is available. Since the exact kayak arrangements are not stated, ask before departure if using a kayak is important to you.

This is also the part of the tour most affected by weather and water conditions. The description does not promise a particular kayaking route or exact village activity, so keep your expectations flexible. You are paying for the visit, transport, and boat access, not a guaranteed list of every possible water-based activity.

After the morning outing, you return to the hotel for a refreshing shower before the late afternoon program. That break is welcome. Two days of Cambodian heat, boats, walking, and temple stone can wear you down, and a pause makes the evening more enjoyable.

Sunset plans: Phnom Bakheng or Phnom Krom

The afternoon description needs a little clarification. One section labels the stop Phnom Bakheng, while the details say the team will take you to Phnom Krom for sunset. These are different place names, so ask the operator which viewpoint is actually included.

Either way, the plan is for a late afternoon sunset visit followed by dinner. The sunset stop is listed as free admission, but the schedule gives about two hours for this part of the day. That should provide time for the view rather than a rushed stop, though the exact amount of walking is not stated.

This is a good place to keep the evening simple. After the early start is still ahead of you, you do not need another complicated activity. Enjoy the view, eat dinner, and prepare for the 5 AM pickup the next morning.

Day two: sunrise at Angkor Wat

The second day begins at 5 AM with hotel pickup in a minivan. The goal is sunrise at Angkor Wat, followed by time inside the temple. Angkor Wat admission is not included in the tour price, so you must purchase the required adult pass separately.

The schedule allows about two hours here. That is enough for a focused introduction, but not for every corner of the complex. Angkor Wat is large, and the early light draws many people to the same famous viewing areas. Your guide can help you use the time well, but you should not expect a slow, full-day exploration.

The early pickup is both the attraction and the cost. Sunrise gives Angkor Wat a special mood, and the cooler morning air helps with walking. The tradeoff is obvious: you need to be ready while most people are still asleep. If you value sleep more than sunrise, this will feel demanding. If Angkor Wat is a major reason for your Cambodia visit, the early alarm is probably worth it.

Wear practical shoes and bring water. The tour includes water and snacks, but you still need to be ready for temple walking and a long day. Dress respectfully for temple visits, as these are active religious and cultural sites.

Bayon Temple and the faces of Angkor Thom

The next stop is Bayon Temple, with about one hour allocated. Built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th or early 13th century, Bayon is known for its large carved faces.

One hour is a sensible introduction. The temple is compact enough to explore in a focused visit, yet visually dense. You can spend your time looking up at the towers, finding changing expressions in the carved faces, and listening to the guide explain the temple’s place in the Khmer kingdom.

This stop works well after Angkor Wat because the mood changes. Angkor Wat feels grand and ordered, while Bayon feels more enclosed and visually busy. The tour does not include the Angkor pass, so keep that additional cost in mind for both temples and the other Angkor sites.

Ta Prohm and the trees over the ruins

Ta Prohm receives about one hour. It is widely associated with the film Tomb Raider and is known for giant trees growing over and through the old stone structures.

The appeal here is immediate. You see nature and architecture occupying the same space, with roots and walls competing for attention. It is one of the easiest temple stops to appreciate even if you are not an ancient-history specialist.

The film connection can make Ta Prohm feel familiar, but do not let that become the whole point. Look at the carved details, the damaged sections, and the way the temple was designed before the trees became its most famous feature.

Again, one hour gives you a good taste rather than a complete study. Your guide’s explanations are especially useful here, since the ruins can otherwise blur together after an early morning at Angkor Wat and Bayon.

Preah Dak and palm cake

The tour then pauses at Preah Dak for about 30 minutes. The village is associated with Khmer noodles, roasted pig, palm cake, and other desserts. You are specifically scheduled to enjoy palm cake.

This short stop adds something the major temples cannot: a direct connection with local food. Palm-based sweets are closely tied to Cambodia’s rural food culture, and tasting one in the village where it is made or sold gives the stop more meaning than simply ordering a dessert at a hotel.

The visit is brief, so think of it as a snack and cultural pause rather than a full food tour. If you want to try more than the palm cake, ask what is available that day and whether additional items cost extra.

Banteay Srei and the long ride beyond the main temples

Banteay Srei comes next. It is farther from the main Angkor complex, but its fine pink sandstone carvings make the journey worthwhile.

This temple is prized for detail rather than size. The delicate carving rewards close attention, and the different stone color gives it a distinct look compared with the larger temples visited earlier. You may find this one of the most visually precise stops of the two days.

The distance is the tradeoff. After sunrise, Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Preah Dak, the ride out to Banteay Srei adds time to an already full day. Still, the itinerary wisely places a meal around this section, helping break up the temple visits.

