Meredydd

I am now starting to fill in the (squishy)framework for 6 weeks in Thailand and Laos from late January through the first week of March. Originally I planned to include Cambodia also, but that was simply too rushed. Even this feels very rushed.

While I know many of you prefer counting “nights,” I prefer counting days and allowing for transit days.

Day 1: arrive in Bangkok from US
Days 2-8: explore Bangkok (and recover from jet lag, which I do very badly)
***
Days 9-12: in transit to Chaing Mai …. See below
***
Days 13-25: based in Chaing Mai. Yes, 13 days “based” here but it includes the MHS loop, Elephant Nature Park, other day trips, laundry, “chill days,” cooking class….
Day 26: in transit to Chiang Rai
Days 27-28: explore Chiang Rai
Days 29-30: Mekong cruise to Luang Prabang
Days 31-37: Laos (Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientienne)
Day 38: transit: Vientienne to Bangkok (fly)
Days 39-41: Bangkok
Day 42: depart Bangkok for Hong Kong


Questions:

Days 9-12: I have some, though limited, interest in ancient ruins: I cannot spend days exploring old temples. I am very interested in rural settings, national parks and wildlife (mammals more than birds). For days 9-12 (or longer if I jiggle the above framework) options that I’ve come up with include:

(1) traveling up through the central plains, stopping at and exploring Sukothai. I *think* I could do this by bus or by train.

(2) Visit (trek?) Khao Yai National park, and then use Day 12 to transit Bangkok to CM. But I don’t know how to organize this. Should I look for a three-day tour starting from/returning to BangkoK?

My final concern is that this schedule has me in northern Thailand roughly Feb 10-22, and I have some concerns about the air quality and burning season. I could shift everything ahead, starting in Chaing Mai and then tacking all of my Bangkog days at the end. Again, thoughts?

Thanks for all of your help!

crellston

Firstly, regarding to burning season. Some years are much worse than others and the timing varies with the arrival of the dry season. We were last in the north of Thailand mid Feb to Early march 2014. The air quality was truly appalling all across the north from Chiang Rai and the Colden triangle area right down to Nan and the Lao border. Chiang Mai was the worst where some people were actually wearing gas masks on the streets. We left for the clean air of Bangkok!! Previous years we have travelled down river from Chiang Rai to LP and had a similarl experience in late March , early April.

I would definitely change your itinerary around to visit the north first. Notwithstanding you jet lag issues, I would transfer straight to CM and get over the JL there. If you could bring forward you departure by even a week or two, so much the better.

The MHS loops needs 3 days min assuming you are self driving. You could take longer. Fav places for me were MHS, Soppong an Mai Sariang. Doi Inthanon makes a nice overnight stop on the way back but can be done as a flying visit if short on time.

Sukothai can be done by bus or train see http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm for info on how to do it. If you are not really into temples but would just lie to see a few then Sukothai is a good place. Just rent a bike and cycle around the park.

Personally I would not bother with Khao Yai. We did it rented a car and sat yes at the nearby town visiting daily. The wildlife sightings were a little disappointing, mostly monkeys and a couple of wild elephants and giant oxen fro a distance.

I would consider dropping that in favour of more time in far northern Laos which for me is the best part of the country. Plenty of hiking around Muang Sing, Luang Namtha, Phongsali etc.

Meredydd

Thank you, Crellston.

I will look into pulling CM to the front of the itinerary. I am trying to book flights with awards, so CM may not be directly bookable from the US. I've learned about the Bangkok Discover Pass, which might be used from Bangkok to Chaing Mai, and then from Vientienne back to BKK.

Alas, I cannot pull my departure date earlier in January.

I will not self-drive the MHS loop, but rather will try to arrange minivan transport between overnight stops. No need to rush. I have figured on at least four nights on the MHS loop -- still penciling it in.

Thanks for the advice regarding Khao Yai. The more I dig, it seems that Thailand is fabulous for birders but something of a disappointment for people interested in mammals.

crellston

You are welcome Merdydd. In addition to the Bangkok Airpass it would also be worth taking a look at www.airasia.com for cheap flights.

zoso

I would stay over night at Elephant Nature Park.More time to relax.The day trippers leave after lunch.You will have the park to yourself along with the volunteers.
I go every year it's life changing if you love animals!

I was in Khao Yai a couple of weeks ago.We spotted a barking deer. That was it.
The best part of the trip was seeing millions upon millions of bats leave their
Cave at dusk.....loved it.We rented a car from Bangkok and drove there.
The traffic was soooo bad....getting out of town.And, then coming back.
It doesn't move a huge parking lot!