Moi et mon conjoint allons aux Philippines du 26 décembre 2016 au 15 janvier 2017. Nous y serons 17 jours complets.
Nous aimerions avoir vos avis et conseils concernant notre itinéraire prévue.
Arrivée à Manille le 28 déc. à 22h30.
Jour 1 - Manille et départ le soir en bus vers Banaue
Jour 2 à 4 - Arrivée à Banaue : Nous voulons faire un trek de 3 jours dans les rizières à Batad et dans les alentours
Jour 5 à 6 - Sagada: Nous aimerions faire un trek pour aller voir les Hanging coffins et peut-être faire l'excursion de la grotte
Jour 6 - Départ le soir vers manille
Jour 7 - Vol de Manille vers Puerto Princesa tôt le matin et route vers El Nido
Jour 8 à 13 - El Nido
Jour 13 - Départ de El Nido pour Port Barton
Jour 14 à 16 : Porton Barton
Jour 17 : Retour à Puerto Princesa et vol vers manille
Jour 18 : Départ de Manille à 8h am
Nous pensons réserver nos billets de bus sur pinoytravel. Est-ce que ce site est fiable?
Serait-il envisageable de diminuer le nombre de jours passés à Banaue, Sagada ainsi qu'à Palawan pour aller à Bohol 3 jours?
À El Nido, nous aimerions faire la croisière Secret Cruise dans l'Archipel de Bacuit. Combien de nuits, il est préférable de prendre?
Nous voulons faire du snorkeling à El Nido et faire de la plongée sous-marine.
Quel endroit vous nous conseillez pour de la plongée sous-marine?
La plongée dans les épaves de la 2e guerre mondiale est-elle réalisable si nous sommes des débutants en plongée?
Quelles autres activités il y a d'intéressantes à faire à El Nido et Port Barton?
bonjour
votre circuit parait correct...peut être inverser : commencer par Palawan pour finir par la Montagne pour éviter un vol intérieur annulé au dernier moment. Revenez à Manille un jour plus tôt pour visiter un peu, Museum Ayala par ex
Pinoytravel est fiable.... si ça veut marcher, c'est le site officiel de réservation de Florida, vous pouvez aussi tenter de réserver auprès de Codalines
à Bohol, vous ne trouverez pas vraiment mieux que Palawan, en dehors des tarsiers et des chocolates
pour Secret Cruise: 3 jours et 2 nuits, cést bien; nous avions fait 2 jrs une nuit et ce fut un peu court mais c'est aussi un certain budget
les épaves de la 2eme GM sont sur Busuanga, je crois, pas dans le même secteur ; sinon nombreux clubs de plongée à El Nido, demandez sur place. Aquanaute dive center par exemple.
A El Nido, vous pouvez aussi faire du kayak seuls ou accompagnés ( el Gordo adventures fait cela ), louer une moto et visiter ou dormir sur des plages plus au nord de Nido
A Port Barton, profitez des nbreuses îles au large avec sortie snorkeling. Vous aimez marcher, randonnez jusqu' aux cascades ou tentez de joindre des plages isolées
si il vous reste trop de temps, vous pouvez essayer de joindre Modessa isl; ou encore attardez vous sur la plage de Sabang à 2 heures de Puerto P, plage assez sauvage, possibilité de rando dans les environs.
Profitez, ça passe vite, les étapes prennent du temps, comptez 10 h pour un Manille-Banaue et 4-5 h en van pour un Nido-Princesa
en période de fin d'année, attention il y a du monde qui circule
Voilà qques élements.
Jour 1 - Manille et départ le soir en bus vers Banaue
Jour 2 à 4 - Arrivée à Banaue : Nous voulons faire un trek de 3 jours dans les rizières à Batad et dans les alentours
Jour 5 à 6 - Sagada: Nous aimerions faire un trek pour aller voir les Hanging coffins et peut-être faire l'excursion de la grotte
Batad: aller aussi a la chute Tappiya (très beau, hike court, mais quand même exigeant). Batad a Bagaan en marchant aussi est très plaisant, calme et facile.
