What to Expect from a Kampong Phluk Floating Village Tour with Transfer in Siem Reap

When one thinks of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat and Tonle Sap come to mind; however, many visitors are unaware of the incredible floating villages that are located on the nearby lake. A tour of Kampong Phluk, a renowned floating village located to the south of Siem Reap, gives travelers a more comprehensive experience of Cambodian life and an opportunity to learn more about Cambodian history and culture.

What is a Floating Village?

A floating village is a community that is situated in an aquatic environment and is constructed on objects that are able to float. Kampong Phluk is an excellent example of such a village as it utilizes homes and buildings that are constructed on large wooden stilts in order to keep them off the ground—in this case, off the rapidly rising and falling waters of Tonle Sap.

Why is Kampong Phluk so Unique?

Kampong Phluk has been constructed in an area known as PrekToal. The area that surrounds it is made up of flooded mangrove forests and grasslands, making it a spectacular view even from a distance. In addition, it is home to a wide variety of local wildlife, including endangered species such as the fishing cat, dusky leaf monkey, and sarus crane. Therefore, throughout the tour, visitors are able to take in the fresh scent of mangrove swamplands, enjoy breathtaking views of the now second-largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and admire the local wildlife in their natural environment.

What to Expect from the Tour

Visitors are able to take a Kampong Phluk Floating Village Tour with Transfer in Siem Reap with a variety of tour operators. Tours typically include door-to-door return transfers, a knowledgeable local guide, an exploration into the local environment of Tonle Sap, and an exploration of the local fishing and farming techniques at Kampong Phluk itself. Tours do not require a great deal of physical activity or effort on the part of the visitor. Rather, these tours are simple boat trips through the various villages culminating in an extraordinary view of the area from atop of one or more stilted houses.

A Boat Trip through Kampong Phluk

The tour will begin with local transfer to a pier located close the to entrance of Tonle Sap lake via bike or by car, depending on the tour operator. From there, visitors will embark on their journey with a 10-minute trip over the lake in a traditional-style boat as they make their way to Kampong Phluk. The villagers here rely heavily on the local environment as they use different fishing methods (casting nets, spearing) and practice upland farming techniques in order to make ends meet. The tour will take guests through local villages where they can observe these various activities as well as a glimpse into how families live in stilted houses.

The Stilted Houses

The centrepiece of Kampong Phluk is its impressive stilted dwellings that tower more than three meters high. Depending on the time of year and amount water variation throughout the year, up to 10 meters in some cases, nomadic villagers find refuge here as they move around Tonle Sap in order to make use of different fishing grounds when they become available. This nomadic lifestyle is fascinating and can be experienced firsthand as visitors observe locals move before their very eyes between stilted dwellings with planks attached between them.

Explore the Local Environment

In addition to offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into local life during a boat trip through Kampong Phluk, tour operators may also offer an educational component about the environment that makes up Tonle Sap. In these cases, guides may provide pertinent information about the local flora and fauna as well as food web dynamics which allow various species to exist together in the surrounding mangrove swamps during all times of the year, including during times of drought. Ultimately, this boat trip gives guests a hands-on, educational experience that may not be found at Angkor Wat or other more famous temples near Siem Reap.

Other Tips for your Kampong Phluk Tour

When booking any trip to Kampong Phluk it is helpful to take into account the time of year you will be visiting, as water levels have an impact on which parts of the village you can access during different times of the year. Additionally, avoid booking tours with companies that are known for exploiting both their animals and locals as negative reviews have become more common among some service providers over time. Finally, be sure to bring along comfortable shoes, mosquito repellent and sunscreen so that you can make the most of your travels during your visit to Cambodia.

Kampong Phluk Floating Village Tour with Transfer in Siem Reap is an incredible experience and one that you should not miss out on during your visit to Cambodia. To book this activity with guaranteed prices, head over to GetYourGuide. This trusted tour operator provides transportation to and from your accommodation and a knowledgeable guide, who will show you around this fascinating corner of Cambodia. Be sure to book with plenty of time so that you can get the most out of this amazing experience!