OVERVIEW

Tour Code: S55_ NE-8D7N_Northeastern Encounter

Trip Name: Northeastern Encounter  8 Days 7 Nights
Type of trip: Private
Trip Duration: 8 Days
Start: Bangkok, Thailand
Finish: Bangkok, Thailand
Destinations: Bangkok -Ubon Ratchathani – Amnat Charoen – Mukdahan – Nakorn Phanom – Buengkan – Udonthani – Bangkok

Package Tours valid until 31 Oct 2016 but require for surcharge for bellow dates
1. Christmas Eve 2015
2. New Year Eve 2016
3. 12 – 16 Apr 2016 (Water Festival)

BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 01: Bangkok – Ubon Rachathani by train (No meal)
Day 02: Arrival – Ubon Ratchathani – Tours (B/L)

Day 03: Ubon Ratchathani – Amnat Charoen – Mukdahan(B/L)

Day 04: Mukdahan – Nakorn Phranom (B/L)

Day 05: Nakorn Phranom – Buengkan (B/L)

Day 06: Buengkan – Nongkhai (B/L/D)

Day 07: Nongkhai – Udornthani (B/L)

Day 08: Udornthani Tours and return to Bangkok by Flight (B/L)

08 Days 07 Nights Northeastern Encounter Package Tour

Bangkok -Ubon Ratchathani – Amnat Charoen – Mukdahan – Nakorn Phanom – Buengkan – Udonthani – Bangkok

 

Tour itinerary

Day 01: Bangkok – Ubon Rachathani by train (Train included) (No meal)
After breakfast, today evening, we are taking an overnight train from Bangkok Hualamphong Train Station to Ubon Ratchathani province.

Note: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are on your own expenses

Overnight on the night train

Day 02: Arrival – Ubon Ratchathani – Tours (B/L)

After breakfast, upon the arrival at Ubon Ratchathani Train station, you will meet our guide and driver are waiting for you with holding a welcome signboard. After meeting you, our guide will take you to a local restaurant for having some breakfast. After breakfast, we are starting to visit Ubon local Morning Fresh market is the bank of the Moon River.  After that, continue to Wat Thung Si Mueang was constructed during the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851) to houses a replica of Buddha’s footprint. Aside from that, the most beautiful structure in the temple is perhaps the wooden Tripitaka Library (Ho Trai) that was designed to sit on the stilts in the middle of the pool to prevent the materials from insects (ants and termites). The architecture here is a mixture of Laos and Rattankosin styles (Rattanakosin refers to the era after 1782, when Bangkok was the capital of Thailand). Next to the Tripitaka Library is the Ho Phra Buddha Bot and the Wihan (ordination hall). And then followed by visiting to Pha Taem National Park where is Thailand first Sunrise spot and this National Park features the plateaus, hills, deciduous dipterocarp forest, sheer cliffs resulted from the earthquakes, irregular shaped of sandstone which scattered around and the beautiful wild flowers growing among the rocky ground. Highlight of the Park are Pha Taem and Pha Kam which located near the National park headquarters. Surface of the cliffs are filled with numerous prehistoric cave paintings dated back 3,000-4,000 years ago that explores the traditional way of life of people who once lived here during the prehistoric days. After having fun time with photos taking at the park, and then we are going to have our lunch at Khong Jiam Floating Restaurant on the Great Maekhong River, where you can sit and see the view of Laos’s mountains.

After lunch, then transfer to hotel. Check in and relax on your own time afterwards.

Note: Dinner is on your own expenses

Overnight in Khong Jiam

Day 03: Ubon Ratchathani – Amnat Charoen – Mukdahan(B/L)

After breakfast, depart for Sam Phan Bok The word “Bok” in Laotian means basin which is why this area is now called “Sam Phan Bok”(sam phan is three thousand in Thai).

