LAMAI HOMESTAY/GUESTHOUSE, THAILAND

ISAN RURAL LIFE TOUR

A unique opportunity to be part of a rural community in an area of Thailand rarely visited by tourists. Visit the ancient Kmer temples at Pimai, learn about tradtional rice cultivation and silk making and sample local Isan cuisine. The smells, tastes and the glimpses into the past will stay with you long after your return home.

Day 1

Meals: Dinner - tour starts in the afternoon.

Pick up from Sida bus stop or Bua Yai train station and transfer to homestay.

Meet the family and the village people. Take a walk through the family rice fields and learn the process from planting to harvesting, and visit the villagers' homes where the various traditional processes take place. Return to the house and garden where you can sit in the shaded splash pool while Lamai prepares a typical Isan meal, followed by a drink on the verandah to watch the water buffalos amble homewards while the sun sets over the lake.

Day 2 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After an early breakfast served in the garden, proceed to the village of Ban Prasat to see the remains of a 3000 year old agricultural-ceramic culture in the excavation pits. Also visit the village raffia-weaving co-operative. A short distance from Ban Prasat is Sai Ngam, reputedly the oldest and largest banyan grove in Thailand. Here, you can visit the fortune teller and temple hidden inside its gnarled branches, browse the market stalls and join in the local tradition of releasing a fish and making a wish before sitting down for lunch at one of the lakeside stalls.

The afternoon will be spent exploring the dusky-pink sandstone architecture at Phimai, one of the most important Khmer temples in the country, built during the 10th, and 11th centuries.

Day 3

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Following a leisurely breakfast, travel by car to a small, rarely-visited village, where you can see the whole of the silk-making process from the breeding of the silk worms to the packaging of the final product. So high is the quality of the silk that the villagers have received the Queen's commendation and were visited by Her Majesty who presented the award herself. Each part of the silk-making process takes place in a different home simultaneously. Watch the worms eat the mulberry leaves, learn the spinning, dyeing and weaving processes and buy your favourite piece at the end. You can see a two month process in half a day and will have all the processes explained to you.

In the afternoon, visit Bua Yai market to learn about the exotic fruits and aromatic spices used in Isan cooking and experience the traditional lifestyle of the region. Lunch will be taken in one of the local restaurants.

On the way home, time permitting, visit the 11th century Hindu Temple at Prang Ban Sida and hand-feed the tame catfish in the pond.

Day 4

Meals: Breakfast -Tour ends after breakfast.

Transfer to bus- stop at Sida or Bua Yai train station for onward journey OR stay an additonal night OR combine with one of our other tours.  

PRICES

2-4 persons 5288 baht per person

Children under 2 - FREE in parents' room. Children between 2 and 12: 70% when sharing same room with 2 adults and one extra bed is required.

Transfer to/from Sida bus stop - free.

Transfer to/from Bua Yai train station 200 baht.

Services included in the price:
All meals as outlined in the itinerary
Admission fees where applicable

Optional extra:  TAT Official Guide at Phimai 1,000 Baht 

Services not included in the price:
Alcoholic drinks. Flights, trains, bus fares and other transport costs other than those outlined in the itinerary.

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