Help with SEAsia itinerary
Oct 15th, 2017, 12:07 PM
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Help with SEAsia itinerary
We are a 60 yr. old couple who enjoy active travel and adventure. We have been working on our proposed 8 week itinerary for awhile and are interested in any feedback. I have inserted questions so answers to any of them would be great.
David & Tanya Collins – SE Asia proposed itinerary
January 3, 2018 - Depart Calgary AB (YYC)
January 4 – Arrive Hanoi (2255)
January 5,6,7 – get settled - tour Hanoi – old city –Hỏa Lò Prison (“Hanoi Hilton”) – markets & Mark Hu’s street food tour
January 8&9,10 – Overnight boat Tour Halong Bay and Lan Ha bay with Bhaya Cruises ( 3 day, 2 night - it seems all the tours go from hotel Hanoi to Halong Bay and though it to Lan Ha- we don’t see any that go just to Lan Ha )
January 10– Night train to Sapa ( which train is best - any advice?)
January 11 – Tour&Trek villages and rice terraces outside Sapa( advice on where to stay- perhaps Topas Eco Lodge. If staying there it is 18 km outside town, is it easy to get a taxi to there? Then is this a good area to hike to see the rice terraces and villages or do you suggest staying elsewhere and hiking elsewhere? Or is a homestay more authentic? If so can you suggest one?
January 12 – Trek outside Sapa ( do we just walk from town or get a driver?) then Overnight train back to Hanoi
January 13 – Get from Train station to Airport and fly to Hue ( ? Cab to airport)
January 14,15,16 – Hue - Tour city, markets, day trip to Vinh
Moc tunnels( is this too long or should we only stay 2 nights?)
January 17 – Travel to Hoi An –Train to Da Nang then hire car or take mini -bus to Hoi An ( which is best side to sit on train? Can we actually book our seat?)
January 18,19&20 – Hoi An – Tour – markets – town, bike to beach and surroundings, get dress made
January 21 – Travel to Danang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
January 22 – HCMC to Can Tho( what is the easiest way to get to Can Tho? Private driver?)
January 23 – early morning Boat Trip to Cai Rang market ( travel to HCMC to get boat tour on 24th or stay in Can Tho and be picked up by Gecko Eyes on the 24th as they sometimes board there- waiting to hear from tour company )
January 24, 25, 26 – Mekong Eyes Boat Tour on Gecko Eyes ( now thinking we might do the boat tour privately on Gecko Eyes and have them take us to the floating market in Cai Raing as part of our trip. Then we would have an extra day to enjoy HCMC or add another day in Sapa earlier on.
January 26,27,28 – Phnom Penh – Tuol sleng Prison, Killing Fields, Cooking class with Frizz
January 29 – Fly to Siem Reap – visit markets
January 30,31 – Private tour of Angkor Wat with Fin T
Februrary 1 – Siem Reap – Food Tour with Siem Riep Food Tours
February 2 – Fly to Luang Prabang via Bangkok
February 3 – Luang Prabang – rent scooters for a day, night markets
February 4,5,6 – Boat tour Nong Khiaw http://www.bananaboatlaos.com/nongkh...-ou-trips.html ; add on trip offered to Pak Ou caves to see Buddha’s on way back to LP
February 7 – Luang Prabang – tour town and see procession of the monks, night markets
February 8 – Leave Luang Prabang and have Driver take us to Vang Vieng
February 9 – Vang Vieng - – see Blue lagoon and reclining Buddha and do a short float on river
February 10 – Drive across border to Nong Khai
February 11 – Fly to Chang Mai – Udon Thani Airport Nok Air
February 12,13,14 – Chang Mai - tour markets, cooking class
February 15 – Drive to Tha Ton from Chang Mai (best way to get there ? Private driver?)Stay in Tha Thon
February 16 – Boat Trip to Chang Rai
*. This next part do this or ...
