I wanted to do this post after I narrated the everyday adventure but the thought of knowing how poor have we become won’t let me rest. Haha! I didn’t even want to go out since we arrived on Thursday because of it. LOL But the husband was unusually restless. He went out on Friday and begged me to joined him on a movie with friends on Saturday (Train to Busan). All throughout, I felt like I was there but not really there. All I wanted to do is just sit down and track our damage, which I did this dawn. Slept around 3 AM just to get it all laid out. (Yeah, OC!) I wanted to write a post immediately but I remembered piktochart. I can’t make a post without it.
Today everything is ready. 🙂 I had an initial accounting on Friday while the husband was playing board games. I noted that we spent around 25K per person, almost the same amount with our Hongkong-Macau trip for 5 days but I forgot to include the flight fares and accommodations which were already paid plus our expense in Manila and some ATM charges. In all, we spent around 40K per person – that’s everything already. 10K less than my estimated 50K pocket money only. I actually thought we spent bigger since we had some extra splurges like the souvenirs and shopping which were not part of the estimates. Haha! See the details here. Everything is plotted – schedules, itinerary, expenses, transpo & accommodation.
Was it worth our money?
Of course! It was worth every penny. The joy of wanders is totally overwhelming. Much more to me since I loved everything about the trip since the planning. And being able to achieved everything that was planned is totally mind blowing. I attribute it all to God, to the good people of the place we’ve been to, especially to the husband who has been very supportive in everything. Once again, the Lord has shown me that nothing is impossible if you only put your mind and heart into it. People thought it was crazy – 4 countries in less than 2 weeks? Who’d do that? We JUST did. Crazy Couple, are we not?! 
Where’s the awesome pics?
As much as I wanted to share it now but this blog’s storage is unfortunately full already. And it might take some time to select favorites with an almost 8 GB of pics from Day 0 to Day 12. The husband did post our Go Pro selfies on his Facebook. That would be for now. Will find a way in the coming days. Hehe! Stay tuned. 🙂
The Itinerary
I had a very detailed itinerary in our planning board but on our next trip, I think I will adapt the new plotted itinerary found in our updated board. Putting in just the goals of the day is way better that OC-ing everything with time limits. Flexibility is much more fun. Also, I loved it that every time we arrived at a new place, the husband would just ask our target place to visit and then he will searched it on his maps and find a way to get us there either walking or bus or train. Well, you could do this if you have a very reliable and direction-savvy husband or travel partner especially if you are like me who is only good at planning but zero in directions and map reading. Hahaha!
Day 0 Cebu->Manila, Manila->Siem Reap
-Flight to Manila (unfortunately Cebu Pac doesn’t have Cebu->Siem Reap. Right now, there are only 5 international destination that can be reached directly in Cebu: Singapore, Hongkong, Taipei, Incheon, Tokyo-Narita. Maybe, we’ll have Singapore or Taipei next. The husband and I had a consensus not to do Korea and Japan anytime soon. Will blog about it on the coming days.)
-8 hours of lay-over
-Flight to Siem
-Late night hostel checkin
-Slept at Khmere’s Place
Day 1 Siem Reap, Cambodia (Currency spent: USD-cash on hand)
-Sunrise @ Angkor Wat
-Bayon, Baphoun, Royal Enclosure, Terraces of Elephants
-Checkout
-Lunch
-Bantay Kdei, Ta Phrom, Sunset @ Phnom Bakeng
-Night bus to Phnom Penh
Day 2 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Currency spent: USD-cash on hand)
-Early arrival in PhnomP
-SLA early check-in
-Killing fields 9-12 AM
-Lunch
-Toul Sleng 2-4 PM
-Royal Palace
-Independent Monument
– Buy tix to PP & Laos
-Slept @ SLA
Day 3-4 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Currency spent: VND-withdrawn)
Day 3:
-Checkout at SLA at 7AM
-Early departure to HCMC
-Checkin at Rich’s Place
-Afternoon & night in HCMC
-City walk to riverside & etc
-Book Cu Chi tunnel tour
-Slept @ Rich’s Place
Day 4:
-Checkout at Rich’s at 6AM
-Breakfast outside
-Left the big packs
at VietWay Tours
-Cu Chi Tour 8-230PM
-Bus back to PPenh 400 PM
-Arrive 10PM, slept
at Village Hostel
