je suis nouvelle sur le forum et malgré mes recherches je n'arrive pas a me decider.
nous partons en thailande du 6 au 19 avril 2013 pour notre voyage de noces et recherchons une ile pour terminer notre séjour en mode détente.
comme tous je crois, nos critères sont de belles plages, pas trop de touristes...
nous ne souhaitons pas faire de la plongée (g peur !) mais s'initier au snorkelling, et qu'il y ai des choses a faire/visiter des grottes en kayak, des activites de genre...
arrivant du nord (chiang mai) nous souhaiterions une ile assez accessible (aeroport proche) car comme c notre voyage de noces, on ne souhaite pas passer nos journées en bus etc....
donc d'apres mes lectures je peux oublier phuket, koh samui, et koh phi phi (dommage car maya etant le prenom de notre fille, j'aurez aimer votre la superbe maya bay)
Koh Tao c'est comme Koh Phi Phi donc pas une bonne idée. Koh Lanta, Koh Phangan, Koh Chang mieux déjà car les autres îles sont trop petites et les activités trop limitées. Sinon il y a aussi Krabi qui pourrait être une solution autre que Phuket et Koh Samui car il y a aussi un aéroport 🙂
koh lanta ou krabi (railay beach ou aonang beach) sont très bien....
évitez oui koh phi phi (ou faites une excursion , celle des 4 iles au départ de krabi à la journée)si séjour krabi...
maya bay franchement bof bof surtout si vous y allez avec les bâteaux d'excursion.. c'est fini la beauté de ce site hélas grosse arnaque touriste.. la seule baie splendide on ne descend pas du bâteau c'est piley bay (derrière maya bay) , la photo de mon avatar)...le reste passez votre chemin...
sinon autre idée allez à koh lanta c'est super , on s'ennuie pas et c'est pas l'usine béton....et de là bas faites l'excursion de koh roc c'est splendide et bien pour des tourtereaux...)
prenez un vol de chiangmai pour krabi et de là vous aurez deux bonnes heures de route pour rejoindre koh lanta.. attention à l'heure d'arrivée pour le passage de deux bacs...arrivez le matin à krabi aéroport...pour faire soit par ferry soit par voiture le transfert à koh lanta....
profitez bien... la période est en principe pas mal que ce soit côté mer adaman ou gulf du siam...en principe
merci pour vos reponse, j'avais effectivement reperé la zone de krabi / koh lanta, donc pour vous vaut mieux koh lanta que koh tao ? et lanta est elle mieux que koh chang (trat) ?
l'avis de boumbastic est intéressant pour koh tao et le reste (boumbastic pour mon avis donne de très bonnes infos utiles😉, )... il ya bcp de déception concernant cette destination qui part en live au niveau transformation....
moi mon avis est aussi pour aller à koh lanta (tout dépends combien de jour vous avez pour séjour balnéaire, si c'est moins de 5 jours vu le trajet ça fait court pour en profiter) donc voyez plus bas mon autre idée je n'y ai pas pensé de suite..
donc en premier, si plus de 5 jours à koh lanta choisissez par exemple la plage de klong nin beach il ya du choix d'hôtels ex un très bien le "sri lanta resort" et des restaurants tout au long de la plage les tables pour manger les pieds dans le sable avec les flambeaux pour l'éclairage le soir très sympa.... et pour se baigner cette plage est très bien sans rocher et mer superbe...les hôtels peuvent vous bookez des excursions pour koh roc ou les 4 iles proches de lanta... de krabi il ya 4 autres iles sympas...il ya même une boutique/laundry (en partant sur la gauche en sortant de l'hôtel et à droite sur la route très proche à pied du sri lanta resort qui a des prix très intéressants pour les excursions, même moins cher que l'hôtel on l'a vu trop tard!!, donc je donne l'info... par contre attention faites du change avant d'arrivée à cet hôtel car pas de boutique d'exchange proche , ..faut prendre véhicule pour aller plus loin pour exchange..
le change dans les hôtels c'est arnaque.. donc prévoyez tout ça...
par contre koh chang je ne connais pas attendez voir d'autres avis.. il me semble qu'il ya des avis déjà sur VF qui sont partagés... idem les constructions anarchiques pour touristes commencent à transformer l'ile.. mais il doit bien y avoir un coin épargné .. à vérifier..
sinon il ya moins loin si c'est pour quelques jours à 3h30 de bangkok en taxi ou bus... l'ile de koh samet... côté parc national il ya des hôtels sympas et ile sympa on y accède par ferry de l'embarcadère de ban phe tout prêt de rayong...et là quelques jours en amoureux ç'est jouable...
