Full Day Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary Tour on Tonle Sap

Leave Siem Reap before sunrise for Chong Khneas, where you board a boat across Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, arriving at the Prek Toal floating village by around 7:30am. A ranger leads you into the flooded forest at the heart of the birds' breeding grounds, and a treetop observation platform gives a panoramic view over the colonies below. Prek Toal is internationally recognised for eight flagship species, including the Spot-billed Pelican, Greater and Lesser Adjutant, Milky Stork, Painted Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Oriental Darter and Grey-headed Fish-Eagle, alongside more than 150 recorded bird species in total. After a simple lunch at the floating base camp, paddle boats take you through the village to see how its residents live on the water. Birdlife is most active between December and April, though the sanctuary can be visited throughout the year.

1. 1

   Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary

   Pass by

   To wake up with the birds, one has to wake up early. We leave the hotel at around 5.30 am by your guide and driver and travel as the sun rises to Chong Khneas, where you board the boat on the great Tonle Sap Lake to Prek Toal floating village with breakfast and a full briefing from the guide on the way. Arrival at the starting point of this feather-themed exploration will be approximately 7:30 am, where a ranger from the centre itself heads with us deep into the core of the birds’ breeding grounds inside the flooded forest.

2. 2

   Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary

   8 hours

   From here, to get a panoramic view over the area, we head up to a treetop observation platform, constructed opposite the bird colonies. The panorama in the early morning is simply breathtaking from this viewpoint. The Prek Toal bird sanctuary has gained global recognition for eight particular species of bird; the Spot-billed Pelican, the Greater Adjutant, the Lesser Adjutant, the Milky Stork, the Painted Stork, the Black-headed Ibis, the Oriental Darter and Grey-headed Fish-Eagle. Thousands of common water-birds also breed here, where over 150 species have been recorded in total, in and around the Tonle Sap Lake.

3. 3

   Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary

   Pass by

   We return to our floating base camp where you will have a simple yet delicious lunch while floating on the water. After our lunch break, you will tour this fascinating village by taking out paddle boats to bear witness to the unique way the inhabitants of Tonle Sap make their living on their floating homes. We say goodbye to the families and head back by boat to the mainland before our final stretch back to Siem Reap brings you safely to the doorstep of your hotel accommodation. You can expect to be back in Siem Reap at around 3.30 pm.

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• This tour is operated on a full private basis with an English-speaking guide
• Return transfers for this excursion apply only / are inclusive for customers staying in and inside Siem Reap. Transfers outside these areas, including any accommodation outside this area such as Tonle Sap, Koh Ker, Banteay Srei and Siem Reap International Airport are excluded. Supplements apply for customers who want to join this excursion outside one of these regions
• We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this excursion; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of local restaurant
• Due to the nature of this tour, we regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.