Driving To And In Cambodia And Laos

[Valjean]

I’m thinking of doing a driving trip from Bangkok down to Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh then north up into Laos to Vientiane and Luang Prabang and back to Bangkok. I have 16 days for the trip. Don’t mind a few long driving days here or there but don’t want a lot. Have Toyota Fortuner.

Some questions

How long is the drive from Bangkok to Angkor Wat? Vientiane to Bangkok?

What would you figure as an average driving speed in this area? Something like 70 KMH?? I want to be realistic about how much ground we can cover. Phnom Penh to Vientiane is 1337 KM.

Has anyone done this trip? Is it possible with roads, visas, safety, etc?

Recommendations? Things to see, places to go? Especially not the top and obvious attractions.

Are there web sites that are good resources for such a trip?

Thanks for the help,

[Rooo]

That can get you started Valjean

http://www.geocities.com/asiaoverland2000/index.html

[taxexile]

try here too ,

http://www.driveindochina.com/main.htm

this is a company that organises self drive tours through indochina , in your own vehicle.

[davidgtr]

You could also try the GT Rider board for lots of photos & trip reports by motorcyclists living & riding in the region

[jdinasia]

You'll need the "car passport" to cross the Thai border into Laos .... no way you'll manage 70kmh outside of the road from PP-Siem Reap ....

The roads from BKK to Vientienne are great .... nice drive ... can do it in a day .. but for New Years we drove to Kohn Kaen the first day (7 hours?) then to nongkhai the next day 2 hours ....

Edited May 8, 2006 by jdinasia

[Valjean]

Thanks all for the links and info!