je pars avec mon chéri en août en indonésie et j'ai tenté de faire mon circuit. Les personnes connaissant bien l'indonésie pourraient-elles me confirmer mon itinéraire enfin me dire s'il est correct et réaliste.
Lundi 15 août: arrivée à Jakarta à 13h35. Soit on trouve un vol aussitôt pour Yogyakarta. Soit on trouve un hôtel proche de l'aéroport et on part tôt le lendemain.
Mardi 16 août: marché aux oiseaux- Visite de prambanan
nuit à yogyakarta
Mercredi 17 août: visite de borodur
Nuit à yogyakarta
Jeudi 18 août: visite de yogyakarta- puis direction le mont Bromo
Nuit vers Bromo. Pouvez-vous me dire comment aller de Yogya au mont bromo et quelle est la ville où il vaut mieux dormir pour aller au mont bromo le lendemain?
Vendredi 19 août: Le mont Bromo
Nuit vers Bromo.
Samedi 20 août: Trajet vers le Kawah IjeN
Je ne parviens pas à savoir comment faire le trajet bromo-kawah- visiblement il n'y a pas de train
Nuit vers le Kawah Ijen- quel est l'endroit où il vaut mieux dormir
Dimanche 21 août: visite du kawah Ijen – trajet jusqu'à l'embarcadère de Ketapang pour rejoindre bali. Arrivée à l'embarcadère de Gilimanuk- arrivée à Lovina Beach
Nuit à Lovina Beach
Lundi 22 août: Plage puis trajet vers Bajar pour sources d'eaux chaudes et enfin le lac Bratan.
Nuit vers le lac Bratan
Mardi 23 août: journée sur le lac Bratan
Nuit vers le lac Bratan
Mercredi 24 août: trajet à Ubud et visite Ubud
Nuit à Ubud
Jeudi 25 août: visite Ubud-puis trajet vers Padang Bai- ferry vers gili
Nuit à Gili si possible
Vendredi 26 août: Gili
Nuit à Gili
Samedi 27 août: Gili
Nuit à Gili
Dimanche 28 août: Retour sur padang bai- trajet vers jimbara
nuit à jimbaran
Lundi 29 août : visite de la pénisule de Bukit- jimbaran-pura luhur uluwatu- plage
nuit à pura luhur
Mardi 30 août: on remonte tout doucement pour être en fin de journée à denpasar et décoller pour jakarta.
De YOGAKARTA, comment arriver au Bromo par ses propres moyens....
Nous sommes allé en train jusqu'à Surabaya.4h 25 de trajet. Nous voulions nous débrouiller seuls, sans passer par un "tour", mais nous avons galèré pour arriver au Bromo... Nous avons fait la nuit à Surabaya et le lendemain, on a repris un autre train pour Probolinggo 2 h de trajet. C'est là que les choses se sont compliquées, on cherchait un bus pour le Bromo, et des gars en tuc-tuc nous ont dit que la gare routière était plus loin...et, nous ont proposé de nous y conduire...en fait , ils nous arrêtent devant le cabanon d'un tour opérateur avec qui ils sont en cheville (1ere arnaque). Là , le gars essaie de nous vendre un "package de 3 jours pour le Bromo et le Kawa Igen. On refuse, il nous dit de prendre le premier mini bus ou bemos qui passe.
Un gars nous fait payer avant de monter dans le mini-bus et disparaît....(2eme arnaque) Vu le prix que nous avons payé, nous pensions aller jusqu'au Bromo. He bien non! Quelques km plus loin, le mini-bus nous laisse à un carrefour, et le conducteur nous dit d'attendre un autre bus....
Nous attendons 2 h sous une grosse chaleur...Enfin, arrive un bus scolaire...qui nous laisse au terminus à Sakapura...et là...la zone...un rabateur nous harcèle pour nous vendre n'importe quel tour ou taxi ou hôtel...On en peut plus...On a plus confiance...
On commence à monter à pieds par la chaleur...et, on fait du stop. C'est un camion frigorifique qui nous transportera jusqu'à Cemoro lavang, point de départ pour monter au Bromo , le lendemain matin.
