progol

My husband and I have recently returned from our wonderful trip to India, and I can only cope with the withdrawals from that trip with planning another trip. Before India, I'd never really thought much about traveling to Asia, but now am so excited to be planning a trip to SE Asia for next year. We'll have 3 weeks to travel, and am thinking about mid/late January to early February 2014.

We are a 60 to mid-60s couple who like to travel budget/moderately. We generally prefer to stay in smaller hotels/guest houses/b&bs for a personal connection, although we’ll stay in larger hotels when it seems right.

We like a mix of urban and rural locations in our travels and our interests lie in understanding, experiencing and (to whatever extent possible) the culture of the place we're visiting. We like history/culture, scenery/nature, and like to walk but are not serious hikers or trekkers. Small villages, off the beaten track places are especially appealing for me. If any festival is taking place, that would be wonderful to know about. We're thinking about Thailand and Cambodia, as follows (early, preliminary outline):

Bangkok (5 nights)
Chiang Mai (3-4 nights)
Chiang Rai & region (4-5 nights)
Siem Reap (4-5 nights)

Bangkok and Siem Reap are absolute musts. Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai both sound intriguing to me and seem to offer the things I’m interested in. I

I will hire guides as needed. Recommendations for good guides are most welcome!

In CM, a visit to an Elephant conservation camp (ie, Elephant Nature Park, Thai Elephant Home), possibly a cooking class, the night market. Lots of wats. Visit a hill tribe outside of CM?

CR & northern region:
-Hill tribes (not overly commercialized)
-Golden Triangle
-Raft ride to view village life
-White Temple
-Opium Museum
-Scenic vistas
-markets

I’ve read many good reports about the guide, Jermsak, and I like the types of activities and places he goes. I'll certainly contact him as I start to solidify the plans.

Bangkok and Siem Reap have more than enough to keep us busy and I won’t list them all now. I would also like to visit a floating village outside of Siem Reap. Any other sites or places that are not to be missed that you’d recommend?

Finally, the flights. I noticed that Korea Air flies from NY (stops in Seoul). Although it’s more expensive, we can fly into Chiang Mai and return from Siem Reap. This seems to be seriously worth considering as the costs would be made up in not having to go in and out of Bangkok several times. The trip would be very easy without any backtracking.:
Chiang Mai – Chaing Rai – Bangkok – Siem Reap. Other than cost, is there any reason why I shouldn’t travel this route or airline?

If we do fly in and out of Bangkok, what would be the best/easiest way to coordinate these places? Since there are no direct flights from NY to Bangkok, I would simply get the least expensive tickets that are also the most efficient (fastest, one stop).

Finally, how does this trip sound to you? I'm so torn, would love to visit so many places, but I'm afraid that I'm limited by work demands and I'm lucky to have 3 weeks from my office. I'd love to add Vietnam, but would prefer not to rush through places, so I'm sticking with my current itinerary for now. I'd also really love to go to Southern India (we just came back from Rajasthan/Varanasi/Delhi and loved it), but I think the SE Asia trip makes sense for a next trip.

Please feel free to critique, suggest, or even reassure.

Many thanks,
Paule

yestravel

An endorsement for Jermssk. We waited until the last minute to contact him. We only were able to have him guide us for one day in Chiang Rai and he truly enhanced our trip.

progol

Thanks, YT! I've been enjoying your trip report and finding it very helpful.
Paule

rhkkmk

korean is fab from nyc.. finn air is also good... but the korean A-380 plane is the best currently available with more room in coach than any other carrier.

you can probably fly cheaper on one of the china airlines but i would not even consider it.

i don't think from nyc you can avoid a major connecting airport and fly to CM---well maybe HK as you suggest...

i have never heard of this guide... yestravel is a good source however..

i would shave 1 night from each of CM & CR depending on what areas you have time to visit outside them..

progol

Thanks Bob. I'm thinking of staying outside of CR for 1-2 nights, but don't know yet where. Any suggestions?

From NYC, there's no way to avoid a stop in a connecting airport, so I've come to terms with the need for one stop. Taking Korean Air allows me the option to fly into Chiang Mai and return from Siem Reap (or vice versa). This makes the routing so much easier.

If we fly in and out of Bangkok, we have to return to Bangkok multiple times, I think, to accomplish this routing. Is there a simpler way to see these places without returning to Bangkok for a connection?

The guide, Jermsak, is mentioned by several people on this board and has many glowing reports on TA as well.

rhkkmk

probably true you would have to return to bkk each time.. i actually like to do this..

in the chiang saen area there are several places to stay..

progol

Hi, Bob,
With our limited time, I'd love to avoid a lot of backtracking. But it's still early yet in the planning. I'm trying to figure out alternative routines in case we end up flying in and out of bkk.