Isan Thailand 5 Days

You shall be greeted by our English-speaking tour guide before being escorted from your hotel in Bangkok to the former Thai capital of Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya witnessed a glorious era of the country’s history from 1350 to 1767 as a majestic city built at the joint of 3 rivers. 

Here, pay a visit to Wat Chaiwatthanaram as a well-known Buddhist temple with exotic Khmer style attracting countless tourists and locals. Constructed in 1630, the temples suffered severe damage during a wave of Burmese invasion in 1767. Recently in 1987 the site was renovated to recover its value. Then feast your eyes on the beauty of an ancient area of Ayutthaya before processing to Phimai.

Stop en route at the local Klang Dong Fruit Market and enjoy lunch at a restaurant there to recharge. 

Upon your arrival at the adorable little town of Phimai, you will be immediately impressed by the beauty of Prasat Hin, a Khmer sacred site. Take a look at the time-honored architecture of Prasat Hin before heading to the museum for further understanding of this place. 

Be transferred to Korat then. We shall pull over on the way at the biggest ancient banyan tree of Thai to capture some memorable moments.

Meal Plan: None
Overnight stay at the hotel in Korat.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then proceed to Dan Kwian pottery making village where you shall have understanding of traditional techniques the locals use to provide one of the finest pottery / ceramic product ranges of the country. Here stands another magnificent Khmer religious work of Phanom Rung which is considered the most beautiful Khmer temple of Thailand. You can immediately realize its similarities to the well-known sanctuary of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Some even believe that the site of Phanom Rung and Prasat Hin that we visited are actually prototypes of Angkor Wat. Not far from Phanom Rung is the ancient site of Muong Tam that dates back to a hundred years before the formation of Phanom Rung. 

Next up, visit a charming village of Ban Nong Sang Nga after having lunch at a local restaurant. The community of about 600 villagers in total dedicate their life to the art of silk. You can first hand observe the making process of these stunning works from raising silkworms, extracting fiber to weaving and spinning. 

Be transferred to Surin afterward. 

Meal plan: Breakfast
Overnight stay at the hotel in Surin.

Leave right after breakfast to head for a charming little basket weaving town before reaching the Prasat Sikhoraphum, a fascinating building built in the 12th century. Feast your eyes on its five stunning high towers with time-honored bas reliefs. 

Depart to the next stop of today’s trip – Prasa Kamphaeng Yai which is a Hindu temple dating back from the 11th century dedicated to worship Shiva the god of destruction. Then have lunch and take the road again.

On the way to Khong Chiam (also known as Khongjiam), you will pay a visit to Wat Thung Si Muang that represents typical Isan stilted architecture built on a water surface. Upon the arrival at Khong Chiam (the east end city of Thailand at the joint of Mun and Mekong River), embark a boat for a peaceful excursion through town and wrap up today’s trip with a night at a local high-class hotel with perfect river view.

 
Meal plan: Breakfast
Overnight stay at the hotel in Khong Chiam.

After breakfast served at the hotel, say goodbye to Khong Chiem to head to Pha Taem National Park that holds ancient cave paintings dating back to 3000 years ago. Climb up a high viewpoint to embrace the mesmerizing natural beauty of the Mekong and a part of Laos. proceed to Mukdahan for lunch. You shall visit a large market which is a major trading centre of Indochina selling ranges of products that are imported from Mekong countries of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and China. Next up, we visit the Buddhist temple of Wat Phra That Phanom, a major attraction of Buddhism since it holds a relic believed to be a bone of Buddha. 

In late afternoon, you will reach the Mekong riverside town of Nakhon Phanom. After check-in procedures at the hotel, the rest of the day is free. 

Meal Plan: Breakfast
Overnight stay at the hotel in Nakhon Phanom.

After breakfast served at the hotel, we shall leave to visit the home where the Vietnamese Late President Ho Chi Minh used to stay for 7 years during the 1920s dedicating to his country’s independence against the French. 

Next, visit the highlight of Sakon Nakhon historic site: the Buddhist temple of Wat Phra That Choeng Chum. This charming 24-meter-high pagoda holds the footprints of four Buddhas, and the chapel beside it stands the sacred Buddha statue named Luang Pho Ong Saen. Then continue to Phra That Narai Cheng Weng. This Khmer shrine was built under the reign of a Khmer king in the 11th century in remembrance of his consort. The site was named after her as well. You can recognize images of Shiva and Vishnu beautifully carved on lintels of this religious work representing the infinite circle of destruction and rebirth in Hindi conception. 
Have lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Bang Chiang National Museum. Located not far from the city of Udon Thani, this is home to a priceless antique collection of ancient tools, utensils, pottery items and jewelleries excavated in the region, some of which are more than 7000 years old. Thus, you might be looking at one of the oldest pottery decorations in the world. 

Then continue to Wat Po Si Nai Archaeological Museum for its tombs and have some understanding about the burial tradition of local people as well as the objects that were discovered in their tombs. The site also revealed traces of bronze casting techniques and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. 
That is the end of our trip. You shall be escorted to your hotel in Udon Thani or the airport for your departure flight. 

Meal Plan: Breakfast
End of service.