Kompong Phluk’s Stilt Houses and Mangroves but NOT Floating Village
Kompong Phluk village is famous for its tranquil lush mangroves and interesting river-life activities. Most of tourists want to visit Kompong Phluk after they explored Angkor Wat & other Angkor Complex. The village locates at the edge of Tonle Sap Great Lake which is widely known as the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, just about 22km (30-40 mins-drive) from central Siem Reap. Tourists can access Kompong Phluk by overland from National Road 6, pass Bakong district onward direct to Kompong Phluk village OR it is accessible by taking local boat from Chong Kneas floating village through Tonle Sap Lake, which takes approx. 1 hour or 1.30 hours depends on the weather.
Once you arrived at harbor of Kompong Phluk, you will be directed to purchase boat rental service $20–$50 depending on group size and pay for the entrance fee $2 per person. The boat excursion takes you through the canal toward the centre of Kompong Phluk where your boat slows down the engine to let you see the surrounding, stilt houses atop high poles, come across water activities with selling vegetables, meat, grocery etc on their boats and you will learn from you tour guide about local life, fishing techniques, how people create life on the water and make it as home. Next, the boat dock to Kompong Phluk community office which is the only office that you can grab a canoe ticket for canoeing adventure (2 pax per boat or 3 pax with tour guide) to explore the tropical flooded mangroves, feel the serenity, hear bird singing or you may want to buy banana to feed wild monkeys. The canoe trip lasts about 20–30 minutes then you disembark and continue by your regular big boat to see The Great Lake. By the time, your tour guide will explain you about Tonle Sap ecosystem, biosphere reserve, River network and how it’s being developed, and you have a lot of chances take beautiful photos of Tonle Sap Lake as well as Kompong Phluk’s local activities.
On your Kompong Phluk trip, you are also admired to visit Rolous market (30 minutes walk), where to stroll around to see bustling trades, selling and buying vegetables, meat etc. You can challenge local lunch ($7–$12) at a local restaurant by the flooded mangroves. If you really care about the hygiene, you should bring your picnic lunch from your hotel or return to Siem Reap city for lunch. For sunset experience, you should leave your hotel at 2.30pm (This also includes walking tour at Rolous market). The best time to visit Kompong Phluk village is from September to January and morning tour is the most appropriate. Note: If you expect to visit any floating villages, you will definitely get disappointed because Kompong Phluk village doesn’t have any floating homes.
Note: Kompong Phluk is NOT appropriate for a visit from February – the end of August.
