Bonjour,
Nous partons fin juin pour 6 semaines : 4 semaines au Vietnam, une au Cambodge et une au Laos.
Pour le début de notre voyage, nous avons fait appel à des agences. Nous nous sommes adressés à un tas d’agences et en avons retenu trois. Leurs prestations sont relativement semblables vu que nous leur avions proposé notre itinéraire.
Nous voudrions savoir si vous trouvez des erreurs, des lacunes ou autres dans cet itinéraire. Et aussi nous aimerions avoir votre avis au sujet de ces agences si vous avez déjà voyagé avec elles, etc…
En fait, c’est très difficile de choisir, elles semblent toutes les trois très sérieuses, elles sont super sympas, et nous, on tourne et retourne ça dans tous les sens sans arriver à se décider, donc help….
Merci à vous tous.
Jasmine
1. agence « adventure indochina travel » 10 jours – 715 $ par personne - pt déj et lunch ou dîner - En circuit privé à partir du 2ème jour à midi
Jour 1 : hanoi – baie d’halong (départ en minibus – groupe) nuit sur la jonque marguerite ou aclasscruise – on doit encorse choisir
Jour 2 : baie d’halong –( voyage privé commence ici au retour de la jonque) – tam coc – visite des pagodes thai vi et bich dong – repas et nuit chez loan
Jour 3 : tam coc – promenade en barque durant 2 heures (si on a le temps : en voiture aller à Hang Mua) puis après le repas route pour Mai chau (promenade sur la rivière Ma pour visiter le village Ban En – ou bien le lendemain matin) – repas et nuit chez l’habitant + spectacle de danses locales.
Jour 4 : tam coc – promenade ou excursion rivière puis départ pour Son la. En route visite d’une plantation de thé et d’une fabrique de soie. Rencontre avec les populations etc… visite du pénitencier – nuit à l’hôtel Cong doan
Jour 5 : son la – départ pour lai chau avec arrêt au marché thuan chau et visite des hameaux, des tribus de la région, etc… nuit à l’hôtel Muong thanh
Jour 6 : lai chau départ pour sapa avec différents arrêts sur la route (tam duong, marchés des h’mong, yao, ha nhi, u nhi, yao tuyen lu, … à tam duong et binh lu. Nuit à l’hôtel royalsapahotel
Jour 7 : sapa – visite de la ville et randonnée à cat cat et environs – 2ème nuit au royalsapahotel
Jour 8 : sapa – can cau pour voir le marché puis visite d’un village de la fleur h mong ensuite direction bac ha pour flâner – nuit au congfuhotel
Jour 9 : marché de bac ha puis visite de village : banpho, village de la fleur h’mong et visiter de la maison du roi hoang a tuong. Après midi direction lao cai et retour à hanoi en train de nuit couchette soft en compartiment à 4.
Jour 10 – arrivée à Hanoi
2. Agence « Paradise travel and trading co » 10 jours – 750 $ par personne – pt déj et lunch ou dîner – complètement en circuit privé
Jour 1 : hanoi – baie d’halong – nuit sur la jonque héritage
Jour 2 : baie d’halong – tam coc – visite des pagodes thai vi et bich dong – repas et nuit chez loan
Jour 3 : tam coc – promenade en barque durant 2 heures (si on a le temps : en voiture aller à Hang Mua) puis après le repas route pour Mai chau– repas et nuit chez l’habitant + spectacle de danses locales.
Jour 4 : visite de mai chau et environ et promenade sur la rivière Ma pour visiter le village Ban – après midi départ pour son la. Visite de l’ancienne prison de son la – nuit à l’hôtel cong doan hotel
Jour 5 : visite des hameaux des tay noir, meo, muong et tay blanc le col vanlong, ban nam na et autres villages aux alentours puis départ à destination de laichau – arret en route pour voir le marché de thuan chau – nuit au lan anh hotel
Jour 6 : départ pour sapa via tam duong et visites de plusieurs ethnies résidant sur les colines. Arret à binh lu pour voir le marché. Si on a le temps on ira voir la vallée muong hoa. nuit à l’hotel : holiday sapa hotel
Jour 7 : randonnée à cat cat et à la cascade et l’après midi éventuellement ta phin (si c’est pas trop dur….. 12 km……)ou visite et promenade dans sapa et le marché. 2ème nuit au holiday sapa hotel.
Jour 8 : sapa – cancau pour voir le marché puis visite du village ta van chu puis randonnée de 12 km en direction bac ha (je ne vais jamais y arriver) – nuit chez l’habitant – minorité très accueillante
Jour 9 : marché de bac ha puis visite du village de la fleur h’mong et visiter de la maison du roi hoang a tuong. Après midi direction lao cai et retour à hanoi en train de nuit couchette soft en compartiment à 4.
