Cambodia Travel Siem Reap - Chong Kneas Floating Village

Cambodia Travel Siem Reap - Chong Kneas Floating Village (2012 0210)

Best Time to Visit the Floating Villages of Siem Reap

The rainy season is June through October. The time of year when entire communities are “floating,” so many consider this the best time to visit.

During the dry season, the home’s stilts are exposed, and you can see the houses’ sheer height.

Floating Villages of Siem Reap

There are four main floating villages near Siem Reap:

Kampong Khleang

One of the most remote, this floating village is a two-hour boat ride from Phnom Krom boat dock. Home to the largest population of all the villages on Tonle Sap Lake is the least visited by tourists.

Kampong Phluk

Kampong Phluk, which translates to “harbor of the tusks,” is a combination of 3 villages. Less touristy than Chong Kneas and closer to Kampong Khleang, this floating village is considered a good compromise if you are short on time.

Mechrey

This floating village is the entry point into the Prek Toal Core Bird Reserve. The community here survives on fishing and eco-tours. This is the newest of the floating villages to take on tourism. Some say it is authentic, and many reports state that it is also following the suit of others with scams.

Chong Kneas is the floating village at the edge of the lake closest and most accessible to Siem Reap.