NORTH EAST THAILAND : THE ISAN - MILLENNIUM LAND
8 Nights tour - 9 days departure Bangkok

DAY 1

Departure from Bangkok around 10 am, we will head off for the Khorat plateau which spreads over the province of north eastern Thailand.  On the edge of this region and considered as a sentinel, the Wat Thep Pitak temple dominates the plateau with its 30 year old big Buddha standing 50 metres high and weighing 3 thousand tonnes.  Lunch in local style and admire the panoramic view over lake Lamtklong.  Continuing the visit, we will enter the mountainous Kho Yai National Park covered one of the largest forests of south-east Asia.  Navigating the jungle on the roads and paths maintained by the National Park authorities, and observing the gibbons and monkeys in their natural habitat along the way, the route brings us to the impressive Nam Tok Hez Suwat falls.  At nightfall, after embarking on a Park vehicle, a night tour of the jungle and its inhabitants opens up before us.  Observe the night time activities of deer and other species, and with a bit of chance an elephant, boars, a tiger or even a leopard. The Park also has an important population of bird species.  After our nocturnal adventure, a dinner at the Bonanza hotel (or equivalent) is welcome followed by a good nights rest.

DAY 2

After breakfast the morning programme takes us to discover the Khmers temples.  The first visit is around 20 kms north of Korat at the PRASAT HIN PHAMON WAN temple.  Originally a place of Hindu worship (end 9th century), the sandstone structure leads us to believe that the monument as seen today dates from the 13th or 14th century.  Continuing north for 25 kms the tour takes us to Ban Prasat, the most ancient archaeology site in the region.  Numerous pottery and ceramics relics believed to be three thousand years old have been discovered in this ancient agricultural vicinity.  After a short lunch break, enter the historical National Park PRASAT HIN PHIMAI and discover both its beauty and environment.  This is the only khmer temple (d'Angkor period) of such importance present in urban surroundings.  PHIMAI continues to survive encircled by a town which has remained unchanged for centuries.  After the emotion of the days cultural visits,  the evening and night will be spent in Nakon Ratchasima (derived from the ancient name KORAT) at the Sima Thani hotel (or equivalent In late afternoon you may like to visit the town by cycle taxi before dining in town and wandering around the  Thanon Manat night time bazaar

DAY 3

Petit déjeuner à l'hôtel puis départ. Breakfast.  The first visit of the day is to Dan Kwian renowned for its potters and the beauty of their ancient techniques.  Further on we will discover the village of Pak Thong Cha, famous for its silk production.  Continuing on after lunch for around 70km until the village of Buri Ram, with its Angkor style temple, Phanom Rung, which was built during the 10th and 12th century.  This striking temple possesses two advantages; it dominates the plain perched on its two hills, and gives the impression of touching the sky!
Another few kms on, the Prasat Meuang Tam temple, dating from the 11th century, contrasting with the latter is surrounding by water and called -the city below-.  After this visit the road leads us east along the Cambodian border line and through numerous hamlets and villages.  In the jungle and on the Thailand - Cambodia boundary discover Ta Meuen, three ancient buildings dating from the end of 12th century/beginning 13th century.  The last of these, Ta Meuen Thom has a magnificent upper south east view over Cambodia territory.  Similar buildings can be found erected every 15 to 20 kms along the kingdoms perimeter.  Dine in local Isan style and spend the night in Ubon and at the Lai Thong Hotel (or equivalent) Ubon is the largest of the north-east provinces and its capital one of the most important of Thailand.  You may visit the night time market which is held near the river and open from dusk to dawn!

DAY 4

After breakfast our circuit continues on east and arriving rapidly at the small village of Pibun to see the local fabrication of gongs.  Carrying on further east still, the road takes us to the confluence of the river Mun and the famous Mekong.  Unknown to tourists, the Thai come in hoards to admire the "river of two colours" at the joining of Mun and Mekong and their contrasting colours.  Embarking on canoes we will journey through the marriage of these rivers and along the river Mun for several kms and watch the local fishermen at work.  During this river ride we will debark on the opposing river bank of Mekong and observe the day to day life of Loas, and the commercial village of Kontiem.  Settle in the Tohsang Khongjiam Resort (or equivalent) before lunching on the river bank of the majestic Mekong.  After a short rest, the tour will take us on to the Pha Team National Park to visit the high cliff, several hundreds of metres long and covered with prehistoric paintings around 3000 years old.  These friezes consist of many fishes, giant cat fishes, elephants etc.  On the plateau above the cliff is an information centre which houses an exposition on the local geology.  Late afternoon we will return to the hotel for diner and night.

