The essentials in 30 seconds
- Verdict: Book the ride for early morning or late afternoon, when light and wind suit it. Reserve it through your hotel concierge together with the room, and keep a backup day in the plan so weather never decides the outcome.
- Two styles: The tethered Angkor Balloon rises to about 120 m for 10 to 15 minutes, and Anantara Angkor Resort offers a hot air balloon flight of 35 to 60 minutes.
- Season: Anantara Angkor Resort's release says its flights run November to March, with sunset flights only in December and January.
- Order of booking: Secure the room first, then ask the concierge for the ride, and confirm operator conditions in writing.
A Siem Reap stay has wide horizons: rice fields, the Tonle Sap lake and the forest around the temples. Seeing them from above or from the water at the right hour turns an ordinary afternoon into the photo of the trip. The question is timing, and the answer depends on light, the season and how early you book.
This page tells you when to book a balloon ride or scenic viewpoint, what the options are according to the sources we collected, and how to ask your hotel concierge so the ride fits the rest of the stay. It is part of the wider guide to countryside experiences from Siem Reap luxury hotels.
The best hour, and when to book
Early morning and late afternoon give the softest light and, usually, calmer air. Angkor Temples Park entry runs from 5:00 AM to 6:30 PM according to the official ticket page, so a sunrise plan starts before breakfast. Angkor Wat opens at 5:00 AM for sunrise and most other temples at 6:00 AM, according to a tour operator. All of these hours are as listed in October 2026, so confirm before you travel.
Book the ride when you book the stay, or as soon as your dates are fixed. Seats on a small balloon are limited: Anantara Angkor Resort's release says up to 8 guests per flight. A concierge can hold a slot while you finalise the rest of the itinerary.
Two balloon styles compared
Sources describe two different experiences. Pick the one that matches your budget, your time and how much you want a full flight.
Angkor Balloon, tethered
- Rises to about 120 m for a ride of 10 to 15 minutes and carries up to 30 passengers.
- Flies from sunrise to sunset, weather permitting, according to siemreap.net.
- Lists 20 USD per adult for a regular ride and 25 USD for sunrise; children under 12 pay 10 or 15 USD and children under 6 ride free.
- Prices are as listed in October 2026; confirm before you travel.
Anantara Angkor Resort, hot air balloon
- 350 USD per person including round trip hotel transfers, refreshments and a celebratory drink, in a release dated 3 October 2025.
- Flights last 35 to 60 minutes with up to 8 guests and run November to March, with sunset flights only in December and January.
- Operated with Cambodia Balloon Adventures from a countryside launch site near Siem Reap.
- Confirm the current price and whether non-guests can join, directly with the hotel.
In short, the tethered balloon suits a short, flexible outing with children, while the hot air flight suits a special occasion in the cool season. An operator directory also lists Angkor Wat helicopter flights from 90 USD per person with a minimum of 3 people (page undated, so confirm the current price before you travel).
Other scenic moments near the hotels
A balloon is not the only high point. Viroth's Hotel suggests sunrise at Angkor Wat and a sunset boat trip at West Baray among its tour suggestions. A tour operator lists Phnom Bakheng open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM with a 300 visitor cap at the summit, so arriving early helps. For the lake, HelloAngkor calls late afternoon golden hours a popular time to see Kampong Phluk at sunset.
If you plan a temple sunrise, the Angkor ticket office is open from 5 AM to 5:30 PM, and after 4:30 PM next day tickets can be bought for sunrise, according to HelloAngkor. Our Angkor sunrise breakfast guide covers that morning in full.
Hotels that arrange countryside and viewpoint outings
Several luxury hotels describe outings on their own pages that pair well with a viewpoint day. Zannier Phum Baitang lists lake excursions and a Land Rover village tour, Jaya House River Park lists a one-day Prek Toal floating village tour, and Viroth's Hotel suggests the West Baray sunset boat trip. Lotus Blanc Resort says its concierge arranges private Angkor tours, and Anantara Angkor Resort, which is outside our directory, offers the balloon flight itself.
Hotels with outings that pair well with a view
Ultra-luxury villa retreat
Riverside boutique luxury
Design hotel & pool
Compare nightly prices for your dates before you choose, and enter the same dates on Agoda and Booking.com so the comparison is fair. Read each cancellation policy before you pay, because a flexible rate keeps your options open if a ride moves to another day.
Compare the 10 hotelsReserve through the concierge, with a backup day
A simple booking routine
- 1Book the room first, entering the same dates on Agoda and Booking.com and reading the cancellation terms.
- 2Message the concierge with your dates, the number of guests and your preferred hour.
- 3Ask which operator runs the ride and for its flight conditions and safety information in writing.
- 4Request a backup day and ask what happens if weather moves the flight.
- 5Confirm pick-up time, price and what is included one day before.
For a fuller routine on writing to the concierge, see using a Siem Reap luxury hotel concierge well.
Test your knowledge
Five questions on this guide.
Luxury hotels in Siem Reap: frequently asked questions
When should I book a balloon ride near a Siem Reap luxury hotel?
Book as soon as your dates are fixed, for early morning or late afternoon, through the hotel concierge. Keep a backup day because weather decides every flight.
How long is the Angkor Balloon ride?
siemreap.net lists about 10 to 15 minutes at a height of about 120 m, flying sunrise to sunset weather permitting. Confirm before you travel.
How long are Anantara balloon flights?
The release says 35 to 60 minutes with up to 8 guests, running November to March. Check current details with the hotel before you travel.
What do children pay for the Angkor Balloon?
siemreap.net lists 10 or 15 USD for children under 12 and free for under 6, as listed in October 2026. Confirm before you travel.
Can I combine a view with a temple sunrise?
Yes, plan them on different days. Angkor Wat opens at 5:00 AM for sunrise according to a tour operator, so a balloon day and a temple day each get a calm morning.
What if the flight is postponed?
Ask the concierge about the operator's policy and keep a spare day. Read your room's cancellation terms before you book.
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