Looking for Itinerary Suggestions for SE ASIA!

Topic Type: Suggestion

Planning a trip to SE Asia for about 2 months. Would love to go to Bali, Sumatra Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam...and am looking for suggestions

fishfood

Melissa Anselmo
Post Count: 2

Msg: #1 730 days ago, December 7th 2007

I'm going to be in India/Nepal for three months, and then heading to SE Asia- hopefully for some extra traveling. I am amazed about how much there is to see and do.

Do you have any suggestions for itineraries? I'll be travelling probably from mid-april to mid june. I really want to go to Bali, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam- but don't know if two months would make it too rushed- and what to pick and choose.

I love the outdoors, ruins, hiking, and just exploring new things. Any must-sees?

I would love to hear any and all suggestions/ideas/shared memories from your trip!

Thanks

Mikey M

Mike Meggiato
Post Count: 325

Msg: #2 729 days ago, December 8th 2007

Hi Fishfood id suggest you flt from India into Bangkok and arrange your visas in Bangkok and travel first to Cambodia and first stop Siem Reap and then Phon pen, onwards to Vietnam and Saigon, hulong bay, hoi ann and sapa and then through into laos and vietanne and luang proban, my spellings are more than likely wrong....lol, back into the north of thailand and chiang mai and then back to Bangkok for a flight to Bali.

Thx Mike:)

The Nomad

Camo
Post Count: 71

Msg: #3 728 days ago, December 10th 2007

Hey Melissa (no relation to Phil Anselmo by any chance??? lol)

South East Asia is probably the most interesting place you'll ever visit. There are just so many things to see too little time would be a waste. However if you have 2 months and dont mind forgoing Thailand, I dont think would make it too rushed.

Basically I did Singapore - Siem Reap - Phnom Penh - Saigon - Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang - Phuket - Singapore in just over a month and it was good but felt a little rushed. I would've liked to have gone to the Mekong Delta in South Vietnam and Sapa (good hiking there I hear) in North Vietnam plus maybe Kampot in Cambodia and Nha Trang in Vietnam for some beach culture and maybe Ponsavan in Laos to see the Plain of Jars.

OK number one priority as you've probably already heard or know but the Temples of Angkor are just a must. 3 days there are enough, a week is probably too much unless you're REALLY into it (you will get templed out) one day is a crime. Phnom Penh is one hell of a city and unless you like big dirty asian cities, I dont recommend so much time there.. But things like the Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields are must sees if a little difficult to see..

I loved Saigon, my favourite city in the region. Hoi An is a beautiful little place to kick back and do some shopping for cheap tailor made clothes and take in the beautiful surrounds. Halong Bay was amazing and definitely a must see. One of my favourite places on the whole trip was Vang Vieng. Theres nothing there (except a thousand tvs playing endless replays of Friends) but its a stunning little place to relax and float down the river on the tractor tube is a must also.. (But if they say its too dangerous, IT IS!!! People have died doing it when the water rushes too quick. that time of year I think is OK tho) Luang Prabang was great also, although the Pak Ou caves that everyone goes to are just not worth it personally. The Tas Sae Waterfalls there are really beautiful and a must in my book.

I went to Bali for 2 weeks and loved every second. However I was there as nothing but a complete tourist and just to party, take part in some activities and enjoy my time away from work. Depending on what you want to do there, depends on how long you want to stay.

First stop... Singapore! is the start of my SEA adventures and a bit of visual inspiration might help.

Hope this helps and good luck with the trip, you'll have a blast, I promise.
CAMO

Mikey M

Mike Meggiato
Post Count: 325

Msg: #4 727 days ago, December 10th 2007

Hi Fishfood Camo's itinerary is good, id miss out Phuket though, through my own and friends experiences we all hated it, its your choice but i thought i would pip in and metion it.

Thx Mike

The Nomad

Camo
Post Count: 71

Msg: #5 727 days ago, December 10th 2007

I agree with Mikey M, Phuket was crap.. We were there for four days and I was bored, too many posers and dirty prostitutes. The Phi Phi Islands were nice but waaaayyy too touristy. Id forget Phuket all together, Ill never go back

Mikey M

Mike Meggiato
Post Count: 325

Msg: #6 727 days ago, December 10th 2007

Phi Phi islands have some nice scenery but way to touristy and pricey, but it depends on what you like?

