Northeast Thailand

Much less visited by overseas visitors, the northeast is the most traditional region of Thailand. This package takes you to the far north-eastern city of Nong Khai, on the border with Laos. Highlights include the magnificent Khmer ruins and the UNESCO World Heritage site, handicraft villages and also forest temples famous for mediation.

Explore the Northeast

^{8 Days / 7 Nights}

Itinerary (Bangkok - Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) - Ubon Ratchathani - Udon Thani - Nong Khai - Bangkok)

Day 1 : Bangkok / Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)
Early morning pick up from hotel for the 2 1/2-hour drive to Korat, gateway to Isan where the food, dialects and ways of life are different from the central region of Thailand . Afternoon trip to visit Pimai to see the ruins of this famous 10th-century Khmer shrine and then on to the archeological site of Ban Prasat where human skeletons, ancient weapons, ornaments and other artifacts have been found in pits dating back to prehistoric times. Return to overnight in Korat and some free time to explore the city.

Day 2 : Nakhon Ratchasima
Morning departure for Phnom Rung, the largest and the best restored Khmer temple complex in Thailand and the Meang Tam sanctuary, a brick structure with 5 pagodas surrounded by laterite ponds. In the afternoon visit the Pak Tongchai Silk Center to observe the process of silk production.

Day 3 : Nakhon Ratchasima / Ubon Ratchathani
After breakfast transfer to the railway station for the morning train to Ubon Ratchathani a major city to the east not far from the border with Cambodia. Arrive mid-afternoon and transfer to hotel. At leisure to explore the town.

Day 4 : Ubon Ratchathani
After breakfast set off to see the bizarre rock formations and prehistoric paintings at Pha Taem and Sao Chaliang. Continue to the cataracts at Kaeng Tana. In the afternoon visit the famous forest temple and meditation centre Wat Nong Pa Phong.

Day 5: Ubon Ratchathani / Udon Thani
After breakfast transfer to the bus station for public bus to Udon Thani, the largest city in the upper northeast. Arrive mid-afternoon and transfer to hotel. At leisure to explore the town.

Day 6 : Udon Thani / Nong Khai
After breakfast visit the forest temple of Luang Ta Bua and a silk-weaving village. Continue to Nong Khai and transfer to hotel.

Day 7 : Nong Khai
Day free to explore this border town on the bank of the Mekong River and its bustling border market. See the Friendship Bridge that links Thailand with Laos. Depart at 19.00 hrs on the overnight train to Bangkok, with 2nd class air-conditioned sleeping berth.

Day 8 : Bangkok
Arrive Bangkok early in the morning. Termination of the tour.