Hi all
Heading to Northern Laos in Nov-Dec hoping to visit some Hill tribes. I will do Luang Prabang and Plain of Jars but can’t decide between Phongsali or Luang Nam Tha. I have about 12 days in total.
Hoping to try get some photography done so any advise / recommendations would be appreciated. Happy to do both overnight and day trips to some of the remote and less touristy spots
Thanks in advance. Derek
Yes. I agree that the bus trips to and from Luang Namtha, or too and from Phonosavan are going to take a long time, and not neccisarily comfortable for people with long legs.
Then I want to go to Phongsavan but I suppose I need to stop in Luang Prabang for 1N. Do you?
Yes you need to stop in LP. The bus to Phonosavan the next morning will take around 6? hours.
The best resource for buses around Loas is https://www.hobomaps.com/index.html
It does take a little work to understand how the website works, but if you concentrate, you can use hobomaps to figure out any transport problem in Laos.
I think travel from Phongsavan to Vientian and there take the direct bus to Kong Lor. Seems I can go from Kong Lor to Savanakhek in one day via Thakhaek, no more.
There are buses from Phonosavan to Vientienne that pass through Paksan. You can get off at a place in Paksan and connect with a bus to go through to Thakkek, no actual need to go to Vientienne.
And yes from Konglor caves, you can reach Savannakhet in a day. But depending on your schedule you might need a taxi from Konglor caves to reach a place where there are frequent buses to Thakkek, where you'd get the bus to Savannakhet.
Most first-time visitors to SE Asia (especially Laos) could use a soft intro to get used to the rough and exotic conditions. Phongsali and Nam Et NPA are maybe too adventurous an intro while places like L. Namtha, M. Sing, Nong Kiew & Muang Ngoi are easier and comfy. Phonsavanh & PDJ easy to visit but not so comfy. Maybe fly to L. Nmatha & visit M. Sing, then on to Oudom Xay where you can head north to Phongsali or east to Nong Kiew & M. Ngoi. Then on to Phonsavanh & L. Prabang. All by bus after L. Namtha.
I think you already got good answers on your first post. Koh Kradan, Koh Lipe and Koh Muk have decent snorkeling right from the beach. Base yourself on one of them. If you want more, hiring a boat to other nearby islands is easy.
I also think you answered your own question about itinerary. Bangkok, Chiang Mai and a southern island would do nicely for those who have never been to Thailand. If you think 5 days in each place is too much then maybe squeeze in 1 or 2 days at Sukhothai on the way to or from Chiang Mai. Many like to save Bangkok for the end to get in a little souvenir shopping along with the sights. If you decide to come from Malaysia then start in the islands, fly to Chiang Mai and then Bangkok.
After driving from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai I will have 2 possibly 3 days to fill. Having experienced CM city before I was wondering if it was worth flying to Udon and seeing Nong Khai as well. But looking at the range of activities there doesn't seem much to do in either place. The sculpture park doesn't appeal and apart from food markets and a mekong view not sure what to do there without driving again somewhere which I don't want to do.
Would it be better to spend this time around Mae On area in CM? That area reads well.
Hello, everyone:
I am on my way to Chiang Mai in this moment. In one week, we will be leaving Khao Sok NP. After that, we would like to spend 8-10 days on some islands with our children aged 5 & 8. I have doubts about which ones to visit or settle our base on.
We look for quiet places with stunning beaches and views where we could go for a nice snorkelling/swim but also nice hiking trails and in a budget accomodation.
I have doubts between the following areas:
# Area near Ranong: koh Surin, Koh Phayam, Koh Phratong
# Area near Ao Nang/Krabi: Kao Yao Noi/Yai, Railay, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta
# Trang area: koh Ngai, Ko Mook, Koh Kradan, Koh Libong
# Tarutao area: Koh Lipe, Koh Bulon le...
I would appreciate any suggestion for 10 days after Khao Sok with base on 1/2 islands and from there some island hopping as well. Thanks in advance!!
Hi There,
So there is the very beautiful Nong Khiaw which is a 3 hour drive by minibus from Luang Prabang. It is a small town set against the backdrop of limestone peaks and the Nam Oo river, a very scenic area of Laos. There are a few western restaurants and bars so if you like chilling out then you will be very happy here. You can also do a relatively easy 45 min (if you’re fit) trek up to a viewpoint where you get at 360 degree view of the surrounding valley, it was probably one of the most impressive things we did in our 3 week trip to Laos. There are loads of cool places to stay by the river for as little as 6 euros a night!
If you would rather not travel for 3 hours then I would suggest spending the extra time in Luang Prabang. I agree with the guys above that there is plenty to do for quite a few days there, including hanging out in bars/ restaurants, jungle trekking, cycling, markets, and it’s definitely worth doing a trip to the Kuang Si waterfalls.
We have just written up a 2 week itinerary for Laos which you may find helpful as we have put all the travel information in there about Nong Khiaw, Vientiane and Luang Prabang.....
www.studio-mali.com/blog/2018/1/29/laos-the-ultimate-2-week-travel-itinerary-for-backpackers
Enjoy your trip!
Ali
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It would be really helpful if you could be more specific as already pointed out the Mekong is a long river. However you mention the 4000 islands in Laos and it is very easy to stick to the road going both North through laos and South down to Cambodia and on to Vietnam. The are bits of the river where you can travel by boat should you wish and the only part where there is a big detour is between Luang prabang and Huay Xai
