Ce soir ma question portera sur les 3 principaux centres liés à l'Eléphant en thailande (entendre par là centres AIMANT et RESPECTANT l'animal AVANT tout).
- Le Patara elephant farm a une excellente réputation (noté n°1 des activités touristiques de chiang mai sur tripadvisor). Il se trouve dans le nord vers chiang mai mais à 5800 baths par personne la journée (avec ballade(s) à dos d'animal), personnel anglophone uniquement et QUE des animaux blessés et/ou sauvés et particulièrement heureux à en croire les nombreux témoignages. Pas de "cirque" mais une véritable journée AVEC l'animal (1 vous est dédié pour la journée complète et exclusivement "votre animal").
- Le Elephant nature Park, prés de chiang mai également, très populaire aussi mais où il semblerait qu'on ne puisse ""que"" regarder les animaux (pas de ballade avec eux). Quelqu'un confime ou infirme ? Et quid des tarifs et du personnel ?
- Enfin Ganesha Park, 270 kms ouest de bangkok, à kanchanaburi, une bien longue histoire d'un couple franco-thai (à ce que j'ai compris) et de ses 5 enfants, animés par une véritable passion de l'éléphant et qui ont mené un très long combat (env 7 ans) pour réussir à ouvrir leur camps en Thailande.
Lequel est évidemment aujourd'hui plébiscité par tous les voyageurs qui y passent et qui vous propose également des "tours combinés" avec un certain David (également français), ami fidèle, qui dirige quant à lui l'enseigne SAFARINE (tours, treks, chauffeurs....).
Seul "hic" et encore, il semblerait que tout soit possible avec François (le créateur de Ganesha), les séjours au parc par lui même sont prévus pour 2 nuits minimum.
A vérifier, pour les gens qui sont trop justes en temps, si une seule nuit est faisable ou pas ?
Tarifs TRES raisonnables si l'on considère que l'hébergement est inclus dans le prix : 2900 baths par personne (2 nuits).
Maintenant, mes questions sont pour ceux qui connaitraient les 3 parks :
1°) A chiang mai, vaut il mieux choisir patara ou elephant park ? (le prix à l'élephant park pourrait être une aide dans ce choix si vous le connaissez) ?
2°) Est-il "stupide" et/ou "inutile" d'envisager faire 1 park au nord + le park de Ganesha, sachant qu'au final, même si ça a l'air d'y ressembler, ce n'est pas la même chose qui est proposée ?
Vos avis m'interessent comme toujours et je vous en remercie. 😉
Maintenant, mes questions sont pour ceux qui connaitraient les 3 parks,
Désolée, Cacahuète, je ne connais pas les 3, mais seulement le Ganesha de François.
FC propose 2 nuits car il est vraiment magique d'assister au coucher du soleil sur le lac au bord duquel il habite, dès le premier soir. Le lendemain est la journée 100% avec les éléphants. Et ça aussi c'est magique : aller les chercher en forêt, là où ils auront passé la nuit et ratiboisé tout ce qu'il y a à manger à portée, les monter à cru pour aller au lac, se baigner et jouer avec eux (la toilette du matin), ils adorent essayer de te désarçonner, un vrai rodéo, bien agencé par les mahouts, revenir "à la maison" et assister à leur repas. Sympathiser aussi, bien sûr avec les 2 mahouts (il n'y a pour l'instant que 2 éléphants, raison pour laquelle FC limite le nombre de personne par jour, nouvelle baignade l'après-midi, etc... Chez FC c'est du tout compris, sauf les boissons. Et je t'assure qu'on y mange bien !!
Pour ce qui te concerne, et ta phobie des caf**ds, sache que malgré la rusticité des bungalows, nous n'avons rencontré aucune bestiole désagréable, juste des gekkos. Mais ça c'est partout, même dans les 3 étoiles.
Nous avions fait la première journée avec Safarine (David). Ils nous ont pris à Kanchanaburi en minivan et on est allés visiter les chutes d'Erawan (une pure merveille), on s'est baignés dans les sources chaudes (3 températures différentes, au choix). Il n'y avait que des locaux et... nous, gênés de nous tremper en maillots alors qu'eux restent habillés... Un petit coup de bamboo-rafting pour papy-mamy, et hop, à 17h on était à Thong Pha Phoum, où vit FC et sa charmante petite famille.
