Korean Job Discussion Forums

edmiller2b · Joined: 02 May 2005

hi everyone.

planning on traveling through Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos late January until the end of February next year.

i've been using Intrepid Travel for my trips and they have two offerings.
the first is a 40 day all Encompassed trip with all overland travel. the other is a 30 day trip, which includes intercountry flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh to Hue, and Luang Prabang to Vientiane to save time and add a little comfort.

i'm torn between these two.

has anyone out there done a similar trip and can give some advice? or has anyone visited any of the three countries and share your experiences?
must sees and things to avoid?

i enjoy backpacker type travel but am a bit older, near 40, so although an all encompassing trip is tempting, i don't want to spend a lot of my time tending a sore behind or exhausted from days of local travel.

thanks much!

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Go overland, you'll meet more people and have a better time.

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:24 pm Post subject:

the journey is more important than the destination

seeing the country vs. waiting in airports

40 days versus 30 days

gawd the decision is easy for me

it's a TOUR so the physical discomfort won't be that bad!

the rub: in the long run you won't regret going overland but you might regret going the airport route

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

Meh. I've done both the overland and the air route through a lot of those places. I preferred the air route. Quicker, more comfortable, albeit pricier. Gives you more time and energy to explore and enjoy the destination when you get there, rather than needing a day to recuperate after being sardined on a marathon bus or mini-van ride.

Duke · Joined: 02 Feb 2007

I am interested in this trip as well OP. How much do these tickets run with Intrepid Travel?

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

See this is why tours suck, you've got one or the other.

I've done the Luang Prabang to Vientiane trip buy bus and would never do it again. Most of it snaking through windy roads up and down for almost 8 hours surrounded by vomiting Laotians.
On the other hand the Phnom Penh-Siem Reap route was highly enjoyable and I would definetly recommend overland it.

Although as you've given yourself just on a month to hit all three countries then you really are pushing it and tour is necessary.

However having travelled through all three countries, its very easy to avoid the backpackers and I saw lots of older travellers on the road.

I suggest you look at www.travelfish.org to get a better picture of the attractions