Day 1- BANGKOK - KORAT

Depart Bangkok at 7 AM towards Nakorn Nayok, on a wide road that runs along canals, passing through rice fields and small rivers.  We head on to Korat Plateau, passing through the reservoir of Lam Ta Kong Dam.  Eventually the blue lake disappears and scrub brush, typical vegetation of the dry Northeast, begins to dominate the scenery.  Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.  In the afternoon we proceed our journey to Dan Kwian, a village producing beautiful earthenware.  We arrive in Korat late in the day.  Dinner at the Sima Thani Hotel and overnight.

Day 2 – KORAT – UDON THANI

American breakfast at the hotel, we start the day early and visit Korat’s main attractions nearby, created 10 centuries ago by Khmer architects.  The ruins of Phimai, the main tourist attraction of the Northeast where, like the shrines at Angkor, reveal the worship to the simulacrum of Shiva and Vishnu in Hinduism and Buddhism during the past period.  From Phimai we continue North East to Khon Kaen where we will visit a village called Chonnabot, known for its famous “Mat-Mee” an intricate hand-woven material in silk and in cotton.  Mat-Mee is a method of tie-dying the threads before weaving similar to the Indonesian Ikat.  We stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Khon-Kaen.  In the afternoon, we proceed to visit the colorful local markets and to have the best of bargains for local handicraft.  Late in the afternoon, we proceed to Udon Thani, a very famous city of Isarn where we can find the best Kai Yang (Grilled Chicken) Dinner and overnight at the Charoen Hotel.

Day 3 – UDON THANI – NONG KHAI

American breakfast at the hotel, depart for the village of Ban Chiang, the Thai-Lao farm community in Ban Chiang and nearby Pulu Village sits on what may be the most significant archeological find in Southeast Asia in many years.  The people of Ban Chiang, long used to encountering pots, beads and even human bones when digging around their houses, paid little attention to the finds.  Proceed to Nong Khai, we visit briefly Ban Na Kha and Ban Thon.  These villages were known to have produced a high-quality hand-woven material in silk or in cotton, embroidered in fantastic designs and bright hues of colors called “ Pha-Kit ”.  Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.  In the afternoon, we proceed through the roads that lead us to Ban Pheu, where a strange mix of prehistoric cave paintings and bizarre geological formations can be seen.  The largest temple in this area, the Wat Phra That Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok, houses the bulk of this rocks, spires and whale-sized boulders.  We then proceed by traveling west and visit “Si Chiang Mai” which just lies across the Mae Khong River from Vientiane.  Si Chiang Mai has a large number of Vietnamese, who make their living from the manufacture of “spring-roll” wrappers made of rice-flour.  Here in Si Chiang Mai, many of the Vietnamese and Lao residents are Roman Catholic, which explains the existence of a small cathedral in town.  We stop at some local markets for some shopping.  Late in the afternoon, we arrive in our hotel.  Dinner and overnight at the Maekhong Royal Hotel

Day 4 –NONG KHAI – VIENTIANE – UDON THANI

American breakfast in the hotel, and depart early from the hotel and proceed to the Mittaphab bridge.  Completed in April 1994 with its length of 1174 meters across the Mae Khong River, it is the connection between Thailand and Laos.  Stop at the border for entry formalities.  Arrive at Vientiane, capital of Laos which is approximately 20 Km. from the border.  We commence our interesting visit of Arch Monument (Patousay), built in 1962 AD. with architecture that  incorporates typical Lao motifs. Then proceed to visit the main temples of Wat Simuang, which enshrines the foundation pillar of Vientiane, built in 1563 during the reign of King Setthathilath.  Wat Prakeo, once the royal temple of Lao monarchy, built in 1566 AD. And rebuilt during 1936-1942 after being destroyed by the Siamese invaders in 1828 AD.  Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane where you can see Ho Trai, a hall containing 6840 Buddha images and the bibles published in the 18^th century.  Wat That Luang or so-called Big Stupa, the most impressive and biggest stupa in Laos, stands 45 meters tall and is believed to contain a relic of the Lord Buddha.  The original structure was built by King Setthathilath in 1566 and was restored in 1936 AD.  Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.  In the afternoon, we visit the big central market where one will find typical Laotian handicraft and famous “silver” as well, then return to Mittaphab Bridge and proceed back to Udon Thani late in the afternoon.  Dinner and overnight at the Charoen Hotel

Day 5 – UDON THANI - BANGKOK

American breakfast at the hotel check out and transfer to Udon Thani Airport on time for the departure flight to Bangkok with the suggested flight TG009 at 08.20 Hours with arrival at 09.20 Hours.

End of the program

The package includes :

The accommodation in sharing twin bedded room at the following hotels:

KORAT:                    SIMA THANI OR SIMILAR                   ****               

UDON THANI:          CHAROEN HOTEL OR SIMILAR        ****             

NONG KHAI:             MAEKHONG ROYAL OR SIMILAR     ****         

All transfers, excursions, visits, admission fees and meals as stated in the program.

The package tour is based on private basis with services of a Foreign Speaking Guide e.g. Italian, English, Spanish, French, German etc. from Bangkok until the last day of the tour in Udon Thani.

Not included in the package:

Air tickets.

Personal extras and whatever not specified in the program.

VISA TO LAOS

To obtain the entry visa for Laos, it is necessary to forward the following information to Orientours at the time of the booking.

1) Full name as stated in the traveler’s passport.                        2) Nationality

3) Passport number / and validity.                                                   4) Occupation

* It is possible to extend the stay in Laos with overnights in Vientiane or Luang Prabang.  Prices are available on request.