DAY 5

Following breakfast we will depart for Kemarat, the large agricultural area bordering the river Mekong.  To get there we must take a small route traversing the occasional hamlet and descending the river for around 100 kms.  Once in Kemarat you will be invited to experience a day with a local family, sharing their peasants, traditions and work on their Isan land.  The meals will be taken together, seated on traditional rush matting and tasting the regional and local cuisine.  We will participate in a regional ceremony organised for various occasions such as birthdays or holidays, and called "the sacred cord", or "bai sïi" en thai!  An ancient-one presides the ritual which joins the honoured guests together tying white cords around their wrists to protect them from evil spirits! You are invited to visit the interior of the properties and learn the secrets of the rice culture.  A most memorable day which includes surprises and local demonstrations helping us discover and understand the rhythms of this different culture.

DAY 6

At daybreak, breakfast in pure Thai tradition and help out with the local morning work chores.  During the morning, and after a visit to the market, we set off north again, still following the river Mekong which will accompany us throughout the day.  Around midday we'll pass through Mukdhan renowned for its beautiful riverbanks, but above all for its market centre where you can find many importations from Indochina including pan flutes, cloth etc.  We'll continue our journey towards That Phanon and its temple, the construction of which is believed to have started 1500 years ago, passing through the village of Renu Nakhon with its cotton fabrications and regional motifs.  At Nakhon Phanom we will move into the Nakhonphnom River View hotel and be able to admire the colours of sunset over the Mekong.  The panoramic view of the river is exceptional with a back drop of the opposing river bank and distant mountains giving a wonderful depth to the landscape. 

DAY 7

After a panoramic breakfast, the tour heads off towards the Sakon Nakhon province.  All will appreciate the first halt at the swampy Nong Han Lake and the promenade along the quay observing the large variety of vegetable and animal life.  Before embarking on the second stage of our days' journey, we will take a short break in a small, popular restaurant in the heart of the Isan Plateau for a taste of local cuisine.  The afternoon brings us to the ancient cemetery site of Ban Chiang where we will visit the National Museum.  These evacuations have unearthed many human skeletons and pottery, the most ancient being over 5000 years old.  This primeval agricultural society is known for its early usage of bronze and clay and the region is classed by UNESCO as a world patrimony site. The archaeological city is situated amongst a population of typical Laos ethnics who settled in the area around two centuries ago.  We may visit the border village of Nong Khai at the foot of the Laos-Thai "Friendship Bridge" which spans the Mekong, and see the few remaining Franco-Chinese architectural buildings.  An evening meal will be taken on the river bank and the night at the Nong Khai Grand hotel (or equivalent).

DAY 8

Following breakfast we'll set out, on the last day of the circuit, to discover the life, culture and natural beauty of the vast regions of east Thailand.  This cocktail of culture, religion and nature is found during our morning tour of the Phra Phuttabaht Bua Bok Park.  The Park shelters a curious mixture of prehistoric paintings, extraordinary rocky geological shapes and forms, caves, religious sanctuaries and temples.  After a promenade through this incredible park, we'll head of towards the town of Tha Bo, built on the banks of Mekong, west of Nong Khai.  Discover the variety of wild plants, herbs and tomatoes on the main road market, before taking the local roads to continue the journey along side the great Mekong waters.  In this mountainous region, every bend and turn holds an amazing change in its relief with the Mekong pushing its way majestically through its bed, sometimes attaining several hundred metres across before diminishing its width to produce powerful wild waters hitting out at the rocks scattered over the riverbed.  A really amazing and fantastic souvenir!  During the route to Chiang Khan, we'll take a moment out to taste the local produce of Mekong.  Chiang Khan is as far north as we go, and before taking the road back embark on a last boat journey down the river these waters, an hour meandering past the Laos and Thai towns and river banks.  Once back to Chiang Khan, where our transport awaits to take us to Loei, the last night of this circuit will be spent at hotel Muang Fai (or equivilant).  Dine locally and taste the local speciality of eggs cooked in their shells.

DAY 9

Departure for Bangkok.  Leaving after breakfast we will arrive in late afternoon taking a meal on route.

NOTE

CIRCUIT 8 nights / 9 days accompanied by a French guide

The prices include all meals, drinks non inclusive

All hotels are 3 or 4 ***except the 5th night (night with local family)

Accommodation double room (except 3rd, 5th or 7th person in single room)

TARIFS / PERSON (valable jusqu'au 30-11-2007)

Base 2 persons : 48 100 baht
Base 3 persons : 42 000 baht
Base 4 - 6 persons : 29 400 baht
Base 7 - 9 persons : 23 600 baht
These prices increase 15% during the period from 15/12 to 10/01.
If you would like to have a break during the tour, choose a ONE OR TWO NIGHTS EXTENSION in the wonderful TOHSANG KHONGJIAM hotel near the Mekong River.

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