Also nearby is a place known to the locals as the “Mekong Grand Canyon”. It is a rock cliff that was carved through thousands of years of erosion from streams above it creating the astonishing natural phenomenon. It is a large channel 3-7 m high and 20 m wide. After that, moving to Amnat Charoen province to visit Buddha Utthayan and Pra mongkol Ming Mueang where it is well-known Buddha image is housed in Dan Phra Bat Temple. The Buddhist sanctuary stands amidst a lush forest, with the statue depicted in subduing Mara (demons) and decorated with golden mosaics. The 20-meter-tall image was created in the northern Indian style in 1965, and is considered the most sacred image in the entire province. The temple also holds a respected Buddha statue called Pa La Hai, coincidentally discovered in the pond in 1962 when the temple was under renovation. It is believed that this Buddha image brings good fortune to worshippers. We’re departing for Morana Sakkee Catholic Center, Wat Songkhon, Wat Ban Song Khon is a Catholic Church. It is the largest and most beautiful Catholic Church in Southeast Asia. The church was constructed in honor of the 7 Christian Martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect their religion. The 7 martyrs along with their ashes inside wax figures are displayed in the rear of the Church. Then continue to Cultural Village is located at Baan Phu. It is a village that is supported to drive the sustainable living. Baan Phu Village is a village of the Phu Thai people that evacuated from the left bank of Mekong River in 1844 and settled down here for more than 130 years. And next is visiting to Klong Mahorathuk is a 3000 year old drum, an ancient artifact of the Kha and Khmer people. It was discovered in 1938 on the Mekong banks at Ban Na Tham in Laos. The drum is a single sided bronze drum with an 86 cm diameter and 90 meters in length, designed with a sunrise drum face and decorated with 4 frogs on the case. The drums are housed at Matchimawat Temple commonly known to locals as Wat Klang. Lunch will be served by Vietnamese foods at The 5 Junction Vietnamese Communities is located in the heart of Mookdaharn province. It is the popular morning market in Mookdaharn. If the tourists have any chance to visit this market, they will get to taste the local food such as rice paste, paste of rice flour, boiled rice, white pork sausage and etc. Moreover, the tourists can experience the culture and tradition of the Vietnamese people closely. There are also many restaurants that serve Vietnamese food. Most of the owners are the third generation in their family. However, the taste is still preserved as it used to be from the ancestor. After lunch, we are going to Indochina market is located at Sriboonruangsuubdistrict, Muang district, Mukdahan province, it is in front of Sri Mongkol Tai temple, there is a center where you can find imported products from every country such as Russia, China, Vietnam and Laos. The products are sold in wholesale and retail prices. Most of the products are clothes, ceramics, electricity devices and consumer goods.

Note: Dinner is on your own expenses

Overnight in Mukdahan province

 

 

Day 04: Mukdahan – Nakorn Phranom (B/L)

After breakfast, we’re driving along the Maekhong River to Phra That Phanom, where the most important Buddhist site in the province, Phra That Phanom features a 53-meter-tall, square-shaped pagoda, which is a Laotian-influenced shape of numerous pagodas found around the area. It is believed that Phra That Phanom was originally built before the 12th Buddhist century, but it entirely collapsed on August 11, 1975 after several days of rainstorm. The current pagoda was later build according to the former design by local donations. Shine underneath the sun atop the pagoda is a 110-kilogram solid gold spire. Later on, drive heading to the downtown of Nakornphanom and continue visiting to Juan Pooh Wah Changwad Nakornpathom museum (Nakornpathom’s provincial governor’s official residence museum) Originally, the residence was a personal property of Lord Adulyadejsiammaysuanpakdeepiriyapaha (Aui Nakorntup), lieutenant governor of Udornthani monthon and the first governor of Nakhonpanom province. The building was constructed between 1912 – 1914 by a Vietnamese builder. Both the upper and lower storeys have no support column as the structure was built using wood joinery technique. Juan Pooh Wah museum is a prominent example of architecture in Nakornpanom. It exhibits fine western architectural style as the design was influenced by French architecture during Indochina wars. And then drive to see the 3^rd Thailand – Laos Friendship bridge. After that, followed by Bann Na Jok (Uncle Ho’s House) Bann Na Jok (aka. Uncle Ho’s House or Ho Chi Minh’s House) is another tourist attraction and historical place. This place is an old village where

Note: Dinner is on your own expenses

Overnight in Nakorn Phranom province

Day 05: Nakorn Phranom – Buengkan (B/L)

