From Krong Siem Reap: Angkor Hot Air Balloon Ride w/ Pickup

The best part of this experience is the quiet bird’s-eye view of the Cambodian countryside, especially around sunrise or sunset. From the basket, you may see rice fields, villages, Siem Reap, and the temple area around Bakong and Lolei. I like the two daily departure choices and the included hotel pickup, which removes a fair bit of early-morning fuss.

I also like that the flight itself lasts about 30 to 35 minutes, long enough to get a proper look without taking half a day from temple touring. The main drawback is the price: at $175 per person, this is a costly short flight, and the balloon does not fly over Angkor Wat or necessarily pass directly above the major temples.

Key points at a glance

• Sunrise and sunset departures: Take off at about 6:20 to 6:30 in the morning or 5:30 to 5:40 in the evening.
• Bakong and Lolei views: The advertised temple area is around Bakong and Lolei, not Angkor Wat itself.
• 30 to 35 minutes in the air: The balloon can carry up to 25 people, while this booking is described as a small group limited to 10.
• Hotel transport included: Pickup and return are provided from hotels in Krong Siem Reap.
• Weather controls the flight: Poor weather or an official restriction can cancel the flight and trigger a full refund.
• Weight rules matter: Passengers over 110 kilograms are charged double the fare.

A short flight above Siem Reap

A hot air balloon gives you a different view of Siem Reap. On the ground, the temples demand your attention one stone at a time. From the air, you see the wider setting: flat fields, small settlements, roads, the city, and the old temple zone spread across the countryside.

This is not a sightseeing flight over every famous Angkor temple. The description focuses on Bakong and Lolei, two temple sites east of Siem Reap. That distinction matters. If your dream is a balloon view of Angkor Wat’s towers, you should not book this expecting that exact picture.

I would think of the ride as a short aerial outing near the Angkor area, not as a replacement for a temple tour. It can add a fresh view after you have seen the monuments from ground level, but it does not give you time to visit the temples themselves.

The balloon flies twice a day, once near sunrise and once near sunset. The morning flight is scheduled to take off around 6:20 to 6:30 am. The evening flight takes off around 5:30 to 5:40 pm. The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking, and the driver is expected to collect you about 30 minutes before departure.

What you see near Bakong and Lolei

Bakong is the stronger visual promise of this trip. It is a large temple complex in the Roluos area, with a central stepped structure and broad grounds around it. From above, its position among fields and villages helps you understand the scale of the old temple region in a way that a close-up visit cannot.

Lolei is also included among the sights named for the experience. It is an older temple site in the same general area. The temples may appear quite small from the basket, but that is part of the point: you are looking at them as pieces of a much wider Cambodian setting.

The flight path and visibility can change. Hot air balloons do not move like aircraft with a fixed route, and the operator cannot promise a perfect view of every named site on every flight. Wind, haze, clouds, and operating conditions all affect what you see.

One morning flight in the available feedback lifted off through haze and clouds. The sunrise was not clearly visible, and the view was described as mostly dry rice fields, with some of the scenery resembling what you can see near Siem Reap airport. That is a useful warning. The sunrise label does not guarantee a dramatic orange sky.

Sunrise or sunset: choosing the better departure

The sunrise flight is the more atmospheric option on paper. You leave your hotel early, rise above the countryside as the day begins, and may catch changing light over the fields and temple area. It also gives you the rest of the day for Angkor Wat and other sights.

The catch is timing. Sunrise departures require an early pickup, and the balloon may lift off only a few minutes after the scheduled time. If morning haze is thick, the sun can remain hidden. You should choose sunrise for the calm early setting and the chance of soft light, not as a guaranteed sunrise photograph.

The sunset flight is easier on your sleep and can fit well after a day of sightseeing. The evening light may give the fields a warmer appearance, though clouds or haze can again reduce the effect. A sunset flight also uses time that might otherwise be spent at a temple or watching sunset from the ground.

I would choose sunrise if you plan a full temple day afterward and do not mind the early start. I would choose sunset if you want a gentler schedule and have already planned your major temple visits for another day.

The pickup and ride from Siem Reap

Hotel pickup and return transport are included. The service information refers to a tuk-tuk transfer in the itinerary, while the inclusions also mention a car or minivan. Confirm the vehicle when your booking is accepted, especially if you have luggage or prefer one type of transport.

The driver speaks English and collects you from your hotel in Krong Siem Reap. You need to provide the hotel name, full address, a contact number or hotel contact, the name used for checking in, and your room number. These details are not needless paperwork. A pre-dawn pickup is much easier when the driver knows exactly where to find you.

The listed transfer section shows about 30 minutes for the tuk-tuk portion. Actual driving time can vary with hotel location and the process of collecting other passengers. One pickup ran late and moved slowly through town while gathering people before continuing to the balloon site. Build a little patience into your morning, especially if the flight is close to sunrise.

The transport is practical rather than part of the sightseeing. Its main value is convenience. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi before dawn or work out how to reach the launch point in the dark.

What the balloon flight feels like

The flight lasts about 30 to 35 minutes, with the balloon able to carry up to 25 passengers. The booking is also described as a small group limited to 10 participants, so confirm the expected group size at the time of booking because those two figures describe different limits.

A balloon moves slowly and quietly compared with a helicopter or small plane. You are carried by the wind rather than following a fast route across the province. That makes the flight good for taking in broad views, but it also means the pilot cannot promise a close pass over a particular temple.

