Cambodia’s Only Scenic Land & River Cruise Between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh

Hightlight

🚐 Luxury Door-to-Door Transfer Forget the crowded public buses. Enjoy a seamless, stress-free journey in a modern, air-conditioned SUV or minivan. We handle everything from hotel pick-up to drop-off, including full care of your luggage and suitcases.
🚢 The Best of Both Worlds: Land & Water Why just drive when you can cruise? This unique “Hybrid” tour combines a scenic road trip through the Cambodian countryside with a relaxing boat cruise along the historic Tonlé Sap or Mekong rivers.
🇰🇭 Walk Across 800 Years of History Step back in time with a guided stop at one of Cambodia’s ancient Angkorian bridges. Standing for over eight centuries, this architectural marvel offers a rare glimpse into the engineering genius of the Khmer Empire.
🍽️ Riverfront Dining Experience Break up your journey with a delicious buffet lunch or premium set menu served on board our riverboat. Enjoy your meal with a cool breeze and ever-changing views of the riverbanks.
🏘️ Authentic Riverside Insight This isn’t just a transfer; it’s a tour. Your expert local guide provides deep insights into the floating villages and rural life along the river, turning a travel day into a cultural highlight of your trip.
📸 Postcard-Perfect Landscapes From the vast horizons of the “Great Lake” to the emerald green rice paddies of the interior, you’ll have endless opportunities for stunning photos that most travelers miss from the highway.

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 two or three 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:

Children waving from the riverbanks
Buffalo bathing in the shallows
Rare and large water birds
Floating homes and river-based businesses
Ever-changing rural life

Lunch Onboard

A delicious lunch is served on deck, including:

Fresh seasonal fruits
Barbecue (vegetarian options available)
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.

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:

Free schools for orphans and disadvantaged lake families
River and lake cleanup programs
Community support in the villages we visit

Every tour helps create a better future for river and lake communities.

Book Now

Reserve your spot today and experience the most enjoyable and authentic way to travel between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Includes & Excludes

Door-to-Door Transfers: Stress-free pick-up from your hotel in Siem Reap and drop-off at your hotel in Phnom Penh (or vice versa). Premium Vehicle: Travel in comfort via a modern, air-conditioned SUV or private Minivan

Luggage Handling: Full porter service for all suitcases and bags—our staff will safely load, transfer, and unload your luggage

Ancient Bridge Guided Stop: A guided visit to a stunning 800-year-old Angkorian bridge along the historic highway

Scenic River Cruise: A relaxing boat journey along the Tonlé Sap or Mekong rivers to break up the drive

Lunch on Board: A delicious buffet or set-menu meal served on the riverboat (Vegetarian/Vegan options available)

Expert Local Guide: An English-speaking guide to provide historical and cultural insights throughout the day.

Cool Refreshments: Complimentary bottled water and cold towels provided during the road journey.

Personal Expenses: Any snacks or souvenirs purchased at local roadside markets.

Alcoholic Beverages: Soft drinks and beers are available on the boat but are not included in the standard transfer price.

Gratuities: Tips for your professional driver and river guide are not required but are a kind gesture for excellent service.

Travel Insurance: We recommend all guests have their own personal travel insurance for their time in Cambodia.

Important Info

A Better Way to Travel: From Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by River and Road

If you are looking for the most scenic way to travel from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, our unique land and cruise tour is the ultimate alternative to a standard bus or flight. Rather than spending 6 hours on a highway or missing the landscape from a plane, this all-inclusive transfer turns your travel day into a highlight of your Cambodian adventure.

We begin with a comfortable drive through the lush countryside, stopping at the magnificent Kompong Kdei Bridge, a 12th-century stone masterpiece that dates back to the height of the Khmer Empire. From there, you’ll transition to one of our exclusive river cruisers (including the historic Mekong Tara Prince) for a 4.5-hour journey down the Tonle Sap River.

As you enjoy a freshly prepared BBQ lunch and unlimited drinks on the deck, you’ll witness authentic river life: children waving from stilted homes, rare water birds, and traditional fishing boats that have operated the same way for centuries. We also stop at the famous Koh Chen silversmith village, where you can meet local artisans keeping ancient traditions alive. By choosing Tara Boat, you are opting for a safe, licensed, and socially responsible tour that avoids the dangerous open-lake crossings and supports our free village schools. It’s not just a transfer—it’s the most relaxing, culturally rich journey in Cambodia.

🚢 Book the Ultimate Journey Today
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh | The River & Land Discovery

Cambodia’s Only Scenic Land & River Cruise Between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh

Price List

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$119 per person

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Cambodia’s Only Scenic Land & River Cruise Between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh

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Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary: Home of Cambodia’s Most Endangered Birds

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Kompong Khleang Not Just a Tour — A Glimpse Into Floating Life.

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Kompong Phluk Flooded Forest & Two Villages Sunset Tour – Siem Reap’s Best Evening Adventure

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