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-   -   1 Month SE Asia itinerary. (https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/1-month-se-asia-itinerary-1115135/)

ginger50 Jun 27th, 2016 06:00 AM

1 Month SE Asia itinerary.
 
Thanks to all who helped sort out the Vietnam portion of our trip. We've decided on Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, leaving Myanmar for next year.

About us: we are a well travelled couple, 55 and 64 yo. I have been to Thailand and Cambodia (2008), my husband has not. Neither have been to Vietnam. We are traveling February -March, 2017.
We enjoy food, and plan to take food Tours in a few cities. Exploring on foot, bike riding, and just seeing the way others live. We plan to visit many of the interesting sites, markets and temples wherever we go.


Day 1 overnight Chicago to HCMC. Arrive at 10:30. Visa on arrival.

Days 2-4 HCMC

Day 5 HCMC, afternoon bus to Can Tho

Day 6 5:30 am boat to tour floating markets. Depart for Chau Duc by bus soon afterwards

Day 7 all day in Chau Duc. With 1/2 a day on day 6, .this gives us 1.5 days here.

Day 8 boat to Phnom Phen

Days 9-10 in Phnom Phen

Day 11-12 depart PP for Battambang by bus. Gives us almost 2 days here.

Days 13-15 bus to Seam Reap. 2.5 days here gives us 2 days for Angkor Wat. I've been here before, and this will be plenty for husband.

Day 16-21 fly to Chiang Mai. Some will say this is a long time In Chiang Mai. When I was here in 2008 I absolutely love this town and have always wanted to come back and spend more time here. I'm not sure what we will do here other than eat and get massages, but I'm sure the time will fly by.

Day 21 pm. Night train to Bangkok. Again, this is something I've always wanted to do.

Day 22-25 Arrive Bangkok early am and take a train/bus/taxi to Hua Hin. Very open to suggestions for best mode of travel.

Day 25-31 return to Bangkok and remain there until day 31 when we depart for home.

Both my husband and I feel like this is a manageable itinerary. The only glaring question is the Hua Hin portion of our trip. We have been planning to go for at least a part of our trip to a Thailand beach, but decided to allow ourselves more time in Vietnam and Cambodia, so that ruled Phuket for us. Is this a good alternative to get a taste of the beach? Or should we just not go to the beach and add time elsewhere.

We are very appreciate of of all of your comments and suggestions. Thank you in advance.

Gin

Kathie Jun 27th, 2016 06:56 AM

I think you have put together a very reasonable itinerary.

The beach question: I've been to Hua Hin several times and have used a car and driver to get there. Since you have just overnighter on the train, it's worth looking into the train down to Hua Hin. The beach area we stayed at last time we were there - the Hyatt - was very nice and walking distance to the Chiva Som which is often named one of the best destination spas in the world.

Note that the beach at Hua Hin there is nice, but not as spectacular as parts of Phuket.

You are taking the overnight train from CM to Bangkok - anticipate that you may not get much sleep - and then you are going on to Hua Hin the same day. I think that may prove exhausting. And you'll just have two days at the beach. That may feel like enough for you. If you decide to cut the beach, add another day in VN for sure.

Enjoy!

crellston Jun 27th, 2016 12:24 PM

Looks like a pretty good itinerary! Lots of variety.

"Eat and massages in Chiang Mai" sounds good to me! I love the northern Thai food. If you feel like a couple of days away from the city http://nest.chiangdao.com is worth a look.

I have done the train to and from Chiang Mai/Bangkok. I enjoyed it but as Kathie, says don't plan on getting too much sleep. We have done it in first and second class and whilst you get the private cabin in first, the beds are at right angles to the direction of travel and so sleep more difficult. Second was ok and it does give you the opportunity to chat with some Thai people. www.seat61.com is the go to resource.

If the times work you could always continue on to Hua Hin but I am not sure whether you will have to change stations. Otherwise , a Car is preferable to bus. But as Kathie points out, it would be a VERY long day.

I loved, Hua Hin 20 odd years ago, when I first visited, but really didn't like it on subsequent visits. If going there I would pick a nice hotel and stay there. The town is overrun with resident expats and tourists. We stayed at the then Sofitel Central, a colonial style place that served as the location for the PP hotel in The Killing Fields. I think it is now a Centara Grand.

Personally, I would skip the beach add the time elsewhere, probably Vietnam or Cambodia.

LancasterLad Jun 28th, 2016 07:33 AM

There a train from Bangkok [Hualamphong] to Surit Thani that leaves at 0805 [train number 43].

It stops at Hua Hin at about 1130.

It's 2nd Clas only, comfortable, and the fare includes a rice/chicken meal and soft drink.

You need to pre-book as there's only 2 carriages [130 pax], and there's no standing allowed.

The bus from Phnom Penh to Battambang can be a long day in the saddle. I don't think they use the best vehicles on that route. Battambang really needs two full days to make the journey worthwhile imo, so perhaps chop a day off Bangkok at the end.

ginger50 Jun 30th, 2016 05:26 AM

So if we take the beach off of our itinerary that gives us three nights elsewhere. One more in Chau Doc for sure, we are kind of torn between adding a day to Phnom Phen (2.5 days as it sits) or Battambang (1.5 days as it sits). We will probably add the last day to Chiang Mai.

Or with 3 extra nights do we add another destination altogether? Where?

crellston Jun 30th, 2016 06:23 AM

I would add straight nights to existing destinations. Chau Doc really needs two full days. I love PP but, in the context of your overall trip, 2.5 is enough I feel. Battambang town itself is no great shakes but lots to see in the surrounding areas, bamboo railway, bat caves, the temple on the hill, touring the villages by tuk tuk etc. At that time of year you should also be able to get to SR by boat from Battambang, but it is a long hot trip.

If adding to Chiang Mai and you fancy a change of pace, a side trip to Chiang Rai for a couple of days is a nice alternative. A great weekend walking market and the Black House and White temple are worth a visit. Best to rent a car but can be done by public transport.

Kathie Jun 30th, 2016 07:13 AM

I agree with Crellston - don't add another destination, distribute the days to the destinations you have already chosen.

ginger50 Jun 30th, 2016 10:30 AM

Current operating plan is to add 1 day to Chau Doc and 2 to Chiang Mai with the plan to go to Chiang Rai. Are you saying to rent a car in Chiang Mai and drive to CR for a night or 2 versus taking a bus?

crellston Jun 30th, 2016 01:35 PM

Personally I have always rented a car when visiting the north of Thailand as it makes it easier to get around. But our trips have usually involved driving to places other than CM - Chiang Dao, the Mae Hong Sorn loop or the Golden Triange area .

If you are just staying in CM for the majority of your time then don't bother for that city. Traffic is horrible and it is walkable for the most part.

To get to Chiang Rai is a couple of hours drive and whilst CR itself is easily negotiable by car, you don't really need one in town as it is quite small. However if you want to see the Black House and White Temple, both are out of the centre so a car is a great advantage. The alternative is a taxi or maybe a tour - both places could be seen in one day.

If at all possible do try and include a Saturday night in CR the walking street market is far superior to anything in Chinag Mai.

If you do want to go the rental route, the best place to rent a car from CM is from the airport, rather than downtown so as to avoid the traffic. Maybe you could schedule it so you return it to the airport for your flight back to BKK or, if going by train. Take it back to the airport and taxi to the train station.

ginger50 Jul 1st, 2016 06:39 AM

I think since we want to be in Chiang Rai for a weekend, that we fly there from SR, see the sights, stay our extra 2 nights, then take a bus down to CR.

I saw the White Temple in 2008, but husband has not and I remember being stunned by it.


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