Je sais bien qu'il y a déjà assez de gens qui lui font de la pub ici et ailleurs, mais c'est justifié et j'avais envie de te paser les infos, même si ce message sera peut-être supprimé d'ici peu.
Alors dépêche-toi de le lire ou contacte-moi en MP.
Bonjour,
j'ai passé une journée à l'Elephant Nature park il y a 2 semaines. Je n'ai plus le prix exact en tête mais ça tournait aux alentours de 2500 bath par personne(transfert aller/retour de ton hotel inclus). Je te confirme que dans ce parc , on ne monte pas sur les éléphants , mais on les approche quand même, on les touche , les caresse, marche avec eux et surtout on participe au bain dans la rivière . Ce fut l'une des meilleures journées de mon voyage.
Comme Beautoucan, nous ne connaissons que le Ganesha park que nous conseillons très fortement:
le cadre est merveilleux, la structure familiale avec le personnel karen et le contact avec les 2 éléphants extra. Des souvenirs inoubliables en perspective!
Comme Beautoucan, nous ne connaissons que le Ganesha park que nous conseillons très fortement:
le cadre est merveilleux, la structure familiale avec le personnel karen et le contact avec les 2 éléphants extra. Des souvenirs inoubliables en perspective!
je conseille aussi ganesha park qui pour moi se demarque de tout le reste; d'abord Francois est une personne exeptionnelle, il vous fera partager sa passion des elephants comme personne en Thailande, ce qu'aucun thai ne fera jamais, dans un cadre plus que naturel d'une tres belle region et non surfait et abime par le buziness industriel.Sa structure est simple sans artifices ni mises en scenes pour les touristes.De meme pour David Safarine qui pourra surement vous aider a optimiser et securiser votre sejour a Kanchanaburi que se soit en solo ou surtout en famille.Tout un cote aventure garanti.
Sur l'arbre qui donne des pommes il n'y a pas de citrons...
Je me permets ici de faire un peu le "porte-parole" de cacahuet95... 😉
Elle vous fait dire qu'elle aimerait vraiment pouvoir poster plus souvent sur VF, ne serait-ce que pour remercier les membres qui apportent des réponses à ses questions, mais étant nouvellement inscrite, il semble qu'elle soit limitée dans le nombre de messages qu'elle peut poster par jour.
nous connaissons que elephant nature park il est vrai que nous sommes pas monté dessus mais vous etes avec votre elephant toute la journée et le nombre de touriste limité beaucoup de photos a coté d'eux mes enfants ont un souvenir inoubliable.
Puisqu'aujourd'hui je peux poster (cf. explic. debeautoucan, au passage merci😉) je "sacrifie" ce post (maxi 7 par jour 🙁) pour vous remercier chaleureusement de votre intérêt et votre sympathie à tous pour vos réponses depuis le début ;-)
Ensuite, et croyez bien que c'est avec tristesse (vu vos témoignages) mais il faut bien faire des choix, je ne pourrai pas aller au Ganesha park à cause mon timing: 2 jours c'est trop 🙁
Je n'irai pas non plus à l'Elephant nature car je ne peux imaginer une visite en thailande sans pouvoir faire au moins une petite ballade à dos d'éléphant.
Donc, ce sera soit patara, soit un autre tour en fonction de l'endroit où je serai et des possibilités sur place. Car même Patara, ça prend une journée complète et je ne suis pas encore sûre de pouvoir.
En effet, après près de 2 semaines de recherches en tout sens et de visites et lectures tant sur ce forum que sur de nombreux blogs et sites perso, carnets de voyages... J'ai enfin aujourd'hui un itinéraire qui se dessine.
Je vous le soumet sur un autre post en souhaitant bien évidemment que vous continuiez à me suivre ;-)
Réfléchissez bien car nous aussi avions hésité du fait que le Ganesha est loin. Et avant d'y aller nous avions fait un "trek" d'une journée à Chiang Mai plutôt décevant avec une ballade d'1h à dos d'éléphant.
Aller au Ganesha park vous permettra de faire d'une pierre 3 coups : -voir des paysages magnifiques (ce sont les + beaux qu'on ait vus en 1 mois); passer 2 jours entourés de karen ( la cuisinière, son mari et leurs enfants;les mahouts très sympas et une halte dans un village);passer une journée complète avec les 2 éléphants, les 2 mahouts et François qui vous prodiguera ses conseils en français.