Day 5 Bus from HCMC, Vietnam ->PP, Cambodia ->Vientiane, Laos (Currency spent: USD, LAK-withdrawn in Pakse, Laos)
-Checkout at Village Hostel
-Van to Stung Treng 4AM
-Arrival in Stung Treng 12PM
-Van to Pakse1230PM
-Arrival in Pakse 500PM
-Dinner
-Night bus to Vientiane 830PM
Day 6 Vientiane, Laos (Currency spent: LAK)
-Arrival in Vientiane 7AM
-Early checkin @ Sing’s
-Rest & lunch after
– Buy tix to Vang Vieng
-Visit Buddha Park
-Riverside & night market
-Slept at Sing’s
Day 7-9 Vang Vieng (Currency spent: LAK-withdrawn in Vang Vieng)
Day 7:
-Checkout @ Sing’s
-Breakfast at karenderia
-Departure to VangV 9AM
-Arrival in VangV 1PM
-Checkin @ Nouth’s
-Rented a bike and do a tour
-Slept @ Nouth’s
Day 8:
-Free breakfast
-Join a half-day tour w/
Ziplining, Caving & Tubing
-Rent a motorbike
-Trek to Phon Ngern
Mountain
-Dinner & tried a Lao Massage
-Slept @ Nouth’s
Day 9:
-Free breakfast
-Motorbike to Blue Lagoon
-Checkout @ Nouth’s
-Left VangV @ 1PM
-Dinner while waiting for bus
-@ Sleeper bus by 8PM
-Slept @ bus
Day 10-11 Bangkok (Currency spent: BAHT-withdrawn in Nong Khai)
Day 10:
-Arrive in Bangkok at 6AM
-Early checkin not possible
-Left bag and do an early
temple visit @ Royal Palace
and Wat Pra Kaew
-Checkin at 3PM, slept
-Free dinner @ 7 PM
-Visit a board game cafe
-Slept @ Daniele’s
Day 11:
-Woke up late.
-Free brunch
-Checkout & left bag
-Visit Wat Pho
-Back to pickup bag
-Dinner @ airport
-Left bangkok at 12AM
Day 12 Flight out of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok
-Arrive in Mla at 4 AM
-Checkin at The Wings
-Slept until 12PM
-Free brunch
-Checkout at 1:30 PM
-Left Manila at 4:00 PM
-Home by 5:00 PM
-Dinner at Bigby’s til 10PM
Highlights:
-Able to withdraw VND, LAK & BAHT
-Affordable internet sim in Laos & Thailand
-All bus tix were bought on the day & were able to pick new sked thus extending
wander time.
-Tried a lot of means of transport
-Eat at street foods & cafes alike
-Able to bike & motorbike in Vang V
-Able to trek in Vang V
-Meet new friends in Cu Chi & Vang V tour
-Achieved the 4 country target with no bus sked aberrations & etc
-No bad experiences in people and etc
-Able to navigate on our own via maps
-Amazed by The Wings in NAIA 3
-Awesome trip!!!
TOTAL DAMAGE:
| Category | Cost |
| PRE-PAID (via credit card) | ₱18,831.40 |
| Ceb<->Mla; Mla->Siem; BKK->Mla |
₱10,802.40 |
| Accommodations | ₱8,029.00 |
| PAID DURING TRIP | ₱61,729.95 |
| Transport in between cities | ₱14,736.00 |
| Expenses* | ₱46,993.95 |
| TOTAL FOR TWO PERSONS | ₱80,561.35 |
| Per person cost | ₱40,280.68 |
Documents here:
Indochina in 11 Days (Cam-Vie-Lao-Tha) Infographic
Trip Details (Schedules, Itinerary, Expense, Transpo, Accommodation)
Accommodations:
| Date | Place | Link to Stay | Cost /Person (US$) | Total Cost (US$) | Total Cost (₱)* | Notes | |
| 1 | 8/20 – 8/21 | Siem Reap, Cambodia | Khmere’s Place | US$10 | US$20 | ₱942 | Sat Night, Booked |
| 2 | 8/22 – 8/23 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Local Riverside Guesthouse | US$10 | US$22 | ₱1,036 | Mon Night, Booked |
| 3 | 8/23 – 8/24 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Rich’s Place | US$13 | US$15 | ₱705 | Tue Night, Booked |
| 4 | 8/24 – 8/25 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Khmer Village Hostel | US$10 | US$20 | ₱960 | Wed Night |
| 5 | 8/26 – 8/27 | Vientiane, Laos | Singsanti’s | US$13 | US$15 | ₱802 | Fri Night, Booked |
| 6 | 8/27 – 8/29 | Vang Vieng, Laos | Lao Valhalla Bungalows & Restaurant | US$25 | US$25 | ₱2,641 | Sat,Sun Night, Booked |
| 7 | 8/30 – 8/31 | Bangkok, Thailand | Daniele’s | US$15 | US$15 | ₱943 | Tue Night, Booked |
| TOTAL | US$96 | US$132 | ₱8,029 | ||||
*US$1 = ₱48
Transportation:
| Date | From | To | Transportation (Ticketing/Bus) | Travel Time (hrs) | Cost /Person (US$) | Total Cost (US$) | Total Cost (₱)* | |
| 1 | 8/21 (Sun), 22:30 | Siem Reap, Cambodia | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Night Bus (Cambodia Angkor Express) | 7 | US$18 | US$36 | ₱1,728 |
| 2 | 8/23 (Tue), 08:00 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Day Bus (Phuong Heng (Sun Leang)) | 7 | US$15 | US$30 | ₱1,440 |
| 3 | 8/24 (Wed), 16:00 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Day Bus (Phuong Heng (Sun Leang)) | 7 | US$15 | US$15 | ₱1,440 |
| 4 | 8/25 (Thu), 4:30 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Stung Treng, Cambodia | Van (Sun Leang) | 7 | US$65 | US$130 | ₱6,240 |
| 8/25 (Thu), 12:30 | Stung Treng, Cambodia | Pakse, Laos | Van | 5 | ||||
