Exotissimo has specially created a four-day Thailand tour to coincide with the annual Surin Elephant Round-Up. You will get to partake in the festivities alongside the locals and their elephants as well as journey through lesser-known northeastern provinces, uncovering Thailand’s unique heritage and lively culture along the way.

Your Thailand tour begins with a drive from Bangkok. Observe the gleaming skyscrapers of the capital giving way to rustic towns and paddy fields as you ascend the Korat Plateau. The Isaan provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram and Surin are home to spectacular Khmer temples that date back to the great Angkor Empire. At Phimai and Phanom Rung Historical Parks, wander amid these ancient sanctuaries and marvel at the grandeur of these fascinating masterpieces.

After two days of temple and culture discovery, this Thailand tour leads you to the real highlight – the Elephant Round-Up Festival. A staple event of Surin since 1960, this festival pays tribute to the strength, grace and intelligence of the elephants through tugs of war, football matches and log pulling demonstrations. Travel back in time and see how these majestic beasts and their mahouts, outfitted in resplendent medieval costumes, play out magnificent re-enactments of old-time battles. Brimming with ‘sanuk’ or fun, this colorful spectacle is sure to add many unforgettable moments to your Thailand tour.

After experiencing this exuberant festival, continue eastwards to Ubon Ratchathani, a province nestled by the Mekong River next to Laos. Here, other opportunities to seek out the Isaan heritage await with visits to National Museum, Wat Thung Si Muang and Wat Nong Bua. The Thailand package tour ends in this Mekong province, where you can either take a flight back to Bangkok or cross the overland border into Laos.

Elephant Round-Up Festival - Thailand Tour Map

Depart from the Thai capital for a drive to Nakhon Ratchasima. At Saraburi, visit Wat Phra Phutthabat, one of the country's most beautiful temples and is especially famous for its Buddha's footprint. At Phimai Historical Park, venture into the ancient sanctuary to view Prasat Hin Phimai, the largest sandstone Khmer temple complex in Thailand, Prasat Museum and Prasat Hin Phanom Wan, a smaller but impressive Khmer ruin.

Overnight in Korat

Today begins with a visit to Daan Kwian, a village famous for producing beautiful pottery. Spend the rest of the morning exploring the Khmer monuments in Buriram, including the imposing Phanom Rung Historical Park and Prasat Muang Tham, an older Khmer temple built by King Jayavarman V. This afternoon, drive east to Surin and visit one of the province's highlights - Prasat Sikhoraphum.

Overnight in Surin

Spend a fabulous morning experiencing the Surin Elephant Round-Up. See hundreds of elephants gathered for a humongous breakfast spread, watch these majestic beasts blessed in ordination ceremonies, and marvel at their skills and talents in spectacular mock battle performances. After this morning's excitement, drive to Ubon Ratchathani to visit the National Museum, Wat Thung Si Muang and Wat Nong Bua.

Overnight in Ubon Ratchathani

This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Bangkok or head to the border to cross overland into Laos.