3. Agence « GP travel vietnam » 10 jours – 776 $ par personne – pt déj, lunch et dîner sauf 3 repas (sapa et bac ha) – complètement en circuit privé. Au sujet de cette agence, j’ai déjà lu de bonnes critiques sur le forum mais l’offre qu’ils m’ont envoyée n’est vraiment pas détaillée… et malgré mes demandes cela reste vague
Jour 1 : hanoi – baie d’halong – nuit sur la jonque Hai long
Jour 2 : baie d’halong – tam coc – visite des pagodes thai vi et bich dong – repas et nuit chez loan
Jour 3 : tam coc – mai chau – a l’arrivée promenade au village de lac – par contre ils ne proposent pas la promenade sur la rivière Ma (je ne sais pas ce que cela vaut la peine ???). dîner et nuit chez l’habitant
Jour 4 : mai chau – son la en passant le plateau de moc chau et avec haltes en route pour la visite des villages ethniques – diner et nuit à l’hotel cong doan
Jour 5 : son la – lai chau : halte à than chau pour la visite du marché puis route vers lai chau via tua chua – repas et nuit à l’hotel muong thanh
Jour 6 : lai chau – sapa : arret à binh lu ainsi que des visites de villages. A l’arrivée à sapa visite de la vallée Muong Hoa et visite du village ta van et des dzay lao chai. nuit à l’hotel fansipanviewhotel.
Jour 7 : randonée au village de ta phin – 2ème nuit au fansipanview
Jour 8 : sapa – can cau : visite du marché de can cau puis retour à bac ha l’après midi visite du village de ban pho – nuit à l’hotel confu ou similaire
Jour 9 : bac ha – visite du marché puis en route pour lao cai avec des arrêts en route. Train de nuit pour hanoi
Jour 10 – arrivée à Hanoi.
Voilà, c’est fini !!!!!!
Qui boit l'eau d'une terre étrangère doit en suivre les coutumes
Difficile de choisir à votre place, le prix est correct, les haltes aussi et de toute façon, comme c'est entièrement privé, vous pourrez demander à votre guide de vous arrêter là où cela vous intéresse. Le fait que GP Travel reste peu exhaustif quant aux détails me semble une bonne chose, cela vous laisse de la marge pour improviser selon vos goûts et ne vous soumet pas à un timing serré.
nous aimerions avoir votre avis au sujet de ces agences si vous avez déjà voyagé avec elles, etc…
J'ai voyagé plusieurs fois avec l'une d'entre elles et je peux garantir le sérieux de leur proposition, d'autant que l'on peut entièrement fait confiance à leur chauffeur que je conviais toujours à table pour les repas.
Deux petites remarques:
- en Juin, c'est une période de pluie dans la région du circuit prévu.
- c'est une très mauvais idée de partir de Tam Coc pour Mai Châu dans l'après-midi, on arrivera très tard à la nuit tombée à Mai Châu, si la route n'est pas coupée par les torrents qui traversent la route et que l'on doit reprousser chemin.
- le fait de promettre une soirée de danse folklorique à Mai Châu c'est vraiment démagogique. On profite pour y assister si l'on a la chance que des groupes importants louent les services artistiques et culturels de la troupe folklorique (rien n'est moins sûr). Individuellement, on n'aura jamais les moyens, d'autant que le coût du voyage est presque absorbé par la location de la voiture et du chauffeur pendant 10 jours (la moitié du budget). D'autrepart, je crains que d'ici votre signature, le devis risque d'être revisé à la hausse à cause d'une augmentation brutale du prix des carburants (20% depuis hier). Ne pas croire aux promesses de ce qui est aléatoire.
Lucky that we have a home/Our Home is Nha May Man/Passing rain and dry seasons/In a full-of-love atmosphere/Besides my new family/I have brothers and sisters/The sun shines over the skies/Let's stay here, with all of us,
Le mois de Juin n'est pas une période de pluie particulière au Nord du Vietnam -à l'exception de Sapa et de ses environs où, de toutes manières, il pleut assez souvent ou est encombrée de brume -
Cordialement - Kimtwo -
Le vent et les turbulences sont l'oeuvre de Dieu, mais la voile et le gouvernail nous appartiennent..
Voyager c'est aller de soi à soi, en passant par les autres (proverbe touareg)
Bonjour à tous,
Nous voilà revenus !!!!!!!!!!!!! C'était super, fabuleux, extraordinaire, féérique, etc....................;
Comme je trouve très souvent des renseignements très intéressants sur votre site, à mon tour je voudrais vous faire profiter de l' expérience de notre périple.
D'abord pour nous situer et vous signaler nos critères : nous sommes un couple dans la cinquantaine. Nous voyageons à l'aventure avec sac à dos. Nous nous arrêtons plus longtemps lorsque nous avons un coup de coeur. Nos critères pour le choix des hôtels sont les suivants : chambre double avec salle de bain et air co (et si possible wifi) - donc les prix que nous allons vous donner sont pour deux dans ce genre de chambre.
