The Authenticity of Tonle Sap Great Lake

Today take a break from temples and travel a bit further away from town to explore Kampong Phluk “Harbour of the Tusks”, a fascinating fishing community on Tonle Sap Great Lake while the tourist masses head to Chong Khneas.

Upon arrival, set sail on a local wooden boat to discover the life on the water of the local fisherman and their families while your boat passes through the impressive flooded forests and stilted houses of the floating village. Relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery dominated by the tranquillity of the lake.

Cambodia’s Tonle Sap, or Great Lake, is one of the unique geographical wonders, as it offers visitors insights into the centuries-old traditions of riparian life and the natural splendor of the country. At Kampong Phluk, over 3000 inhabitants are real Khmers, and their households are made of wood and bamboo built on stilts about 6m to 7m high. During the dry season when the lake is low and lack of water those buildings look like skyscrapers. At this time of the year, many villagers move out onto the lake and build provisional stilted houses. In the wet season, while the water level rises again, the dwellers move back to their permanent houses on the flood plain, the stilts now hidden under the water. People made a living by catching fish produce as well as smelly fish paste, fermented fish, smoked fish, dried fish, dried prawn, etc.

*The best time to visit: August – January (High water level season)