hello, tres IMPORTANT,
hier 03 02 07 j'ai ete refoulee de TACHILEK BIRMANIE, tous les avions pour MANDALAY sont supprimes, y compris de CHIANG MAI, ce sont les infos de la frontiere birmane,
j'ai eu bcp de mal a discuter avec les services immigration birman ou thai,
car mon bleme, mon stamp thai se terminait le 03 02 07, donc je suis dans l'illegalite en thailande, je file a chiang mai, au bureau d'immigration pour trouver une solution,
Sinon si quelqu'un a des infos sur les problemes en birmanie, je suis preneuse, pour savoir si je peux trouver une solution pour aller en Birmanie.
amicalment
tintina
Je n'ai pas bien compris. Est-ce seulement un problème d'avion qui ne desservirait plus Mandalay? Ou est-ce un problème de frontière que l'on ne peut plus franchir?
Parce que dans le premier cas, tu rentres quelques jours en Birmanie et tu peux visiter le pays Shan quand même, revenir en Thailande où tu repars avec un nouveau droit comme si tu y arrivais pour la première fois.
Si c'est le deuxième cas, c'est plus gênant. Cette frontière peut être ouverte pendant plusieurs mois sans aucun problème et être fermée pour plusieurs semaines sans aucune info qui le justifie.
De Chiang Mai, tu peux, à mon avis, rentrer en Birmanie par Yangon avec la Thai ou Bangkok Airways. Ou alors carrément retourner sur Bangkok (Air Asia?) et ensuite sur Yangon, je pense que c'est sûrement le moyen le plus économique.
Au pire, tu vas payer deux ou trois jours d'overstay aux autorités thais. Si tu expliques pourquoi tu es en dépassement de visa, je pense qu'ils vont la jouer cool.
c'est le 2eme cas, imposible de rester en birmanie,
mon pote YO est venu a mon secours,
je suis ressortie de thailand, j'ai payer 500 baths overstay,
ensuite je suis aller a la frontiere birmanie des touristes qui viennent pour faire du shoping seuleument 1 jour, je suis rester 2 mn il m'a mis le tampon j'ai payer 500 baths et j'ai pu re rentrer en thailand immediatement, en tout 10 mn.
mais la veille je suis tombee sur une saloperie de bonne femme qui n'a jamais voulu que je fasse cette manip.
me voila revenu a chiang mai, je vais chercher des infos pour savoir ce qui se passe, je vous tien au courant.
amicalment
tintina
donne nous des infos de ton passage à l'immigration, ca m'intéresse
car ce lundi matin 5 fev, j'ai appelé le bureau d'AirMandalay Chiangmai qui m'a dit qu'il n'y avait pas connaissance de vols annulés et de pas de soucis special a la frontière de MaeSai pour les etrangers
mais effectivement a cette époque c'est la période classique et redondante des troubles coté birmanie
demain je vais aller chez airmandalay a chaing mai.
a l'immigration birmane ils m'ont dit IMPOSSIBLE de rester en birmanie et il n'y a pas d'avion.
tu peux juste rester un jour a la frontiere pour faire des achats
je n'en sais malheureusement pas plus.
amical
tintina
je vais appeler mon contact a Rangoon et voir ce qui se passe
Ici a l'immigration a ChiangMai, je doute qu'ils te fassent part de leur etat d'ame sur ce qui se passe de l'autre coté de la frontière
A mon avis, sauf peut être exception de temps à autre, il n'a jamais été réellement possible de rentrer en Birmanie par cette frontière pour ensuite partir vers Mandalay ou Yangon. Je dis bien sauf exceptions.
Cette zone est isolée du reste de la Birmanie, et je pense que pour visiter le reste du pays, il faut rentrer par Yangon (ou parait-il Mandalay maintenant). De toute façon, il est indiqué qu'il faut sortir du pays par le même point qu'on est rentré.