Et le meilleur moment n'est pas la ballade à dos d'éléphant mais bel et bien la ou plutôt les baignades dans le lac.Le contact avec ces animaux est alors extraordinaire et source de grands moments d'émotion et de fous rires.
C'est vrai qu'il faut 3 jours (transport aller;la journée sur place; transport retour) mais vous pouvez profiter de l'aller et retour pour visiter la région.Il y a beaucoup de choses à faire sur cette route (chutes, sources chaudes, ...).
je croyais que François c'était fini, 🤪, beau souvenir du paysage mais surement pas de Mr François, qui nous a bien déçu mes amis et moi.
Nous avions réserver un éléphant pour chacun avec la ballade, au final il n'y avait que trois éléphants du coup deux de mes amis n'ont pu en profiter, pourtant ils avaient payé la prix et non remboursé par François.
On nous avait dit qu'il y aurait de l'eau chaude dans notre chambre, résultat on se lavait avec une eau à 10° et la matin n'en parlons pas, 🏴☠️ , le petit déjeuner étaient des petits biscuits secs genre nic-nac, car Frabçois nous disait qu'il n'avait pas le temps de faire des courses.
Nous avions assisté à une dispute entre lui et sa femme aussi qui après est repartie vers Kanchanaburi ville.
De plus à notre retour, sur les forums, nous avons appris que les "mahouts" étaient partis avec les éléphants mais François n'avait pas prévenu les clients, et là encore, déception d'arriver là sans avoir ce qu'on vient chercher et à nouveau, sans remboursements.
Bref le ganesha park est l'endroit où on a mis le prix fort en Thailande et qui finalement nous a le moins plus et c'est dommage car la beauté y est spectaculaire.
pourrions nous savoir a quelle époque cela se passait votre déconvenue?
c'était en Juillet 2008 bientôt trois ans, mais peut être tout a bien changé depuis, et si c le cas, ça me fait plaisir de voir que pas mal de gens s'y sont plus.
Je pense nous y sommes allés au début de l'affaire du Ganesha Park, il est normal que tout ne soit pas parfait, d'ailleurs on ne recherche pas la perfection, mais quand même, quand on demande s'il y a de l'eau chaude et en fait non, c pas normal, mais surtout arrivé là, avoir la moitié des éléphants annoncés et finalement des gens qui ont payés pour, ne se font même pas rembourser la différence, là ça devient mal honnête et pas correcte.
En lisant et découvrant le site, je suis tombé sur un post de François qui dit avoir galérer, je comprends et possible nous sommes tomber à la mauvaise période de l'histoire du ganesha park.
Effectivement, il y a eu quelques changements depuis. Après avoir traversé une période difficile, François s'est installé ailleurs, a 2 éléphants et il y a eu quelques changements dans sa vie privée mais cela ne nous regarde pas. L'important est qu'il soit reparti sur de bonnes bases pour accueillir ses clients. D'après les avis sur Tripadvisor, tous les clients qui y sont allés depuis l'ouverture de son nouveau Ganesha park sont plus que satisfaits. Nous y sommes allés en juillet 2010 et je crois qu'il était arrivé sur ce nouveau site splendide depuis janvier 2010 .
En lisant et découvrant le site, je suis tombé sur un post de François qui dit avoir galérer, je comprends et possible nous sommes tomber à la mauvaise période de l'histoire du ganesha park.
"La plus grande gloire n'est pas de ne jamais tomber, mais de se relever à chaque chute."
Confucius
Bravo Francois!
Sur l'arbre qui donne des pommes il n'y a pas de citrons...
Si vous êtes venus durant l'été 2008, ce fut fut la pire période de notre aventure éléphantesque !
Des problèmes avec les autorités, avec les thaïs et surtout avec les mahouts...
Aujourd'hui encore, je paie petit à petit les dettes de cette triste histoire !
Et si vous vous sentez lésés, ce que je comprends volontiers, je vous invite volontiers à venir nous voir maintenant, gratuitement pour vous dédomager de ce que vous avez vécu. Et cette fois ci, il y a de l'eau chaude;
Le paysage a changé, les problèmes personnels se règlent progressivement et j'espère que vous vous sentirez plus à l'aise !