Passez-vous par Banaue? J'avais lu beaucoup de commentaires sur le forum comme quoi les gens étaient déçus par Banaue, mai honnêtement je ne comprends pas .. J'ai trouvé ce petit village très bien et la vue très belle aussi (quand tu montes en haut, a 4km du village).
Sagada: oui, je vous recommande de faire l'excursion de la grotte. Exigeant physiquement (entk, moi je trouve!) et parfois apeurant, mais en vaut le coup! Et supposément que la chute (la grosse, pas la petite) est très belle. Le village possède aussi un gros marché une fois par semaine (j'ai oublié quel jour) et ça l'air que c'est bien.
Il y a aussi Bontoc, avec son musé sur les différentes tribues de l'époque qui est très intéressant. Et tout proche de Bontoc, a 30-45 min. de jeepney, il y a Maligcong. Les rizières étaient tellement belles, d'un jaune magnifique lorsque j'y suis allée!!! Dommage que la pluie battante ait commencée; j'ai dû rebrousser chemin. 🙁
Essayez aussi au moins une fois une ride sur le toit du jeepney ...
Serait-il envisageable de diminuer le nombre de jours passés à Banaue, Sagada ainsi qu'à Palawan pour aller à Bohol 3 jours?
De mon expérience, j'ai passé 6 jours sur place dans le nord de Luzon et j'ai manqué de temps. Si vous êtes quelqu'un qui aime la nature/marche/trek, je vous conseillerais de ne pas couper le nombre de jours que vous passez la-bas ..
Et comme les autres, je vous dirais de vous consacrer d'un côté (ou du côté de Palawan, ou du côté des Visayas..) . En fait, je n'ai pas été du côté de Palawan, alors je ne peux vous dire de combien de jours vous avez besoin. Mais j'ai passé 3 semaines dans les Visayas (Cebu, Negro, Apo island, Siquijor et Bohol) et manque de temps tout le temps! Enfin bref, je ne peux pas t'aider pour Palawan mais si tu veux quelques infos sur les Visayas, ça me fera plaisir. 🙂
Oui, nous passons par Banaue, car la bus de nuit arrive dans ce village. Nous ne savons pas encore combien de temps nous allons y rester.
Pour Sagada, l'excursion de la grotte nous tente vraiment! Au Costa Rica, on avait fait une excursion dans une grotte (las cavernas del venado) et c'était malade!!
Pour notre premier voyage aux Philippines, nous allons faire Palawan. Lorsqu'on y retournera, on fera les Visayas.
Tu as raison, curieusement, on arrive à lire des commentaires pas toujours élogieux sur Banaue; alors que en fait Batad, Banga-an, Cambulo, Pula etc sont rattachées à la muncipalité de Banaue.
Donc les commentateurs devraient dire: je n'aime pas Banaue city.
Sans doute, parce qu'il y a trop de visiteurs, de touristes et aussi moins de charme parce que c'est un gros bourg etc.
Malgré tout, on arrive toujours à trouver quelques terrasses agréables pour manger ou prendre un pot et profiterd' un moment tranquille; après, on ne s'attarde pas et on rejoint, comme tu dis, le Banaue view point, d' où part la randonnée v-point par Bocos vers Banaue city proper. Ou encore se rendre vers Hapao, ou Cambulo etc
Je te rejoins aussi sur le Bontoc muséum, un des meilleurs musées de l'archipel, on apprend plein de choses et il y a du materiel
Maligcong reste encore confidentiel et tant mieux.
Ce que j'aime le moins: les gens qui chiquent puis qui crachent le moma, ça craint. A Banaue, cela semble aller en augmentant.
Pour ma part, au moment ou je cherchais à réserver des billets (février 2017), le site pinoytravel ne fonctionnait plus et on n'arrivait pas à aller jusqu'au paiement.
J'ai donc réservé mes billets via le site https://biyaheroes.com
Tout s'est très bien passé ! On a présenté notre réservation au guichet juste avant de prendre le bus et ils nous ont remis nos tickets.
