Holidays to South Asia?(eg Thailand etc) Suggestions please? (£1000 Budget -3 weeks)

dawyldthing

Plus if you have 3 weeks it might be cheaper getting the buses as they are really cheap. They do take a while, but with time on your side it would be worth it as then you can use the money elsewhere

dawyldthing

I didn't realise I could do this but you can retrieve all your bookings on hostelbookers through one email. Here's the places we stayed at and we didn't have one bad place.

Sila Resort, Sukhothai, Thailand

Khaosan Rainbow Hostel and Guesthouse, Bangkok, Thailand

A Little Bird Guesthouse, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Khaosan Rainbow Hostel and Guesthouse, Bangkok, Thailand

Cheap Charlie's Backpacker Lodge, Patong Beach, Thailand

Good Dream Guesthouse, Krabi, Thailand

Rambuttri Village Inn & Plaza, Bangkok, Thailand

Some we had air on as it depended who would give in as I wanted to travel cheap but my friend wanted air con as much as possible. We also stayed at koh phaganan but I can't find where that was currently as I think my friend booked it

dawyldthing

http://www.saildiving.com/menu%20trip.html - this might be good to do in Karbi

http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/accomodation/hotel-availability-details.aspx?hguid=94256710-d901-4521-8a78-958c9ecc617b&id=1870763&selectedCurrency=GBP I've just found this, 33 quid for 4 nights and it says we can get the airport bus direct so would only cost 15 quid more and we would have the pool etc for the 4 nights and be near the Khao san road that you mentioned you wanted to be near (1.1km away, so about 600 m away and the review say its pretty quiet). As either way we won't get to the hotel until about 7 as we land at 3.15, about 2 hours through customs and the like then travel to it, check in and it will be about 6 or 7 before we get to the hotel














(T) Bangkok - 8th, 9th, 10th 11th - 33 quid acc for 4 nights?

http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/accomodation/hotel-availability-details.aspx?hguid=94256710-d901-4521-8a78-958c9ecc617b&id=1870763&selectedCurrency=GBP I've just found this, 33 quid for 4 nights and it says we can get the airport bus direct so would only cost 15 quid more and we would have the pool etc for the 4 nights and be near the Khao san road that you mentioned you wanted to be near (1.1km away, so about 600 m away and the review say its pretty quiet). As either way we won't get to the hotel until about 7 as we land at 3.15, about 2 hours through customs and the like then travel to it, check in and it will be about 6 or 7 before we get to the hotel

Things to do

Day 1 Jet lag- chill in hotel.

Day 2 Grand Palace £7.19 (350B) and all the temples near the hostel
Wat Po £1.03(50B)
Wat Arun £1.03
National Museum £1.03

Day 3 Chinatown ( free)

Day 4- shopping area/markets

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g293916-c127259/Bangkok:Thailand:Chao.Phaya.River.And.Khlong.Transportation.html

theres a tourist boat for 3 quid to use all day.


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(T) Bangkok to Krabi - 12th - 7.30pm - 10am - 26 quid



krabi/ao nang -13th,14th, 15th - (12 quid accomodation - youth hostel) maybe

http://www.hostelbookers.com/property/index.cfm?fuseaction=propertyDynamic.overview&intpropertyID=67630&strArrivalDate=2011-05-12&intNights=3

trips we could do

http://www.andamancampandcruise.com/trips/daytrips/hong_island.php - a boat trip, around 20 quid

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g297927-d456551-Reviews-Tiger_Cave_Temple_Wat_Tham_Sua-Krabi_Town_Krabi_Province.html - free




http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g297927-c112779/Krabi-Town:Thailand:Scuba.Diving.html - diving/ snorkeling, around 30 quid


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16th - Krabi to Koh Phanagan - Krabi to Surat Thani - 06.45 am - 09.45 am -

Surat Thani ferry to Koh Phanagan - 6pm - 8pm (possibly have some earlier, but its the main on on the seat 61 website)

http://www.ko-phangan.com/gettingthere.htm - boat costs about 4 pounds




or we can go on the boat all the way for 14 quid: http://www.thaihotelslinks.com/transfer/krabi_joint_ticket/

http://www.travelfish.org/transport/thailand/southern_thailand/surat_thani/surat_thani/all - or 6 quid on another boat




(T) Full Moon Party - 16th ,17th, 18th May: (16 quid acc - youth hostel) Koh Phanagan

http://www.hostelbookers.com/results/loc/dd/dst/6223/arr/2011-05-15/ngt/4/ - i think we might have to book cheap accomodation and then travel up to it.



http://www.kohsamui.org/villas


Koh Tao 19th, 20th - 10 quid acc for 3 nights

Koh Samui 21st

This link says that Koh Samui (a well known resort island) to the South and Koh Tao are all close to the full moon party one - http://www.horizonmuaythai.com/koh_phangan.html

Trips we could do

http://www.kosamui.com/around-the-island/ maybe a boat trip - : http://www.kosamui.com/snorkeling/samui-by-boat.htm about 15 quid

http://www.kohsamui.org/samui - the waterfall might be nice to see and theres thai boxing too.



