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Isaan discovery 8 Days

  • CODE: GDT1820
  • Private Tour
  • Duration: 8 - 12 days
  • Price from: Contact
  • Route: Thailand - Bangkok

Overview

Isaan Discovery 8 Days – A Deep Dive into Thailand's Undiscovered Gem

 

Embark on the Isaan Discovery 8 Days tour, an unparalleled and meticulously crafted journey designed for the adventurous traveler seeking to unearth the hidden cultural treasures and authentic rural charm of Northeastern Thailand. This comprehensive 8-day expedition takes you far beyond the familiar tourist routes, revealing the vibrant heart of Isaan, a region rich in ancient history, unique traditions, delicious cuisine, and incredibly welcoming people. Prepare for an immersive experience that promises genuine connections and unforgettable insights into a side of Thailand rarely seen.

Your profound discovery begins as you delve into the historical grandeur of Isaan, tracing the ancient Khmer influence that predates even Angkor Wat. You'll explore magnificent sandstone sanctuaries like Phanom Rung Historical Park, a breathtaking 10th to 13th-century temple complex perched atop an extinct volcano, offering stunning architecture and panoramic views. Equally impressive is Phimai Historical Park, another significant Khmer temple site, often referred to as a "mini Angkor," showcasing intricate carvings and a powerful sense of history. These sites provide a fascinating glimpse into the region's powerful past and its connections to ancient empires.

Beyond its historical marvels, the Isaan Discovery 8 Days tour immerses you in the region's vibrant cultural tapestry. You'll wander through bustling local markets, alive with the sights, sounds, and aromas of daily life, offering opportunities to sample unique Isaan street food and observe traditional trading. Engage with local communities, perhaps witnessing the intricate art of silk weaving in villages renowned for their craftsmanship, or experiencing the infectious rhythm of Mor Lam, Isaan's distinctive folk music. You'll gain a deep appreciation for the strong sense of community and the deeply rooted traditions that define this region.

The journey also embraces Isaan's diverse natural beauty. While the exact itinerary may vary by season, you'll encounter serene landscapes from the rolling hills of Loei province, known for its cooler climate and national parks like Phu Kradueng (often visible from afar or via a visit to the nearby park headquarters), to the tranquil banks of the Mekong River in Nong Khai, where you can witness life along the vital waterway and visit the unique Sala Keoku Sculpture Park. This tour offers opportunities for gentle exploration of the region's natural wonders, providing a refreshing contrast to the historical and cultural sites.

Throughout the Isaan Discovery 8 Days tour, Golden Trail Travel is committed to responsible and sustainable tourism. We prioritize authentic interactions with local communities, ensuring that your visit directly benefits them and that your footprint on the environment is minimal. With expert local guides providing deep cultural insights and facilitating meaningful connections, this tour is more than just sightseeing; it's an immersive cultural adventure, a historical exploration, and a chance to truly touch the heart of rural Thailand. Prepare to be enchanted by Isaan's unparalleled authenticity, its warm people, and its hidden wonders.

Trip Map

Highlight

Authentic Experiences on Your Isaan Discovery

 

  • Ancient Khmer Temple Exploration: Marvel at the architectural grandeur of Phanom Rung Historical Park, a spectacular ancient Khmer temple complex on a volcanic peak, and the equally impressive Phimai Historical Park.

  • Authentic Isaan Cuisine: Savor the unique and fiery flavors of Isaan food, distinct from other Thai regions, with opportunities to try local specialties like sticky rice, som tum, and laab.

  • Vibrant Local Markets: Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of traditional Isaan markets, observing daily life, discovering unique regional produce, and sampling delicious street food.

  • Cultural Immersion in Rural Villages: Visit charming local villages to witness traditional crafts like silk weaving, learn about local customs, and experience the genuine warmth and hospitality of the Isaan people.

  • Mekong River Views (Nong Khai): Experience life along the mighty Mekong River in Nong Khai, visiting local temples and perhaps the unique Sala Keoku sculpture park with its giant Buddhist and Hindu statues.

  • Isaan Folk Music & Traditions: Gain insights into the rich cultural heritage of Isaan, including its distinctive Mor Lam folk music and traditional dance (where available).

  • Scenic Drives Through Rural Landscapes: Enjoy picturesque journeys through diverse rural landscapes, including rice paddies, sugarcane fields, and rolling hills, showcasing the authentic beauty of Northeastern Thailand.

  • Isaan People & Hospitality: Connect with the incredibly friendly and welcoming people of Isaan, known for their resilience and strong sense of community.

