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Prek Toal Sanctuary: Birdwatching in Cambodia
4.6
18 Ratings
Siem Reap
Explore Tonle Sap Lake and Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary on a private tour from Siem Reap. Discover diverse wildlife, floating villages, and rare bird species.
Explore Tonle Sap Lake and Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary on a private tour from Siem Reap. Discover diverse wildlife, floating villages, and rare bird species.
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Siem Reap - Your tour guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby and take you to the pier at Tonle Sap Lake for a private boat trip to explore the bird sanctuary at Prek Toal.
- Tonle Sap Lake - Located in northwest Cambodia, Tonlé Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and part of the Mekong River system. Recognized as a…
- Siem Reap - Your tour guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby and take you to the pier at Tonle Sap Lake for a private boat trip to explore the bird sanctuary at Prek Toal.
- Tonle Sap Lake - Located in northwest Cambodia, Tonlé Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and part of the Mekong River system. Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1997, it boasts one of the world’s most diverse and productive ecosystems.
- Prek Toal Floating Village - Prek Toal is a crucial bird sanctuary in Southeast Asia, situated on the vast Tonle Sap Lake. This full-day excursion offers a chance to explore the protected biosphere reserve, home to many rare water birds, and to experience local life in floating villages. You’ll also support local children in floating schools and community centers. Embark on this journey for a unique Cambodian holiday experience.
- Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary - One of three biospheres on Tonlé Sap Lake, Prek Toal is the most accessible and rewarding to visit. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise, featuring rare species like the lesser and greater adjutant storks, milky stork, and spot-billed pelican. Even novices will be amazed by these birds’ large wingspans and impressive nests.
- Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve - Situated in Northeast Cambodia, the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve includes Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, located in the center of the Tonle Sap Basin. The basin is bordered by the Dong Rek Mountains to the north, the Cardamom Mountains to the southwest, and smaller hills to the east that separate it from the Mekong River.
- Chong Kneas Floating Village - From February to July, boats depart from Chong Kneas pier to Prek Toal. From August to January, boats leave from Mechrey Pier to Prek Toal.
- Mechrey Floating Village - From August to January, boats depart from Mechrey Pier, and from February to July, boats leave from Chong Kneas pier.
What's Included
- English Speaking License Tour Guide
- All Sightseeing Entrance fees
- All private boat tours around Tonle Sap for all sightseeing sites
- Pick-up & Drop-off at your Hotel by private transfer
- Prek Toal birds sanctuary entrance Tickets
- English Speaking License Tour Guide
- All Sightseeing Entrance fees
- All private boat tours around Tonle Sap for all sightseeing sites
- Pick-up & Drop-off at your Hotel by private transfer
- Prek Toal birds sanctuary entrance Tickets
What's Not Included
- Tipping for guide and driver
- Tipping for guide and driver
Additional Information
The Prek Toal Birds Sanctuary stands as one of Southeast Asia’s most significant bird reserves. Experience Cambodia’s remarkable wildlife on an exhilarating full day exclusive tours around Tonle Sap Lake from Siem Reap. Observe the local aquatic lifestyle as you sail past floating settlements, markets, and elevated houses, and then venture into the…
The Prek Toal Birds Sanctuary stands as one of Southeast Asia’s most significant bird reserves. Experience Cambodia’s remarkable wildlife on an exhilarating full day exclusive tours around Tonle Sap Lake from Siem Reap. Observe the local aquatic lifestyle as you sail past floating settlements, markets, and elevated houses, and then venture into the protected biosphere reserve of the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary. Navigate through the water-logged forests and swamps in a traditional vessel, and keep an eye out for over 199 species of birds, including the Spot billed Pelican, Black headed Ibis, Grey-headed Fish Eagles and the elusive Masked Finfoot.
