The Floating Villages of Tonle Sap Lake
The Floating Villages
of Tonle Sap Lake
Board a traditional wooden boat for a journey across the great Tonle Sap Lake. Drift silently
across the water to discover floating fish farms and age-old villages. Get a glimpse
into a unique way of life that revolves around this expansive lake.
WHY THIS TOUR?
The Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in South-East Asia. This huge body of water stretches for 250 km – making it seem like an inland sea. During the rainy season from May to October, water flows via the Tonle Sap River into the lake.
During this time the water level is four times higher than in the dry months. In November, the water flows back out in the opposite direction and the level decreases. Due to this unique natural flow reversal, the Tonle Sap Lake is very rich in freshwater fish. This exceptionally productive eco-system was a source of life for the ancient Angkor Empire. Today, its age-old fishing communities supply fish to the whole of Cambodia.
TRAIL ITINERARY
08:00 - 11:00
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14:00 - 17:00
The guide and driver will collect you from the hotel and take you to the Tonle Sap Lake. En route, there will be stops to photograph the rural landscape. On arrival, you will board a traditional wooden boat for your navigation over this vast water, the lifeblood of the Cambodian fishing industry.
As you cruise along the river towards the lake, you will pass houses suspended on long wooden stilts. This compensates for seasonal differences in water levels and ensures that homes remain flood-free.
The fishing villages are home to Cambodians, as well as refugees from regional countries. Unable to pay for land, they set up home on the water, thus the Tonle Sap Lake became a refuge for abundant nationalities. In addition to homes, you will also see floating restaurants, a police station, school, church and even floating vegetable gardens. At the floating fish farms, you can observe how fish are cultivated in an enclosed environment.
At the end of the tour, the boat will return to the small pier, where the driver will be waiting to take you back to the hotel.