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Cambodia

6

Reasons To
Visit Cambodia

  • Festivals

    Otherwise known as the water festival, Bon Om Tuk is when Siem Reap and Phnom Penh come alive. Cambodia's most important festival, Bon Om Tuk celebrates the turning of the water in the Mekong, a phenomenon to which the Tonle Sap owes its very existence.

    Festivals

  • Khmer people

    Despite Cambodia`s turbulent history the Khmer people show true strength of character. Everywhere you travel you will be greeted with a smile, from the urbanites of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh to the eclectic indigenous populations of the remote Rattanakiri and Mondulkiri provinces.

    Khmer people

  • Local cuisine

    Often overlooked by the more famous cuisine from its neighbours Cambodia is actually home to some savoury delights. Sample a tasty amok at the market in Siem Reap or indulge in Kep's delicious crab. For those more adventurous you could try an infamous deep fried spider or cricket!

    Local cuisine

  • South coast

    From the sleepy coastal town of Kep with its dilapidated 1960s villas to the mangroves near Koh Kong, the Southcoast has plenty to offer. And for a bit of barefoot luxury, you can spend some time at Song Saa or the 'Sweetheart' islands.

    South coast

  • Temples of Angkor

    The number of visitors to Angkor multiplies exponentially each year but we can recommend ways to appreciate even the busiest sites, like Angkor Wat, and would encourage you to visit some of the lesser-known temples, such as Beng Melea and Banteay Srei. Alternatively, escape the crowds and explore the temples further afield on a temple camping safari.

    Temples of Angkor

  • The Khmer Rouge

    It's hard to ignore the mass genocide of an estimated 2 million people. The effects of Polpot transcend the nation and every Khmer can tell you a story of their time under the despot, the history can be felt and explored throughout the country - from the historical musuems in Phnom Penh to the final resting place of Pol Pot near Anlong Veng.

    The Khmer Rouge
 
 

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Excursions in Cambodia: Afternoon trip to Tonle Sap & Kompong Phluk

Take to the water for an exploration of Tonle Sap Lake, stopping along the way to visit the small villages of Chong Kneas and Komphong Phluk.

Young boy exploring the freshly painted boats - Tonle Sap
Komplong Phluk villageYoung boy exploring the freshly painted boats - Tonle SapFather and son heading home - Tonle SapLocal family resting in their house on Tonle Sap Lake, Siem ReapChildren Playing in the Tonle Sap Lake, Siem Reapa boat lady in the Tonle SapTypical boat scene - Tonle SapFishermen mending an engine, in the shade of the boats bow - Tonle SapA local boy from the floating villages, Tonle SapA boat making its way through a low water channel - Tonle SapKomplong Phluk village

Afternoon trip to Tonle Sap & Kompong Phluk

Siem Reap, Cambodia
  • Cruises, Sailing & Water
  • Culture & History
  • Family Friendly

You will be picked up from your hotel in the afternoon and driven past the hillock of Phnom Krom to the Tonle Sap lake, where you will board your private boat. First you will pass through the small village of Chong Kneas, before continuing onto the village of Komphong Phluk. This is a beautiful section of the lake where you are likely to see local villagers fishing from traditional wooden boats as well as a huge variety of rare bird life, including the milky stork and the spot-billed pelican.

This journey takes about one and a half hours as your boat has to weave amongst the flooded forest and avoid the fishing nets of the local villagers. The first view of Komphong Phluk is the wat and the monks' houses. This is a timeless floating village, where the houses stand atop stilts as high as seven metres above the water and the entirety of village life is based around the water. You will cruise down the narrow waterway between the houses and see up close how everything lives on the water - pigs, dogs, and people, all jockeying for space in this incredible floating town. In the morning the floating shops cruise from house to house whilst the children hunt for tiny fish, swim in the river or desperately try to catch your attention so you can wave back to them.

After cruising around this village, untouched by tourism and full of charm, you will head back across the lake to disembark near Phnom Krom and be driven back to your hotel. The water level of the Tonle Sap fluctuates greatly throughout the year and the lake will be at its most picturesque and scenic during the months of October to January when it is full from the heavy summer rains. By February and March the water level can be quite low, resulting in the muddy banks and bottom of the lake becoming visible, and by April most of the outer areas of the lake are dry, meaning that the villages are no longer "floating" as such, but towering high above the dry ground. May to September is the rainy season when the lake will again fill up, making it quite a pleasant time to take a trip, however please be aware that the timings of your trip may have to be rearranged if there is heavy rain.

Further reading:
CambodiaWhen to GoHighlightsItinerary IdeasPlaces to GoThings to DoAccommodationAbout CambodiaCountry Guides

Other countries in Southeast Asia:
BorneoBurmaIndonesiaLaosMalaysiaPapua New GuineaThailandThe PhilippinesVietnam

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