qui pourrait me donner des infos sur cet endroit? Y a-t-il des lieux et/ou activités intéressant(e)s (endroits "nature", ballades à dos d'éléphants, en raft...)? si vous avez de bonnes adresses, y compris en termes d'activités et d'hébergement au calme, en forêt par ex, elles seront les bienvenues !!
merci...
......la ville elle-même n'est pas terrible, par contre les environs sont jolis, les chutes d'eau, les parcs nationaux et la route vers la frontiére birmane...............
Nombreuses choses à visiter dans les environs (Chutes d'eau, grottes, musées, vieillesz pierres etc...) Tu peux loger dans des bungalows flottants (Comme au Sugar Cane 2 - meilleur que le 1). Tu veux une adresse, et bien je te conseille de joindre Toi's Tour. Cette agence de mini tour operator peut te proposer un tas de visites de la 1/2 journée à plusieurs jours. A chaque fois que je vais dans la région, je les contacte avant comme ça ils se chargent de tout, même de réserver la chambre. Ils sont même venu me chercher à la gare routière. De plus tu auras la seule guide officielle parlant le français (Et oui, elle est mariée à un Français). Ils peuvent te proposer différents tours et même ballade à dos d'éléphant, visite de grottes, musées et le tout en Français (ce qui est relativement rare en Thaïlande mais nécessaire pour les explications et histoires de la région. Oui, cette région est très agréable et tu peux y séjourner une semaine sans 'ennuyer une seconde. La ville (surtout aux abords du fameux pont de la Rivière Kwai) a été refaite à neuf il y a deux ans pour le tourisme.
sugar cane guest, , a kan, , 200 bt propre, , et amical, , ballades ?? les 3 pagodes, ,
pour les plus braves, , rentrer dans le territoire MON, , ils sont très sympa et vous verrés un autre monde, ,
« Le voyage apprend la tolérance. »
Benjamin Disraeli
-
Il y a pas mal de choses à voir et à faire dans la région de Kantchanaburi. Tu trouveras des idées sur mon site etdes leins vers des sites dans le coin.
Je suis à Bangkok si vous avez besoin de quoique ce soit ou envie de boire un pot.
Il ya un topic sur Kanch quelques pages plus tot, je viens de le lire en regardant les message depuis mi juillet, utilise le moteur de recherche tu devrais trouver facilement
La région est effectivement très riche en choses a voir et à visiter. Même pour moi qui visite "vite" je pense que j'aurais pu y passer une semaine sans vraiment m'ennuyer.
Bien sur j'avais un voiture, j'ignore ce que donnent les déplacement en transport en commun dans ce secteur ...
Il y a à Kanchana ce qui pour moi est le meilleur endroit pour un massage !! C'est extra et les gens y sont très sympa !! Ca n'a rien de touristique et on passe une après-midi génial !!
en revanche passez votre chemin si vous voulez aller voir le temple des tigres...on avait vu un artcile dans le times à son propos, on s'est dit, waow, ça a l'air bien...normalement, des moines s'occupent des tigres...en fait on a vu des tigres dans une fosse de 5m², drogués et seulement accompagnés de dresseurs, les touristes faisant la queue pour aller voir les tigres...bref je ne le recommande pas
et en effet la femme du toi's tour est vraiment très sympa
Je ne suis pas du tout, du tout, du tout d'accord avec cet avis sur le temple des tigres que nous avons adorés... et j'ai des photos prouvant que les tigres sont bel et bien en pleine possession de leur moyens ... Mais là il est tard aussi, à plus a tard !
À mon avis, ça ne devait pas être le même. s'il s'agit d'une fosse de 5 m² avec des dresseurs, il s'agissait sûrement d'un zoo. Mais je n'en connais pas dans ce coin.
Quand aux tigres drogués, là non plus rien à voir. Un ami y est encore passé il y a 15 jours, et il a préféré ne pas s'en approcher de trop près car il les trouvait un peu nerveux. Il me disait aussi qu'il y avait eu un débarquement d'un troupeau de routard anglo-saxons qui parlaient bien fort, ce qui explique peut-être leur nervosité.
