overland crossing cambodia - laos

This topic was created by Ivo (ivoke@innet.be)
[Tue 18 May, 4:32 Tasmanian Standard Time]

In 2 months I wouls like to cross overland from Cambodia
(say Siem Reap) into Laos.
Is this possible, save, fun?
Who knows?

[There are 5 posts - the latest was added on Thu 20 May, 7:12]

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  1. NO WAY Added by: Robyn
    [Timestamp: Tue 18 May, 19:46 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I work at the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh and know the
    Immigration goss here, so please do not dismiss what I say.
    The Laos-Cambodia border is not open, is not legal and
    isn't safe.



  2. Not wisely Added by: Spamair (hodpp@hotmail.com)
    [Timestamp: Wed 19 May, 3:04 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Maybe it could be fun, perhaps the last fun, but definetely
    not easy and right now illegal as there are not opened
    border point between the countries, and need cross some of
    the dangerous places in both countries, a real adventure
    but perhaps too much to tempt luck.



  3. Maybe they┤re right Added by: Mr. Sensible (Forgot)
    [Timestamp: Wed 19 May, 3:08 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I wouldn┤t even dare to think about it. Why not Afganistan
    or Argelia, maybe wiser alternatives.



  4. laos Added by: pikey
    [Timestamp: Wed 19 May, 19:42 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Sth Laos is entirely safe & there is a border crossing for
    locals. Come with a Cambodian Visa & you might get stamped,
    I'm sure a few greenbacks will speed that up. Nth cambodia
    is safe if you keep away from the mekong & the roads closer
    to Phomn Phenh were bandits operate, never travel in the
    dark. There are also a few airplanes between PP & Nth
    towns. Don't take ferries down the mekong. Have a great
    time& keep your ear to the ground



  5. Cambodian-Lao border station Added by: Stephan
    [Timestamp: Thu 20 May, 7:12 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    You can get up the road northwards from Stung treng by
    motobike charter to the border crossing with Laos; a tough
    trip over a completely beaten road; it took me 5 hours in
    April 98 - dry season; and even then at a lot of places in
    the jungle the road was moisty and wet. What's more, the
    whole area is totally deserted; the last village you'll
    pass is about 8 km north of Stung Treng; from there it is
    still ca. 50 km before you'll get to Dong Kro Lo, the
    border station of Cambodia that consists of one single
    wooden shack; It is very clear and obvious that this
    forgotten road is not used anymore and there even is no
    local traffic or border trade going over this track. This
    means that this routing will stay still a long time "off
    limit" and you can forget about border crossings Cambodia -
    Laos for still many years. On my way to the border I passed
    some very beautifull small ranges of thick jungle. Most of
    the way the vegetation is lowgrowth bushes and a some
    tracks of illegal logging can't be missed; this might be a
    potential danger if you run into these culprits - I didn't
    pass or saw nobody on my moto-trip. At the border point,
    you'll meet two lone officials, they welcome you friendly
    and you are allowed to go over to the Lao side of the
    border; however there you can't go any further; the
    Laotians are not in the bribing mood and you must return.
    The whole trip is quite an adventure - be sure to take
    along enough water and drinks with you because there is
    nothing along the way and at Dong Kro Lo there also nothing
    is to be found, into Laos the Laotian officials don't even
    let you pass to ride up to the first Lao village some 10 km
    further northwards; I had to sent my Cambodian guide
    driving over there to buy me some stuff because I was
    hungry and thirsty. At the small track of land between the
    two border stations, you can still admire a high stone
    pillar from colonial cement construction that marks the
    border line.
    So if you want to try this adventure, be sure you take
    along an english speaking Cambodian who knows the area
    well, don't even think of going alone - I encountered s.o.
    working with Unicef who joined me. Figure on a full day
    trip; the real danger that I encountered (in dry season !!!)
    is esp. weather conditions - if you get caught by a sudden
    rainshower, the road becomes that slippery that simply
    moving on becomes almost impossible and you will have to
    wait until it dries up, meaning losing a lot of time and
    spending the night under the stars in the jungle ! but it
    is definately a real adventure you will never forget.




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