Il y a quelques hôtels et une vue sur les volcans...
Ensuite pour aller au Kawa Igen, vu notre mauvaise expérience, nous avons pris un "tour" acheté directement à l'hôtel de Cemoro Lawang. Transfert jusqu'à Sempol, petit village , nuit dans un hôtel et départ tôt le matin à 3h 30 pour le Kawa Igen. Montée au volcan, c'est spectaculaire ces porteurs de souffre! Ensuite, notre mini bus doit nous reconduire au ferry pour Bali...c'était prévu dans le "package". Or, il nous dépose dans un mini market sans rien nous dire....un autre mini bus dépose aussi d'autres touristes et, on se retrouve à attendre...
On commence par comprende quand on voit un bus local s'arrêter. Notre chauffeur paye alors pour nous, et s'en va! ENCORE UNE ARNAQUE! Le bus est bondé et on se retrouve debout...Une heure 30 plus tard, nous arrivons au terminus, mais nous ne sommes pas encore au départ du ferry! Il nous faut prendre un Bémo et on nous entasse à 16 personnes dedans, les bagages pas attachés, sur le toit...on en perd en route! On hurle pour que le conducteur s'arrête! Ensuite, on nous fait prendre encore un autre bus...jusqu'au pont d'embarquement...Ouf! Voila pour le package... Donc , vraiment cela n'a pas été simple pour nous, méfiez-vous de ce coin de Java où une mafia sévit pour le transport des touristes ou du bétail... Enfin, on a vu les 2 magnifiques volcans heureusement!
La suite de notre voyage a été plus simple sur Bali.
Merci pour cette précision. Donc si je résume il est compliqué d'y aller par ses propres moyens et même en passant par une agence de voyage on peut avoir des surprises ! Cool!
Oui, c'est bien cela. Essayez de trouver une agence "sérieuse" qui vous fera un package pour les 2 volcans, ou peut-être un chauffeur privé en vous regroupant avec 2 autres personnes...
En tous cas, ça vaut la peine d'être vu, surtout le Kawa Igen avec ses porteurs de souffre.
Pour le reste de votre parcours, nous avons fait à peu près le même que vous. LOVINA, Munduck, Padangbay, bateau pour les GILIS, (Travangan) , UBUD et Jimbaran. Donc, si vous avez d'autres questions sur ces villes ou itinéraires, je vous répondrai.
Pour faire ce trajet sans courir il vous faut une semaine de plus
A part 2 nuits a Yogya et aux Gilis vous changez tous les jourd de lieux, vous allez etre crevés 😛et frustrés de ne pas rester + longtemps a chaque fois
Pour avoir fait le même trajet en 3 semaines a part la péninsuile de Bukit , voici qqs remarques :
- 2 j a Yogya c'est bien
- Yogya-Bromo c'est 10-12h de voiture en prenant un chauffeur. En transport en commun c'est - cher, mais c'est 2j de galères ds des bemo bondés qui vous déposent au bord de la route 🤪 pour attendre un autre bemo
- 1 nuit au Bromo suffit sauf si vous vous baladez seul ds la caldera un jour (mais attention c'est très chaud ... alors qu'au lever du jour il fait froid). Les guesthouse sont a Cemor Lavang au bord du cratère
- 1j pour aller au Kawa apres le lever de soleil sur le Bromo : peu de logement sur place, 1 hotel de luxe j'ai oublié le nom et qqs guesthous a Sempol
- apres la montée au Kawa, vous serez a Lovina ss pb le soir (on a fait le meme trajet en voiture louée a Java puis ferry puis 1h30 de bus). Restez y 1 nuit de plus, vous y arriverez crevé apres la route interminable depuis Yogya et les levers a point d'heure pour les volcans
- le lac et le temple Bratan peuvent se voir au passage sur la route d'Ubud
- pour Ubud et ses environs ("l'ame de Bali") il faut au - 3 jours : les temples de la région, les sources sacrées, les rizières, l'atmosphère particulière d'Ubud, villages d'artisans ... etc
- Pandgbai- Gilis se fait le matin en speed-boot (ticket tout compris a acheter a Ubud : on vient vous prendre a 7h a l'hotel, arrivée a 11h aux Gilis) : avec le ferry il vous faudra la journée. ça vous fera 2,5 j aux Gilis c'est le min mais en 2 semaines ça ira 😏
- supprimez Bukit Jimbaran, 😊 et garder ces jours pour Ubud
Sur mon site ci-dessous, ce trajet en photos ds les rubriques , Indo 2001 Java; Indo 2011 Bali et Indo 2011 Lombok. Ds Indo 2013 Bali il ya aussi des photos de nlles visites ds la région d'Ubud
Merci pour les infos. nous aurions aimé pouvoir rester 3 semaines mais nous ne pouvons pas.