En tout cas quand j'y suis passé, les tigres, même s'ils faisaient leur sieste, étaient bien éveillés et disposaient au minimum de 5 m²... par tigre
On a déjà parlé sur un autre post du temple des tigres;
j'y suis aussi allé; ils n'étaient pas dans un recoin de 5 m2; par contre ils étaient amorphes, dans la carrière en plein cagnard; pas mal de moines et de soigneurs autour d'eux;
je n'ai pas trop apprécié le manque total de sécurité (une corde tendue entre eux et nous!)
ni le prix disons un peu élevé pour aller les voir (500 baht par personne; et Ô surprise, les thai n'ont pas de tarif préférentiel, ce qui doit certainement les rebuter car c'est une sacrée somme pour eux!!)
"On a toujours quelqu'un au dessus de soi; par-delà Dieu même s'élève le Néant" Cioran
Trèfle de plaisanterie comme disait un lapin dans un carré de luzerne, quand j'ai demandé à ma thi rak d'aller acheter deux billets, ce qu'elle a fait, elle est revenue avec 1.000 baht de moins dans sa poche; j'ai trouvé que ça faisait cher (20 €); en m'approchant de la caisse, j'ai bien vu qu'il n'y avait qu'un tarif unique, toutes nationalités confondues;que ce soit un Wat, c'est possible, mais celui-là n'est pas gratuit pour les thai.
les thai n'ont pas de tarif préférentiel, ce qui doit certainement les rebuter car c'est une sacrée somme pour eux!!)
c'est un watt simplement, ,
"On a toujours quelqu'un au dessus de soi; par-delà Dieu même s'élève le Néant" Cioran
Je comprends que les gens ne soient pas d'accord avec moi sur les tigres, vu les hordes de touristes qui faisaient la queue, forcément c'est que ça a plu...
sans rentrer dans le détail, je trouve qd même hypocrite de ne pas se rendre compte qu'ils étaient drogués...
Bonjour bilboune, pourrait tu me raconter ce qui te permet d'affirmer que les tigres sont droguès ?
Comment tu est allé la bas, combien de temps est tu resté, quelle sont les connaissance et ce qui te permette d'affirmer que les tigre étaient drogués ?
De mon coté je prépare un post expliquant mon point de vue
Pour ce qui est du prix unique c'est bien non ?
Parce sinon je ne pige plus, qund il ya un prix Thai et un prix farang c'est pas bien et quand il n'y a qu'un prix unique c'est pas bien non plus ?
sans rentrer dans le détail, je trouve qd même hypocrite de ne pas se rendre compte qu'ils étaient drogués...
Si justement, ce serait bien que tu donnes des détails.
Je ne suis jamais allé dans ce temple des tigres, je lis l'avis d'une personne qui affirme que les tigres sont drogués et 3 avis contraires dont deux de personnes qui vivent ou ont vécu en Thaïlande et la 3ème en revient.
Alors c'est un peu facile de les traiter d'hypocrites sans argument.
nous venons de passer quelques jours dans la province de Kanchanaburi. La ville n est pas interessante, le pont de la riviere kwai est une vaste kermesse a neuneux. un super hotel a kanchanaburi, le kasem island resort sur une ile au milieu de la riviere, avec piscine et depaysement garanti, un peu loin, il faut mieux etre motorise. aller jusque sanglaburi, a la frontiere birmane, vraiment un coin sympa, loger a la P guesthouse, super endroit sur le lac, avec des chambres simple a 200 baths ou des bungalows a 500 bath, absolument magnifique. la P guesthouse organise une sortie d une journee en bateau, elephants et rafting, absolument genial. attention en aout il pleut vraiment beaucoup. bon voyage
Comme pas mal de gens on avait entendu parler et vu ce temple dans un des docmentaires sur les chaine du cable.
Je rappel qu'au départ c'est un wat tout ce qu'il y a de plus banal, ce n'est que le jour ou des habitants du village d'a coté ont amenés aux moines deux bébés tigres dont les parents avaient été tué par les bracos que la destinée de ce temple à divergée des autres.
Les moines les ont recueilli et élevés avec du bon sens : jamais de viande rouge mais de la viande de volaille saignée et bouillie pour enlever au max le gout du sang et le plus important ne JAMAIS laisser le tigre s'apercevoir que c'est lui le chef en réalité toujours lui faire croire que l'Humain est plus puissant que lui.
Sauf qu'un tigre ça bouffe.
Deux encore plus .