Nous aimons être situés près du centre mais au calme donc souvent nous étions dans une ruelle près du centre. Je vous ferai aussi un petit commentaire par rapport à chaque hôtel. Je vous citerai aussi les agences que nous avons utilisées pour certaines excursions.
Voyage du 23 juin au 4 août 2011
23 juin : Bruxelles - moscou - Hanoï
24 juin : arrivée à Hanoï -visite de la ville... hotel Especen (attention, il y en a plusieurs) - 26, ngo huyen str, hanoi. dongnama@yahoo.com.vn - 20 $ la nuit (transfert depuis l'aéroport : 15 $) ruelle au calme en plein centre - correct et pt déj dans la chambre. dans les environs on peut réserver toutes les excursions à des prix très démocratiques
25 juin : visite de la ville - le soir spectacle de marionnettes (10 $)
26 juin : excursion de plusieurs jours organisés par GP TRAVEL. Agence locale à Hanoi, très sérieuse, une responsable parle français. Ils nous ont organisé cela de façon magistrale, en acceptant de changer à plusieurs
reprises au fur et à mesure de l'élaboration de notre itinéraire. Ils cherchent à connaître vos centres d'intérêt et ne vous imposent pas un itinéraire très établi d'avance. Nous avons aussi eu un guide qui parlait français, par contre le chauffeur ne parlait que vietnamien, mais c'était un véritable as du volant. Il était très très prudent car il savait que leur façon de conduire nous effraient énormément... donc nous vous conseillons cette agence avec un bon rapport qualité/prix.
Nous avons commencé par aller à Ninh Binh - promenade en bateau dans la baie d'halong terrestre et avons logé, à notre demande chez Loan, que du positif, c'est une dame charmante, elle parle aussi le français, on y mange divinement bien ( je vous conseille la salade de fleurs de bananes et les crevettes entourées d'une nouille grillée et les bananes flambées et les .... - un vrai délice. Et petit cadeau pour la route !
27 juin : Ninh Binh - Mai chau - promenade ensuite spectacle de danses folkloriques et nuit chez l'habitant dans une maison sur pilotis.
28 juin : Mai chau - Moc Chau - Son La - arrêts et visite sur la route, puis visite du pénitencier à Son La. hotel Cong Doan (je ne connais pas le prix vu inclus dans le forfait de l'agence mais +/- 15/20 $)
29 juin :Son La - Lai Chau - très long trajet (départ à 08.00 et arrivée à 18.00 (avec bien entendu quelques petites visites ) - difficile pour le chauffeur. Hotel Muong Thanh (prix +/ 15/20$)
30 juin : Lai Chau - Sapa - Nous y sommes restés deux jours pour y faire quelques petits treks. Paysages absolument merveilleux, les rizières en terrasses, les minorités, ... - hotel Fansipan View sapa - 18 $
très très bon restaurant : red daho - 4b thac bac road (24 $ pour un excellent repas pour 2 personnes)
1er juillet : sapa - treks - repas au marché de nuit : fondue vietnamienne - bon
2 juillet : sapa - can cau - bac ha : visite du marché de can cau à ne pas rater - puis continuation jusqu'à bac ha - hotel Congfu (15/20$)
3 juillet : bac ha - hanoi - visite du marché de bac ha puis route pour hanoi, arrivée fin d'après midi - adieu au guide et nuit à l'hotel Especen 20 $
4 juillet : départ pour la baie d'halong pour l'excursion de 2 jours avec nuit sur le bateau. Avions la compagnie Bhaya, très beau bateau, très bons repas. www.bhayacruises.com (nous n'avions pas choisi ce bateau là, mais celui initialement prévu avait coulé, donc nous avons été surclassé sur celui là, et cela sans regrets. nuit à bord
5 juillet : retour à Hanoi dans l'après midi et transfert directement pour le train de nuit pour Hue.
6 juillet : Hué - visite de la ville et réservation d'une barque privée pour l'excursion sur la rivière des parfums le lendemain (25 $ tout compris, excursion, repas, visites, entrées, motos, ...)
nuit à l'hotel hong Thien - hotel avec piscine - 16 $ - très bien
7 juillet : excursion sur la rivière des parfums - même hotel. A hue il faut goûter les spécialités gastronomiques de la ville, c'est très réputé (moi, je n'ai pas tout aimé...)
8 juillet : hué - hoi an - l'hotel de hue nous avait réservé une voiture privée pour ce trajet : 45 $ avec arrêts et visite de tous les points intéressants sur la route. Arrivée à Hoi An vers 15.00.
hotel An Hoi - hotel à 3 minutes à pied du centre et du pont japonais - avec piscsine - 25 $ - visite et réservation excursion à My Son pour le lendemain.
