Kampong Phluk & Tonle Sap: Sunset Boat Tour with Floating Dinner

Summary

Stilt houses, lake colors and quiet moments on Tonle Sap

You’ll drift through Kampong Phluk’s stilt village with a local guide, watch daily life unfold on Tonle Sap Lake, and share sunset drinks or dinner at a floating restaurant. Expect quiet beauty, gentle rhythms, and glimpses into real Cambodian life—plus hotel pickup and all boat tickets included.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it feels like to float between sky and water? That’s what hit me first as we left Siem Reap behind—just this slow shift from city buzz to the hush of mangroves. Our Khmer guide, Dara, had this way of pointing out things I’d never notice: a flash of silver fish, kids calling out from wooden porches, the waterline stains that show how high the lake gets in wet season. I tried saying “Kampong Phluk” right—Dara grinned but didn’t correct me. The air smelled faintly of woodsmoke and river mud, kind of grounding.

The boat ride was quieter than I expected. No music, just the slap of water under us and distant voices carrying across the lake. In dry season you see so much more—the stilts stretch up like stilts in some dream. There’s a strange comfort in watching people go about their day: fishermen hauling nets, women waving from boats with baskets balanced on their knees. It’s not staged for tourists; it just is. One boy made faces at us until his mom laughed and shooed him away. I liked that part.

We reached the open water of Tonle Sap right as the sun started dipping—everything went gold and soft around the edges. Dinner was at this floating restaurant (if you want food, order early—things move slow here). Sipping something cold while the sky changed colors over Asia’s largest freshwater lake… honestly, I still think about that view sometimes. The ride back felt different; quieter maybe, or maybe I was just full from dinner and all those small moments you can’t really photograph.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kampong Phluk and Tonle Sap

• Hop in boat at Kampong Phluk
• Explore waterways and stilt houses
• Observe watermarks or boat life
• Boat out on Tonle Sap lake
• Enjoy drink at floating restaurant
• Watch sunset over the lake

Top questions

How far is Kampong Phluk from Siem Reap?

Kampong Phluk is about 31 kilometers east of Siem Reap.

Is hotel pickup included in this sunset tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for your convenience.

What do you see on a Kampong Phluk sunset tour?

You’ll see stilt houses, flooded mangroves (in wet season), daily village life, and sunset views over Tonle Sap Lake.

Is dinner included during the tour?

Dinner is available at a traditional floating restaurant; drinks are included but food is optional if you wish.

What’s special about visiting during dry vs wet season?

In wet season (June–March), villagers travel by boat; in dry season (March–June), you’ll see exposed stilts and walk some parts.

Are guides local on this tour?

Yes, your guide will be Khmer—a local expert who shares insights about village life.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all fitness levels as most travel is by boat with minimal walking required.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Siem Reap, an air-conditioned vehicle for transfers out to Kampong Phluk village, all boat tickets across the waterways and Tonle Sap Lake itself, bottled water throughout the trip, plus guidance from a knowledgeable Khmer local who knows these waters well—and time to relax with drinks or dinner at a floating restaurant before heading back in the evening.