http://www.kohsamui.org/tao - heres info about the other island


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(T) 22nd May - Koh Samui to Phuket - http://www.kohsamui-info.com/transportation/coach.html - 6 quid 07:30 - 15:00




Phuket - 23rd, 24th, 25th - 15 quid for 3 nights

this might be good for phuket

http://www.hostelbookers.com/property/index.cfm?fuseaction=propertyDynamic.overview&intpropertyID=61374&strArrivalDate=2011-05-22&intNights=4

Trips we could do

http://www.phuket-travel.com/sport/thai-boxing.htm - 26 quid, but i think if we booked it in resort it might be cheaper.




sea gypsie village



http://www.offtherails.com/chaoleh.html - these were on the tele, might be interesting visit


http://www.khaosok.com/package_detail.php?id=4

http://www.phuket-travel.com/nightlife/fantasea.htm - 4, 7 and 10 might be interesting.


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Phuket to Penang - 26th May

26th May - Phuket to Surat Thani 3.30pm - 8.30pm - 5 pounds for the bus

27th Surat Thani - Butterworth 12.50am - 1.51pm (then get on a ferry to Penang) - 20 quid?




(M) Penang - 27th, 28th, 29th (9 quid acc)

I can't find it on hostelbookers but its on hostelworld
http://www.hostelworld.com/findabed.php/ChosenCity.Penang/ChosenCountry.Malaysia?source=googleadwordsothernationalities&gclid=CJPFjpnev6gCFUtC4QodlCfQog

http://www.tourismpenang.net.my/top_10_picks_do.html
not too sure what to do there

Trips to do




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30th - Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur - 9.47pm - 5.40am - 7 pounds



(M) Kuala Lumpur - 31st, 1st, 2nd (12 quid acc)

http://www.hostelbookers.com/property/index.cfm?fuseaction=propertyDynamic.overview&intpropertyID=54930&strArrivalDate=2011-05-31&intNights=4

or

http://www.hostelbookers.com/property/index.cfm?fuseaction=propertyDynamic.overview&intpropertyID=5538&strArrivalDate=2011-05-31&intNights=4

maybe

Potential trips

http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/attractions/batu-caves.htm = 9 quid, which doesn't sound too bad

http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/frim-canopy-walk-selangor-malaysia/ - http://www.frim.gov.my/?page_id=839 - 5 pounds, might be interesting. (would link with the trip above)


http://www.sunway.com.my/lostworldoftambun/main.asp - http://www.sunway.com.my/onlineticketing/?webid=SLG&webname=Sunway Lagoon - its either 7 quid or 12 quid for a day in a water theme park.


http://www.rainforest-tamannegara.com/activities3.html - the river tubing might be good




http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/activities/10-things-to-do.htm
- theres seems to be quite a few good ones

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia/peninsular-malaysia-west-coast/melaka/things-to-do?page=2
it looks a little quirky place, could be knocked off if theres somewhere else to visit tho but maybe a different place


http://www.forestexplorers.com/msia/kelantan/kualakoh/index.html

http://www.rainforestresort.net/activities.html - different trips we could do there


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night of 3rd Kuala Lumpur to Singapore - 11.00pm - 7am or 9am - 4.41pm - 6 quid


(S) Singapore - 4th, 5th, 6th (24 quid for 3 nights)

http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Smeet-Home/Singapore/50273#

or http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Empire-Hostel/Singapore/30832# as even though its a bit more expensive it is a bit closer to everything.

Things to do:


http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/see-and-do/nature-and-wildlife/wildlife-parks-and-attractions/night-safari.html# - its 21 quid for the night safari and zoo for the day combined.

http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/whats-on/festivals-and-events/dragon-boat-festival.html = free

http://www-singapore.com/beyond-singapore/malacca.htm - we could do this as a day trip

(we might be better to get the train up as a) its cheaper and b) we can see more and visit somewhere on the way back 8th and 9th.


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Singapore to Chang Moi 7th June:

7th June - Singapore to Kuala Lumpur - 1.30pm - 8.17pm - 17 pounds

7th June - Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai - 9.15pm - 10.10am (9th) - 9 pounds

8th June - Hat Yai - Bangkok - 6.45pm - 9.55am (10th) - 23 quid

9th June - Bangkok - Chang Moi - 2.30pm - 5.10am (11th) - 12 pounds



or we can fly from Singapore direct to Chang Moi for 85 pounds and 10 pounds for the baggage, so its about 35 quid more but would save 3 days of travelling so we could spend longer somewhere else

or we could fly Hat Yai to Bangkok for 25 pounds.





Chang Moi -10th, 11th, 12th (12 quid for 3 nights)

Imm Eco Hostel, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Opened this spring in huge tropical gardens not far from the city centre, the Imm Eco hostel is like a boutique hotel with dorms - all contemporary Thai decor, with wooden floors and stylish furniture. There are 71 rooms, ranging from twin rooms with private bathrooms to dormitories sleeping up to 12. Facilities include outdoor pool, chill-out common room, library, gallery, TV and 24-hour shop, as well as a shuttle bus into town.


