I'm planning a two week trip in December and have deliberately left the final 6 days open, since the suggestions I got from Fodorites last year really helped me plan my trip.

My interests are: people, arts/culture, temples and architecture, magnificent scenery/outdoors activities

This is what I have so far:
Bangkok - 2 days (this is enough time in BKK for this trip, I have been there now 3 times).
Siem Reap - 3 days
Luang Prabang - 3 days

I'm flying from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai, where I have friends and I could just stay there - but have been to Chiang Mai and BKK several times so would like to go somewhere different.

Myanmar (esp. Bagan and Yangon) is at the top of my list but I'm not sure I can do it in 6 days... or if it might be temple overload to see both Angkor and Bagan in the same trip?

I was planning a trip to Hong Kong last year and never made it - so that is also at the top of my list.

But also need to keep things affordable - and have already spent more than I planned on this part of the trip alone. I know Hong Kong can be expensive (and I'd hate to go there not being able to stay in a 5-star hotel!)

Thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

Well, you will be moving around alot. Have you considered just chilling in southern Thailand (Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Phuket)? or how about Singapore? I think your times are right for SR and LP - although you could easily spend an extra day or 2 in LP and not be bored. Also, how about Chiang Rai and northernmost Thailand? - the Anantara gets good reviews here. Reserve Myanmar for another trip - you need more time and you should include Lake Inle - we are planning 10 full days there next February. I spent a week in Hong Kong which was just about right - with travel time etc, you probably won't have time to give it justice.

I did an almost identical itinerary in May of this year. We also had 3 days in Hanoi and 3 days at a great, lux, eco resort in Nha Trang. Would do everything the same way again...it was a great trip, and although we visited several places in a short amount of time we di not feel too harried or rushed.

Let me recommend that you spend at least one extra day ay both Angkor and LP. (I spent a week in each place and both were worth every minute.) I note that you haven't figured in your travel days to your total amount of time, and each time you change locations you lose most of a day. For me, I consider thee locations to be perfect for two weeks. Since you don't want to spend more time in bangkok, you could spend a few days at a beach or somewhere in Northern Thailand.

i agree with kathie...at least one more day at SR (angkor), even two and another day or two in LP and then just chill with your friends in CM

John or Others:

Does anyone know if there are direct flights between Siem Reap and Luang Prabang in December? I have read in several places of high season flights between these two towns, but I cannot put my finger on an airline or a flight schedule to confirm this. Also, Bangkok Airways directs a holder of the "Discovery Airpass" to route their flight through Bangkok, even though their route map on the internet appears to include a direct SR-LP route.

From what I've been able to find, Siem Reap Airways offers a single non-stop flight from LP to Siem Reap 1230-1455, but only flies T, Th, and Sa. And I haven't seen any direct flights going the other direction (Siem Reap to LP).

Oh, I should also post that I found that information on www.airgorilla.com, but the flight is almost $300, so I would buy it using the Bangkok Airways Discovery AirPass instead.

Thank you very much, Pebbles. Have you purchased or reserved space for this flight? If so, how did you do so?

Judging by the flight duration, it seems like there is probably an intermediate stop en route (maybe Pakse)?

I have not reserved space yet. It is on my to-do list to call Bangkok Airways and book my flights in SEA. I looked again at the flight on airgorilla.com and it says that there are no stops for that flight. Does anybody know if it really takes 2.5 hrs to fly between these two cities?

I did just call Bangkok Airways. I spoke with a helpful representative named Melvin. After some checking, he confirmed your schedule for flight 634 and said that it should be bookable on the Discovery Airpass. He said if I wished to book it, I should ask for him because there was some confusion in the office about this flight, but he believes he now knows the correct information.

I would suggest maybe 2 days in Chiang Rai..I stayed at the Legend last Jan and it was a really enjoyable stay.Also activities like the elephant ride etc was real good too.
Haha of course I would also suggest dropping by Singapore if you like since I am from Singapore anyway.
As for HongKong I would think you wouldn't want anything less than a 5 star since most hotels there are pretty small. I myself am looking at all these options (Siem Reap, BKK, Hong Kong and Hua hin for the coming Jan) Of course not all together, I only have 5 days to spare myself but your itinerary seems interesting. Can't seem to find much on what to do in Siem Reap except temple sighting, anything else you might have on your itinenary that you could share?

