Hello people,
I am planning to do a trip by motorbike from Chiang Mai to Doi Ang Khang, to the Golden Triangle, to Phu Chi Fa, to Phayao Lake and back to Chiang Mai.
My plan is to sleep at Doi Ang Khang and Phu Chi Fa, to enjoy the beautiful sunrise :)
Are there people familiar with the places I will visit on my route?
Especially the places where i want to stay the night, if anyone has information where and how to stay there from own experience, i am glad to hear about this.
Greetings!
I don't know, I think Laos is all pretty darn amazing. I know it is a matter of taste, but I have returned many times and hope to keep going back.
To be honest, I wasn't all that taken with the boat trip between Luang Prabang and Huay Xai. Yes, it is pretty in parts, but also boring for long stretches. Pak Beng is forgettable at best and 2-days of 8-9 hours on a boat had me feeling, well, a little meh. Pus it takes up 2 full days of your short trip, 3 if you consider getting from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong as mentioned by traveler6262. Granted, many people love it. To each his own. That being said, Luang Prabang very lovely and has some stunning temples well in the "worth it" category. Vang Vieng is great for day-hikes, cave exploring and kayaking. However, Your route is pretty standard tourist trail and each destination will be full of other tourists. Just be aware you are not getting much of rural Laos which many consider to be the "Real Laos", what ever that may mean to you.
10 days in Laos would not be "meh", in my opinion and you certainly could do worse. Who knows, you may even like it as much as I do.
Myanmar has always been my favorite in SE Asia. But, 10 days just wouldn't do it justice and it isn't as directly on your route, the way Laos is.
Not to confuse the issue further, but Cambodia is also quite amazing too. There is much to see besides just Angkor Wat and it is also directly in your path.
One way car rentals are possible in Laos, but not from Vang Vieng, only between Vientiane, Savannakhet, Pakse and Luang Prabang. SIXT and AVIS offer car rental services in Laos.
Another option is a transfer from Vang Vieng to Ang Ngeum lake and then Vientiane. This should be no problem at all but it won't be self-drive.
Anyway, my reply is probably too late for you but I made this post for future reference.
Fly into Hanoi as your base to explore Ninh Binh and Mai Chau. Ninh Binh is 3 hours from Hanoi and there are many travel options especial the train which is cheap and comfortable. https://dsvn.vn/#/
Ninh Binh - Tam Coc boat ride, hiking up hang mua, biking around countryside, wet market
Mai Chau - local tribal experience, homestay, hiking along terraced rice fields, pu luong nature reserve,
My trip report :
https://bigsmallmoment.wordpress.com
The laws seem to be enforced differently from town to town island island city to city. Ko Phan Ghan just seems a bit more relaxed on helmets.
That's right , I don't police do helmet checks on Ko Phangan like they do in Chiang Mai . But I could be wrong. But the main thing is your insurance requires it.
Well the most adventurist and scenic way to get to LPB Laos, would be a slow boat or fast boat down the Mekong. You need to get up tp Chiang Rai area of Thailand.
You dont mention where you have been in Thailand and what your interest are? Trekking? Indigenous Villages? National Parks?
You could also explore Chiang Mai, the old capital of Thailand, on the way to Chiang Rai.
Do you have a guidebook on SE Asia?
From LPB Laos, you would head south to Vang Vieng, a popular stopping point and party town, as well as outdoor adventures, then head to the capital Vientiane, from there, get to Pakse, here you can rent a motorbike and a do a huge loop in the Bolevan area, via Salavan, Sekong, Attapeu, which has small villages, lots of waterfalls and mainly rural roads. 3-4 days is nice ride loop.
Then from Pakse, shuttle to 4000 Islands areas and waterfalls. Now you are close to the Cambodia border.
