Tonle Sap Lake

Tonle Sap Lake is the largest lake in Asia and one of the most important biodiversity sites in the world.  At its height, the ancient Angkor Kingdom used its riches to support the largest human population on the planet in its day.  Centuries later, the Khmer people still rely on Tonle Sap for food as well as for trade. During the rainy season, tributary rivers reverse their flow and swell the lake to ten times its dry season size.  This is a unique occurence.  It does not happen in any other water system in the world.  Life around Tonle Sap Lake is a major source of Cambodian culture.  Tourists can enjoy unparalleled access to exotic bird watching, riverboad culture, and Khmer culinary traditions.  No trip to Cambodia is complete without a visit to this fantastic natural and cultural treasure.

A Cruise on the Tonle Sap Lake is an opportunity to meet the people who make their living and build their homes on the lake.  The fascinating lifestyle here includes subsistence and commercial fishing, crocodile breeding, and handicraft construction for the markets of Siem Reap.

Travel to the Prek Toal Biosphere Bird Sanctuary and Floating Village

Prek Toal is a magnificent floating village and the access point for the Biosphere Bird Sanctuary, the home of many rare and endangered birds including Big Marabouts, pelicans, and storks.    The trip from Siem Reap is two hours and we sail through the many floating villages on the lake On the way,

We stop at the Floating Forest, a long strand of tropical jungle that floods every year, making for a beautiful and sometimes spooky landscape. A picnic lunch is included in this day-long trip. Entrance Fees for visit : USD $25 per person.

Visit Kompong Phluk: This full-day trip takes you into the heart of mangrove forests on the margins of the Tonle Sap Lake to the incredible stilt villages of Kompong Phluk and Kompong Khleang.

This trip includes a tour of the Floating Forest as well as a visit to an amazing floating pagoda.You will experience the traditional and peacefull life of the fishing communities here. If water levels are low, we can take a canoe ride deep into the mangrove forests, where few foreigners travel.

Shop Siem Reap Town: at Phsar Chas (Old Market), travelers can catch glimpses of Khmer market life, a foundation of life in Cambodia, as well as see and purchase souvenirs.  Most Khmer buy their groceries from market vendors and the intrepid foreigner can experience the sights and smells of life in Cambodian homes.

There are also many souvenirs to buy before your trip home.The Central Market and Siem Reap's multiple night markets are also worth exploring.  Handicrafts, textiles, and jewelry is for sale here, and a Khmer guide is very useful in bargaining for the best prices and pointing out hidden treasures that may catch your eye.

Many inexpensive and delicious Khmer restaurants are in this area as well, making for an excellent place to spend a few hours.