Angkor Stunning Hot Air Balloon

The best part of this experience is the quiet view from above. At sunrise or sunset, you float over rice fields, villages, and the Cambodian countryside, with Bakong Temple and other old temple sites somewhere below. It is not a flight over Angkor Wat, so set your expectations correctly before paying.

I like the gentle pace and the easy hotel pickup. I also like the choice of sunrise or sunset, since both give you soft light and a good chance for memorable photographs. The main drawback is the price: $174 for about 30 minutes in the air is a serious splurge, especially if you are watching a backpacker budget.

Key points at a glance

• Sunrise and sunset departures: Take off around 6:20 to 6:30 in the morning or 5:30 to 5:40 in the evening.
• Bakong, villages, and rice fields: The view focuses on the countryside around Siem Reap, not a direct flight over Angkor Wat.
• About 30 to 35 minutes in the air: Short, peaceful, and easy to fit around temple visits.
• Hotel pickup and return included: An English-speaking driver collects you about 30 minutes before departure.
• Weight affects the booking: Passengers over 110 kilograms pay double, and weight details are required when booking.
• Best for a special occasion: The cost makes most sense if you want a memorable sunrise or sunset rather than a budget activity.

What the $174 balloon ride actually gives you

This is a short scenic flight, not a full-day tour. You are paying for the balloon ride, transport from your Siem Reap hotel, and the chance to see the countryside from a viewpoint that is impossible from a temple path or tuk-tuk.

The price is high by Cambodian standards. It is also high beside the cost of visiting temples, hiring a local car, or spending a morning at Angkor. Still, several details make the outing more than a simple lift into the air: the flight is timed for sunrise or sunset, the ride is peaceful, and the view reaches across villages, rice fields, and temple country.

I would think of it as a special-event purchase. If you are marking a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, or final morning in Siem Reap, the cost may feel fair. If your main goal is to see Angkor Wat close up, spend the money on temple access and transport instead.

The ride is advertised as 30 minutes, while the operating information also describes a round flight of about 35 minutes. Either way, this is a compact experience. It is long enough to enjoy the view without taking over your day, but too short for you to expect a broad aerial tour of every major temple.

Sunrise or sunset: choosing the right flight

The sunrise departure takes off around 6:20 or 6:30 in the morning. Pickup time is confirmed after booking, and the driver is expected to collect you about 30 minutes before departure. You will need an early start, but the reward is cool morning air and changing light over the countryside.

The sunset departure takes off around 5:30 or 5:40 in the evening. This is easier on your sleep and gives you a more relaxed start to the day. The strongest sunset accounts describe the sun turning bright red near the end of the flight, so you may want to keep your camera ready throughout the ride rather than waiting for the final few minutes.

I would choose sunrise if you want the clearest sense of morning life around the villages and do not mind getting up early. Choose sunset if you prefer a slower day and want the balloon ride to serve as a closing scene after temple visits.

The exact light depends on weather. If clouds block the sun, you can still get a broad view from the basket, but the dramatic colors may not appear. The operator says the flight is canceled with a full refund if weather or official restrictions prevent takeoff.

The ride to the launch area

Your English-speaking driver collects you at your hotel in Siem Reap Province and returns you after the flight. The vehicle may be a car or minivan. Several accounts describe punctual pickup, clear WhatsApp communication, and a drive of about an hour to the balloon site.

That drive matters when you plan your day. A sunrise flight can use much more of your morning than the time in the air suggests. A sunset flight may also require a good part of the late afternoon, so do not schedule a temple visit with a tight departure time immediately afterward.

Give the operator your hotel name, full address, hotel contact, room number, and the name used for checking in. Pickup time is confirmed later, rather than fixed at the moment of booking. Keep your phone available before the flight.

The transport is practical rather than a sightseeing tour. You are being taken to the launch point, not shown additional attractions on the way. Still, the included return ride adds real value because arranging a separate car in the dark or at dawn would be inconvenient.

Bakong Temple and the countryside from above

The main visual reward is the view toward Bakong Temple, along with rice fields, villages, and smaller historic sites such as Lolei Temple. Bakong is one of the important temple sites in the wider Angkor area, but it is not Angkor Wat itself.

This distinction is important. Some descriptions frame the outing as a flight over Angkor, which can lead you to picture Angkor Wat directly beneath the basket. The actual view may show a temple in the distance, and one account specifically notes that Angkor Wat was not visible. Another describes seeing a small temple from the balloon.

You should book this for the wider setting, not for a close aerial portrait of Angkor Wat. From the basket, you see how temples sit among fields and villages. That broader view gives useful context to the temple complex visits you may already have planned.

The view changes with the hour. At sunrise, the countryside may appear muted before the light spreads across the fields. At sunset, the temple silhouette and village rooftops may catch warmer colors. You might see children watching the balloon from below, a detail that several accounts describe as part of the fun.

Some pilots and staff have carried sweets to pass down to children on the ground. I would not treat this as a guaranteed feature, and giving food from a balloon raises obvious questions about litter and fairness. Bring a camera instead, and follow the crew’s instructions if anything is offered.

What the basket and flight feel like

The balloon can carry up to 25 passengers, although some flights use a smaller basket. One account describes only four people aboard, which made the flight feel more peaceful. Group size may vary with the day, weight balance, and operating arrangements.