February 17 – Hire driver and drive to Pai( about 6 hours we think)
February 18 – Pai
February 19 – Pai to Chang Mai (? Private driver about 4 hours and fly to Bangkok)
February 20 – Fly to Trang and get to Ko Kraden
Feb.20,21,22,23 Ko Kraden
Feb 24- boat to Trang and fly to Bangkok (BKK)
Feb. 25 - fly to Calgary ( YYC)
Or:
Feb. 17 - drive to Chaing Mai and fly to Bangkok
Fe. 18 - day long floating market and cooking class with Chin at Chile paste
Feb. 19 - fly to Trang and boat to Ko Kraden
Fe.19-23 Ko Kraden
Feb. 24 - Boat to Trang and fly to Bangkok ( BKK )
Feb. 25- fly to Calgary ( YYC)
Now thinking we won’t really enjoy Pai so will likely opt to have more time in Ko Kraden as per second option.
David & Tanya Collins – SE Asia proposed itinerary
January 3, 2018 - Depart Calgary AB (YYC)
January 4 – Arrive Hanoi (2255)
January 5,6,7 – get settled - tour Hanoi – old city –Hỏa Lò Prison (“Hanoi Hilton”) – markets & Mark Hu’s street food tour
January 8&9,10 – Overnight boat Tour Halong Bay and Lan Ha bay with Bhaya Cruises ( 3 day, 2 night - it seems all the tours go from hotel Hanoi to Halong Bay and though it to Lan Ha- we don’t see any that go just to Lan Ha )
January 10– Night train to Sapa ( which train is best - any advice?)
January 11 – Tour&Trek villages and rice terraces outside Sapa( advice on where to stay- perhaps Topas Eco Lodge. If staying there it is 18 km outside town, is it easy to get a taxi to there? Then is this a good area to hike to see the rice terraces and villages or do you suggest staying elsewhere and hiking elsewhere? Or is a homestay more authentic? If so can you suggest one?
January 12 – Trek outside Sapa ( do we just walk from town or get a driver?) then Overnight train back to Hanoi
January 13 – Get from Train station to Airport and fly to Hue ( ? Cab to airport)
January 14,15,16 – Hue - Tour city, markets, day trip to Vinh
Moc tunnels( is this too long or should we only stay 2 nights?)
January 17 – Travel to Hoi An –Train to Da Nang then hire car or take mini -bus to Hoi An ( which is best side to sit on train? Can we actually book our seat?)
January 18,19&20 – Hoi An – Tour – markets – town, bike to beach and surroundings, get dress made
January 21 – Travel to Danang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
January 22 – HCMC to Can Tho( what is the easiest way to get to Can Tho? Private driver?)
January 23 – early morning Boat Trip to Cai Rang market ( travel to HCMC to get boat tour on 24th or stay in Can Tho and be picked up by Gecko Eyes on the 24th as they sometimes board there- waiting to hear from tour company )
January 24, 25, 26 – Mekong Eyes Boat Tour on Gecko Eyes ( now thinking we might do the boat tour privately on Gecko Eyes and have them take us to the floating market in Cai Raing as part of our trip. Then we would have an extra day to enjoy HCMC or add another day in Sapa earlier on.
January 26,27,28 – Phnom Penh – Tuol sleng Prison, Killing Fields, Cooking class with Frizz
January 29 – Fly to Siem Reap – visit markets
January 30,31 – Private tour of Angkor Wat with Fin T
Februrary 1 – Siem Reap – Food Tour with Siem Riep Food Tours
February 2 – Fly to Luang Prabang via Bangkok
February 3 – Luang Prabang – rent scooters for a day, night markets
February 4,5,6 – Boat tour Nong Khiaw http://www.bananaboatlaos.com/nongkh...-ou-trips.html ; add on trip offered to Pak Ou caves to see Buddha’s on way back to LP
February 7 – Luang Prabang – tour town and see procession of the monks, night markets
February 8 – Leave Luang Prabang and have Driver take us to Vang Vieng
February 9 – Vang Vieng - – see Blue lagoon and reclining Buddha and do a short float on river
February 10 – Drive across border to Nong Khai
February 11 – Fly to Chang Mai – Udon Thani Airport Nok Air
February 12,13,14 – Chang Mai - tour markets, cooking class
February 15 – Drive to Tha Ton from Chang Mai (best way to get there ? Private driver?)Stay in Tha Thon
February 16 – Boat Trip to Chang Rai
*. This next part do this or ...
