tdiddy23

In the preliminary stages of planning a first trip to SE Asia in Feb 2016. Couple in early 30s, moderate budget. Angkor is one of the big reasons for wanting to go, Thailand seemed like the best add on. Our rationale was looking for best food, somewhat more developed 'easier' tourist location. Not big beach people, so thought a few days in Chiang Mai would be better than beach resort.

Now I need to sort out how much time to spend in each destination, and what order to go in. Will be flying into BKK. Visiting friends in Singapore for a few days afterwards before heading home to Canada.

Have about 12 days to work with. Don't really feel like spending a great deal of tine in a city, was leaning towards 2 days BKK, 5 days Angkor, 5 days CM including travel time.

Comments, suggestions? Thx
Suggestions, comments appreciated.

CaliforniaLady

Three destinations is a good strategy for twelve days. However. maybe you could substitute Battambang for Chiang Mai. There is so much history there. I would allow one day for the city of Battambang itself, and another day to see the sites outside the city. Battambang is an easy boat ride or taxi ride from Siem Reap.

BKK has the most amazing temples and palace, with more "bling" than I have seen anywhere. You need at least full two days to see the palace and temples, and then I would take a day trip to Ayutthara.

You can see the most important temples at Angkor in two days, and maybe add a day for a day trip to a water village. If you really dig temples, then I guess your thought of five days is reasonable.

As a last thought, if Battambang doesn't interest you, then you could fly into BKK, then go to Siem Reap, and then to Hanoi, and out from there, but I would choose BKK, Siem Reap, and Battambang.

crellston

" Don't really feel like spending a great deal of tine in a city," - the 3 destinations you have chosen are all cities. OK In Siem Reap you would spend most of your time in and around Angkor but you would still be returning to a very busy city at night.

I too would forget about Chiang Mai, I like the place but it is a very busy city Battambang as suggested by CaliforniaLady is a good alternative, much more relaxed and loads to see around the town. I would also consider Kampot, a lovely riverside town in the south - very laid back and lots to explore. However, this would probably entail at least a night in Phonm Penh, another city, but one of my favourite cities in Asia.

Here is a link to our recent blog post about our visit to Battambang a couple of months ago which may provide an idea of what there is to see:

http://accidentalnomads.com/category/cambodia/

rhkkmk

first you need to cut 2-3 days off for travel time within the trip, and for this reason I suggest 2 places: SR and BKK

tdiddy23

Thanks for the feedback.

rhkkmk we are fast paced travellers, have slowed down a bit in the past and regretted it, so 3 destinations feels right for us including the travel time.

point taken re: cities, I was envisioning spending a night or two outside of chiang mai in some of the mountainous jungle nearby. Does Battambang have similar opportunities? I will look into it as a destination.

Perhaps will cut a day or two of Angkor, we got 'templed out' in Kyoto and don't want to replicate that here

Kathie

Consider you level of interest in the temples of Angkor. Get a copy of Dawn Rooney's book, "Angkor: A guide to Cambodia's Wondrous temples to help you gage your level of interest. It takes three full days just to see the major temples. If you are really interested in the temples, you would want more time. For example, we spent a week there and I would have enjoyed even more time.

Bangkok is my favorite city in the world, but if you don't like cities, take that into consideration. But do spend at least a little time to see the major wats.

lenlu

I like your plan but I can't speak to the other cities that were suggested. I just did four nights Siem Reap with two days at the temples (stayed at Sarai Resort and walked to town) and could have added a third temple day but my kids were over it. It's amazing! We flew from SR to CM and I adored Chiang Mai. The temples are so pretty, Doi Suthep is incredible and fun shopping/markets and the elephant sanctuary. We did 4 night stops on this trip and it worked great. It rained in Krabi so I could have shaved a day off and if I could change it, I'd add a third night in BKK but everyone is different.