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Day one |
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Transfer from Bangkok Airport to Jomtien Beach |
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Your fellow travellers 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. He will hold AVALON sign with your name. The taxi
ride to the hotel at Jomtien Beach takes about one hour. We
shall hold a meeting in the evening when everyone arrives and
have a dinner together. Accommodation with breakfast in
Jomtien. |
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Day two |
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Free to relax, for shopping and sightseeing |
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You can relax at the pool or on the beach opposite the hotel
to get rid of jet-lag in the morning. Alternatively you can
go downtown Pattaya and do some shopping in one of larger
department stores or markets. In the afternoon motorcycles will be delivered.
Accommodation with breakfast in Jomtien. |
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Day three |
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Jomtien Beach to Aranyaprathet (full day ride 290 km) |
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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
road disappears under the water during the rainy season. We
will have to take detour. There is a beautiful scenery all
the way to Aranyaprathet. We shall finish the day with "al
fresco" dinner Thai style. Accommodation with breakfast in
Aranyaprathet. |
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Day four |
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A day excursion to Angkor Wat in Cambodia (taxi) |
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Today you have a chance to visit famous Angkor temples on a
low budget. After early breakfast you will take a
three-wheeler to the Cambodian border. Visa is arranged
there. A pre-booked (on Thai side) taxi or minibus will take
you to the temples. A new road has been opened in May 2009
and it takes only about an hour and half to get there. Taxi
will take you around Angkor Wat complex stopping at three
most magnificent temples: Bayon (Angkor Thom), Ta Prohm
(where movie Tomb Raider was filmed) and the immense Angkor
Wat. The celebrated temples are Cambodia's greatest tourist
attraction. The 100 or so temples are the sacred remains of
what was once a larger administrative and religious centre
of mighty Khmer state, and were built between the 9th and
13th centuries to glorify a succession of Khmer kings. Most
of Angkor was abandoned in the 15th century and the temples
were gradually cloaked by jungle. The "lost city" was
rediscovered at the end of 19th century and became UNESCO
World Heritage Site recently. You will return to Thailand in
the evening. Accommodation with breakfast in Aranyaprathet. |
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Day five |
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Aranyaprathet to Ubon Ratchatani (full day ride390 km) |
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This day involves a longer ride. Road runs through a hilly
area first, then over an extinct volcanic cone with ancient
temples on the edge of the crater. Finally it crosses the
Isaan plateau through mainly Khmer (Cambodian) language
spoken area. Rice paddies, water buffaloes - typical Thai
rural life. In the late afternoon we shall cross the Mun
river to arrive at our destination. Accommodation with
breakfast in Ubon Ratchatani. |
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Day six |
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Ubon Ratchatani to Khong Chiam (morning ride 90 km) |
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Leaving Ubon behind (as the locals call the city) we shall
pass several gong making villages along our ride to Khong
Chiam where you will get the first glimpse of Mekong river.
On the way we shall stop at the Moon river cataracts. After
dropping our luggage at the hotel and a lunch we will board
a boat and take a trip down the Mekong and Moon river. This
is the place where the blue Moon River flows into the brown
Mekong River. There is a perfect line that separates two
streams and two colours are the best seen from a boat.
Nearby there are sheer cliffs above Mekong, which resulted
from earthquakes. Irregular shaped sandstone is found
scattered throughout the area. Beautiful flowering plants
grow among the rocky ground. On the cliffs surface are
numerous prehistoric cave paintings dating back 4,000 years
as this was home to one of the world's oldest agrarian
communities - the 'cradle of north-eastern civilisation'.
Recently discovered archaeological evidence suggests that
humans settled in the region between 14,000 to 6,000 years
ago. We shall take a boat up the Moon river to the cataracts
(good swimming from January until April). On the way back we
shall stop at Laos village (no visa or stamp) for some
refreshments/shopping (Chinese medicines like bottles of
rice brandy with cobra snakes or centipedes inside). The
length and stops on this trip depend on border conditions
and the water level in the river stream. After an exhausting
day it will be pleasant to relax at the terrace restaurant
on the banks of Mekong and enjoy the sunset and tranquillity
of the place. Accommodation with breakfast in Khong Chiam. |
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Day seven |
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Khong Chiam to Nakhon Phanom (full day ride 310 km) |
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After the breakfast we shall ride north along the river.
There are unusual rock formations along the way to Mukdahan
where we shall stop at the market (big variety of dried
fruits, cashew nuts and others) and have a lunch. Further
north we shall visit a "pilgrimage" Buddhist temple - That
Phanom. This is the most sacred and ancient religious
monument of the Northeast. Both Thais and Laotians usually
make their pilgrimage to this highly venerated site to ask
for blessings. In addition, visitors can experience the
unique fusion of Thai and Lao arts and culture through
customs such as the Bai-Sri-Su-Kwan ceremony (the extension
of a generous welcome to guests when a potent brew of
home-made liquor is usually served). A 53-meters tall
square-shaped chedi was built before the 12th century. It is
believed to have originally been of Khmer design, was
renovated through the years to its present Laotian design
and enshrines holy relics of Lord Buddha. Soon We shall have
only another half an hour ride left to Nakhon Phanom. This
town used to be the biggest American air-force base during
the Vietnam war. From Nakhon Phanom there is only 60
kilometres to Vietnam and the Ho Shi Ming trail running
across this narrow strip used to be carpet bombed daily. In
the evening we shall sample some Thai- Vietnamese food.
