An exciting, full-day countryside tour to experience life for both farmers in the countryside and fisherman on the Tonle Sap.
Depart Siem Reap in the early morning in a comfortable, air-conditioned van. After about 40 minutes we begin our countryside tour when we exit the main road to make a stop at a rural market. See various sellers, try local treats and purchase fresh fruit for later in the day. After the market, turn off the paved road and continue down dirt roads deeper into the countryside. We will park at a local home and take a tour. You will then have the option of hopping on a bicycle to enjoy a 10km (return) ride through the village. Pass by water buffalo pulling their loads, cows grazing hay, farmers planting or harvesting rice, and students who are always late for class. If you do not wish to take a bicycle you can enjoy a brief walking tour in the village. After some exercise, return to the family home and enjoy a Khmer lunch.
After lunch, we head to the Tonle Sap Lake and the floating village Kompong Phluk, arriving at the boat dock in the early afternoon. We will board a boat and travel through the heart of Kompong Phluk, passing by stilt houses and floating homes that have been here for generations. Learn about life on the Tonle Sap and then make a brief stop at the pagoda for an introduction to Buddhism. Continue to the floating forest, disembarking into rowboats to see the largest mangrove forest in Siem Reap. Return to the main boat and enjoy the sunset on the Tonle Sap before returning to the dock and later Siem Reap city. The duration of the countryside tour is approximately 8 hours.