5 nuits donc c'est possible pour krabi/ou koh lanta....en venant par avion de chiangmai à aéroport krabi..et dépaysant et bcp plus calme que phuket
sinon koh samet c'est préservé pour le côté parc national , juste que si vous tombez en plein we ça risque d'être plus "peuplé" car les thailandais viennent y passer le we en famille donc ça se remplit pas mal les logements....(j'avais oublié ça aussi 😏)
koh chang c'est l'aéroport de trat et c'est tout de même éloigné pour si peu de jours..
faites le bon choix.. et bonne vacances/lune de miel au pays du sourire.....
voir les billets d'avion avec air asia il ya des prix intéressants attentions aux poids bagages ne pas oubliez de les comptez en réservant.....
si vous voulez pas prendre l'avion au niveau budget donc revenez sur bangkok et de là de la gare routière d'ekamai vous pourrez prendre un bus pour rayong /banphe pour koh samet....
mes challengers :ko lanta/krabiko phanganko changen sachant que nous y passerons 5 jours (mi avril)...donc il faut quand meme qu'il y ai des choses a voir (en plus des belles plages indispensables)
Bonjour,
tout depend de ce que tu recherches.
On a passé plusieurs jours sur Ko Lanta, Krabi... c'est tres sympa car pas mal d'activités, pas de surpopulation touristique, mais c'est loin d'etre la plage de reve avec sable blanc et mer turquoise. C'est plutot ambiance familiale, activités...
Si vous etes en voyage de noce, peut etre souhaiterez vous une ile plus petite, avec sable fin et mer de rêve. Auquel cas, je vous conseillerai Ko Ngai, pas tres courue (sauf entre 12h et 15h, qd debarquent les long tails en excursion). possibilité d'avoir des bungalows de charme face à la mer... Un petit paradis
Sinon, on nous a beaucoup parlé de Ko Lipe (pas vu de mes propres yeux, mais beaucoup nous ont dit que c'etait superbe.)
biensur nous cherchons le sable blanc et l'eau turquoise ... mais nous aimerions qu'il y est aussi des activités car mon mari et moi ne savons pas rester plusieurs heures sur une serviette a se faire dorer la pillule !!!
je vais chercher sur la piste de ko ngai, quand est il des autres iles proches de lanta comme ko muk et ko kradan ? y a t il des choses a faire sur ces iles plutot petites.
est il plus interressant de loger sur une de ces petites iles et d'eventuellement aller sur lanta pour des activtés ou alors de faire l'inverse ?
que pensez vous de ko chang et des petites iles autour, est ce que comme lanta les iles autour ont des plages plus jolies ? (ko mak, ko kut )....
ko lipe trop loin... en sachant que je n'ai que 5 jours pour cette partie, faut que ca reste accessible en terme de temps de trajet.
biensur nous cherchons le sable blanc et l'eau turquoise ... mais nous aimerions qu'il y est aussi des activités car mon mari et moi ne savons pas rester plusieurs heures sur une serviette a se faire dorer la pillule !!!
je vais chercher sur la piste de ko ngai, quand est il des autres iles proches de lanta comme ko muk et ko kradan ? y a t il des choses a faire sur ces iles plutot petites.
Attention, Koh Ngai est toute petite, encore plus que Koh Kradan. Il n'y a rien a faire a part du snorkeling, nager et bronzer c'est pourquoi on y va généralement dans le cours d'une excursion comme celle des 4 îles depuis Koh Lanta 😉
je suis actuellement à ko tao et je me régale avec mon compagn on : j'etais un peu réticente pour venir car ns ne faisons pas de plongée mais nous sommes tres bien ici, c'est tres calme la journéemais et le soir mais ns ne ns sommes pas installés sur les plages à gauche de l'embarcadere, ns sommes àdroite et ns sommes en bungalow tres confortable (400b en discutant un peu) ; aujourd'hui ns avons loué un scoote r ce qui va nous permettre de visiter d'autres plages ; ns ne resterons que 3 jours car ns voulons aller aussi à ko phanang puis krabi etc.
pour les propositions , c'est un peu trop conventionnel car on parle de lune de miel et donc cadre idyllique , fréquentation quasi nulle ...2 iles qui correspondent au décor d'une lune de miel près de Phuket Ko Maiton et ko Racha yai.
