Which Temples Are Included in the Small/Mini/Large Circuit Tour?

June 26, 2025
7:17 am

Which Temples Are Included in the Small/Mini/Large Circuit Tour? Your Complete Guide to Angkor’s Temple Routes

Small vs Large Circuit at Angkor – One Tour Feels Like a Trailer, the Other Like the Full Movie – You’ll Miss 5 Mind-Blowing Temples If You Pick the Wrong Route—This Guide Saves You from Regret

Which temples are included in the small/mini/large circuit tour? The Angkor small circuit temples include 14 major sites like Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm in a 17km route, while the Angkor large circuit temples cover 21 temples including Preah Khan, Neak Pean, and East Mebon across 26km. These temple tour map Angkor routes help visitors see the best temples based on their time and interests.

Popular with first-time visitors, these circuits offer different experiences – from iconic temples to hidden treasures. Key highlights include:

Skip-the-line access to world-famous temples
Professional guides explaining temple history
Strategic routes avoiding major crowds
Perfect photo opportunities at sunrise and sunset spots

Overall, choosing the right circuit helps you see Cambodia’s ancient wonders without missing the must-see temples.

Which Temples Are Included in the Small/Mini/Large Circuit Tour? The Complete Temple Breakdown

Planning your Angkor visit feels overwhelming with over 72 temples spread across 400 square kilometers. But here’s the thing – you don’t need to see them all. The Angkor circuit itinerary system makes everything simple.

Which temples are included in the small/mini/large circuit tour? This question comes up every single day from travelers planning their Cambodia adventure. The answer depends on what you want from your temple experience.

The mini circuit Angkor Wat route focuses on the greatest hits. Think of it as the trailer version – you get all the iconic scenes that made Angkor famous worldwide. Meanwhile, the large circuit feels like watching the full movie with director’s commentary and deleted scenes.

Here’s what most people don’t realize: these circuits were designed by French archaeologists in the 1920s. They knew exactly which temples would blow your mind and which ones needed more time to appreciate.

Circuit Type	Distance	Temples	Best For	Time Needed
Small/Mini Circuit	17km	14 temples	First-time visitors	6-8 hours
Large/Grand Circuit	26km	21 temples	Temple enthusiasts	8-10 hours
Extended Circuit	50km+	30+ temples	Multiple visits	2-3 days

The Small Circuit: Your Gateway to Angkor’s Greatest Hits

The Angkor small circuit temples pack incredible punch into one manageable day. Start at sunrise with Angkor Wat – the world’s largest religious building. The reflection pools create mirror images that photographers dream about.

Next comes the Angkor Thom tour route through the ancient city walls. The South Gate features massive stone faces that seem to follow your movement. Inside, Bayon Temple small circuit reveals 216 serene faces carved into stone towers.

Ta Prohm small circuit offers something completely different. Giant trees grow through temple walls creating a natural jungle gym. This is where Tomb Raider was filmed, and you’ll understand why immediately.

Complete Small Circuit Temple List:

Angkor Wat – The crown jewel (sunrise spot)
Phnom Bakheng – Sunset mountain temple
Angkor Thom South Gate – Giant guardian statues
Bayon – 216 mysterious faces
Baphuon – Reconstructed temple mountain
Phimeanakas – Royal palace temple
Terrace of the Leper King – Intricate wall carvings
Terrace of the Elephants – Royal parade ground
Ta Keo – Steep pyramid temple
Thommanon – Small but perfect condition
Chau Say Tevoda – Thommanon’s twin temple
Ta Prohm – Tree temple from Tomb Raider
Banteay Kdei – Peaceful monastery ruins
Srah Srang – Royal bathing pool

Real Talk About Crowd Reality

I watched a family from Australia spend three hours at Angkor Wat trying to get ONE photo without crowds. The dad was getting frustrated, the kids were tired, and mom was ready to give up. Then their guide suggested the Angkor Wat Highlights and Sunrise Guided Tour strategy – arrive before sunrise, see the main temples early, then hit the peaceful spots during lunch rush. Game changer.

