Thanks Alien, thats good news! Do they exchange RMB as well or is $ better rate? We are going at 10th. Might do some short hike but nothing extreme coz my gf is KM and She is small, so for her is all double distance :-), if u know what I mean. Im enthusiastic photographer ( www.photodiscovery.eu ), so Im interested in landscapes, old architecture like ruins, temples but also in local people in their natural environment. By recomendation I meant, some nice place aroud which worth to visit, in your opinion. There could be lots of tourist "traps" which I came accross many times on my jorney in asia. As I wrote above example: 6h boring hike in dark forest and slept in some local village which was authentic tribe stuff, but not worth such a long hike. I understand the local people need to make money somehow so I dont blame them. So next time I took moto and randomly went to some villages and on the way passed some scenic points which tour agents didnt consider as something interesting.

Thanks again for your reply!

Last year Ive got a visa on arrival 20 days, based on my return ticket. When I came on land from Laos I got 30 days no problem without requiring any proof of return. EU citizen.

In Ireland when smoking ban was introduced, many bars noticed "decrease" of customers, but actually it wasn't exactly the case. It happened on January, when after Xmas people don't spent much money anyway. In spring biz picked up again and even better coz from then even mums with kids could go to the pub have burger with chips etc. It actually had completly opposit effect then expected. Not sure how it would work in KM, but as a part-time smoker Im use to go out at front of the pub for smoke. We are not in north where temp. -20C, so not big deal.

Thanks Pete for reminding, I already had a chance to experience moskito kinda stuff hitting my face on the way back after sunset:-) I ll be ready this time.
Def.try this roasted duck, cant wait! I'd like to support local tour agency instead some opportunist, but if the price is to high 4 us, we just skip the trip. I can imagine that would be like ZOO think in Myanmar, where tourists come in groups and photographing local people from indiscreet distance.

Thanks gus for advice!
Alien: I suppose the weather is like in KM. I guess still need to pack some warm clothes. When I was in Laos last time the prices for hotel were 5-10$, food 1-5$ motorbike 5-7$, visa 25$ fpr EU 30$ CN. I believe that has changed. We r ( with my gf ) going on low backpackers budget so not sure if we can enjoy luxury experience of western food. I also remember that hiking ( tracking or what they call it ) trips were bit exp. 20-30$ per day, and it was about 6h walking in forest to some tribe village. Not much fun ( no scenic views or adventure ) during those 6 hours. So I prefer to rent moto and explore places my self.
Btw. could u recomend something, please?