Siem Reap: Lotus Silk Farm Workshops & Lotus Boat Ride

Lotus silk crafts, Khmer traditions and peaceful lotus field boat ride in Siem Reap

You’ll touch raw lotus fiber in your own hands, try six traditional Khmer crafts guided by local artisans, then float through Siem Reap’s blooming lotus fields by boat. Sip fresh lotus tea with biscuits as your boatman weaves flowers beside you, and take home handmade souvenirs plus memories that linger longer than any photo.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lotus silk craft workshops and boat ride

• Guided tour of lotus silk production
• Watch artisans extract lotus fibers
• Create lotus paper from stem waste
• Spin lotus fiber into yarn
• Craft jewelry from dried seeds
• Prepare incense sticks
• Arrange botanicals on silk scarf
• Engrave lotus symbol on vegan leather
• Enjoy 30-minute boat ride through lotus fields
• Photograph lotus blooms and bouquet making
• Drink complimentary lotus tea and biscuits

The experience

The first thing that hit me was the faint, earthy smell of wet stems: almost sweet, but not quite. Our guide, Sreyneang, handed me a lotus stalk and showed how to tease out these impossibly thin fibers. I fumbled it at first (she smiled and said everyone does), but soon the rhythm made sense. The whole place buzzed with quiet focus. Just the whir of spinning wheels and soft voices in Khmer. I didn’t expect to feel so clumsy or so proud when my bit of yarn actually held together.

We moved from table to table: making paper from leftover stems, stringing beads from dried lotus seeds, even rolling incense that left my fingers sticky and smelling oddly calming. There’s something about being taught by women who’ve done this for years. They don’t rush you or make a fuss if you mess up. At one point, Li laughed when I tried to pronounce “kâmpŭchéa” properly, probably butchered it. But she just nodded and corrected me gently. The six workshops felt like little windows into everyday Cambodian life, not just some tourist show.

The last part was my favorite: we climbed into a wooden boat for a slow drift through the lotus fields outside Siem Reap. Everything went quiet except for the water lapping against the hull and our boatman humming under his breath. He picked a few pink blooms right there and somehow turned them into a bouquet with just his hands: no scissors or anything. We sipped lotus tea (surprisingly floral) with biscuits as the sun started dipping low over the water. I still think about that view sometimes: how soft everything looked in that light.

What’s included

Your day includes minivan transport to the Lotus Silk Farm near Siem Reap, all six hands-on craft workshops led by local artisans, a peaceful 30-minute boat ride through blooming lotus fields where your boatman makes fresh bouquets on board, plus complimentary lotus tea and biscuits before heading back with your handmade souvenirs.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour&Lake&MasterclassGuide in English or French · 09:00, 10:00 and 13:00

Vegetarian set lunch includedGuide in English or French · 09:00, 10:00 and 13:00Vegetarian set lunch: everything is prepared with lotus, including lotus stem salads, fried lotus seeds with rice, fried lotus roots, tempura-fried lotus petals, and lotus seed ice cream

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00 and 13:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (under 18)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Lotus Silk Farm

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 18).

How long is the Lotus Silk Farm tour in Siem Reap?

The experience lasts about 4 hours including all workshops and the boat ride.

Is hotel pickup included for this Siem Reap handicraft tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned. Transport is by minivan to the farm.

What do you make during the six lotus workshops?

You’ll create paper from stems, spin fiber into yarn, craft jewelry from seeds, prepare incense sticks, arrange botanicals on a scarf, and engrave vegan leather.

Is lunch included on this Siem Reap Lotus Silk Farm tour?

No lunch is included but complimentary lotus tea and biscuits are provided during the experience.

How many people join each group at Lotus Silk Farm?

Groups are small so everyone gets personal guidance from master artisans.

Does this tour support local communities?

Yes, it’s run by a social enterprise empowering rural Cambodian women since 2003.

Do you get to keep what you make at Lotus Silk Farm?

Yes, you’ll leave with six handmade souvenirs crafted during your workshops.