9:45 AM Pickup – Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and Sunset in Angkor Wat Golden Hour Tour

The Large Circuit: Where Temple Magic Gets Real

Angkor large circuit temples tell a different story. These sites get maybe 15% of Angkor Wat’s visitors, which means you often have ancient wonders almost to yourself.

Preah Khan large circuit serves as the circuit’s masterpiece. This temple city once housed 100,000 people including 1,000 teachers and 1,000 dancers. Walking through feels like exploring an abandoned civilization.

Neak Pean large tour sits on an artificial island surrounded by water. During rainy season, the temple appears to float. The symbolism represents the mythical lake at the center of the universe.

Complete Large Circuit Temple List:

Pre Rup – Pre Rup sunset spot with panoramic views
East Mebon temple – Island temple in ancient reservoir
Ta Som – Tree-covered eastern gate
Neak Pean – Floating temple island
Banteay Prei – Jungle-covered ruins
Preah Khan – Massive temple city complex
Angkor Thom North Gate – Less crowded entrance

Temple	Circuit	Special Feature	Crowd Level	Best Photo Time
Angkor Wat	Small	Sunrise reflection	Very High	6:00-7:00 AM
Ta Prohm	Small	Tree roots	High	2:00-4:00 PM
Bayon	Small	Stone faces	High	8:00-10:00 AM
Preah Khan	Large	Jungle temple city	Low	Any time
Neak Pean	Large	Water temple	Very Low	10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Pre Rup	Large	Sunset views	Medium	5:00-6:30 PM

Banteay Srei and Grand Circuit Heritage Tour

Cambodia Context: Why These Circuits Matter

Cambodia sits in Southeast Asia’s heart, bordered by Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The country spent centuries under the mighty Khmer Empire, which built these incredible temples between 800-1400 AD.

Siem Reap serves as your base camp for temple exploration. This charming city transformed from sleepy town to tourism hub after Angkor’s UNESCO designation in 1992. The new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport makes getting here easier than ever.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, offers a different experience. Most visitors fly into Phnom Penh then take buses or domestic flights to Siem Reap. The capital showcases modern Cambodia while Siem Reap preserves ancient history.

Angkor Archaeological Park – Are there restrooms, food, and water available inside the complex?

Secret Temples Most Tourists Miss

Banteay Kdei circuit hides peaceful courtyards perfect for meditation. Unlike crowded Ta Prohm nearby, you can sit quietly and absorb the spiritual atmosphere.

Srah Srang sunrise view creates magic without Angkor Wat’s chaos. The royal bathing pool reflects morning light like a mirror. Local photographers call this their secret sunrise spot.

The Tourism Industry Secret

Big tour companies avoid promoting certain temples in the large circuit. Why? They can’t fit 40-person buses at remote sites, and they can’t rush groups through in 15 minutes for photos. That’s exactly WHY you should visit them. When the industry says “too difficult to profit from,” travelers should hear “absolutely perfect experience.”

Smart Circuit Combinations and Tour Options

Most visitors combine circuits based on their stay length:

One Day Strategy:

Morning: Small circuit highlights (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm)
Afternoon: Angkor Wat Sunset Tour for perfect ending

Two Day Strategy:

Day 1: Complete Angkor circuit itinerary small route
Day 2: Banteay Srei and Grand Circuit Heritage Tour including remote temples

Three Day Strategy:

Day 1: Small circuit morning temples
Day 2: Sunset in Angkor Wat focused experience
Day 3: Large circuit plus Banteay Srei

Temple Groupings Angkor Park by Historical Period

Period	Temples	Style Features	Must-See Example
Early Angkor (800-1000)	Bakong, Lolei	Simple brick towers	Bakong pyramid
Classical (1000-1150)	Angkor Wat, Ta Keo	Perfect proportions	Angkor Wat
Bayon Period (1150-1250)	Bayon, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan	Buddhist themes, faces	Bayon’s smiling faces
Late Period (1250-1400)	Banteay Kdei, Ta Som	Smaller scale, detailed carving	Ta Som’s tree gate

The Angkor Wat Afternoon Tour option works great for avoiding morning crowds and extreme heat.

