KORAT / UBON RATCHATHANI / JAMPASAK 05 DAYS (KJ 005)

Day 01 BANGKOK / AYUTHAYA / PHIMAI / KORAT

a.m.

American Breakfast at hotel. Leave Bangkok to Ayuthaya, drive pass the lush green paddy fields alternated with growing industrial areas. The first stop is about one hour from Bangkok at The Summer Palace “ Bang Pa In ”, various royal halls were beautiful restored and decorated with a great variety of nice flower plants. Then road to Ayuthaya, visit Ayuthaya a river Island City State found in 14 th century – 18 th century the ancient Thai Capital for 417 years where culture flourished, architecture, sculpture and paintings. There are teeming ruins of palaces, temples and pagodas

12h00

Lunch at restaurant.

p.m.

Road passing Saraburi to Klang Dong. You will see the fruits market on the way passing plateau of Korat and Lam Nam Pong Barrage with the scenic beauty on both side. Arrive at Prasat Hin Phimai, visit Prasat Hin Phimai, unquestionably the most important Khmer monument and one of the largest and complete restoration of all Khmer temples. Prasat Hin Phimai which furnished a succession of Angkor ’s King is being the destination of one of the imperial roads. Road to Korat. Dinner and overnight at hotel Sima Thani.

Day 02 KORAT / PRASAT HIN PHNOM RUNG / UBONRATCHATHANI

a.m.

American Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Burirum and visit Prasat Hin Phnom Rung and Prasat Muang Tam. Prasat Hin Phnom Rung, this major temple, built mainly in a high quality punkish sandstone in 12 th century, combines an impressive hill top site that commands the surrounding plain, and an extraordinary amount of architectural decoration of the highest order. Overlooked by Phnom Rung, you can see the Lower City or Muang Tam has a particular charm from its tranquil setting and its pond. Visit Prasat Muang Tam was formely in deep forest, but gradual settlement in the area has turned it into a pleasant rural landscape, still partly wooded.

12h00

Lunch at restaurant.

p.m.

Road to Ubonratchani via Surin a major trade centre between Thai and Cambodia traders alsofamous to many other local and foreign tourists thanks to is fabolous elephant shows and Srisaket the lower reaches of the Northeast and stands out with its Khmer culture also the gateway to Khao Phra Wiharn, a world famous Khmer religious site. Arrive at Ubonratchathani. Dinner and overnight at hotel Ubonburi.

Day 03 UBONRATCHATHANI / CHAMPASAK

a.m.

American Breakfast at hotel. Depart to Pha Taem National Park , stand amid hills and mountains. Beautifying the place are high cliffs and strange-looking sand scattered in the park. Attractions here include Sao Chaliang, a series of natural rocks and high cliffs call Pha Taem and Pha Kham where pre-historic paintings, dating back 4,000 years are located. Across the river and opposite to Pha taem is Laos .

12h00

Lunch at restaurant.

p.m.

Departure from Pakse for Champassak, heading south aboard a local longtail riverboat, zigzagging through mild rapids and sand banks, arriving at Champassak in time for a riverside lunch, followed by a guided tour of the mysterious pre-Angkorian 10 th century temple of Vat Phou, the boat's namesake. As dusk falls board the Vat Phou for a relaxing cruise down-river, enjoying the tropical sunset on the deck, dinner is served on board, while the boat docks for the night alongside a remote Laotian village. Overnight.

Day 04 HUEI THAMO / OUM MOUNG TEMPLE / KHONG ISLAND

a.m.

Breakfast on board as we set sail for the village of Huei Thamo , only a few minutes walk away from the spectacular hidden forest temple of Oum Moung . Afterwards rejoin the boat for a cruise southwards and lunch on the deck, while we continue our leisurely sail further south to the wild paradise of the “4,000 islands”, arrived in the afternoon closed to Khong Island (the birthplace of the President of the Peoples republic of Laos ) at Ban Dua Tae, and visit this traditional Laotian Village where the traditional way of life has not changed in centuries. Back on board for quiet dinner, under the stars, serenaded by the songs by the songs of the buffalo toads.

Day 05 Ban Veuthong/ the “ Niagara of the East/ Xieng Di/ Pakse / UBON

a.m.

Breakfast on the deck, while cruising to the small village of Ban Veuthong where we will board a small long-tail boat to Khone Island . After visit, take a long tail boat back to the main land for lunch amid the by-gone splendid of another age; colorful French colonial houses and an old customs post, alongside a stone quay. Take a minivan to amazingly scenic splendor of the Khong Pha Peng waterfall, “the Niagara of the East“ , close to the Cambodian border. Back to “civilization, for the two hours ride to Pakse, arriving in the afternoon, then transfer to Ubon Ratchathani airport by flight TG…….to Bangkok. End of service.