- 5 nights
- Angkor Wat at sunrise
- Monk water blessing
- Floating villages + a sacred mountain
- Hosted by Shelley Carroll
Sunrise, 5,000 miles from your inbox.
Picture it. It's 6 AM on a Tuesday in December. Back home, people are scraping ice off windshields and opening their laptops. You're standing at the edge of a lotus pond in Cambodia, and the five towers of Angkor Wat are turning from black to violet to gold in front of you.
A few minutes later, Buddhist monks pour blessed water over your hands. By lunch you've walked through a jungle temple that tree roots have been slowly reclaiming for centuries. By sunset, you're on a small wooden boat in a flooded forest, and the only sound is the paddle.
This is THE TEMPLE REBELLION: five nights of yoga, temples, and real conversation in Siem Reap, for people who believe spirituality and justice belong in the same room.
December 1, 2026 · Angkor, Cambodia
Sunrise at Angkor Wat
We leave in the dark and take our place by the water as the largest religious monument on Earth catches the first light. Then we're received by Buddhist monks for a traditional water blessing, an ancient ritual of cleansing and protection, before we walk into Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom and the Bayon.
Our guide brings the history. We bring the questions: who built these temples, who got to worship in them, and who got carved into the walls.
The journey
Six days, one element at a time
Day 1 · Mon, Nov 30 · Siem Reap
Arrive
Cold towels, tropical fruit, and a saltwater pool. Grounding yoga at sunset, then our welcome dinner and opening circle.
Day 2 · Tue, Dec 1 · Angkor
The Empire
Sunrise at Angkor Wat, a monk water blessing, then Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom and the Bayon with an expert guide. Group lunch, then a fiery practice with Sam.
Day 3 · Wed, Dec 2 · Tonlé Sap
The People
A slow morning flow, then the stilt houses of Kampong Phluk, a small-boat ride through the flooded forest, sunset on the lake, and dinner out in Siem Reap.
Day 4 · Thu, Dec 3 · Phnom Kulen
The Source
The sacred mountain where the Khmer Empire began. A riverbed carved with a thousand lingas, a giant reclining Buddha, lunch together, and a swim in a holy waterfall. Restorative yoga with Lisa.
Day 5 · Fri, Dec 4 · Siem Reap
The Integration
Morning practice, then a free day for the spa, the pool, or a traditional bamboo tattoo with a blessing. Farewell dinner and a sound bath closing ceremony.
Day 6 · Sat, Dec 5 · Siem Reap
Return
One last breakfast, one last swim, and shared transfers to the airport.
Times, site order and practice times may shift with weather and local guidance.
Your guide
Shelley Carroll
Get quiet so you can get loud.
I'm Shelley, founder of DDY Travels. I've taught yoga on six continents and led sold-out retreats in the Galápagos, Croatia, Morocco, and right here in Cambodia.
I've wanted to bring a crew of rebels back to Angkor ever since our last sold-out trip here. Sam and Lisa join me to teach, so you'll practice with three teachers over the week.
I lead with ceremony, curiosity, and deep respect for the places we visit and the people who live there. Come as you are. Leave lit up.
Where you'll stay
A five-star wellness sanctuary
Five nights in a luxury wellness resort minutes from the temples of Angkor, built around traditional Khmer healing. Spacious suites with private balconies, living rooms and kitchens. Two saltwater bio-pools, open-air yoga shalas, and a spa rooted in the healing traditions the ancient Angkorians practiced inside their temples.
What's included
- 5 nights in a luxury suite in Siem Reap
- Daily breakfast plus five shared meals: welcome dinner, farewell dinner, dinner out in Siem Reap, and two group lunches
- Full-day Angkor Empire Tour with an English-speaking guide and temple pass
- Sunrise at Angkor Wat and a Buddhist monk water blessing
- Kampong Phluk floating village tour, mangrove boat ride, and sunset on Tonlé Sap
- Full-day Phnom Kulen sacred mountain tour with entrance fees
- A 60-minute spa treatment of your choice
- Daily yoga and meditation with Shelley, Sam and Lisa, plus a sound bath closing ceremony
- Shared airport transfers
What to plan for
- Flights into Siem Reap (SAI)
- Cambodia visa (e-visa or visa on arrival) and the free e-Arrival card
- Travel insurance (required)
- Remaining lunches and dinners, gratuities, cocktails, extra spa treatments, and shopping
- Optional: a traditional bamboo tattoo, extra nights, or the Angkor Wat Half Marathon on December 6
Investment
Five nights, the temples of Angkor, and a crew of your people. From $2,895 per person, with a $500 deposit to hold your spot. Book below.
Optional · Sunday, December 6, 2026
Run through history
The morning after we check out, the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon sends runners through the temple complex at sunrise, past stone gates, jungle paths, and sacred ruins. Stay a little longer and join me for the half marathon or the 10K. If you know me, you know I'll be there.
This is for you if...
Everyone with a curious heart belongs here.
- You want Angkor Wat with depth, ceremony, and a little irreverence
- Ancient temples, Buddhist ritual, and real history light you up
- You believe spirituality and justice belong in the same conversation
- You love a small crew and a big adventure
- You're coming solo, with your person, or with your best friend
- You believe in yoga for the resistance
Questions
Do I need yoga experience?
Every level is welcome. Practice is woven through each day and timed around the temples and the heat.
What's the weather like?
December is Siem Reap's cool, dry season: sunny days in the upper 80s°F with cooler mornings. We visit temples early and save midday for lunch, the pool, and the shade.
I'm traveling solo. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Solo travelers are welcome, and I'll match you with a suitemate if you'd like to share.
Where do I fly?
Into Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI), about an hour from town, usually through Bangkok, Singapore, or Seoul. Shared transfers bring you to the resort.
Do I need a visa?
Yes. Most people get the e-visa online before they go, or a visa on arrival at the airport. Cambodia also requires a free e-Arrival card, filled out within 7 days before you land. I'll send step-by-step instructions.
Can I arrive early or stay late?
Yes, and I recommend it. I'll help you add extra nights. The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon runs through the temples at sunrise on December 6, the morning after we check out, and I'm running it!
What's the cancellation policy?
Retreat payments are non-refundable. If you cancel more than 60 days before departure and we fill your spot from the waitlist, you may receive a credit toward another DDY Travels retreat within 12 months. Travel insurance is required.
What should I pack?
Light, breathable clothes that cover your shoulders and knees for the temples, a scarf, walking shoes, a swimsuit for the Kulen waterfall, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle. I'll send a full packing list.
Still have a question? Ask me here.
Sunrise at Angkor. A blessing from the monks. Your people.
November 30 – December 5, 2026 · Siem Reap, Cambodia Reserve your spot