| Village | Kompong Khleang, about 55 km from Siem Reap, per the tour page |
|---|---|
| Population | around 10,000, mostly fishing, per the page |
| Lake | Tonle Sap, designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1997 |
| Water level | can vary by as much as 10 m |
| Basin | 86,000 km² |
Kompong Khleang & the Tonle Sap
Travel to Kompong Khleang, one of the largest and least-visited villages on Tonle Sap Lake, located about 55 km from Siem Reap. With a population of around 10,000, the village relies heavily on fishing for its livelihood. You can explore the canals in the wet season or the streets in the dry season.
During the wet season, the houses seem to float as water surrounds the verandas. In the dry season, tall stilts are revealed, making the houses look like wooden skyscrapers. You can visit a pagoda built on the site of an ancient temple and admire the wall paintings, as well as visit a local home to learn about daily life.
You will also take a boat trip into the open waters of the lake to view a small floating village and understand more about this unique ecosystem. Afterward, you will return to Siem Reap by road.
The water level in Tonle Sap varies throughout the year. The lake is most beautiful from October to January when it is full from summer rains. By February and March, the water level drops, exposing muddy banks, and by April, many areas are dry, making the houses look like they are on stilts rather than floating. From May to September, the rainy season returns, filling the lake once more.
About the Tonle Sap
English Wikipedia says the Tonle Sap was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1997, that the lake’s minimum area is about 2,500 to 3,000 square kilometers inside a basin of 86,000 square kilometers, and that the water can rise by as much as 10 meters, with the river’s flow reversing at the end of the rainy season. The tour page describes stilted houses that seem to float in the wet season and look like wooden skyscrapers in the dry season, in a village of about 10,000 people. What you see depends on the month. We have not verified tour prices, schedules, flight times or inclusions, so confirm them with Absolute Asia Tours before booking.
Sources (read in English, English Wikipedia): Tonlé Sap. Last checked November 2026.
Kompong Khleang and the Tonle Sap: FAQ
Where is Kompong Khleang?
About 55 km from Siem Reap, per the tour page.
Why do the houses stand on stilts?
The lake level changes by up to 10 meters.
When did UNESCO designate Tonle Sap?
In 1997.
What do people do there?
Mostly fishing, per the page.
When is the best time to visit?
It depends on the water level; ask your guide.