This is the first attempt at an itinerary for 15 days in Thailand and Laos during November and December 2005.I am still in two minds as to whether I should miss out Vang Viang entirely and go by boat from Louang Prabang to Nong Khiaw and then overland to Louang Nam Tha and on to Houayxai.
This would undoubtedly be more fun than the slowboat from Louang Prabang to Houayxai and would take about four days (assuming nothing breaks down and there are no sudden downpours) but I also need make sure that I am back in Thailand on Tuesday 06 December at the latest.
Wed 23 Nov Manchester to Bangkok
Thu 24 Nov Bangkok to Nong Khai
Fri 25 Nov Nong Khai
Sat 26 Nov Nong Khai to Vientiane
Sun 27 Nov Vientiane
Mon 28 Nov Vientiane to Vang Viang
Tue 29 Nov Vang Viang
Wed 30 Nov Vang Viang
Thu 01 Dec Vang Viang toLouang Prabang
Fri 02 Dec Louang Prabang
Sat 03 Dec Louang Prabang
Sun 04 Dec Louang Prabang to Pakbek
Mon 05 Dec Pakbek to Houayxai/Chiang Khong
Tue 06 Dec Chiang Khong to Chiang Rai
Wed 07 Dec Chiang Rai to Bangkok
Thu 08 Dec Bangkok to Manchester
8 comments:
G'day Ben,
Nice looking Itinerary. Seems like you have done a lot of research on travelling Laos.
My girlfriend and I are planning a simliar trip at the end of the year. We have booked the following flights:
Melbourne to Bangkok 16/12/05
Bangkok to Vientiene 16/12/05
Louang Prabang to Chiang Mai 28/12
Chiang Mai to Bangkok 2/1 then down to Phuckett for a little less then a week.
Do you have any good websites or suggestions on places to visit that you have read up on?
I have purchased the Lonely Planet guide. Will you be booking your accomodation prior to departing or over there?
Have a great trip :)
Luke
I have a copy of the Rough Guide to Laos and have been using the travelfish website (www.travelfish.org) which is excellent. Also had good advice from Lonley Planet Thorn tree as usual.
Hey Ben,
I'll be landing in BKK on nov 7 and heading up to Nong Khai to relax for a few days. I'll cross over to Vientienne to stay with friends, but will check your blog before leaving as I'm looking to head up through VV to Luang Prabang.
Hope you enjoy your trip. Maybe I'll see you on the road. Be good to you. Benn
findbenn@aol.com
Benn,
Yeah check when you are in Vientianea nd seewere I'm up to.
Ben
Cheers for this Ben. Nice site and handy info.
cheers,
Ross
hey Benn,
In Vientienne now, after crssing from Nong KhAai. Reccommend hiring a bike for4 hours and cycling out to the sculpture park. you guesthouse should have a map for you.
The crsooing should take about an hour from when you leave your guesthouse to passing immigration in Lao. Make sure when you get off the bus that you go straight up to the immigration window and get your arrival form, rather than standing in line twice for too long.
Vientiane is relaxed. Send me an email as I'll most probalby head up towards Luang Pruang by the 20th.
Benn
hi ben,
I'm leaving vietnianne tomorrow for Vang Vieng and then LP later in the week. there are some awesome river cruises out of LP that I intend to take and then plan to meet up with you in LP on the way back through.
Stay mellow
Benn
findbenn@aol.com
Vang Vieng - backpacker ghetto. Head for the river and stay at Phoubane GH. Excellent deck with awesome views of the mountains and traditional Lao river life.
Catch a local bus from Vientiane to Vang Vieng I caught the 10.30 bus but it left at 9.15 because it was full so get there early (8.30) if you want a seat. Only 20,000 kip and a great experience.
Be good to you
BEnn
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