J'avoue être un peu perdu pour booker le voyage et indécise. Je viens de demander à deux agences le prix pour faire bromo.kawah ujen et c'est aux alentours de 150euros avec hôtel. Je trouve cela cher sachant que sur d'autres forum il parle de 50 euros
.... le prix pour faire bromo.kawah ujen et c'est aux alentours de 150euros avec hôtel. Je trouve cela cher sachant que sur d'autres forum il parle de 50 euros
Sur place c'est - cher, mais je ne sais pas si on trouve facilement en aout
De + les prix varient suivant le nb de personnes : en privatisant une voiture pour 2 ce sera + cher qu'a 7 ou 8 ds un minibus
ça dépend aussi du logement : simple guesthouse ou hotel haut de gamme
.....vaut mieux s’arrêter sur la route du retour du Kawa à Pemuteran, c'est 10 fois mieux que cette vieille station balnéaire toute pourrie qu'est Lovina....
...sinon, l'ensemble est un peu trop speed je trouve....et tu peux aller dormir à Munduk plutôt qu'au lac Bratan, c'est pas loin et mieux.....
Bonjour !
Attention , le marché aux oiseaux n'est plus dans le centre ville comme l'indique parfois les guides papier et surtout c'est un glauque et sans interets à mon sens ...
Pour aller de Yogya au bromo il y a des trains , inutile de reserver vos billets à l'avance . Faite le directement à la gare le 1er jour de votre arrivé à Yogya .
Les trains sont plutot confortable et sûr , il faut aller à Prombolingo .
De là , effectivement il y a une embrouille à éviter pour rejoindre le Bromo ( arretez de parler de Mafia tout de même , hein 😉 )
Systematiquement , quand vous allez demander d'aller à la " public bus station to bromo the blue bus " , ils vont vous déposer devant une petite agence qui va tenter de vous vendre un package .
Bon à savoir : si les bemos ne vous dépose pas devant des mini bus bleue , mais devant cette agence , alors il suffit de marcher même pas 10mn sur la même route , à droite quand on est face à l'agence , on arrive d'abord à un grosse station de bus , et ben c'est juste après . Il y a des bemo bleus , il faut juste attendre qu'ils soient remplis ( ca peut être long ) . Et voilà .
Le bromo , ca vaut vraiment le coup mais je vous déconseille de le faire via une agence . Vous aller vous retrouver parmis tout un flots de touristes à vous entasser dans des 4x4 . Tout ca pour voir le lever de soleil en speed , bref ....
Pour le kawah , y'a des trains aussi . Ensuite le problème c'est le véhicule pour vous emmener jusqu'au bord du volcan . Nous , on a pas réussi à echapper à un conducteur privé qui nous a attendu jusqu'à notre retour avec deux autres personnes .
Inutile de prendre un guide et penser par contre à prendre une frontale si vous le faite de nuit !
lovina beach c'était pour faire une pause plage car on n'en aura pas encore fait et on adore la mer! mais si pemuteran vaut plus le coup on fera sa! munduk a l'air très sympa aussi
lovina beach c'était pour faire une pause plage car on n'en aura pas encore fait et on adore la mer! mais si pemuteran vaut plus le coup on fera sa! munduk a l'air très sympa aussi
.....si c'est pour aller à la plage alors définitivement PAS Lovina......là bas c'est juste une plage pourrie, 20 vendeurs agressifs et une seule attraction : les dauphins, soit en mer, soit en captivité (et honte à ceux qui vont cautionner cela)........