The main sightseeing is from the basket. You look out over the fields, villages, city, and temple area as the balloon drifts. The total time is short, so keep your camera ready before takeoff. There is no mention of a separate temple visit, guided walk, or stop at Bakong or Lolei. The temples are viewed from the air.

The experience can feel special when the air is clear and the light cooperates. It can feel less rewarding when haze blocks the horizon and the view becomes mostly open farmland. That is the central risk of paying for any short scenic flight.

Is $175 a fair price?

At $175 per person, this is a premium add-on. The price includes hotel pickup and return, an English-speaking driver, and the balloon flight. It does not include other services not listed in the program, and the short flight is the core of what you are buying.

I would call the value highly dependent on your expectations. If you have already visited the main temples and want one unusual view of the countryside, the balloon may be worth the splurge. If you are still deciding between this and several hours of temple touring, the temples will usually give you more time and more substance for your money.

The cost is harder to justify if you expect to fly over Angkor Wat. That is not the stated focus. The named views are Bakong and Lolei, and the flight may cover mostly fields depending on the route and visibility.

The small-group setup can improve the experience, but you should verify the actual number of passengers. The balloon itself may carry as many as 25 people, while the booking information says groups are limited to 10. At this price, clear confirmation is reasonable.

Passengers over 110 kilograms are charged double. If this applies to anyone in your party, calculate the final price before paying. It is also wise to confirm the pickup vehicle, flight length, and expected route so the cost matches what you want.

Weather, haze, and the real risk

Weather is the factor you cannot control. The operator can cancel if conditions are unsuitable or if authorities restrict flights. In that case, the stated policy is a full refund.

Haze is a separate issue. A flight may operate safely while still offering muted views. Dry-season conditions can produce a pale horizon, and clouds can hide the sunrise or sunset. The available feedback includes a morning flight with haze and clouds that obscured the sunrise, so you should treat clear golden light as a bonus rather than a promise.

Ask yourself how you would feel if the balloon flew over ordinary rice fields for half an hour. If that still sounds appealing, you are a good match. If the temples or sunrise are the only reason you are interested, the risk is greater.

The operator’s cancellation wording needs careful attention. One part says you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. The detailed conditions say cancellation more than two days before the flight incurs a 50 percent charge, and cancellation less than 47 hours before departure receives no refund. Because those terms conflict, get the exact policy in writing before you pay.

Rescheduling is listed as possible once, for a $25 per-person fee, if requested more than two days before the flight. No rescheduling is permitted within two days. Again, confirm the final terms directly, since the short cancellation statement and detailed conditions do not match.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for someone who has a spare morning or evening, has already planned the main Angkor visits, and likes seeing a place from an unusual angle. It also suits photographers who are happy to work with changing light and broad countryside views rather than guaranteed close-ups of famous monuments.

It may suit couples or small groups looking for a memorable extra activity. The two departure times make it easier to fit around temple visits, meals, and rest.

I would be cautious about booking it as your only major activity in Siem Reap. The flight lasts only about half an hour, and the views can be ordinary if haze limits visibility. It is best treated as a splurge, not a full sightseeing day.

You should also skip it if you need a firm, weather-proof schedule. Balloon flights depend on safe conditions, and the exact route is not fully under the operator’s control.

Booking tips that can save trouble

Before confirming, send the operator all required details: flight date, sunrise or sunset choice, passenger count, passenger weights, hotel name and address, booking name, room number, and a contact number.

Ask these practical questions before payment:

• Will the transfer be a tuk-tuk, car, or minivan?
• How many people are expected in the balloon?
• Is the flight expected to last 30 or 35 minutes?
• Which cancellation policy applies to this booking?
• Is the flight route likely to pass near Bakong and Lolei?

The service allows you to reserve and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Siem Reap schedule. Payment is also described as due before the flight, so do not assume that holding a place means you can pay after landing.

Free cancellation is advertised up to 24 hours in advance, but the more detailed rules say something different. Make that the first point you clarify.

FAQ

How long does the hot air balloon flight last?

The flight is described as lasting about 30 to 35 minutes. The activity duration is listed as 30 minutes.

What time are the flights?

The sunrise flight is scheduled to take off around 6:20 to 6:30 am. The sunset flight is scheduled to take off around 5:30 to 5:40 pm. Pickup time is confirmed after booking.

Does the balloon fly over Angkor Wat?

The provided information highlights views of Bakong and Lolei, along with Siem Reap, rice fields, and villages. It does not promise a flight directly over Angkor Wat.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport from hotels in Krong Siem Reap are included. You must provide the hotel address and contact details clearly.

What transport is used?

The itinerary mentions a tuk-tuk, while the included services also mention a car or minivan. Confirm the vehicle type after booking.

How many people can join the flight?

The balloon can carry up to 25 passengers. The booking is also described as a small group limited to 10 participants, so confirm the expected group size.

What happens if the flight is canceled because of weather?

If the flight is canceled because of weather or an official restriction, the stated policy is a full refund.

Should you book this balloon ride?

Book it if you want a short, unusual view of the Siem Reap countryside and can accept that Bakong or Lolei may be distant, the sunrise or sunset may be muted, and the flight may last only about half an hour. The included pickup and two daily departure times make it easy to add to a larger Siem Reap plan.

Skip it if you are mainly paying for an aerial view of Angkor Wat or expect a guaranteed dramatic sunrise. At $175, this is a special-occasion add-on, not a bargain. Confirm the route, group size, transport, weight charge, and conflicting cancellation terms before you commit.