Travel without reservations
 

Considering a 21 day trip that will include landing and leaving from Bangkok. Stops in Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, Vietnam. Do not want to be tied down to a "must leave" schedule. Will be traveling in January 2013.
Is it reasonable/possible to book flights, find hotels etc. "on the moment" in the named places? Is this the wrong time of year to be doing this? Is there a travel agent who is flexible and available enough to be able to help with this kind of travel/adventure? Example: call on January 5th need a hotel in Siem Reap etc.
I know this can be accomplilshed on the internet, but at that time of year are there airplane, hotel, guide openings.
Central Question: based upon your knowledge is flexibility possible in January.
Thanks

it can be done for sure as long as you are totally flexible... some flts may be full however

The place that will be hardest in terms of hotels will be Luang Prabang. The farther away from the New Year holiday you are the easier it will be. You do need to be flexible, as Bob says, because some flights will be full, esp. those to/from Siem Reap and to/from Luang Prabang.

You do not need a travel agent, just do the bookings yourself. Carry along a laptop or netbook, and you can manage almost all reservations that way.

Guides? In genreal, you do not need guides for this trip. If you decide you would like a guide somewhere, hire them on the spot.

The only place in SE Asia where traveling without reservations is really a bad idea right now is Burma.

We have done several "fully flexible" trips to the area, in December/Jan and once over Tet in March/April. Travel over Tet was quite challenging, especially the flights ( we had to stay in Hue for a week). By comparison Dec was easy and we had no problems finding places to stay or, booking guides for treks etc. which we usually booked a day in advance or even on the day. Flights were a little harder and more expensive last minute, but not impossible but you may have to wait a day or two.

5* hotels will be a lot more difficult to find, particularly if traveling over the new year period or close to it. Budget and mid range places will always be available and are usually best secured via hostelworld or similar.

I doubt a travel agent will add anything (except cost!) to the process.

I appreciate the encouragement and comments. Intend to establish a general plan and then be flexible. Thanks to those who offered advice.