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Feb 17 Itinenary (Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia)

Feb 17 Itinenary (Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia)

Old Jun 5th, 2016, 07:56 PM
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Feb 17 Itinenary (Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia)

We have our flights from LAX-BKK-LAX on the dates indicated and have set out the following proposed itinerary. Looking for any and all comments from experienced travelers to the region. We have indicated full days in each location (except for first 2 nights in BKK), and separated travel days as indicated. Happy to take any and all suggestions or comments. We are not all that interested in staying in or exploring Bangkok which is intentionally omitted from the schedule but would consider adding a day if there was anything we just had to see. Happy to also hear about favorite activities, restaurants, markets, etc.

Thanks in advance for any and all friendly advice freely given!

James

Wed, 01FEB17 LAX – BKK Arrive 02FEB17 @ 10:30 p.m.
Nights of Feb 02 and 03 in BKK resort (15 mins from BKK) to rest, recover, acclimate
04 February – Fly BKK>Yangon>Bagan in the a.m. (arrive Bagan in afternoon)
05 Feb and 06 Feb – 2 full days In Bagan
07 Feb – Fly Bagan>Yangon> Chiang Mai
08, 09, 10, 11 Feb – 4 full days in and around Chiang Mai
12 Feb – Drive to Chiang Rai
13, 14, 15, 16 Feb – 4 full days in and around Chiang Rai
17 Feb – Fly Chiang Rai>BKK>Siem Reap (Angkor Wat)
18, 19, 20, 21 Feb – 4 full days in and around Siem Reap//Angkor Wat
22 – Fly to BKK (stay at airport hotel)
Thu, 23FEB17 BKK – LAX Leave 8:00 a.m., arrive 10:00 a.m. 23 Feb
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Old Jun 6th, 2016, 06:45 AM
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It seems very strange to go to the trouble of visiting Myanmar only for Bagan. I would take time from northern Thailand to visit at least Inle Lake and preferably some other places. Myanmar is changing very, very fast and better to visit now than later.

Not sure what BKK resort you are talking about, but I would go into to Bangkok - probably to the hotel rhkkmk likes on the river, which used to be a Marriott and I think is now an Anantara. I am not a fan of Bangkok, but I see no reason to stay out at the airport - take a taxi, you pay the meter plus tolls.
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Old Jun 6th, 2016, 08:32 AM
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I agree that it makes little sense to visit Myanmar for just two full days in Bagan. I would encourage you to look into what Myanmar has to offer and cut Chaing Mai/Chiang Rai for spending more time in Myanmar. I highly recommend three full days at Inle Lake, and you would want a couple of days in Yangon and maybe a couple in Mandalay. CM/CR will still be there and will be pretty much the same in a year or two or five. The same cannot be said for Myanmar which is rapidly changing.

Take a look at our Myanmar/Burma photos form 2009 and 2011 at www.marlandc.com We also have photos from our 2015 Chindwin River cruise.
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Old Jun 6th, 2016, 08:36 AM
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I third the comments posted above. Kathie offers a great alternaitve itin.
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Old Jun 6th, 2016, 12:54 PM
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Be careful with the Airport hotels in Bangkok. Some are close to Thai Beer Gardens, who turn up their music at about 2200 until 0300. Not good for a decent kip.
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Old Jun 7th, 2016, 09:27 PM
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I reiterate the comments re Myanmar. I would definitely include Inle Lake. While I enjoyed Bagan, I would regard my trip to Inle lake as the highlight of my trip to Myanmar. I was there six years ago and my wife three. The country had changed exponentially in that time. I would expect the rate of change to continue so, as Kathie says, go there sooner than later.

On your itinerary, you have allocated 8 days the the Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai area. I'd transfer the lot to Myanmar. I'm not sure if its changed but when I was there flights were frequently changed so bear this in mind when planning. Also they tended to do a loop Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Helo, Yangon. Not sure if its still the same.
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Old Jun 12th, 2016, 05:07 AM
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Thanks for all these excellent suggestions. I am going to rework some of this in and see what it looks like. Totally appreciate the input from people experienced with the area!

James
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Old Jun 19th, 2016, 11:29 AM
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James, I would't spend any time in Thailand/Bangkok except maybe at the very end just before your flights home. I spent 12 days in Myanmar in 2014, and 11 days between Cambodia and Laos in 2012. As everyone else says, Thailand never changes.

But if you don't think you'll ever make it back to this part of the world then I'd leave out Myanmar completely and visit Thailand and Cambodia. Of the 3 countries listed, Myanmar was my least favorite and is the most expensive in hotel prices.

Right now, your 20 days on the ground trip has you traveling for 5 of those days by changing locations so much. That's a lot of schlepping.
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Old Jun 19th, 2016, 11:50 AM
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susiesan - if you take a look at the OP's other thread you'll see s/he turns out not to be at all interested in our comments:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-questions.cfm
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Old Jun 20th, 2016, 12:24 PM
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"not interested" is putting it mildly!
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Old Jun 20th, 2016, 01:31 PM
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No point whatever wasting suggestions on this one, turns on those who might help, like a rabid animal. Do have look on the thread just above if in any doubt. Ignorant & mighty unpleasant.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2016, 09:34 AM
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I didn't see that other thread thursdaysd. I'll be on the lookout for followingjames asking questions and advice on other parts of the world and be sure to NOT answer him.
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