Certes , c'est un peu cher mais pour une telle occasion , rien n'est trop beau....Plein de bonheur à tous les 2.
merci, je crois que notre choix va se porter sur le secteur de krabi lanta phi phi avec des excursion sur koh hong etc... reste a savoir s'il vaut mieux loger 5 jours au meme endroit ou se deplacer d'ile en ile avec nos bagages ???
I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of markets. No matter where I go, in every country or city I visit, I won’t leave without having seen one. I’m mostly talking about food markets. I love the smells, the colors, and watching people from all walks of life stroll around. It’s like a mirror of a country’s culture, and I love soaking it all in.
Thai markets are particularly appealing to me. In my province, there are so many. Maybe more than elsewhere—I’m not sure—but every day, you can find a "Talat Nat." These are traveling markets that set up in specific places on specific days. They only stay open for a few hours. Some attract more shoppers than others because they have more stalls and a wider variety of products. Sometimes, they’re set up in pretty unusual spots: temples, roadside, even on train tracks...
On top of these, there are also markets in the city that stay open all day.
I’d love for you to share your photos of markets, local product stalls, and why not, let’s talk about gastronomy and cuisine too!
I’ll start with my favorite market—it’s 8 kilometers from my place and happens every Tuesday from 2 PM to 5 PM. I never miss a Tuesday unless there’s a downpour... 😉 It’s located in the countryside, in a village famous for its coffee (ThamSing), and inside the grounds of a slightly unusual temple. It’s easy to get to—over the past 10 years, the roads have been paved, which wasn’t the case before and made the trip a bit risky when it rained...
In the first two photos, you’ll see the temple courtyard on a normal day, without the market.
I’d like to do a kind of personal retreat this winter and I’m looking for a destination near the sea (preferably an island) that’s quiet. Is that possible in Thailand, or should I consider another destination?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Dayi
We’re 49 years old, love beautiful landscapes, meeting locals, discovering local food and traditions, and we avoid overly touristy places.
We enjoy hiking, cycling, running, and diving.
This is our first time in Thailand (my husband knows Bangkok).
We arrive on Friday, November 13th in Bangkok (city visit) and return on Friday, November 27th.
We’re considering heading south (possibly toward Krabi) from the 14th to the 18th to enjoy the beautiful beaches, go diving, and see Khao Sok...
Then back to Bangkok and on to Kanchanaburi to see the Sai Yok Noi waterfalls, followed by a bike visit to Ayutthaya.
From there, we’d take an overnight train to the north: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and the Lantern Festival from November 21st to 25th.
On the 26th, we’d take a flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (city visit), and on the 27th, we have our flight back to France.
Does this itinerary seem too packed?
Should we remove some things to avoid feeling rushed and fully enjoy the trip?
Do you recommend anything other than Krabi?
This September, my partner and I are heading to North Sulawesi for 3 weeks. Our international flight is with Malaysia Airlines, departing from Paris. We have a layover in KL, then fly to Denpasar, followed by a domestic flight from Denpasar to Manado. We land in Bali Denpasar on 05/09 around 12:00 PM, and our flight to Manado is on 07/09 at 1:30 AM. The plan was to have at least one night (from the 5th to the 6th of September) between our international flight and our flight to Manado, just to recharge a bit since we're not 20 anymore 😛. My question is, given the very short stop in Bali (a day and a half), is it better to stay in Denpasar rather than go to Ubud for the night? I’ve been to Bali before, and from what I remember, even though the distances are short, transfers take a long time because of the extremely heavy traffic—but I was there in July, not September. I’m not sure if that makes a big difference?
If the answer is "it’s better to stay in Denpasar," are there any nice places to visit? There’s very little feedback about the city since tourists usually don’t stick around.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Hi there,
I’ve found so many tips and reviews on this forum, so it’s my turn to contribute a little.