Nous sommes 4 étudiants et nous allons passé 6 semaines en indonésie du 18 aout à début octobre. Nous arrivons et repartons de Jakarta. Nous avons une…
Avec des amis nous partons en Indonésie le 12 septembre =)et je souhaiterais avoir quelques informations, nous partons 3 semaines, normalement le visa n'est…
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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!
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 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.
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!
I need some expert advice on these two destinations for a 15-day trip. We land in KL and plan to stay for 2 days before heading to Borneo and finishing with an island for snorkeling.
For those who’ve been, what are your must-sees?
We were thinking of spending the last 3 days on the Perhentian Islands, unless you’ve got another island to recommend near Borneo.
Thanks for your tips and help!
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.
I’d love to get some feedback on our itinerary—it’s probably pretty basic! This is our second trip to Asia and our first to Indonesia. We have three kids aged 20, 18, and 12. We land in Jakarta at 4 PM, spend 3 nights/2 days there, then take the train to Yogyakarta for 3 nights/2 days, followed by the train to Surabaya for 2 nights/1 day, then the train to Bromo for 1 day/1 night, a private driver to Ijen for 2 nights/2 days, then on to Bali (Ubud) for 4 nights/3 days, followed by Gili Air for 3 nights/2 days, Senggigi (Lombok) for 2 nights, and finally 5 nights in Kuta. I’m considering cutting the 2 nights in Senggigi to just keep Kuta and extend it to 7 nights. In Lombok, I’m not sure how to get around since I’m not comfortable with scooters... Your thoughts on all of this, and any advice, are more than welcome—don’t hesitate!
For those wondering why cities like Jakarta and Surabaya: we don’t often get the chance to visit big Asian cities, so we wanted to include that discovery in our trip. The trains between Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Probolinggo are booked. The return flight from Lombok to Jakarta is also set. Accommodations are booked but flexible (same for the trains).
Hi! I’m planning a 15-day trip to Malaysia. The idea is to visit KL for 2 or 3 days, then Borneo, and I’m wondering what to do with the rest of the time. I’d like to finish with the Perhentian Islands... What do you think? Any tips or advice would be great—I’d really appreciate it!
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for addresses for guesthouses or, even better, houseboats or rafting houses on the River Kwai, between Kanchanaburi and Sangkhlaburi, to spend a few weeks contemplating this beautiful river.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Premaria
Hi there,
we’re currently in Mai Chau and tomorrow we’re hitting the road back to Hanoi to head up toward Bac Ha and Sapa.
We haven’t really had a set plan since we arrived—we’ve already done the Halong Bay on land and by sea.
I’ve got 2 free days before heading to Bac Ha and Sapa.
Any tips?
Thanks, and looking forward to hearing from you.
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.
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...
Hello.
In 1996, we crossed Vietnam from Saigon to Hanoi by motorbike—Minsk bikes we bought in Saigon. I haven’t been back since, and it seems like a lot has changed.
- We’re heading to the south (well, the north and center) with the family in July-August (3 people).
- Is the road network more developed now? Back then, there was only National Route 1 from south to north. I’m thinking of renting a car this time (no motorbike with the family—though in ’96, they had a Jawa sidecar for sale, and we hesitated… maybe it’s for the best).
- Is Halong Bay really something to avoid because of overtourism? Even back then, it was pretty crowded. Is there a less touristy alternative?
- We’ll be traveling from Hanoi down to Danang (the only city we didn’t stop in back in ’96). Even though it’s a bit overhyped in a Chinese-tourist kind of way (from what I’ve read), we’re only going for the beach—pure relaxation for 7 days. The beaches are stunning, and I know the South China Sea is warm like coffee.
- Then, we’ll visit Hoi An, where I stopped in ’96. It was already popular with backpackers back then, but no glowing boats or all the touristy fuss!
- After that, Hue, where I have great memories—it’s a beautiful city.
- And also the nature around Ninh Binh, followed by 2-3 days in Hanoi.
