obersee1

Let me preface this by saying I have spent months digging through this most helpful forum and I'm not posting this blindly without reading other similar posts. I would just like some feedback on this before I purchase the domestic flights tonight. I am an independent traveler that enjoys museuems and all cultural and historical attractions, but still want to leave time for the beaches to relax at the end of the trip.

Have I allocated days appropriately for what I have to work with? The only place I'm willing to cut is Phnom Penh. Thanks in advance.

Bangkok- 3 days beginning of trip, 2 more days at end

Chiang Mai - 4 and 1/2 days

Phnom Penh - 1 and 1/2 days

Siem Reap - 4 days

Beaches (Phuket and Phi Phi, mabe Krabi too) - 4 or 5 days

Please advise on minimum time needed to see all 3 beach areas listed. As well as time needed in Chiang Mai area to do some hill tribe hiking (less touristy areas if not too far - which ones?), elephant riding, river rafting, Doi Suthop, etc. Am I making a mistake by skipping Chiang Rai and Sukkothai?

Kathie

Overall, I think you've done a fine job of allocating your time. You could trade Chiang Mai for the Golden Triangle area. If you are interested in rural areas, that would likely be the better option. But if you also want shopping and to see Doi Suthep, you'll want to go to Chaing Mai.

In terms of beaches and time to relax, let me suggest that you chose one. You can take a day trip to another beach as well, but if you move around to three beaches in four or five days you won't have any time to relax, settle in and enjoy where you are.

althom1122

I haven't been to Phnom Penh, but based on my own experiences on a 3 week vacation, I found that we felt a little rushed with our 2-night stay in Mae Hong Son. I decided that for me, in Asia, a 3-night stay is the preferred minimum. Agree with Kathie, though, that your other stops seem to be a reasonable amount of time. I don't regret our short stay in MHS - am glad we did it - but am just pointing out that we did feel a bit rushed at spending just two nights. I'd probably go for it, though. It's only ONE short stop - which is highly doable.

rhkkmk

i looks perfect to me....remember that if you are coming from north america or europe that your arrival hang-over will slow you down quite a bit, so that day one and part of day two in bkk may be lost....day one should be spent at the pool with outings only to eat, imo....so i might do only 2 days in bkk at the beg. and add the other day to the end...???

Johny_Z5

Hi Friend,

4-5 days for thailand beaches won't e enough for you. There are many things to see and to do. You should stay at one island and from there you can do one day tour to the other.
I would go to Phuket, coz i love this island, you can find everything in there. phiphi is also nice, krabi as well.

Johny
www.allaboutphuket.com

KimJapan

I think your itin looks reasonable. 4 - 5 days at the end at the beach is certainly reasonable. I wouldn't hop around to more than one hotel. I would pick one nice place and stay there for the 4 - 5 days. Your purpose is to relax and unwind, not go on a tour of hotels.

rhkkmk mentioned the idea of doing 2 days in BKK first then 3 at the end instead of 3 then 2. I'd actually take it another step and do 1 day at the beginning...assuming you arrive from the US and at night?...so 2 nights but one full day, and go to Chiang Mai the 2nd day morning.

You'll have that one day to unwind a bit from the one flight, but if you are anything like us, the first couple of days in a completely upside down time zone are a wash. SO, I would let one of them be a nice hotel with a good pool in BKK and just chill for one day, then move on to Chiang Mai in the morning of the second day and just chill in the afternoon there, maybe have a look at some of the Wats right in the city and look around the night market. Then on Day 3 you'd be in Chiang Mai ready to being sightseeing in earnest and somewhat time zone acclimated.

Then, at the end of your trip, spend 4 days in BKK, when you have energy, have been rested from the beach time, and can shop right before going home rather than having to lug your purchases all through your trip.

eurotraveller

This is one of the most sensible firxt run Thailand itineraries I have seem so you have obviously done your research! Nicely done!

I think that in the time you have allotted you are smart to skip Sukhothai and Chiang Rai on this trip.

I would also spend more time in Bangkok at the end of your trip. It is most likely that you may do the bulk of your shopping in Bangkok so that means you won't have to schlep your treasures all over Thailand!

Cheers!

Tamara

obersee1

Thanks everyone! I will have a few days in Hong Kong before I arrive in Thailand to get adjusted to the time zone. I'm tempted to skip Phnom Penh in favor of more beach time. Any more thoughts on this idea?

Scotters

I think that PP is well worth a visit for a day and 1/2. The National Museum, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and Wat Phnom are the main tourist stops. Visit the two markets (central and russian) and the new Sorya Mall for shopping. To understand a little about what Cambodia has gone through in the past and why it is so poor visit both the Tuol Sleng Museum (Museum of Genocide) and the Choeung Ek (The killing Fields) outside of town. A very sobering experience. At night have a drink or a meal at the famous Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) or one of the many other good eating places. You will find that PP is very unlike the very touristy SR and you will get different and a better perspective of the real Cambodia.

obersee1

Thanks Scotters. I think I'll keep PP on my list. Is it possible to do the following in 1 very full day (I plan to arrive the night before and leave the morning after):
National Museum, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and Wat Phnom, two markets (central and russian, Tuol Sleng Museum (Museum of Genocide) and the Choeung Ek (The killing Fields).

Is it best to hire a driver or guide to most efficiently use my time? Or can I get to all of these on my own relatively easily?

alibi13

the itinerary looks good. i would suggest spending the last few nights of your trip at the peninsula in bangkok. it will be the perfect ending to your trip. it is worth the splurge and will be some of the best money you spend.

Scotters

It will be a full day but I think you could to everything but maybe the killing fields since they are out of town. You would have to see what time is left after all the other stops. Definiately get a car/driver as it will make it so much easier and well worth the cost, maybe $25-35.