Une autorisation de séjour de quelques jours pour TACHILEK refusée est cependant étonnante.
en réponse à Parker - tout a fait amicalement désolé de te contredire
en ce qui concerne mon expérience ( plusiers passages depuis mi-2005 et encore 2 x en janvier) - aucun probleme depuis mi-2005 pour entrer par la Frontière MaeSai Tachilek ( a part quelques périodes de troubles tout a fait ponctuelles mais récurrentes), pour un thai comme pour un étranger, faire la route de Tachilek à Kentung et a Kentung de decider ou aller ( vers le Nord, vers la frontière chinoise) ou plus simple prendrel e vol Kentung Mandalay
Encore moins de probleme pour prendre le vol ChiangMai Mandalay
aucun soucis maintenant pour entrer à Tachilek et ressortir à Yangon
et dans le sens contraire, entrer à Bangkok vol Yangon, faire le circuit Pagan Mandalay Lac Inle par ex puis vol Heho Tachilek ( ou Taungyi Tachilek) et repasser la frontière de maeSai en Thailande les impossibilités de zones, de visite des mines de rubis et de jade, ..., le change, les 200 USD imposés à l'arrivée, les FEc .. tout cela n'existe plus mais tout cela subsite encore dans des tas de guides non actualisés ( seule retriction, se balader dans les zones frontalières en conflit, notamment la zone shan entre taungyi et la frontière thai
La Birmanie évolue ( je ne me prononce pas sur le coté positif ou négatif) mais bouge constament et rien ne dit ce que sera demain
Mais je pense que beaucoup de touristes s'autorisent l'accès à certains endroits sur incitation de locaux qui ne sont pas plus au courant que nous : exemple Mogok : ouvert ou pas ouvert ????
Pour les frontières, tant mieux que ça soit de plus en plus facile de circuler.
tout a fait d'accord
que beaucoup de Candide aillent se balader sans préparation dans les coins ou ils ne parlent pas la langue, ne connaissent pas les us et coutumes, ou ils savent pertinament que c'est en conflit ou controlé par les maffias, ..
et passent souvent et tres innocemment a coté de perils qu'ils n'ont pas percu, c'est évident . Ceux qui seront vraiment tombés dans une galère pas possible auront souvent autre chose a faire qu'aller raconter leur galère sur le forum de VF
pour Mogok et autres mines de rubis et de jade, bien sur tu n'y va pas comme ca les mains dans les poches, ( pas plus que si tu veux visiter une usine ou une mine en exploitation en europe ou ailleurs dans le monde !)
mais accessible ( sans soucis majeur) avec un guide autorisé et en préparant ton coup
Merci encore à Tintina de nous donner des nouvelles récentes et du vécu personnel. Je suis d'accord avec toi Lukmee. Je lis sur d'autres sources que des personnes sont passées en janvier.
Je vous donne ici juste mon avis. La région vaut la peine, si le passage n'est pas possible, il y a plein de choses à voir dans l'extrême nord de la Thailande. Que surtout cela ne vous décourage pas de visiter l'ex Birmanie qui est un pays magnifique.
Bon voyage à tous
Véro
VI j'ai lu plusieurs posts ou des gens sont passes par cette frontiere mais le 03 02 07 ils n'ont pas voulu de moi.
je vais essaye un vol BKK YANGOON.
affaire a suivre pour le moment je suis ds l'issan de la thailande a PI MAI.
je suis OK, j'ai visiter PLEIN d'endroits dont un ds le nord tt a fait GENIAL, ds les montagnes a WIANG HAENG, accompagnee de la police armee car la region est dangeureuse, il n'y a aucun touriste c'est grace a un pote thai que j'ai pu faire ce trip qui pour moi est EXTRAORDINAIRE.
si cela interresse kekun, je donnerais ttes les infos et surtout les contacts de mon pote qui sans lui c'est impossible.
amicalment
tintina
Cette région est superbe, j'y étais sur les pistes de montagne il y a 2 semaines avec mon épouse.
La région n'est pas réellement dangereuse, si c'était le cas nous ne pourrions pas y aller, mais elle est à tout le moins sensible comme l'indique les nombreux abris et tranchées le long de la frontière.
Comme les militaires sont sympas, cela ne gâte rien en plus.
Beaucoup de plantations d'orangers à l'Est de Wiang Haeng en direction de Fang et du DOi Ang Khang.
