Glide by private boat through Kampong Phluk — a stilted, semi-submerged village rising from Southeast Asia's great inland sea — and into the flooded forest of the Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve. An eerily beautiful, completely otherworldly experience.
What to expect
Your air-conditioned vehicle delivers you to the lake's edge, where a private wooden boat and local guide await. You glide past communities of stilted homes, floating schools, and fish-cage farms that rise and fall with seasonal floods of up to nine metres. Entering the submerged forest, the world falls silent — only birdsong and the lap of water. Kingfishers, herons, and river snakes are regular sightings. At sunset the sky ignites above open water in a display that is truly sublime.
Good to know
The lake is at its most dramatic in the wet season (June–November) when villages appear to float; in the dry season (December–May) the flooded forest is accessible on foot. Depart by mid-afternoon to catch the best light. Bring insect repellent, sun protection, and a light layer. Approximately 15 km from central Siem Reap.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Siem Reap — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.