| 8/25 (Thu), 20:30 | Pakse, Laos | Vientiane, Laos | Sleeper Bus | 11 | ||||
| 5 | 8/27 (Sat), 9:30 | Vientiane, Laos | Vang Vieng, Laos | Day Bus (Yortdoy Service) | 4 | US$5.50 | US$11 | ₱528 |
| 6 | 8/29 (Mon), 13:30 | Vang Vieng, Laos | Udonthani, Laos | Van (Southchai) | 6 | US$35 | US$70 | ₱3,360 |
| 8/25 (Thu), 20:30 | Udonthani, Laos | Nakhon Ratcha, Thailand | Sleeper Bus | 7 | ||||
| 8/30 (Tue), 3:00 | Nakhon Ratcha, Thailand | Bangkok, Thailand | Sleeper Bus | 3 | ||||
| TOTAL | 64 (2.67 days) | US$153.50 | US$307 | ₱14,736 | ||||
*US$1 = ₱48
Basically, above are the details that you will need if you ever want to do what we did. But maybe you can find a better option than do a crazy all day travel from Vietnam to Laos. You can also scrap Laos altogether like this itinerary.
When we book this trip, we didn’t really thought about what we will do. We just booked the cheapest flight that we found. Haha! You can do better. 🙂 That’s if you are willing to gamble like what we did here since basically, I didn’t find the same itinerary of what we did when we planned this. LOL Laos was the odd one out but I really wanted to visit Vang Vieng. No regrets though because Vang Vieng is way better than what I have dreamed of. 🙂
Finally this is it. 🙂 I will try my best to continue writing the everyday happenings but most of the non-personal details are already here. You can ask me anything if you have more questions about doing this adventure. If you ever thought about doing this, listen to that voice.
No matter what other people tell you, doing what you love is the best thing in the world EVER! Go and seize it. YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE so make the most out of it. 🙂 You can’t bring possessions to your grave but memories live forever.
Cheering on you,
Migo & Miga
This post is at TripZilla’s Blog. Shared also at TripZilla Philippines Facebook Page.
The WANDER (FULL) LIFE 
Very detailed and well written.
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thank you so much for dropping by!
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Hi! This is one of the best indochina itineraries I read. Is it okay to travel Indochina if your a first time to go other country? Di ba strict yung sa airpoirt nila?
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Hi itsmeklah,
Thank you. I think it’s Ok lang. We started in Cambodia, wala naman masyadong hassles.
God bless your travels,
Kring
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Then yung last stop nyo? saan?
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Sa Thailand!
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Reblogged this on Bloggers In NCR and commented:
A comprehensive itinerary and expenses of backpacking in Indochina from The Wanderfull Life!
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This is a very comprehensive guide indeed. I hope there is a Japan IT and expenses equivalent of this. Hahaha!
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Haha! Going to Japan soon? Maybe, I’ll just wait for your comprehensive guide too. 😀 We decided to have Japan and Korea last. 🙂
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Yes! I want to visit Japan soon. Probably next year. Haha!
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Well good luck on that! 🙂
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Very comprehensive and complete itinerary for Indochina travel! Wow! World-class level kayoo! Soon unta maka-tungtung pud ko aning mga placesss.. Thank you te krings! Worth sharing 🙂
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Thank you RK! Kaya ra kaau ni nimo oi! Basin more than 4 countries paka. Cheering on youuuu!
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Ganahan kaayo ko sa pictographs! 🙂 Helpful kaayo ni. Sundun ko ni puhon inyong IT and expenses.
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Na adik sad bitaw ko sa piktographs psyche! hehe
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Wow! Planning to do this too!
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It’s an amazing experience Jei. 🙂 When are you planning to go?
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Next year. I need to move from domestic to international travels. Hurray from bloggers like you who give so much details about their trips! See you out there!
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Thank you! Yip yip! See you out there! 🙂
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