Hell0 Tintina
le vols ChiangMai Mandalay de jeudi dernier a bien eu lieu et
pour celui de jeudi prochain, ce matin samedi 10 fev il y a encore de la place
CNX MDLY 14h25 15h10 le prix public est de 4500 THB
air mandalay représentant ChiangMai 053 818 049 ( anglophone)
oui cela m'intéresse de connaitre ton contact pour se balader dans le coin de WiangHaeng
Bonjour
Je suis depuis ce matin a Rangoon par un vol BKK-Rangoon. J'ai ete me renseigner a une sorte d'office du tourisme ( Myanmar travels and tours ) juste a cote de la Sule Pagoda a propos d'un retour par Tachilek . Et la on nous a dit que c'etait possible a condition d'en demander l'autorisation 15 jours a l'avance moyennant 130 dollars(ca comprend le billet d'avion Mandalay-Tachilek, un encadrement jusqu'a la frontiere et le passage de cette frontiere ) . Donc c'est possible mais assez complique . En plus il faut donner a l'avance le jour de sortie du pays et on nous envoie les autorisations a l'office du tourisme de Mandalay .Peut-etre n'a-t-on pas frapper a la bonne porte ( ?) et que comme tu le dis dans ton message, il suffit de le faire sans se poser de questions et sans rien demander a personne ! Bref on est un peu perplexes ...
comme tu le dis clairement dans mon mail """'j'ai ete me renseigner a une sorte d'office du tourisme """
leur as tu demandé en quoi constitait l'accompagnement a Tachilek ?? en camion militaire ?? avec une cagoule sur la tete ??
Pourquoi n'es tu pas allé soit directment au bureau de AirMandalay, soit aupres d'une vraie agence de voyage privée ( met moi un mot en message privé et je te donnerais des adresses puisque la politique de ce forum VF c'est de fournir des infos mais surtout ne jamais mentionner d'adresses d'agences sous peine de se faire virer !
En fait quand tu arrives à tachilek, ytu récupères tes bagages et tu sors de l'aéroport, il y a des taxis collectifs qui attendent devant tu monte ( je ne me souviens plus des tarifs mais ca doit etre dans les 2 à 3 US$) pour l'emmener jusqu'a al frontière ( distance aéroport frontière une vingtaine de km peut etre), ensuite tu passe la fronière sans soucis--
voila la présentation officielle de ton ""sorte 'office du tourisme"" clairement affiché sur le net
Myanmar Travels & Tours
Myanmar Hotels & Tourism Services (MHTS) is the commercial enterprise which manages state-owned hotels, tour operations (Myanmar Travels & Tours), and local beverage business (Beverage Dept).
It was established since 1964 by the name of Trade Corporation No.20 (Hotels and Tourist Corporation) with a few leading hotels and Tourist Burma, sole tour operator and travel agent. It was renamed as MHTS in 1988 under Ministry of Trade.
When adopting the Market Oriented Economy and formation of Ministry of Hotels & Tourism in 1992, Directorate of Hotels & Tourism, Myanmar Hotels & Tourism Services and Restaurant and Beverages Enterprise were formed under its management. In line with the changing market oriented economy, Restaurant and Beverage Enterprise was reorganized as Beverage Department under the MHTS on 1st April, 2000.
Prior to 1992, there were 39 state-owned hotels with 1340 rooms under MHTS. In the process of privatization, MHTS has leased its hotels to both local and foreign investors. It has also formed a Joint-Venture with foreign partners for the renovation and management of four major hotels, the Strand Dusit Inya Lake, Thamada and Mandalay Swan Hotel. Currently, there are only 8 state-owned hotels existing in major tourist destination like Mandalay, Sittwe, Mrauk-Oo, Pyin Oo Lwin, Kyaing Tong and Bago.
merci beucoup pour ce message, c'est on ne peut plus clair . Demain lundi, Union Day a Rangoon = jour ferie . Mardi on va a Air Mandalay ou Air Bagan et on verra bien, de toutes facons c'est ce qu'on comptait faire . Par contre je ne sais pas trop comment envoyer des messages prives et ce soir au cyber le courant a deja saute 2 fois, je ne vais donc pas prendre le temps de chercher comment faire !
De toute facon, on devrait trouver une agence privee assez facilement .
Encore merci et avec mes amities .
merci pour les infos sur les vols, je serais de retour a chiang mai ds environ 2 jours et je vais direct chez air mandalay.
