Itinerary help?

[rslb75]

I apologize if this is in the wrong sub-forum, but I did find this to be the most fitting place.

 

I am looking to travel outside of the Caribbean for the first time and I am planning to visit Cambodia and Thailand. However, I do not know what would be the best use of my time. I am traveling solo, am a 23 yo male, and I am in good health. Being that I am not experienced at traveling in SEA, I do appreciate input as to whether this is too crammed together or if I should spend an additional day somewhere else. 

 

My flight/train cost is currently $800 (using points), so my remaining budget is about $1200 USD for food/hotel (airbnb) /excursions. I do think I will experience SOME nightlife, but that will not be an every evening thing as I want to be up early and dont care to be out on the town every night solo. I don't plan on being out past 1am ever, but could I run into the police and their random test scams? I am clean, but do take Adderall as prescribed and plan to stop taking 7 days prior and should be of zero-risk by the time I land in Thailand. I would still prefer to avoid as that is considered a Cat 1 drug there.

 

My current plan is to fly out of Chicago on 12/16/17 and land in Bangkok on 12/18 at 2am. I would then get a hotel and try to get on Thai time after a few hours of sleep and be out on the town by 8am. I would spend 3 days/2 nights in Bangkok. I would then take the overnight train to Chiang Mai and spend 3 days/2 nights in Chiang Mai. I would then fly to Siem Reap and spend 2 days/3 nights in Siem Reap, and then fly to Phuket and transfer to Phi Phi for 3 days/3 nights in Phi Phi, followed by 1/2 day/0 nights in Phuket before my flight home from Phuket at 2am on 12/30.

 

How high is the likelihood that I could get stuck on Phi Phi due to inclement weather/rough seas and not make my flight out of Phuket? This would be quite a problem as I could not afford a last minute one-way ticket home the following day.

 

Here is my planned itinerary: I am open to any suggestions...

12/18 - land in Bangkok at 2am, be settled in at hotel by 4am, out on town by 8am and see as many temples and explore the city as much as possible
12/19 - Ayutthaya Ancient Capital tour - 9hr tour, explore city at night
12/20 - Amphawa Floating Market and Maeklong Railway Market 
12/20 - Explore the town/see more temples and take the overnight train to Chiang Mai (Unless flight is recommended?) I would get a first class sleeper seat on train
12/21 - Explore Chiang Mai by foot/taxi
12/22 - Elephant nature park
12/23 - Explore town/temples and then take evening flight to Siem Reap
12/24 - Explore Angkor Wat 
12/25 - Explore Other Temples in Siem Reap
12/26 - Early AM flight to Phuket. Take Ferry to Phi Phi Island ~ Beach day
12/27 - Shark snorkeling tour and night snorkel & bioluminescent tour w/ The Adventure Club
12/28 - Island Hop / Snorkel / Beach
12/29 - Ferry back to Phuket/spend day exploring Phuket - Head to Airport after dinner
12/30 - 2AM flight back to Chicago

 

What do you guys think? Does this seem too rushed? I would like to see Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Siem Reap, and Phuket/Phi Phi in the 12 days/12 nights that I have in Thailand/Cambodia, so if I would need to re-order the trip or shift a day, that is not a big deal to me. I thought Phi Phi would be better since my flight is out of Phuket, but if people think Krabi or other islands would be better, I am open to advice!

 

Thank you!

[tonray]

I think you are way overthinking this. Just come and have fun, so many young travelers think they have to do a little of everything and see everything. I met a young gal on my flight a few weeks ago, coming into BKk, she was on Bike tour first day, then overnight train to Chiang Mai for 1 day, then back on plane to Phuket for 1 day.....stop and enjoy life a bit...it's not about how much you do or see but the quality of the experience. I learned a while ago that it takes at least a week to start to feel the rhythm of a city, and a good month before you fall into its groove. Just some advice from an old hand.

[CLW]

Take it slow! Spend more time where you like it and feel comfortable. Being in a rush will give you nothing except tiredness and that should not be the purpose of a holiday.
Remember you come to a new continent and country and don't know how things work.
Last year I did a trip to China, first time China for me. 17 days and nothing planned ahead except flights of course and the hotel for the first night.
Best holiday ever!

