Private Tonle Sap Floating Village Tour by Vintage Jeep & Boat

Highlights

Ride out of Siem Reap in a restored vintage jeep, open to the wind and entirely yours
Travel with a local expert guide who tells the story of the land as it passes by
Roll past emerald rice fields, palm-lined roads and village life to the edge of the Tonle Sap
Float among stilted houses, fishing boats and school-bound children in Kampong Phluk
Slip into the silent flooded forest in a canoe paddled by local women (seasonal)
Share a Khmer lunch with your hosts, knowing your journey supports the community

Full Itinerary

Your private day on Tonle Sap

This is your day, at your pace. Your licensed local expert guide and driver take you by open-air vintage jeep through the countryside, then by boat onto the lake. Choose a morning start for calm light on the water, or an afternoon start to catch the sunset. Want a photo of the rice fields or a longer look at village life? Just ask, and we stop.

Hotel pickup in Siem Reap
Your guide meets you at your hotel, and you climb into your private vintage jeep. Enjoy the open air as the city gives way to the countryside.

The scenic jeep drive
Roads run past rice fields, palm trees and village homes where daily life carries on. Your guide shares stories of rural Cambodia along the way, and you can stop for photos whenever something catches your eye.

Countryside village stop
Stop in a village along the way to see everyday rural life up close. Walk through the village with your guide, see how people live and work [for example, farming or local crafts], and say hello to the people who live there. There’s no rush, and you can take photos and ask questions as you go.

Arrival at the floating village
As you reach the lake, the stilt houses begin to appear, standing high above the ground. Your guide explains how families here live with the seasons and the changing water.

Wooden boat ride on Tonle Sap
Step aboard a wooden boat, with life jackets provided, and glide past stilt houses, fishing boats and everyday life on the water. Soft drinks, water and fresh towels are on board, and the boat moves at your pace, with time for photos.

Paddle boat through the flooded forest (wet season, August to January)
In the wet season, switch to a small paddle boat, paddled by women from the local community, and slip quietly between the trees of the flooded forest. It’s a calm, close view of the lake’s wild side. [Confirm the community benefit line before adding it.]

Sunset on the lake (afternoon start)
If you begin in the afternoon, you reach the open lake as the light turns golden. Watch the sun go down over the water. A clear sunset can’t be guaranteed, but the lake is worth the trip in any light.

Back to Siem Reap
Your guide takes you back to your hotel in the vintage jeep.

Service Includes

Private vintage jeep with an experienced driver
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Siem Reap
Local expert guide, English-speaking
Boat tour of Kampong Phluk and the Tonle Sap
Flooded-forest canoe ride paddled by local women (seasonal, when water levels allow)
Village and boat entrance fees
Home-style Khmer lunch with the community
Bottled drinking water
Cold towels or a small refreshment on the road

Service Excludes

Gratuities for your guide, driver and paddlers (optional)
Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
Anything not listed above, such as extra snacks or souvenirs

Important Info

Start time and duration

The tour takes 4 to 6 hours, depending on your pace.
Start at the time you prefer. In the morning, from 7:00 to 9:00 AM. In the afternoon, from 2:00 PM, so you can catch the sunset on the lake.
The day runs at your speed, so tell your guide if you’d like more time at any stop.

Boat ride and village visit

A wooden boat ride on Tonle Sap is included.
In the wet season (August to January), enjoy a paddle boat through the flooded forest, paddled by women from the local community. This is available in the wet season only.
Life jackets are provided on the boat.

Included fees, drinks and meals

All entrance fees are included.
Soft drinks, water and fresh towels are provided on board.
Meals are not included.

Families

This tour is family-friendly. Children enjoy the open-air jeep ride and the boat past the stilt houses.

What to wear and bring

Wear light, comfortable clothes and shoes you can walk in. Dress modestly if you visit a pagoda or monastery, covering shoulders and knees.
Bring sun protection, a hat, insect repellent and a camera.
Carry small US dollar bills or riel for tips, since cards aren’t widely accepted.
Bring a light rain jacket if rain is forecast.

Season and weather

Water levels change through the year. From August to January, the water is high, the boat can go through the flooded forest and the stilt houses sit close to the water. The rest of the year the water is lower and the houses stand high on their stilts. Your guide will tell you what to expect on your day.
A clear sunset cannot be guaranteed, but the lake and village are worth the trip in any light.
The vintage jeep is open-air, so it can be warm and dusty in the dry season.

Fitness and accessibility

This is a light day, with stepping on and off the boat and in and out of the jeep. Please tell us about any mobility concerns when you book, and we’ll adjust.