Not far from the ancient temples of Angkor, in the heart of Cambodia, lies the huge Tonle Sap lake, the largest in Southeast Asia. The Tonle Sap is connected to the Mekong by a short river also called Tonle Sap.
During the rainy season, from May to October, the river reverses its flow into the lake causing it to expand to more than six or seven times its normal size of approximately 2,600 square kilometers. It becomes a vast inland sea.
Each year, millions of fish come to spawn in the seasonally flooded forest surrounding the lake, attracting myriad waterbirds. Villages along the shores live with the rhythm of the season and the floods.
Prek Toal is one of the most attractive floating fishing villages on the Tonle Sap lake, with a school, hospital, restaurants, shop and even a pagoda. Just behind the Prek Toal village are flooded forests with bird sanctuaries.
Every year, between December and March, thousands of birds come to fish and to breed here.
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Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap
Arrive Siem Reap, meet and transfer to hotel for check in. Afternoon visit Angkor Wat – the second world’s wonder. End the day with the climb to top of Bakheng hill to view a spectacular sunset.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 2: Angkor Thom and Ta Pruhm
Morning visit Angkor Thom include the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Elephant terrace and the Lepper King Terrace. Afternoon visit Prasat Kravan, Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang and Ta Pruhm. Overnight in Siem Reap
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Day 3: Siem Reap by boat to Prek Toal bird sanctuaries
Early morning breakfast, at 6:00 am, transfer from hotel to the pier of Chong Kneas then cross the Tonle Sap lake by boat to Prek Toal to visit the floating villages and the bird sanctuaries.
Spend the whole day to enjoy watching birds in the sky and on the lake from a traditional paddle boat gliding through the flooded forest, guided by a specialist of the area.
Thousands of waterbirds come each year to breed during the dry season, making the area the most important site in South-East Asia for endangered species such as Storks, Adjutants, Pelicans, Ibis and many more…
After a typical lunch with fresh barbequed fish, sit and relax while observing the local "floating way of life". During the afternoon, you will discover different aspects of village lifestyles, which rely heavily on fishing.
Return to Siem Reap around 4:00 pm. Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 4: Siem Reap – Departure
Morning visit the local markets and the training center of Le artisan until time for transfer to airport for departure flight.
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