· From £6 in shared room without ensuite (0066 53 247 111; immhotel.com) found it on the guardian website.


or http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/A-Little-Bird-Guesthouse/Chiang-Mai/38414/reviews



Trips we could do

http://www.baanchangelephantpark.com/course/ - i think one of these might end up being the highlight of our trip and they are reasoably priced even for the few day trips. There are a few others: - 120 quid for 2 days

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g293917-d1151436-Reviews-Tiger_Kingdom-Chiang_Mai.html

http://www.tigerkingdom.com/Home.htm - it works out just over 10 quid.


other elephant ones:


http://www.changthai.com/mahout/ - for elephants

http://www.pataraelephantfarm.com/ - elephant one

http://www.thaielephanthome.com/programs/1-2-a-3-day-packages elephant one


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13th June Chang Moi to Bangkok - 9pm - 9.10 am - 9 quid


14th - Bangkok -

(night of 15th I will need to be at the airport cos I fly home on the 16th at 12 am in the morning.)



I've found this map which i think means we will be going in a full circle.




Here's what plan we had for 6 weeks. We didn't fully follow it and prices might have gone up since 2012, web links might have changed, but it might give you an idea

Doshwaster

dawyldthing wrote: »

I did, but I wouldn't say they were grotty places. Some had a fan instead of air con, but they were perfectly reasonable for ultimately somewhere just to put your head on at night, whether you pay £5 a night or £500 a night really it's a bed and a pillow so you are fresh for the day ahead. I've never got paying more for a room to be honest as it's rare when you get home you go 'oh I've been to Thailand' for someone to go 'was the room nice'

Air Con is now part of my minimum standard for accommodation in SE Asia but I have still stopped in some fantastic places for £10-15 a night with A/C, private bathroom, Wi-fi and breakfast. Unless you really want to treat yourself then there's no real need to spend more than that. As you say, it's just somewhere to sleep. You don't go to Thailand to spend time in your room.

The exception is in Bangkok where I like to spend a little more to get a decent hotel in a good location. After a long flight it is nice to have a bit of luxury to recover in. Even so, £40 a night will get you a 3-4* in Sukhumvit, Silom or Riverside.

One of the many great things about Thailand and SE Asia is that you can really spend as little or as much as your want on accommodation. There is an option for all budgets.

PompeyPete

Just taken the plunge on those Thomson flights to Phuket.
Outward 13 March, Return 11 April - 28 nights.
£732.96 for 2 tickets, and 1 x 20KG.
Will probably stay in Khao Lak for most of it, and maybe fly up to Udon Thani for a week on the Thai/Laos border at Nong Khai too.
I'll be aiming to keep close to a total of £2,000 for the lot.

Doshwaster

PompeyPete wrote: »

Just taken the plunge on those Thomson flights to Phuket.
Outward 13 March, Return 11 April - 28 nights.
£732.96 for 2 tickets, and 1 x 20KG.
Will probably stay in Khao Lak for most of it, and maybe fly up to Udon Thani for a week on the Thai/Laos border at Nong Khai too.
I'll be aiming to keep close to a total of £2,000 for the lot.

Sounds great. I just wish I could head off for a month like that but I have just started a new job so the 2015 travel opportunities are going to be limited.

That really is a fantastic price - even if it is with Thomson. The luggage limitation isn't a problem as you can travel very light in that part of the world. I always laugh at the people you see at the airport with huge amounts of luggage.

Anyway, I'm off to the airport now to fly to Cyprus until the New Year.

19lottie82

Vietnam and Thailand are both amazing. Jan / fen is peak time tho so as others have advised you won't have much change left from £1k after your flights.......although it is cheap when u get there

NiftyDigits

Doshwaster wrote: »

Sounds great. I just wish I could head off for a month like that but I have just started a new job so the 2015 travel opportunities are going to be limited.

That really is a fantastic price - even if it is with Thomson. The luggage limitation isn't a problem as you can travel very light in that part of the world. I always laugh at the people you see at the airport with huge amounts of luggage.

Anyway, I'm off to the airport now to fly to Cyprus until the New Year.

It's on the Dreamliner, so surely it can't be that bad. Would probably take my own snacks and entertainment just in case.

NiftyDigits

19lottie82 wrote: »

Vietnam and Thailand are both amazing. Jan / fen is peak time tho so as others have advised you won't have much change left from £1k after your flights.......although it is cheap when u get there

Have you been following the thread? The flights can be considerably less.

PompeyPete

NiftyDigits wrote: »

It's on the Dreamliner, so surely it can't be that bad. Would probably take my own snacks and entertainment just in case.

Flew back from Barbados to LGW with Thomson, on a Boeing 767-300 (Dreamliner look-alike) 4 weeks ago.

Excellent flight, service, and included meal and several drinks, plenty of leg room but slightly narrow seats. Better than some some scheduled flights we've done in recent years.