National park · Cambodia
Tonle Sap LakeHồ Tonlé Sap
Visit Tonle Sap Lake for a day: take a 2‑hour boat ride to Chong Kneas village (cost ~USD 5 per person) in the dry season (Nov–Apr) and avoid the monsoon months July–Oct.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
15,000 km² (5,792 sq mi)5,792 sq mi (15,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1997
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 8Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Cambodia ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra. Some nationalities can also get a visa on arrival.
- Cambodia ↗Angkor Wat and other active temples enforce a dress code: shoulders and knees covered, or you are turned away at the gate.
- Cambodia ↗US dollars are used for most tourist prices; carry clean, undamaged small notes and some riel for change under one dollar.
- North-western Cambodia ↗Buy the Angkor pass at the official ticket office; it is not sold at the temples.
- North-western Cambodia ↗The K5 mine belt runs parallel to the Thai border. Stay on paved roads and marked tracks in remote areas.
- North-western Cambodia ↗US dollars work everywhere; riel comes back as change under US$1. ATMs are reliable in Siem Reap, thin elsewhere.
At a glance
- Country
- Cambodia
- Area
- 15,000 km² (5,792 sq mi)5,792 sq mi (15,000 km²)
- Lake expands from ~2,800 km² in the dry season to ~15,000 km² in the wet season (approximate).
- Established
- 1997
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Siem Reap
Tonlé Sap is Southeast Asia’s largest lake, swelling from ~2,800 km² in the dry season to ~15,000 km² in the wet season, supporting floating villages, rich fisheries and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1997Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
15,000 km² (5,792 sq mi)5,792 sq mi (15,000 km²) · national park since 1997
Lake expands from ~2,800 km² in the dry season to ~15,000 km² in the wet season (approximate).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Siem Reap.
Why go
- Observe the world’s largest seasonal floodplain and its floating villages.
- Birdwatch at the Prek Toal sanctuary, especially during the dry season.
- See giant catfish and diverse fish species that support millions of locals.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanLow water, villages accessible on foot.
- FebCool, dry, good for boat trips.
- MarDry, water still low enough for walking tours.
- AprEnd of dry season, still easy to reach villages.
- MayWater rising, boat trips still possible.
- JunStart of wet season, some areas flood.
- JulHigh water, many villages only reachable by boat.
- AugPeak flood, boat schedules may change.
- SepWater still high, travel slower.
- OctWater receding, villages become accessible again.
- NovDry season returns, optimal for walking.
- DecCool, low water, clear views.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater fish (incl. giant catfish)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Waterbirds (e.g. spot‑billed pelican, storks)Nov–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Siamese crocodile (farm and wild)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Phnom Penh
Passenger ferry (6 h) up the Tonle Sap River, stops at Kampong Chhnang and continues across the lake.
6 h
Open the page →
From Siem Reap
Hire a boat from Siem Reap to Chong Kneas or Kompong Phluk (≈1 h by road then 30 min boat).
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Battambang
Passenger ferry (5–8 h) crossing the northwest corner of the lake, then local boat to villages.
5–8 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Floating villages | Stilt houses, markets, schools; main visitor hubs: Chong Kneas, Kompong Phluk, Kompong Luong. | Boat from nearest town or hired guide. |
| Prek Toal bird sanctuary | Protected wetlands for waterbirds, especially during dry season. | Guided boat tours from Siem Reap. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are central lake point; village locations are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat hire (per person) | US$5–7 | person | Typical price for a 2‑hour round‑trip to a floating village (check). |
| Boat hire (per boat, up to 4 people) | US$15–20 | boat | Group rate, includes driver (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Lake entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$5–7
- US$15–20
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on UNESCO – Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve before you go.
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no dumping in the lake.
- Fishing
- Only allowed in designated zones; prohibited in protected sanctuary areas.
- Boats
- Use licensed operators; avoid unregistered boats (check).
Where to stay
Near the park
Chong Kneas guesthouses
Simple rooms on stilts, basic amenities.
Near the park
Kompong Phluk homestays
Family‑run houses, meals available.
Safety
Rapid water level change medium
Boat safety low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Boat trips can accommodate wheelchairs on larger vessels; walking sections may be uneven.
Visiting lightly
- Support community‑run guesthouses; avoid tours that promise close wildlife encounters.
- Choose operators that follow the UNESCO biosphere guidelines.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tonle Sap Lake?
There is no formal entry fee; visitors pay the boat operator, typically USD 5–7 per person for a short round‑trip.
What are the best hikes in Tonle Sap Lake?
Walking trails are limited; the most popular are short walks around Chong Kneas and Kompong Phluk after a boat ride, each lasting 2–3 hours.
When is the best time to visit Tonle Sap Lake?
The dry season (November – April) offers low water, easy access to villages and good birdwatching.
Can I stay overnight on the lake?
Yes, in guesthouses or homestays in floating villages such as Chong Kneas and Kompong Phluk.
Is fishing allowed for tourists?
Only in designated areas; protected zones like Prek Toal prohibit fishing.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Tonle Sap Lake
Loading…
Was this useful?