February 17 – Hire driver and drive to Pai( about 6 hours we think)
February 18 – Pai
February 19 – Pai to Chang Mai (? Private driver about 4 hours and fly to Bangkok)
February 20 – Fly to Trang and get to Ko Kraden
Feb.20,21,22,23 Ko Kraden
Feb 24- boat to Trang and fly to Bangkok (BKK)
Feb. 25 - fly to Calgary ( YYC)
Or:
Feb. 17 - drive to Chaing Mai and fly to Bangkok
Fe. 18 - day long floating market and cooking class with Chin at Chile paste
Feb. 19 - fly to Trang and boat to Ko Kraden
Fe.19-23 Ko Kraden
Feb. 24 - Boat to Trang and fly to Bangkok ( BKK )
Feb. 25- fly to Calgary ( YYC)
Now thinking we won’t really enjoy Pai so will likely opt to have more time in Ko Kraden as per second option.
Oct 15th, 2017, 06:22 PM
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Wow! A lot to take in there! I will give it a shot, at least in part with a few random thoughts.
1. For train options to Sapa see https://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm#H..._tourist_train we used the Victoria carriage. Not much sleep but the best available. As I recall we joined a group of Aussies in the bar rather than trying to sleep.
2. Hoa Loa is not that intersting. The women’s museum and the HCM complex, tomb house etc, the Ethnicity Museum and the Military museums are all must sees IMO. Do check the opening times as most close for lunch and Mondays ( although this does change!
3. TopasSapa - already responded on your other post
4. Sit on the left of the train en route from Hue to Danang. Get your hotel in Hoi An to pick you up - approx $20_25
5. The easiest way to Can Tho is either to drive (3 hours) or fly - short flight but getting to and from the airports and waiting around , will probably take the same. Bus from te staionin D7 is easy, cheap and comfortable but takes longer.
6. The main reason for Can Tho is the delta and the markets. We rented a boat with some friends to get from Ben Tre to Can Tho and were very jealous when we were sitting on our camp chairs on the open boat when the Mekong Eyes sailed by with passengers sipping G&Ts on their very comfy day beds! I am sure you will love that., Definitely get them to take you to Cai Ranand make sure they get you there for dawn- THE most atmospheric time, great for photos
7. Siem Reap - I think you may be missing a bit here. Only one day at the temples? The markets are not that fantastic compare with other you will see. For high quality souvenirs in a great cause, do visit Artisans d’Angkor. Amazing lacquerware, polychromics and silks.
8. Don’t rent a scooter in LP. The town is eminently walkable and Laotians are not good drivers.
9.if you do, as hinted in your post, shave aday here and there then do add at least one to Saigon which deserves more than you allow.
Looks like to have a great trip coming together here!
1. For train options to Sapa see https://www.seat61.com/Vietnam.htm#H..._tourist_train we used the Victoria carriage. Not much sleep but the best available. As I recall we joined a group of Aussies in the bar rather than trying to sleep.
2. Hoa Loa is not that intersting. The women’s museum and the HCM complex, tomb house etc, the Ethnicity Museum and the Military museums are all must sees IMO. Do check the opening times as most close for lunch and Mondays ( although this does change!
3. TopasSapa - already responded on your other post
4. Sit on the left of the train en route from Hue to Danang. Get your hotel in Hoi An to pick you up - approx $20_25
5. The easiest way to Can Tho is either to drive (3 hours) or fly - short flight but getting to and from the airports and waiting around , will probably take the same. Bus from te staionin D7 is easy, cheap and comfortable but takes longer.