We spent just over two weeks with our family, with the following itinerary:
- Hanoi: 5 days
- Halong Bay: 3 days and 2 nights
- Tam Coc: 3 days
- Mai Chau: 2 days
- Sapa: 3 days
We got around by bike, scooter, Grab, and bus.
Our main accommodations were homestays and hotels in Hanoi.
We visited lots of museums, temples, and neighborhoods in Hanoi.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Sapa with May, a Hmong local, without going through an agency.
A few small regrets: the weather was overcast, and we couldn’t make it to Fansipan, but nothing major 😅. We also couldn’t find transport to get from Sapa to Mu Cang Chai.
Other than that, this trip will stay in our memories for the kindness of the Vietnamese people, the connections we made, the food (street food, homestays...), the coffee 😋, the landscapes, and how easy it was to get around...
Our goal was to take our time and focus only on a small part of northern Vietnam.
If you need any tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hello everyone! I’m heading off solo in February and wanted to share my rough itinerary with you. Does this sound doable?
PS: I’m not really into beaches.
D1 Departure on February 17, 2027
D2 Arrival in Kuala Lumpur – stroll through Chinatown and visit the Petronas Towers
D3: Kuala Lumpur – Chow Kit Market, Batu Caves, Little India, Bukit Bintang downtown area
D4: Early morning bus to Malacca. Explore Malacca in the afternoon and evening
D5: Another 2–3 hours in Malacca in the morning, then bus back to Kuala Lumpur. Merdeka Square area. Stay in Chinatown
D6: Bus trip to Kuala Tahan. Night tour
D7: Morning – canopy walk and Bukit Terisek hike. Afternoon – off to Lata Berkoh
D8 & D9: 2-day jungle trek in Taman Negara National Park
D10: Head to Cameron Highlands
D11: Morning hike through the plantations. Afternoon still to be decided
D12: Morning – excursion to Mossy Forest and Sungei Plantation. Afternoon bus to Ipoh
D13: Morning – Mirror Lake / Sam Poh Temple area. Afternoon – explore downtown Ipoh
D14: Morning train to Penang. Afternoon – wander around Georgetown
D15: Morning – Penang Hill and Keh Loh Temple. Afternoon – Georgetown
D16: Bus to Butterfly Garden and Spice Garden. Late afternoon – Burmese and Thai temples
D17: Morning flight to Singapore. Afternoon – Chinatown and Marina Bay tour
D18: Morning – Gardens by the Bay area. Afternoon – Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Kampong Glam
D19: Morning – The Ridges area and Botanical Garden. Afternoon – Little India, then back to Chinatown before 11:15 PM return flight
D20: Morning arrival
Hi everyone.
I’m heading to Malaysia for five weeks over the holiday season.
I just found out that tourists can pay by QR code like locals (street food, small shops) to avoid using cash.
This works with apps like Wise or TNG eWallet.
Has anyone tried this system before?
Hi everyone,
I’ll be in western Malaysia for 20 days in January and February.
I’m coming from southern Thailand to Ipoh for the Thaipusam festivities.
Then it’s off to Pangkor Island.
I’ll finish up in Malacca for the Chinese New Year celebrations before heading to Singapore.
I’ve got a 6-day gap.
I was thinking of going to K.Lipis for the jungle train and heading to Dabong, but the caves might not be open.
Any suggestions around K.L.?
Day treks?
A stopover between K.L. and Malacca?
Thanks
Hi, I’ve read that these two volcanoes are super popular and that there are *tons* of people for sunrise, especially in July. I’m looking for firsthand accounts from anyone who’s done it later, around 9–10 a.m.
Thanks for your help!
Laëtitia
I’m heading to Cambodia at the end of December 2026 – January 2027 for 3-4 weeks. Since I’ve already visited Cambodia twice, my itinerary is a bit different this time—I’d love to explore Botum Sakor Park, Chi Pat, the Tatai region, and the Cardamom Mountains. I’m traveling solo. If you have any tips on transportation, excursions, treks, sights, or accommodations in the area, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks for your feedback!
Has anyone traveled with the Laos travel agency ADV ?
I’m planning a trip to Laos and have received several quotes. Among them, this agency’s seem very reasonable, and so far, the interactions have been positive.
I’ve found a few positive reviews online, but I’d love to hear from travelers who’ve actually booked with them: how’s the organization, guide quality, accommodations, on-the-ground responsiveness, etc.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
First stop on our discovery of the peninsula: Amphawa. It’s our first night in Thailand (we arrived at Suvarnabhumi at 8:50 AM).
