Passengers board a vessel headed for Battambang in Siem Reap province. The trip generally takes about six hours. - Sok Chamroeun Express Boat
PHNOM PENH: The beloved boat journey between Siem Reap and Battambang provinces resumed operations on Aug 1, much to the delight of travellers seeking a unique and immersive experience through Cambodia's floating villages and natural landscapes.
According to a recent post by the Battambang provincial Department of Tourism, cruise operators are now offering visitors the opportunity to explore Tonle Sap Lake and the Sangke River.
Visitors can purchase boat tickets at hotels, guesthouses or directly from agents for companies such as Angkor Express Boat and Chann-Na Express Boat.
Chheang Bunnath, a captain for Chann-Na, shared his excitement about the re-launch.
“Today, my 30-seat boat carried 12 guests from Siem Reap, with some passengers boarding and disembarking at various floating villages,” he said.
“We operate every high-water season, starting this year on Aug 1. I would like to thank the tourism department for promoting this service, which they had never done before,” he added.
The journey offers more than just transportation; it provides an in-depth look into the lives of those in floating villages such as Prek Toal and Bak Prea.
These communities rely heavily on waterway travel, making the service a vital part of their daily lives.
The trip, lasting between six and seven hours, was previously suspended due to low water levels caused by upstream water retention.
However, with the rising tides, operations are back, much to the relief of both operators and travellers.
Bunnath expressed concern about the short period available for boat trips due to a Chinese company restricting water flow.
When contacted about the issue, a representative from Angkor Express chose not to comment.
Min Dany, a ticket vendor for Sok Chamroeun Speed Boat, highlighted the long-standing history of their service.
Booking tickets a day or two in advance is crucial, especially during peak season. Battambang provincial tourism department
“We've been operating this route for over twenty years, mainly during the high-water season from August to March. This year, we started early in July due to the quick rise in water levels,” he said.
The company offers a range of boat sizes to accommodate different group numbers, with prices set at US$15 for Cambodians and $25 for foreign guests.
Their service from Siem Reap to Battambang operates once a day. Guests are picked up at specified locations at 6:30am and taken to the boat which departs at 7:30am.
The waterway journey takes about six hours, as guests have lunch at Bak Prea village before continuing to their destination. Travel time can vary depending on wind factors as well.
Dany admits that this mode of transportation is less crowded, which is why only one boat runs per day. Most passengers are foreign, he said, with only 20 to 30 per cent local passengers.
Horm Arun, deputy director of the Battambang provincial tourism department, emphasised that the re-launch is not just about travel but about providing an experience.
He said passengers can visit the flooded forest, observe the lives of people in floating villages and learn about fishing and other customs along the river. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
