I've taken 3 boat trips on the Mekong River, one from China to Thailand, one on a freight boat from Houei Say in Laos, (across the river from Chiang Khong in northern Thailand) to Luang Prabang and this one on the same route. This is the one I'd recommend: http://www.luangsay.com/

Wow, 5 weeks! Use Bangkok as your base and do spend several days there for your big city experience. From Bangkok, you might include 3 days at Angkor Wat (Cambodia), 4 days or more in Luang Prabang, a week on Bali, several days in Hanoi and, of course the 10 days in Myanmar. All of these are reachable via short flights with the exception of Bali which takes 4 hours. I've included Bali in my recommendations because of its unique Hindu culture - it is not really a beach destination, as you might assume. Your could stay inland for your entire time and not miss much. In your planning, you must allow for the time it takes to get from one place to the other - flights aren't always convenient. Lastly, don't try to do too much, which should be easy given that you have 5 weeks.

I should add that the boat trip above combines nicely with a stay in Chiang Mai. Not too long a bus ride to Chiang Saen on the river, taxi to Chiang Khong nearby and small boat across to Houei Say to the river cruise boat.

thanks,

Five weeks sounds like a long time, but you can fill it up quickly in SE Asia.

Burma - if you really want to do a river cruise of three days, you'll need more time in Burma in order to cover Inle, Bagan and Yangon. You might choose to have your river cruise in Laos instead as MmePerdu suggests. Set your dates for Burma NOW - you need to contact a travel agent and get reservations. Burma is suddenly very popular, and it doesn't have the infrastructure to support more visitors.

Places I'd recommend you visit include Bangkok, Luang Prabang, Angkor Wat, Georgetown (Penang) Malaysia, perhaps the Golden Triangle area of Thailand. I'd say choose either VN for a week or Bali for a week. Bali would be a nice contrast to your other destinations.

Along with Penang which I love, I'd also suggest Kuching on the Malaysian side of Borneo. Lots of interesting side trips from this most civilized and pleasant small city.

If the Golden Triangle which Kathie mentions is of interest this is the area from which the river cruise I mentioned leaves from to Luang Prabang.

Kuching is delightful, but it takes time to get there as you have to connect either through KL or Singapore.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am now going to do more research within the confines of your ideas. Had not thought of Bali. I hope to post again in about a week, after the research, and get your feedback then. Have a great week all.

You can also get to Kuching from other parts of Malaysian Borneo (Sabah & Sarawak) or Brunei by plane and boat if exploring other parts of the island.

Hi again, I am new to this forum stuff, so I hope I am doing this right, by just adding to my original topic. I have spent the last few days researching some more, after reading your opinions. I think going to Bali or Penang is rushing it because it is further away. I think I can get a great experience without it. So this is what I think. Bangkok, Yangoon, Bagan, Inle Lake, Luang Parang, Nam ou river-Nong Kiaou, Hoi An, Siem Riep for Angkor temples, Bangkok. What do you all think? How are the logistics of this route. Or I could reverse it depending on weather and availability in Burma for the places I want.

A few words on the subject of booking in Burma. As many trip reports on the subject strongly recommended the use of travel agents, something I haven't felt I needed on past trips in Asia, I thought I'd listen to the advice. I contacted the most recommended agent first who has never responded. I contacted another who did respond after some time but has not confirmed anything. So about 2 weeks ago I decided I needed to try to do it myself and have largely been successful in confirming accommadations with 1 proviso - all of my first choices are booked solid. We're still waiting for confirmation of internal flights being handled (I hope) by out Yangon hosts.

So I recommend you begin making arrangements ASAP, however you decide to do it, as it seems Burma is booked to the rafters in the near future. Our trip is in November. Or it's possible our style of travel is not posh enough for these now very busy agencies to bother with.

One more thing, you may find a place on a tour. We considered Intrepid Tours who did have some availability:
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/destinations/burma+(myanmar)

I'll add that I'm not in any way criticizing the Myanmar travel agents. I have no doubt they're doing their best with the deluge they must be experiencing. If I were in their shoes I'd certainly accept the most profitable clients. But I do wish they'd drop us an email saying they don't have time for everyone.

I understand your frustration, but from what I read on other peoples report, you have to be a bit patient. I am hoping I can use the agent Kathie and others have used, Santa Maria, but I am not quite ready to book.

I waited weeks for a reply and it was Santa Maria who never responded. You might put out feelers to see who is inclined to take you on even if you don't have specific dates pinned down. It might also help you make decisions on dates in your itinerary.

