Trip reports forum

Itineray help - 6 weeks Thailand/Cambodia with 2 children

Japtha

newbie
Posts: 2

We are a family of 4 with 2 children aged 3 and 8 years. In a month we travel to Thailand and Cambodia for 6 weeks and the itinerary is roughly made.

However, we are uncertain whether our itinerary is too extensive.

So far, the itinerary is as follows:

Bangkok 3 nights
Bus / boat to Koh Chang 6 nights
Bus to Cambodia - 2 nights in either Sihanoukville or Kep / Kampot
Bus to Phnom Pehn 3 nights
Bus to Battambang 2 nights
Boat to Siem Reap 5 nights
Bus / train to Bangkok 1 night
Overnight train to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai 5 nights
Flight to Hat Yai and onwards to Koh Lipe 4 nights
Boat to Koh Lanta 8 nights
Phuket 2 nights (in order to get close to Phuket airport before our homebound flight)

Is Sianoukville worth visiting - and what about Kep and Kampot?

We are happy to receive feedback and advice for a possibly better planning. Since we do not like to rush things, we are considering skipping Chiang Mai. Or skip Koh Chang and instead concentrate on Koh Lanta and the islands south of Koh Lanta.

　
Thanks for any feedback or suggestions.

#1 Posted: 9/1/2012 - 17:41
chinarocks

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 191

Looks ok.

Definitely go to Kep and Kampot and try to spend more than two nights there, perhaps at the expense of Battambang. That way you could also go direct from PP to Siem Reap, thereby saving some travel time.

If it's a straight choice between Kep and Kampot or Sihanoukville, I would go for the former, particularly given that you have other beach options planned in Thailand. Kep and Kampot are both very cultural, interesting places with great food options and Kampot is a very nice relaxed place to chill with a beer by the river as the sun sets.

#2 Posted: 10/1/2012 - 09:50
Japtha

newbie
Posts: 2

Thanks a lot for the feedback, chinarocks.
We will definitely consider a stop in Kep and/or Kampot. In which of the towns would you recommend us to stay if we want to overnight only in one of the places. And can you recommend a nice affordable bungalow resort or guesthouse ?

#3 Posted: 11/1/2012 - 05:01
chinarocks

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 191

I can only really tell you how I did it and see if you think this would fit your bill.

I stayed in Kampot for the entire time I was in the region. I hired a moped and travelled around the province, notably over to Kep each day for a fresh seafood lunch, then returning to Kampot in the evening for $2 jugs of Angkor by the river.

I'm guessing with two young kids hiring a motorbike mightn't be possible. In that case I'm sure you could hire a tuk-tuk driver (maybe around $15 per day) to take you around to see the sights - caves, pepper plantations etc.

I stayed in the Bodhi Villa guesthouse just outside Kampot town. It is run by an Aussie guy. It is an excellent spot, cheap, good entertainment at night, great food onsite and doesn't seem to attract the less desirable backpacker types. Again, I'm not sure if with the kids you are looking for something a bit more upmarket - this place was only $10 for a double room and, to be fair, had only sporadic hot water.

Potentially Kep may suit you better as it is smaller, has a beach (albeit not very good), has the excellent lunch options and, I believe, has a lot of premium style accomodation.

In any event, wherever you base yourself, make sure to travel around the province as well as relaxing in Kampot and Kep towns.

Feel free to ask anything else, specific or general!!

#4 Posted: 11/1/2012 - 05:31