Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary & Floating Villages — Full-Day Birdwatching Adventure with Queen Tara

Itinerary (Full-Day | 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM)

The ultimate birdwatching journey into the most important breeding ground for large water birds in Southeast Asia.

6:00 AM – Hotel Pick-Up & Meet Your Expert Bird Guide

Your day begins early in your hotel lobby, where you’ll meet your professional bird guide. All guides have a minimum of 5 years’ experience and are certified lake and river specialists, trained by the Bird Guide & Conservation Commission.

Travel by air-conditioned car or tuk tuk to the boat dock.

6:30 AM – Board the Mini-Tara Boat & Cruise Through Floating Villages

Board a Mini-Tara, a traditional flat-bottomed riverboat driven by experienced local captains.
Cruise slowly through the fascinating floating village and (seasonal) flooded forest — where homes, schools, shops, police posts, and markets all float on water.

7:20 AM – Cross the Great Tonle Sap Lake

Continue across the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Enjoy incredible lake views and learn about seasonal water levels, fishing culture, and the unique ecosystem surrounding the biosphere.

8:00 AM – Enter Prek Toal Floating Community & Transfer to Ranger Boats

Arrive at the Prek Toal floating community and proceed along the Sangkor River.
Meet the wildlife rangers and transfer to their small boats, specially designed to navigate the narrow inlets and mangrove channels inside the protected core area.

For keen birdwatchers:
Optional small row boats can be used to get even closer to nesting platforms — an experience available only here.

8:30 AM – Birdwatching Inside the Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve

Explore the most important water bird breeding ground in Southeast Asia.
During the dry season (Nov–May), huge flocks gather as water recedes, creating prime viewing conditions.

Your expert bird guide and the rangers will lead you through the best viewing spots, including hidden channels and tree hides.

Common and notable sightings include:

• Spot-billed Pelican

• Oriental Darter (in large numbers)

• Asian Openbill

• Painted Stork

• Grey-headed Fish Eagle

• Brahminy Kite

• Chinese Pond Heron, Egrets, Terns

• Black-headed Ibis

• Lesser & Greater Adjutants (rare)

• Kingfishers, Herons, Bitterns

• Bee-eaters, Weavers, Swallows
  Thousands of birds nest here — a spectacle found nowhere else in Southeast Asia.

11:00 AM – Return Through the Sanctuary & Back to Mini-Tara

Meet your Mini-Tara boat again. Note that all our boats include life jackets for your safety.

11:30 AM – Cruise Across the Lake to the Historic Queen Tara (100-Year-Old Vessel) or dock at a community floating restaurant.

Sail back across the Tonle Sap to meet the Queen Tara, an almost century-old ex-cargo vessel and the largest boat on the lake.( please note: at times we will go a different route and meet up for lunch at a local floating restaurant)

12:00 PM – Lunch, Drinks & Relaxation 

Enjoy a full, freshly prepared lunch on board, with vegetarian options available.
Relax and enjoy the sounds of the lake, enjoy drinks, and soak up the beautiful floating village scenery.

1:30 PM – Depart the Queen Tara & Return to Siem Reap or the local floating restaurant.

cruising back into the floating villages and meet your air-conditioned vehicle at the dock for the journey back.

3:00 PM – Arrival at Your Hotel

End of tour.

Optional Overnight Experience

Stay overnight on the Queen Tara Riverboat for:
✔ Ultra-early access to Prek Toal viewing platforms
✔ Sunrise birdwatching opportunities
✔ A peaceful floating village homestay experience

Inquiries welcome.

Why Choose This Tour?

✔ Guaranteed Comfort

Tara Riverboat owns all boats — no waiting for public boats, no sharing delays, no hidden fees.

✔ Community & Conservation Focus

All profits support:

• Local education

• Employment for villagers

• Ranger support

• Sustainable tourism initiatives

✔ Guided by Trained Specialists

All guides are licensed and certified by the Bird Guide & Conservation Commission.

✔ Ethical, Responsible Tourism

Your participation helps protect endangered birds and preserve essential wetland habitats.

Conservation Challenges (What You Help Support)

• Egg & chick collection

• Cutting of nesting trees for firewood

• Upstream Mekong dams affecting fish stocks

• Loss of habitat and breeding sites

Your tour directly supports conservation, rangers, and local livelihoods.

Minimum Requirement

Minimum 2 guests per booking.