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I am just beginning to plan a 7-1/2 week trip to SE Asia - my husband and I will be there from around December 11th-February 5th. Our plan is to visit Thailand (including some island time and diving), Laos, and Cambodia (just Angkor Wat and maybe Phnom Penh). It will be our first time in SE Asia.
We'd like to do some trekking, and since it seems that both Northern Thailand and Laos are good places for this, would it be worthwhile to do both, or better to just leave the trekking part for Laos?
We're late-20s-early 30s, fairly experienced backpackers, into outdoors/nature/adventure activities, but also out-of-the way cultural places of interest - i.e. small villages you don't read about in the guidebooks.

Also, any suggestions on the route of the trip in general?

Thanks a lot in advance!

Cross-posted on Thailand branch

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Since Lao tourism is 'less developed' than Thailand, my recommendation is northern Laos if your seeking less beaten paths from Luang Namtha, Muang Long or Vieng Poukha areas--as compared to trekking from Pai or Mae Hong Son.

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I've trekked in both Laos and Thailand. I trekked through Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai Province about 10 years ago, it was pretty well trodden even then so I don't know what it will be like now. Laos was more recent. Great experiences trekking around Phongsali Province in the north and around Muang Ngoi Nuea in Luang Prabang Province. Phongsali is a bit remote but tre are few tourists.

WeiLong in Laos

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