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A little less than 3 months in SE Asia, and maybe more......suggestions welcome!

I know this is at least the 100th time someone has posted a trip itinerary inquiry for SE Asia, but still, I figure I ask some questions.

12 years ago, August 3rd 2011 No: 1 Msg: #141459 Delete Edit

NateTheGreat
Nate

B Posts: 41

So its a bit far off still, not till January 1 that I head out to Bangkok, but as I'm looking forward to this trip, I figure I just get some ideas.

I'll be flying into Bangkok on January 2nd, and leaving the region around March 24th to fly to Israel for a wedding. I'm trying to figure out which way to go, and the best place to fly out to Israel from. I feel as though a loop would work well as flying to Israel is probably best out of Bangkok, though then again, I hear flights in SE Asia are relatively cheap, so getting to another airport to fly out of, or back to Bangkok probably wouldn't be a problem.

I'm looking to spend some time on the beach, though I'd very much like to get off the beaten track, do some trekking, and enjoy the counties culture. I'm really wondering if I should work my way towards Vietnam and Cambodia, or go down to Malaysia and Indonesia.

All and all, I'll be open on time. Maybe another 2 months after Israel. I'll have the option to fly back to SE Asia after the wedding or fly somewhere else for a bit.

Any suggestions would be great! Reply to this

12 years ago, August 3rd 2011 No: 2 Msg: #141468 Delete Edit

The Travel Camel
Shane Dallas

B Posts: 7,300

El Al fly to Bangkok, but Royal Jordanian is the only other Middle East airline to fly into Israel (via Jordan of course). They only fly to Bangkok, and codeshare to either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. I noticed that both airlines fly to Hong Kong, but that is a bit out of the way.

If it is an outdoor experience you are after, you are probably best heading south towards Indonesia. Cambodia has some amazing sites (i.e. the Angkor temples) and there are supposed to be some lovely beaches in Vietnam, but this may not be enough for the longer period of time you have.

It is cheap and easy to make your way by land (train, bus) down to Kuala Lumpur, take an Air Asia flight to somewhere in Indonesia or over to Borneo. You may keep heading to Singapore and fly from there, but may not be worth the extra expense. There are so many diving, snorkelling, beaches, mountain hiking and other activities to engage in, you will find that there are more than enough options to keep you occupied.

Other bloggers have more experience on this area than me, so they may be better placed to comment on specific locations. My experience is limited to the island of Langkawi (in an expensive resort) and central Java (to see some beautiful temples).and I can recommend both.

[Edited: 2011 Aug 03 22:05 - The Travel Camel:11053 ]

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12 years ago, August 4th 2011 No: 3 Msg: #141476 Delete Edit

Lebdawho
Kathryn Lebda

B Posts: 100

I saw you should go to Malaysia and Indonesia. I feel that everybody goes to Thailand and Cambodia, not there is anything bad about either of them. I've heard and read some wonderful things about both places, but I feel like it's a little........over done I guess.

I LOVED Malaysia while I was there. The food was amazing, the people were wonderful, and the nature and country was just beautiful. The colonial architecture is slowly falling to ruin and the jungle calls everyday. KL deserves maybe 2 days, and then get out into the Cameron Highlands. It's cool and famous for their tea plantations. Penang is the food capital of Malaysia and full of old Dutch architecture and some great coastline. The snake temple is great!

I spent most of my time eating in Malaysia and Singapore and it was SO worth all the money I spent getting there. GO THERE!! ^_^ Reply to this