Mon contact s'appelle YO phonne 086 921 14 78, tu dis que tu telephon de la part de corinne, il habite chiang mai, il t'emmenera moyennant finance c'est normal c'est son job. il parle anglais avec un super accent.
David un VF, a utilise ses services pour 11 jours il est super content.
amicalment
tintina
hello, je sors de chez AIR MANDALAY a CHIANG MAI le 15 fevrier 2007;
CA Y EST J'AI MES BILLETS.
Il n'y a pas de vol le samedi matin,
il n'y a pas de vol MANDALAY CHIANG MAI
on revient a chiang mai de YANGOON
voila je pars le jeudi 22 fevrier CHIANG MAI MANDALAY
je reviens le jeudi 8 mars YANGOON MANDALAY
pour le retour yangoon chiangmai il y a des avions uniquement les jeudi et dimanche
pour l'aller il y a uniquement des avions le jeudi
je suis tres surprise avec les postes qui disent il faut sortir par ou on est rentre?
amical
tintina
Hello everyone! I’m heading off solo in February and wanted to share my rough itinerary with you. Does this sound doable?
PS: I’m not really into beaches.
D1 Departure on February 17, 2027
D2 Arrival in Kuala Lumpur – stroll through Chinatown and visit the Petronas Towers
D3: Kuala Lumpur – Chow Kit Market, Batu Caves, Little India, Bukit Bintang downtown area
D4: Early morning bus to Malacca. Explore Malacca in the afternoon and evening
D5: Another 2–3 hours in Malacca in the morning, then bus back to Kuala Lumpur. Merdeka Square area. Stay in Chinatown
D6: Bus trip to Kuala Tahan. Night tour
D7: Morning – canopy walk and Bukit Terisek hike. Afternoon – off to Lata Berkoh
D8 & D9: 2-day jungle trek in Taman Negara National Park
D10: Head to Cameron Highlands
D11: Morning hike through the plantations. Afternoon still to be decided
D12: Morning – excursion to Mossy Forest and Sungei Plantation. Afternoon bus to Ipoh
D13: Morning – Mirror Lake / Sam Poh Temple area. Afternoon – explore downtown Ipoh
D14: Morning train to Penang. Afternoon – wander around Georgetown
D15: Morning – Penang Hill and Keh Loh Temple. Afternoon – Georgetown
D16: Bus to Butterfly Garden and Spice Garden. Late afternoon – Burmese and Thai temples
D17: Morning flight to Singapore. Afternoon – Chinatown and Marina Bay tour
D18: Morning – Gardens by the Bay area. Afternoon – Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Kampong Glam
D19: Morning – The Ridges area and Botanical Garden. Afternoon – Little India, then back to Chinatown before 11:15 PM return flight
D20: Morning arrival
Hi everyone,
I’ll be in western Malaysia for 20 days in January and February.
I’m coming from southern Thailand to Ipoh for the Thaipusam festivities.
Then it’s off to Pangkor Island.
I’ll finish up in Malacca for the Chinese New Year celebrations before heading to Singapore.
I’ve got a 6-day gap.
I was thinking of going to K.Lipis for the jungle train and heading to Dabong, but the caves might not be open.
Any suggestions around K.L.?
Day treks?
A stopover between K.L. and Malacca?
Thanks
Hi, I’ve read that these two volcanoes are super popular and that there are *tons* of people for sunrise, especially in July. I’m looking for firsthand accounts from anyone who’s done it later, around 9–10 a.m.
Thanks for your help!
Laëtitia
I’m heading to Cambodia at the end of December 2026 – January 2027 for 3-4 weeks. Since I’ve already visited Cambodia twice, my itinerary is a bit different this time—I’d love to explore Botum Sakor Park, Chi Pat, the Tatai region, and the Cardamom Mountains. I’m traveling solo. If you have any tips on transportation, excursions, treks, sights, or accommodations in the area, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks for your feedback!
Has anyone traveled with the Laos travel agency ADV ?
I’m planning a trip to Laos and have received several quotes. Among them, this agency’s seem very reasonable, and so far, the interactions have been positive.
