Ta Prohm is the temple everyone pictures when they imagine Angkor lost in the jungle. King Jayavarman VII founded it in the late twelfth century as a Buddhist monastery dedicated to his mother, and in its heyday thousands of people served it. When the French archaeologists began clearing Angkor, they chose to leave Ta Prohm much as they found it, so the huge roots of silk-cotton and strangler fig trees still pour over its roofs, prise apart its walls and frame its doorways, and moss and lichen cover the carvings. Collapsed galleries, narrow corridors and courtyards piled with fallen stone make it feel like a discovery, and its starring role in the film Tomb Raider made one tree-wrapped doorway famous. Wooden walkways and careful conservation now protect it. This page links to a guided bike tour on Tiqets that rides the quiet paths between Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, the Bayon and Ta Prohm, with hotel pickup and a Cambodian lunch.
How to visit: Ta Prohm lies a few kilometres east of Angkor Thom on the Small Circuit, the loop most visitors follow on their first day. It keeps daytime hours, opening early in the morning and closing around sunset, and it is covered by the Angkor Pass, which you must buy in advance online or at the Road 60 office.
The tour: the Tiqets bike tour, run by Siem Reaper Travel, starts at 7:45 with hotel pickup and lasts about eight hours, with an English-speaking guide and a maximum of eight riders. It follows dirt paths and forest tracks between the big temples, avoiding the main roads, and visits Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom with the Bayon, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Baphuon, and Ta Prohm. The bicycle, helmet, a Cambodian lunch, water and snacks are included; the Angkor Pass is not. Free cancellation runs until 16 hours before. The terrain is flat, but the heat makes it a full day, so a reasonable level of fitness helps.
Making the most of it: Ta Prohm is busiest in the middle of the morning, when tour buses arrive from Angkor Wat. Go early or late, follow the one-way route, stay on the walkways and look up: the best roots are often above the doorways.
What to expect
The experience
A guided day by bike on forest paths between Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, with time on foot inside each temple and lunch on the way.
Best time
The cooler months from November to February are the most comfortable for a full day on a bike; start early either way.
How long
About eight hours with hotel pickup, of which an hour or so is spent inside Ta Prohm.
Tips
Wear breathable clothes that cover shoulders and knees, bring sunscreen and your Angkor Pass, and drink more water than you think you need.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Active travellers who want to see the essential temples away from the traffic, and anyone who loves ruins reclaimed by nature.
- Families
- Older children who ride confidently will love it; younger ones may prefer a tuk-tuk day with Ta Prohm as the highlight.
- Couples
- Riding through the forest together between ancient temples is a romantic and memorable way to spend a day.
- Pair with
- The Tonle Sap sunset tour or a Phare circus show the next evening, after a well-earned rest.
- Time needed
- A full day on the bike tour, or about an hour inside Ta Prohm if you visit by tuk-tuk.
Good questions
Why is Ta Prohm covered in trees?+
When archaeologists cleared Angkor, they chose to leave Ta Prohm largely as they found it, with the forest growing over the stones. The roots are now monitored and some walls are braced to keep the temple stable.
Was Tomb Raider filmed at Ta Prohm?+
Yes, scenes from the 2001 film Tomb Raider were shot at Ta Prohm. One tree-wrapped doorway is now known as the Tomb Raider tree and has a queue for photos.
Is the bike tour hard?+
The paths are flat but partly dirt, and the tour lasts about eight hours in the heat. Anyone who rides a bike comfortably can manage it at the group’s relaxed pace.
Is the Angkor Pass included in the bike tour?+
No, the bike, helmet, guide, lunch, water and snacks are included, but the Angkor Pass is not. Buy it online or at the Road 60 office before the tour.
When is Ta Prohm least crowded?+
Early morning and late afternoon are quietest, because most groups arrive mid-morning after Angkor Wat. Lunchtime can also be calmer, though hotter.