After breakfast, this morning, before our breakfast, we’ll visit walk to the local market in the early morning to do Tak Bat (offering foods to monks) from the street. Then back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we will continue driving along the rim of Maekhong River to visit Chedsi Waterfall situated in Ban Don Siat, Tambon Ban Tong, Amphoe Seka, this waterfall comes from a stream of Huai Ka-am and flows along a high sandstone cliff spreading over a long line. The fall of the water causes a spray of water which when seen in sunlight looks like a rainbow, hence the name Namtok Chet Si or the waterfall of seven colors. You can enjoy your time to do trekking into the waterfalls or maybe a pickup of the forest office. After the Chedsi waterfall, we are visiting to Phutok, rooting from Isan dialect meaning isolated mountain, this sandstone range can be seen from a distance. Consisting of two hills, Phu Tok Yai and Phu Thok Noi, the area is dense with woods and wild life animals. With its tranquil setting, Phra Achan Chuan Kunlachettho, a meditation master, established a meditation place here. Phu Tok Noi also takes on Wat Chetiya Khiri Wihan, a starting point of a walk up to Phu Tok via wooden bridge through the mountains. The bridge is compared to a path of virtue that leads men to their own emancipation. The bridge’s stairs are divided into seven sections with caves and rest areas along the way. To the north, a mountainous view of Phu Tok Yai can be seen. After that, we are driving ahead to Buengkan downtown (the 77^th newest province of Thailand). Drop off at your hotel.

Note: Dinner is on your own expenses

Overnight in Buengkan province

Day 06: Buengkan – Nongkhai (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we’re keeping driving along the Maekhong River to Nong Khai downtown, and the first stop must be at Sala Kaew Ku (also Keoku) sculpture park quirky or just plain bizarre, there’s no denying that it’s Nong Khai’s only “can’t-miss” attraction. The park’s countless dazzling sculptures were the life’s work of Boun Leua Sulilat, a Lao man who spent much of his early life absorbing mystical knowledge from an ascetic hermit named Kaew Ku, who lived in a cave in Laos. Sala Kaew Ku is Sulilat’s impressive attempt to bring this knowledge to life. While the striking depictions draw from a wide range of ancient beliefs, including animist folklore, Hindu mythology and Buddhist traditionalism, the execution is all Sulilat. Continue on to visit Baan Nahee Handicraft Village at Nisachol weaving house and having lunch in style of Laos’s steak. After lunch, we will give you free time to shopping and drive straight to Indochina Market and Thasadet we you will see Loas border and here we will get on the boat sightseeing along the Maekhong River and cruising to see beautiful views of Thailand and Laos river banks. And will pass the 1^st Thailand-Laos friendship bridge. Then back to the port and having dinner at Daeng Naemniang Nongkhai famous local restaurant. After dinner, we will drive to hotel and check in and relax on your own time afterwards.

Note: Dinner is on your own expenses

Overnight in Nongkhai province

Day 07: Nongkhai – Udonthani (B/L)

After breakfast, check out and get on the car and driving along parallel the rim of Maekhong River and en route stop at Wat Pa Tak Seau in Sangkom district for taking some photos of the best view of the Maekhong River’s bank and the beautiful landscape of local villages (we can take a boat sightseeing on the Maekhong River and rock formation after the water shallow during Jan-May). Continue on our excursion until getting to Pakchom district, and stop again at Arabica and coffee cultivated farms at Vilai’s farm in Baan Pherm where you can taste of some coffee, soup coffees and drip-bag coffees. Besides, you will see banana gardens and rubber trees to see how the locals growing and collecting. We will have some lunch at Tharntara’s restaurant and then after lunch, we will continue to visit Wat Pa Pukon, Udornthani to see the beauty of the white large reclining Buddha image keeps in the temple on the top of mountain. And continue to visit Phu Phrabat Historical Park situated in Ban Phue District, this archeological site features a large number of ancient ruins and objects dating from prehistory. They are mostly from the Dvaravati, Lop Buri, and Lan Xang periods. The site is located in a lush forest called Pa Khua Nam. Within are many rocks of peculiar shapes, the result of a slow-moving glacier millions of years ago. Many of the ruins and objects found in the area were made from the materials found locally, and were not built entirely by hand – for instance, a rock decorated as a stupa, or chiseled into the shape of a foot. Pre-historic cave paintings, sandstone images and idols, and more are interesting sights to behold. The site was declared a historical park by the Fine Arts Department in 1991. And then continue drives to Udornthani province. If the time is permit, en route will stop at Ban Na Kha and Ban Men Handicraft Center, this village, about 16 kilometers from Udon Thani town, is a center for cotton, silk, and Khit silk trading. Khit silk cloth, hand-made using a traditional style of Thai silk weaving from the Northeastern region, has a fine texture with elegant patterns and colors.

