Siem Reap: Kampong Phluk Floating Village Boat Tour & Sunset

Summary

Tonle Sap floating village life by boat from Siem Reap with sunset

You’ll step into daily life on Tonle Sap Lake with a local guide, seeing Kampong Phluk’s tall stilt houses and meeting villagers along narrow walkways. Drift through flooded mangroves by boat if you want (bring $5 cash), then watch sunset colors spread across the water before heading back to Siem Reap. It’s half a day that sticks with you.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the quiet — well, not silence exactly, but this watery hush as our little group stepped off the minivan near Tonle Sap. Our guide, Dara, grinned and waved us over to the boats. I could smell river mud and wood smoke drifting from somewhere behind the stilt houses. The drive from Siem Reap took about an hour (I nodded off at one point), but suddenly we were there: Kampong Phluk floating village, all those wooden homes balanced on spindly legs like something out of a storybook.

Dara pointed out how high the stilts go — eight meters up in some places. “In rainy season,” he said, “water almost touches their floors.” Hard to imagine since now you could see chickens scratching under the houses and kids chasing each other barefoot along planks. We passed a tiny shop where a woman sold iced coffee in plastic bags (I tried one — strong and sweet, tasted like caramel). There was this old man mending nets who gave us a wave; his hands looked permanently wrinkled from years in the water.

The private boat tour moved slow enough that I could watch life happening — fishermen hauling up traps, kids paddling home from school. Someone suggested the little mangrove canoe detour (it’s extra but cheap), so two of us went for it. The trees were tangled and green overhead; I kept brushing spiderwebs off my arms. Not everyone wanted to try it but honestly? That part felt like drifting into another world for fifteen minutes.

We ended up out on the open lake just as the sun started dropping — everything gold and pink on the water, birds skimming low over the surface. Dara didn’t say much then; nobody did. I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home. The ride back was quieter than before — maybe everyone else was thinking about it too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kampong Phluk floating village

• Pick up from hotel in Siem Reap
• Drive one hour to boat pier
• Ride private boat to floating village
• Discover stilt houses and floating hospital
• See fishery and traditional lifestyle
• Explore flooded mangroves forest by boat (optional)
• Admire sunset over TonLe Sap lake

Top questions

How long does it take to get from Siem Reap to Kampong Phluk?

It takes about 1 hour by air-conditioned vehicle from Siem Reap to the boat pier at Kampong Phluk.

Is hotel pickup included in this floating village tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included if you provide your hotel information when booking.

How many people are on each boat tour?

This is a small group tour with a maximum of 12 people per group.

What is included in the price of this Kampong Phluk tour?

The price includes hotel pickup, all entry fees and taxes, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a 2-hour private boat trip.

Is lunch or food included on this day trip?

No meals are included; you may find snacks or drinks available for purchase locally.

Can children join this floating village tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infants must sit on an adult's lap.

Is there an extra cost for the mangrove forest canoe ride?

Yes, the 15-minute canoe ride through the mangroves costs $5 per person and is optional.

What will I see during this Tonle Sap boat tour?

You’ll see stilt houses in Kampong Phluk village, local life along Tonle Sap Lake, flooded forests (seasonal), and sunset views over the water.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Siem Reap by air-conditioned vehicle, all entry fees and taxes covered upfront, plus a two-hour private boat trip through Kampong Phluk floating village—led by a local guide who knows everyone along these walkways—before returning after sunset over Tonle Sap Lake.