- Complete day exclusive tour of Tonle Sap and Prek Toal birds sanctuary from Siem Reap
- In-depth commentary on Cambodia’s wildlife from a knowledgeable personal guide
- Sail past elevated homes, water-ridden forests, and floating markets as you navigate across Tonle Sap Lake
- Spot ibises, storks, and pelicans on a voyage around the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary
- Individual tour guarantees a personalized experience
Location
Siem Reap
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(18 Ratings)
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Peterda9102bc
Mar 30, 2025
Amazing experience - Absolutely outstanding experience. Our guide Leap was amazing providing detailed experience regarding species of birds. Our driver Pheap was outstanding and punctual picking us up at our hotel. We went deep into the bird sanctuary. The entire process was smooth and seeing the floating villages was also very interesting. I would recommend this trip to any birding enthusiasts as it was fantastic. Would try to do this again in the future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robertlh2287iu
Mar 30, 2025
Best part of my trip to Siem Reap - Absolutely amazing! My favorite part of my trip to Cambodia. We saw a ton of amazing birds and our guide Leap was extremely helpful. Both of our boat trips both on the lake and in the preserve were really fun and the drivers were fantastic. We also got to see a number of the floating villages which was great. Overall can't recommend high enough!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rasugr
Dec 26, 2024
Genuinely Great Tour - Our tour with Prek Toal was excellent. We went a few days before Christmas and there was just enough water to be able to travel through small waterways instead of on the lake. Apparently the birding will be better in a month but the small waterways will be dry.
Communication with Hoksan was easy and our tour guide, Sophal, was excellent. He was great at spotting and identifying the birds, and he also gave a lot of information about the floating village. On other tours I felt we were only seeing what was set up for tourists, but this trip felt genuine. The home where we had lunch was the same as the other homes. The town has had successes and failures and its all there to see. Hoksan is putting the money from these tours back into the community to improve housing and develop sustainable vocations for the residents. One thing to note- bring layers for the temperature on the boat in the morning.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
61theresad
Dec 12, 2024
Great day out of the city - Very informative and interesting day trip. Good bird viewing from tree platform and amazing scenes at Meachrey floating village. Rain was a great guide and he arranged the car and boat components perfectly. We would definitely recommend a trip with Rain.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wendysbstpl
Nov 20, 2024
Best Tour!!! - I booked this tour because I really wanted to visit the bird sanctuary, which we did! Amazing boat ride to get there! Great views of storks, pelicans, herons and shags in the rookeries. Adventurous climb up a rickety ladder to the viewing platform!
However, this tour turned out to be much more! Visiting the floating villages, watching women weave items out of water hyacinth stems, eating at a home in the village (best meal we had in Cambodia!), were experiences that we will never forget!
Mr. Sara, our wonderful guide, spoke excellent English and shared so much of life in Cambodia. He was very attentive and very gracious. Our driver was extremely careful while driving and very polite and thoughtful.
We highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Curious33443223415
Nov 3, 2024
Floating villages are a unique experience - Liep, our guide, was excellent. Love seeing the floating village and the cache where we watched the birds.
The boat rides were very interesting and felt safe.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicolasbi5675tf
Mar 24, 2024
Very nice trio in reserve - The landscapes and birds were magnificent. The Leap guide was very kind and helpful throughout the trip. The drivers and attendants at the park were also great. Simple, professional and caring to give us access to this very beautiful reserve.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Freedom54365831644
Feb 27, 2025
It is still worth a trip to visit! - My guide is Rum, His english is not bad but I guess with their local accent, we may need them to repeat themselves occasionally. Saw quite a number of birds in the santuary so it was a worth while trip. The engine from the boat can be quite loud but you will get used to it. If not, please bring along your noise cancellation ear buds. The tour is a bit pricey though but I hope the funds do help the villagers.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Goplaces45706126743
Jan 1, 2025
A feast for birders - Prek Toal Birds Sanctuary is a great habitat to observe stunning large water birds from Painted-billed Pelican, Painted Stork, Asian Open-billed to Oriental Darter. Observation tower after a 30 to 45mins-electric sampan boat ride allows one to check out Painted Stork nests from the monocular telescope prepared by the SVC guide, Savobin, a super friendly and passionate young gentleman born in the same Province, Battambang. Read through the bird list provided before departure to get the best experience. Enjoy!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Monni1966
Dec 1, 2024
Disappointed - Poor tour. 20 min stop
At one bird hide. Guide had little knowledge of birds. Wanted to rush us off the water asap. Disappointed
Review provided by Tripadvisor
