christophe_mogwai

I have booked my flight to Bangkok on 04/01/2015 heading back on 02/02/2015. I am planning on visiting Thailand (up to 2 weeks), a bit of Laos and Cambodia( up to 1 week each). I would like to avoid the most touristy places as much as I can, as I would like t really experience the culture and ways of living. Still planning on going to Chang Mai and Chang Rai, and viewing good non crowded beaches, and some temples in Cambodia. Any advice on a good itinerary I could plan?

Thanks

Chris

Kathie

Have you been anywhere in SE Asia previously?

christophe_mogwai

no first time outside europe pretty much. Some friends have been there but they used tour operators.I don't want to be limited to that.

Kathie

Well, you say you want to avoid the touristy places, but there are reasons people visit these places. If you want to visit Cambodia, I'd highly recommend you visit the temples at Angkor. These temples are one of the wonders of the world. Get a copy of Dawn Rooney's book, Angkor: A Guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples. While some of the temples are crowded, there are many dozens of accessible temples, many of which have few visitors. There are also newly open temples to the north that very few people visit. This is an off the beaten track location, and you'll need to overnight at a guesthouse there. One of our regulars here lives in Cambodia and posted all the details here. If you can't find the information posted by offwego, I'll try to find it and give you a link. I'm currently in Peru, so not spending much time here.

It is easy to travel in these places as they have good tourist infrastructure on the tourist track, and Thailand pretty much everywhere. If you want beach resort recommendations, tell us what your budget per night is.

What do you want to do/see/experience in Northern Thailand? And what are your goals for Laos? Do you have some ideas on where you want to go?

christophe_mogwai

Thanks for the info on Cambodia and the book, I will check it out. The idea is to make a loop, first go North for a week to see some Temples at Chang Mai and Chang Rai and visit the cities, possibly see some hilltribes to learn about their ways and also the bridge of River kwai if I can. Then I'd like to travel across Laos, I was Told it was beautiful, but not clear on what to see. Then go to Cambodia to visit some more temples( my friends recommended them to me too). Im hoping that I will have a few days left so I could visit a bit the south of Thailand( a few islands around phuket).
As for my budget I'm thinking around £1500 ( slightly over $2000).
I'm not so much interested in beach holidays, I just saw they were beautiful, worth checking out.
Thanks again for your intel

christophe_mogwai

£1500 is my budget for the whole trip of course

LancasterLad

Christopher.

A few things to consider...

- You are going at Peak Season. All 3 countries will be v.busy, especially all the popular places. Angkor, for example will be overrun by tour groups, and there's nothing much worse than loud disrespectful Korean tour groups.

- 4 weeks will pass in a blink of the eye, and trying to do 3 countries will put ticks in boxes, but won't allow much time for loitering at leisure.

- Travelling by road can be slow, especially if you want to stray off the beaten track a bit. That'll be time consuming, and you ain't got a lot of that.

- The amount of ground you want to cover might mean putting Plan B into effect now and again.

- Train travel is a true Thai experience. Overnight sleepers are great, but you'll need to book in advance. An overnight train will get you from A to B while you sleep, and they save on a night's accommodation. I thoroughly recommend the overnight train from Bangkok (Hualamphong) to Nong Khai. Nong Khai is a laid back border town sitting on the Meekong at the Thai-Laos border point of Friendship Bridge. The Laos capital, Vientiane is just over the Bridge. Nong Khai is also worth staying a couple of nights.

- No proper trains in Laos or Cambodia unfortunately, although if you find yourself in Battambang there's the fun Bamboo Train (if it's still operating.

- Your budget if it also includes accommodation is doable, but definitely in the budget range. Don't know how much flying you want to do.

- Definitely visit the Kanchanaburi area, and not just for a rushed day trip. Here's an excellent link...

http://www.seat61.com/Bridge-on-the-River-Kwai.htm

Vientianeboy

If you are going to Lao I would suggest 3 days in Luang Prabang and a couple in Vientiane and Vang Vieng. All of these will not be "out of the way", but they are worth visiting.

christophe_mogwai

Hi Katie,

Thanks a lot for the info. Kanchanaburi sounds great, there is a few things can see there.I think I will follow your advice and stick to Vientiane and possibly Nong Khai for my visit to Laos if I want to go to Angkor.
Any idea if there is a train(s) going from laos to Cambodia, or is flying the best option?
Thanks again.

christophe_mogwai

sorry I meant Landcasterlad

christophe_mogwai

Thanks Vientianeboy for the info, I ll keep it in mind. I guess plans can always change along the way

Kathie

No trains in Cambodia.

silverwool

You can go from southern Laos to Cambodia by bus (changing buses at the border) but its fairly slow. I'd suggest flying would be a better option.

gregleisner

My wife and I spend a very enjoyable week in Seim Reap (Angkor). We hired a personal guide for two days to see the temple sites. We did go back to Angkor Wat just because it is so magical. But we also saw the landmine museum, the silk farm, the floating village, the national museum, went horseback riding and shot weapons on the Cambodian army base near Seim Reap.

But I have to admit, we also spent a large amount of time on Pub Street and the nearby markets.