Tonle Sap and its villages at a glance
The Tonle Sap is Cambodia's great lake, and several communities live on and beside it. Visitors from Siem Reap usually choose a half-day boat trip to one village. The phrase floating village near Siem Reap covers different places, and not every village has floating houses. Some stand on stilts that are dry for part of the year.
These are real homes. Ask before you photograph people, keep your voice low near houses and choose your boat and village before you leave town.
Our picks: the floating village
Both trips go to Kampong Phluk by boat; one includes the village entry, the other a sunset option.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Kampong Phluk floating village by boat
- Boat to the village
- Village entry and fees
- Local guide
A local guide, the boat to the village and the village entry, with hotel transfers and all fees included.
Check availability →
Kampong Phluk floating village with boat and guide
- Guide
- Boat ticket
- Hotel pickup
A guide, minivan and the boat ticket, with sunset on the Tonle Sap by option. The small forest canoe costs $5 extra.
Check availability →Tonle Sap and floating village tours from Siem Reap
Boat trips to the lake villages with transfer, live prices and availability.
Floating village Siem Reap: the three villages compared
Distances and prices are guidelines in 2026, in US dollars.
| Village | Houses | Distance from Siem Reap | Boat cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chong Kneas | Floating and stilt houses | 11.4 km to the ticket counter, about 16 km to the village | From $28 per boat for 1 to 5 people |
| Kampong Phluk | Mostly stilt houses | A little over 30 km | Around $20 per person, plus about $2 community fee |
| Kampong Khleang | Both house types | About 50 km southeast | Ask your operator |
For most visitors, Chong Kneas is the easiest: closest to town, with a fixed price table at the counter. Choose Kampong Phluk if you want a quieter village and, in high water, a rowboat ride in the flooded forest. Kampong Khleang is the farthest, so ask your operator for the boat price before you book.
Chong Kneas boat prices by group size
Total price per boat, not per person. Bought at the counter, not online.
| People | Price per boat |
|---|---|
| 1–5 | $28 |
| 6–8 | $38 |
| 9–14 | $70 |
| 15–19 | $90 |
| 20–25 | $120 |
| 26–35 | $150 |
| 36–42 | $180 |
You buy at the counter, reached by Route 63. Parking for scooters and cars opposite counter 2 is free. These packages apply at Chong Kneas only. They are not the rates for other villages.
Water level and the best season
High water, about August to November
The lake is at its widest, boats go farther and rowboat rides through the flooded forest are possible. This is the time many visitors choose.
Low water, about March to May
The water retreats strongly. Houses stand high on their stilts, and rowboat rides depend on the actual water level. Ask your operator what is possible on your date.
In between
Conditions vary by year. Check the current water level with your operator rather than relying on a calendar. See the best time to visit page for the wider season picture.
Visiting respectfully and avoiding costly tricks
People live and work here, so treat the villages as neighbourhoods, not as a stage. Ask before you take portraits, and do not photograph children without a parent's agreement.
Be careful with school stops that ask you to buy rice or books for children. A claim of help for children does not show where the money goes. This is a known tactic and does not mean villagers are dishonest. If you want to support the community, do it through your own channel at home, not at a stop on the boat. Agree the full boat price, the stops and the length of the trip before you board, and pay only the agreed amount.
Planning your boat trip
At Kampong Phluk, a rowboat ride in the flooded forest costs around $6 per boat for half an hour, on top of the boat to the village. These are guideline figures, and they depend on the water level. Many trips run as half-day tours with transfer, so compare pickup times, group size and what the price covers.
Bring sun protection, a hat and water. Boats offer shade, but the lake is open and bright.
Tonle Sap: frequently asked questions
Which floating village suits a visit from Siem Reap?
Chong Kneas is closest and has a fixed price table. Kampong Phluk is quieter with mostly stilt houses. Kampong Khleang is the farthest.
Are all the villages floating?
No. Chong Kneas has floating and stilt houses, Kampong Phluk is mostly stilts and Kampong Khleang has both.
How much is a boat at Chong Kneas?
The price is per boat. It starts at $28 for 1 to 5 people and rises with group size, up to $180 for 36 to 42 people.
When is the water highest?
Roughly August to November. Low water comes around March to May, and rowboat rides depend on the level.
Is this site official?
No. It is an independent guide with no link to the APSARA National Authority, Angkor Enterprise or any ministry. Confirm prices at the counter.