  • Responsible & Sustainable Travel: Engage in a tour designed to support local communities and promote ethical, environmentally conscious tourism practices.

  • Loei Province Charm: Explore the unique geography and cooler climate of Loei, including views of its mountains and potential visits to local natural attractions or agricultural sites.

Service

HOTELS
Economy 2*+ Hotels
Superior 3* Hotels
First Class 4* Hotels
Deluxe 5* Hotels
Luxury 5*++ Hotels

Notes:
*All prices are based on per adult, in Double/Twin sharing
Surcharge will be applied for single traveler or single room request

Important Notes:
HOTELS, PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

GUIDE/LEADER:
English speaking guide. French , Germany , Spanish, Italian, Russian  speaking guide can be arranged with on request.

Your Dream Off The Beaten Track, Crafted Just for You Across Asia

At Golden Trail Travel, we believe every getaway should be as unique as the traveler. As Asia's premier Off The Beaten Track tour operator, we specialize in creating bespoke coastal experiences that perfectly match your desires and budget, wherever your wanderlust takes you.

Our dedicated team—comprising experienced local experts, reliable drivers, insightful tour consultants, and passionate travel specialists—is committed to ensuring your escape is seamless, relaxing, and truly unforgettable.

Whether you're exploring solo, enjoying a family getaway, or embarking on a group expedition, we're here to design a trip that's exclusively yours. The itineraries you see are just a starting point; consider them a canvas upon which we'll paint your ideal Asian Off The Beaten Track. We invite you to share your ideas, tell us your preferences, and let us know your budget. We'll meticulously customize an existing itinerary or craft a brand-new program from the ground up, adding or excluding elements until it's absolutely perfect for you.

Ready to start planning your dream Off The Beaten Track across Asia? Share your requirements with us today, and let's create memories that will last a lifetime.

Inclusion

Exclusion

Itinerary

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Day 1: Bangkok
Warmly welcome you on arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. We will pick you up with a comfortable vehicle to the center of Saigon to check-in your hotel, then take your time to have a rest after a long flight and lunchtime.
Day 2: Bangkok – Khao Yai (B)
After breakfast, we depart for Khao Yai, stopping to visit the fruit market in Klang Don, where many kinds of local products, fruits, vegetables on offer. Prepare yourself to be surrounded by 3000 species of plants and 66 species of mammals by visit Khao Yai National Park, Thailand's first national park. Opened in 1962 and considered today as one of the most beautiful, Khao Yai is listed as a World Heritage Site because of the variety of its fauna and flora. Lunch is on your own. You will stroll through the heart of the park on the Haew SuWat waterfall trail, the most famoust in the park. Check in at the hotel. Night in Khao Yai
Day 3: Khao Yai – Phimai – Korat (B)
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the north and the capital of Isan: Nakhon Ratchasima, still called Korat by locals despite its new official name. Before reaching Korat, stop at Dan Kwian's potter's village. Continuation to Korat and city tour with stop at the memorial of Thao Suranari (Lady Mo) built for a woman who fought the Laotian invasion in the 19th century. Free lunch in Korat and check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, you will go north and visit the archaeological site of Ban Prasat, a remnant of one of the oldest cities in the country. Continue to the Phimai historical site and visit the beautiful Prasat Hin, and Sai Ngam and his giant ficus. Back to Korat and free time. Overnight in Korat.
Day 4: Korat – Buriram – Surin (B)

Today we will depart for Buriram where you can visit Prasat Phanom Rung, one of the best preserved Khmer remains in Thailand. Visit the site which is accessed by a large staircase, then a few kilometers away, visit Muang Tham. In the center of this temple, there are two laterite walls to protect the sacred buildings. The inner courtyard includes five brick towers and two libraries, while the central prang (prasat) contains elements symbolizing Mount Kailas, the home of the god Shiva. Free lunch at your own account.

Continuation of the trip to Surin and visit of its national museum (closed Monday and Tuesday). It presents many pieces retracing the history of the region since prehistoric times, and gives information on the multitude of ethnicities who live there today: The Khmer, the Suays and Laos. Overnight in Surin

Day 5: Surin – Khong Jiam (B,L)

Breakfast, visit a village of argentiers: Ban Kwao Sinarin and continuation to the Khmer Sikhoraphum temple. Stop at Ban Sam Kho village, which deserves a walk to discover a lifestyle unchanged. Silk fabrics are produced in almost all houses, probably one of the best places to offer you a fabric of "Pha Mai" (Silk Thai) at a lower cost. 

