5 days in Thailand: Exotic Isan – Khmer Ruins – Historical Park

Pick up from the hotel transfer to the airport for flight to Ubon Ratchathani.

Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel.

Visit a number of city sites in Ubon including Wat Thung Si Muang, built in a very unusual mixture of Thai, Lao & Burmese styles. Also see the National Museum (unless the day is a Tuesday, when the museum is closed). The exhibits here help to put what you have seen over the last days into perspective. This museum is also home to 3 of the most important known inscription stones in Thai history. The guide will take to see a few more cultural attractions before driving to your hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, we are excursion to Khao Phra Viharn.

Khao Phra Viharn Khmer temple complex was started even before Angkor Wat in the heart of Cambodia! Unlike other Khmer Temples, this one has not undergone the restoration efforts of the Fine Arts Department.

Arrive at the extensive but dilapidated center, which is on a cliff-top overlooking the virgin Cambodian countryside.

On the way back, stop off for a look at Maw-E-Daeng cliff carvings. These carvings exhibit many similarities to some of the Hindu subject matter at Khao Phra Viharn, but experts disagree exactly which site preceded the other.

Have lunch at a local restaurant, then continue the drive back to Ubon Ratchathani.

After breakfast, we will drive to Khong Jiam.

Check-in at the Tohsang Khongjiam Resort. Relax at your leisure.

In the afternoon, drive to Pha Taem Historical Park. A 10 minutes walk brings us to prehistoric rock-paintings. Some of the subject matter depicted is easy to discern and interpret (elephants, fish and people). The subject matter in some other paintings is debatable. Listen to what the Fine Arts Department has to say, and then make your own decision. Enjoy lovely views of the Mekong River and Laos side. Afterwards, walk back to the bus, and drive down to the Mekong, where you will board covered boats for the trip back to the resort. Enjoy the ambiance of the riverside resort for the remainder of the day.

After breakfast, drive with your guide to the Thai-Lao border crossing at Chong Mek, continue drive to Pakse.

Upon your arrival in Pakse your guide will bring you to local pier to embark a traditional boat down the Mekong River to Champasak.

Continue excursion by car or Tuk Tuk to visit the ruins of the Khmer temple of Wat Phou.

Afterward continue by car to Ban Khiet Ngong for elephant riding before returning to Thailand on late afternoon.

Cross border at Chong Mek and transfer to Tohsang Khongjiam Resort for dinner and over night.