Phnom Penh to Silk Island: Tuk-Tuk Day Trip with Ferry & Weaving

Summary

Ferry across the Mekong then tuk-tuk past rice fields and silk looms

You’ll cross the Mekong by local ferry, ride a tuk-tuk through Silk Island’s villages, visit a traditional weaving house with your local guide, and sample Cambodian snacks along the way. Expect honest moments—kids waving hello, hands-on silk weaving—and return to Phnom Penh with new stories stuck in your head.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sticky breeze on my face as our tuk-tuk rattled away from Phnom Penh. The city noise faded so fast it felt unreal—one minute horns and scooters, next minute just wind and the faint smell of river mud. Our guide, Dara, grinned in the rearview mirror and asked if we’d ever crossed the Mekong by ferry before. I hadn’t. The ferry was noisy with chatter and clinking bottles; a woman selling sliced mango waved us over but I was too distracted by the water’s brown swirl under our wheels. It’s funny how something as simple as crossing a river can feel like you’re leaving your whole routine behind.

On Silk Island, everything slowed down. The tuk-tuk bumped along dusty tracks past banana trees and kids waving from doorways. Dara pointed out a Buddhist temple painted in faded pinks—he told us about his grandmother weaving silk scarves for monks there when he was little (he laughed when I tried to say “krama” properly; definitely got it wrong). We stopped at a small market where the air smelled like grilled fish and sweet fruit skins. I bought a snack wrapped in banana leaf—sticky rice with something nutty inside—and honestly, I still think about that taste.

The weaving house was quieter than I expected, except for the soft thunk-thunk of wooden looms. One of the women let me touch raw silk threads—softer than cotton but somehow stronger? She showed us how each scarf takes days to finish; her hands moved so fast it made my head spin. Dara translated her story about learning from her mother—there was this pride in her voice that didn’t need words. We sat for a while drinking cold water (needed that) and just watched sunlight flicker through bamboo walls.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tuk-Tuk tour to Silk Island

• Pick up from Phnom Penh hotel
• Travel out of Phnom Penh by Tuk-Tuk
• Board ferry to Silk Island
• Explore countryside, villages, market, temples
• Visit silk weaving craft with locals
• Return to Phnom Penh around 12:30 pm

Top questions

How long does the Phnom Penh to Silk Island day trip take?

The tour lasts about half a day, returning to Phnom Penh around 12:30 pm.

Is hotel pickup included for this Silk Island tour?

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

Do we get to see traditional silk weaving on this trip?

Yes, you’ll visit local silk houses on Silk Island and learn about traditional weaving.

What kind of transport is used on the tour?

You’ll travel by tuk-tuk from Phnom Penh and cross to Silk Island by ferry.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the day trip?

Cold water and local Cambodian snacks are included on this tour.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Phnom Penh, all ferry rides across the Mekong River, transport by tuk-tuk around Silk Island’s villages, cold bottled water, local Cambodian snacks along the way, plus an English-speaking guide who shares stories you won’t find online before heading back around midday.