Kampong Phluk: The Flooded Forest Village

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Location

30 km Southeast of Siem Reap (1 hour).

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The Highlight

Small canoe ride through the flooded forest.

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Typical Cost

~$20 for boat + ~$5 for canoe add-on.

Just a short journey from Siem Reap lies one of the most fascinating communities on the Tonle Sap Lake: Kampong Phluk. This is technically a stilted village, not a floating one. The houses are built on massive 10-meter stilts to survive the rising lake levels. A visit here offers a powerful glimpse into a life lived entirely on the water.

The Experience

1. The Village Boat Tour

Your journey begins on a larger community motorboat. You will cruise down the main "street" (which is a river) flanked by towering wooden houses. Seeing schools, police stations, and pagodas all adapted to life on the water is a vivid demonstration of human resilience.

2. The Mangrove Canoe Ride

This is the highlight! At the edge of the village, you can transfer to a small canoe paddled by local women. They will take you deep into the flooded mangrove forest. Drifting silently through the trees while the sunlight filters through the leaves is magical. It costs about $5 extra but is absolutely worth it.

⚠️ Timing is Everything

WET SEASON (July - January):
The BEST time to go. The water is high, the village is "floating," and the canoe ride is possible.

DRY SEASON (February - June):
The water disappears. You will see the exposed stilts and mud. The canoe ride is often closed because the forest dries up.

Traveler's Notebook

Getting There: Hire a tuk-tuk or car for the day. They will drive you to the boat ticket station. Buy your ticket directly there to avoid middlemen.

What to Bring: Small bills (Riel/USD) for the canoe ladies, sunscreen, and a hat. There is no shade on the main boat.