Countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos & Myanmar
Duration: 3-5 Weeks Start off in the bustling and modern city of Bangkok. Spend a day exploring the Royal Palace and the nearby temples Wat Pho and Wat Arun, combining the visit with a boat ride up and down the river. At night check out a shopping center or market. Once done in Bangkok, hop on the direct day bus to Siem Reap in Cambodia (750 Baht, Visa $30). After a long bus ride refresh yourself with a 50 cent draft at the famous Pub Street. The next day walk around the city, bargain at the market and get a massage. For sunset, head to Angkor Wat (around 4.30pm) to get your Day Pass ($20). Enjoy the temple as the sun casts its last rays on the tall standing towers. Dine in style at any of the restaurants surrounding Pub Street. The following day is dedicated entirely to the Angkor Sites. Hire a Tuk-Tuk driver for the day ($15) and head around the small or grand circle, taking in many sites including Banteay Kdei, Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom. If you still have the energy to stay for sunset, hike up Phnom Bakheng for a distant view of Angkor Wat. Start your journey through Cambodia the next day, by taking a bus ride to the Capital Phnom Penh ($6, 8.5 hours), while waiting for your Vietnam Visa ($60-$70) spend a morning admiring the Royal Palace. Stop at the nearby Freedom Monument and then take a Tuk-Tuk to the Russian Market to haggle for some good deals on clothes and souvenirs. Instead of taking a bus to Vietnam, why not enjoy the views of the Mekong River from a boat. Cruise down from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc and connect to a bus for Can Tho (Both for $40, 12 hours), a city in the Mekong Delta. Wake up early to see the biggest floating market in the Delta - Cai Rang and then catch a bus to Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon ($6.50, 4 hours). Spend the night in this bustling city and walk the main sights the next day, which include the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame and the Old Post Office. Once the smog gets to you, escape to the airport for a short haul flight to Hue, away from the bustle and noise. Hue being a world heritage site, has enough to offer to keep one busy for a day. Walk the grounds of the Citadel and take a ride down to any of the Royal Tombs. Set a day aside to explore sights around Hue. Any hotel or travel agency can organize a full day tour around the former DMZ. Highlights include the Khe Sanh American Combat Base, the former border crossing the river and the Vinh Moc Tunnels. Leave the next day for Hoi An, a small city south of Hue. Walk the old city, look or buy some tailored clothes and if time permits visit the nearby Hindu ruins of My Son. Once done, catch a flight or overnight train to the capital Hanoi and visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Hoa Lo Prison. Stop at any coffee shop for Weasel Coffee or try a Ginger Tea at a tea shop. Organize a 1-3 Day tour to the Halong Bay Area to admire the many karst limestone formations. If staying more than one night, venture further out to Cat Ba Island and the more secluded Lan Ha Bay. Overnight on Cat Ba or any of the private islands nearby. Say Goodbye to Vietnam and return to Bangkok to reenergize. Organize the overnight train to Ubon ($25, 11 hours) and while near the station stop at the Wat Traimit Temple to admire the biggest solid-gold Buddha image. Take the train to Ubon Ratchathani and connect to the Thai-Lao Bus to Pakse in Laos. Hop on a local truck to head south to the 4000 Island region. Pick any of the islands such as Don Det, Don Khong or Don Khon to base yourself out of. Organize a full day kayak trip around the area ($25), and with some luck you will spot the rare Irrawaddy Dolphins. Enjoy the sunset at any of the river restaurants, while sipping on a Beerlao. Make the long day & overnight journey back to Bangkok and arrive in time for the Myanmar embassy to open. Queue up for the visa, and depending on time, pick it up the same day, or days later. If waiting for the visa, why not get out of busy Bangkok and take the three hour minibus to Kanchanaburi ($4, 3 hours), a quiet city with some WWII history. Walk to the Death Railway Bridge and learn the historic facts. Stop at the cemetery of the POW's as well. Return to Bangkok the following day to pick up the Visa for Myanmar. Once you arrive in Yangon, head for the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, a must see spot in Myanmar. Take a bumpy night train to Mandalay ($14, 16 hours) and stretch your legs with a barefoot walk up Mandalay Hill for spectacular views of the bustling city. Once done in this area, continue to Bagan by bus ($9, 5 hours) and don't forget to pick up the archaeological pass ($20, 5 Day Validity). Wander around town, but save the energy for the next day. Rent an E-Bike for the day and cruise around the temple-studded plains of Bagan, stopping at any of the temples for great views. Don't miss Pyathada Paya for amazing sunset views, but beware you won't be alone. When your templed out, catch the train back to Yangon ($16, 19 hours) and catch a flight back to Bangkok to finish up the Northern Loop.
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