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Days
1-2 (The Jomtien Beach near Pattaya-distance to airport
150 km)
Your fellow travelers will be arriving at all times
from around the world today, so there are no arranged
activities for the daytime. Our taxi driver will pick you up
at Bangkok Airport. We will hold a meeting in the evening when
everyone arrives. Your leader will leave a note at reception
explaining this. On the morning of Day 2 we recommend you to
relax at the pool or the sand beach opposite the hotel to get
rid of jet-lag. Later you can do some shopping particularly
items you need on the tour. It is possible to buy most of the
basics any day in 7-Eleven shops on the way. After lunch
motorcycles will be delivered - so you can go for an afternoon
ride and pack your things into panniers.
Days
3-5 (Khmer country and ancient temples of Angkor Wat in
Cambodia)
Your suitcases with items not needed will be deposited at the
hotel. After the breakfast we shall ride east to Cambodian
border. This is one of the least populated areas of Thailand
because it was until recently part of Cambodia. Good winding
roads with hardly any traffic. At one stage the road
disappears under the surface of the lake during the rainy
season. We will have to take detour. There is a beautiful
scenery all the way to Aranyaprathet (hotel) where we shall
arrive after 290 kilometers of ride. You can join the tour
leader for a meal on the night market and if the mood is right
visit some Thai karaoke. Day 4 Two hours taxi drive to Angkor
Wat temples in Cambodia. You will have about five hours to
explore this architectural wonder. In the afternoon return to
Thailand. Day 5 involves longer ride across the plains that extend through mainly Khmer
(Cambodian) language spoken area. Rice paddies, water
buffaloes - typical Thai rural life. After 390 kilometers ride we
shall arrive at Ubon Ratchatani (hotel).
Days 6-7 (Mekong river,
prehistoric paintings, visit to Laos and river rapids)
Leaving
Ubon behind (as the locals call the city) we will have a short
ride of 90 kilometers ahead to get to Khong Chiam (bungalow
hotel) where you will get the first glimpse of Mekong river.
On the way we shall stop at the river Mun rapids. In Khong
Chiam we ill board a boat and take 5 hours trip with several
stops. We shall stop at the cliffs above Mekong and take a
walk through bamboo woods to prehistoric rock paintings. We
shall stop in Laos village for some refreshments/shopping ( if
you are after Chinese medicines like tiger teeth and pickled
cobra snakes). After an exhausting day it will be pleasant to
relax on the terrace restaurant on the banks of Mekong and
enjoy tranquility of the place. After the breakfast on Day 6
we shall ride north along the river. There are unusual rock
formations along the way to Mukdahan where we shall stop in
the market (big variety of dried fruits, cashew nuts and
similar). Further north we shall visit the
"pilgrimage" Buddhist temple of Isaan - That Phanom
with tallest pagoda in region. After 310 kilometers of ride we
arrive at Nakhon Phanom (hotel) - that used to be the biggest
American air-force base during the Vietnam war. From Nakhon
Phanom there is only 60 kilometers to Vietnam and this narrow
strip used to be the most bombed part of Ho Shi Mingh trail.
Days 8-9 ( Jet Si waterfalls,
Wat Phutok and Nong Khai).
In the morning we shall ride
to Jet Si waterfalls which are most magnificent during the
rainy season. We shall take a walk along the stream (Jet Si
means seven levels of waterfalls) to the top level. After
lunch we shall climb thousands of steps and bamboo bridges to
get to he top of 300 m high rock where there is a Buddhist
forest temple Phutok. A panoramic view will repay the effort.
Watch your backpacks because the monkeys there are famous for
stealing. A short ride to Bung Kan (hotel) and a well deserved
dinner after 260 kilometers ride. On the day 8 we have a short
ride - 140 kilometers to Nong Khai (hotel and laundry). On the
way we shall stop at Wat Ahorn, the narrowest point on Mekong
river with two Buddhist temples on the rock on each side of
the river. We shall arrive in the to Nong Khai around mid-day
giving everybody a chance to sort out laundry, visit some
Buddhist temples on the banks of the river or get a bargain in
the Indochina market. Dinner on the banks of the Mekong
overlooking Laos is a must.
Day 10-11 (Vientianne-the
capital of Laos and mountainous Loei province)
Today we travel
to the Capital of Laos, Vientianne. At Nong Khai there is the
only bridge across Mekong river built ten years ago. We will
cross the bridge to Laos side where we will sort out all
necessary visa formalities and after we will take a tuk - tuk
taxi for 30 kilometers ride to Vientiannne. Also called City
of the Moon it is one of the classic Indochina cities, it
conjures up images of exotic Eurasia, with its intriguing mix
of Thai, French and Soviet influences. Very unusual items are
for sale on the markets and you can enjoy a delicious French
baguette with pate. Wide boulevards, tree-lined streets and
sidewalk cafes impart a timeless atmosphere. We shall return
to Thailand in the evening. On Day 10 we leave Nong Khai but
continue to ride along Mekong river rapids for 200 kilometers
into Loei mountains. This is not northern most area of
Thailand but it is the coldest. With mountains up to 2000
meters high that is the only place where it snows in the
winter. In the valleys it still remains hot during the day
(around 28 degrees Celsius). At Chiang Kan we leave Mekong
and arrive at Loei (bungalow hotel) after 290 kilometers of
ride.
Days 12-13 (Loei mountains and
tropical rainforests of Khao Yai).
Today we have another long
but scenic drive (370 kilometers). In the morning we will stop
at old witches tooth as locals call the leaning mountain rock
and Chayapoum in the afternoon before arriving at Pak Chong
(hotel). On Day 12 after the breakfast we shall ride to
the Khao Yai mountain range (1000-1300 meters above sea) and
take a walk through the jungles of this world's No 7 national
park. There will be a good chance to see monkeys, hornbills
and gaur, less chance to see wild elephants or tigers. You can
refresh under the waterfalls (the jump in The Beach - movie).
Around sunset and after 305 kilometers we shall arrive back at
Jomtien Beach (hotel).
Day 14 (Bangkok and Jomtien).
Today you will receive a CD with
photos from the tour before the taxi picks you up three
hours before your flight departure. Most of the
flights to Europe are late at night giving you an extra day in
the beach resort. Check out time from the room is at noon but you can
make late check out arrangements or you can simply
deposit your luggage at the reception for the day. The taxi will pick you up in the morning to take you to
your next destination-Bangkok hotel. Bangkok has many sights
to see and it is true shopping Mecca.
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