6. The main reason for Can Tho is the delta and the markets. We rented a boat with some friends to get from Ben Tre to Can Tho and were very jealous when we were sitting on our camp chairs on the open boat when the Mekong Eyes sailed by with passengers sipping G&Ts on their very comfy day beds! I am sure you will love that., Definitely get them to take you to Cai Ranand make sure they get you there for dawn- THE most atmospheric time, great for photos
7. Siem Reap - I think you may be missing a bit here. Only one day at the temples? The markets are not that fantastic compare with other you will see. For high quality souvenirs in a great cause, do visit Artisans d’Angkor. Amazing lacquerware, polychromics and silks.
8. Don’t rent a scooter in LP. The town is eminently walkable and Laotians are not good drivers.
9.if you do, as hinted in your post, shave aday here and there then do add at least one to Saigon which deserves more than you allow.
Looks like to have a great trip coming together here!
Oct 15th, 2017, 07:05 PM
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On Jan 22th, you can take a private car or Phuong Trang (FUTA) bus (3 hour or more drive mentioned above) from HCMC to Can Tho for overnight stay - You should take one more tour in My Tho or Ben Tre (Better because of less tourists) before heading to Can Tho for overnight stay and a visit to 2 floating markets (Phong Dien and Cai Rang) next early morning (Jan 23th). One more night in Can Tho is better than getting back HCMC.
Oct 16th, 2017, 01:51 AM
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Thank you both for your replies. We really appreciate the help.
Crellston- thanks for so many details. We are spending two days seeing the temples with a private guide. For us, I think that will be enough. Part of one day to have food tour and then half day to do whatever so maybe Artisans D’ankor.
Crellston- thanks for so many details. We are spending two days seeing the temples with a private guide. For us, I think that will be enough. Part of one day to have food tour and then half day to do whatever so maybe Artisans D’ankor.
Oct 16th, 2017, 02:41 AM
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No problem- easy to miss. We are now thinking we will skip Pai and maybe drive to Soppong or Mae Sariang for one night. We will add at least one day to Saigon. Gecko Eyes answered and we can do the 4 day boat trip through the delta visiting the Cai Rang market and hopefully Phong Dien. We will enjoy those G & T’s
Oct 16th, 2017, 02:52 AM
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Crellston
Would you give up a day in Luang Prabang in order to be able to go to Soppong or Mae Sariang? The day we had planned to rent scooters we could give up. We now have an extra day in Saigon because we don’t need to go to Can Tho as we will do that on our boat trip. I want to stick with our
last option of having 4 beach days in Ko Kraden at the end.
Would you give up a day in Luang Prabang in order to be able to go to Soppong or Mae Sariang? The day we had planned to rent scooters we could give up. We now have an extra day in Saigon because we don’t need to go to Can Tho as we will do that on our boat trip. I want to stick with our
last option of having 4 beach days in Ko Kraden at the end.
Oct 16th, 2017, 07:55 AM
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We did a very similar trip to your on our first visit to SEA. It was 9 weeks and we went to Thailand, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang and VN. You can find it here
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ia-odyssey.cfm
I really enjoyed Luang Prabang - it was a nice break. We drove ourselves to Pay from Chiang Mai and then onwards to Mae Hong Son. We only looked around Soppong and didnt stay there. Beautiful drive esp if you get a clear day.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ia-odyssey.cfm
I really enjoyed Luang Prabang - it was a nice break. We drove ourselves to Pay from Chiang Mai and then onwards to Mae Hong Son. We only looked around Soppong and didnt stay there. Beautiful drive esp if you get a clear day.
Oct 16th, 2017, 12:35 PM
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No I wouldn’t hurrygirl. They are like chalk and cheese. The whole MHS loop can be done in 3 days but there is no point rushing it. MS and Soppong are fantastic as part of that loop but way too far for just night or two. Soppong s main attractions are the ethnic minority markets, the caves and the Soppong river in , a great place to stay and the best food of anywhere I have had in Northern Thailand.
I wasn’t suggesting cutting time in LP. It is a sleepy, laid back sort of town, albeit with a lot more tourist than it used to see, but it is an ideal place to just wander round and around. I was more thinking give up th scooter, not the day!
