One sky view can change your whole Angkor mood. From a hot air balloon, you’ll float above Siem Reap province and spot Bakong and Lolei Temple from up high during sunrise or sunset.

What I like most is how the ride feels built for comfort: hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking driver, and a smooth flight window that lands you back where you started. The other big win is the perspective—rice fields, villages, and that early or late-day glow make the area feel wide open, not crammed.

A fair consideration: it’s a short flight (about 30 minutes in the air), and you should expect views of the Bakong/Lolei area, not a full Angkor Wat temple tour from above. If your main goal is Angkor Wat specifically, plan your expectations carefully.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Sunrise (6:20–6:30) or Sunset (17:30–17:40): two daily take-offs, so pick your light wisely
• Temple views from the basket: you’ll be looking at Bakong and Lolei Temple from above
• Free 2-way hotel transportation: pickup happens about 30 minutes before departure
• Short but memorable flight: about 30 minutes in the air, with an overall early/late start
• Weight matters for balance: passengers over 110 kg are charged double fare
• Bring simple basics: sunglasses and a camera go a long way in the bright sky

A Different Kind of Angkor Day: Seeing Siem Reap from Above

Siem Reap can be temple-heavy in a hurry. This balloon ride breaks the pattern with an upside-down travel trick: you stop walking, start floating, and the whole region reads differently. From the basket, you get the kind of wide view that temples alone can’t provide—patchwork farms, clusters of homes, and the way the land spreads out around the temple zones.

Even the way the experience is set up signals what it’s meant to be. You’re not signing up for a long day with dozens of stops. You’re buying a tight time window where the sky does the talking.

Sunrise vs Sunset: Timing Your Best Light

You get only two flights per day, both timed to the edges of the day: sunrise take-off around 6:20–6:30 and sunset take-off around 17:30–17:40. That matters because in Siem Reap, light changes fast. Sunrise tends to look clean and bright, with cooler air and that quiet start-the-day feeling. Sunset gives you warmer colors as the sun drops, and you can end up watching the landscape turn gold before it fades.

Here’s the practical way to choose:

• Pick sunrise if you want calm skies and a crisp first look at the province.
• Pick sunset if you prefer warmth and a dramatic color shift near the end of the day.

Either way, you’ll be out at the right time—so don’t plan a late breakfast or a long afternoon activity around it. The ride is short, but your day still has to bend around the flight schedule.

What You’ll Really See: Bakong, Lolei, Rice Fields, and City Glimpses

This isn’t marketed as a “view the big one” Angkor Wat helicopter-style tour. The promised sky highlights are Bakong and Lolei Temple. When you’re floating above them, those temple silhouettes can feel surprisingly sharp, and the surrounding area gives them context you don’t get at ground level.

You should also expect countryside views: rice fields, villages, and the broader Siem Reap skyline in the distance when visibility is good. That mix is the secret sauce. Temples are the anchor, but the countryside is the story. From the air, you can “see the map” of the area instead of just visiting one site at a time.

One more detail worth noting: the balloons carry up to 25 passengers, and that can affect how your view lines up inside the basket. In plain terms, you’ll likely get great views, but what you see most clearly can depend on where you’re seated and how the group is balanced by weight.

Pickup, Driving, and the Flow from Basket to Back to Your Hotel

The logistics here are a big part of the value. You get free round-trip hotel transportation in a car or minivan, and you’re picked up about 30 minutes before the departure time. After the flight, you’re returned back to Siem Reap again—so you’re not left hunting a driver at an inconvenient hour.

In the real world, that reduces stress, especially for sunrise. It also makes the experience feel more like a packaged outing rather than a do-it-yourself scramble.

The team setup matters too. Several people praised how smoothly the day runs end-to-end and how the staff handle boarding and landing. You can think of it like this: balloon flying has a lot of “wait and watch” energy built in, so a well-run operation is what keeps the experience relaxed instead of chaotic.

Inside the Flight: Why It Feels Smooth (Even If You’re Nervous)

Hot air ballooning has a reputation for being scary because of the height, not because of the motion. Most people describe it as gentle and steady, and the experience tends to focus on safety and procedure rather than thrills.

If you’re anxious about heights, this is still a good candidate. One of the most common themes in the feedback is that the ride feels controlled and the staff keeps things professional—helpers assist with start and landing, and the pilot is at the center of the operation. On at least one recent flight, the pilot was described as excellent and friendly, and the ride was described as very smooth.

