What we know about the lake.
Written by people who grew up on it. Which village, when, what it costs, and what to watch for.
The villages
Four floating villages: which one is yours?
Kompong Phluk, Kompong Khleang, Mechrey and Chong Kneas compared.
Kompong Phluk
The stilt village and the biggest flooded forest, 45 minutes from town.
Kompong Khleang
The largest community on the lake, and the one with the fewest tourists.
Chong Kneas: the honest guide
The closest village, the official ticket, and how to do it on your own.
Prek Toal
The bird sanctuary and floating village on the far side of the lake.
Kompong Luong
The floating town on the southern shore, a full day from Siem Reap.
The lake
Practical
Prices and entrance fees
Every official boat ticket and fee, village by village.
The floating village scams
Four tricks, how they work, and three rules that avoid them.
What to bring
Water, sun, mosquitoes at sunset, and what to wear for the pagoda.
Eating at the villages
What is there, what it costs, and what to try.
Why we don't stop at the school
Education on the lake, and the problem with school visits.