The river that flows in both directions
Tonlé Sap Lake is constantly changing in size and depth. During the rainy season (June-October), the Mekong River swells to such an extent that part of the water mass flows into the lake via the Tonlé Sap River. The water surface will be four to five times as large, making the lake temporarily the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. In the dry season (November-May) the water flows away again, the direction of the Tonlé Sap River then reverses. The activities on and around the lake change with the cycle of the water. What you will see on your trip to Tonlé Sap Lake is therefore highly seasonal.
Floating villages, villages on stilts
The floating fishing village of Chong Kneas is completely surrounded by water during the rainy season. Between the houseboats you sail past the church and the school. Stilt villages such as Kampong Phluk and Kampong Khleang almost seem to float at high tide. However, if you are here in the dry season, the simple houses are high above the water level, six to eight meters high on stilts. Only at that sight does it become clear how much the lake rises and falls in level. If you want to see a house from the inside, an exciting climb awaits you via a simple ladder.
Boat trip from Siem Reap to Battambang
Only at high tide can this distance be covered entirely by boat. It is an extremely beautiful and relaxing trip, and far from the hustle and bustle of Siem Reap, floating and stilt villages are the most authentic. On the northwest side of Tonlé Sap Lake is the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary . It is the main breeding ground for many large waterfowl species in the Southeast Asia. The best time to visit is during the dry season, when many thousands of migratory birds temporarily settle, including the special crane s arus crane , with a length of no less than 1.8 meters and unique in Southeast Asia. Keep your binoculars to hand! Multi-day tours to this reserve are possible with accommodation in eco-friendly camps. Please contact us for this.
Boat trip or cruise from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
At the lowest water level, the Tonlé Sap River is not very navigable, even small boats can get stuck on the muddy river floor. From the lake you can dock at Koh Chen , also known as 'Silver Village'.