That said, still do the smart thing: bring sunglasses, wear comfortable clothing, and show up rested. Even when the flight motion is mild, the early or late timing can make your body feel like you’re working harder than you expected.

Safety and Comfort Notes You Should Not Ignore

This activity has clear limits. It’s not suitable for:

• children under 11
• pregnant women
• people with heart problems
• people with altitude sickness
• people over 70

If any of those apply to you, don’t try to wing it. Ask the provider directly before booking.

Also plan for the operational realities of ballooning:

• Weight over 110 kg is charged double fare, and weight balancing affects who can be seated together.
• The balloon can carry up to 25 passengers, which means the ride is shared, not private.

What to bring is simple: sunglasses and a camera. The light can be bright, and the sky and ground both make good photo angles.

And follow the no-go list: pets, drones, and alcohol aren’t allowed. Also avoid drinks in the vehicle. If you’re the type who always brings a bottle for long tours, adjust your plan here.

Candies, Photos, and Those Extra Touches

The core of the experience is the flight and the views. But a few small details can make it feel more memorable.

Several people described a fun moment involving candy being tossed down during the ride—kids in villages would chase the balloon to catch them. If they provide sweets, it can become a quirky, joyful add-on that’s very different from a temple photo stop.

There’s also mention of a photographer who captures images during the experience. If that’s part of your day, it helps because you don’t have to constantly play cameraman while you’re looking around. The trade-off is the photographer timing can be more “capture moments” than “endless continuous filming,” so come ready to shoot your own pictures too.

Price and Value: Is $174 Worth It?

At $174 per person for about a half-hour flight, you’re paying for two things: access to a rare view and a well-managed operation that includes round-trip hotel transport and an English-speaking driver.

Is it cheap? No. Hot air ballooning is always a premium activity because it takes time, staffing, and logistics just to get airborne—then you’re limited by the number of daily flights. What makes this one feel like decent value is the total package approach:

• pickup and drop-off are included
• the schedule is clear (sunrise or sunset)
• the experience includes a guided driver component and skip-line ticket handling

The other value angle is the contrast. If you compare it to spending the same money on another day of temple-entry fees and guides, the balloon is the one activity that changes how you picture the region. For many people, that’s the whole point of booking.

Who This Balloon Ride Fits Best

This is a great fit if you:

• want a high-impact activity without a long itinerary
• love wide-open views and early/late-day light
• want something that feels different from standard temple hopping
• are comfortable with a short, structured experience

It may not be the best fit if you:

• want a long cultural day with multiple temple stops
• need a lot of time on the ground
• fall into the listed non-suitable categories
• are expecting the balloon to focus on Angkor Wat itself

Should You Book This Angkor Stunning Hot Air Balloon?

If your goal is to see Siem Reap province from above, this is a strong choice. You get a timed sunrise or sunset flight, Bakong and Lolei in the view mix, and hassle-free hotel pickup. The smooth operation and the short, memorable airborne window make it ideal when you only have a couple days for Angkor-area sightseeing.

Book it if you’re okay paying for a premium, time-limited experience—and you’re happy with the temple focus being Bakong/Lolei rather than a full Angkor Wat-centered aerial tour. Skip or think twice if you need a longer ground-based temple program or you fall into the health or age limits listed by the operator.

FAQ

Where does the Angkor stunning hot air balloon ride take place?

It takes place in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.

How long is the balloon experience?

The ride is listed as 30 minutes, and the flight is described as around 35 minutes per flight.

When do balloons fly each day?

The flights operate twice daily, with take-off times around 6:20–6:30 for sunrise and 17:30–17:40 for sunset.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Free 2-way transportation is included, with pickup from your hotel about 30 minutes before departure and return after the flight.

What temples or landmarks can you see from the air?

The experience highlights views of Bakong and Lolei Temple, along with views toward the city and the surrounding countryside.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses and a camera.

What is not allowed during the activity?

Pets, drones, fireworks, and alcoholic drinks are not allowed. Drinks in the vehicle are also listed as not allowed.

Who is it not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 11, pregnant women, people with heart problems, people with altitude sickness, and people over 70.

What happens if the flight is canceled due to weather?

If the flight is canceled because of weather (or other mission-related restrictions), the provider states they must refund the full amount.

You Might Also Enjoy

Private 3-Days tour at comfortable areas1 Day Discover Angkor Wat Sunrise Private Tour2-Day tour with sunriseMudita Signature Treatment