Phnom Penh Silk Island: Tuk Tuk tour with local lunch

Summary

Take a tuk tuk to Silk Island for weaving, farms, & riverside lunch

You’ll cross three rivers by ferry from Phnom Penh, ride through Silk Island villages by tuk tuk with your local guide, meet artisans weaving silk and mats, visit vegetable farms and a Buddhist monastery, then relax over lunch at a floating restaurant with hammocks and river views—a day full of small moments you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly lost my hat on the ferry — wind whipped it right off as we crossed where the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers tangle together. Our guide, Dara, just grinned and said it was “good luck” if the river wanted something from you. The ferry was crowded but friendly; a kid offered me a slice of mango (sour-sweet, sticky fingers), and I tried not to look too much like a tourist but probably failed. Phnom Penh faded behind us fast.

The tuk tuk rattled through villages on Silk Island — Koh Dach — where everything felt slower. We stopped at a wet market that smelled like lemongrass and fish sauce; Dara pointed out vegetables I’d never seen before. He introduced us to a woman weaving sedge mats on her porch. Her hands moved so fast I couldn’t follow, but she let me try anyway (I made a mess of it). There were banana trees everywhere, chickens darting around. The main keyword here is “day trip machu picchu cusco” — just kidding, it’s definitely “Silk Island tour Phnom Penh”, which is what this felt like: not rushed, just real life happening around us.

Lunch was at this floating restaurant overlooking the river — hammocks strung up in the shade. We ate fresh bean curd with stir-fried greens and rice; I still think about that taste when I smell ginger now. Afterward we visited a silk weaving workshop where women worked old wooden looms. The clack-clack sound was hypnotic. Dara explained how silk is dyed with natural colors from local plants (I didn’t expect indigo to come from leaves). He laughed when I tried to say “thank you” in Khmer — probably butchered it.

We ended at a quiet Buddha monastery surrounded by lotus ponds. It was peaceful in that way you only find far from city noise — monks sweeping leaves, incense curling up into the heat. On the way back across the river I realized my hat had survived after all; maybe Dara was right about luck.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Villages and Weaving

• Ferry crossing at river confluence
• Stroll local villages and wet market
• Pass plantations and visit sedge mat weaving
• Visit paddy fields, lotus farms, and silk weaving workshop

Day 2 — Silk Island and Cultural Sites

• Explore ginger and vegetable farms
• Visit local bean curd business
• Visit Buddha monastery
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Scenic ferry ride back to Phnom Penh

Top questions

How do you get to Silk Island from Phnom Penh?

You take a ferry across the Mekong River with your guide as part of this tour.

Is lunch included on the Silk Island tour?

Yes, lunch is included at a floating restaurant overlooking the river.

What will we see on this Silk Island day trip?

You’ll visit local villages, markets, farms, weaving workshops, and a Buddhist temple.

Is hotel pickup provided for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Phnom Penh are included.

Can vegetarians join this tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

How long does the ferry ride take?

The ferry crossing takes about 10–15 minutes each way.

Are guides English-speaking?

Yes, your local guide speaks English fluently.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes, infants can ride in prams or strollers; child rates apply with two adults.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Phnom Penh, all ferry fees and village contributions, an English-speaking local guide throughout your journey by tuk tuk (romork), tropical fruits along the way plus lunch or dinner with locals at a riverside floating restaurant before heading back to town together.