To those asking about flights: I'm flying BKK-Siem Reap-BKK-Luang Prabang on Bangkok Airways.

Leikela: My reason for going to Siem Reap is to visit the temples since this is my first time there, and I'm sure I won't have nearly enough time to see as much as I'd like.

I've read about boat trips to a floating village on the lake near the city, river cruises to as far as Phnom Pen, and visits to schools bringing much-needed supplies and uniforms.

Kimadrew - Starting on Oct30/06 Lao Airlines has a flight on mon/thur from SR to LP. You can use the discovery pass for this flight if it is any cheaper. I think Siem Reap also flies this route but they have not posted their winter schedule yet..

http://www.laoairlines.com/

I would def add a couple more days to siem reap, as the temples will take a good 3 days, and there are many other things to do inc a trip on the tonle sap to the flooded forest, Aki Ra's landmine museum, the artisans centres - silk and carving,

Are you flying home from Bangkok? If so, you might need to figure an extra night there at the end of the trip. If your international flight isn't set yet and you don't want to spend time in BKK anyway, I'd probably pick either Hanoi or Hong Kong for the final destination and then fly home from there.
I loved SR and LP, but the number of days depends on your own travel style. We spent three nights in each and didn't feel too rushed, but it's true I like to travel faster than some. In SR, our flight out on the last day was in the evening, so in essence, we had an extra day. But in that time, we were able to tour enough temples to satisfy me, do a school visit, go to Tonle Sap, and stop at the artisans place. In Luang Prabang, which I also loved, we had time for temple touring, bike riding, a trip up the river to the caves, and a trip to the waterfall. Again, we weren't overly rushed. But pace is a very personal thing - I could have spent another day in each and not been bored - but I also like to maximize what I'm able to see. I think 3 nights is a minimum for a comfortable stop. We had 4 in Chiang Mai and enjoyed it immensely.
I don't understand the part about flying from LP to Chiang Mai but then maybe not staying there... what do you mean? You have friends there, but why are going if you're not staying? Just to have lunch? (I didn't mean that to sound sarcastic, but I don't understand - do you mean for just one night or something?)
If it were me given that you've been to BKK and CM several times, I'd definitely add Hanoi or Hong Kong... although I can understand the pull of Myanmar - I feel it myself. Decisions, decisions. They're so tough! Good luck and keep us posted.
If you want to see how we allocated our time, here's my trip report link (warning - it's quite long)...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34762799

Karen

Hi - I could give you loads of suggestions, but as you say you can't bear the idea of staying in HK in other than a 4-5 star hotel, I'll not waste my time.

Karen - Your trip report was amazing! I read it as you were posting it a few months ago. I still need to purchase my return ticket, so I can fly back from anywhere. Bangkok is probably most convenient, I know.

I have the ticket to Chiang Mai because my plan is either to stay there, or continue on to another destination, in which case there are direct flights from Chiang Mai to many Asian cities (Hong Kong/Singapore/Yangon...). So that seemed more logical to me than the logistics of flying somewhere else from Luang Prabang.

Fuzzylogic - sometimes humor doesn't translate well online, and I was 'trying' to be funny about the HK hotel... Sure it would be nice to stay in a great hotel in Hong Kong - a city known for having some world class accomodations - but I never said, or meant to infer, that I "couldn't bear the thought" of anything else. Sorry for the confusion with that.

Sorry JohnH - I missed the irony. Understandable perhaps given that so many people do find anything other than 4-5 star a non-starter.

Anyway - seems you have a fixed outline plan - flying from BKK to Siem Reap and then to LP via BKK.

The problem of course with trying to do a circuit is getting from Siem Reap to Southern Laos - can be done - but you need time.

I'll just toss out some ideas.

From Siem Reap take the boat to Battambang (cos it's there, and cos it's a brilliant trip). From there return to Thailand by road and maybe spend some time in Ko Chang or Ko Samet. Never been to Ko Chang but Ko Samet, despite being very touristy, is still a lovely place. You can easily travel from there by pickup and bus to BKK, and then plug into the rest of your itinerary - ie fly to LP and fly to CM and visit friends.

Alternatively - spend a little more time around BKK. I know what it's like to revisit BKK - do it often and love the city - but you do get the feeling that you have only limited time and there are other places to go!!

Have you considered taking a trip to Kanchanaburi? Easy to spend a few days there.

Cheers.