Kompong Khleang & the Tonle Sap

Travel to Kompong Khleang, one of the largest and least-visited villages on Tonle Sap Lake, located about 55 km from Siem Reap. With a population of around 10,000, the village relies heavily on fishing for its livelihood. You can explore the canals in the wet season or the streets in the dry season.

During the wet season, the houses seem to float as water surrounds the verandas. In the dry season, tall stilts are revealed, making the houses look like wooden skyscrapers. You can visit a pagoda built on the site of an ancient temple and admire the wall paintings, as well as visit a local home to learn about daily life.

You will also take a boat trip into the open waters of the lake to view a small floating village and understand more about this unique ecosystem. Afterward, you will return to Siem Reap by road.

The water level in Tonle Sap varies throughout the year. The lake is most beautiful from October to January when it is full from summer rains. By February and March, the water level drops, exposing muddy banks, and by April, many areas are dry, making the houses look like they are on stilts rather than floating. From May to September, the rainy season returns, filling the lake once more.

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