12 years ago, August 4th 2011 No: 4 Msg: #141491 Delete Edit

Voyage Vietnam
voyagevietnam.net

S Posts: 5

Recommed to do;
- Bangkok -> Siem Reap - start Cambodia trip - (spend 3-5 days)
- Siem Reap -> boat trip -> Phnompenh (spend 1-2 days in Phnompenh)
- Phnompenh -> boat trip -> Chau Choc - begin Vietnam trip 1 day in Chau Doc for floating market
- Chau Doc -> Can Tho -> My Tho -> Tien Giang -> Ho Chi Minh (3-4 days on road, staying in Ho Chi Minh 2-3 days, boat/car trip to Tay Ninh, Cu Chi tunnels)
- Ho Chi Minh -> Mui Ne -> Nha Trang 3-5 days (beaches)
- flight Nha Trang -> Da Nang, take a taxi to Hoi An, 2-3 days (if visit My Son)
- Da Nang ->train/bus/taxi-> Hue (1-2 days in Hue)
- Hue -> flight -> Hanoi (spend 2-3 days in Hanoi)
- Ha Noi -> Ha Long boat trip -> Hanoi
- Hanoi -> train -> Sapa - Bac Ha (3-4 days) if you like to discover mounainous area, ethnic minorities...you can join a 4x4, motorbike trip to Ha Giang for 7-9 days. That is the highlight trip in North Vietnam. Recommended MOTOTOURS ASIA
- Hanoi -> flight -> Luang Prabang (3-4 days) hiking, boat trip, biking, kayaking, walk in town and don't forget to walk to the night market, early morning from 5:30 watching the Munks walking in the street, alms for food from local people.
- Luang Prabang -> bus -> Xieng Khoang visit the Plain of Jars (2 days)
- Xieng Khoang -> Vang Vieng -> Vientiane 3-4 days

You also can consider about Malaysia and Philippine, those are interesting destination too, or why not Myanmar?

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12 years ago, August 4th 2011 No: 5 Msg: #141503 Delete Edit

naziasurikhan
naziasurikhan

D Posts: 5

Hi,

my name is naziasurikhan. I go to last month india and i go to rajasthan tour on <snip> train. Rajasthan is a very beauty place of india.

Thanks
naziasurikhan
USA

[Edited: 2011 Aug 04 13:12 - naziasurikhan:196499 ]

[Edited: 2011 Aug 04 14:01 - The Travel Camel:11053 - No posting commercial links on forums, thanks.]

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12 years ago, August 4th 2011 No: 6 Msg: #141510 Delete Edit

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

B Posts: 10.9K

Nate,

You've got a good bit of time so you will be able to enjoy SE Asia at your own pace. Our experience in SE Asia was that you could get off the beaten track in all of those countries. Thailand is the most developed and touristy but was enjoyable. Each town has its own personality. Kanchanaburi was our favorite.

I agree with the previous suggestions about Malaysia and Borneo.
Do some research on Taman Negara.
We like taking cooking classes while we are in foreign lands to better understand the food and the culture. These are fairly inexpensive in many of these countries.

We didn't make it to Myanmar because of the riots but long to go back. I have a contact there if you are interested in a guide for all or part of that trip. Send me a private message if you are interested in their name.

[Edited: 2011 Aug 04 15:38 - D MJ Binkley:42569 ]

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12 years ago, August 5th 2011 No: 7 Msg: #141535 Delete Edit

NateTheGreat
Nate

B Posts: 41

Thanks everyone for your replies! This is the trip I've been saving up for over the past two years. I'm counting the days till it gets here. With the wedding in Israel in March, its throwing me off a bit, just as far as where to go after that, but I have a feeling I may go to India after.

I really do love the idea of heading to Indonesia. Can anyone make some recommendations as to where in Indonesia besides Bali? Is Indonesia relatively cheap? It was recently rated one of the fastest growing markets in the world. I'm just trying not to squeeze too much in and move around so quickly. My last trip was down to Argentina and Chile for 3 months and I felt like I was always on the move, not taking in where I was when at each moment.

Any other suggestions or recommendations would be great.

Thanks again! Reply to this

12 years ago, August 5th 2011 No: 8 Msg: #141537 Delete Edit

The Travel Camel
Shane Dallas

B Posts: 7,300

Indonesia is still cheap and not as heavily touristed as Thailand. I visited Java for just over a week mainly to relax in Magelang, to see the temple of Borobudur and to discover city of Yogyakarata - I had a fantastic time. There are plenty of hiking areas in Java, both with and without volcanoes - I didn't do any - but am aware that they are there.

The cheapest way to fly there with Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur to either Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Solo, or Surabaya. Some of these destinations can be reached from Singapore as well. Reply to this