There's nothing quite like a cruise on the Tonlé Sap and the legendary Mekong to complete your discovery of Phnom Penh. A boat tour will offer you a different perspective on the Cambodian capital and allow you to appreciate the landscapes along the riverbanks, fishing villages, and scenes of daily life unfolding on and around the water.

You can also choose to venture further afield, discovering Oudong, the kingdom's former capital, or meeting silk artisans on the side of Koh Dach (the Silk Island), in the village of Pre Bong Kong.

Let yourself be seduced by a cruise and set sail to enjoy unique panoramas and a wonderful moment of relaxation, especially if you're a fan of beautiful photography!

Sunrise Cruise

Given that the boat sets off at 5am, you'll need some courage to leave your bed early enough, but you'll find that this effort is well worth it for the magical atmosphere of this boat tour. It will still be dark when you board, but once on deck, a good breakfast will be served. As you enjoy jam-spread toast and slices of fresh fruit, the boat will gently cut through the water to position itself strategically facing the rising sun.

As night gives way to dawn, the fishermen's pirogues begin their daily ballet beneath a sky that gradually dons sublime colours. While the shadows fade from the Mekong riverbank, Phnom Penh awakens splashed by the first rays of sunlight.

You'll then navigate on the Tonlé Sap, hugging the Sisowath Quay, and be amazed at such activity so early in the morning. Pagoda offerings, gymnastics sessions, Tai Chi fan or Kung Fu practice… You'll see that Cambodians start their day with wellness in mind.

Sunset Cruise

The boat sets sail in late afternoon, at 5pm, to navigate slowly along the mythical Mekong and Tonlé Sap river. Comfortably installed on deck, you'll appreciate the gentle, refreshing breeze after a warm day spent discovering Phnom Penh. You'll first cross Chaktomuk, the impressive body of water created by the confluence of the Upper and Lower Mekong, the Tonlé Sap, and the Tonlé Bassac (Chaktomuk in Khmer means "the 4 arms"). Then the boat will take you along the Mekong, between the Phnom Penh side of the Chroy Changvar district and the rural side of Kandal Province. You'll embrace the contrasts that make Cambodia's charm: on one side modern buildings increasingly occupying space and a few fine waterfront residences, on the other the stilt village of Areksat and fishermen's houses surrounded by lush greenery.

Your cruise will continue with a half-turn to reach the Tonlé Sap river to admire the sun setting over the Phnom Penh skyline, offering you a flamboyant start to the evening.

Picturesque landscapes and a unique vantage point on the Cambodian capital await you on this waterside stroll, during which you have the option to enjoy a wide selection of drinks and light snacks. After all, it's aperitif hour!

Dinner Cruise

A dinner cruise between the Mekong and Tonlé Sap is a magical moment. The boat leaves its dock at 7pm. Refreshed by a gentle breeze, you'll appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and views of Phnom Penh's lights while enjoying delicious culinary specialties. The cuisine served on board is prepared with fresh produce. You'll have a choice between Western or Asian dishes presented through different menus or "à la carte" options. A selection of French and international wines will be offered to accompany your meal.

Illuminated by candlelight and accompanied by discreet ambient music, your dinner will begin while navigating the Mekong and continue on the Tonlé Sap. At this moment you'll have ample opportunity to observe the vibrant activity that animates the Sisowath Quay by night. And if the season permits, you won't miss admiring the illuminations of the Royal Palace, which lend it even more majesty.

Silk Cruise All Inclusive

The Silk Cruises take you to meet an authentic Cambodge and talented artisans who perpetuate the traditional production method of this precious fabric. Developed since the 13th century, Cambodian silk production disappeared under the communist Khmer Rouge regime in the mid-1970s. Today, the artisans who survived this terrible period reproduce ancestral gestures and pass them on to new generations in villages located around 12 km from Phnom Penh, along the banks of the Mekong.

The silk cruises depart at 8:30am. You'll enjoy the landscapes and scenes of life that animate the banks of the Mekong before stopping at the village of Pré Bong Kong to visit one of these silk "farms" where the entire production chain will be revealed to you, from silk worm farming to weaving the finished product. This stopover on land will also be an opportunity for a pleasant walk to visit a lovely pagoda housing a reclining Buddha. Along the way you won't miss appreciating the calm landscapes of the Cambodian countryside dotted with rice fields, where ox-carts remain a means of transportation.

This timeless interlude is offered in 3.5 hours or 6 hours. The longer version includes a BBQ lunch on board and an extended cruise around Koh Dach (the Silk Island).

Oudong Cruise All Inclusive

This boat tour takes you 40 km from Phnom Penh to the west bank of the Tonlé Sap to discover the historic site of Oudong, royal residence and capital of Cambodge for over 250 years, until 1866. The former city's glorious past is today essentially restored on a hill with a double summit that constitutes a monumental royal necropolis where several sovereigns rest. The larger section contains three stupas from different periods, and the other protects the remains of the Preah Atharas Pagoda and its large Buddha statue that faces north rather than looking east (the traditional direction). This old temple, also called the "Temple of Eighteen Corners," symbolizes, according to legend, the strength and power of the ancient Khmer kingdom.

When the boat drops you off at Oudong, a tuk tuk will take you to the site. Discovering the hill will require climbing many steps, but your effort will be amply rewarded by the breathtaking panorama over the surrounding Cambodian countryside, dotted with small traditional villages and rice fields, stretching to the Tonlé Sap. And if you don't have the courage to attempt this ascent, you can visit the beautiful Vipassana Dhura Pagoda built at the foot of the hill. It's part of a vast meditation centre that welcomes many Buddhist monks year-round. Gleaming with gold on the outside, its prayer hall will have you admiring superb frescoes.

To make this historic boat tour, you'll leave Phnom Penh at 8:30am. The navigation time will let you enjoy bucolic landscapes of water buffalo in rice fields and lotus fields. You'll also observe the fishing techniques practiced by locals. On the way out, fresh fruit breakfast and a BBQ lunch will be served, a tea-time will punctuate the return.

Safety and Comfort On Board

Whether a large catamaran or traditional wooden boat, your safety being our first priority, the boats we've selected are maintained continuously. They are piloted by certified captains and possess all official operating licenses and complete safety equipment. Above all, they are the only cruise boats in Phnom Penh fully insured, including for passengers. They feature open and covered decks, a kitchen, and a bar. The crew is attentive and always welcomes you with great pleasure.

Cruise Schedules

The boats operate daily. They are moored on the promenade along the river, in front of the Himawari Hotel (313 Sisowath Quay). Whatever cruise you choose, you must be on board 15 minutes before departure time.

• Sunrise cruise, from 2 persons, departure at 5am and return at 6:30am.
• Sunset cruise, departure at 5pm, return at 6:20pm.
• Dinner cruise, departure at 7pm, return at 8:45pm.
• Silk cruises "all-inclusive", from 2 persons.

Short version (3.5 hours), departure at 8:30am, return at 12:00pm / Long version (6 hours), departure at 8:30am, return at 2:30pm.

• Oudong cruise "all-inclusive", from 4 persons, departure at 8:30am, return at 4:30pm.