Thx Mike:)

deleted_54407

deleted_54407
Post Count: 5

Msg: #7 726 days ago, December 11th 2007

Your itinerary can be likely Singapore - Kuala Lumpur - Bangkok - Siem Reap - Phnom Penh - Saigon - Phan Thiet - Nha Trang - Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Sapa Highland. In Vietnam. Enjoy your time mountain, sea and adventure throughout Vietnam. Want a details, drop me a line, I am happy to help you out. My email <Snip Please contact though Traveblog>

[Edited: 08:55 - Mikey M - Email addy snipped]

fishfood

Melissa Anselmo
Post Count: 2

Msg: #8 726 days ago, December 11th 2007

Thanks so much! I really appreciate all the suggestions! :)

BlueSmile

BlueSmile
Post Count: 10

Msg: #9 726 days ago, December 11th 2007

hello :)
I am from Indonesia so I would like suggest you to visit Bali :p It has everything you are expecting in a holiday. Bali is such one stop destination :p If you are looking for beaches, mountain, exotic foods, traditional cultures, friendly people, shopping stuff, busy area to calm peaceful area.. Bali has it all.
Check this link <SNIP>
Gday :)

[Edited: 16:29 - Administration - Url removed. For advertising on TravelBlog see: http://www.travelblog.org/advertising.html]

TheLostBackpack

fahimah
Post Count: 18

Msg: #10 709 days ago, December 28th 2007

if you manage to squeeze in Malaysia, you can visit the state of Melaka for a bit of ruin exploration- old buildings wrecked from war when the Europeans came to colonise. Loads of historical things and architecture, baba nyonya heritage etc.

Langkawi is pretty awesome. Id recommend you go hiking at Mt. Mat Chincang, or take the cable car and explore the mountain trail to Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells...a waterfall with a pretty nice local folklore attached to it). Duty free shopping (tobacco, chocolate and alcohol), and fantastic food. I've eaten in many places in malaysia and must say langkawi is one of the best places for malaysian food.

Hope that helped.

Lorin

Pratnya Valorina
Post Count: 8

Msg: #11 707 days ago, December 30th 2007

Hi fishfood, glad to know you'll be visiting Bali.

For an adventurer like you, I would suggest you not to miss Kintamani. It is a region in the centre of Bali located in the topside of a mountain. You'll find great view of Mount Batur with its lake. You may stay here for couple of days and I would suggest you to stay at Toya Bungkah. It's a camping ground next to the lake, with hot spring water. In the morning you can hike Mount Batur start from Toya Bungkah, up to the top of Mount Batur where you will find amazing sunrise. It would take approximately 2 hours to hike and the trekking guide will be available in Toya Bungkah.
Then, you can visit an old village across the lake. The village is very unique for their funerall tradition. People who live in this village did not put the dead body inside the ground, either did not burn it just like the common Balinese practice. They just simply put the dead body in the open air, but its wonderful because the body did not spread bad smell.

If you are looking for culture, you can stay at Ubud. Here, you'll find hand made souvenirs for your friends back home, paintings, traditional dance, surrounded by beautiful view of mountain, river, and rice fields in Ubud. There is also Monkey Forest, some kind of monkey zoo, but in this case, they let the monkey free. It is amazing because the monkey always stay at the Monkey Forest and won't go further. Actually this place is an ancient cemetery. And people believe that the monkeys stay there to guard the cemetery.

It is also interesting to stay at Kuta. You will be able to learn how to surf with the instructor and catch the big wave. And also not to miss the amazing sunset.

Then, you may also go to the Gili Islands in Lombok,you can use either plane or Ferry from PadangBay harbor.
Gili Islands is very famous with their white sands, crystal clear sea, which will insist you to dive.

