Kampong Phluk sunset tour from Siem Reap: stilt village by boat

Kampong Phluk on the water: see the village move by boat, then watch the lake go quiet at dusk

A sunset boat tour of Kampong Phluk, a fishing village built on stilts in the mangroves 31 kilometers east of Siem Reap, with a Khmer guide, hotel pickup and a drink at a floating restaurant as the sun sets over Tonlé Sap Lake. The water level shifts with Cambodia's seasons: in the rainy season (July to March) the lake rises and locals travel entirely by boat; in the dry season some walking replaces the water routes. The tour runs about five to six hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kampong Phluk and Tonle Sap

• Boat tour of Kampong Phluk village
• Observe stilt houses and waterways
• Boat trip on Tonle Sap lake
• Enjoy drink at floating restaurant
• Watch sunset over the lake

The Experience

Kampong Phluk sits among flooded mangroves where the landscape changes with the seasons. You're picked up from your hotel and driven to the village, then board a boat to explore the waterways and stilt houses up close. In the wet season you'll see fishermen and villagers moving by boat between their homes; in the dry season the watermarks on the wooden beams show how high the water rises when it returns. The residents are used to visitors and the children are especially curious.

After the village, the boat takes you out onto Tonlé Sap Lake itself — the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. The water stretches flat to the horizon and the pace slows. You finish the day at a traditional floating restaurant where you can order a drink, or a meal if you want one, and watch the sun set over the lake. A Khmer-speaking guide travels with you throughout, and bottled water is included for the whole trip.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional Khmer guide.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• boat ticket for the village and lake exploration.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Angkor Wat Shared Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the sunset shared tour for the full village-to-lake route with transport included; pick the morning option if you want to see the village before peak visitor hours and have other plans in Siem Reap afterward.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the wet and dry season visits to Kampong Phluk?

In the rainy season from July to March, water levels rise and you explore entirely by boat, seeing villagers going about their daily lives on the water. In the dry season from April to June, some walking is required because the water recedes, but you can see the watermarks on the stilt house beams that show how high the floods reach.

Does the tour include a meal, or just the drink at the floating restaurant?

The tour includes a drink at the floating restaurant where you watch the sunset. Dinner is available to order there if you want it, but it's not included in the tour price.

How far is Kampong Phluk from Siem Reap, and how long does the whole tour take?

Kampong Phluk is 31 kilometers east of Siem Reap. The tour runs five to six hours total, including the drive from your hotel, the boat exploration of the village and lake, and the sunset at the floating restaurant.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional Khmer-speaking guide, bottled water for the whole trip, an air-conditioned vehicle, and your boat ticket are all included.

Can children go on this tour?

Yes, children are welcome from age two. The tour suits all fitness levels and the boat ride is a calm experience.