Cambodia’s Only Scenic Land & River Cruise Between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh
Hightlight
- Convenient Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
- Modern SUVs or Minivan (air conditioned)
- Guided Tour with Local Insight
- Scenic Boat Ride on Tonle Sap or Mekong Rivers
- Stunning river views
- Buffet lunch or set menu on the River boat
- Perfect Photo Opportunities
- Part Land and Part Cruise
Itinerary
One-Way Siem Reap ⇄ Phnom Penh Land & Cruise Tour
Daily Departures — The Most Scenic and Relaxing Way to Travel Between Siem Reap & Phnom Penh
This is an exciting and truly unique way to travel between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Unlike the usual long, bumpy bus ride or the uneventful lake crossing, our one-way land and river cruise tour blends the best of both worlds. We operate daily in both directions, offering comfort, authentic river life experiences, and a guided journey through Cambodia’s rural heartlands.
Travel between the two cities has always been challenging due to fluctuating water levels, storms on Tonle Sap Lake, low-lying bridges, water hyacinth, and the sheer monotony of crossing the vast, featureless lake. Not anymore.
With over 20 years of experience, we have designed the safest, most scenic, and enjoyable alternative using our double-hulled cruisers — the Mekong Tara Prince (formerly owned by a Cambodian Prince), Mekong Explorer, Tonle Sap Explorer and more recently Navy Mekong — each captained by licensed, experienced operators.
This journey gives you rural life on land and river combined, with endless photo opportunities and unforgettable moments:
Children waving from the riverbanks, buffalo cooling off, rare water-birds gliding overhead, floating homes, and the ever-changing life along the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers.
TripAdvisor guests say: “The river cruise beats the bus or plane any day.”
Full Itinerary (Siem Reap ➝ Phnom Penh Sample Timing)
(Reverse direction follows the same inclusions and structure.)
7:30 AM – Hotel Pickup in Siem Reap
Your English-speaking guide collects you from your hotel or guesthouse. Travel in comfortable, air-conditioned transport toward the Tonle Sap River, with one or two short refreshment stops along the way.
Arrival at Koh Chen Island – Board Your River Cruiser
Your riverboat awaits at beautiful Koh Chen Island. Step aboard and enjoy a complimentary welcome drink.
All vessels are clean, safe, double-hulled, with licensed captains and Western toilets onboard.
Cruise Through the Tonle Sap River — 4.5 Hours of Scenic Bliss
Relax as we cruise south toward Phnom Penh. Because of our unique double-hull design, we can travel close to the riverbanks and even explore narrow waterways other boats can’t reach.
Highlights along the river:
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Children waving from the riverbanks
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Buffalo bathing in the shallows
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Rare and large waterbirds
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Floating homes and river-based businesses
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Ever-changing rural life
Lunch Onboard
A delicious lunch is served on deck, including:
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Fresh seasonal fruits
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Barbecue (vegetarian options available)
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Drinks included
Enjoy authentic Cambodian flavors while drifting past floating villages and natural river scenery.
Village Visit + Silversmith Workshop
We make a stop at a riverside village to experience life along the river.
Then visit the famous Koh Chen silversmith workshops, where some of Cambodia’s finest silverware is handcrafted for the Royal Family. Unique, high-quality jewelry is available at true wholesale prices — perfect for those seeking something special.
Continue Cruising Toward Phnom Penh
Watch daily life unfold along the river — fishing boats, small floating markets, farmers, and river communities. These slow-changing scenes are something you will never experience by plane or bus.
Approximately 4:30 PM – Arrival in Phnom Penh & Free Hotel Transfer
Upon docking, you’ll be greeted by our friendly local tuk-tuk drivers who provide a free transfer to your hotel or guesthouse. Tuk-tuks are the quickest way to navigate Phnom Penh’s lively streets.
Important Notes & What’s Included
This is a complete guided tour — not just a transfer.
✔ Hotel-to-hotel service (both cities)
✔ English-speaking river guides
✔ All land and river transportation
✔ Scenic river cruise (approx. 4.5 hours)
✔ Land travel (approx. 4.5 hours)
✔ Lunch and drinks onboard
✔ Village visit and silversmith workshop
✔ All boats double-hulled, fully licensed & insured
✔ Western toilets onboard every vessel
✔ Life jackets provided
✔ Luggage welcome
Total time: approx. 8–9 hours (hotel to hotel).
Cruise is via river only — not the lake.
(See our lake tours for floating village experiences.)
Times may vary with weather, river currents, and road conditions, but we always aim to stay close to schedule.
Why Choose Us?
We are the only fully licensed and insured operator offering this one-way land & cruise experience between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, with two decades of river-tour expertise.
The journey is relaxing, scenic, immersive, and unforgettable — a true highlight of travel in Cambodia.