You can find the pictures of places I mentioned on my blog gallery.
Mid to June would be a perfect time to enjoy Bali. Hope my suggestions helped. Have a nice vacation.

deleted_55841

deleted_55841
Post Count: 20

Msg: #12 707 days ago, December 30th 2007

Hi Melissa,

2 months is kind of enough for Bali, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. See me bellow suggestion:

Length From To Via Transport
Day 1 Siem Reap Arrival Cambodia
Day 2 Angkor Wat and other famous temple) (World Heritage) Tuktuk
Day 3 Roulos and other remote temple) Tuktuk
Day 4 Siem Reap Battambang Tole Sap, side trip to wild bird sanctuary Boat trip
Day 5 Battambang Phnom Penh Kompong Chhnang Road
Day 6 City tour: Tuol Sleng Prison Museum - The Killing Fields … Tuktuk
Day 7 Phnom Penh Kratie Boat trip to see dolphin Road
Day 8 Kratie Ban Lung Road
Day 9 Virachey National Park Trek Best trek in Cambodia Trek
Day 10 Virachey National Park Trek Trek
Day 11 Ban Lung Stung Treng Road
Day 12 Stung Treng 4000 island/Laos Veun Kham border Road
Day 13 Boat trip visit islands and villages Boat trip
Day 14 4000 island Ban Kiet Ngong Elephant ride to Phou Asa Road
Day 15 Ban Kiet Ngong Pakse Wat Phou Champasak (World Heritage) Road
Day 16 Day trek to Bolaven Plateau and waterfalls Trek
Day 17 Pakse Thakhek Savanakhet Road
Day 18 Thakhek Konglor village Nahin Road
Day 19 Boat trip to Kong Klor (most beautiful undergound river of Laos, 7km) Vientiane Paksan Road
Day 20 City tour: Wat Sisaket, That Luang, Bouddha Park… Tuktuk
Day 21 Vientiane Vang Vieng Boat trip to Nam Ngum Dam Road
Day 22 Day tour in Vang Vieng (trekking, kayaking, caving, cycling…to chose) Road
Day 23 Vang Vieng Xieng Khoang Road
Day 24 Visit Plain of Jars (by minivan, trekking or horseback riding) Optional
Day 25 Xieng Khoang Luang Prabang (World Heritage) Road
Day 26 City tour in Luang Prabang Tuktuk
Day 27 Trek to Kuang Si Waterfall (camping) Trek
Day 28 Trek to Kuang Si Waterfall Luang Prabang Trek
Day 29 Luang Prabang Muong Ngoi Nong Khiaw Boat trip
Day 30 Muong Ngoi Muong Khua Road
Day 31 Muong Khua Dien Bien Phu/Vietnam Tay Trang border Road
Day 32 Visit Dien Bien Phu Relic Paso Muong Lay Road
Day 33 Paso Sapa Tam Duong(beautiful road trip) Road
Day 34 Day trek to Muong Hoa or Ban Ho valley Trek
Day 35 Colorful Minority Market trip (different markets in different area once a week) Lao Cai and night train to Hanoi Tues, Thur, Sat or Sunday Road
Day 36 City tour
Day 37 Hanoi Halong bay (World Heritage) Overnight on the junk in the bay Road and boat
Day 38 Halong bay Hanoi and night train to Dong Hoi Road and boat
Day 39 Trip to Phong Nha Cave (World Heritage) Dong Hoi Fly
Day 40 Dong Hoi Hue Quang Tri, visit Vinh Moc tunel and othet Vietnam War sites Road
Day 41 Boat trip to visit Royal Tomb along Parfum River Boat trip
Day 42 Hue Hoi An (World Heritage) Danang Road
Day 43 Hoi an tour
Day 44 Day trip to My Son Holly Site (World Heritage)
Day 45 Hoi An to Da Nang Nha Trang Fly
Day 46 Day trip to the islands Boat
Day 47 Nha Trang Dalat Road
Day 48 City tour, day trek or rock climbing for biginer to chose
Day 49 Da Lat Ho Chi Minh City Road
Day 50 City tour Road
Day 51 Day tour to CuChi Tunel and Temple Road
Day 52 Ho Chi Minh City Can Tho Road
Day 53 Boat trip in Mekong Delta visiting villages and floating Market Boat
Day 54 Can Tho Phnom Penh or back to Ho Chi Minh City Optional

You can contact me for more details (<snip>). I have done it all.

Quynh

[Edited: 08:51 - Mell - Promotional posting is against the forum rules.]

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