Siem Reap to Tonle Sap distance
The distance from Siem Reap to Tonle Sap varies depending on the location around the lake that you want to visit.
Takeaways:
- Chong Khneas – At just 16 km from Siem Reap, it is the nearest and most popular floating village, best seen by boarding long wooden boats that weave through dense mangroves.
- Kampong Phluk – Nestled further inland than Chong Khneas, its iconic stilt houses offer a rare glimpse into authentic local life in this water world.
- Kompong Khleang – The largest village, located near where the lake connects to the mighty Mekong, allows you to witness its scale expanding vastly across seasons.
- Best Time – Visit during dry season for cultural immersion or in high water season to behold the villages’ awe-inspiring adaptive architecture.
Calculating the distances from Siem Reap to the magical floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake makes for essential travel planning.
Having crossed Tonle Sap’s wondrous waters many times before, I’m thrilled to navigate you through:
✔️ Chong Khneas – Hive of river life just 16 km from Siem Reap, where boats weave through dense mangroves to reach this popular floating village
✔️ Kampong Phluk – An iconic aquatic township 20 miles inland; stilt houses grant a privileged peek into local lifestyles
✔️ Kompong Khleang – 50 km further into the lake sits this phenomenal village amidst flooded forests, metamorphosing through extreme seasonal shifts
✔️ Distance-wise they vary as much as their individual allure – so charting Routes to each is the explorer’s first thrill!
If seeking to unlock the lake’s phenomenal sights, calculating distances from Siem Reap is the first step on an unforgettable adventure. As we chart routes by land and water, immerse yourself in the practicalities before losing yourself in the magic!
Siem Reap to Chong Khneas Floating Village on Tonle Sap Lake
The distance from Siem Reap to Chong Khneas Floating Village on Tonle Sap Lake is approximately 16 kilometers.
Here are a few additional details about visiting the floating villages near Siem Reap:
Transportation
- To get to Chong Khneas or other floating villages, you can hire a private boat, join a group boat tour, or take a combination bus/boat tour. Prices vary widely.
- The boat ride from Siem Reap takes 45-60 minutes depending on the village. The further away the village, the longer the ride.
Best Times to Visit
- The wet season from July to January offers a unique look at the submerged villages. However, note that boat tours may be limited when water levels get very high from August to October.
- Visit in the morning to avoid crowds and see the villages in full activity. Afternoon tours can be very crowded.
What to Expect
- The floating villages cater to tourists, so while interesting culturally, they do feel touristy. For a more authentic experience, consider visiting a land-based village along Tonle Sap Lake.
- Floating village tours usually make additional stops to visit fish farms, crocodile sanctuaries, etc.
Distance from Siem Reap to Chong Khneas Floating Village
The distance from Siem Reap is about 16 kilometers.
View directions from Krong Siem Reap to Chong Khneas Floating Village in Google Maps.
| VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS |
Siem Reap to Kampong Phluk Floating Village
To travel from Siem Reap to the Kampong Phluk Floating Village, you have a few transportation options. The village is accessible by car, tuk-tuk, or tour bus and is located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of Siem Reap. The journey typically takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the mode of transportation and road conditions. Once you arrive at the boat dock, you can take a boat ride through the stilt village and the flooded forest on Lake Tonle Sap.
Various tour companies in Siem Reap offer half-day tours to Kampong Phluk, including transportation to and from the village. The village is known for its stilt houses, which give the impression of a floating village, especially during the wet season when the town appears to be flooded.
What is the best time of year to visit Kampong Phluk floating village?
To summarize:
Wet Season (May-October)
- Water levels rise, allowing visitors to explore the village by boat
- Provides a majestic view of the village on high stilts
- Chance to observe daily life on the lake
- Lake teems with life
Dry Season (Mid-November-May)
- Water levels drop, making it harder to tour by boat
- Allows visitors to see the structures below the houses
- Locals hang out on lower levels to escape the sun
The contrast between the seasons offers different perspectives and experiences in Kampong Phluk. The boat tours in the wet season highlight the uniqueness of the floating village, while the dry season provides closer access and interaction with the intricate structures.
Planning travel timing based on what aspects — floating structures vs. cultural immersion — are the priority can help travelers make the most of their visit.
Distance from Siem Reap to Kampong Phluk Floating Village
The distance between Siem Reap and Kampong Phluk Floating Village is about 32 kilometers or 20 miles.
View directions from Krong Siem Reap to Kampong Phluk Floating Village in Google Maps.
| VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS |
Siem Reap to Kompong Khleang Floating Village
There are various tour choices available from Siem Reap to visit the Kompong Khleang Floating Village. The village is around 50 kilometers from Siem Reap. Private tours depart Siem Reap around 2:00 PM and run approximately 5.5 hours, with a price starting at $35 USD per person, which includes entrance fees and boat tickets. Group excursions are also available at various prices. The town is located on the Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake.
It is suggested that you allow an hour for the journey from Siem Reap to the village.
What is the best time of year to visit Kompong Khleang floating village?
Your environmental and activity preferences determine the optimal time to visit Kompong Khleang Floating Village. Two seasons dominate the area: rainy (June–October) and dry (November–May).
Mangroves and other plants make the community greener in the wet season. As the lake fills with water from the northward-flowing Mekong River, the community grows to almost 12,000 square kilometers. This season offers longer walking excursions of the flooded woodland.
The flooded woodland closes for a few weeks in April owing to water shortages.In the dry season, the lake’s depth drops from 10+ meters to 1+ meter (90% reduction).
- This spreads the village and highlights the waterways.
- This is a better time to visit because the community is less affected by the wet season.
- Visitors prefer the afternoon excursion to witness the lake sunset most of the year.
- The perfect time to visit Kompong Khleang Floating Village depends on your interests and activities.
Key considerations:
Rainy Season (June-October)
- More lush, green vegetation
- Lake expands over 12,000 sq km
- Can take extended walking tours of flooded forest (may be closed in April when water is low)
Dry Season (November-May)
- Water levels decrease significantly (90% reduction)
- Village more spread out as water recedes
- Waterways more visible
- More reliable for visits
The contrast allows visitors to choose based on preferences:
- Explore flooded forests or see receding waterways
- Reliable access or lush scenery
Good point about afternoon/sunset tours. And ultimately it does come down to the activities and experiences visitors wish to prioritize.
Distance from Siem Reap to Kompong Khleang Floating Village
Siem Reap and Kompong Khleang Floating Village are around 50 kilometers apart.
View directions from Krong Siem Reap to Kompong Khleang Floating Village on Google Maps.
| VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS |
Surpassing even the majestic temples as highlights, Siem Reap’s floating villages open up a gateway to the Tonle Sap’s enthralling aquatic wonderland. Let their rustic river life and resilience leave an indelible mark on your travel memories. Ready your cameras and inner adventurer – it’s time to dive into discovery!
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