Et que les habitants se sont mis ensuite à amener au wat tout les animaux abandonnés qu'ils trouvaient, ( c'est pour ça qu'aujoud'hui le wat ressemble assez à une arche de Noé ! ) et que tout ça ça bouffe pas mal. ( Il doit y avoir aujourd'hui une dizaine de tigres ... )
Il fallait donc trouver de l'argent et encore une fois avec un certain bon sens les moines se sont dit qu'il n'y avait qu'a actionner la pompe à fric du tourisme. Surtout que le moine supérieur ( NB est ce que quelqu'un sait comment on appel le moine supérieur d'un Wat ? Le moine-chef ? ) à un projet : tailler un immense parc dans la jungle environnante afin que ses pensionnaires soit plus à l'aise que dans l'enceinte du temple actuelle. Mais ça aussi coute du fric. Un paquet de fric même ...
On peut s'arrêter là et discuter du bien et du mal d'élever des tigres comme des chats ... N'empêche dans les FAITS quels étaient les autres options ? Les renvoyer crever dans la jungle ? Les filer dans un zoo ? Comment auriez vous fait vous ? Et comment trouveriez vous du blé VOUS ? En demandant simplement au gens " On ne vous montre rien mais donnez de l'argent pour les tigres ? " Bien sur que personne n'aurait donné un radis !
Parmi ceux qui lisent ça et qui y sont allés combien ont filé de l'argent en PLUS, juste pour le projet ? Combien ont acheté des Tshirts, des trucs des bidules et laissé la monnaie dans l'urne à l'entrée juste pour dire qu'ils ont filé de l'argent pour le tigre, pourq'uils vicvent dans de meilleures conditions maintenant qu'on ( l'éspèce humaine ) leurs avaient bien pourri leur milieu de vie ancestral ??
Bref, donc comme je disais au débuit nous avions vu ce temple à la télé et ouvert de grand yeux, car pour des mortels communs ( par opposition a des scientifiques qui ont des "possibilités " pour voir les animaux de près ) qui aiment les animaux OU dans le monde peut on toucher de vrais tigres ?
A ma connaissance nul part ailleurs que dans ce temple et lors de notre second trip nous avons inclu Kanchanaburi dans le programme au départ JUSTE pour les tigres ( je dis au départ car la région s'est révélé superbe mais ce sont les Tigers qui nous y ont amenés)
On y est arivé en milieu d'après midi, il faisait beau et chaud, on a payé avec plaisir les 300 ( TROIS CENTS baths j'ai la photo du ticket si vous voulez ) ) on a trouvé la carrière ou, bien sur, les tigres dormaient car ça aussi ça fait partie de l'intelligence des moines : ils filent à manger aux tigres qui ensuite se mette à siester comme ils font toujours dans leurs habitat naturel (z'avez jamais envie de dormir après un bon repas vous ? ) et a ce moment la et a ce moment la SEULEMENT ( la carrière n'est ouverte au public que l'après midi ) ils lachent les touristes.
Qui arrivent en parlant fort (comme tjs dés que le touriste est en groupe ) qui se font prendre en photos avec les tigres et qui se cassent ... quelquefois en ralant que les tigres sont amorphes ... D'après nos observations le temps moyen passé sur place par le farangs moyen n'excède pas 15 minutes...
Nous, nous y sommes restés jusqu'au soir, jusqu'a ce qu'il rentrent les tigres en fait. On fut tout d'abord stupéfait de voir la dizaine de tigres quasi en liberté devant nous, ( ils sont attaché avec -chacun- un collier et une chaine de plusieurs mètres) qui dormaient, ignorant superbement cette masse de gens qui vient s'asseoir à coté d'eux ...
Entre nous ils font bien, les tigres, d'ignorer les touristes, car pour un grand nombre de farangs le fait qu'ils soient dans un TEMPLE ou il y des MOINES ne provoque -évidement - aucunes considérations vestimentaires et ne les empéchent pas de se pointer accoutrés comme à la plage ... Notament pour les filles il semble que la plupart pensent que mini short, mini jupe et T-shirts transparents soient les fringues les plus adaptés ...
Bref, on a donc admiré les tigres puis ont est allé les toucher et se faire prendre en photos avec eux à un moment ou il y avait moins de monde.