9 juillet : My Son
10 juillet : on a loué une moto et nous avons été aux deux plages près de Hoi An
11 juillet : visites et flâneries
12 juillet : Hoi An - Danang en bus - visite Danang - hotel An Nam - très beau - 25 $ - www.annamdanang.com
13 juillet : Danang - Nha Trang en avion (65 $ par personne chez sinh tourist) - visite et réservation excursion dans les îles pour le lendemain - hotel st paul - 15 $ - pas le plus chouette hotel...
14 juillet : excursion dans les îles. C'est certainement la chose la plus ennuyeuse que nous ayons faite durant nos 6 semaines. Peut être l'agence était-elle mal choisie (via l'hotel) visite d'un aquarium,
arrêt en mer pour plonger durant 30 minutes, puis arrêt sur un îlot où il n'y avait rien à faire que se baigner dans un espace de 50 m délimité par des filets ou consommer (souvenirs, boissons, glaces, etc...)
Départ le soir en avion pour HCM et arrivée à l'hotel vers 23.30 - hotel orient - 274 de tham, pham ngu lao ward - district 1 - orient-hotel@hcm.vnn.vn - très bien situé en plein dans le centre, mais sans problème de
bruit - 25 $.
15 juillet - visite et réservation excursion pour cu chi et le delta du mékong 3 jours + speed boat pour Pnom Penh (café kim tourist) 145 $ pour tout pour nous deux
16 juillet : les tunnels de cu chi et le temple cao dai
17 juillet : visite de cholon
18 juillet : départ pour le delta du mékong : nuit à Can Tho à l'hotel Huy Hoang (hotel très basic réservé par kim café)
19 juillet : continuation de la visite du delta et nuit à chau doc ( hotel aussi très basic, j'ai oublié le nom)
20 juillet : fin de la visite et départ sur le mékong pour rejoindre pnom penh - 6 h de trajet car niveau d'eau trop bas - à pnom penh visite et hotel lucky star - general@luckystar-hotel.com - 15 $
nous avions prévu de rejoindre siem reap en bateau mais ils ont annulé les départs à cause de ce niveau d'eau nous avons donc réservé ce trajet en avion. Difficile à trouver mais finalement nous avons déniché
une super agence : intra co - 2-3 Str 118 pnom penh - account@intracambodia.com - ils sont 1/3 moins cher que d'autres agences, ils sont sérieux, efficaces et très professionnels.
prix des vols : 462 $ pour 2 (pnom penh - siem reap et siem reap - vientiane)
21 juillet : arrivée très tôt le matin à sieam reap. Nous avions trouvé sur internet un hotel qui nous paraissait très intéressant avec un forfait très chouette : chambre, eau en bouteille, fruits dans la chambre, serviette glacée à chacun de nos retours à l'hotel, tuc tuc et chauffeur à notre disposition du lever au coucher du soleil + 1 h de massasge offert à chacun. prix 139 $ pour 4 nuits 5 jours. Ils offrent aussi les transferts aller retour vers l'aéroport. Nom de l'hotel : hotel 89. Il ne faut pas rater ça. Ils parlent anglais, un peu de français et un peu d'espagnol. Le directeur vient en personne vous recevoir. Tous les jours, on vient frapper à votre porte le soir pour savoir si vous avez besoin de quelque chose, on vous offre deux bonbons et une petite histoire à lire. Que du beau. info@hotel89cambodia.com. En plus, notre jeune chauffeur de tuk tuk : Loi était d'une gentillesse incroyable.
ce jour là, nous avons visité le village vietnamien flottant ; attention mafia à l'entrée, nous nous sommes fait "voler" de 20 $ par les gardes, qui nous ont conduit au guichet et qui ont augmenté le tarif... et rien à faire....
de toute façon, ça ne vaut pas le coup, rien de bien intéressant à voir et puis à bord du bateau, un jeune y a sauté juste avant le départ et durant deux heures, nous l'avons entendu dire qu'il voulait de l'argent pour pouvoir étudier et que ces études lui coutaient 20 $ par mois etc.... lorsque à la fin, nous lui avons donné 5 $, il n'était même pas content...
L'après midi, nous sommes allés voir le village cambodian cultural village, entrée assez chère : 12 $ par personne si je me souviens bien
Près de l'hotel, au coin de la rue, il y a le jasmine restaurant. On y mange bien, une cuisine simple, bonne et variée pour deux fois rien, deux plats, une bière, une eau pour moins de 5 $.