I Found 5 Angkor Empty Temples While 5,000 Tourists Crowded Angkor Wat

Best Route for Angkor Temples Based on Your Interests

Photography Focus:

Srah Srang sunrise view (6:00 AM)
Angkor Wat back entrance (7:00 AM)
Ta Prohm small circuit (2:00 PM soft light)
Pre Rup sunset spot (5:30 PM)

History and Architecture:

Angkor Wat (detailed exploration)
Bayon Temple small circuit (face towers)
Baphuon (reconstruction story)
Preah Khan large circuit (temple city layout)

Spiritual Experience:

Banteay Kdei circuit (peaceful meditation)
Ta Prohm (nature and human creation)
Bayon (Buddhist philosophy)
Neak Pean large tour (healing temple symbolism)

Angkor Circuit Tour Comparison: Key Differences

Small Circuit Advantages:

All the famous temples you’ve seen in photos
Manageable distance for one day
Better infrastructure and facilities
Professional guides available everywhere

Large Circuit Advantages:

Dramatically fewer crowds
More authentic exploration feeling
Better photography opportunities
Deeper cultural immersion

Combined Circuit Benefits:

Complete historical timeline understanding
Varied architectural styles appreciation
Strategic crowd avoidance opportunities
Maximum value from temple pass investment

Angkor Circuit Entrance Gates and Access Points

Gate	Serves	Crowd Level	Best For
West Gate (Main)	Angkor Wat	Very High	First-time visitors
South Gate	Angkor Thom	High	Small circuit access
North Gate	Angkor Thom	Medium	Large circuit start
East Gate	Ta Prohm area	Medium	Photography tours

Planning Your Two-Day Temple Tour Strategy

Day 1: Small Circuit Foundation

5:30 AM: Angkor Wat sunrise
8:00 AM: Angkor Thom complex
10:30 AM: Ta Prohm small circuit
1:00 PM: Lunch break
3:00 PM: Banteay Kdei circuit
5:00 PM: Srah Srang sunrise view for sunset

Day 2: Large Circuit Adventure

8:00 AM: Preah Khan large circuit
10:30 AM: Neak Pean large tour
12:00 PM: Ta Som large circuit
2:00 PM: East Mebon temple
4:00 PM: Pre Rup sunset spot

Must-See Temples in Each Circuit: The Non-Negotiables

Small Circuit Must-Sees:

Angkor Wat – World’s largest religious building
Bayon – 216 mysterious stone faces
Ta Prohm – Nature reclaiming human creation

Large Circuit Must-Sees:

Preah Khan – Massive temple city complex
Pre Rup – Best sunset viewing temple
Neak Pean – Unique island temple design

Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Temple Adventure

After planning thousands of visitors through these temple circuits, I’ve learned that the “right” choice depends entirely on what moves you. Some people find spiritual connection in Angkor Wat’s massive scale. Others prefer the intimate mystery of jungle-covered Preah Khan large circuit.

The small circuit gives you bragging rights and Instagram photos. The large circuit gives you stories you’ll tell for decades. Both give you a window into one of history’s greatest civilizations.

Your Cambodia temple experience starts with understanding these circuits. Pick based on your interests, not what everyone else recommends. Trust me – whether you choose the greatest hits or the deep cuts, Angkor will change how you see ancient human achievement.

Ready to start planning? Contact us for personalized circuit recommendations based on your travel style, fitness level, and interests. We’ll help you choose the perfect temple route for your Cambodia adventure.

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