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

The best part of this two-day Siem Reap tour is the mix: you get a floating village and local food on the first day, then the major Angkor temples at sunrise on the second. It gives you more than a quick temple dash, with a private vehicle, guide, meals, and time for breaks built into the plan.

I like the chance to see Kampong Phluk by boat and kayak, and I like the evening Apsara performance with a buffet meal. The tour also includes water, snacks, boat tickets, community entrance fees, lunch, dinner, and private transport, which keeps many costs in one package.

The main catch is the early start and long second day. You must also buy the Angkor pass separately for $37 per adult, and the itinerary needs clarification because one stop is labeled Phnom Bakheng while its description refers to Phnom Krom.

Key points to know before booking

• Sunrise at Angkor Wat starts at 5 AM: You will leave your hotel early, then visit the temple interior after sunrise.
• Kampong Phluk includes a boat and possible kayaking: The exact kayaking arrangement depends on conditions and availability.
• Banteay Srei adds delicate carvings but extra driving: Its distance from the central temples makes the second day a full one.
• The evening includes dinner and an Apsara show: A buffet of Western and Asian dishes accompanies traditional Khmer dance.
• The tour is private: Only your group participates, with private transportation and pickup offered.
• The Angkor pass costs extra: The listed price is $210 per person, but the $37 adult temple pass is not included.

A two-day plan that pairs villages with Angkor

This is designed as a broad introduction to Siem Reap. Instead of spending both days among temple ruins, you see waterborne village life, a local market, a rural food stop, major Angkor monuments, and a traditional dance show.

That variety matters. Angkor Wat is the reason most people come to Siem Reap, but a temple-only schedule can feel repetitive by late afternoon. Here, you have a change of setting on day one, then a concentrated temple circuit on day two.

The price is $210 per person. For a private two-day experience, that includes transport, a guide, water, snacks, boat tickets, community fees, two lunches, and two dinners according to the inclusion list. You still need to add the $37 Angkor pass per adult, and insurance is not included.

One detail deserves attention before you pay: the schedule names both a lunch and dinner on each day in the inclusion section, while the visible itinerary clearly describes lunch on day two and dinner with the Apsara show. Ask Dear Diary Tours to confirm exactly which meals are supplied on each date.

Day one: Kampong Phluk by boat and kayak

Pickup begins at 8 AM from your hotel. The first stop is Rolous Market, described as part of the ancient city that came before Angkor Wat. It gives you a look at an older chapter of the area before the main temple circuit begins.

You then continue to Kampong Phluk, a floating village reached by boat. The trip includes the community entrance fee and boat ticket, so you are not left sorting out those charges on your own.

The village experience is the most distinctive part of the first day. Homes and daily life are tied to the water, and the boat gives you a view that roads cannot provide. Kayaking may also be included, depending on conditions and arrangements that day. If kayaking matters to you, confirm how it will work before departure.

The listed time for this portion is about four hours. That is enough room for transport, the village visit, and time on the water without turning the stop into a rushed photo call. Bring sun protection and clothes that can handle a little splash, though the tour also includes water and snacks.

This is a good day-one choice for anyone who wants to see more of Cambodia than stone temples. It is also a useful counterpoint to Angkor: instead of grand royal architecture, you are looking at a community shaped by the lake and its waterways.

Sunset plans and the Phnom Krom or Phnom Bakheng question

After the morning outing, the plan allows time to return to your hotel for a refreshing shower. That break is welcome, especially in Siem Reap’s heat and after several hours outside.

The late afternoon schedule then calls for a sunset view, followed by dinner. The stop heading says Phnom Bakheng, but the description says Phnom Krom. These are different locations, so you should ask which hilltop is actually planned.

The distinction is practical. Your view, drive time, and sunset setting depend on the exact site. The itinerary gives a two-hour estimate and says admission is free, but it does not provide a detailed sunset schedule. Confirm the meeting time with your guide after the morning tour.

Dinner is included in the supplied information. Since the exact restaurant or menu is not specified for this evening, ask what is planned if you have dietary needs.

Day two begins at 5 AM at Angkor Wat

The second day starts with a 5 AM hotel pickup in a minivan. That early departure is necessary for the sunrise plan, but it is not gentle. You will want an early night after day one.

Angkor Wat is the main event. The tour gives you time to see the sunrise and explore the temple interior. The listed stop lasts two hours, which is enough for a focused visit, but not enough to inspect every corner of the enormous complex at a slow pace.

Your Angkor pass is not included. The stated cost is $37 per adult, and you should budget for it separately. The tour description says the pass is required for the temple visits, so keep this extra charge in mind when comparing the $210 price with other private options.

The value here comes from having a vehicle and guide ready at 5 AM. You do not need to arrange an early taxi or work out the temple route yourself. The tour also promises photos, and past comments specifically praise the guides for taking excellent pictures. That can be useful at sunrise, when you may be busy watching the sky change over the towers.

Bayon’s stone faces and Ta Prohm’s tree-covered ruins

After Angkor Wat, the route continues to Bayon Temple for about an hour. Built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th or early 13th century, Bayon is known for its large carved faces.

The stop is shorter than the Angkor Wat visit, so listen closely to the guide’s explanation and focus on the central features. The admission fee is not included here because temple entry is handled through the Angkor pass.

Ta Prohm follows, with another one-hour visit. This is the temple often linked with the film Tomb Raider, but its appeal does not depend on the movie. Large trees grow through and over the stone structures, making it one of the most memorable places on the route.

