Unveiling Tonle Sap Lake: Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary & Floating Village Tour "Culture, Conservation & Cruise"

5:00 AM– Pick up from the Hotel by our English Speaking Guide with our A/C vehicle, transfer Mechrey Pier

5:40 AM- Arrive Mechrey Pier, and then take a long-tail boat cruise to Prek Toal Floating Community.

7:00 AM– arrive at the Prek Toal floating village,

7:15 AM– transfer into smaller local community boats and explore the biosphere reserve.

7:30 AM– enjoy birding along the way one hour through the core reserve.

8:30 AM– arrive at the observation platform, climb the tree top to enjoy the wider views of the bird colonies.

9:30 AM– return back to Prek Toal village for lunch at Saray Community Restaurant.

12:30 PM– after lunch, visit the Water Hyacinth Handicraft Workshop located next to the restaurant.

1:00 PM– we will take you on paddled boats around the floating village, observing how locals adapt their floating environment, visiting the crocodile farms, fish farms, floating school, floating gardens, etc.

2:00 PM– travel back to Siem Reap

4:00 PM– arrive Siem Reap and your Hotel.

Best time to visit:

• The best time to explore Prek Toal bird colonies is from November when most bird species are coming. Yet some species like Milky Stork and Greater Adjutant will get there later in December, and until the end of May when the rain comes and birds are leaving.
• Access to the bird colonies inside the core reserve also plays an important factor for visitors. By late February the water level is getting low which not allow us to get through to the observation platform. Fortunately, without being at the platform where it is very muddy and our boat could not access, we are still able to enjoy the area with the finding of many bird species in flocks gathering along the waterways where they come to feed.
• For April to June is possible with birding too but the water level is quite low which make the access difficult to get to the best place for birding.
• For July to September, most birds are gone.
• From October, some birds are having their way back to Prek Toal for their breeding season.