The Tonle River connects the Mekong main channel at Phnom Penh with the great Tonle Sap or lake. This section is the prettiest part of your river journey as the river narrows between Phnom Penh and Kampong Channang and one passes through villages, woodland and hills.
The Tonle River is of interest as it changes direction twice a year: with the coming of the monsoon in July the main Mekong channnel backs up and floods the central Cambodian plain. After the monsoon when the water level drops on the main Mekong channel the river reverses and empties the lake waters.