I wasn’t suggesting cutting time in LP. It is a sleepy, laid back sort of town, albeit with a lot more tourist than it used to see, but it is an ideal place to just wander round and around. I was more thinking give up th scooter, not the day!
Oct 17th, 2017, 11:53 AM
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Sounds like an amazing trip. I have been commenting on your individual posts.
Our scooter night food tour was literally one of our top 3 highlights on our whole SE Asia trip -- we did Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. We used XO Tours, the first female motorbike tour company in Saigon. It was a blast. Our entire family, including my kids were on the back of a motorbike. Here is the link: https://xotours.vn. Also, they are #1 out of 133 things to do in HCMC on Trip Advsor. And I don't die by TA reviews but this one is true.
I am glad you are not giving up Luang Prabang. I will post on your link where we stayed and why even though it is not the hotel you asked about.
I think you need a little more time in Siem Reap. I am not a huge temple person as I can get templed out easily and I went with kids, but our 4 nights, 3 days were just barely enough. Angkor Wat is of course remarkable, but there are many others that are just as amazing and worth seeing. While we did not see them all my any means, we did get to see 5-6 beautiful temples. It is no fun rushing through. The land mine museum is also worth a visit -- run by an expat from LA who fell in love with Cambodia and helping to rid the country of mines, and you may consider a visit to Ponleary Ly Foundation if you would like to give back during your time in Asia. Pub street deserves some time. Artisans D'Ankor is indeed worth a visit. I am still in love with my treasures. Out of all of the places we left on the whole trip, I left feeling like I did not give it enough time. Cambodia got under my skin.
But your entire trip sounds really amazing. You are going to have a wonderful time.
Our scooter night food tour was literally one of our top 3 highlights on our whole SE Asia trip -- we did Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. We used XO Tours, the first female motorbike tour company in Saigon. It was a blast. Our entire family, including my kids were on the back of a motorbike. Here is the link: https://xotours.vn. Also, they are #1 out of 133 things to do in HCMC on Trip Advsor. And I don't die by TA reviews but this one is true.
I am glad you are not giving up Luang Prabang. I will post on your link where we stayed and why even though it is not the hotel you asked about.
I think you need a little more time in Siem Reap. I am not a huge temple person as I can get templed out easily and I went with kids, but our 4 nights, 3 days were just barely enough. Angkor Wat is of course remarkable, but there are many others that are just as amazing and worth seeing. While we did not see them all my any means, we did get to see 5-6 beautiful temples. It is no fun rushing through. The land mine museum is also worth a visit -- run by an expat from LA who fell in love with Cambodia and helping to rid the country of mines, and you may consider a visit to Ponleary Ly Foundation if you would like to give back during your time in Asia. Pub street deserves some time. Artisans D'Ankor is indeed worth a visit. I am still in love with my treasures. Out of all of the places we left on the whole trip, I left feeling like I did not give it enough time. Cambodia got under my skin.
But your entire trip sounds really amazing. You are going to have a wonderful time.
Oct 17th, 2017, 12:46 PM
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yestravel -- we loved it! I mean loved it! Family friends recently went and did XO tours as well and also had a blast. But I must admit, my kid's God Father went one block and when we were stopped at a light jumped off and ran back to the hotel. We howled with laughter about that for the next 3 hours while we were on the tour. We still giggle at it. LOL!
Oct 17th, 2017, 02:29 PM
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We have whizzed around Saigon on the back of our friends scooters many times and loved it. One evening we rode virtually all the way out the the airport just to go to theYang sister fav. chicken place. Absolutely worth it, it was delicious. However, Even though I am an experienced morotcyclist, I wouldn’t dream of riding myself as I am not attuned to the Vietnamese way of riding. It is fun and the XO tours have a great reputation. Al the really great eating places are way out of district one so it is rhe only way to get to sample some.
Oct 18th, 2017, 07:02 AM
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Thank you all for the advice. We are booked for the “ Back of the bike evening food tour” and “ afternoon city tour “ so if you don’t hear from me after that day you will know we should have heeded the warnings. They did come highly recommended by Travelfish.
