Destinations That Are Magic at Sunrise

You snooze, you lose. Some of the most memorable travel moments can only be experienced at dawn. Here are a few of my favorite moments:

Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia)

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Angkor Wat is one of the largest religious monuments in the world. Built in the 12th century, the 400-acre complex was initially dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and later became a Buddhist temple. Angkor Wat is magnificent at any time of day, but there’s a special magic just before dawn. The activity begins around 4:30 a.m. at the ticket office. Tuk-tuk headlamps swirl like fireflies then putter single-file into the night toward the temple. Our driver stops at a lesser-used entrance so we can walk and experience the Cambodian jungle. We poke our flashlights into the dark and a symphony of frogs erupts.

We’re not alone for long. Hundreds of people have converged along the moat outside the temple, cameras poised for the big reveal. Even at this early hour, the heat and humidity are climbing. The sky softens to gray, then a pale lavender. The scalloped spires of Angkor Wat rise like a crown, a mirror image reflected in the water below. There’s a collective gasp as nearly 1,000 years of history dominates the horizon. Cameras click, shadows fade and we’re ready to explore.

View from a dune in Morocco

Sahara Desert (Morocco)

There is sand, sand everywhere. The few sparse landmarks disappeared hours ago. I have no idea where we are, but the camels plod on as if on a familiar path. We arrive at our camp near nightfall—a modest group of tents made of rugs draped over poles stuck in the sand. But we’re not alone. A small band of nomadic Bedouins are camped nearby. We share a meal around the fire, then songs and laughing, our voices rising into a sky freckled with stars. At night, the camels take turns with their loud snoring as we try to sleep.

Just before sunrise, we climb the spine of a dune, laughing as our feet sink into the cool sand. It feels like trying to run in a dream. Our legs get tired, so we plop down and wait. Slowly, dawn sneaks behind a hill, throwing shadows across the empty miles. Silhouettes of the dunes appear on the horizon,  then a rose glow gives way to brilliant sunshine. We race down the hill, falling and sliding in the soft sand. The cool morning evaporates into blazing heat. We break camp, mount the camels and continue on our way. 

Morning alms are a centuries-old tradition in Luang Prabang, Laos.

Sai Bat – Morning Alms (Luang Prabang, Laos)

Every morning, the people of Luang Prabang line up along the street by 5 a.m., ready to share homemade sticky rice with Buddhist monks from the nearby monasteries. The alms are a sacred tradition in Lao Buddhist culture and provide the monks with sustenance. 

We’re eager to watch but keep a respectful distance, so as not to disrupt the ceremony. A soft rain is falling. We see a flash of saffron robes in the distance as the silent parade approaches. Umbrellas bob with each step. There are dozens, then hundreds filing past in a single line. Novices and monks alike open their lidded pots, shaved heads nodding in thanks as the bowls fill. As they turn the corner, one little boy sneaks a bite and then looks around to make sure no one is looking. They disappear down the damp streets, bare feet pattering softly on the wet pavement.

I’ll share more early morning adventures in a future blog post. In the meantime, I’d love to hear about your favorite before-dawn travel adventures! 

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