Travel With Purpose
Your participation directly supports our educational and environmental initiatives, including:
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Free schools for orphans and disadvantaged lake families
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River and lake cleanup programs
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Community support in the villages we visit
Every tour helps create a better future for river and lake communities.
Book Now
Spaces are limited due to vessel size.
Reserve your spot today and experience the most enjoyable and authentic way to travel between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
Includes & Excludes
meals and drinks on board our boats
Hotel pick-up and drop-off (within city center)
English-speaking tour guide
Life jackets and safety equipment
Scenic photo opportunities
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities (optional)
Important Info
- $139 Per Person
- 7:30am - 4.30pm
- Siem Reap - Phnom Penh
Package Relates
Lets celebrate a magical Christmas together in a unique Riverboat Cruise on the Great Tonle Sap Lake in Siem Reap.
- 4pm to 8.30pm
- Siem Reap
You will be picked up at your Hotel in Siem Reap or Battambang by our Tara lake guide just prior to 7:30 AM and be taken to our boat, we pick up in either tuk tuks or cars or mini vans depending on number of guests, the boats we use for this tour have western toilets on board, fully covered and comfortable seating for your comfort, luggage is not a problem, the cruise itself is awesome, lots to see along the way of this beautiful Sangkor River, as the only way to these villages are by boat, its basically untouched over time, You will enter a time forgotten, numerous sights and sounds, wildlife a plenty, water buffalo, jumping fish, the odd Siamese Crocodile, large endangered water birds, so many sights to see, once in a life time cruise, adventure and a real eye opener, numerous floating villages, Pergolas, fishing in the traditional ways and much more, your journey will be a life memory that few get to enjoy, be guided throughout your tour by a qualified local Tara Riverboat guides, who will explain all the sights and how the communities work, yes most of our guides are from the lake and floating villages, so can give a great in-sight into daily life, cruising the famous Sangkor River passing rice paddies, traditional villages and local areas. As no road exist here everything has to travel via boats, children going to floating schools, market shopping, community centers, all by boats, Along the way, discover traditional lifestyles, enjoy magnificent landscapes and experience rural Cambodia.
- 7.30am - 4.30pm
- Siem Reap - Battambong
2 days & 1 Night Lake Discovery and exploration cruise is the most exciting, interesting and amazing way to discover the Great Tonle Sap Lake, Flooded Forest, Floating villages and the most famous Bird sanctuary at Prek Toal. this is the area rare and endangered large water birds seasonally migrate for their nesting.
- 1:00 PM -3:00 PM Next day
- Siem Reap
Escape the city, tour the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers and watch the sunset over Phnom Penh whilst relaxing on the Mekong Tara Prince. We cruise by the Royal Palace before turning into the Mekong River towards Silk Island, passing the floating villages all from the comfort of the top decks enjoying the included BBQ and drinks. Once owned by the Prince of Cambodia, this beautiful boat has been refurbished to offer comfort and style ensuring a perfect journey, and its unique double hull enables us to navigate areas other river boats cannot.
Come and join us as we escape the hustle and bustle of the city of Phnom Penh and cruise up the Tonle sap river and join the mighty Mekong River to watch the sunset over Phnom Penh. whilst relaxing on the special Mekong Tara Prince. (Once owned by the Royal Family) Please note, we have 2 boats currently in Phnom Penh, they take in turns to operate daily.
- 5:00pm - 7:00pm
- Phnom Penh
This is an exciting and different way to travel, we Cruise/land tour, we go both ways Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Siem Reap to Phnom Penh Daily. Travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap has always been difficult due to the ever-changing water levels on the Tonle Sap Lake, even in the wet season when the water levels are high enough you have other issues, low lying bridges,making the riverboats unable to pass, storms on the lake that can make the crossing treacherous. fishing nets and water hyacinth are also issues, the sheer boredom of crossing the lake as there is nothing to see apart from vast swathes of water, not anymore.
- 7:30am - 4.30pm
- Siem Reap - Phnom Penh
his is an exciting and different way to travel, we Cruise/land tour, we go both ways Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Siem Reap to Phnom Penh Daily. Travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap has always been difficult due to the ever-changing water levels on the Tonle Sap Lake, even in the wet season when the water levels are high enough you have other issues, low lying bridges,making the riverboats unable to pass, storms on the lake that can make the crossing treacherous. fishing nets and water hyacinth are also issues, the sheer boredom of crossing the lake as there is nothing to see apart from vast swathes of water, not anymore.
- 7:30am - 4.30pm
- Phnom Penh-Siem Reap
The bird sanctuary at Prek Toal is one of the wonders of Southeast Asia, with the abundance of fish it attracts thousands upon thousands of rare and endangered water birds, on the freshwater lake and flooded forests and mangroves, (see bird list below), The most common bird species we see are the Spot billed Pelicans, Open billed storks, Chinese Pond Herons, Terns, Egrets.