I’ve found a few positive reviews online, but I’d love to hear from travelers who’ve actually booked with them: how’s the organization, guide quality, accommodations, on-the-ground responsiveness, etc.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
First stop on our discovery of the peninsula: Amphawa. It’s our first night in Thailand (we arrived at Suvarnabhumi at 8:50 AM).
Our initial plan was to explore the area before heading further south. The Mae Klong Railway Market is tempting... but what else is there to do????
We’ll be there on a Wednesday, and from what I’ve read on the forum, some say there’s absolutely nothing to do during the week—no floating market, barely any shops open, no restaurants, etc.
Others, though, say the place is actually more charming without the weekend crowds.
Could you share your thoughts? Missing the floating market is one thing, but if it’s really a ghost town on Wednesdays, I might just drop our bags somewhere else.
Amphawa seemed like a good first stop, just 1.5 hours from the airport, but I’d still like to settle somewhere a bit lively for our first evening.
We’ll be there at the end of October.
Thanks!
Hi,
I wanted to visit the plantations in the morning with GetYourGuide or by just showing up.
How much time should I really plan for?
I’d like to catch either the 3 PM or 5 PM bus back to KL.
Thanks
Hi,
I wanted to get some info about the cable car and the bridge—I see lots of different options...
How much time should we allow for these two activities? If we arrive around 4 PM, will we have enough time to visit without rushing?
Thanks
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
Hi fellow travelers,
First trip to Vietnam.
We’ll be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet.
Is it complicated to find accommodation and get around during this period?
Any tips would be welcome.
Thanks for your replies.
Hi! I’d like to split my trip into two parts: 15 days in Phuket and 15 days in Krabi. Do you know if I can rent a car and drop it off in Krabi when I fly back to France?
Thanks for your feedback!
Have a great Sunday!
Martine
Hello,
After 1 night in Khao Sok, I’d like to find a 2 Days 1 Night package on the lake.
After reading a lot, I decided to "break the bank" and treat ourselves to a private tour—mainly to avoid the crowds.
But after contacting several operators, they offer "private tours" that are very expensive (around 700 €), yet in the details, the boats can only leave from the pier at 10 AM like everyone else. (I was hoping to leave much earlier.) The morning program is the same for everyone too (private or not). They drop us off at noon at our floating hotel (I’d chosen Phupha Waree). Free afternoon (swimming or kayaking in front of the hotel). We head back by boat for a 1-hour sunset ride. And the next morning, we leave the hotel at 8 AM to be at the pier by 9:30 AM at the latest—end of the trip.
So basically, we’re paying a lot for a private tour just to do the same thing as everyone else at the same time.
Or maybe I just had bad luck in my search.
I contacted Panida Ladi, who’s very popular on forums. We’d agreed on a private tour that matched my request (departure from the pier at 8 AM, very personalized itinerary). We settled on the itinerary and price, she asked for a Wise transfer for a 30% deposit, confirmed receipt of the deposit. Then 30 minutes later, she messaged me to say she was canceling everything because it was impossible to do the requested tour—and promised a quick refund of my deposit.
So here’s my question: Who’s done a *real* private tour on this lake? Who can recommend a reliable agency? Is it even really possible to do a private tour here?
I’m searching for a real gem for my 3rd stay in Koh Lanta: a lovely, high-quality hotel right by an easily accessible beach in a lively spot.
If you know of anything that fits what I’m looking for and want to share, don’t hesitate!
Hi, is anyone there in Flores right now? According to some websites, everything is closed and the situation is tough. But our guide says it's fine. Who should we believe? We're supposed to leave on September 2nd. Thanks to anyone in Flores at the moment!
Hi dear community,
I'm planning to visit Cambodia this winter, right after Christmas, for my first solo trip and my first trip to Asia. For two weeks (yes, I know it's short, but I really can't do more...). I have two main desires: Siem Reap and the countryside, the villages, the Mekong...
What do you think of this itinerary? Arrival in Siem Reap, departure from Phnom Penh.
SR: 5 days (1 day for arrival, 3 for the temples, 1 for the lake and its villages)
Kratie (stop on the way to Mondolkiri): 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days there)
Mondolkiri/Sen Monorom: 4 days (1 day of travel, 1 day there, 2 days of treks)
PP: 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days of sightseeing)
I think I need to cut one day somewhere if I travel from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. In Kratie, maybe? Or in PP? And I'll miss the boat trip that everyone recommends (SR-Battambang), but I don't see where to fit it in. Unless I do a PP-PP loop starting in the east, skip Kratie or just stay one night, then SR, then PP.
