3 week itinerary Bangkok, Laos and Cambodia

I'd take a day out of SIam Reap, and a day (or two) out of Vang Vieng and put both days into visiting something near Luang Prabang - Perhaps a 2-3 day trek (which can be arranged in LP) so you get to see the rural and less-touristed side of the region.

Also, getting to Phonsavan for a couple of days - the Plain of Jars (and the regions ancient and modern history) will wow all of your photography tastebuds like they've never been wowed before! Very haunting and uniqusaving a long day on a bus, and then you can altogether avoid the westernized silliness of Vang Vieng.

Thanks Stillwithus - I like the sound of a 2 day trek to see the less touristy side of the region. I will explore this idea.
With Vang Vieng - I have heard the scenery there is amazing with limestone karsts - opportunity to do caving, trekking and kayaking. Is there a reason to avoid this this town? The partying side of the town has died down - is this correct?

air asia is 85% of the time cheaper than Bangkok airways

VV is good for one night and a day only if u want to float down the river, scenery is indeed beautiful but the town has not much to offer except cheap food and good coffee and bakery, town closes down at 10 pm.

Take the river trip in Luang Prabang to the temple ( 2 hours up 1 1/2 back)

3 days for angkor complex
1 day for around town and out to Kampong Phluk on the tonle sap lake

Been to LP a few times and after 3 days i am ready to get out, Only so many Wats/temples u can visit an if ur there in the winter ( high season its Packed with tourists

cut some days 4-5 days in Bangkok you will be busy all day ever day

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Air Asia is cheaper but the schedule does not fit in with the flight arriving in Bangkok from London.

I was thinking about skipping VV and spending that time in Battambang in Cambodia - what do people think?

Battambang beats VV hands down. The boat between Siem Reap and Battambang is a good adventure, too.

Having been to both, VV is set up for westerners, Ie u will find various food, coffee, delis, bakeries, bars, Fantastic scenery

Battambang is Cambodia an u would be hard find to find more to do thee than 2 days

Circus one night,
ride to the 3 nearby temples
walk around the main town
evening meal on the riverside
Bamboo railway?? no thrill for me , have seen it,have not bothered ridding on it.

than leave,

Last time i went thru Batt ( last July) didn't even stop for lunch as headed of to Pailin.

Hi
I am intrigued to know what you have planned for such a long stay in Vientiane. I have travelled through there several times and once stayed for a day sightseeing. It did not inspire at all. The French food is great if you have had a year in Thailand but it is available in LP. The Museum is very outdated and really only interesting to see a communist perspective on the war. What have I missed? I would definitely allocate this time to somewhere else in Laos or add Chiang Mai - a gem of a city, to your itinerary.

I have cut down the time I am spending in Vientiane to 2 nights and 1.5 days and plan to see Wat pra keo, wat sisikat, patuxai and pha that luang!

I have thought about doing Chiang Mai but will save this for a separate trip! As think it will be too much cramming in this wonderful place into an already busy schedule

The itinerary has slightly after people's comments. I have kept Vang Vieng in but have taken off 1 day in Luang Prabang and half day in Siem Reap to fit in Battambang.

What do people think? Is the itinerary too crammed and rushed now?

-Fly from Bangkok to Vientiane with Thai airways

-Vientiane (2 nights and 1.5 days) before getting bus to Vang Vieng

-Vang Vieng (2 nights and 1.5 days) before getting a bus to Luang Prabang

-Luang Prabang (4 nights and 3.5 days)

-Fly from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap with Vietnam airways

-Siem Reap (5 nights and 4 days) before bus to Battambang

-Battambang (1 night and 1 day) before bus to Phnom Penh

-Phnom Penh (2 nights and 1 day)

-Fly to Bangkok with Air Asia

-Spend 2.5 days in Bangkok before flying home

Again, I'll really recommend the boat from SR to Battambang. One-of-a-kind scenery, amazing "island" villages.

Buses are hot windy bumpy careening little barf-mobiles....