Lunch on a floating hut

Lunch is served on a floating hut or restaurant, according to the tour details. This is an appealing setting because the meal becomes part of the scenery rather than just a pause beside a road.

The package lists lunch as included, along with water and snacks. It also lists two lunches and two dinners, but the wording is not entirely clear because the day-by-day plan specifically describes a dinner on day one and lunch on day two. Confirm the exact number of included meals and the restaurant arrangements before booking.

A floating lunch can be a pleasant change after temple walking, though you should keep the schedule in mind. The tour has several stops still packed into the day, so this is likely a set meal break rather than an unhurried afternoon meal.

Dinner and the Apsara Show at Amazon Angkor Restaurant

The final listed activity is dinner at Amazon Angkor Restaurant, with a Western and Asian buffet served during an Apsara performance. The show introduces traditional Khmer arts and dance.

This is a practical way to see Apsara without arranging a separate evening outing. You eat and watch at the same time, which works well after a long day. The buffet also gives you more choice than a fixed dish, although the exact menu is not provided.

Apsara dance is known for controlled gestures, elegant movement, and stories expressed through the hands and body. It is a cultural performance, not a fast stage spectacle. Give it your attention instead of treating it as background entertainment.

Dinner and the show are included, making this a useful part of the package value. The event lasts about two hours, so you still get a proper evening program without needing to organize transport after a tiring temple day.

Guide service, photographs, and the private format

The most consistent praise for Dear Diary Tours concerns personal service. The guides are described as friendly, attentive, professional, and proud of their country. One customer specifically praised the care given to a parent and family group, while another highlighted the photographs taken during the tour.

That matters on a trip with this much movement. A good guide can help you understand why Bayon looks different from Angkor Wat, point out details at Ta Prohm, and make the food stops feel connected to Cambodian life. The tour is not simply a vehicle moving between monuments.

The group is private, so only your party takes part. This suits families, couples, and small groups that want control over breaks and photo stops. The information says most people can participate and that the meeting point is in Krong Siem Reap. It also notes access near public transportation, though pickup is offered from your hotel.

The tour has earned a stated rating of 5 from eight reviews, with praise centered on safety, warm treatment, local insight, and photographs. That is a small sample, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than conclusive. The repeated themes are still useful when deciding what this operator does best.

What the $210 price really covers

The $210 per-person price includes:

• Private transportation
• Hotel pickup
• Water and snacks
• Community entrance fees
• Boat tickets
• Listed lunches and dinners
• The Apsara Show

The adult Angkor pass costs an additional $37. Insurance is not included. That extra pass is not a minor detail, since Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Srei all form the heart of the second day.

For a private two-day service with transport, a guide, boats, meals, and an evening performance, the package can offer solid value, especially for two or more people. You are also paying for convenience: the operator handles the route, pickup, and movement between sites.

The price is less attractive if you want a slow schedule or plan to visit only the central temples. In that case, a shorter temple tour may suit you better. This package earns its price by covering many different parts of Siem Reap in a short time.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Siem Reap and prefer having transport and meals arranged. It is also a good match for families and small private groups that value attention, photographs, and flexible care during a long day.

You should also consider it if you want more than temple ruins. The floating village, Rolous Market, Preah Dak, and Apsara Show give the trip cultural variety.

I would hesitate if you dislike early mornings, long touring days, or fixed schedules. I would also ask for clarification about Phnom Bakheng versus Phnom Krom and the number of included meals before paying.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is in Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia, and pickup is offered from your hotel.

How early does the second day begin?

The second day includes a 5 AM pickup from your hotel for sunrise at Angkor Wat.

Is the Angkor pass included?

No. The adult Angkor pass costs $37 and is not included in the tour price.

Are boat tickets included for Kampong Phluk?

Yes. Community entrance fees and boat tickets are included.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private tour or activity.

Are meals included?

The package includes lunch and dinner, and the inclusion list states two lunches and two dinners. Because the meal count is worded unclearly, confirm the exact arrangements before booking.

Is the Apsara Show included?

Yes. Dinner at Amazon Angkor Restaurant and the Apsara Show are included, with a Western and Asian buffet.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Cambodia’s major Siem Reap sights paired with village life, local food, a floating-village boat trip, and an evening of Khmer dance. The private transport and caring guide service are its strongest advantages.

Before booking, confirm the sunset stop, exact meal count, and Angkor pass arrangements. If you can handle the 5 AM start and the full schedule, this is a well-rounded two-day introduction with plenty of variety and very little planning left for you to do.