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

A balloon ride here offers a different angle on the temples and countryside around Siem Reap. You’ll see the area from above, with Bakong and Lolei among the landmarks to look for, rather than expecting a flight directly over Angkor Wat. I like the choice of sunrise or sunset, and the fact that hotel transfers are included.

The trade-off is a short flight at a high price: $175 per person for about 30 to 35 minutes in the air. Haze, clouds, and dry fields can shape the view, and the balloon does not promise a close pass over the best-known temples.

• The balloon flies twice daily: Choose a sunrise departure around 6:20 to 6:30 am or a sunset departure around 5:30 to 5:40 pm.
• Bakong is the main temple landmark: The flight is in the Bakong area, not a direct flight over Angkor Wat.
• The flight is brief: Plan on roughly 30 minutes, with another 30 minutes listed for the transfer.
• The balloon can carry up to 25 passengers: The tour is described as a small group limited to 10 participants, but the balloon itself may hold more.
• Transport is included: Pickup and return to your hotel are part of the package. Confirm the pickup time and vehicle before you go.
• Check the cancellation terms carefully: The stated policies conflict, so ask which one applies before booking.

A balloon ride near Bakong, not Angkor Wat

The name can set the wrong expectation. This is a hot air balloon ride in Siem Reap Province, with views toward Bakong Temple, Lolei Temple, and the surrounding countryside. It is not described as a flight above Angkor Wat, and you should not book it expecting to float over that famous temple complex.

That distinction matters because the temple views are the main reason to pay for the ride. Bakong is a historic temple landmark, but the aerial perspective may show it at a distance rather than close beneath the balloon. Lolei is also named as an area of interest, though the flight path and exact visibility can vary.

The other part of the appeal is the broader view: rice fields, villages, and the countryside around Siem Reap. From above, those everyday patterns can be as interesting as the temples. Still, this is not a long sightseeing flight. You have a short window to take in the view, and haze or cloud can soften the sunrise or sunset colors.

Sunrise or sunset: choosing your flight

There are two scheduled flight windows each day. The sunrise trip takes off around 6:20 to 6:30 am. The sunset trip takes off around 5:30 to 5:40 pm. The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking, and the stated pickup is about 30 minutes before departure.

For sunrise, the early start is part of the bargain. You may get the cooler light and first colors of the day, but the sky is not guaranteed to be clear. One morning flight lifted off at about 6:30 into haze and cloud, with the sunrise obscured. If clear light is your main goal, remember that weather is beyond the operator’s control.

Sunset offers a later start and a different quality of light, but the same caution applies: clouds can hide the sun. You should choose the time that fits your schedule and your tolerance for an early alarm, rather than treating either slot as a guaranteed postcard moment.

The flights operate only twice daily, so there is little flexibility once you select a time. Give the operator your hotel name and address, full name used at check-in, room number, passenger count, and each passenger’s weight. The pickup time is confirmed later, so keep your phone accessible and make sure your hotel details are accurate.

The transfer from your hotel

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which is useful for an early departure or after a sunset flight. The tour information describes the transfer as about 30 minutes and mentions both a tuk tuk in the route and a car or minivan among the inclusions. Those details do not match neatly, so confirm what vehicle will collect you before the day of the flight.

Pickup timing deserves a little flexibility. One account describes a punctual, well-organized collection; another describes a late pickup and a slow trip through town to collect other passengers. That does not prove your transfer will run late, but if you have plans immediately afterward, leave a buffer. The flight itself is short, and waiting around can make the total outing feel longer than its headline duration.

An English-speaking driver is included. The available information does not name a guide or promise an onboard guide, so treat this primarily as a transport-and-flight experience rather than a guided temple tour. The driver gets you to the balloon and back to your hotel; the historical context appears limited.

What the flight is like from takeoff to landing

Once you reach the balloon, the main event is a shared flight above the countryside. The balloon can carry up to 25 passengers, while the activity is also described as limited to 10 participants. These numbers may refer to different parts of the experience, such as the booking group and balloon capacity, so ask how many people are expected on your departure if group size matters to you.

Expect about 30 minutes in the air, though the flight duration is also described as around 35 minutes. The practical takeaway is that this is a short ride, not a long aerial tour. You will have time to look for Bakong, Lolei, villages, and fields, but you should not expect a detailed circuit of every temple in the area.