- 6:00am - 3:00pm
Take a break from visiting temples and experience the amazing floating fishing villages and Stilted villages homes of Kompong Khleang on a day tour from Siem Reap. Enjoy the scenery on the boat ride (traditional long tail type) and meet the children and teachers at the local floating school. Our guide for this tour is actually from this same village, so can give you a great insight as to how the village operates. This village receives very few visitors as its 50km from Siem Reap, but certainly worth the extra effort, the trip out to the village is also interesting as we visit the local brick making kilns, a few stops on route also to explore the countryside, rice fields and taste of the sticky rice.
Don’t miss this opportunity to visit the unique and remote floating fishing village of Kompong Khleang, as Kompong Phluk, Kompong Khleang is mainly made up of stilted homes raising some 10 meters high, however does also have a small floating village, but not a large one like the floating villages of Chong khneas, its located on the Northeast of the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and the richest fishing lake in the World. The Tonle Sap is a unique ecological hotspot. Kompong Khleang is situated around 50km from Siem Reap. (Please note Kompong Khleang does not have a flooded forest as does Kompong Phluk, but it is a much larger village.
- 8:30am - 3:00pm
- Siem Reap
Does it get any better than this? Watching a magnificent sunset over the largest freshwater lake in SE Asia on board a 100-year-old ex-cargo boat. This unique cruise (Voted best in Siem Reap) is only available through Tara Riverboat tours and is the best way to experience 2 very different types of floating and stilted villages whilst also crossing the Great Tonle Sap Lake and enjoying a full buffet dinner (or fixed menu) and all-inclusive drinks (Includes Champagne, wines from Australia, beers, cocktails, spirits, soft drinks and water)on board our famous Queen Tara, (Queen Tara is the largest by far riverboat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest fresh water lake in S.E Asia). We depart your hotel just before 1.30pm, (our lake guide will meet you in your hotel or guesthouse foyer/reception area). and head to the docking station of Kompong Phluk where our traditional flat-bottomed boat will be waiting to cruise you through the floating villages and stilted villages and into the township of Kompong Phluk.
- 1:00pm - 7:30pm
- Siem Reap
Exploring 2 very different floating villages and fishing villages is a great way to experience and get a better understanding of how the villages work on the greatest fresh water lake in S.E Asia, the Tonle Sap lake, the first village is a true floating village whereas the second village (Kompong Phluk or Kampong Phluk) is home mainly to stilted homes and the famous flooded forest, this tour also includes the crossing of the Tonle Sap lake so we are able to explore more than just the different villages.
- 10:00am - 4.30pm
- Siem Reap
Our exploring journey to Kompong Phluk or Kampong Phluk (same village, different spelling) floating villages and stilted homes is one of our most popular , and after 20 years of conducting this cruise tour, we know of all the great places to visit, in fact some of our guides for this tour was actually born here, makes it even more exciting for our guests, we leave Siem Reap just before 8:30 am, or 2.30pm two difference daily (our Tara riverboat lake guide will meet you in your hotel or guesthouse foyer area)and travel (via a/c car or tuk tuk ) south/east through small beautiful rural villages and rice fields towards the great lake. Depending on the time of year and the current water levels we go as far as we can by road where our boats will be waiting for you. We travel the rest of the way by boat down the Kompong Phluk river and into the main fishing village.
- 8:30am - 1:00pm or 2.30pm to 7pm
- Siem Reap
Unique cruise tours in and around the local floating fishing villages and lake with floating houses, markets, police stations (even a floating jail), floating churches, floating vegetable gardens, floating markets, floating basketball courts, floating police stations, floating health care centers, complete floating villages & schools
- 3:30pm - 7:30pm
- Siem Reap
Best cruise tour of the floating fishing villages and lakes with floating homes, churches, floating markets, floating police stations, floating petrol stations, yes floating villages & schools (you name it, the village seems to have it) i guess that is why a lot of people refer to this village as the water village– then chill out on the Queen Tara Riverboat with lunch (Vegetarian options available) and 2 refreshing cold drinks, all free as part of the cruise tour. All our staff from cooks, to Captain, boat drivers and bar staff were born in this unique floating village, so can certainly answer any questions in regard to village life, described as (simply the best floating villages tour in Siem Reap) Trip advisor. ( best floating villages cruise is with the Tara boat guys) Lonely Planets.
- 10:00am-2:00pm
- Siem Reap
This is the largest true floating villages in Cambodia, sometimes called the water villages its home to some 6000 people, its a true floating fishing village, in fact it’s actually 2 villages in one, as our very professional Tara lake guides will point out.
- 9:00am-12:00am/Noon
- Siem Reap