You will see a strong contrast between Bayon and Ta Prohm. Bayon draws attention to carved faces and royal design, while Ta Prohm shows what happens when forest growth and old masonry meet. The short stop keeps the day moving, though photographers may wish for more time.

A palm cake stop at Preah Dak

Preah Dak provides a small but welcome pause between the major temple visits. The village is known for Khmer noodles, roasted pig, palm cake, and other desserts, and the tour specifically includes a taste of palm cake.

The stop is scheduled for 30 minutes. That makes it less of a full meal and more of a chance to try a local sweet, stretch your legs, and see a food tradition tied to the countryside.

I like this sort of stop because it gives the day a human scale. You are not only moving from one famous monument to another. You are also sampling something associated with a local village, even if the visit is brief.

Banteay Srei and lunch on a floating hut

Banteay Srei comes next. It sits farther from the main Angkor group, but the extra drive is justified by its fine pink sandstone carvings. Compared with the large scale of Angkor Wat and the dramatic trees at Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei is prized for detail.

Allow for a long day here. The schedule lists two hours for Banteay Srei and lunch, with lunch served on a floating hut restaurant. The exact split between temple time and meal time is not specified, so do not expect the listed two hours to mean two full hours at the temple.

Lunch is included, and the tour’s meal plan is one of its practical strengths. You can keep moving without arranging restaurants during a packed sightseeing day. Still, the supplied material does not specify the menu, so tell the operator about food restrictions in advance.

The route to Banteay Srei is a consideration for anyone who dislikes long vehicle rides. For many people, the carvings make the distance worthwhile. If you prefer a slower temple day, you may find this schedule demanding.

Dinner and traditional Khmer dance at Amazon Angkor Restaurant

The second evening ends at Amazon Angkor Restaurant, where you receive a Western and Asian buffet while watching an Apsara show. The performance presents traditional Khmer arts and dance, making this more than a standard dinner stop.

Apsara dance is known for controlled movement, formal gestures, and elaborate presentation. A live show gives you a relaxed way to encounter Cambodian culture after a demanding day of temples.

The scheduled time is two hours, and dinner is included. This is a strong finish for first-time visitors who want an evening activity but do not want to arrange another transfer after sunset.

The buffet format suits groups with different tastes, although the description does not list particular dishes. If you want a highly focused food experience, this is not the same as a small local restaurant. Its appeal is the combination of meal, music, dance, and convenience.

What the private format changes

Only your group takes part, and private transportation is included. That gives you more control than a large shared coach, especially at the 5 AM pickup and during the return to your hotel for a shower on day one.

The guide can also adjust the pace within the available schedule. Past feedback gives special weight to friendly, attentive service, careful scheduling, safety, and a strong sense of pride in Cambodia. One family also praised the help they received with transport after arriving late in Phnom Penh, though that transfer is not described as part of this specific package.

Guide names are not provided, so you cannot request a particular person from the available information. You can, however, ask Dear Diary Tours who will lead your dates and whether the guide can focus more on temple architecture, Cambodian food, local life, or photography.

Is $210 good value?

At $210 per person, this is not a bare-bones temple transfer. It combines a private two-day schedule with food, boat tickets, community fees, water, snacks, and an evening show.

The separate $37 Angkor pass changes the final cost. For an adult, the basic total becomes $247 before insurance or any other personal spending. Even so, the package can make sense if you value having the vehicle, guide, meals, sunrise pickup, village outing, and show arranged together.

The value is weaker if you mainly want Angkor Wat and Bayon. In that case, you may be paying for stops and meals you do not care about. It is also less suitable for anyone who wants a quiet, slow temple program, since day two packs in Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Preah Dak, and Banteay Srei.

Who should book this Siem Reap tour?

I would choose this for a first visit to Siem Reap if you want a wide sample of the area in two days. It suits couples, families, and small private groups who like having transport, meals, and timing handled by one team.

It is especially useful if you want both Cambodia’s famous monuments and a look at life beyond the temple zone. The floating village, palm cake stop, local market, and Apsara performance keep the trip from becoming an all-day stone tour.

You should think twice if you dislike 5 AM starts, long sightseeing days, or fixed meal arrangements. Before booking, confirm the Phnom Krom versus Phnom Bakheng stop and clarify the lunch and dinner count. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private, varied introduction to Siem Reap and like the comfort of having meals, transport, boat tickets, and a cultural show arranged together. Its strongest features are the Kampong Phluk outing, sunrise at Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei’s detailed carvings, and the attentive service described by previous customers.

Skip it if you want a slow temple study, a small local-food-only experience, or a lower price after adding the Angkor pass. Ask two questions before paying: Is the sunset stop Phnom Krom or Phnom Bakheng, and exactly which meals are included on each day? If those details suit you, this is a sensible way to cover a lot of Siem Reap without managing every transfer yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup starts in Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia, with pickup offered from your hotel.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two days.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and private transportation is included.

What time is pickup on the second day?

Pickup is scheduled for 5 AM from your hotel for the Angkor Wat sunrise visit.

Is the Angkor pass included?

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

Are boat tickets for Kampong Phluk included?

Yes. Community entrance fees and boat tickets are included.

Is kayaking included at Kampong Phluk?

Kayaking may be available depending on the arrangements and conditions that day. The description does not guarantee it.

Is the Apsara show included?

Yes. Dinner and the Apsara performance at Amazon Angkor Restaurant are included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.