Angkor Stunning Hot Air Balloon

The most striking part of this outing is the view: you rise above the countryside and see Bakong Temple, rice fields, and small villages from a calm, open-air perch. At sunrise, the light changes by the minute. At sunset, the stone temples and flat Cambodian countryside take on warmer colors.

I like two things here. First, the flight gives you a different angle on the Angkor area without asking you to spend another half-day walking through temple corridors. Second, hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which matters when a sunrise departure can begin before the city is fully awake. The main drawback is weather. Wind can cancel the flight, and one passenger reported waiting without timely notice when a morning flight was called off.

Key points to know before you book

• A 30-minute flight near Bakong: The balloon rises over the eastern Angkor area, with views toward Bakong and the surrounding countryside.
• Sunrise and sunset departures: Takeoff is listed around 6:20 to 6:30 in the morning or 5:30 to 5:40 in the afternoon.
• A small-to-medium group setting: The balloon carries about 18 to 25 passengers, so this is not a private flight.
• Temple views without a long walking tour: Bakong, Pre Ko, and Lolei are part of the area you may see from above, though the balloon flight itself is centered near Bakong.
• Transfers are included: A car or minivan and an English-speaking driver collect you in Krong Siem Reap and return you to your hotel.
• Weather can change the plan: Wind may stop the flight. If the operator cancels for weather or official restrictions, the supplied terms say you receive a full refund.

Rising above Bakong instead of walking another temple loop

Most people visit Angkor from ground level. You pass through gates, climb worn steps, and study carved stone up close. This flight gives you the opposite view. You gain height, distance, and a sense of how the temples fit into the countryside around them.

The balloon operates near Bakong, one of the best-known temples in the Roluos group. From the air, you can look across the broad Cambodian plain, with rice fields and village homes spread around the ancient temple sites. You should not book this expecting a close look at individual carvings. Book it for scale and stillness.

The balloon carries about 18 to 25 passengers. That makes it a shared outing rather than a quiet private ride, but it also keeps the cost below what a private charter would require. You will have other people around you at the launch site and in the basket. The reward is a wider view of the area, not solitude.

The flight lasts about 30 to 35 minutes. That is enough time to see the country from above without taking a whole morning or afternoon away from Angkor Wat, Bayon, or your other plans.

Sunrise or sunset: choosing the better flight

The sunrise departure is listed at about 6:20 to 6:30 in the morning. Your exact pickup time is confirmed later, so you need to watch for that message and wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

I would choose sunrise if you want cooler air, softer light, and a full day left for temple visits. The early start is the price. If you already plan to see Angkor Wat at sunrise, check your schedule carefully. Trying to fit both into one morning could make the day rushed, especially since this balloon flight is outside the main Siem Reap center.

The sunset departure is listed at about 5:30 to 5:40 in the afternoon. This option lets you sleep later and spend the morning at the temples. It can also give you warmer light over the rice fields and villages.

Sunset has one practical concern: your flight ends late in the day, and the exact return time depends on the drive back to town. That is not a problem for a relaxed evening, but I would avoid booking a tight dinner reservation or onward transport immediately afterward.

The provider schedules two flights each day, one at sunrise and one at sunset. Availability can be limited, especially when weather affects operations, so confirm the date and preferred time before building the rest of your day around it.

The ride from Siem Reap to the launch area

Pickup is provided from your hotel in Krong Siem Reap. You ride in a car or minivan with an English-speaking driver. The supplied program does not give a reliable drive length, so you should treat the pickup time as the key detail rather than assuming a fixed journey.

The transfer is more useful than it may first appear. Sunrise balloon rides require an early start, and arranging a tuk-tuk or private car at that hour can add cost and uncertainty. With pickup included, you only need to be ready in the lobby at the confirmed time.

Give the operator your full name, hotel name and address, room number, flight date, preferred sunrise or sunset slot, passenger count, and passenger weights when booking. The weight question is practical, not personal: anyone over 110 kilograms is charged double the fare.

That extra charge is important when comparing the $175 price. For most passengers, the listed fare is $175 per person. If you weigh more than 110 kilograms, your cost becomes much higher, so confirm the total before payment.

What you see around Bakong, Pre Ko, and Lolei

Bakong is the main temple associated with the flight. From ground level, it is an impressive stone pyramid surrounded by open space. From the basket, you are looking at the temple as part of a larger setting, with fields and settlements extending beyond it.

Pre Ko and Lolei are also part of the nearby Roluos temple group. The activity description names them among the ancient sites connected with the outing, but the included itinerary specifically identifies Bakong for the balloon flight. I would therefore treat Pre Ko and Lolei as nearby points of interest in the wider area, not promise that the balloon will hover over each one.

That distinction matters. A balloon follows the wind rather than a fixed road route. The exact view depends on launch conditions, wind direction, visibility, and the pilot’s handling. You should expect broad views toward the temple zone, not a guaranteed checklist of aerial shots over every monument.

The countryside is the real prize between the temples. You may see green or harvested rice fields, village roads, and scattered homes. The flight gives you a quick sense of how much open country surrounds the Angkor sites, something that is easy to miss when you move between temples by road.

