The Small Circuit is the most popular route for first-time visitors. It covers 14 temples over 17 kilometers and usually takes 6 to 8 hours. Besides Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm, this tour includes other important sites:
A typical one-day plan for the Small Circuit starts with sunrise at Angkor Wat, then exploring Angkor Thom and Bayon, a lunch break, and an afternoon visit to Ta Prohm.
This circuit can get crowded, especially during peak times. To avoid the biggest crowds, try visiting between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM (though it can be hot then) or in the late afternoon (3:00 PM to 5:00 PM). Weekdays are also generally less crowded than weekends.
Here's a quick look at some temples on the Small Circuit:
| Temple Name | Time Needed | Crowd Level |
| Angkor Wat | 2-3 hours | Very High |
| Bayon Temple | 45 minutes | High |
| Ta Prohm | 1 hour | High |
| Ta Keo | 30 minutes | Medium |
| Terrace of Elephants | Varies | Medium |
| Terrace of Leper King | Varies | Medium |
| Banteay Kdei | Varies | Low to Medium |
| Phnom Bakheng | Varies | High (sunset) |