From the Gulf of Thailand to the Bay of Bengal (Cambodia, Laos,Thailand, Myanmar) (21 or 33 days)
We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. We think the world of western China and the countries that border on this region – think Vietnam, Lao, Thailand, Myanmar, for example. On the Road in China is all about sharing with like-minded travelers just how beautiful a road journey in these varied lands can be. Now turn the page to find out what we’ve come to love so much…
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Itinerary Map …where you will travel…
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Yes, it is possible…
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Journey of Discovery…
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Itinerary Map
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Day1: Phnom Penh – Arrive in Cambodia Day2: Phnom Penh to Kep To Cambodia’s coast Day3: Kep to Koh Kong – Continue along the coast to Tatai Day4: Koh Kong A day in the jungle Day5: Koh Kong to Pursat Adventure driving trough the Cardamoms Day6: Pursat to Battambang Onto colonial Battambang Day7: Battambang to Siem Reap – To Asia’s most famous heritage site Day8: Siem Reap – In and around Angkor Wat Day9: Siem Reap to Kampong Thom – Fishing villages and a special temple visit Day10: Kampong Thom to Chhlong – Along the Mekong to a beautiful hotel in the countryside Day11: Chhlong to Don Khong – Entering Laos
Day18: Chiang Saen – Relax in the Golden Triangle Day19: Chiang Saen to Kengtung – Into remote Myanmar Day20: Kengtung to Kunhing – A basic night in a very remote area Day21: Kunhing to Inle Lake – On to the serene Inle Lake Day22: Inle Lake A day on the lake Day23: Inle Lake to Pindaya – Travel to the pleasant lakeside town of Pindaya Day24: Pindaya to Mandalay – Leave the Shan Plateau behind Day25: Mandalay Explore the many sights of Mandalay Day26: Mandalay to Mount Popa – To the home of the Nats Day27: Mount Popa to Bagan – Visit a local village and learn how to make thanaka on the way to Bagan Day28: Bagan In and around Bagan
Day12: Don Khong to Champasak – A sleepy town and a famous temple
Day29: Bagan to Yenanyaung – Along the Irrawaddy to colonial Salay and sleepy Yenanyaung
Day13: Champasak to Luang Prabang – Onto Laos most beautiful town
Day30: Yenanyaung to Pyay – A beautiful drive through rural scenery
Day14: Luang Prabang – A day spent in Luang Prabang
Day31: Pyay to Ngapali – Travel on winding roads across the Rakhine mountain range
Day15: Luang Prabang to Muang Xai – Back to Laos’ countryside Day16: Muang Xai to Luang Namtha – And further into Laos’ north Day17: Luang Namtha to Chiang Saen – The Golden Triangle
Day32: Ngapali – Relax at the beach Day33: Farewell Fly home
Yes, it is possible... A driving holiday in this part of the world is indeed possible. We take care of everything. All you need to do is come, drive and enjoy a rare adventure! On this beautiful journey you will start in Cambodia’s’ south driving along the coastline and via an area untouched by tourists to Siem Reap, Asia’s most important UNESCO heritage site. Following the Mekong, the route leads north into Laos, where you experience Laos rural countryside and also its most beautiful town Luang Prabang. From here you continue further into northern Laos towards the Thai border. A short stay in Thailand refreshes you for your adventure drive through Myanmar’s Shan state to Inle Lake, where you will witness the famous leg-rowing technique of the lake’s fishermen. Driving further to rural Pindaya, you will then enter the plains of the Mandalay Division, the pilgrimage site of Mount Popa and the magical temple-strewn landscape of Bagan. Here you can either end the journey or continue with us on remote country roads along the east bank of the Irrawaddy to Yenanyaung. After Pyay, an important trading centre during the Bagan era you’ll finish your drive though the Rakhine mountains and then unwind on the beach at Ngapali, looking out at the Bay of Bengal, where long, tranquil stretches of white sandy beaches and azure waters await. Join this spectacular journey and discover a country, which has kept its traditions and welcomes you every day with something different. On the Road Experiences has paved the way for you to cross borders in your own properly insured SUV, so that you can enjoy the romance of a classic overland journey without any of the logistical headaches that typically accompany such journeys...
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Arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The STUNNING King’s Palace...”
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Drive to the Gulf of Thailand
View from the KNAI BANG CHATT Sailing club...”
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Start your journey with a seafood feast
KAMPOT pepper crab...”
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Kampot Pepper Farm
Kampot PEPPER comes in four varieties - GREEN, BLACK, RED & WHITE...”
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Kampot Pepper Farm
PEPPER TASTING in style...”
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The Four Rivers Floating Lodge
Onto the jungle... Camping in STYLE...�
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Cardamom Mountains
Be PREPARED for GREAT OFF-ROAD driving...”
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Maison Wat Kor
REST a night in AUTHENTIC KHMER houses...”
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On the way to Siem Reap
Through FIELDS and VILLAGES...”
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A day in Siem Reap
Be AMAZED by KHMER heritage...”
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The New Cambodian Artists
ENJOY and evening of Cambodian history expressed through dance...�
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Phnom Santuk, Kampong Thom
Phnom Santuk..�
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Kampong Thom
STUNNING TROPICAL SUNSET… near your hotel...”