Il suffit d'aller à l'entrée, un un des soigneurs ( des jeunes de la ville d'a coté ) vous prends gentiment par le bras et vous emmène aux tigres. Dans le même temps vous prétez votre appareil photo a une autre qui vous shoote sous toutes les coutures avec les tigres ( et ils se débrouillent plutot bien avec les photos ! ) ... Vous pouvez faire plusieurs fois le tour bien sur et caresser tous les gros chats ... J'ai demandé (gentiment et avec le sourire as usual in Thailande ) a faire une photo avec le moine et le tigre et pas de soucis j'ai eu la photo avec le moine ... Comme deux tigres jouaient au fond de la carrière dans la marre j'ai demandé a un des soigneurs de les prendre en photos, le public ne peut y aller mais lui il me l'a fait avec plaisir et j'ai de zolis photos de tigres BIEN REVEILLES jouant dans l'eau ... et même des gros plan ophtalmologique d'un tigre ! ( Je vous dit que les jeunes d'éclatent avec les appareils photos ! )
On a continué à les admirer et alors que le ciel se remplissait de gros nuage noir le moine a fait signe que c'était finit, qu'ils allaient rentrer les tigres .... Au même moment un groupe est arrivé. En quelque sorte pris au piège le moine à laissé les gens défiler à coté des tigres puis ... la pluie s'est mis à tomber avec la violence habituel d'un orage tropical et quasi instantanément les tigres qui étaient jusqu'alors tout assoupis se sont reveillés et se sont mis à tourner, à virer, à jouer entre eux ... Alors que les humains étaient tassés sous les parasols, trempés, les tigres eux, étaient bien reveillés, ET EN PLEINE POSSESSION DE LEURS MOYENS ... Leur assoupisement de l'après midi n'est du qu'au respect de leur cycle de vie et au fait qu'ils soient habitués ET blindés aux humains ...
Et a part les délires habituels et "n'impotequoiesque" des guide de voyage à propos de ce temple ou le " trop peu de temps passé sur place" des touristes je ne vois pas ce qui peu pousser à penser que les tigres ne sont pas "en état normal "...
Autre chose à propos des qualificatifs "bizness" & " mercantilisme", j'ai lu/vu/entendu à propos du Tigers Temple, j'ai eu le temps d'observer le moine face à face avec "son" gros tigre et ce que j'ai vu de la part des deux était de l'amour et du respect réciproque. Ceux qui ont un chat ou un chien me comprendront ...
Je ne peux m'empécher pour le plaisir de vous placer la fin de l'histoire. ont étaient donc là, comme des crétins sous la flotte quand d'un seul coup le moine part avec son tigre en laisse. Un des soigneurs nous fait signe de suivre. Je ne me pose pas de questions, je dis a ma fille de venir et j'emboite le pas au moine tandis que les autres touristes se demandent encore ce qui ce passe... Le moine se retourne et me file la chaine du tigre (AVEC le tigre au bout !! ) tout en me disant " you do like with a dog " et voila que je me retrouve à marcher à coté du tigre en laisse avec ma file de l'autre coté ... Pur moment de délire impossible ailleurs qu'en Thailande ...
🙂...Un superbe reportage pour nous faire participer à ta rencontre avec les tigres qui, en effet, n'ont pas l'air endormis sur tes photos !
Un beau texte qui décrit avec beaucoup de détails ta longue visite : il est évident qu'on doit y passer plusieurs heures pour tout apprécier et c'est bien là, une fois de plus, l'avantage d'organiser soi-même son voyage dans la solitude et le silence qui s'imposent en de tels lieux.
Bravo et merci, Patrick ! J'espère que tu nous raconteras ce 2ème voyage en Thaïlande avec d'autres belles photos.
Fabricia -
Comme une eau, le monde vous traverse et pour un temps vous prête ses couleurs... ("L'Usage du Monde" - Nicolas Bouvier)
Merci Patrick pour toutes ses magnifiques photos et pour le récit, je plussoie complètement à tes explications
Dès aujourdh'hui tu es nommé offciellement le spcécialiste es photo de tigre 😛, espérons que très bientôt on puisse ajouter es photo de lions, léopard, buffles, éléphantes, rhinocéros, hippopotames ....etc etc
on a payé avec plaisir les 300 ( TROIS CENTS baths j'ai la photo du ticket si vous voulez)
Je confirme que c'est bien 300 Baths pour tout le monde. Pas de distinction Thaï/Étranger.
Mais on peut aussi donner 500 Baths avec le T-shirt.
Ensuite, pour ceux qui vont se faire prendre en photo avec minou, une urne se trouve à l'entrée du canyon, à côté de la ficelle qui marque la limite (les tigres savent qu'ils ne faut pas la dépasser, les touristes pas toujours 🤪). Les photos sont gratuites, mais si on donne 100 Baths, on a en plus droit à une dent de tigre sculptée en pendentif.
