Overview
Tonle Sap Lake – Southeast Asia’s Largest Freshwater Lake and Cambodia’s Lifeline
Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of Cambodia’s most vital natural and cultural treasures. Located just south of Siem Reap, Tonle Sap is famous for its unique and dramatic seasonal flood pulse, which causes the lake to expand up to five times its dry-season size, supporting a rich biodiversity and a way of life centered around its waters.
The lake and its surrounding wetlands are home to a variety of floating villages such as Kompong Phluk, Kompong Khleang, and Chong Kneas, where communities live, fish, and farm on or beside the water. Visiting these villages offers an extraordinary glimpse into traditional Cambodian life, with houses built on stilts or floating platforms, schools, markets, and temples all adapted to the changing water levels.
Tonle Sap’s ecosystem plays a crucial role in Cambodia’s agriculture and fisheries, supplying much of the country’s freshwater fish and nourishing fertile soils. Birdwatchers and nature lovers will appreciate the nearby Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated protected area rich in wildlife, including endangered waterfowl and migratory birds.
Our private tours to Tonle Sap combine scenic boat rides through mangrove forests, visits to authentic floating villages, and opportunities to meet local families. Whether you’re interested in nature, culture, or photography, exploring Tonle Sap is an unforgettable experience that reveals the heart of Cambodia’s rural life.