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Near Kampong Thom
Rubber trees as far as the eyes can see...�
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Le Relais de Chhlong
A hidden gem in the middle of nowhere...�
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Along the Mekong through small villages
MUSLIM and KHMER communities share villages along the MEKONG...�
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Near Kratie
ONE of the many SIDESTREAMS of the MEKONG...”
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Near Kratie
Farmer KHMER women...”
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A Cambodian main road
On the way to LAOS...”
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On the way to Laos
Villages along the way...�
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Khone Pha Pheng Falls
The NIAGARA FALLS of South East Asia...”
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Wat Phu
WAT PHU visitors...�
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Wat Phu
Your last ENCOUNTER with the ancient KHMER on this journey...�
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A TYPICAL village road...�
On the way to Champasak
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An OASIS in Champasak...�
River Resort, Champasak
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EMBARK on a MEKONG cruise...”
Champasak
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Welcome to Luang Prabang
Mountain ranges encircle the city in lush greenery‌�
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Sofitel Luang Prabang
Enjoy a PRIVILEGED stay in a CENTRY-OLD colonial mansion enclosing lush botanical gardens...�
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Luang Prabang, Laos
Monks OFFERING in Luang Prabang…”
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VIEW from the road side...�
Travelling through northern Laos
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Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort, Laos
A GEM of a hotel in the MIDDLE of NOWHERE...”
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Explore MINORITY villages along the road sides…”
On the Road in Laos
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Off the beaten path in Lao....�
A small village in northern Lao
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An unforgettable stay in the Golden Triangle...�
Crossing into Thailand’s Golden Triangle
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Entering Myanmar
FANTASTIC Views over the SHAN MOUNTAINS...”
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On the way to Kengtung
A SHAN Village...”
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Kengtung
A former Brititsh outpost, once known as the CAPITAL of the GOLDEN TRIANGLE...�
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On the way to Kunhing
VIEWS like this from the ROAD SIDE...�
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The Salveen valley on the way to Kunhing
A SEA of CLOUDS...”
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In Kunhing
The VILLAGE registration records say: FOURTEEN tourists in SIX months...�
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In Kunhing
A LOCAL night in a REMOTE area...”
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Palaung Village, on the way to Inle Lake
First a SHY, then a CURIOUS approach...�
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Inle Princess Resort, Inle Lake
Sheltered in a peaceful inlet on the EASTERN SHORE of the lake, you will find time to UNWIND...�
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Nyaung Shwe Market near Inle Lake
BURMESE MARIONETTES are all string operated and are a POPULAR ART in Burma...�
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Typical stilt house at Inle Lake
The villages of the INTHA people across the lake are wooden houses BUILT HIGH on STILTS...�
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Typical village life at Inle Lake
PA-OH people WASHING their cloths at the lake...�
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Floating garden at Inle Lake
In addition to FISHING, the Intha people GROW vegetables and fruit in large gardens that FLOAT on the surface of the lake...�
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On the way to Pindaya
COWS are a COMMON SIGHT on Myanmar’s roads...”
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Pindaya Inle Inn
Overnight stay in SMALL CHALETS...”
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Shwe Oo Min Natural Cave Pagoda, Pindaya
This massive limestone CAVERN is filled with OVER 8,000 gilded BUDDHA STATUES...�
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The small town of Pindaya
The idyllic town of PINDAYA is situated at Pone Taloke Lake...�
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On the way to Mandalay
Cruising cross country...�
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Temple on way to Mandalay
Pagodas and Temples are EVERYWHERE...�
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Mandalay Hill, just behind your hotel
Sunset over MANDALAY...”
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Mandalay Hill Resort
A 12-acre Resort on the foot of Mandalay Hill ...�
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U-Bein Bridge, Mandalay
A BEAUTIFUL 1.2km structure built from TEAK PLANKS...”
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On the way to Mount Popa
OXCARTS are used to carry PASSENGERS, BUNDLES OF HAY, BAMBOO CANES and more...”
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On the way to Mount Popa
MONKS come in all SHAPES and SIZES...”
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On the way to Mount Popa
ROADSIDE VIEW...”
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The famous Popa Taungkalat monastery
An EXTINCT VOLCANO regarded as Myanmar’s Mount Olympus, in which SPRITS called NATS reside...”
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Bagan in central Burma is one of the world’s greatest archeological sites
TEMPLES and PAGODAS wherever you LOOK... it takes your BREATH AWAY...”
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The road from Bagan to Yenanyaung
WATER plays an IMPORTANT ROLE in peoples life...”
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Yenanayaung
The BEST PLACE to overlook the IRRAWADDY...”
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Sehtatgyi Paya in Pyay
A GIANT seated Buddha, sits eye-to-eye with the Shwesandaw Paya and WATCHING over it...�
The road to Ngapali
NARROW LANES... across the RAKHINE mountain range...”
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A school visit
HAPPY children welcome you at their SCHOOL ...�
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Area around Thandwe
FERTILE PLAINS around Thandwe...”
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Ngapali Beach
A BEACH PARADISE almost for yourself...”
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Ngapali Bay Villas
The PERFECT location to end the JOURNEY...”
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The Bay to Bengal
A SUNSET by the OCEAN...filled with MEMORIES of the JOURNEY...”
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