Our initial plan was to explore the area before heading further south. The Mae Klong Railway Market is tempting... but what else is there to do????
We’ll be there on a Wednesday, and from what I’ve read on the forum, some say there’s absolutely nothing to do during the week—no floating market, barely any shops open, no restaurants, etc.
Others, though, say the place is actually more charming without the weekend crowds.
Could you share your thoughts? Missing the floating market is one thing, but if it’s really a ghost town on Wednesdays, I might just drop our bags somewhere else.
Amphawa seemed like a good first stop, just 1.5 hours from the airport, but I’d still like to settle somewhere a bit lively for our first evening.
We’ll be there at the end of October.
Thanks!
Hi,
I wanted to visit the plantations in the morning with GetYourGuide or by just showing up.
How much time should I really plan for?
I’d like to catch either the 3 PM or 5 PM bus back to KL.
Thanks
Hi,
I wanted to get some info about the cable car and the bridge—I see lots of different options...
How much time should we allow for these two activities? If we arrive around 4 PM, will we have enough time to visit without rushing?
Thanks
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
Hi fellow travelers,
First trip to Vietnam.
We’ll be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet.
Is it complicated to find accommodation and get around during this period?
Any tips would be welcome.
Thanks for your replies.
Hi! I’d like to split my trip into two parts: 15 days in Phuket and 15 days in Krabi. Do you know if I can rent a car and drop it off in Krabi when I fly back to France?
Thanks for your feedback!
Have a great Sunday!
Martine
Hello,
After 1 night in Khao Sok, I’d like to find a 2 Days 1 Night package on the lake.
After reading a lot, I decided to "break the bank" and treat ourselves to a private tour—mainly to avoid the crowds.
But after contacting several operators, they offer "private tours" that are very expensive (around 700 €), yet in the details, the boats can only leave from the pier at 10 AM like everyone else. (I was hoping to leave much earlier.) The morning program is the same for everyone too (private or not). They drop us off at noon at our floating hotel (I’d chosen Phupha Waree). Free afternoon (swimming or kayaking in front of the hotel). We head back by boat for a 1-hour sunset ride. And the next morning, we leave the hotel at 8 AM to be at the pier by 9:30 AM at the latest—end of the trip.
So basically, we’re paying a lot for a private tour just to do the same thing as everyone else at the same time.
Or maybe I just had bad luck in my search.
I contacted Panida Ladi, who’s very popular on forums. We’d agreed on a private tour that matched my request (departure from the pier at 8 AM, very personalized itinerary). We settled on the itinerary and price, she asked for a Wise transfer for a 30% deposit, confirmed receipt of the deposit. Then 30 minutes later, she messaged me to say she was canceling everything because it was impossible to do the requested tour—and promised a quick refund of my deposit.
So here’s my question: Who’s done a *real* private tour on this lake? Who can recommend a reliable agency? Is it even really possible to do a private tour here?
I’m searching for a real gem for my 3rd stay in Koh Lanta: a lovely, high-quality hotel right by an easily accessible beach in a lively spot.
If you know of anything that fits what I’m looking for and want to share, don’t hesitate!
Hi, is anyone there in Flores right now? According to some websites, everything is closed and the situation is tough. But our guide says it's fine. Who should we believe? We're supposed to leave on September 2nd. Thanks to anyone in Flores at the moment!
Hi dear community,
I'm planning to visit Cambodia this winter, right after Christmas, for my first solo trip and my first trip to Asia. For two weeks (yes, I know it's short, but I really can't do more...). I have two main desires: Siem Reap and the countryside, the villages, the Mekong...
What do you think of this itinerary? Arrival in Siem Reap, departure from Phnom Penh.
SR: 5 days (1 day for arrival, 3 for the temples, 1 for the lake and its villages)
Kratie (stop on the way to Mondolkiri): 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days there)
Mondolkiri/Sen Monorom: 4 days (1 day of travel, 1 day there, 2 days of treks)
PP: 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days of sightseeing)
I think I need to cut one day somewhere if I travel from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. In Kratie, maybe? Or in PP? And I'll miss the boat trip that everyone recommends (SR-Battambang), but I don't see where to fit it in. Unless I do a PP-PP loop starting in the east, skip Kratie or just stay one night, then SR, then PP.
