Tonle Sap, located in Cambodia, is a unique and expansive lake that has the ability to transform and expand across a floodplain up to 20 times the size of Singapore during the monsoon season and then shrink in size as the dry season approaches. This lake is not just an ordinary lake; it is the heart and soul of Cambodia and the Mekong basin, providing essential water, nutrients, and sediments to the surrounding communities. The lake acts as a natural storage system, filling up and emptying out during critical parts of the year and providing the annual flood pulse that is necessary for the lake’s health and well-being.
Preparation work for setting up fish traps.
The people who live by Tonle Sap have mastered the art of living in harmony with the changing water levels. They know how to make a living during both the wet and dry seasons. During the wet season, the lake provides ample opportunities for fishing, and in the dry season, the water drains off, leaving behind deposits of fish excrement that fertilize the banks, making it perfect for agriculture or other farming activities.
Dry land for cattle grazing during the dry season.
Our tailor-made travel experience to the villages around Tonle Sap is a true window into the fascinating way of life of the fishing communities who live there. You will have the opportunity to witness firsthand how the villagers adapt to the changing water levels and “turn around” their villages in preparation for the dry season. From the means of transportation to cooking and living in houses on stilts, this tour will give you a unique perspective on a way of life that is far different from ours.
This is a one-of-a-kind travel experience that will broaden your horizons and offer insights into the resilience of the human spirit in the face of environmental challenges. It is an opportunity to truly immerse yourself in a different culture and learn about the sustainable practices of a community that has thrived for centuries in the shadow of a constantly changing lake, making your holiday in Cambodia one to remember.
