Beng Mealea Floating village Tour

 Combine the beauty of the past with the vibrancy of current village life. This tour incorporates exploring the Beng Mealea temple complex with a private boat tour to the floating villages.

The Beng Mealea temple complex is located on the ancient Royal Angkorian highway to Preah Khan Kompong Svay. Travel 65km east of Siem Reap, through the countryside to this remote and jungle dominated treasure.

The complex was built in the 12th century, with a very similar layout and style to Angkor Wat. The current state of the complex provides an insight into how early explorers would have found the temples. Trees have grown out of the towers and vines entangle columns. To reach the central towers you will need to do a bit of climbing over lintels and collapsed walls.

After lunch in a local restaurant we will transfer to the biggest fresh water lake in South East Asia, the Tonle Sap. We will take a private boat ride visiting the local people in the floating villages of Kampong Phluk.

Kompong Phluk is a cluster of three villages of stilted houses built within the floodplain. It is an attractive small community surrounded by mangroves, virtually untouched by time or tourism. Kampong Khleang is one of the largest settlements on the lake with over 20,000 people living in high stilted houses which tower up to 10 meters over the river and the lake.
Experiencing local village life close up is something few tourists get the opportunity to do and is something that will stay with you for a long time.

Back in Siem Reap you can visit one of the local markets to pick up unique souvenirs or visit the Artisan Angkor Arts School.