Tonle Sap Lake and Kampong Phluk Half-Day Tours from Siem Reap (4-5h)

Our tour guide, Nak did a great job taking us along the river and providing information about the village and Tonle Lake. It was very interesting to see how the people of this village worked and lived. Nak and our driver even drove us to a great place for lunch in town when we were finished. I recommend this tour for all ages! Thank you Nak!

it was a half day trip to a fishing village during which our tour guide Mr. Whaut told us a lot about the history of a region, about its kings and their capitals and temples. Local women from the village were riding boats through mangrove forest, which was very pleasant but too close to the main river. I imagined a deeper route. In general, if this was a longer trip, I would love to learn more about fishing practices of people inhabiting the village, about their life, if it is possible to organize in a non-intrusive way. Overall, was truly fascinating to see the place so unique and fragile, if one may think about the inevitable impact of globalization and climate change on this and other similar communities in the world.

Really enjoyed this tour. i took my wife and 4 children (ages 12 to 20) in December. Very interesting to see the houses on stilts, the river, a quick tour out to the Sap Lake. The $5 extra for the 30 minutes through the mangrove trees was worth it. at one of the stops we fed the alligators that were in the water under the deck. They put a dead chicken on the end of a rope/fishing pole and my son bounced it up and down for the alligators. they had fun with it. overall, something you'd never likely see on your own on this tour. NAK our tour guide was really great, very good english and willing to answer any question. We also stopped at a temple on the way back for about 20 min. Lunch at the end was an extra cost. Order what you want.

Initially I had booked the trip for 2 people but unfortunately my husband was ill and unable to go. I was a little reluctant to go on my own but San and his driver made me feel at ease. San had spoken to my husband in the foyer of the hotel and assured him that he would look after me. On the way to the Floating Village San was extremely knowledgeable with the history and politics of the Country. San was able to answer all my questions and gave me his undivided attention. When we stopped at the ticket office San remained at a close distance. Not too close to intrude in my observations at the shopping area, but close enough to ensure that I was safe and needs met. San showed me a huge wall map of the areas that we were going visit and again gave a very detailed narrative. When we returned back to the vehicle the driver was there waiting with a bottle of cold water with the vehicle suitably air conditioned. San showed me where the local people were trying to raise the 'road' to the Floating Village in an effort to gain access by vehicle during the wet season. A battle they were constantly losing each year due to the weather. At the entrance to the Village where you board your boat San was able to avoid the queue of other tourists due to the rapour he had with the locals, even telling them I was VIP! San ensured that we had the best boat for our ride on the lake. San gave narrative throughout the journey. We arrived in the main Village and I was lucky to be able to join in with the English school class, which was not available to other tour groups. I had my photograph taken with the teacher and class in the main school too. San introduced me to a little girl who was 8 years old and eager to show me her English skills. We even sang an English song together. I was extremely impressed with her English at such a young age. San and I then took a paddle boat ride through the jungle to a restaurant area on the main lake. Throughout the day San kept enquiring about how my husband was as I was keeping in contact with him via watsapp which showed his caring nature, not only for me as his client but also my family circumstance. I had a fantastic truly memorable trip and would recommend San and his driver to anyone. Thank you San for such a lovely day. Joanne

Is a wonderful trip we enjoy the boating on river and amazing sunset on tonle sap lake with well English speaking tourist guide

According to my tour guide, the water in the lake subside in the dry season from Nov till Mar and rise to at least 3-5 metres during wet seaon from Apr till Oct. Hence, we got to view many interesting villages' activities on ground when my family travelled in Jan. It was an eye opening to be able to see on board a private boat on some of the interesting daily routines unique to Kompong Pluk and the beautiful villages. Be sure to catch the boat ride out to see the floating crocodile farm too and get some refeshment on the floating restaurant. It was definitely a 'must see' in my view.

Mixed experience. Pickup and return to hotel worked well. Interesting drive out of town in air-conditioned minibus. Coffee and toilet stop in small riverside village/green tourism centre. Boat trip on river estuary to Lake Tonle Sap very interesting and full of photo opps - amazing stilted villages and fishing boats. We visited one village but some of us were not convinced we were entirely welcome - it felt a bit intrusive, although the trip was sold as green tourism benefiting locals.There was a primary school there and we were encouraged to visit two classrooms, so obviously not much work got done in them while we were there. (Several groups at once.) The children were very happy to see us and have photos taken. It was certainly interesting. Some women were selling packets of school workbooks and pencils for $3 or $5, which we then gave to the children - they were very pleased to get them. There was one native teacher who didn't seem that keen on us being there, and 2 western teachers or volunteers playing (English language?) games with them, who carried on as usual. Our guide was very careful to say he was not endorsing any sales of anything. There was also a recently built temple we were allowed to visit (after removing shoes and hats as usual). Then we sailed further on to the edge of the lake, and had the option of a half-hour small-boat trip (2 passengers and woman paddling in bows, $10 altogether) through the mangrove groves. I shared this with another solo passenger and it was a real highlight. Very serene and atmospheric. Highly recommended. We tipped the woman rower a dollar each as we suspected she would not see much of the $10. Then we came back to the floating restaurant to wait for sunset over the lake. They were hopelessly overwhelmed by all the boatloads of tourists arriving, so many of us didn't get served, but we had been given water bottles so that was not a problem. The view was lovely. Then back the same way past the stilted villages and fishing boats in the dusk - the fishermen were preparing to out, and then the minibus back to town. All extremely interesting but as I said, slight reservations about the visit to the village and school. The guide did not actually say much - nothing in the bus, and one longer talk at the village, which we couldn't always hear very well. I felt we would have benefited from a general into in the bus via microphone (there wasn't one). We were on the bus for at least 45 mins and that could have been made more interesting and useful. Glad I went and fascinating experience, but reservations as given.

Awesome trip to Fishing Village. Our guide Bunchhoub was fantastic!! We loved meeting the local people and seeing the schools! Definitely do this trip. Hopefully you get our guide!!

Wat was a great guide and very informative, even better was that this was the area he grew up and was able to give an insight into village life. The stilt village was amazing and was definitely not appreciated until we saw scale of village. Also nice visit to school and give them writing books. The tuk tuk boat ride was also interesting at times with even number of boats on the waterway, Thank you Wat for a great day.