Et puis le temple n'accueille pas seulement des tigres, il existe des dizaines d'autres animaux en liberté.
Je ne sais pas pourquoi je suis resté buté sur 500 baht! C'est avec le T Shirt; exact
Plein d'autres animaux dans le parc,
🙂, nan, pas la dernière, c'est un fake 😉
Le genre de panneau qu'on rencontre sur la route,
Et pour cause,
Merci Djorb pour toutes tes explications;
Je ne conteste pas le prix, je me doute bien que nourrir une dizaine de tigres plus tous les autres animaux, entretenir le domaine, et tous les frais annexes ça doit coûter bonbon;
Je faisais simplement remarquer que le prix est élevé par rapport au "Smic" thai;
Tout augmente très vite en ce moment en Thailande, les entrées dans les parcs nationaux passent de 200 à 400 baht;(80 baht pour les thai)
la taxe quand on quitte la Thailande en avion passe de 500 à 700 baht,
et le super dépasse déjà les 30 baht le litre(61 centimes d'€), c'est comme si en France un litre d'essence valait 25 €.
on a payé avec plaisir les 300 ( TROIS CENTS baths j'ai la photo du ticket si vous voulez)
Je confirme que c'est bien 300 Baths pour tout le monde. Pas de distinction Thaï/Étranger.
Mais on peut aussi donner 500 Baths avec le T-shirt.
Et puis le temple n'accueille pas seulement des tigres, il existe des dizaines d'autres animaux en liberté.
"On a toujours quelqu'un au dessus de soi; par-delà Dieu même s'élève le Néant" Cioran
quelques portraits qui montre des tigres ayant l'air plutot éveillés également :
Lui il m'avait repére.....
C, est sur il n, avait encore jamais vu de tigre blanc😛😏......
MAGNIFIQUE !!!! non seulement les photos sont extras mais le recit et le vecu sur place aussi ...Cela en fera peut etre reflechir certains ..En effet faut prendre le temps de voir et de comprendre ..., Les emotions ca se merite surtout en Thailande ....En conclusion pour le meme prix d, entree, y, en a qui voyent, qui comprennent .qui cherchent a comprendre qui repartent tres satisfaits en ayant vu au delas de leur esperence et d, autres qui se barrent au bout de 10 mns seulement avec 500 Baths en moins plein de prejuges ....
C'est un choix, ...mais moi je dirai plutot une mentalite car il feront pareil Ailleurs avec les meme conclusions ...
Patrick nous en dira plus ...mais un peu de "tigre' en images quel bonheur !!!! On en aura jamais assez, car sans doute le plus bel animal existant encore sur notre pauvre planete.....pour combien de temps encore ??😕
Et encore merci a lui de les diffuser ...
Anecdote ; je me souviendrai toujours lors d, une emission TV les commentaires du commandant cousteau apres un reportage sur les mamiferes marins disant................................. "pour les generations futures" 😐
A+ NTT😉
sur l, arbre qui donne des pommes il n, y a pas de citrons
Je viens tout juste de lire votre petite conversation sur Kanchanaburi enThaîlande, et plus précisement sur Toi's Tour. Je me réjouît de voir que Toi's Tour commence à faire le tour de France (enfin le tour d'internet), car c'est un petit agence, mais qui fait énormement de choses, treck, safari, cascades Erawan, marché flottants .....enfin je te conseil d'allé voir le site que je leur ai créer avec leur collaboration, car le français qui est marié avec le belle Toi de Toi's Tour, c'est mon oncle !
Je serais à Kanchanaburi 3 jours en juillet avec encore 3 autres adultes et 4 enfants dont 2 petits. Voici les excursions que l'on voudrait faire: Erawan…
Nous partons 5 semaines fin juin avec deux enfants de 6 ans et 18 mois et envisageons d'aller dans la région de Kantchanaburi quelques jours avant d'aller dans…
On voulais aller un plus au nord, on se demandais si aller jusque la pour 3 jours environs en vallait la peine? Les clubs es-ce-qu'ils sont pas si pire, les…
Nous sommes 2 couples qui allons en Thailande du 23/06 au 05/juillet. Nous passerons les 2 premiers jours à BKK, puis 2 jours à Kanchanaburi, 6 jours à Koh Phi…
Juste pour vous parler de cette association ou nous avons passé une journée inoubliable. En résumé ils s'occupent de vieux éléphants battus par leur maout, 10…
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 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.