The flight’s path and visibility depend on conditions. A ride can pass over dry rice fields, and the view may resemble what you have already seen from the air arriving in Siem Reap. That can be a letdown if you are seeking a dramatic new angle on the temples. On the other hand, if you like slow travel and open views, the quiet shift from town to countryside is the point.

After landing, the transportation returns you to your hotel. The activity is presented as a single balloon outing, not as a temple visit with time to explore Bakong or Lolei on foot. If those sites are on your list, plan a separate visit rather than assuming the balloon ticket includes entry or a ground stop.

What $175 buys you

At $175 per person, this is a special-occasion activity, not a budget way to see the temples. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the balloon flight, and an English-speaking driver. No other services are specified as included, so don’t assume meals, temple entry, or a guided sightseeing visit are part of the fare.

The value depends on what you want from the morning or evening. If the chance to float above Siem Reap’s countryside is a highlight in itself, the included transfer and unusual vantage point can justify the cost. If your priority is a close view of Angkor Wat or a long flight over several major temples, this is poor value for your particular plan.

The short flight makes the price feel steep, especially if haze blocks the sunrise or the balloon follows a route over dry fields. Weather cancellations are treated differently: if the flight is cancelled because of weather or an official restriction, the stated policy is a full refund. That protection is helpful, but it does not cover a flight that goes ahead in less-than-ideal viewing conditions.

One practical cost detail deserves attention. Passengers weighing more than 110 kg are charged double the fare. Share passenger weights when booking, and clarify any related charges before you commit.

Small-group wording and the balloon’s capacity

The activity is advertised as limited to 10 participants, yet the balloon is said to carry up to 25 passengers. These statements are not necessarily incompatible: one may refer to the booking group, while the other describes the balloon’s total capacity. But they leave an important question open. If you picture a tiny private outing, this may not be it.

Ask the operator how many people will be in your vehicle and how many are expected in the balloon. That answer helps set expectations about space and the feel of the ride. The balloon is shared, so you should plan for other passengers rather than a private basket.

Booking, cancellations, and useful checks

The cancellation information is inconsistent. One part says you may cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The detailed terms say cancellations made before two days incur a 50 percent charge, cancellations less than 47 hours before the flight are fully charged, and cancellations within two days receive no refund and cannot be rescheduled. Because those rules conflict, get the exact terms that apply to your booking in writing before paying.

Rescheduling is described as possible once, if requested before two days prior to the flight, with a $25 per-person charge. The same detailed terms say there is no rescheduling within two days. If weather or an official restriction cancels the flight, the stated policy is a full refund.

The activity also offers reserve-now, pay-later booking, while the booking notes say payment is due before the flight. Confirm when payment is collected and which cancellation terms govern your reservation. The advertised language about flexible booking should not replace a clear answer on these points.

Who should book this balloon ride?

I would consider this if you want an unusual view of the countryside and are happy with a short, shared flight. It suits people who have already planned their temple visits and want a different kind of outing, especially if the sunrise or sunset timing fits their day.

It is a weaker choice if you have a fixed image of a balloon passing directly over Angkor Wat. The named landmarks are Bakong and Lolei, and the flight path is not guaranteed to pass close to either one. It may also disappoint if you expect vivid colors or a long flight, since haze, cloud, and dry fields can all affect the view.

Before booking, confirm the departure slot, transfer vehicle, expected group size, passenger weight charges, and cancellation policy. If those answers work for you and the aerial experience itself is worth $175, the flight offers a memorable change of pace. If you mainly want the temples, put your money toward a ground visit instead.

FAQ

How long is the balloon flight?

The flight is described as about 30 minutes, with another duration estimate of around 35 minutes. The transfer is listed as roughly 30 minutes.

What time do the flights depart?

The sunrise flight takes off around 6:20 to 6:30 am. The sunset flight takes off around 5:30 to 5:40 pm. Your pickup time is confirmed after booking.

Does the balloon fly over Angkor Wat?

The flight is described as offering views toward Bakong and Lolei, not as a flight over Angkor Wat. The exact route is not specified.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and return transport are included. The information mentions both a tuk tuk and a car or minivan, so confirm the vehicle with the operator.

How many passengers can the balloon carry?

The balloon can carry up to 25 passengers. The activity is also described as limited to 10 participants, so ask how many people are expected on your departure.

What happens if weather cancels the flight?

The stated policy says you receive a full refund if the flight is cancelled because of weather or an official restriction. The separate cancellation terms for customer-initiated cancellations conflict, so confirm those before booking.