Day 1:
Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Korat
Depart from
Bangkok to Ayuthaya, which is beautifully located on an island at the
confluence of three rivers. Visit Wat Chaiwathanaram occupying a
magnificent position on the West bank of the Chao Phraya River. Drive
through the historical part of this former capital of Siam and then
continue to Pimai via Korat. En route short stop at Wat Thep Phitak
Punnaram to see the impressive white marble Buddha nicely located on
a hill, and visit of a local fruit market at Klang Dong. Lunch at local
restaurant. Continue to the charming little town of
Phimai
northeast of Korat, known for the magnificient Khmer sanctuary of Prasat
Hin. Visit the museum and Historical Park. Return to Korat with a short
stop at one of the biggest Banyan Trees in Thailand. Dinner.
Overnight : Sima Thani Hotel / Nakhon Ratchasima
Day
2: Korat - Surin
Early morning , after breakfast return to Phimai – visit
Phmai
National Museum , Prasat Hin Phanom Wan,
this 12th-century sanctuary although small, the ruins are
impressi ve for both their architecture and their air of serenity. Visit
the pottery
village
of
Dan Kwain,
the region of Korat is famous for its beautifully crafted pottery. Lunch
on the way. Continue to Surin , check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit
Prasat Ta Muan, the most eocative of Surin ‘s ancient Khmer
ruins. The site comprise three separate sanctuaries within a few hundred
metres; Prasat Ta Muan , Ta Muan Tot and Ta Muan Thom.
Back to hotel
Overnight : Thong Tarin Hotel / Surin
Day 3
: Surin – Phanom Rung - Ubon Ratchathani
After
breakfast enjoy sunrise at Phanom Rung, which is the finest Khmer
Temple in Thailand and gives more than only a good idea of Angkor Wat in
Cambodia. Similar in layout to Phimai, both monuments are believed to
have been the prototype for the famous Angkor Wat. Close by there is
Muang Tam, another impressive Khmer temple predating Phanom Rung
by about 120 years. After lunch at a local restaurant visit
Prasat Sikhoraphum, Prasat Hin Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai ,
Kamphaeng Noi . Check in at hotel
Overnight : Thosang Hotel / Ubon Ratchathani
Day 4
: Ubon Ratchathani - Khao Phra Viharn -- Khong Chiam
After
breakfast, depart for Khao Phra Viharn, one of the most
spectacular locations of any monuments in South-East Asia, at the top of
a steep escarpment and majestically overlooking Cambodia. Although
physically standing on Cambodian territory, the only practical access is
from Thailand and therefore no visa is requried. This unique
constellation makes a visit to this hilltop temple even more challenging
and fascinating. After lunch at local restaurant, proceed to Khong
Chiam via Ubon Ratchathani. Dinner.
Overnight : Tohsang Khongjiam Hotel/ Ubon Ratchathani, which is
beautifully overlooking the Mekong River.
Day 5
: Traking at Pah Taem - Khong Chiam
After
breakfast, depart to Pha Taem National Park to see the
pre-historic cliff paintings, which date back some 2000 to 3000 years.
After familiarizing yourself at the
Visitor
Center located on top of this massive rock formation, walk down the
trail from where you will not only see the cliff paintings, but can also
enjoy superb views of the Mekong river and neighboring Laos.
Afternoon drive back to hotel, relaxing with beautiful view of
Mekong river and Moon river.
Overnight : Tohsang Khongjiam Hotel / Ubon Ratchathani
Day
6: Ubon Ratchathani - Mukdahan - Nakhon Phanom
After
breakfast, proceed to Mukdahan visit the famous
Indochina
market where products from the
Mekong countries (Vietnam,
China, Laos and Cambodia) are sold to local people. Continue to Nakhorn
Phanom. En route visit the famous Thai temple
Wat Phra
That Phanom.
Arrive in Nakorn Phanom, a small and charming town on the Mekong River
and check in at Nakorn Phanom River View Hotel.Enjoy a late afternoon
boat ride on the mighty Mekong River to see the panoramic view of the
rugged
Central
Laos Limestone Mountains and the simple and laid-back way of life of
people along the river.
Overnight: Nakorn Phanom River View Hotel/Nakorn Phanom
Day
7: Nakorn Phanom - Sakhon Nakhon - Udon Thani - Bangkok
After
breakfast, visit the former house of Ho Chi Minh, the famous Vietnamese
hero, who lived here for 7 years in the 1920s. We then continue the
journey to visit Wat Phra Thad Choeng Chum, which is an ancient
Sakon Nakhon historical site. This plaster-covered brick pagoda has a
square base and is 24 meters high. The chapel houses the holy Luang Pho
Ong Saen Buddha image. Afterwards you will visit Phra Thad Narai
Cheng Weng sanctuary, built by and named for the wife of a 10th-11th
century Khmer ruler. Local people now call it "Phra That Na Weng".
Originally part of a Khmer Hindu complex, the prang has exquisitely
carved lintels portraying Shiva and a reclining Vishnu. Lunch will be
served at a local restaurant, after which you will visit Baan Chiang
National Museum near Udon Thani: Ancient artifacts, including tools,
utensils, pottery and jewelry, between 4000 and 7000 years old, were
unearthed in the immediate vicinity. The distinctive pottery, with its
fingerprint whorl decorations, is believed to be the world's oldest
decorative earthenware. Nearby burial pits, left as they were after
excavation, in the compound of Wat Po Si Nai, show how valuables,
including earthenware pots, were buried with the dead. Evidence of
primitive bronze casting technology was discovered in the area, and in
1992 UNESCO declared Ban Chiang a World Heritage Site. Continue the
drive to Udon Thani town for an early dinner prior to your transfer to
Udon Thani airport for an evening flight back to
Bangkok
(TG 019
20:25-21:25hrs).Upon arrival in
Bangkok,
transfer to your hotel.
Departure : Daily.
Note : Tours are by air-condition car or van (
private )
Price : Please
check the price
for the time you would like to travel