In my timing, Mondolkiri seems closer than Ratanakiri, which also tempted me a lot! Will it be too complicated alone? I'm thinking of using local guides or a small local agency for a nature and village getaway.
I've read that Siem Reap is very crowded between Christmas and New Year's. I could also do the circuit in the opposite direction. But I thought it would be easier to get familiar with the country by arriving in a touristy area—I might be wrong...
Thanks for your advice and opinions!
Hi everyone.
I’m planning my trip, and based on all the posts I’ve read, this country is amazing.
Of course, I’ve got a ton of questions for you.
Here’s a possible itinerary: Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Phonsavan - Sam Neua - Nong Khiaw + villages - Phongsali - Luang Namtha and the area - Udomxai - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang and back to Vientiane.
What do you think?
We’re planning to prioritize local transport—is it possible to do this loop?
We’d also love to go kayaking, but I’m not sure if the season’s right or where the best spot is.
For trekking—I read that Phongsali is the most authentic spot to visit villages and see wildlife. Do you know of a reliable agency and a guesthouse with reasonable prices?
Is it worth taking a slow boat for a stretch on the Mekong, and if so, which route?
For accommodations, is it better to book through Booking.com and Agoda or look when we arrive?
Are mosquitoes bad in Laos, and should we take malaria prophylaxis?
What’s the average daily budget (accommodation, food, visits)?
Is renting scooters a good option for exploring towns, and if so, which ones?
From what I’ve read, it’s best to carry cash—euros or dollars? Is it risky to walk around with that much cash?
I’ve still got tons of questions. Thanks to anyone who can help, and I’m open to all tips, info, etc.
Thanks again
Hi there,
I’m planning a family trip (my wife and I, both 47, and our two sons, aged 5 and 12) to Malaysia for the last week of June and the first two weeks of July 2027.
We used to love road trips as a couple, then as a trio, but since our second child arrived, we’ve taken a break with "camping village" style trips.
Now feels like the right time to get back to our old habits, while adjusting the pace for the kids.
We’re craving Asia. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand, Indonesia (Bali and Lombok), and Sri Lanka before.
Friends have raved about Malaysia, so we’re definitely tempted.
For those who know and love Malaysia, what would be a good itinerary starting from Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 3-4 stops? We’d like a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation (just to clarify, we’re not big beach fans). All of this without rushing, of course.
Hello,
We’re a family of four with two teens aged 16 and 18. We’re heading to Thailand this summer. We’ll arrive in Bangkok and plan to take a flight to Luang Prabang.
I’ve seen there are some great visits and excursions to do (temples, markets, waterfalls) and maybe even venture a bit north to places like Nong Khiaw, Muang Xay, Muang Ngoy, or Oudom Xay.
But I’ve also heard about the Bokeo region with the Gibbon Experience.
Since we won’t be able to do everything, I’d love to hear about your experiences, impressions, and advice on the two options I’m considering, especially since we’ll be meeting family in Chiang Mai, Thailand, afterward.
Option 1: A loop from Luang Prabang heading slightly north, then a flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.
Option 2: A few days in Luang Prabang, exploring within a few dozen kilometers around, then heading to Bokeo province for the 2-day/1-night Gibbon Experience. For this option, I saw on Rome2Rio that it’s possible to book a ferry trip on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay—they mention about 8 hours. But is that realistic? What type of boat is it?
Then, to get to Chiang Mai, there aren’t many options—bus or minivan—but how does crossing the border work?
Finally, for those of you who’ve been to Laos in August, what was the weather like?
We’ve already visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during the same period over the past four years and weren’t really bothered by bad weather.
I’m starting a discussion about guides in the Mekong Delta because we’ve just finished our trip in this region and had a hard time finding a French-speaking guide. We had Thanh—she speaks French really well and travels all over the delta region, including Ho Chi Minh City. She’s super friendly and flexible. I recommend her wholeheartedly. If it can help someone...
Feel free to contact us for her number.
Hi everyone,
I couldn’t find any recent info on Kuching.
Can anyone recommend a hotel or guesthouse for under 100 RM that’s nice and affordable? No dorms, please.
Also, does it rain a lot in November, and is it still worth visiting Semenggoh or Bako?