That is an idea.

When you are dealing with travel agents in Burma, you have to be both patient and persistent. The internet is not reliable in Burma, so if you don't get a response, you have to be willing to send another email. Our agent suggested that we always send any emails to two of their addresses. There are also issues with emails from Burma getting quarantined to your spam folder. I opened a gmail account just for my correspendence with Burma.

My bias - but I wouldn't consider a tour group to Burma.

OK,so your curent thought is
"Bangkok, Yangoon, Bagan, Inle Lake, Luang Parang, Nam ou river-Nong Kiaou, Hoi An, Siem Riep for Angkor temples, Bangkok" You have 10 stops. That is possible, but pushing it a bit for 5 weeks. I'd be inclinded to cut one stop. The logistics - within Burma, that is a fine itinerary (though leave your time in Yangon for the end so you'll be back in Yangon to catch your flight to Bangkok in plenty of time). From Inle Lake to Luang Prabang will be at least a day maybe two - fly to Yangon, fly to Bangkok, fly to LP (one flight a day). Is Nam ou river-Nong Kiaou a cruise? where does the cruise end? From there to Hoi An is likely to be another complex connection. And it makes more sense to fly from LP to SR logistically. Cutting Hoi An will make your itinerary easier.

Take a look at the Bangkok Air Discovery Pass. Bangkok Air flies a number of legs you'll need that are otherwise fairly expensive.

This sounds like a wonderful trip!

Kathie, do you have both of the e-mail address for Santa Maria? Do I( just e-mail them with my requests? Is the only way to Burma from Bangkok? Can I go from Hanoi, or from Luang Prabang? I thought that if my dates in BUrma were more flexible, I could either start there, or end there,, or even in the middle. Maybe I do Hanoi,Hoi An, Angkor (siem Riep), Luang Prabang, Bangkok Burma, Bangkok, home. Or fly from BUrma back to Hanoi and then home

I found the answer to my own question Kathie, NO there does not seem to be any flight to Burma that doesn't stop in Bangkok first, so I have to go through there anyway. Maybe I Fly to Hanoi, Hoi An,SR,LP,Bangkok, Burma, Bangkok, home or Bangkok,,SR,,Hoi An,Hanoi,,LP, Bangkok, Burma, Bangkok, home?

There are flights from Singapore also.

I just read from a knew thread from June , that there are flight from Yangoon to SR & return?

Airline I'm booked on, Yangon to Singapore, is Jetstar.

I have to check out Singapore, not sure if that is the best. I am coming from Toronto Canada, and of course have to make a stop somewhere, but I have to check out prices and stuff.

There is a flight on Myanmar Airlines International from Siem Reap to Yangon. It is one of only two flights in existence that allow you to get a visa on arival (because it is the government airline). Generally, Bangkok is the least expensive entry to SE Asia. But there are flights from Singapore on Jetstar and on Silk and there are flights from KL on Air Asia to Yangon.

Kathie, do you have the two email address for Santa Maria Travel?

I am wondering if anyone has the info on Santa Maria Travel Agency, in Burma? i would love to use them because many of you said such good things about them.

This is the one I have - give it a try although I didn't receive a response as I mentioned.
santamaria@mptmail.net.mm

Here are a couple:

sales.santamaria@mptmail.net.mm

sales@santamariatours.com *they apparently have an easier time with this address

And if you don't receive a response, send it again in a few days.

Thanks for the e-mail address. I am going to get on it right away.

Hi all
Spent the week honing my schedule and contacting Santa Maria . Thanks Kathie , I was persistent and they got back to me. All of your suggestions were as usual very helpful. THis is what I am doing.

Feb.2 BK
Feb. 3 BK
Feb.4 Fly to Yangon
Feb. 5 Yangon
Feb. 6 Yangon
Feb.7 Fly to He Ho. Drive to Inle Lake
Feb. 8 Inle Lake
Feb. 9 Inle Lake
Feb. 10 Inle Lake
Feb. 11 Fly from He Ho to Bagan
Feb. 12 Bagan
Feb. 13 Bagan
Feb. 14 Fly from Bagan to Yangoon Fly from Yangoon to BK if there is a flight same day
Feb. 15 Fly to BK if cannot on the 14th.
.Feb. 16 Fly to SR
Feb. 17 Angkor
Feb. 18 Angkor
Feb. 19 Fly to HCMC. Fly to Danang. Drive to Hoi An
Feb. 20 Hoi An
Feb. 21 Hoi An
Feb. 22 Hoi An
Feb. 23 Drive to Danang. Fly to Hanoi
Feb. 24 Hanoi
Feb. 25 Hanoi
Feb. 26Hanoi
Feb. 27 Fly Hanoi to LP
Feb. 28 LP
Mar. 1. LP
Mar. 2.LP
Mar. 3 Fly to BK.
Mar. 4. BK
Mar 5. Fly BK back home