That’s the plan. I’d love to hear any tips to avoid mass tourism, and if anyone’s done this before:
- Is it possible to rent a car in Danang and drop it off in Hanoi?
Hey everyone,
I’m over in East Borneo in mid-July.
I’m struggling to wrap up the end of my itinerary, even though it’s pretty straightforward (long but simple).
Last year, we did Malaysia (KL and the mainland + around Kuching).
Day 1 – Arrive in Kota Kinabalu early, stroll around town and hit the must-sees.
Day 2 – Excursion to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, snorkeling at 3 islands.
Day 3 – Hike around Mount Kinabalu without summiting (450 per person, no way).
Day 4 – Poring Hot Springs + evening flight to Sandakan.
Day 5-6-7 – Kinabatangan River (still looking for the right guide).
Day 8 – Sepilok for the orangutans, the Sun Bear Centre, and Rainforest Discovery Centre.
Day 9 – Selingan, turtle island.
Day 10 – Head to Semporna.
Day 11-12-13-14 – Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai.
Day 15 – Bohey Dulang.
Day 16 to Day 25: I’M STUCK.
I looked into Danum Valley, but for 3 days/2 nights, they’re quoting 650 € per person—come on, that’s ridiculous.
I checked out a detour into Indonesia (still East Borneo), but I’m having trouble deciding what would be amazing.
I read about Sangalaki + Kakaban (2 islands, 1 base) / Mahakam Delta - Kutai (orangutans and river) / Sungai Boh (Dayak Kayan) – jungle & culture.
But honestly, I’m struggling to finalize this itinerary.
If we venture that way, we’d head back to KK from Balikpapan.
For a 4-month stay in Egypt, I had ENORMOUS problems. The regulations are very bureaucratic and extremely nitpicky there. For a 4-month stay in the Philippines, I was wondering if the procedures are just as complicated? I’m bringing my cell phone with an eSIM. Should I choose a plan from Canada for use in the Philippines, or should I get a plan only once I arrive? After 30 days, do I renew with the Canadian provider I chose before leaving, or do I switch to a local company? Do I need to register my phone with the authorities in the Philippines? (That was the case in Egypt.) For the 3rd and 4th months, will it be just as simple—renewing with a Canadian or local provider—or should I expect problems?
Hello,
I’ll be in Malaysia with my wife, mainly in Langkawi and Penang for Christmas and New Year’s at the end of 2026.
If you’ve had the experience—and since I’ve read (though it’s not very clear) that these two islands get quite crowded during this period—would you recommend booking accommodation well in advance, or is it easy to find something on the spot?
Hotels or Airbnb?
Do you have any great tips for accommodation or any practical info to share?
We’ll be staying 5 to 7 days on each island.
Thanks in advance for your replies
Hi there. To make the most of Lake Toba, is it better to find accommodation on the lake’s shores (which one?) or on Samosir Island? Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
We’re heading to Vietnam as a family on July 8th for a little over 3 weeks (north and center). We’ve only booked the first 3 nights in Hanoi, and nothing else after that. We like to decide things on the spot and go with the flow, without rushing everywhere. But I’m still a bit unsure: when heading down to the center (Hue), is it better to book the overnight trains in advance? We don’t want to take any flights while we’re there—just use the overnight train for the long trips. But I’m worried we won’t get seats if we buy the tickets on the spot, say, 2 days before. What do the experts here think? And which website can we use to book the tickets? Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hi everyone!
I’m heading back to Thailand in July 2026 with a stopover in Cambodia to visit the Angkor site.
After Angkor, I’ve booked a stay on Ko Chang island. Does anyone know if there are direct transport options from Cambodia to Ko Chang without having to go back through Bangkok? That would be amazing!!
I think there are, but I’d need more details!!
I went to Thailand in February 2025 and don’t remember having to apply for a visa—is that still the case now? And for Cambodia too?
Thanks so much!!!
Laurence from Bayonne
Hi,
After our trip to China, we want to spend a week in the Philippines for some beach time and snorkeling.
We're looking for the best spot to settle in—nice beaches, great marine life, and short transfer times.
Thanks for your suggestions!