Le lac Tonlé Sap

Tonle Sap, whose name means in Khmer great river of fresh water is the largest reservoir of fresh water throughout Asia Southeast, about ten kilometers from the city of Siem Reap. The Vietnamese, many of whom come to live fishing, called it ocean lake due to its large area. Connected to the Mekong by the Tonle Sap Lake, it swells (July-November) and deflates (February to June) as the mechanism of communicating vessels: when the Mekong is in flood, the waters flow into the lake, which is at a lower level, and flood all the surrounding forests and fields. The lake surface can then reach 16,000 km2 instead of nearly 3,000 km2 in the dry season.

It is not surprising that the lake was classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1997. Its waters are particularly full of fish and feed thousands of fishermen.

For all those who have more than three days stay in Siem Reap, it is strongly recommended to take a cruise on the lake. The traveler will have the opportunity to discover this natural and magical, especially at sunset, it may coasting between floating villages (Chong Khneas , Kampong Phluk , Kampong Khleang) or, in the rainy season, visit the bird sanctuary Prek Toal.

For travelers who make a long stay in Cambodia and want to make the off the betean traks , it should be remembered that it is possible to reach Battambang from Siem Reap by a boat ride on the lake, through a bird sanctuary and many water villages.