In my timing, Mondolkiri seems closer than Ratanakiri, which also tempted me a lot! Will it be too complicated alone? I'm thinking of using local guides or a small local agency for a nature and village getaway.
I've read that Siem Reap is very crowded between Christmas and New Year's. I could also do the circuit in the opposite direction. But I thought it would be easier to get familiar with the country by arriving in a touristy area—I might be wrong...
Thanks for your advice and opinions!
Hi everyone.
I’m planning my trip, and based on all the posts I’ve read, this country is amazing.
Of course, I’ve got a ton of questions for you.
Here’s a possible itinerary: Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Phonsavan - Sam Neua - Nong Khiaw + villages - Phongsali - Luang Namtha and the area - Udomxai - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang and back to Vientiane.
What do you think?
We’re planning to prioritize local transport—is it possible to do this loop?
We’d also love to go kayaking, but I’m not sure if the season’s right or where the best spot is.
For trekking—I read that Phongsali is the most authentic spot to visit villages and see wildlife. Do you know of a reliable agency and a guesthouse with reasonable prices?
Is it worth taking a slow boat for a stretch on the Mekong, and if so, which route?
For accommodations, is it better to book through Booking.com and Agoda or look when we arrive?
Are mosquitoes bad in Laos, and should we take malaria prophylaxis?
What’s the average daily budget (accommodation, food, visits)?
Is renting scooters a good option for exploring towns, and if so, which ones?
From what I’ve read, it’s best to carry cash—euros or dollars? Is it risky to walk around with that much cash?
I’ve still got tons of questions. Thanks to anyone who can help, and I’m open to all tips, info, etc.
Thanks again
Hi there,
I’m planning a family trip (my wife and I, both 47, and our two sons, aged 5 and 12) to Malaysia for the last week of June and the first two weeks of July 2027.
We used to love road trips as a couple, then as a trio, but since our second child arrived, we’ve taken a break with "camping village" style trips.
Now feels like the right time to get back to our old habits, while adjusting the pace for the kids.
We’re craving Asia. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand, Indonesia (Bali and Lombok), and Sri Lanka before.
Friends have raved about Malaysia, so we’re definitely tempted.
For those who know and love Malaysia, what would be a good itinerary starting from Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 3-4 stops? We’d like a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation (just to clarify, we’re not big beach fans). All of this without rushing, of course.
Hello,
We’re a family of four with two teens aged 16 and 18. We’re heading to Thailand this summer. We’ll arrive in Bangkok and plan to take a flight to Luang Prabang.
I’ve seen there are some great visits and excursions to do (temples, markets, waterfalls) and maybe even venture a bit north to places like Nong Khiaw, Muang Xay, Muang Ngoy, or Oudom Xay.
But I’ve also heard about the Bokeo region with the Gibbon Experience.
Since we won’t be able to do everything, I’d love to hear about your experiences, impressions, and advice on the two options I’m considering, especially since we’ll be meeting family in Chiang Mai, Thailand, afterward.
Option 1: A loop from Luang Prabang heading slightly north, then a flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.
Option 2: A few days in Luang Prabang, exploring within a few dozen kilometers around, then heading to Bokeo province for the 2-day/1-night Gibbon Experience. For this option, I saw on Rome2Rio that it’s possible to book a ferry trip on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay—they mention about 8 hours. But is that realistic? What type of boat is it?
Then, to get to Chiang Mai, there aren’t many options—bus or minivan—but how does crossing the border work?
Finally, for those of you who’ve been to Laos in August, what was the weather like?
We’ve already visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during the same period over the past four years and weren’t really bothered by bad weather.
I’m starting a discussion about guides in the Mekong Delta because we’ve just finished our trip in this region and had a hard time finding a French-speaking guide. We had Thanh—she speaks French really well and travels all over the delta region, including Ho Chi Minh City. She’s super friendly and flexible. I recommend her wholeheartedly. If it can help someone...