Accommodation with breakfast in Nakhon Phanom. |
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Day eight |
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Nakhon Phanom to Bung Kan (full day ride 260 km) |
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In the morning we shall ride to north to Chet Si waterfalls
first. This magnificent waterfalls located in Phu Wua
Wildlife Sanctuary , are a popular weekend destination of
many locals especially during the rainy season. Huai Ka-am
river that flows down a high sandstone mountain that is
enclosed by dense forest, created a number of cascades,
waterfalls and sink holes where the people cool down under
the rainbow coloured spray of water. Chet Si” means seven
colours in direct translation. Animals found here are:
elephant, tiger, clouded leopard, bear, deer, wild boar and
monkeys. We shall take a walk along the stream with seven
levels of waterfalls to the top. We shall refresh under the
falling water and in the river cascades (water level varies
during seasons). After lunch we shall visit Phutok forest
temple. Phu Thok is a huge rock outcrop rising abruptly from
a plain in Bung Kan district. A winding network of wooden
staircases and walkways leads to the top, where there is a
magnificent view of the surrounding area. Near the top is
Wat Chetiya Khiri Viharn, a meditation temple. The climb
involves stretches of walkway that cling to sheer cliffs,
making it "once in a lifetime experience". Accommodation
with breakfast in Bung Kan. |
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Day nine |
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Bung Kan to Nong Khai (morning ride 140 km) |
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We have only a short morning ride to Nong Khai. Today
everyone will have a chance to sort out laundry, visit some
Buddhist temples or get a bargain in the Indochina market.
Hotel is situated on the banks of the Mekong overlooking
friendship bridge connecting Thailand with Laos. On the way
we shall stop at Wat Ahorn. Mekong River is with its more
than 4500 kilometres from its source in Himalayas to the
Delta in Vietnam the longest river in SE Asia. At Wat Ahorn,
there is the narrowest point on river with a Buddhist temple
on Thai and Laos side of the stream. Local fishermen
consider this as one of the best spots to catch Mekong giant
- a catfish weighing over 300 kg (660 lbs). This is not the
only big fish living in the river. Sharks, sawfish and
stingrays get caught in fishing nets regularly. Siamese
crocodile is almost extinct but it can still be found in
Mekong tributaries. Accommodation with breakfast in Nong
Khai. |
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Day ten |
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Day off or excursion to Vientiane - the capital of Laos |
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Today you will travel to the Capital of Laos, Vientiane. You
will take a skylab - a three-wheeler to the bridge. At the
Laos side you get your visa and take a short 20 km taxi ride
to Vientiane. 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 market
and you can enjoy a delicious French baguette with pate
while exploring the city centre. Wide boulevards, tree-lined
streets, temples and sidewalk cafes impart a timeless
atmosphere. You will return to Thailand in the early evening
before the border closes .Accommodation with breakfast in
Nong Khai. |
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Day eleven |
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Nong Khai to Phu Ruea (full day ride 290 km) |
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We shall leave Nong Khai but instead of turning South we
shall continue to ride West along Mekong river rapids into
Loei mountains. This is not northern most area of Thailand
but it is the coldest. With mountains over 2000 meters high
this is the only place where it can snow in the winter. In
the valleys it still remains hot during the day (around 28
degrees Celsius). At Chiang Kan we shall leave the Mekong
and turn into mountainous Phu Ruea National park. Winding
roads, cooler climate but also a good chance of a short
mountain storm. This is also the only wine producing region
of Thailand - but most of those who have tasted it prefer to
stick with beer. We shall finish this day with some good
brew in alpine style resort. Accommodation with breakfast in
Phu Ruea. |
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Day twelve |
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Phu Ruea to Pak Chong (full day ride 350 km) |
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Today we have a longer but scenic ride. In the morning we
shall stay in the mountains and in the afternoon in we shall
ride through Petchabun hills and plains of Wichian Buri
before arriving at Pak Chong. The morning will start with 80
kilometres of bends followed by longer stretches of straight
road in the afternoon. In the evening you can join me for a
dinner and drinks after a visit to the local night market.
Accommodation with breakfast in Pak Chong. |
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Day thirteen |
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Pak Chong to Jomtien (full day ride 290 km) |
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Today we shall enjoy 100 km ride through the rainforests of
Khao Yai mountain range followed by 200 km of rolling hills.
Khao Yai mountain range is considered by experts to be among
the world's best national parks. Tropical moist evergreen
forest covers the central area and the rich diversity of
plants is astounding to the newcomer. Tigers, elephants,
gibbons, wild boars, and clouded leopards are just a few of
the hundreds of species of mammals and birds inhabiting this
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khao Yai is renowned for the
height and profusion of its waterfalls, where the swollen
tropical rivers surge over unexpected precipices; one of the
most enthralling to watch is the 80 m cascade at Haew Narok.
We shall stop at this waterfall and also at Heo Suwat which
was a scene of a jump in movie "The Beach". There will be a
good chance to see monkeys, hornbills, a bear, sambar deer
and gaur or wild elephants, less chance to see tigers. There
are many good places with panoramic views along the way.
Usually the group has the last farewell dinner together this
night. Accommodation with breakfast in Jomtien. |
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Day fourteen |
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Transfer from Jomtien Beach to Bangkok Airport |
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Your motorcycle touring holiday is ending today. You will
receive a DVD with photos and video clips of your escapades
during the tour before our taxi picks you up. The time will
be arranged depending on your flight departure. The ride
from the hotel at Jomtien Beach to the airport takes about
one hour. We recommend to book an evening/night flight,
giving you an extra day at the end of your holiday. |
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