22 juillet : visite d'angkhor ( ticket d'entrée pour 3 jours de visite : 40 $ par personne)
23 juillet : visite d'angkhor
24 juillet : visite d'angkhor - le soir nous avons été voir le repas spectacle (réservé par l'hotel) pas mal le spectacle et grand buffet. (+/- 10 $)
25 juillet : Loi nous ramène à l'aéroport. vol pour Vientiane - hotel : win hotel - hotel correct sans plus 23 $ - visite de la ville
26 juillet : fin de la visite puis mini bus pour vang vieng (13 $ pour 2 personnes) - hotel ban sabai - 30 $ (notre hotel le plus cher du voyage). hotel bien situé, correct,
27 juillet : promenade et visite
28 juillet : en mini bus direction phonsavan (28 $ pour 2) - hotel anoulak khen lao hotel - bel hotel mais il n'y a qu'une personne qui parle un peu anglais, celui ci n'étant pas là, ils ne comprennent rien du tout. 21 $
près de l'hotel il y a un bon resto : crater, la cuisine est bonne et variée
juste à côté de l'hotel il y a une petite agence de voyage, nous y avons réservé l'excursion à la plaine de jarres et le transfert à luang prabang (50 + 28 $ pour 2)
29 juillet : départ pour la plaine des jarres, retour le soir même hotel
!!! ce soir là, nous nous sommes rendu compte qu'un de nos sacs de voyage avait été fouillé et notre téléphone portable avait disparu, nous n'avons pas pu le perdre, il était dans une pochette dans un sac, et on ne le
sortait que pour le charger sauf message. Il a été volé dans un des deux derniers hotels (ban sabai ou anoulak , dommage mais je préfère le signaler !!!
30 juillet : départ en mini bus pour luang prabang. départ à 08.30 et arrivée à 16.30... très long. hotel golden lotus - 18 $ - bien, pas mal situé mais marché matinal devant l'hotel donc du bruit à partir de 5 h du matin.
pas de petit déjeuner
31 juillet : visite
1 aoüt : excursion à pak ou et les chutes de kuang si
2 aout : visite et le soir vol pour Hanoi - hotel à côté de l'aéroport : vinhgia - hotel sombre mais facile vu qu'il n'est qu'à 2 km de l'aéroport - 25 $
3 août : départ
4 août : arrivée à bruxelles
Nous avons fait un voyage magnifique, nous gardons un excellent souvenir de tous ces bons moments, de toutes ces belles rencontres.
Que de souvenirs, nous en avons encore pleins les yeux et le coeur.
Un grand merci à ceux qui nous avaient aidé à préparer ce circuit.
Je suis à votre disposition si vous avez besoin de plus d'info concernant le circuit que nous avons fait.
Jasmine
Qui boit l'eau d'une terre étrangère doit en suivre les coutumes
Si - pour un circuit d'une dizaine de jours au mois de février - vous aviez à choisir entre le Vietnam et la Malaisie (la partie continentale)... vers quelle…
Nous avons nos billets pour Hanoi, volons avec LOT en juillet '12 et serons pour 18 jours sur place (malheureusement pas plus mais la super promo de LOT était…
M'a conseille de contacter. Voila mon dilemme. Nous souhaitons aller au Vienam et au Cambodge en fevrier prochain pour 17 jours maxi. J'ai contacte differentes…
Est-ce que les fins connaisseurs du Vietnam pourraient me valider ce circuit que je compte réaliser en mars/avril sur environ 17 jours. Nous ne sommes pas trop…
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.
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?
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
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,
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! 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
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 trip to Vietnam in February, specifically Da Nang and Hoi An.
Does anyone know a French-speaking guide in the area?
Thanks for your help
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.
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...
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,
From Malacca to get to Jerantut, is it better to go back to KL and take a bus from there, or take a bus to Tampin and then a train? Any feedback on the "Jungle Train"? (duration, price, comfort, etc.). Thanks
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.
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Flores and then Bali at the end of September.
We’ve already visited both but this time, once we’re in Labuan Bajo, we’d like to take a boat to the Komodo Islands to see the famous Komodo dragons.
I don’t want to sleep on the boat—just a day trip would be perfect.
Does anyone know a reliable and friendly provider to recommend?
Thanks in advance, and have a great summer!
Summer seems to be the best time weather-wise for Bali.
And since summer’s when we can take a long trip, let’s go for Bali... even though we know it’ll be *packed* with people!
So we’ll steer clear of the island’s south...
Our current plan (19 days on the ground, 7 stops):
- 4 Nights (3 days) in Ubud
2 days for rice terraces / activities (Tegallalang, Campuhan Ridge, Monkey Forest, Bird Park, coffee plantation, market (?), dance "pestacle," cooking class and/or spa)
1 day with a driver for the Temples (Pura Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul Spring, Pura Mengening, Goa Gajah...)
- 2 nights in Sidemen (1 day for Pura Kehen + Batur Caldera + Pura Besakih and 1 day to relax in the rice terraces)
- 3 nights on Gili Meno (Rest and beaches) from Padangbai
- 2 nights in Amed (1 day from Padangbai with the Abang rice terrace and Tirta Gangga baths, and the next day a boat tour in Amed)
- 4 nights in Pemuteran (1 day for transfer and rest, 1 day to visit Kawah Ijen, and 2 days of snorkeling at Menjangan Island)
- 2 nights in Munduk (1 day with the Dayang rice terrace and the 3-waterfall hike, 1 day at Pura Ulun Danu Bratan)
- 2 nights in Jatiluwih (1 day in the rice terraces, and on the last day, we’ll stop by Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi and Pura Tanah Lot before catching our red-eye flight).