Continue to the beautiful Sikhoraphoum temple and visit its 5 towers and its central chedi which is the place of worship for locals. Then departure for Kamphaeng Yai and visit this little-known Khmer site. Dating from the 11th century it consists of 6 buildings. You will discover sculptures of Hindu deities Shiva and Vishnu on the lintels as well as inscriptions in Khmer. Lunch on your own.

Continue to Kong Jiam, a city located on the majestic Mekong, the eighth largest river in the world and the third largest in Asia. Originating in Tibet, it travels 4,500 km, crossing China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia before throwing itself into the sea in Vietnam. Overnight in Kong Jiam.

Day 6: Khong Jiam – Mukdaham – Nakho Phanom (B)

Breakfast at the hotel then departure for Mukdahan, border town with Savannakhet in Laos where you can walk in its lively and colorful market where sell and exchange products Laotian, Thai, Vietnamese and of course Chinese. Mukdahan has become a staging area for game-loving Thais visiting Savannakhet in Laos, where casinos, banned in Thailand, have been created for them. You can make new culinary experiences between a rice rat curry, eggs of red ants, cobra, monitor curry, or even fried insects and peppers!

After lunch, continue to Nakhon Phanom and stop in one of the most important temples of the region of Isan for its inhabitants, like Wat Phra That Phanom built in a purely Laotian architecture. Before arriving at Nakhon Phanom, stop to visit the small village of Ban Na Chok where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1923 to 1929. Arrival in Nakhon Phanom and check in your hotel at the edge of the Mekong

Day 7: Nakhon Phanom – Sakhon Nakhon – Udon Thani (B)

Breakfast and departure for the visit of Wat Tha Phanom then stop at Sakhon Nakhon where you will participate in the ceremony of sacred thread that a monk attaches to your wrist, a sign of merits and omens, the opportunity to make a wish. It is also an animistic practice where, according to the beliefs, the body is made up of 32 souls that can fly away. Also the threads tied around the wrists are a way to prevent diseases by attaching Souls to the body.

Continue to visit the traditional pottery and weaving village of Ban Chiang. In 1966, it was here that a Harvard student updated one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The excavations that followed revealed pottery and bronze tools dating back more than 3,500 years on a site that had been inhabited for at least 2000 years. His discovery revolutionized the knowledge of this period of history by uncovering evidence of mastery of livestock and rice farming and the use of metal tools.  

Continue to visit bamboo weaving work at Dong Yen Village and pottery painting at Baan Pulu. Free lunch on the way and then transfer to Udon Thani. Departure for the south of the city for visit of the lake : the "Talay Bua Daeng" translates literally the "Red Lotus Sea". From December to February, a lake is covered with red lotus flowers. You will enjoy a pleasant boat trip in the heart of the "Red Sea". Overnight in Ubon Thani.

Day 8: Udon Thani – Nong Khai – Flight to Bangkok – Departure (B)
Breakfast and departure in the morning to visit the Orchids farm. The owner of this farm gave birth to a variety of endemic orchid with a delicate fragrance in 1977: the Udon Sunshine. Continue to Nong Khai, a small border town with Laos. Visit Sala Kaew Ku, a park with sculptures inspired by Buddhism and Hindu deities, some of which are 25 meters high. Visit the picturesque market of Tha Sadet where there are products and crafts of Indochina, trading with Laos. Afternoon return to Udon Thani for your flight to Bangkok.

FAQS

1. What types of tours does Golden Trail Travel offer?

Answer: Golden Trail Travel specializes in offering a wide range of travel packages to Vietnam and other Indochina countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, China, and Malaysia. We offer themed tours including Classic Highlights, Cycling, Trekking, Beach Holidays, Luxury Honeymoon, Short Trips, Family, Off The Beaten Track, Multi-Country, Motorbiking, Veteran, Food, Students, Luxury, Golf, Photography, Cooking Class, Bird Watching, Indochina Cruises, Kayaking, Muslim-friendly tours, Offroad 4x4WD, Indochina MICE Travel, Cave Expedition, and Helicopter tours.

2. How can I book a tour with Golden Trail Travel?

Answer: You can book a tour by contacting us directly via phone, email, or by filling out the contact form on our website. Our team of travel experts will advise and assist you in designing a suitable itinerary.

3. Can tours be customized?

Answer: Absolutely! We understand that every traveler has unique preferences. Golden Trail Travel is happy to customize tour packages to fit your specific needs, interests, and budget.