Rappelez moi seulement les noms et dates de votre réservation qui vous a valu tant de déceptions !
François nous nous arrivons chez vous en juillet, je ne vous connais qu'a travers nos échanges de mail mais je SAIS que vous êtes un mec bien...ça se sent... Et nous avons vraiment hâte et d'etre en Thailande et d'etre chez vous !! Bon courage pour régler tout ce qui peut subsister de vos anciennes galères 😉
Il vaut mieux être en retard dans ce monde qu'en avance dans l'autre!!
j'ai fait le choix de Patara Elephant Farm lors de mon séjour à Chiang Mai l'été dernier.
Je vous l'accorde, cela reste cher mais très franchement, c'est une merveilleuse expérience dont vous vous souviendrez.
Ils sont a l'écoute des animaux et je suis ravie que mon argent puisse servir a entretenir leur projet.
Si vous avez des questions, n'hésitez pas !
Merci beaucoup pour votre retour.
cela donne envie.
Comment se déroule la journée? nous sommes par groupe de combien de personnes ?
Nous avons envoyé un email pour obtenir des informations mais n'avons pas encore reçu de retour. Comment avez vous procédé pour réserver?
je ne peux que conseiller le ganesha park certe un peu loin mais ça vaut le détour
J' y suis allé il y a deux ans. je fut ravi de mon séjour. et françois et intarrisable sur les éléphants.
Quel joie de pouvoir se promener directement sur le dos puis la tête de l' éléphant. le moment du bain dans le lac est magique.
Tout ceci en pleine nature au bord d' un lac avec un magnifique couché de soleil 😎
que demander de plus 😉
pour voir des photos suivre le lien en dessous vers ma page facebook
Bonjour,
je suis surprise que vous n'ayez pas eu de réponse car ils sont en général très réactif.
Vous êtes un groupe de 10 personnes seulement.
On vous explique le projet, le site, l'environnement, comment l'éléphant vit.. puis au travers des petits ateliers ludiques vous apprenez à découvrir l'animal.
Il n'y a aucune violence faite aux éléphants.
Arrive la balade de 1h30 dans la jungle (Chacun sur son éléphant)
Pause déjeuner traditionnel au bord de la rivière.
Puis bain/ nettoyage de l'animal.
A la fin de la journée, un CD de photos/vidéos vous est remis afin d'avoir en images les souvenirs de cette expérience unique.
Je reviens d'Elephant Nature Park et j'ai trouvé la sortie très décevante. Beaucoup de monde, piège à touristes. Je ne comprends pas comment ils font pour avoir de telles évaluations sur tripadvisor.
bonjour, je répond à un mesage qui date de trois ans mais peut être que vous consulté encore le forum. Est ce que vous exercez toujours. nous venons en thaialnde en fev mars 2015 avec nos deux enfants de 4 et 6 ans et mon frère, nous souhaitons faire une immertion avec les éléphant et de ce que j'ai lu dans les différente conversation vous êtes souvent cité en bien. Pouvez vous nous proposer quelques choses et à quel prix, merci beaucoup;
emmanuelle et francois
je me permets de répondre car nous venons de réserver chez eux un séjour avec nos deux loustics .
je pense que le mieux est de passer par leur site. Perso nous avons eu les réponses très rapidement.
Concernant le prix, c'est sur que cela est cher par rapport au budget journalier que nous allons consacré à notre voyage, mais je pense sincèrement que cela est justifié (rapport au bienêtre des éléphants, au séjour, au retour des forumistes, .....etc).
En tout cas nous sommes ravis de faire découvrir les éléphants à nos enfants à Ganesha Park et pas dans un Barnum......
merci de votre message je vais aller vois leur site comme nous partons qu'en février mars 2015 je ne vais pas réserver de suite mais je vais au moins prendre des infos, quand partez vous? POurrez vous me faire un petit retour de votre expérience, du parc.
Combien de temps partez vous et quelles autres visite programmez vous?
nous partons en janvier 2015 pour un voyage de 7/8 mois en Asie.
A part le Ganesha park que je souhaite découvrir depuis plusieurs années et qui , vu le succès, est réservé longtemps a l'avance , je ne programme rien de spécifique pour l'instant.