Feel free to contact us for her number.
Hi everyone,
I couldn’t find any recent info on Kuching.
Can anyone recommend a hotel or guesthouse for under 100 RM that’s nice and affordable? No dorms, please.
Also, does it rain a lot in November, and is it still worth visiting Semenggoh or Bako?
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
That said, I’m not really sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still any walks or sights worth checking out in Kampong Thom?
Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip?
I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.
After a stay on Koh Phayam this coming November, I’d like to spend 2 or 3 days on Koh Phra Thong before heading further south.
Do you think it’s doable to leave Koh Phayam early enough to catch the 10 AM boat from Khura Buri to Koh Phra Thong? The next one isn’t until 4 PM, which would cost me a whole day.
I’m planning a trip to Indonesia, specifically Sulawesi and Java, in September for 10 days.
I don’t know this part of the world at all—any advice is welcome!
I’ll be traveling solo and would also love tips on meeting other travelers or locals.
Hello everyone,
Not long ago, I used to travel as a couple, but my husband has since passed away, and I’ve decided to set off again. The trip I took to Cambodia in January 2025 did me a world of good.
I’m now considering Thailand, a destination we never included in our plans because even 15 years ago, people said it was too touristy. Still, I’m thinking about the itinerary below, but I don’t feel up to arranging buses, trains, or guides on my own while I’m there. I’m looking for one or more drivers and have been in touch with an agency, but their offers are just copy-paste group tours that I don’t want.
So, if you have any contacts, experiences, or advice, I’d be so grateful if you’d share them with me. Here’s my rough plan:
Arrival in Bangkok
Ayutthaya (2 nights)
Kanchanaburi (2 or 3 nights)
Sangkhlaburi/Sai Yok (3 nights)
Sukhothai (2 nights)
Lampang (I’ve planned 3 nights, but that might be a bit much—it depends on what time I arrive in the city)
Chiang Mai
Chiang Dao
Pai
Chiang Rai
I was thinking about the Mae Hong Son loop—thoughts?
What do you think about staying overnight at the Golden Triangle?
When I look online, of course, I can find agencies that organize tours to national parks, etc.
I’m retired but in great physical shape. I’d rather go hiking than sit in hot springs with crowds of tourists who’ve all arranged meet-ups. I don’t want to spend a day at an elephant camp, and I don’t want to visit Karen villages.
I’d love to hear your advice.
Thank you all,
Hi everyone,
Could you share your thoughts on my 3-week itinerary?
We’re a small group (family + friends) of 12 people, planning to leave around January 21, 2027.
Here’s my itinerary:
3 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
3 nights on Koh Samui
3 nights on Koh Phangan
4 nights in Krabi
4 nights in Phuket
I’m also open to any great tips you might have...
Thanks, everyone! Alain.
Hi there,
We’re planning a 3-week family trip next summer with our three kids, who’ll be 8, 8, and 7 years old.
After some research, we’re leaning toward Malaysia to combine nature/forests and paradise beaches. The idea is to introduce our kids to the country’s culture, nature, and wildlife.
We want a great trip but without splurging on luxury options like high-end lodges and resorts. We’re looking for comfort with a touch of authenticity—basically, a good middle ground.
I’ve started putting together an itinerary and would love your expert advice and tips to help us build this amazing trip with our little ones.
Day 1: Departure from France
Day 2: Kuala Lumpur
Stay at a hotel near the airport or KL Sentral.
Just one night.
Day 3: Morning flight to Sandakan (Borneo).
Stay in Sepilok
Day 4: Sepilok:
* Orangutan Center
* Malayan Sun Bear Center
* Rainforest Discovery Centre
Day 5: Depart for Kinabatangan.
Boat safari in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Sunrise safari.
Jungle walk.
Evening safari.
Day 7: Final safari.
Return to Sandakan.
Flight to Kuala Lumpur, then to Kota Bharu (or overnight transit depending on schedules).
Day 8: Transfer to the port.
Boat to the Perhentian Islands.
Days 9 to 13: Perhentian Besar
5 full days.
* Snorkeling
* Hiking
* Turtle watching
* Wild beaches
* Relaxation
Day 14: Return to the mainland.
Bus or private car to Taman Negara.