Nous avons pris la compagnie Coda Lines pour Banaue : bus confortables, même si très froids comme les autres.
Inutile de reserver pour faire un trek.Perso, je n'ai jamais utilise de guides a Banaue.A l'epoque tu trouvais des plans
pour faire les treks dans n'importe quelle shop.Si vraiment tu veux un guide tu trouveras sur place. 😇
Effectivement tu pourras tout voir sur place en fonction de ta forme, de la météo etc.
Quand on est arrivé, il faisait pas super beau mais y'avait quand même un peu de soleil... alors qu'à priori ça faisait presque 2 semaines qu'il y avait plein de brouillard et de la pluie en quantité !! C'est pas mal de se décider une fois sur place en fonction de ce qui est prévu côté météo je pense.
Il y a pleins de guides (ou pseudo guides) toujours dispo au besoin donc pas de souci à ce niveau là.
On était à la Banaue Homestay (top) et la gérante, Béa, organise tout ce que tu veux en un rien de temps. Tu peux aller au bureau du tourisme aussi (c'était à peine plus cher), ils pourront tout t'organiser également.
Perso on est arrivé pas mal fatiguées de notre voyage depuis la France + bus de nuit donc on l'a joué un peu plus relax que prévu. Pas de trek pour nous donc... mais une journée dans les rizières autour de Banaue et Hapao (très belles !) et une journée à Batad (en passant par Baangaan).
Les français rencontrés (80% des touristes à Banaue/Batad !!!!) qui avaient fait le trek ont tous trouvé ça assez éprouvant physiquement, même si très beau. Il ne faut donc pas négliger ça avant de partir... et être en bonne condition physique tout de même.
Et surtout : ne pas avoir le vertige ! :-)
Perso j'ai le vertige et pour aller au viewpoint de Batad c'est allé (à peu près :-p)... mais certains "trekkeurs" m'ont dit avoir découvert un vertige insoupçonné lors de leur trek car certains endroits étaient assez ardus à ce niveau là.
Concernant le view point à Batad, si jamais tu le fais hors trek, c'est facile d'y aller seuls... pas besoin de guide. Il suffit de partir sur le chemin qui descends à droite de l'école et tu y arriveras... En partant à gauche tout au bout de l'école il y a également possibilité mais le chemin est moins facile et plus "sauvage".
Pour le bus, prends une polaire oui, mais également de quoi te couvrir la tête... Ne serais ce qu'un paréo ou une serviette. que tu t'enroules autour du cou/tête. Car la clim frappe depuis le haut. Chaussures fermées et chaussettes seront de rigueur aussi. Pantalon. Bref... prends tout ce que tu peux quitte à avoir trop :-p
Certaines personnes ont demandé à rouvrir les soutes lors de la première pause pour pouvoir reprendre des trucs dans leur sac tellement ils avaient froid !!!
Popopop ;)
Secret Cruise à fermé. D'ailleurs le bateau est à vendre :)
ha...j'avais écrit ça il y a qques mois
mais ça m'étonne pas, les voyageurs intéressés n'arrivaient pas à les joindre. il y a un fort turnover aux Phils😎
B
Nous n'avons pas utilisé pinoytravel finalement. Nous avons utilisé biyaheroes et voyagé avec Coda lines. Ce ne sont pas tous les chauffeurs de taxi qui veulent se rendre où les bus de Codalines sont stationnées. De plus, la majoritė des chauffeurs ne connaissent pas cette compagnie. Leur billeterie est difficile å trouver, car il n'y a rien d'affiché. Toutefois, les sièges sont confortables malgré la petite espace pour les jambes.
Arrivé à Banaue å 7ham
, nous avons fait un trek de 2 jours dans les rizières avec un guide local. C'est vraimemt une activité à ne pas manquer!
Hi everyone. I m leaving for almost 3 months in the Philippines (11 weeks total) starting in early May. I already have my round-trip ticket. The problem is, I…
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
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 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.
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.
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.