The basket is enclosed enough to provide a stable standing place, but this is still an open-air activity at height. You should expect little privacy and limited room to move. If you want the best view, listen to the pilot and crew rather than trying to change places while the balloon is preparing to land.

The strongest repeated praise concerns the smooth, calm ride and the careful ground team. The flight is described as gentle, with organized help during setup, takeoff, and landing. A first balloon flight can feel less intimidating than expected because there is no fast movement or road-like jolting once you are airborne.

That said, fear of heights is still a valid concern. One person who was very afraid of heights found the flight enjoyable after takeoff, but you should make your own call. People with altitude sickness, heart problems, and pregnant women are not considered suitable for this activity. The stated age limit excludes children under 11 and adults over 70.

There is one inconsistency worth noting. One account describes a nine-year-old joining the flight, while the formal restriction says no children under 11. Treat the stated restriction as the rule and ask the operator before booking for a younger child.

Staff, pilots, and the small details that help

The operating team includes the balloon pilot, ground staff, and an English-speaking driver. The pilot on one flight was from Beijing, and several accounts describe the pilot and setup crew as polite, capable, and safety-conscious.

Ms Pea is named as a helpful team member in one detailed account. Communication before pickup appears to be an important part of the service, with information sent through WhatsApp and questions answered before departure.

A photographer may be present on the ground. One person appreciated having photographs taken but wished the photographer could have remained aboard during the flight. That is a useful expectation to set: bring your own camera, and do not assume every aerial moment will be professionally captured.

Take sunglasses and a camera. Do not bring drones, pets, drinks, alcohol, fireworks, or an electric wheelchair. Drinks are not allowed in the vehicle or during the activity. These rules are simple, but the early pickup makes it easy to forget to pack sunglasses.

Safety, weather, and booking details

Weight is part of the booking process because the basket must be balanced. You are asked to provide each passenger’s weight, and anyone over 110 kilograms is charged double the fare. Be accurate when booking so the operator can plan the load correctly.

The flight operates only twice daily, at sunrise and sunset. That limited schedule means a weather problem can affect your plans quickly. If the operator cancels because of weather or official restrictions, the stated policy is a full refund.

The cancellation terms need careful attention because the general booking page says cancellation up to 24 hours in advance may receive a full refund, while the detailed operating terms say a cancellation within two days receives no refund. The detailed terms also describe a 50 percent charge before two days and a $25 per person fee for a single reschedule before that cutoff.

Because those statements do not fully match, ask for the exact policy that applies to your booking before paying. You can reserve and pay later through the listed arrangement, but the detailed information also says payment is due before the flight.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would recommend it to you if you want a calm, unusual view of rural Cambodia and are happy to pay for a short special outing. It suits couples, photographers, first-time balloon passengers, and anyone who wants a sunrise or sunset memory beyond the usual temple circuit.

It is also a good fit if you value organized transport. Hotel pickup and return remove much of the hassle, especially for an early departure. The English-speaking driver and advance messages help keep the morning or evening on track.

I would not choose it if your main goal is Angkor Wat from the air. I would also skip it if 30 minutes feels too short for $174, if heights make you uncomfortable, or if your schedule cannot absorb the drive to the launch site.

The 4.7 rating from 114 ratings reflects strong satisfaction, with repeated praise for smooth flights, punctual transport, friendly staff, and beautiful sunrise or sunset views. The more useful caution is financial: even positive accounts describe the outing as expensive. Enjoyment seems highest when you treat it as a once-only experience rather than ordinary transport.

Should you book the Angkor Stunning Hot Air Balloon?

Book it if you want to see Siem Reap Province from above, enjoy a quiet ride, and can accept that the flight may show Bakong Temple rather than Angkor Wat. Choose sunrise for softer morning light and a cooler start, or sunset for easier timing and warm color.

Skip it if you are looking for the best value near Angkor or expect a long flight over the main temple complex. At $174, this needs to be a deliberate splurge. For the right occasion, the combination of countryside views, reliable pickup, and a gentle balloon ride can make it a memorable addition to a Siem Reap stay.

FAQ

How much does the Angkor Stunning Hot Air Balloon cost?

The stated price is $174 per person. Passengers weighing over 110 kilograms are charged double the fare.

How long is the balloon flight?

The activity is listed as 30 minutes. The operating information also describes a round flight of about 35 minutes.

What time does the sunrise flight take off?

The sunrise flight is scheduled to take off around 6:20 to 6:30 in the morning. Your pickup time is confirmed after booking.

What time does the sunset flight take off?

The sunset flight is scheduled to take off around 5:30 to 5:40 in the evening.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return to your hotel in Siem Reap Province are included. The driver usually collects you about 30 minutes before departure.

What transport is provided?

Transport is by car or minivan with an English-speaking driver.

Does the balloon fly over Angkor Wat?

The supplied information emphasizes views of Bakong Temple, Lolei Temple, villages, and rice fields. You should not assume the flight passes directly over Angkor Wat.

How many people can the balloon carry?

The balloon can carry up to 25 passengers. Some flights may use a smaller basket.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses and a camera. Drones, pets, drinks, alcohol, fireworks, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

Can children join the balloon ride?

The stated restriction says children under 11 are not suitable for the activity. One account describes a nine-year-old joining, so confirm directly with the operator before booking for anyone under 11.