Traveling solo to Cambodia and Laos

Tips on traveling in Cambodia and Laos.

Solo in Cambodia and Laos

Q: I am hoping to visit Cambodia and Laos. Do you think this is safe for a single female traveler? I am interested in midrange accommodations, and it would be great if I could book an independent tour that included transportation and hotels. Are there any tour operators you recommend? Should I book an open-jaw ticket for the international portion? What would be a good itinerary for a one- to two-week trip? Thanks!

— Abbie

A: Your main destinations in that time frame will be Siem Reap in Cambodia and Luang Prabang in Laos. You could fly round-trip Seattle-Bangkok, and then book a separate leg on one of the discount airlines that would take you from Bangkok to Siem Reap to Luang Prabang and back to Bangkok.

You'll be perfectly safe going on your own, but if you want the safety net of an arranged tour package, you might look at what's offered by Intrepid Travel, www.intrepidtravel.com, or Imaginative Travellers, www.imaginative-traveller.com. Both specialize in small-group and independent tours. If you decide to go on your own, you won't have problems. Both cities have a wide range of comfortable and safe accommodations. It's easy to arrange local transportation and guides once you arrive.

— Carol Pucci

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