Accommodations in homestays or hotels.
Transportation to be arranged on-site with the lodgings (?)
Boat to Gili Meno to book in advance (?)
Kawah Ijen excursion to plan ahead (?)—check with the homestay (?)
Thanks for your thoughts/comments to help us explore this destination...
After reading and researching, we're planning the following stops in Cambodia in January 2027:
- Phnom Penh
- Kampong Cham
- Kratie
- Siem Reap
- Battambang
- Kampot (round trip)
I'm wondering about the direction of these stops, which could also influence our international flights.
Either a round trip from Phnom Penh in the order above.
Or landing in Siem Reap with the following order:
This second option would save us the Battambang - PP - Kampot trip but means doing a round trip to Battambang from Siem Reap and placing the "highlight of the trip" (Angkor) at the beginning of our stay.
Hi there,
We’re planning to travel from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang next November.
We’d like to take a slow boat from Chiang Khong—or rather from Huay Xai in Laos—with an overnight stop in Pakbeng.
Could you let us know if the boat still leaves Huay Xai in the late morning? If so, what time roughly, and what’s the price for the trip?
Thanks for your help!
Alod
We (3 adults: 68, 65, and 25 years old) are just back from a short trip to the Philippines, and I’d like to share a little summary of our journey. First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who contributes to this forum about this destination and answers the questions of those who aren’t familiar with it. I should also mention that my comments are personal and don’t reflect anyone else’s opinions. Since I don’t have any literary or photographic talent, I’ll stick to the facts and share a few details about the sights, hotels, and restaurants.
Preparations:
We chose this destination in December and quickly booked our flight tickets (540 € with Turkish Airlines) for a departure on February 16 and return on March 5, 2019. We then contacted two French-speaking tour operators based in Manila, asking them to put together an itinerary based on our wishes (places to visit, type of accommodation) and our budget. We wanted to see the rice terraces in northern Luzon, the hanging coffins in Sagada, before flying to the Visayas (Bohol, Siquijor, etc.), and the Taal Volcano, while limiting our nights in Manila as much as possible. In the end, we opted for Alize, whose itinerary and quote matched our request almost perfectly. Our exchanges helped us refine our circuit.
International flights:
The round-trip flights went smoothly. Turkish Airlines, while not at the level of Asian or Gulf airlines, does the job just fine.
Day 1:
We landed on time (6:15 PM) on Monday, February 16, at Terminal 3. We exchanged our euros (near the car rental counters), and I can confirm the exchange rate was very good. On the way to the St. Giles Hotel (decent and affordable for a transit night), we got our first glimpse of Manila’s dense traffic. The Makati district, where our hotel was located, offers a wide choice of restaurants, so we grabbed a quick bite to recover from the trip.
Day 2:
This day was dedicated to transferring to Banaue. Fortunately, we had a comfortable van and an excellent driver for this journey, which took all day (8 to 9 hours with stops). We got a taste of driving in the Philippines—and it’s terrifying. You wouldn’t want to drive on these roads. The first thing that struck us was the relatively good condition of the roads and the cleanliness (a change from other Southeast Asian countries). This impression lasted throughout our trip. Around 6 PM, we checked into our room at the Banaue Hotel (large, charm-free, but with a beautiful view of the rice terraces).
Day 3:
With the help of a local guide, we took a jeepney to Batad. And then—wow! The rice terraces form an amphitheater overlooking the small village. Under the sun, it’s simply spectacular and breathtaking! Even though we’re familiar with rice terraces (Sapa, Bali, Thailand, etc.), we were dazzled by so much beauty. We spent the day walking along the terrace walls. This place is timeless and fully deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status. However, we returned to the hotel exhausted (due to our ages and lack of exercise). We had dinner with our driver at the Las Vegas restaurant in the center of Banaue. The meal was decent, cheap, and the Filipino owner played the guitar to accompany our dinner.
Day 4:
Today, our driver took us to Sagada. The mountain road offered spectacular landscapes (about 1.5 to 2 hours). Along the way, we stopped in Bontoc to visit the small but interesting anthropological museum. It features old photos and various objects from the Ifugao tribes, as well as a reconstruction of primitive dwellings.
We then went on a short hike in Sagada with a very friendly local guide who explained the region’s funeral rites. The walk started at the communal cemetery before reaching “Echo Valley,” where we saw the first coffins hanging on the cliff. We continued to the “Underground River” and a small waterfall, ending our journey in the “Lumiang Cave” burial cave. All in all, this day was very interesting. On the way back, we made a few photo stops.
