Kampong Phluk: Tonle Sap Stilt Village & Sunset Boat Tour

Summary

Stilt houses, floating life and sunset colors on Tonle Sap

You’ll step straight into stilted village life at Kampong Phluk with a local guide leading the way from Siem Reap. Drift by boat past floating homes and markets on Tonle Sap Lake, then pause for a sunset that feels both peaceful and surreal. Expect real moments: laughter with locals, glimpses of daily routines, and time to just watch light change over water.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left the edge of Siem Reap when the roads started to feel like they were dissolving into water. Our guide, Dara, grinned and said, “Wait until you see Kampong Phluk in wet season — it’s like a city on stilts.” He was right. The houses looked almost weightless, all perched above the water on spindly legs, laundry flapping below them. Kids waved from wooden walkways. There’s this faint smell of wood smoke and river mud — not unpleasant, just honest. I caught myself staring at a bright blue fishing boat tied up under someone’s kitchen window.

The boat ride was slower than I expected (in a good way). Dara pointed out the school — also on stilts — and told us how everyone here moves by boat half the year. We passed a little floating market where two women were arguing over fish prices, laughing more than fighting. It was humid but breezy; I kept running my fingers along the edge of the boat just to feel the cool splash. If you come during wet season (which runs May to March), you can add a canoe ride through these flooded forests — we didn’t try it but saw a couple gliding between half-drowned trees, which looked almost dreamlike.

I liked that we got to walk around Kampong Phluk for about half an hour too — enough time to see daily life up close without feeling like intruders. One old man offered me some dried fish (I politely declined after sniffing it… sorry) and then asked where we were from with this big toothy grin. Tourism is clearly important here, but it never felt forced or awkward. On the way back out onto Tonle Sap Lake itself, Dara just let us sit quietly for a while as the sun started dropping behind all that open water. The sky turned this wild orange-pink and honestly, I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kompong Phluk village and lake

• Pickup from Siem Reap hotel
• Travel to Kompong Phluk by minibus or boat
• Boat tour past stilted houses and floating markets
• Learn about local life and traditions
• Walk around Kompong Phluk village for 30 minutes
• Optional canoe ride in flooded forests
• Return to Siem Reap and hotel drop-off

Top questions

How do you get from Siem Reap to Kampong Phluk?

The tour includes pickup from your Siem Reap hotel by minibus; depending on season you may transfer partway by boat.

What is included in the Kampong Phluk stilt village tour?

The tour includes hotel pickup/drop-off, air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking guide, boat ride around the village and sunset on Tonle Sap Lake, cool towel and water.

Can you walk around Kampong Phluk village?

Yes, there is about 30 minutes set aside for walking around the village itself as part of the tour.

Is there an option for canoe rides in Kampong Phluk?

During wet season (May–March), visitors can opt for an extra traditional canoe ride through flooded forests for an additional fee.

What should I expect from Tonle Sap sunset tours?

You’ll experience a slow boat ride across Tonle Sap Lake with views of stilted homes and open sky as sunset colors reflect off the water.

Are meals or snacks provided on this day trip?

No meals are included; however, cool towels and bottled water are provided during the tour.

Is this tour suitable for families or kids?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Siem Reap by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide leading you through Kampong Phluk’s stilted lanes by foot and boat. You’ll get cool towels and bottled water along the way before catching sunset on Tonle Sap Lake — then return drop-off back at your hotel is covered too.