[rslb75]

Thank you guys for the advice - typically I would be more free winded and go with the flow as I usually do in the Caribbean..but, with it being peak season and Christmas time, I figure that the excursions that I would like to do may get booked for the days I am there. That's why I am kind of hesitating towards having hotels pre-booked/excursions booked in advance. But, perhaps I have over planned some. 

[CLW]

Bangkok will be not much busy as most people go to their home town.

Maybe your opportunity to see some places that are usually packed with people.

 

 

[ChomDo]

On 5/8/2017 at 7:06 AM, tonray said:

I think you are way overthinking this. Just come and have fun, so many young travelers think they have to do a little of everything and see everything. I met a young gal on my flight a few weeks ago, coming into BKk, she was on Bike tour first day, then overnight train to Chiang Mai for 1 day, then back on plane to Phuket for 1 day.....stop and enjoy life a bit...it's not about how much you do or see but the quality of the experience. I learned a while ago that it takes at least a week to start to feel the rhythm of a city, and a good month before you fall into its groove. Just some advice from an old hand.

Totally agree with this. Seems like quite a hectic plan unless you really want to be so active. I would say the temples are so overrated. Same as churches in Europe, if you've seen one you've seen it all. Of course if you're really into temples then I understand. Don't forget to visit a rooftop bar in Bangkok to get the amazing skyline views (some of the good ones include Moon Bar at Banyan Tree Hotel, Sirocco and Red Sky). At least in my own opinion Phuket is not one of the nicer islands in Thailand (Phi Phi is beautiful though) but if you have decided to go to that region it has a lot of nice little islands around (Such as Ko Ngai or Ko Lipe further south).  

[Rob13]

On 5/8/2017 at 6:48 AM, rslb75 said:

 

What do you guys think?

 

 

Slow down. Getting over jet lag with a few hours sleep and hitting the town at 8am, could happen...probably won't though. Give yourself a few days to acclimate. Your 1200 bucks can stretch 3 or four weeks depending.  I'd suggest removing a couple destinations from your itinerary to give yourself a more comfortable pace. 

[rslb75]

I was able to stretch the trip an additional (2) days. The way I have typically traveled the Caribbean/USA has been in a more hectic way with something planned nearly every other day. I am not a huuuuge fan of "down time" or just relaxing. I do enjoy being active and seeing different things. I certainly plan to visit the rooftop bars in Bangkok. 

 

Does anyone have advice for places to stay in Phuket? I have noticed many hotels are spread far across the city and some no where near the beach. 

 

Here is the new itinerary I am thinking of doing, which for many might still see this as hectic. 

 

12/17 - land 2am, acclimate to new time zone, easy day

12/18 - explore downtown and visit Bangkok weekend market

12/19 - visit local temples 

12/20 - Fly to Chiang Mai early AM  , explore city

12/21 - Elephant Sanctuary

12/22 - Explore temples

12/23 - Fly to Siem Reap early Am and explore city 

12/24 - Visit floating village

12/25 - Explore Angkor Watt

12/26 - Early AM flight to phuket, beach day

12/27 - Snorkeling/Tour islands

12/28 - Day trip to Krabi or Kayak sea caves

12/29 - Explore Phuket city/prepare for flight home on 12/30 2am

 

Being that I am traveling solo, I would prefer my schedule to be more filled with less nightlife/relaxing as I don't find that as fun when solo. Does this seem any more reasonable to some? 

[KittenKong]

Doesnt seem too hectic for a 23-year-old to me, if you like that sort of thing.

[rslb75]

Also, do any of you know if for these selected flights what would happen if I did not make my connecting flight? I am planning on booking through Delta on one multi-city itinerary. However, there will be two different airlines and two different flight numbers for the flight there and the flight home. I am worried as to whether or not I would get out on a different flight if I miss the connection or if I would be out of pocket. I plan on calling Delta when I have time, but thought maybe one of you knew or had an experience you could share. Thanks!