A calm flight, with weather as the wild card

Hot air ballooning depends heavily on wind and weather. The operator may cancel if conditions are unsafe. The supplied terms also cover cancellation if official restrictions or a national mission prevents the flight, with a full refund in those cases.

That policy is reassuring, but the communication process deserves care. One passenger described waiting for an early pickup, only learning after calling that strong wind had canceled the flight. The same passenger had difficulty getting a quick response about what to do next.

I would not let that single problem rule out the activity, but I would prepare for it. Keep your phone available on the morning of the flight, save the operator’s contact details, and avoid planning an expensive nonrefundable activity immediately afterward. If the weather looks uncertain, ask how and when cancellation notices will be sent.

The pilot’s skill matters once you are airborne. One booking described the pilot as exceptionally capable and praised the gentle handling of the balloon. Another particularly charming detail was the distribution of unsweetened candies to children near a school as the balloon passed overhead. That small gesture suggests the flight can connect you with ordinary local life, not just temple photography.

Still, a balloon is not an aircraft with a fixed route. The wind decides much of the direction. If you need a guaranteed angle of Bakong or a precise temple photograph, stay on the ground. If you want a changing, open view and can accept some uncertainty, the balloon is a better match.

Is $175 a fair price?

At $175 per person, this is a premium Siem Reap activity. The flight itself lasts only about 30 to 35 minutes, so the price is not based on duration alone. You are paying for the balloon operation, pilot, launch arrangements, shared basket, hotel transport, and the chance to see the Angkor countryside from an unusual height.

I think the value depends on how much you care about aerial views. If you have already spent several days visiting temples on foot, this adds variety. It lets you see the area as a connected place rather than a string of separate stops.

The price is harder to justify if you want a long sightseeing session or close temple access. You will not walk through Bakong, Pre Ko, or Lolei as part of the balloon flight. You also cannot count on a private basket, since the capacity is about 18 to 25 passengers.

For a special morning or final afternoon in Siem Reap, the cost may feel worthwhile. Couples, photographers, and repeat visitors who have already covered the main temple circuit are the strongest candidates. If you are watching your budget, a standard temple visit gives you much more time on site for less money.

Booking rules that deserve close attention

The activity information includes two different cancellation statements. One says you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. The detailed terms say cancellation more than two days before the flight results in a 50 percent charge, while cancellation within two days brings no refund.

Because those terms do not match, ask Cambo Tours Services to confirm the exact policy for your booking before paying. The detailed terms also say that rescheduling more than two days before departure costs $25 per person and is allowed only once. Rescheduling within two days is not permitted.

The payment information also needs clarification. The booking page says reserve now and pay later, while the detailed instructions say payment is due before the flight. Confirm when payment is actually required.

The operator asks for passenger weights and charges double for anyone over 110 kilograms. Provide accurate information at booking so there is no surprise at pickup or check-in.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the flight to you if you want a short, memorable break from temple walking and value a wide view more than a long stop at one monument. It also suits people who like sunrise or sunset photography and do not mind sharing the basket.

Families may enjoy the novelty, though the supplied information does not give a minimum age or child policy. Ask before booking if you are traveling with children.

The experience is less suitable if you dislike early starts, feel uneasy about weather-dependent plans, or need a precise schedule. It is also not the right choice if your main goal is detailed architecture. For that, visit Bakong, Pre Ko, and Lolei on the ground.

Should you book the Angkor Stunning Hot Air Balloon?

Book it if you have room in your budget and want to see the Angkor area in a way a tuk-tuk cannot provide. The strongest reasons are the broad countryside views, the short time commitment, and the included hotel transfer. Sunrise gives you a fresh start to the day, while sunset works well after temple touring.

I would book with two safeguards: confirm the cancellation policy in writing, and keep your schedule flexible in case wind cancels the flight. If you can accept those conditions, this is a distinctive addition to a Siem Reap visit. If you need guaranteed temple views, low cost, or a longer sightseeing program, spend the $175 on ground tours instead.

FAQ

Where does the hot air balloon flight take place?

The flight takes place in Siem Reap Province near Bakong Temple, with views toward the surrounding Angkor area and countryside.

How long is the balloon flight?

The flight lasts approximately 30 to 35 minutes.

What time does the sunrise flight depart?

The listed sunrise takeoff time is about 6:20 to 6:30 in the morning. Your pickup time is confirmed after booking.

What time does the sunset flight depart?

The listed sunset takeoff time is about 5:30 to 5:40 in the afternoon.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from your hotel in Krong Siem Reap is included by car or minivan, with an English-speaking driver.

How many people can ride in the balloon?

The balloon can accommodate approximately 18 to 25 passengers.

Can I see Bakong, Pre Ko, and Lolei from the balloon?

These temples are identified as highlights of the activity, but the flight itinerary specifically names Bakong as the balloon location. Exact views depend on weather and flight conditions.

What happens if the flight is canceled because of weather?

The supplied terms say you receive a full refund if the operator cancels because of weather or official restrictions that prevent the flight.

Is there an extra charge for passengers over 110 kilograms?

Yes. Passengers weighing more than 110 kilograms are charged double the fare.

What is included in the $175 price?

The price includes the balloon flight, hotel pickup and drop-off, a car or minivan, and an English-speaking driver. Other services are not included.