Tour de Isan 2009 Itinerary
Date : 27 June – 7 July 2009

The 2nd Annual Tour de Isan is an 11 day charity bicycle tour through the Northeast region of Thailand, known as “Isan.” This event starts in the town of Nong Khai and the Thai/Laos border and then winds 800 kilometers along the mighty Mekong River to Ubon Ratchathani with some days off along the route for rest, relaxation, and sightseeing.
We will take you through the emerald green rice fields of the northeast heartland and show you the beauty and ecological importance of the Mekhong River. This ride shows you where few tourists have ventured before and finishes in the city of Ubon Ratchathani during their lovely Annual Candle Festival.
All riders must raise a minimum of US$ 1000 in donations to participate in the Tour de Isan 2009. For further information

Website : http://www.tourdeasia.org/ ,http://www.blogger.com/www.tourdethailand.com/tour-de-isaan.html

This 11-day tour will include 8 days of riding (760 kilometers/470 miles) and 3 days of rest, relaxation, and sightseeing.

Friday, June 26th

It is recommended that all riders plan to be in Nong Khai by this day to get ready for the trip and leave time for scheduling mishaps or delays. If you are taking the train to Nong Khai you will need to leave Bangkok by this evening to get to Nong Khai on time to join the start of the Tour de Isan.

Saturday, June 27th

All riders must be in Nong Khai by this day to join the start of the Tour de Isan. We can arrange for transportation from Udon Thani should you decide to fly there. We will check into our hotel and have dinner along the Mekong looking across to Laos.

Sunday, June 28th – Ride from Nong Khai to Pak Khat (63 Miles/101 KM)

Opening Ceremony and start of the 2nd Annual Tour de Isan 2009. After a brief ceremony we will leave Nong Khai riding a small country road lined with potted trees and colorful flowers along the Mekhong River. This is the day you realize you made the great decision to do this event after seeing the beauty of Isan, but I assure you that this is only the beginning both literally and figuratively!

Monday, June 29th – Ride from Pak Khat to Beung Khan (40 Miles/64 KM)

More riding down small country roads, through small villages that hardly ever see foreigners, switching back and forth from dirt and gravel to cement and paved tarmac and we have a unique stop at a temple with all these boulders that look more like giant dinasour eggs. Today is short and very sweet! After cleaning up we will take the support vehicles to Wat Phu Tok so that riders can see this really cool temple that has 7 levels of walkways along the side of the mountain to get to the top.

Tuesday, June 30th – Ride from Beung Khan to Ban Peung (57 Miles/92 KM)

Today is the first day we will see some rolling hills (very gentle) with more of the incredibly beautiful dirt and gravel roads through some small villages.
Wednesday, July 1st – Ride from Ban Peung to Nakhon Panom (62 Miles/99 KM)
More gorgeous riding along small country roads near the mighty Mekhong River into the rather large city of Nakhon Panom. It’s party time tonight, we have a day off tomorrow!

Thursday, July 2nd – Day Off in Nakhon Panom Day off for rest, relaxation, and sightseeing.

Friday, July 3rd – Ride from Nakhon Panom to Mukdahan (68 Miles/110 KM)

Saturday, July 4th – Ride from Mukdahan to Khemarat (56 Miles/91 KM)

Sunday, July 5th – Ride from Khemarat to Khong Chiam (72 Miles/117 KM)

Monday, July 6th–Ride from Khong Chiam to Ubon Rathchathani (52 Miles/84 KM)

The Closing Ceremony of the Tour de Isan 2009. Then shower and go to enjoy the Ubon
Ratchathani Candle Festival Celebration with plenty to eat and drink all around.

Tuesday, July 7th – Day Off in Ubon Ratchathani
See the Candle Festival Parade in the morning and early afternoon and prepare for your trip home. Riders can take the overnight train back to Bangkok, fly directly from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok or other parts of Thailand, or come with us in the support vehicles and visit the Khmer Ruins of Wat Panom Rung on the way back to Bangkok with an overnight stay along the way, arriving in Bangkok on the 9th.

Tourism Authority of Thailand