I've been reading this forum for over 3 months now to prepare myself for my first trip to SEA (i leave in 3 days)
I never posted here myself but got tons of useful information just by reading and searching.
Doing this influenced my trip quite a lot. At first i wanted to travel thailand, laos and cambodia in 5 weeks time. I soon realised that i better focus on one country. So my plan now is to spend a whole 30 day visum in (N) Laos going from Houy Xai to Vientiane :
Luang nam tha (after gibbon exp)
Muang Sing (and maybe also Muang Long)
Udomxai
Phongsali (by road)
Muang Ngoi (by boat from Hat Sa)
Nong Khiaow
Sam Neua (Vieng Xai)
Phonsavan
Luang Prabang
Sainyabuli + Lak Sai (if possible, otherwise via Vang Vieng)
Depending on the time remaining when i arrive in Vientiane I might go further south...
It is hard to estimate times but i think 30 days should be enough for this itinerary (with some trekking here and there).
Anyway, i mostly just want to post a thank you to all the people who contributed by giving quality responses in this forum!
B.
And I bet you've got those pre-trip tummy jitters, too. I don;t love the feeling, but I love what it anticipates!
Oh - excellent route! Have fun!
Be prepared for long bus trips on bad roads but itinerary is nice.
Luang Nam THa will grow on you and will Nong Khiauw
Udomxai is a real craphole so don't plan on any time there.
Arriving in Luang Nam Tha at night is disconcerting because the bus station is dark 5 minutes after you get there and there is little street light. The map in the last edition (haven't seen newest edition of LP) is incorrect in that the terminal is on the other side of the street SOOOO. Walk out of the parking lot to the main street, go left two blocks, then left again one block and right one block then left and you will be on the main street where most of the guesthouses and restaurants are.
BTW, if you arrive in Udomxia from Luang Nam Tha and your connecting bus has left, the bus office will actually arrive minibus for you at reasonable rates. I was on a bus from Luang Namtha that arrived about 12:30 and six of us arranged a mini to Nong Khiau that day for $60
US.
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