Laos forum
2-3 weeks in Laos - Northern or Southern?
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.
| Possibly related discussions | Replies | Views | Latest reply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Vietnam & Northern Laos vs. Southern Vietnam and Southeast Cambodia ... By ccalvin09 on 16 Mar 2011 | 6 | 4596 | 17 Mar 2011 |
| Southern Laos or Northern Vietnam ??? ... By kgroarke on 7 Mar 2011 | 4 | 2581 | 8 Mar 2011 |
| Southern Laos (Pakse) to Northern Cambodia (Preah Vihear Temple) overland, possible? ... By wheretonext on 5 Mar 2013 | 2 | 404 | 6 Mar 2013 |
| About 2.5 weeks in northern Laos - can I get all of this done? ... By Buzz on 15 Sep 2010 | 8 | 1528 | 28 Sep 2010 |
| Northern Laos in 3-4 weeks - is this itinerary doable? ... By saxomophone on 11 May 2009 | 2 | 2032 | 11 May 2009 |
| Vietnam, Cambodia, Southern Laos in 4 weeks (May) ... By dco000 on 16 Feb 2011 | 4 | 2990 | 23 Feb 2011 |
| 27 y/o female heading from Northern Thailand thru Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Southern Thailand ... By starseed on 4 Mar 2011 | 10 | 2521 | 25 Apr 2011 |
jennakuz
Joined Travelfish
23rd September, 2011
Posts 14
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
Hi,
I am going to be in Laos for 2-3 weeks in March/April of 2012. I see there are two 2 week trip outlines for Laos on travelfish, one of the north and one of the south. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions of pros/cons of either part of the country? I am a lone 20 year old female Canadian traveller if that helps - looking to do more than just tube down the river and drink! I want to see the true beauty of Laos!
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Thanks
#1 Posted: 13/12/2011 - 12:47
exacto
Joined Travelfish
12th February, 2006
Location United States
Posts 2046
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
I don't think you'll go wrong either way. Both the north and the south are pretty great.
It might depend on where else you plan to visit on this trip as to which option is best for you. For example, if you plan to visit Angkor Wat and then spend some time on the beaches of Cambodia and eastern Thailand, then southern Laos is the best choice. But if you planned on visiting northern Thailand for the Songkhran/Thai New Year Water Festival in mid-April, then Luang Prabang and surrounds makes better sense, at least in terms of logistics.
What types of things do you like to do when on holiday?
#2 Posted: 13/12/2011 - 16:08
Advertisement
jennakuz
Joined Travelfish
23rd September, 2011
Posts 14
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
I am definitely going to visit Angor Wat. I am looking to visit some villages, go on cycling trips... not planning any overnight treks but I would be very interested in day treks. But I am always ready for a beach day. I should probably have mentioned that I am planning to enter Laos coming from Chiang Mai.
#3 Posted: 13/12/2011 - 17:53
exacto
Joined Travelfish
12th February, 2006
Location United States
Posts 2046
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
Okay. Well if you are already planning to enter Laos in the north, why not use the two to three weeks to just run the full length of the country. You might want to save some time and road fatigue by taking an internal flight from Luang Prabang to Vientiane or Vientiane to Pakse . Once you are done with Laos, you can work your way into Cambodia and Angkor Wat.
The north has lots of places to go where you'll find those villages you mention. In the south, a trip through the Bolevans Plateau could be cool, as well as a few days in Champasak and a visit to Wat Phu. It will be a great warm up to Angkor. Go early in the morning. Just before you cross into Cambodia, you can spend some time in the 4,000 Islands area for some beach time, Mekong style.
Three weeks would be best if possible for that route, but you could still do it in two, particularly with an internal flight or the Vientiane to Pakse overnight bus trip. Cheers.
#4 Posted: 13/12/2011 - 18:26
caseyprich
Joined Travelfish
3rd March, 2010
Location China
Posts 1000
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
Agree with exacto that with three weeks you can see a bit of both. I'm guessing that if you are coming in from Chiang Mai that you'll be taking the slow boat directly to Luang Prabang ? If not - you could go to Lang Nam Tha for a couple of days to cycle around that area. Then go down to Luang Prabang and environs for a few days and work your way to Vientiane , you'd still probably only take a week and a half to get to Vientiane if you plan on just those two stops. That would give you the time to go down to Pakse (Bolaven Plateau) for a few days, Champasak (2 nights) and then Si Phon Don before entering Cambodia overland like exacto said. I don't think you need to do the internal flight as the Vientiane to Pakse bus is overnight.
#5 Posted: 13/12/2011 - 20:43
------------------------------
千里之行，始于足下
jennakuz
Joined Travelfish
23rd September, 2011
Posts 14
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
thanks so much exacto and caseyprich... Laos outline is basically complete now!
#6 Posted: 13/12/2011 - 22:48
666Biggi
Joined Travelfish
14th January, 2012
Location Australia
Posts 7
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
North and South are both very beautiful in their own ways.
Most of the big tourist sites are in the North, and as a result everything is clearly aimed more for the tourist and can come a bit 'pre packaged', but in saying that, it also means that it makes travelling through there or communicating and general life easier (not that it is hard to travel through the south).
The south is very beautiful, but in some of the smaller towns there isn't the variety in budget of accommodation and food that the north offers (if your more use to travelling in style).
But in the end it's what you want to get out of it.
I have just done the entire length of Laos and am very grateful that i decided to do the whole lot, I wouldn't choose one part over the other, take exacto's advice, do the lot!
And just putting it out there, tubing clearly isn't for everyone, but dont write Vang Vien off, it and it's surroundings are incredibly beatiful, with so much to do and see that doesn't involve getting drunk.
#7 Posted: 14/1/2012 - 07:09