4. Does Golden Trail Travel provide visa support services?

Answer: Depending on your nationality and the destination, we may provide guidance or assistance with the necessary visa procedures. Please contact us for more detailed information.

5. What makes Golden Trail Travel different from other travel agencies?

Answer: We are committed to delivering authentic and unique travel experiences in Vietnam and Indochina. With a team of knowledgeable local experts, meticulously designed tour packages, and dedicated customer care, we ensure every trip is a memorable journey.

6. What should I prepare before the trip?

Answer: We will provide you with a detailed checklist of what to prepare, including information on luggage, appropriate clothing for the weather and local culture, essential personal items, and health advice.

7. What is Golden Trail Travel's cancellation policy?

Answer: Our cancellation policy will be clearly stated in the terms and conditions when you book a tour. Please refer to this information or contact us for specific details.

8. Where can I find information about travel safety and health?

Answer: We prioritize the safety and health of our travelers. Before your trip, we will provide information and advice regarding health, travel insurance, and safety measures at the destination.

9. Can I request a tour guide who speaks Vietnamese or a specific language?

Answer: Yes, we can arrange tour guides who speak Vietnamese or other common languages (such as English, French, German, Spanish, etc.) upon your request and subject to availability. Please inform us of your language preference when booking your tour.

10. Does Golden Trail Travel offer travel insurance?

Answer: We highly recommend all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance before departure. While we do not directly provide insurance, we can advise on suitable insurance types and the importance of having coverage during your trip

11. How can I pay for my tour?

Answer: We accept various payment methods, including bank transfers, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), and some online payment options. Detailed information on payment options and payment schedules will be provided upon confirmation of your tour booking.

12. Does Golden Trail Travel offer tours for solo travelers?

Answer: Yes, we have tour options suitable for solo travelers, including group joining tours or specially designed private tours. Please contact us so we can advise on the best package for you.

13. Are the tours child-friendly or suitable for seniors?

Answer: We offer many family-friendly tour packages and can adjust itineraries to suit travelers of all ages, including children and seniors. We will advise on the difficulty level, travel time, and activities appropriate for each member of your family.

14. Where can I read reviews from previous customers?

Answer: You can find customer reviews and testimonials on our website (if a review section is available), social media pages, or reputable travel platforms like TripAdvisor.

15. What are Golden Trail Travel's sustainability or responsible tourism policies?

Answer: We are committed to practicing responsible and sustainable tourism. We constantly strive to minimize our environmental impact, respect local cultures, and contribute positively to the communities where we operate.

16. What happens if there's an emergency during the trip?

Answer: Your safety is our top priority. Golden Trail Travel has a 24/7 emergency support team. We will provide emergency contact numbers and detailed instructions before your trip. Our guides and local partners are trained to handle emergency situations professionally.

17. Are my payment methods secure?

Answer: Absolutely secure. We use highly encrypted online payment gateways and comply with international standards for data security. Your personal and financial information will be strictly protected.

18. What support will I receive during the trip?

Answer: Yes. Throughout your trip, you will always have the support of your local guide, driver, and Golden Trail Travel's operation team. We will provide a 24/7 support hotline so you can contact us anytime if you have any issues or need assistance.

19. What is included and not included in the tour price?

Answer: Each tour package has clear details on included services (e.g., accommodation, transportation, meals as per itinerary, entrance fees to attractions, tour guide) and exclusions (e.g., international flights, visas, travel insurance, drinks, tips, personal expenses). You will receive a detailed itinerary and an inclusion/exclusion list before confirming your tour booking.

20. What is the typical group size for Golden Trail Travel tours?

Answer: Our tour group sizes can vary depending on the type of tour. For join-in tours, we try to keep the numbers small to ensure a personalized and comfortable experience. We also offer private tours for families or groups of friends upon request.

21. Whom can I contact if I have questions or need assistance before departure?

Answer: Before departure, you can contact our team of consultants via phone, email, or online chat. We are always ready to answer any questions and help you prepare best for your trip.

22. How is Golden Trail Travel committed to sustainable and responsible tourism?

Answer: We are strongly committed to sustainable tourism. This is reflected in our collaboration with responsible local partners, supporting local communities, encouraging travelers to respect culture and environment, and minimizing negative impacts on destinations. Our goal is to benefit both travelers and local people.

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Pricing Notes

The above price is based on a private tour (Group of 2). It's more reasonable withbigger group size

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