In the evening, on our driver’s recommendation, we ate at the “Bistro,” a French enclave in the center of Banaue (good pizza, roasted quail, homemade fries).
Day 5:
Today was a transfer day. To limit fatigue and nights in Manila, our tour operator arranged a flight from Clark to Tagbilaran (Bohol), saving us 2 to 3 hours of driving. But to catch our flight, we had to leave very early: 5:30 AM. Our kind driver dropped us off on time at the airport. To use it, we had to pay a 150 PHP tax per person. The Philippine Airlines flight (15 minutes) left early and was far from full. Upon arrival, we were taken to the Loboc River Hotel, on the banks of the river of the same name. A very charming lodge lost in a tropical garden. We stayed in a stilt cottage overlooking the river. We relaxed a bit in the lovely pool. This place is really great—the staff is charming, and the food is excellent for a reasonable price.
Day 6:
This day was dedicated to exploring Bohol. The program was classic, starting with the tarsier sanctuary. We saw a few specimens in a small garden, each pointed out by a staff member. It was both good and disappointing because the animals were in pseudo-freedom in a small enclosure. Then we went to the “Chocolate Hills” and climbed 240 steps to admire the panoramic view of the hills—but by 10 AM, it was crowded. On the way back, we stopped at the butterfly garden, which was uninteresting: tiny, with few butterflies. We consoled ourselves by photographing beautiful flowers. To please our teen, we stopped at the Loboc Eco Tourism Adventure Park and crossed the river lying down, suspended from a steel cable (300 PHP). Finally, we had the traditional lunch-cruise on the Loboc River. It was a factory-like experience, and the meal was unremarkable. The only good thing was the singer on each boat and the lush vegetation. Afterward, we visited colonial churches and the cathedral, remnants of the Spanish presence, before returning to the hotel for a well-deserved dip in the pool. Note that for those interested, there’s an arena near the hotel where cockfights are held every Sunday—something Filipinos are passionate (if not obsessed) about.
Day 8:
Very early departure for the port. We boarded a *banca* in search of dolphins. After about an hour of sailing, we were lucky enough to spot around a hundred dolphins. Our boat then headed to the small and charming island of Pamilacan. After a walk through the little village, we came across locals traditionally building a boat. They told us it takes about a month to finish their outrigger boat. Then we had to choose our snorkeling spot between the coral garden, the fish park, and the turtle enclosure. Note that a fee is charged for each spot: 150 PHP per place and per person. It felt a bit like we were being ripped off, especially since the spots weren’t amazing—we’d see much better on Apo for much less. We had lunch on the island at one of the many small eateries (350 PHP per person).
Days 9 and 10:
On our return, we were taken to the Bohol Sea Resort on Panglao Island, where we stayed for 2 nights. It’s a small, recent establishment in a quiet corner of the island. It’s relaxing—maybe a bit too much. It has a nice pool and access to Danao Beach, but the view is blocked by a flotilla of boats. We didn’t try their diving school. The meals were good. If we had to do it again, we’d skip this stop to spend more time in Negros.
Days 11 and 12:
We took a fast ferry (Ocean Jet) from Tagbilaran port to Dumaguete and were taken to the Thalatta Resort, about 20 km away near Zamboanguita. We stayed there for 2 nights. Let’s just say it was our favorite. It’s a small place facing Apo Island. The rooms are simple, and the pool, nestled in a magnificent tropical garden, is fantastic. The staff is friendly, and the meals are very good. The hotel has its own diving center (snorkeling gear provided) and its own boats. We booked the Apo Island excursion: 1,350 PHP per person, including lunch. It was incredible: magnificent corals, colorful fish, and turtles of all sizes. The crew was endlessly kind and didn’t hesitate to dive to guide us to the best spots. In short, a perfect day. This site is ranked among the top 5 diving spots in the Philippines.
Since we were lucky enough to be there on a Wednesday morning, we explored the surprising Malapay Market, a 10-minute walk from our hotel. You’ll find numerous stalls selling vegetables, fruits, live or dried fish, and handicrafts. Enclosures are set up for selling livestock (calves, zebu, pigs). There are also restaurants. We were lucky to see two pigs roasted traditionally on a spit. There are few Europeans, and the people are warm. A great moment.
We left this beautiful place with regret because we didn’t have time to visit the island or go swimming with whale sharks.
Days 12 to 15:
From Dumaguete port, we took a short crossing (1 hour with Ocean Jet) to Siquijor Island to reach the Coco Grove Beach Resort. A beautiful hotel nestled in a spacious tropical garden. Several restaurants and bars, 4 pools. Despite the size of the place, it remains intimate. You can snorkel (corals and fish) right in front of the beautiful beach. We stayed in a very pleasant duplex suite. For those interested, there’s a spa and a diving center. You can also take the Apo Island excursion (offered at 1,950 PHP).
