Hi,
This is all I want to do in about seven days in July. I don't have much time to plan it out neatly. Hence, I would prefer to take a package deal if one is available. My itinerary would look som
This is all I want to do in about seven days in July. I don't have much time to plan it out neatly. Hence, I would prefer to take a package deal if one is available. My itinerary would look something like this: Los Angeles to Bangkok; Bangkok to Phuket; Bangkok to Siem Reap. Then again, I haven't booked any flights or hotels.
Can I just land in Bangkok and book package deals to visit Phuket and Angkor Wat from there? Could they include round trip flights, hotels and possibly a tour guide as well? I'm confused as to whether to do something like this, or book all the flights in advance. I don't know which might be cheaper and convenient. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
You can book you flight with bangkok airways which allows you to fly to Phuket and Siem Reap. Then go to asiarooms.com to book your hotels for cheap. Been to BKK a few times, not so hard to get around, but not to Phuket yet. I myself am hoping to get time off to visit Siem Reap either on August or November. Happy travels.
personally I think an itinerary like this is total insanity. Do you really want to spend all that time schlepping around airports? Don't forget you will lose a day traveling there. If you are planning to take the Thai non-stop LAX-BKK you will arrive very early in the AM. You will likely be fairly out of it that first day unless you are able to sleep well on long flights. It will be hot and oppressive which will sap you as well.
Having said all that, I would suggest at least 2 days in BKK to see the main sights.
I would also suggest at least 3 days in Siem Reap. There are lots of amazing sights there. I know lots of people go in and out fairly quickly, but it is one of those once in a lifetime trips for most people so I don't know why anyone wants to rush through it.
I have not been to Phuket, but if you plan to go there as well that doesn't leave much time after the others.
If all you want is a beach vacation maybe you should consider going to Mexico or Central America instead. You can choose an area near the Mayan sights and have beach time as well as some culture. Flights shouldn't be as expensive as going all the way to Asia and you won't be spending all that time in the air for very little time on the ground. I would suggest 2 weeks for this trip to Asia or 10 days at the very least.
Try contacting Roe at Escapes Unlimited at her 800 number or web site. She arranged a hurry-up trip for me at a reasonable price with a private guide in Siem Reap. I learned about her and the company from Frommers.
We were in Siem Reap last november and you will need at least 3 days there. It was one of the best trips ever, the temples are fantastic and so are the Cambodian people. We stayed at a Khemer owned place called the Palm Resort, just out of town and away from the noise but closer to the temples. It was only about $30.00 a night for two including breakfast and it had a pool. Each unit is a single cabin with a front porch. They have bikes you can use anytime, The owners were fantastic, they would call for a tuk-tuk each night to take us to town, only about a 10 min ride, cost about $2.00, great fun. Coming back late at night was maybe $5.00 via tuk-tuk. Be sure to get a guide for the temples, also very cheap but worth every penny. Let me know if you want more info, but I would not waste time in Phuket when I could stay longer in Cambodia,
Before making plans, check the weather. We were in Siem Rep and Bangkok in April. I have never been so hot in my life, with humidity very high. While it was a fantastic experience, it was hard to enjoy when you were dripping. There is a terrific new museum of ancient Cambodian culture outside of Siem Rep that was totally empty. Even museums are not completely airconditioned. Also, make certain that you take a boat ride on the Tonle Sap (Great Lake) which might be flooded in the summer. I don't know what your budget is, but if you can afford it, we loved the Sofitel in Siem Rep.
Having spent a lot of time in Thailand, I agree that you should skip Phuket, unless your heart is sold on a couple of days at the beach, in which case you should skip Bangkok, except as a port of entry and exit. If you do it that way, make sure to book your Siem Reap and Phuket flights in advance as well as a hotel at the airport, since it's a bit of a trek into downtown, even in the middle of the night. But Phuket is really the least interesting of the three destinations you've suggested.
we are going to siem reap in september. would like to find a tour package that is all inclusive. can anyone help and direct us to a true and tried company?
My husband and I just returned from Thailand and Cambodia (Siem Reap & Angkor Wat). It was amazing. We booked all our travel arrangements before leaving Canada with GoWay Travel. They were top-notch all the way! The accommodations, the guides -- every detail was covered and our itinerary was seamless. I highly recommend this company.
Here is the website for a great guide we had in Thailand a few years ago. Her name is Maggi. The site is miracletwinstravel.com. She can design a custom tour for you. Also, a guide in Cambodia would be a good idea. Ours was Seng at sengdaling@yahoo.com. Both of these young people are very knowledgeable and friendly. Have a wonderful trip. I am anxious to go back there!
You can do exactly as you want. Check Gate 1 tours at www.gate1travel.com They should have the ideal itinerary you are looking for. I've gone with them on several European tours, they have been great and very reasonably priced.