Now I am starting to make reservations for everything other than Burma. I saw that some of you mentioned a guide in Angkor. Ponheary Ly. How do I contact him? Does he do A/C cars? I am going to contact Minthu for Bagan, How far in advance should I contact him? Any top end accommodations in LP, Hanoi, Hoi An, or Bangkok? Getting around in Bangkok seems crazy, should I have a guide/driver or use the sky trains and water ways? Oh, any hotel suggestions for Siem reap? What is a Bangkok discovery Pass? Has anyone flown from Yangon to Siem Reap? If I can, I might save a day travel.

Ponheary Ly is a she, and any guide in Siem Reap will arrange whatever you want - air-conditioned cars are standard, but some people prefer tuk-tuks. Her brother, Dara is also an excellent guide. Take a look at www.theplf.org

Contact Min Thu now for the dates you want.

Best place in LP is La Residence Phou Vao.

Many wonderful places in Siem Reap. There is a La Residence, and a number of Fodorites have loved the Victoria. Go for a little boutique-type pace rather than the huge Sofitel. Hanoi - The Metropole. In Bangkok there are at least a dozen really top flight places. I prefer to stay along the river - look at the Oriental, the Peninsula, the Shangri-La.

I haven't flown on Myanmar Air International, but if you want to save that day (and get an extra day at Angkor), have Santa Maria book it for you. It doesn't fly every day of the week as I remember.

Getting around Bangkok: I prefer to use water taxis and the skytrain. I do use taxis as needed. I'm not a fan of a car and driver in Bangkok (though many people are). The only time I use a car and driver are for out of the way, difficult to find places such as the Prasart Museum. Staying on the river will mean you can catch a public water taxi to the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, Wat Po or Wat Arun. The water taxis are a must-do Bangkok experience, IMO.

You are doing well on your planning. You'll have a wonderful trip!

The Discovery Pass thru BKK Air allows you to book flights at a reduced rate. You need to book 3 segments in order to get the lower air fare. We used it successfully this past winter and saved substantially. Check out this thread for info on the Pass
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/how-to-book-the-bangkok-air-discovery-airpass.cfm

In BKK we booked a tour for half day with Tong Tours. We thought it would be a good way to efficiently see some of the major sites. Other than that we used the Skytrain & waterways which are very easy to use and get around the city.

While not the top hotel in Hanoi, we loved the Elegance Hotel Diamond. They have very nice rooms (suites or jr suites) and terrific service. I believe the HOTEL SOFITEL LEGEND METROPOLE is considered the to hotel there. The Elegance is much smaller than the Sofitel. I preferred the location of the Elegance to the Sofitel.

It's been years (2004) since we were in Viet Nam and Cambodia, but in looking at your schedule, I wonder if you mightn't rethink allocating only two full days to Angkor and three full days and four nights to Hoi An. Hoi An is charming, but doesn't offer that much to see/do unless you're planning on using it for r & r. Getting to the various temples around Siam Reap can take quite a bit of time and you may want to allot some down time to your days there so you're not out temple viewing the entire day.

Just a thought.

(I have ALWAYS regretted not staying at the Metropole in Hanoi; Instead at the strong recommendation of an acquaintance who was living in Hanoi, we stayed at the Sofitel near the lake. It was a large, modern, nondistinctive hotel with fine service, but it could have been anywhere and it turned out the rates were the same! Don't know anything about the Elegance.)

Having just returned from Burma, my rec would be to add one more day in BKK at the beginning and drop one day from Yangon at the beginning, especially if you have to do another overnight in Yangon mid trip because of the connections.

Re Vietnam, drop one day from Hoi Ann and add it to Hanoi so that you can do an overnight in Halong Bay on a junk. It's a wonderful experience. but I also agree that Angkor Wat could use an extra day. It would be worth trying to rearrange things a bit if you could get the Yangon -Siem Reap direct flight.

Have a great time.

Thanks again every one, great suggestions.