We spent our days relaxing between the pool and the beach. In the evening, the sunsets over Negros and Apo were stunning.
We booked an island tour with a comfortable tricycle from the hotel (1,500 PHP). The circuit was classic and allowed us to go around the island. We discovered beaches, the famous 400-year-old ficus tree with its enormous roots, and its equally famous foot bath with its cleaning fish. Then we visited the St. Isidore Convent before heading to the Cambugahay waterfalls and their four pools. The setting is idyllic, and the water is surprisingly good—we had a lot of fun swimming. We had dinner at a restaurant overlooking the island, where you can see Apo, Cebu, and Negros. In the end, Siquijor turned out to be a real little tropical paradise.
Since the hotel restaurants were expensive, we dined at nearby establishments: Fuego (clean, good—excellent raw fish—and quiet), Chekesch (louder), and the very pleasant Baha Bar, which brews its own beer and offers more refined cuisine.
Days 15 to 16:
We left at dawn to return to Dumaguete and its airport by ferry. We had breakfast at the Coco Grande Hotel, an annex of the previous one. The Philippine Airlines flight went smoothly. A driver took us to the town of Taal. We stayed at Paradores Del Castillo, right in the heart of the old town. It’s a charming old house with only 6 rooms. The various rooms are decorated with antiques—a real little museum. The garden is pleasant and opens onto the town.
It’s an old early 19th-century house converted into a hotel, beautifully arranged with 6 rooms in the heart of the city. The restaurant in the garden is very pleasant and offers a panoramic view.
We visited an old Spanish house before heading to the beautiful Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the Philippines. A mass was in progress, allowing us to gauge the Filipinos’ fervor before we could visit. When we left, it was dark, and we could admire the illuminated building. We ended our evening by exploring the night market with its many fruit and skewer stalls. A nice surprise.
In the morning, we were taken to the shores of Taal Lake, an ancient caldera where a second volcano has formed in the middle of the lake, which in turn contains another lake. We boarded a *banca* to reach the island in the middle of the lake. This was followed by an uphill walk, made difficult by the high temperature (36°C) and the dust on the path. The dust was worsened by the many horses carrying (or bringing back) the less courageous. To illustrate the difficulty of the climb, the trail is marked by the Stations of the Cross and its 14 stations. We were panting while our guide trotted far ahead. Our effort was rewarded when we reached the summit and its viewpoints over the inner lake and the surroundings. The wisps of smoke seen here and there confirmed we were on an active volcano. Inside the lake, there are supposedly 45 small volcanoes, one of which emerged during its last eruption in 1911.
On the way back, we had lunch by the lake before returning to Manila and the Bayleaf Hotel, whose main merit is its location in the Intramuros district. In the late afternoon, we walked along the walls of the old city.
We had dinner on the hotel’s panoramic terrace overlooking the city and the bay.
Day 17:
Last day! Our tour operator joined us for a tour of the Intramuros district. He enriched the visit with comments on the history, geopolitics, and economy of the Philippines. We visited the Manila Cathedral, destroyed 7 times in the past (6 earthquakes and the 1945 bombing). It’s beautiful, and its stained glass is magnificent. We couldn’t enter the San Agustin Church, the oldest Catholic building in Manila. We passed by the memorial to the Battle of Manila, which claimed over 100,000 lives. We visited the area around Casa Manila, which was closed on Monday, and had a drink at Barbara’s cabaret, located in a historic house. A very enriching morning.
Then we went to the Mall of Asia, the world’s largest shopping mall, to buy some souvenirs (Kultura store) before being taken to the airport. We exchanged our last pesos at the buying rate right after check-in.
The return flight went smoothly. We regretted not being able to use the facilities of Istanbul’s new airport, as its opening was delayed by another month.
Finances:
In the end, we spent 1,640 € for the international flights, 4,200 € for the stay (hotels, visits, various transports) with the agency (whose professionalism we can only praise), and about 700 € for meals, tips, and souvenirs.
Summary:
Luckily, we had beautiful weather throughout our stay, with temperatures between 26 and 35°C. Discovering the Philippines was a wonderful experience. The diversity of the landscapes, the kindness of the Filipinos, the cleanliness, and the truly delicious fruits (especially pineapples and mangoes). We were never harassed, unlike in many touristy countries. On the other hand, the food, though generally cheap, wasn’t exceptional.
Since this country is so vast, we might return in the near future.
Though I’m not a specialist on this destination, I’m happy to answer your questions based on my experience.
So, my flight tickets have just been booked for a trip to Cambodia from November 4th to 27th, 2025.
I’ll be traveling solo and want to explore this amazing country while getting a bit off the beaten path.
I’m arriving in Phnom Penh and also departing from Phnom Penh.
My goal is to travel as much as possible by bus and scooter.
What itinerary would you recommend?
What are the must-do things?
I’m open to all tips and info.
Thanks in advance for your help and responses.