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
Hello, it’s been a while since I last asked for your help on this forum—I’ve really missed it! I hope you’re all doing well, whether you're new or returning members.
I’m planning a trip from February 6 to 18, 2027, with my sister (we’re 47 and 50—time flies!). I’ve got my eye on a flight from Paris that lands in Bangkok on February 7 at 3 PM, with a return flight from Bangkok on February 18 at noon.
My sister has never been to this destination, and it’ll be her first time in Asia. Her priorities: beaches, sunshine, and cocktails by the shore. For me, I love that too, but I also enjoy exploring, nature, forests, and a bit of comfort (mixing guesthouses and higher-end hotels with pools). A little evening entertainment would be great, but not too much—good cocktails in a nice atmosphere rather than a rave party ;-). And I can’t help but dream of taking her on a little trek through a tropical forest (guaranteed memories and laughs, though she might curse me at the time) and showing her some karst landscapes.
I’ve been to Thailand before, but it was 15 years ago...
The idea is to give her a taste of Bangkok for 1 or 2 nights, a few days on an island (but which one...?), a tropical forest excursion with 1 or 2 nights on-site (Khao Sok?), and then back to Bangkok.
For the "main" island, even after reading the *Guide du Routard*, I’m still undecided. It’s hard to find a place that ticks all the boxes without feeling as crowded as the French Riviera in August: Koh Lanta? Khao Lak (though it’s not an island)? Koh Tao (I could maybe get my PADI certification, but I’m afraid she’d get bored, and it might be better to save that for a solo trip)? Koh Yao Yai (I worry we’d be bored in the evenings)? What a dilemma!
Thank you if you’ve read this far! Feel free to share any advice—it’ll all be warmly welcomed.
Here’s a rough outline of the itinerary (I’d rather skip a night in Bangkok if needed):
· Saturday, February 6, 2027: departure (overnight flight)
· Sunday, February 7, 2027: arrival at 3 PM, probably at the hotel by 6 PM, evening in Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Monday, February 8, 2027: day in Bangkok (Wat Pho and a floating market?) (overnight in Bangkok)
· Tuesday, February 9, 2027: travel to Koh Lanta or another island (flight to Phuket or Krabi?) (overnight on island "x")
· Wednesday, February 10, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Thursday, February 11, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Friday, February 12, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Saturday, February 13, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Sunday, February 14, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Monday, February 15, 2027: travel to Khao Sok—nighttime excursion to Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Tuesday, February 16, 2027: exploration and hike in Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Wednesday, February 17, 2027: return trip to Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Thursday, February 18, 2027: return flight to Paris at noon
I’m planning a trip to Cambodia and was set on visiting the Ratanakiri region, which seemed to match what we love most in terms of landscapes: forests, jungle, greenery...
However, as I started looking into the area, I read that deforestation there is massive, and some of the info on the topic is years old—the situation hasn’t improved since, unfortunately.
So my question is: is Ratanakiri still worth visiting, and does it justify the long travel time and distance to get there?
I’ve seen that jungle treks are possible, but from experience, I know guides sometimes hesitate to venture deep into the forest and stick to shorter walks along the edges of parks.
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.
Hi there, we’re landing at Hanoi Airport and would like to head straight to Cao Bang without going into Hanoi. Does anyone know if there are buses that go directly from the airport to Cao Bang (especially in the early afternoon)? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
I’m currently working on a 30-day itinerary for May/June 2027.
10 days in eastern Java (Malang, Bromo, waterfalls, Meru Beriti Park, Banyuwangi, and Ijen), a short transit in Ubud for a few days, then Flores before heading back to Jakarta.
We’ll spend 15 days in Flores (the classic route: Moni, Bajawa, Riung, Ruteng, ending in Labuan Bajo).
I’d love some firsthand feedback on flights to Maumere or Ende from Bali Denpasar. I know there are no direct routes and that you have to connect through Labuan Bajo or Timor (I think), which isn’t an issue in itself.
But I’ve read here and there that flights to these destinations can be delayed—or worse, canceled—and that it’s better to fly in and out of Labuan Bajo, which isn’t exactly ideal...
Thanks for any tips or experiences you can share!
hi everyone,
I want to travel in the north for 3 weeks in September-October 2026 to meet ethnic minorities, photograph mountain rice terraces and their harvest, and revisit Halong Bay—but maybe Lan Ha Bay instead. Can you recommend one or more local agencies?
Thanks, and happy holidays!