Note: Dinner is on your own expenses

Overnight in Udornthani province

Day 08: Udonthani Tours and return to Bangkok by Flight (B/L)

After breakfast, this early morning, we will visit explore the Udornthani Dhesaban morning market. You will see the busy life of locals bring local died and fresh foods for selling and the local costs here cheap. After walking in the market, we will take you to eat the famous local dish as Khai Kata or fried eggs mixed pork in the tray and serving with local French bakes. After breakfast, then we will walk back to hotel and check out and leaving for Udon Sunshine Orchid Farm where garden is a nursery dedicated to Udon Sunshine, a cross between the Vanda and the Josephine Van Berrow orchids. The species, registered with the United Kingdom’s World Orchid Society in 1988, is known for its lovely scent. It is one of the few orchids used to make perfume, branded for sale with its species name. After that drive up north to the Red Lotus Sea This spectacular site is home to millions of lotus flowers and appropriately named the Red Lotus Sea, or Talay Bua Daeng. Then we are driving to visit Baan Chiang National Museum is considered one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1992. Excavations at a large, oval mound at the site uncovered pre-historic artifacts, especially pottery and bronze implements. Since the discovery of the site in 1966, the dating of Ban Chiang artifacts has been adjusted and refined over time in line with advances in the understanding and techniques of radiometric dating. This research has revealed that the site dates to as early as 3,500 years ago and that the site was continuously occupied for at least 2,000 years.  The discoveries at the site, from both Neolithic and Bronze Age civilizations, have shown it has long been a habitation and burial site. After Baan Chiang, we will drive to Baan  Dung district where its famous for the rock salt and there is only one district in the Northeastern of Thailand has the salt paddy field in order to explore and observe how the local people here process the salts to be sold to all around of Thailand. And we are driving ahead to Udornthani downtown for having lunch at a local restaurant. You will be free until you will be driven by our car to Udornthani Internation Airport for returning to Bangkok.

Note: Dinner is on your own expenses

End of tour trip.

Dress cloths: Good walking shoes and easy going dresses wearing

What to bring: Camera/ Sun hat/ Sun glass

Note: Museum will be closed on Mon-Tue

PRICE & INCLUDE

Price Included:
 Accommodation as mentioned based on twin sharing or similar one
 Tour and transportation as private air-con vehicle
 Meals as mentioned in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
 Entrance fees on the archaeological site mentioned in the itinerary
 Local English speaking guide
 All activities were stated in the program
 Travel insurance (required copy passport)
 Cool drink water during on tours
 Government tax & Service Charge

Price Excluded:
 All the other things are not stated in the part of inclusions
 International flights
 Domestic Flight Bangkok- Chiang Mai- Bangkok
 Telephone services
 Laundry services
 Personal Expenses
 Any drinks during lunch and dinner at a local restaurant are not mentioned
 Tips to a guide or driver if you like his or her services
 Late check out
 Early check in
 Peak period surcharge
 Visa fees to Thailand
 Any optional additional tours or activities during free time.
Remarks:
 All rates are quoted in US Dollars per person.
 Packages tour rates are Nett, non-commissionable.
 Child fare:
o Child (2-11 yrs) - 100% sharing room with 1 adult in Twin Room
o Child (2-11 yrs) - 80% sharing room with 2 adults with extra bed
o Child (2-11 yrs) - 50% sharing room with 2 adults without bed
 Other period of packages tour price, please contact us anytime.
 Confirmation of room & price are subject to space availability at the time of booking only.
 All rates are subject to change without prior notices.
 All above itinerary is flexible, depending on arrival or departure flights of passengers

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