Uber cheap flight tickets, booked one year in advance, kicked-off my dream of finally embarking on a 10-week trip to Indochina. This well-trodden backpacking trail passes through countries located in the mainland part of South East Asia such as Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

I didn’t have much time to plan any concrete itinerary or schedule. I even packed for the long trip a few hours before I left home. I knew traveling around the main tourist sites in Indochina would be easy because of its legendary popularity among backpackers. It’s definitely one of those places where you’re better off not over-planning.

Photo summary of my 10-week trip around Indochina. An overload of ancient ruins, breathtaking natural scenery, temple-hopping marathons, history lessons, and intact cultural traditions.

Weeks before the trip, instead of planning and getting excited on amazing places I’ll be visiting, I spent unhealthy amounts of sleepless nights in front of the PC trying my best to recover from a recent major financial loss. Pushing through with my planned travels for the rest of the year was the least of my concerns. I was scared a big dent in my savings could make it even harder for me to continue living this digital lifestyle I wanted for myself.

My situation thankfully started to improve. I wasn’t earning remotely close to how much I used to (or was used to) but it was, at least, enough to make me feel like there was still hope.

If there was one critical lesson I learned during my travels, it’s listening and trusting your gut feeling. If you have things you really want to do but fear is holding you back, just go for it! Those desires are best satisfied while the fire is still burning.

My 10-week Indochina route itinerary

I started with an overnight layover in Malaysia since I booked flights with AirAsia, which only flew to Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu (at the time). I meant to start my trip in the Thai City of Chiang Mai. It was my homebase for 3-weeks before I traveled around the rest of Northern Thailand for the remainder of my 30-day visa.

I crossed overland to Laos. Traveled southwards for a little over two weeks then crossed the border to Cambodia. Vietnam was so close, I wasn’t able to resist a quick 3-day side trip :)

Before the month was over, I backtracked to explore more of Cambodia then headed to Bangkok to catch a flight to Myanmar where I spent the last two but very memorable weeks of the trip.

Pre-trip

• Iloilo to Manila, Manila to Clark, Clark to KL
• Surviving an overnight layover in KLIA-LCCT

Northern Thailand

• KL to Chiang Mai flight
• Three weeks in Chiang Mai
  • Within the old city walls of Chiang Mai
  • Wat Jet Yod
  • Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
  • Mae Ya Waterfall and Doi Inthanon National Park
• Trekking and rafting in Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, Tak Province
  • Thi Lor Su Waterfall (Tallest Falls in Thailand)
• Kamphaeng Phet
• Sukothai
• Phrae
• Chiang Rai
  • White Temple of Chiang Rai
  • Black Houses of Chiang Rai

Laos

• Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang (Chiang Klong-Huay Xai border crossing)
• Luang Prabang
• Nong Khiaw
  • Muang Ngoi Neua
• Vang Vieng
• Vientiane
  • Applying for Myanmar tourist visa in Vientiane
• Bolaven Plateau
• Champasak
  • Vat Phu

Cambodia

• Champasak, Laos to Cambodia (Veun Kham-Dom Kralor border crossing)
• Kratie
• Phnom Pehn

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

• Phom Pehn to Ho Chi Minh
• Walking tour of Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), Vietnam

Siem Reap, Cambodia

• Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap
• Angkor Archeological Complex
  • Angkor Wat Big Circuit
  • Bantay Srei
  • Roulous Group
• Hotel1961, botique hotel in Siem Reap

Bangkok

• Siem Reap to Bangkok
• Khao San Road
• Shopping in Bangkok (Siam area, Platinum Mall, Asiatique)

Myanmar

• Preparing for trip to Myanmar
• Bangkok to Yangon, Myanmar flight
  • Don Meuang Airport
• Yangon
• Bagan
• Mandalay
  • Ancient cities of Upper Myanmar
    • Innwa
    • Amarapura
    • Sagaing
  • Mingun
• Hsipaw
  • Mandalay to Hsipaw via Pyu In Oo
• Kyaiktiyo Golden Rock