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6 days in Laos - what do you think?
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maaravi
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hi
we're a group of 5 friend going to Laos for 6 days in the begining of January. We only have 6 days and we want to travel through north Laos. We planned the following itinerary - we would love to read what you think of it. We describe our itinerary below - our questions are between **.
- we intend to rent a 4X4 vehicle for the entire 6 days.
- we intend to stay 1 night in each place.
day 1: arrive in vientiane, take car, head to Vang Vieng (2 hours) - in Vang Vieng: river rafting, ride elephants to Phoukham caves (*is it easy to arrange?*). Overnight in Vang Vieng.
day 2: drive to Luang Prabang (4 hours), en-route stop to visit... *where shall we stop?*, afternoon Luang Prabang go by scooters to Kuang Si falls (*is it nice? / is it too crowded?*). Overnight in Luang Prabang.
day 3: morning: Luang Prabang, noon: driving to Nong Kiaw (2 hours). afternoon: boat to Muang Ngoi (1 hour). Overnight in Muang Ngoi.
day 4: boat back to Nong Kiaw (1 hour), drive to Udomxai (3 hours) - from there drive to Luang Namtha (5 hours) *is there an easier/faster way to go from Nong Kiaw to Luang Namtha?*. Overnight in Luang Namtha.
day 5: morning: go by mountain bike to waterfall at Ban Nam Dee and Luang Namtha village, afternoon: drive to Muang Sing (2.5 hours). Overnight in Muang Sing.
day 6: full day in Muang Sing. *what do you recommend for this day?*
evening: drive to Luang Namtha. Overnight in Luang Namtha.
day 7: fly to vientiane (12:10) -> fly to bangkok (16:30)
thank you so much for your help
Joseph
#1 Posted: 24/9/2006 - 20:30
steviej
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Wow Joseph, that'll take some doing and I've not been there yet. I'm sure somebody will be along to point you in the right direction.
BUT HEY, what ever you do ENJOY..............
chill
steviej
#2 Posted: 25/9/2006 - 06:22
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somtam2000
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Hi Joseph,
That is a LOT of miles in 6 days -- even when travelling by 4WD. I'm not sure where you're getting your trip times from, but they strike me as pretty optimistic and you may find yourself spending a lot more time on the road than you expect.
In answer to your questions:
1) Elephants to Phoukham caves -- I didn't realise you could do the trip be elephant, so I can't really help on that point
2) Between Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, the scenery along the way is the key attraction -- I guess you could stop at Kasi, but there's not much there
3) Kwang Si falls can get pretty busy -- it is one of the most popular sites out of Luang Prabang, but it is still worth seeing.
4) That is the only way to Luang Nam Tha
5) The main pastime in Muang Sing is wandering out into the hinterland to visit villages.
Hope that helps!
#3 Posted: 25/9/2006 - 06:59
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booradley
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I can't imagine spending that little time in Luang Prabang. Having just spent 5 days there, one night seems too short a time.
#4 Posted: 25/9/2006 - 08:21
exacto
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Hi Maaravi,
You've received good advice in these posts above. I'll add that if you really were planning on taking motor scooters from Luang Prabang out to Kwang Si falls, that you won't be able to rent a motor scooter in LP. Even if you could, it is a long, unpaved road out to the falls anyway, and you'll be much better off in your 4x4.
Will your vehicle come with a driver, or are you driving yourself? Cheers.
#5 Posted: 25/9/2006 - 22:20
maaravi
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i would like to thank you all for your advice.
my friends and i are revising our itinerary in accordance with your comments.
thanks a lot
Joseph
#6 Posted: 26/9/2006 - 01:08
galila
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Joseph, glad you are revising your itinerary. In the words of Simon and Garfunkel, Slow down, you move to fast...
Laos is not the kind of country to rush through. You will be frustrated by the roads, the pace that life moves at and the response to your urgent demands.
Hope you get the chance to just prop somewhere! And enjoy the people and the passers by...
#7 Posted: 30/9/2006 - 22:26
petervienna
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sabydee !
or something different from Paul Simon - I could run, but I can walk much faster ! Try to learn to listen how the rice is growing, this is what Laos is about !
sok dee !
peter
#8 Posted: 12/10/2006 - 17:57