Excursion on the Tonle Sap Great Lake (3 Days)

Visit pristine flooded forests and the largest water bird colony in Southeast Asia. Stay overnight in local villages, see local community projects in action and learn about conservation programmes from an experienced guide.

See below itinerary for a full description.

Note: The itinerary might be changed or modified according to lake constraints (lake level, weather) or other unexpected issues.

Price includes: transport from hotel or guesthouse, motorboat, paddle boat tour, breakfast, lunch and dinner cooked by local families, drinking water, basic accommodation (private bedroom, mattress, sheet, mosquito net, cushion, clean water and bathroom), use of binoculars and torch, and an experienced English speaking guide.

Price does not include: travel or liability insurance, bird colony entrance fee (US$ 25 per person), soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, dinner on final day (will arrive in town in time for dinner)

Participants are responsible for any lost or damaged materials.

Day 1

Visit the Kompong Plouk village, with houses built on stilts. In this community, you can start to learn about the seasonal life adaptation and daily activities of locals, and also about the potential natural resources that local people depend on for their daily living.

You have time to visit the famous and pristine flooded forest and the village by paddle boat tour. You will have lunch cooked by a local family. Continue the trip by motorboat to Kompong Khleang villages. During the trip, you go through the flooded forest, aquatic vegetation, and fishing activities along the open lake edge. In Kompong Khleang, you will catch the unforgettable sunset sight along the open lake shore. Finally, you will experience the first overnight stay with a local family.

Day 2

If you wish to catch up sunrise view, you can wake up earlier. You will observe daily life activities with a paddle boat tour, visiting to a local market, a school, and local pagoda. In this community, you can learn more about life adaptation and living activities of locals.

You will be transferred by motorboat to Peak Kantiel floating village on the other side of the Tonle Sap Lake. Along the way, you have opportunities to observe fishing activities of fishermen. During the trip, you may catch the amazing sunset view from the motorboat. Then you will have dinner and spend the second overnight stay with a local family in Peak Kantiel village.

Before bed time, there is the opportunity to join and experience the village entertainment with local people; you can discuss options

Day 3

You have time to observe the daily life activities and other activities with a paddle tour. In this community, you will learn and experience sights from the two other communities, as houses are floating and life adaptation is different as well.

You will visit the Preak Toal bird sanctuary (October to February) in the Prek Toal core area. It is the largest water bird colony in Southeast Asia, and pristine flooded forest habitat remains in the region. There, you have many opportunities to watch and identify the critically endangered water bird species and other common species as well. You will be provided with binoculars and local bird books and posters by your guide.

In the bird colonies, your guide will give you an explanation on specific subjects related to the bird colonies and conservation program.

Continuing the trip to Prek Toal floating village, where you will have lunch cooked by a local family and then enjoy a paddle boat tour organized by community group to visit the daily activities of locals. You will also visit a water hyacinth handicraft workshop owned by a group of women from the community, and visit the weaving and production process.