Southeast Asia forum
20 days itinerary - Help needed
Have questions? Jump to our menu of forum quicklinks
Add your reply
You need to be logged in to add a reply.
Not a member? you can join here.
Welcome to Travelfish, original Asia travel intelligence you can trust
Menu
franjroman
Joined Travelfish
18th March, 2012
Posts 1
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
Hi guys,
I'm planning a first trip to SE Asia with my girlfriend (we are 25 yrs old) for next January. The length will be about 20 days (i'd love to stay more time there, but it's impossible for us). The main idea is to mix the "must sees" and some beach time, What do you think of this itinerary? Due to the shortness of the trip, we will be travelling by air. I know that is far better to travel slowly, but we don´t have more time, and probably it's a "one in your life" trip
1 Bangkok
2 Bangkok
3 Bangkok
4 Bangkok
5 Phuket
6 Phuket
7 Phuket
8 Phuket (side trip to Ko Phi Phi)
9 Luang Prabang
10 Luang Prabang
11 Luang Prabang
13 Luang Prabang
14 Sieam Reap
15 Sieam Reap
16 Sieam Reap
17 Back to Thailand. Any ideas? (i would love to go to Vietnam, but i think that 2 days in Vietnam is an awful idea).
Your recommendations will be really useful. Thanks a lot.
#1 Posted: 18/3/2012 - 23:08
busylizzy
Joined Travelfish
31st December, 2007
Location New Zealand
Posts 1873
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
Yes, I think it's a do-able, although you might find the airfares a bit pricey. That's not always a concern when you are on a limited time-budget but just thought I'd point it out!
Forget Vietnam. It's not worth the time and expense of getting there for only 2 days. Save it for another whole trip on it's own. And in spite of your protestations that this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, you just might change your mind once you get there!
My only suggestion would be to finish up in the islands rather than go there at the start. In other words, Bkk - LP - Siem Reap - Phuket (poss via Bkk?). Reason for this is that after a few weeks of running around seeing the sights, it's nice to finish of with a bit of R&R, lying on the beach, drinking cocktails as the sun sets. It's just a nice way to wrap up the trip with your girlfriend!
#2 Posted: 19/3/2012 - 00:15
------------------------------
As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do.
Advertisement
BrettC
Joined Travelfish
17th March, 2012
Location United States
Posts 9
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
Lizzy has it dead on. Beaches are a great way to close out a trip! You've got the right idea time-wise, spending three or four days in each place.
You said a 20 day trip, but you only listed 17 days? Is that because you're budgeting some serious travel time or were you wanting suggestions on how to fill out the trip?
#3 Posted: 21/3/2012 - 15:23
------------------------------
lambdavagabonders.blogspot.com
busylizzy
Joined Travelfish
31st December, 2007
Location New Zealand
Posts 1873
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
If you have 2 days to spare, I would be tempted to add it on to Luang Prabang. From there you could spend 2-3 days up in Nong Khiaow (or cut time in LP by a day and also go to Muang Ngoi ) for a great introduction into the more remote side of life in Laos.
You can get a mini-bus from LP to Nong Khiaow (4 hrs), stay a night or two, then take the boat back for a lovely scenic tour down the river (5-6 hrs). Optionally, you could then add another day and head up to Muang Ngoi (another hour by boat). You could just plan this as you go. If, after 3 days, you've seen what you wanted to see in LP, then jump into a boat and head up river. Just play it by ear.
#4 Posted: 21/3/2012 - 16:37
------------------------------
As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do.