Isaan Explorer – Discover the Northeast

Day 1: Bangkok – Khao Yai   (-/L/D)

Early morning pick up from your hotel in Bangkok and drive to Nakhon Nayok, about 100 km northeast of Bangkok.  At the local fruit-market, you can taste and purchase some fresh Thai fruits according to season. Continue on into Khao Yai National Park, one of Thailand’s premier national parks, covering an area of 2,168 sq. kms. Enjoy a trekking through the park with the calls of gibbons echoing through the forest canopy and visit Heo Sawat, one of the best-known waterfalls in Thailand.

Leave the park and check in to a nearby resort.  Just before dusk head to a nearby cave for the spectacle of millions of bats swarming out for their night’s hunting. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the resort.

Day 2: Khao Yai – Buriram   (B/L/D)

After breakfast set of on the 120-km drive to Buri Ram Province. Visit Wat Prasat Phanom Rung, an ancient Khmer temple complex dating from the 12th Century. This It was constructed by the same Khmer rulers who built Pimai and Angkor Wat. Also visit Tham Muang, about 15 km away from Phanom Rung. Overnight at a hotel in Buriram.

Day 3: Buriram – Kong Chiam   (B/L/D)

After breakfast visit another ancient Khmer temple complex, the Prasat Si Khoraphum, built about 800 years ago. Afterwards set off for Kong Chiam in Ubon Rachathani Province. This small scenic town sits at the confluence of the Moon River into the Mekong Rivers. In the late afternoon ride out on a small motorboat to the spot where the warm brown waters of Mekong water meet with the blue-green chilly waters of the Moon River.  The contrast is clear and particularly impressive during the rainy season. Overnight at a local resort.

Day 4: Kong Chiam – Mukdahan   (B/L/D)
After breakfast drive to the remote National Park Phathem 15 kms from Kong Chiam. It is well known for its bizarre rock formations, and more than 3,000-year old rock paintings. Then take a longer trek to a vantage point with a beautiful view across the Mekong valley.  Continue the on to Mukdahan, a town located on bank of the Mekong River. Dinner and overnight at a local resort.

Day: Mukdahan – Nong Khai   (B/L/D)

Set off after breakfast and drive to Nakhon Phanom and visit Prathat Phanom, a very famous temple built in the Laotian style. Continue to Ban Chiang, about 50 km from Udon Thani, where you can see the remains of human settlement dating back more than 5,000 years. Excavation work is still in progress and the beautifully designed museum gives you information about prehistoric human society in this region.  Make a short stop in Udon Thani for lunch and then continue the last 50 kms to Nongkhai, where you will arrive mid afternoon.  Visit the spectacular Sala Kaew Ku or Wat Kek before checking into a riverside resort. Explore the market along the bank of the Mekong River where goods from all over Indochina and China can be found. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the Mekong River.

Day 6:  Nong Khai - Loei    (B/L/D)

After the breakfast, set off on the road that follows the Mekong as it weaves its way to Si Chiang Mai and then Chiang Kham, with beautiful views along the way. Enjoy lunch a local restaurant.  In the late afternoon you will arrive in Loei, the highest-and coolest city in Thailand. Overnight at resort near town.

Day 7:  Loei – Dansai   (B/L/D)       

Today make a very early start and and drive about 40 km and drive up into the mountains to Phu Luang National Park. Phu Luang National Park is known for its wide variety of plant species, including over 200 different species of orchids. There are also still about 120 wild elephants and other large mammals in the park. Enjoy walking in the park and trying to spot wildlife.  Mid afternoon, head back down to Dansai and check in to boutique eco-resort surrounded by lush greenery. Dinner and overnight at the resort.

Day 8 : Dansai – Khon Kaen - Bangkok   (B/L/)   

After breakfast, set off on the journey back to Bangkok, heading first to Khon Kaen, a drive of about 4 hours. Stop in Khon Kaen, the largest city in the upper Northeast, to have lunch and explore the city. Late afternoon, transfer to the airport for the flight back to Bangkok.

Note: Clients wishing to go to Laos may return to Nong Khai on Day 8.

 Services included:

•             Private air-conditioned transport and transfers

•             Accommodation  as mentioned in the programme

•             Local English-speaking guide

•             Meals as mentioned in the programme

•             All entrance fees for visits included in the programme

Services not included:

•             Additional soft drinks/alcohol

•             Personal expenses

•             Tips for guide and driver

•             Domestic and international flights

•             Travel insurance

Please be advised:

In some villages you may not be allowed take pictures of people and some places may be out of bounds to visitors. If you wish to take photographs or are unsure whether an action is appropriate, please ask your local guide for advice.

Responsible mind:

The villagers’ income from tourists is to help support the community and preserve its way of life. We have designed our tours to provide them with job opportunities and a sustainable way of maintaining their cultural heritage and to offer an alternative to illegal activities like mineral exploration, deforestation and hunting wildlife.

Back to:  Northeast Thailand