General information
| Destination | Category |
|---|
| Siem Reap, Cambodia | Sightseeing Tours |
Program details
Discover Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake; a universe in itself, with entire villages of stilted wooden houses seemingly floating over the surface with this All in One Day Pack that allows you to also learn all about traditional Khmer crafts.
Half Day Life Style On Tonle Sap
Experience what it’s like to live on water with an intriguing tour spent among the people who call Lake Tonle Sap their home. As you will discover, southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake is a universe in itself, with entire villages of stilted wooden houses seemingly floating over the surface.
Prepare to be astounded by the sheer immensity of Lake Tonle Sap as you cruise the surface. Tonle Sap is a curious lake for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it cyclically swells from 2,500km.sq by almost five-times to 12,000km.sq in the wet season – and as this occurs, the direction of the water flow completely reverses. At its highest, the lake floods forest areas creating a unique ecosystem and the perfect habitat for thousands of birds and other animals. Dry season sees the formation of the all-important rice fields.
Approach the periphery of the lake and explore the famous floating villages found here. The residents continue to live a way of life that is completely dependent on the lake. Charming wooden houses are built on stilts to protect them from the damp and there are also schools, libraries, markets, health centres and temples.
Fishing remains the mainstay of the local community and with more than 300 species of freshwater fish to choose from, it is easy to understand why (though less enticingly, there are also 20 varieties of snakes and 10 varieties of turtles). Keep an eye out, too, for the crocodiles often seen in enclosures by the sides of houses.
Half Day Shopping and Handicraft
Learn all about traditional Khmer crafts and see how they are made with this highly informative three-hour shopping tour from Siem Reap to the National Silk Centre and the Artisans d'Angkor cooperative. It goes without saying that you will see an astonishing array of high-quality goods that would make excellent gifts or souvenirs.
The National Silk Centre is set in pretty gardens on the outskirts of Siem Reap. The complex is also a silk farm and here all parts of the silk production process are performed. Hear about mulberry trees (their leaves are eaten by silkworms), silkworm farming, cocoon unwinding, the preparation of the silk threads, the tie-dyeing of threads and weaving. There is also a large showroom, where you can admire and buy these sensational silk products. See the whole process first-hand and admire the incredible skill of the weavers as they produce the finished product.
Continue on to Artisans d'Angkor for an enthralling look into the world of local traditional local products. It is a cooperative of craftsmen who make an excellent range Khmer products from silk scarves and paintings to stone, wooden and polychrome statuettes such as Buddha and ganeisha, lacquer ware and jewellery. Walk around the workshops and see first-hand how the craftsmen work their materials using both ancient and modern techniques. This organisation helps to maintain old traditions alive while benefiting underdeveloped rural communities by providing jobs for 1,300 – of which 900 are artisans – in 42 workshops throughout Siem Reap province.
Meeting/pick-up point: Hotel's lobby in Siem Reap only.
Duration: Half Day Life Style On Tonle Sap: 3 hours. Half Day Shopping and Handicraft: 3 hours.
Start/opening time: Half Day Life Style On Tonle Sap: At 9am. Half Day Shopping and Handicraft: At 2pm.
End/closing time: Half Day Life Style On Tonle Sap: At 12pm. Half Day Shopping and Handicraft: At 5pm.
Languages: English.
Italiano