Located in Cambodia, Tonlé Sap Lake is the biggest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. The lake drains into the Tonle Sap River which flows into the Mekong River throughout the dry season. But from June to October, the rainy season, the Tonlé Sap River reverse its flow due to the huge amount of water in the Mekong River.
The water flowing into the lake and the backup of the Tonle Sap River increase the lake to 5-times its size in the dry season. This huge increase floods the surrounding floodplain and forests making an implausibly various and rich eco-system.
Tonle Sap Floating Villages
There are actually many so-called floating villages set on, and around the Tonle Sap Lake and they are all somewhat completely different. The Tonle Sap Lake is the largest feature of the map of Cambodia, and is an important natural resources in terms of fishing and wetlands.
In the rainy season, the Mekong River backs up into the lake, and it swells to over five times its size in the dry season, flooding the surrounding forests and plains. Of course the best time to visit ‘floating villages’ is throughout the wet season when the water is high. You can try a ‘do-it-yourself’ tour, but it can be a trouble, and there are stories of individuals having problems trying to do it themselves. The four main floating villages are:
Chong Khneas
The floating village nearest to Siem Reap, it's the one most visited by tourists. During the rainy season, it becomes a floating village with houses, hospitals, gas stations, schools, etc. all bobbing on the water. Despite the fact that it is somewhat ‘touristy’, it is still fascinating and worth seeing. Stops typically include a souvenir and snack shop, and the gecko surroundings Center.
Kampong Phluk
This is not actually a floating village as the homes are designed on tall stilts. In the dry season, the village is high and dry, with the tall stilted houses along the road. At the high level of water the homes seem to “float”. You can take boat rides through the water-logged forest. It’s visited by relatively few tourists. However, home-stay is also accessible.
Kampong Khleang
Being far from Siem Reap and takes around 2 hours by boat from the boat landing at Phnom Krom, there’s an outer floating village, and an inner tall affected village. This village is the biggest population of all the villages on the lake.
Prek Taol
This is smaller floating village and also the starting point for bird looking tours to the Prek Taol core area of the Tonle Sap biosphere Reserve. This is a significant environment for many vulnerable bird species. There’s a, water hyacinth weaving center and a biosphere info center. Overnight stay is possible, but isn't well organized, and may not be appropriate for all visitors.
Tonle Sap Lake
When the water level is high is the best time to visit floating villages, and trips to the flooded forest and wildlife reserves are fascinating. December to April are the best for bird sanctuaries. In the dry season, the lake becomes very shallow, and enormous boats sit on the bottom of the lake. The villages are left dry, and floating villages move onto the lake. Also, forests are dried up, and some bird sanctuaries cannot be reached.