Pour la Thaïlande, plutôt un fil rouge qui va nous conduire jusqu'au Nord......Pour le retour vous l'aurez donc surement sur le blog mais il sera du coup trop tard pour vous a ce moment là 😄 !!
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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, 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 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,
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 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.
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.
However, I’m not quite 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 some walks and/or things to see in Kampong Thom?
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.
We got back enchanted from a 6-week trip to Cambodia!
Our itinerary: Kampot - Kampong Chhnang - Battambang - Siem Reap - Kampong Cham - Sen Monorom (Mondulkiri) - Banlung (Ratanakiri) - Kratie - Kampong Thom - Phnom Penh.
We traveled by bus, minivan, boat (between Battambang and Siem Reap), overnight bus, scooter, tuk-tuk, and rickshaw for shorter distances. We stayed in guesthouses, homestays, and even in the jungle during a trek.
While the Angkor temples are fabulous, it’s the people you should visit Cambodia for—the "Land of Smiles" truly lives up to its nickname! Tourists gather in Angkor but are quite rare elsewhere, even though the country is easy to travel around.
I won’t describe our trip in detail but instead highlight a few favorite moments.
From Kampot, don’t hesitate to head out around 6 AM to see the fishermen return and their wives selling their catch (just 10 minutes away by the coast). Guaranteed picturesque!
In Battambang, known for its food scene, we discovered a cooking class with Smokin’ Pot (authentic Khmer cooking class). They pick you up from your guesthouse to shop for ingredients (we made fish amok and beef lok lak) at their village market, then cook and eat together. A private class—just the two of us! They also send the recipes via WhatsApp as a PDF. +855 12 821 400
In Siem Reap, I can recommend a francophone tuk-tuk driver who was very attentive to our wishes. We visited tourist spots but also more remote villages and local grilled-pork restaurants with him. He’s a wealth of information about local life, and chatting with him was a real pleasure—we left with regret! You can reach him on WhatsApp: Vung Hem, +855 96 614 0146.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Mondulkiri. Don’t expect a super dense jungle—it looks more like a forest similar to ours. But Nara, our Bunong ethnic guide, made the experience adventurous and ultimately very immersive! WhatsApp +855 86 630 489
Bee Bee’s Chalets homestay: If you pass through Banlung in Ratanakiri, we *loved* this family and their budget-friendly bungalows. Playing Uno, enjoying Nita’s cooking (ask for her fish amok—amazing!), it was a true homestay experience! Contact Nita on WhatsApp: +855 88 818 5525.
In Kratie, rent a scooter and follow the Mekong north for 40 km at your own pace. Being so close to the locals was a treat! Same goes for heading south if you have time.
Kampong Thom: Head 25 km out to visit the pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. Around a hundred monuments spread across three sites… and hardly anyone there!
A few practical tips:
Though prices are often listed in dollars, you can always pay in riels (1 USD = 4000 riels), which is what we preferred.
PassApp: An app to book tuk-tuks or rickshaws (and most importantly, know the price upfront).
Virak Buntham: A bus company connecting several cities, bookable online.
Feel free to ask me questions about places, accommodations, etc.—I’d be happy to answer!
We’re planning our second trip to Thailand (2 weeks on-site, late April/early May) as a family with our 5- and 7-year-olds.
On our first trip, we visited Bangkok, Ayutthaya, the River Kwai, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi, and Khao Lak. We especially loved Koh Phi Phi for its limestone cliffs and lush vegetation, as well as Koh Lipe for its crystal-clear waters and snorkeling.
This time, I’m thinking of spending 7 days on the islands. I was considering Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. We’d like some scenery, snorkeling right from the beach, and a bit of atmosphere—but not too much (just enough to grab dinner in the evening).
For the other part of the trip, we’re torn between Chiang Mai and Khao Sok. One or the other… or both? We don’t want to rush, but we’re really nature-focused, so we won’t be hitting too many temples…
Hi there, I’ll be on vacation in Malaysia in November and plan to spend 5 days in Penang. After that, I’d like to visit some temples and places in Butterworth or nearby, and also explore the city. Since I usually get around on foot, which neighborhood would be best for me—meaning within a 30-minute walk of attractions, street food stalls, bus lines, etc.? Thanks in advance for your help!
Françoise
