Day 1: Bangkok - Udon Thani - Nongkhai

• Early morning: meet with your
  English-speaking local assistant at your hotel as agreed
• Transfer to Hualamphomg rail station.
• 8:20 AM Departure by train to Udon Thani. During the journey, you will get an introduction into Thai culture and language and appreciate the tropical landscape.
• Transfer from Udon Thani to Nongkhai at the end of the afternoon (1hr).
• Transfer to the Nongkhai Resort Hotel.

Day 2: Nongkhai – Nong Patana - Nongkhai

• Breakfast at your hotel.
• Transfer to an elementary school in Nongkhai. Presentation and meeting with the children, get involved in activities with them (drawing, singing, games).
• Transfer to Nong Patana village (1h30).
• Isan lunch with a family (learn how the food is cooked with the mother).
• Discover and participate in the daily activities of the village such as salt lick collection and process of hull removing.
• Dinner at a restaurant on the way back.
• Overnight stay at Nongkhai Resort Hotel.

Day 3: Nong Khai – Vientiane

• Breakfast (you can leave some personal belongings at the hotel to lighten your luggage).
• Transfer to Vientiane by crossing the famos Friendship Bridge between Thailand and Laos built in 1994.
• Short sightseeing tour of the city by air-conditioned van.
• Transfer to the hotel.
• Free lunch and free time.
• Presentation of the elephant watchtower in Phou Khao Khouai by Dr. Klaus Schwettmann who developed and managed this project for the German Development Service (DED) (when his schedule allows).
• Free dinner.
• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4: Vientiane - Ban Na village (Phou Khao Khouai National Park)

• Breakfast at your hotel.
• Transfer to the village of Ban Na in Phou Khao Khouai National Park (1 hr).
• On your arrival, presentation on community-based ecotourism.
• Transfer to the temple of Wat Pabat (plus Wat Ponsan during dry season).
• Lunch with a family in Ban Na village.
• Trek to the elephant watchtower, located 4 km from the village. Some local guides from Ban Na will lead you there and show you the forest wildlife.
• Spend the afternoon in the tower to observe and listen to the sounds of wildlife and maybe a chance to see the elephants.
• Dinner and stay overnight in the tower.

Day 5: Ban Na – Ban Hatkhai

• Early breakfast in the tower.
• Trek back to Ban Na village.
• Change and rest.
• Watch and learn how to weave baskets with women of the village.
• Transfer to Ban Hatkhai village (15 km from Ban Na).
• Introduction to your home stay and lunch with that family.
• Trek to Tad Leuk where the Houey Bone Nature trail begins. You will observe fauna and flora along the trail and discover at your rhythm (thanks to the yellow/red signs) the rich wildlife and sounds of nature in the forest.
• Dinner and overnight in Ban Hatkhai village.

Day 6: Ban Hatkhai – Vientiane

• Early breakfast at your home stay.
• Departure to the waterfalls of Tad Xay and Pha Xay first by boat on the Nam Mang River and then by trekking. Go for a swim.
• Picnic at the waterfalls.
• Transfer to Vientiane and to the hotel.
• Free time.
• Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 7: Vientiane – Nongkhai

• Breakfast at your hotel.
• Transfer to Nongkhai and to the Nongkhai Resort Hotel. Relax and rest.
• Thai cooking lesson at OpenmindProjects and lunch.
• Transfer to a Buddhist University in Nongkhai. Visit and meet with the monks.
• Dinner cruise on the Mekong River aboard the Nagarina boat.
• Overnight stay at the Nongkhai Resort Hotel.

Day 8: Nongkhai – Bangkok

• Breakfast at your hotel.
• Proceed to visit Sala Kaeo Ku Sculpture Park.
• Transfer to Tha Sadej Indochinese Market for a lunch with a view of the Mekong River.
• Visit of the market (and a nearby nice antique shop to visit).
• Free afternoon.
• Baci ceremony.
• 18:00 PM Transfer to Nongkhai railstation.
• 19:15 PM Departure of the night train.
• Arrival in Bangkok in the morning.
• Pick up to hotel or airport.

This tour includes:

• Transportation: By air-conditioned van and by air-conditioned train.
• Accommodation: Hotel (air-conditioned room and private bathroom) and home stay (mattress and fan, toilet and bathroom with bucket and cold water).
• Meals: Breakfast-lunch-dinner.
• Guide: English-speaking guides.

This tour does not include:

• International flight (available on request).
• Thai visa.
• Travel and cancellation insurance (available on request).
• Drinks (soft drinks and alcoholic beverages).
• Meals on the train.
• Lunches and dinners in Vientiane

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