Phnom Penh: Mekong Silk Island Cruise with Beer & Tuk Tuk Ride

Summary

Boat trip to weaving villages, silk farm visit, unlimited drinks

You’ll cruise from Phnom Penh along the Mekong River to Silk Island with a local guide, passing stilted villages and waving kids before exploring weaving workshops by tuk tuk. Enjoy unlimited beer and fresh fruit on board, plus stops at a silk farm and Buddhist monastery—expect real moments with locals and plenty of small surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell of river water — not bad, just earthy and a bit sweet, like wet grass after rain. We climbed onto this wooden boat in Phnom Penh and our guide, Dara, handed us cold beers before we even left the dock. He grinned and said something about “Mekong time” — I still don’t know if that means slow or just relaxed. As we drifted out past the stilted houses and little fishing boats, I tried to count how many kids were waving at us from the banks. Lost track after five minutes. The river’s wide here, and you can feel it breathing under you.

It took about an hour to reach Silk Island — Koh Dach is what locals call it. The sun was already high but there was this breeze off the water that kept things comfortable. Dara pointed out where the Four Faces Rivers meet (I’d never heard of that before), and then we hopped into a tuk tuk that rattled more than I expected. Mango trees everywhere, some bananas too — at one point a farmer waved at us with both hands full of green fruit. There’s something about seeing people working their land up close that makes you realize how different city life is.

The silk farm was quieter than I thought it’d be. You could hear the looms clacking away inside — almost hypnotic. One of the women showed me how they spin thread from those tiny cocoons; my fingers got sticky just touching them. She laughed when I tried to say “silk” in Khmer (don’t ask me to repeat it). We stopped by a Buddhist monastery too — monks in orange robes sweeping leaves into neat piles. If the school’s open you might catch kids playing soccer barefoot; we did, and they shouted “hello!” like it was a game itself.

I’m still thinking about that first taste of pineapple Dara handed around on the boat back — somehow sweeter after all that sun and dust. Unlimited beer helps too, honestly. The whole day felt slower than usual, in a good way. Not everything went as planned (the school was closed), but maybe that’s part of why it stuck with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Mekong Silk Island lifestyle

• Boat trip to the island
• See stilted houses and fishing villages
• View Mekong and Four Faces Rivers
• Tuk Tuk tour around village
• See mango and banana plantations
• Visit Silk Farm
• Visit Buddhist monastery
• Visit local school children

Top questions

How long does the Mekong Silk Island cruise take?

The boat ride to Silk Island takes about one hour each way.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, one-way hotel pickup is included in Phnom Penh.

What drinks are provided during the cruise?

You get unlimited beer and soft drinks on board.

Do we visit a silk farm on Silk Island?

Yes, you’ll visit a traditional silk farm as part of the tour.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No full lunch is included but there’s a fresh fruit platter served on board.

Are entrance fees covered in the price?

Yes, all entrance fees are included in your booking.

Will we see local schools or children during the tour?

You may visit a local school if it’s open that day; this depends on their schedule.

Is this Mekong River tour suitable for families?

Yes, it’s suitable for all fitness levels and families are welcome.

What’s included

Your day includes one-way hotel pickup in Phnom Penh, unlimited beer and soft drinks during your Mekong River cruise to Silk Island, a fresh fruit platter on board, entry fees for all sites visited including the silk farm and monastery, plus a tuk tuk ride around Koh Dach village before returning by boat.