Mey Chrey is one of the only year-round floating villages in Siem Reap Province. This village, unlike many others, is made up of purely Cambodian residents making it one of the most authentic displays of Cambodian ‘floating’ culture available. When putting this tour together, we focused on finding a family our guests could visit and interact with in order to avoid the voyeuristic way that most tourists currently see this and other villages like this in Cambodia. This tour is designed to spread the money brought in by tourism a little further into the community. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase snacks from local shops and to be paddled around by their new local friends to get an in depth look at day-to-day life in this kind of village. This experience is unique as most tourists visit floating villages on large boats and don’t have the chance to meet the residents of the village.
A floating village on the northern reaches of the Tonle Sap, Mechrey is not the loveliest spot in the world, but it offers some great bird-spotting opportunities, as well as a chance to witness a unique way of life for those who live on the lake.
Of course, it’s not quite Prek Toal with its large colonies of waterbirds, whose populations are making a striking comeback according to a 2016 report issued by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Serious birders and nature lovers should certainly put that on their list of things to do. But it’s not as far away, nor as expensive to get to, either. We visited in early 2016, not the best time of year to enjoy the Tonle Sap admittedly, especially after two virtually dry rainy seasons, but we found much to enjoy nonetheless.
Mechrey is on the borders of Puok district, to the west of Siem Reap, and the journey there is in fact far lovelier than the destination. Do not nod off when your transport turns off the main road (National Route 6) onto a red dirt track, as there is some beautiful scenery along the 15 kilometre route that is flanked by waterways, rice fields and villages. We also spotted a huge group of storks whirling in the skies above along here, so keep your eyes peeled.
A community-based tourism station is at the edge of a long, human-built canal that connects with the Kambot River, which flows out into the Tonle Sap. Here communities mainly fish for a living from the ever-dwindling stocks of fish. The Tonle Sap is still the world’s most productive inland fishery, but the fish population faces dire and ever-growing threats. The profusion of fish is directly attributable to the rhythm of the lake, which rises and falls by up to 10 metres each year, and whose area increases six-fold from 2,500 square kilometres to 15,000 square kilometres during the wet.
The construction of dams upstream on the Mekong, and there are more in the pipeline, climate change, rampant over-fishing and conversion of lake areas to agriculture have all taken their toll. In 2015, it was reported that the Tonle Sap River scarcely reversed its flow the previous year; it would be unprecedented for it to not reverse flow, yet that grim prospect seems ever more likely. Without that life-giving rhythm, the future of the Tonle Sap, and the people who depend on it, which is more or less all of Cambodia, looks very murky.
The establishment of initiatives such as the one at Mechrey can’t strictly be called ecotourism, although it does give people alternatives to fishing as a source of income. But they are an opportunity to witness an extraordinary way of life that is also under threat, and to clock up some lovely birdlife.
The tour itself starts off in a pretty smelly artificial canal which you travel along for about a kilometre until the waterway opens out on to the main river and the floating village.
Here you glide by as life continues as it has long done: people shopping in floating markets, doing their laundry, catching a quick meal, going to school, sharing gossip with friends. You’ll be guided through it all, and then stop for a drink, or a meal of you wish, on one of the floating platforms. Lots of Cambodians also farm crocodiles, selling the meat and skins to Thailand, and you’ll get a chance to see one of the crocodile farms too.
Mechrey offers an opportunity to explore life as it is lived literally on the Tonle Sap Lake. It’s not as lovely a spot as the much further away Kompong Khleang, or offer as much cultural insight as Kompong Phluk, but on our visit, it did have the far greater opportunities to see birds. This may be thanks to its proximity to the waterbird colonies at Prek Toal, and also to the fact that it is less densely populated.
To get there, a tuk tuk will take you return for between $15 and $18. There is no entry fee as such, but the boats cost $20 to hire.
Address: Puok district | Siem Reap Province, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Bamboo street, Wat Damnak, Sala Kamroek, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best for Traveller!
One of our bestsellers in Siem Reap!
Situated in Siem Reap, Sleep Pod Hostel has water sports facilities, an outdoor swimming pool and a garden. Boasting a terrace, this property is set a short distance from King's Road Angkor, Pub Street and Old Market. The restaurant serves Cambodian and Asian, as well as European cuisine.
All guest rooms at the hostel are equipped with a seating area. The private bathroom is fitted with a bath.
A continental breakfast is available daily at Sleep Pod Hostel.
The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire and car hire are available at the accommodation.
Staff at the 24-hour front desk can provide tips on the area.
Angkor Wat is 7 km from Sleep Pod Hostel. The nearest airport is Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport, 14 km from the property.
This is our guests' favourite part of Siem Reap, according to independent reviews.
Solo travellers particularly like the location — they rated it 8.5 for a one-person stay.
This property is also rated for the best value in Siem Reap! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.
We speak your language!
Old Market Area, Wat Damnak Road, Wat Damnak Village, Sala Kamreuk Commune, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best for Couple!
Set in Siem Reap, 400 m from King's Road Angkor, Moon Flower Residence provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, free shuttle service and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi. A tour desk can provide information on the area.
At the hotel, rooms include a desk and a flat-screen TV. Rooms come complete with a private bathroom fitted with a hot tub and free toiletries, while certain rooms at Moon Flower Residence also boast a seating area. All units will provide guests with a toaster.
A continental breakfast is available daily at the accommodation.
Moon Flower Residence offers a terrace. You can play billiards at the hotel, and bike hire is available.
Moon Flower Residence provides a dry cleaning service, as well as business facilities like fax and photocopying.
Pub Street is 600 m from the accommodation. Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport is 13 km from the property.
This is our guests' favourite part of Siem Reap, according to independent reviews.
This property also has one of the best-rated locations in Siem Reap! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 9.4 for a two-person trip.
This property is also rated for the best value in Siem Reap! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.
We speak your language!
Betong Street, Phum Vihear Chen, Sangkat Svay Dangkum, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Breakfast Included
Offering an outdoor saltwater swimming pool, barbecue and children's playground, Indra Porak Residence Boutique is located in the Siem Reap Province Region, 1 km from Pub Street. The hotel has a hot tub and water sports facilities, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
Angkor Wat is 8 km from Indra Porak Residence Boutique, while Artisans D'Angkor is 900 m from the property. Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport is 8 km away. The property offers a complimentary one-way airport pick up from the airport from 07:00 - 22:00 hrs.
A flat-screen TV with satellite channels and DVD player, as well as an iPod docking station and a CD player are available. Some rooms have a seating area for your convenience. Views of the mountains, pool or garden are featured in certain rooms. The rooms come with a private bathroom with a hot tub and bath, with bath robes provided. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries. A TV with cable channels is provided.
Bike hire and car hire are available at this hotel and the area is popular for golfing. Guests can enjoy various activities in the surroundings, including horse riding, cycling and fishing.
We speak your language!
Khna Village, Chhreav Commune, Siem Reap town in the eastern part of the city Siem Reap, Cambodia
Breakfast Included
Boasting an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant, Cheata Residence is set in Siem Reap. The property is located 6 km from King's Road Angkor. The hotel also offers free WiFi as well as a free airport shuttle service.
At the hotel, rooms are equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV. Each room comes with a kettle, while certain rooms also offer a terrace and others also have mountain views. At Cheata Residence, each room is equipped with a private bathroom with free toiletries.
A continental breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation.
At Cheata Residence guests are welcome to take advantage of a sauna, a fitness room and an indoor swimming pool. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available at this 4-star hotel.
The hotel also provides a business centre and guests can use the on-site ATM machine or use the fax machine and photocopier at Cheata Residence. Speaking English and Khmer at the 24-hour front desk, staff will be happy to provide guests with practical information on the area.
Pub Street is 6 km from the accommodation, while Angkor Wat is 10 km from the property. The nearest airport is Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport, 17 km from Cheata Residence.
This property is also rated for the best value in Siem Reap! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.
We speak your language!
Phum Svaydangkum, Sangkat Svaydankum, Siem Reap, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best Value!
One of our top picks in Siem Reap – and a guest favourite.
True to the meaning of its name "green village", Phum Baitang offers quiet accommodation nestled amidst private, lush gardens and rice fields. Phum Baitang features a 50 m outdoor infinity pool, a spa and wellness centre and a barbecue area. The property boasts 45 spacious wood-and-stilt villas and is equipped with a children's playground. Guests can enjoy meals at one of the two in-house restaurant or have a drink at the bar. Free private parking is available on site.
Phum Baitang is 3 km away from the vibrant Pub Street. The renowned Angkor Wat is 7 km away, while Angkor Night Market is 2.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport, is a 6 km-drive. The property offers complimentary airport transfers and shuttle services.
Some villas offer a private terrace while others are fitted with a private plunge pool. Villas are fully-furnished with traditional Cambodian decor. The rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Certain units feature a seating area to relax in after a busy day. Enjoy a cup of coffee while looking out at the pool or garden. Each room comes with a private bathroom fitted with a hot tub. Conveniences include bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries. The hotel offers free WiFi throughout the property.
Guests can indulge in Spa Temple's variety of massages and treatments or participate in yoga classes. The 24-hour front desk offers currency exchange, tour arrangements and ticketing services. Bike hire is also available.
One of the property's two in-house restaurants, Bay Phsar serves up authentic Cambodia cuisine and encourages guests to choose from an array of locally-sourced ingredients with the help of the chef, while Hang Bay specialises in fusion cuisine.
This property also has one of the best-rated locations in Siem Reap! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 9.3 for a two-person trip.
This property is also rated for the best value in Siem Reap! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.
We speak your language!
Phum Thmey, Sangket Svaydsngkum, Siem Reap Cambodia, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best for Traveller!
Set in Siem Reap in the Siem Reap Province Region, 1 km from Pub Street, Green Amazon Residence Hotel features an outdoor pool. The hotel has a barbecue and spa centre, and guests can enjoy a drink at the bar.
Every room at this hotel is air conditioned and is equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Certain units have a seating area for your convenience. You will find a kettle in the room. The rooms come with a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find bathrobes and slippers.
King's Road Angkor is 1.8 km from Green Amazon Residence Hotel, while Angkor Wat is 7 km away. Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport is 7 km from the property.
This property is also rated for the best value in Siem Reap! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.
We speak your language!
Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We always listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us whatever about your trip,we will send you best offers quickly.
Guest Name: Mrs. Tri Agustin
Country: Indonesia
City: Tangerang Selatan
N.of Person: 4 pax
Travel date: 1983-08-12
Booked: Angkor Stunning Hot Air Balloon
Tour Style: Tour Activities
Duration: 30 Mins
