Nong Khai and Loei

Post by **Hareeba** » February 18, 2013, 9:06 pm

Would you recommend 2 nights NK and 4 Loei or 3/3?

Sorry for posting here but other sections are really quiet and this one seems to get a fair bit of interest.

Post by JR » February 21, 2013, 3:56 pm

That would depend on what you want to do and see in the area.

Post by **747man** » February 21, 2013, 7:27 pm

There is MORE in Nong Khai ( For the Monger ) than in Loei,But the scenary is more impressive in Loei,If thats what you want..

Post by **Zidane** » February 22, 2013, 9:54 am

Why not do a couple of nights in Nong Khai then drive along the Mekhong River Valley to Chiang Khan,stop there a day or so and then proceed to Loei.
Loei town itself isnt all that much to write home about but the surrounding scenery is very nice.Consider staying in somewhere like Phu Rua which is a National Park about 50 kilometres west from Loei.....get a nice resort in the hills there at around 3000 feet eg.Phu Rua Resort http://www.phuruaresort.com.
Also in this area is the Phu Kradung National Park which is bigger than Phu Rua and south of Loei town.

Post by **writemotive** » February 22, 2013, 4:27 pm

Did the trip from Udon to Chiang Khan, via Loei, then back tracked to Phu Rua early FEB. We stayed at the Chiang Khan Boutique Hotel (you can see my review on Agoda) and I hope the Phu Rua resort is a better stay. We drove by and the Phu Rua Resort did look nice from the road. I wanted to take the route along the river from Nong Khai, but the driver talked my wife out of that route for some uncommunicable reason (in English) and I didn't get more involved in the decision. However, we had a nice time. Chiang Khan offers some nice views of the river. The whole town seems somewhat surprised by the attention and it gets a little crowded on the walking street. If looking for dining, I would invest a few extra minutes to check out the establishments further up the raod than we did as they looked more appealling than what we setteled for. Have fun!!

Post by **bumper** » February 22, 2013, 4:31 pm

Unless things have changed that route to Loie is pretty good. But, after that it was a mess. Don't know if it's been fixed yet. It was a part of motorcycle trip I took a few years back. That section was very pretty but I wouldn't want to do it again

Post by **Brilliant One** » February 22, 2013, 5:23 pm

Hareeba, having done this trip in January, if you want a 6-day trip, I would suggest:
Phu Rua - 2 nights
Chiang Khan - 2 nights
Nong Khai - 2 nights
Don't take the road along the Mekong from Phu Rua to Chiang Khan via Tha Li, unless you have an SUV or 4-WD.
Scenery is brilliant! But really not suitable for a car.
See some good reviews from Parrot and myself on "ChiangKhan Getaway"

Post by **bumper** » February 22, 2013, 6:11 pm

You can bypass that section by going through Dan Sai from Phu Rua and a nice ride by the Lao Border into the National park. No traffic and good roads. I'm not sure but I think it was Nan you end up at. After that pretty much like Issan scenery. I'll check the map if I'm wrong I will change it.

Yep it is Nan, 181 miles. I would fuel up in Dan Sai once you get into the National Forrest not much for fuel available. Thee is a tricky turn to the right that takes you into the National Forrest otherwise you will be riding through villages. The National Forrest travel right next to the Lao border and many places you could easily just wade across. Not something I would recommend since there are a lot of drugs smuggled through the area. Based on the AR-15"s I saw the Rangers with not a good idea.

Post by **bumper** » February 22, 2013, 6:27 pm

The Other side is Laos

Post by **bumper** » February 22, 2013, 6:32 pm

We stayed in this resort as it was called not recommended only a few Klms to the from the turn off to the National Forrest, better to stay in Dan Sai or Phu Ruea.

Post by **bumper** » February 22, 2013, 6:36 pm

This was taken in the section of road from the Loie area following the Lao border, pretty but not even good with a motorcycle. There are lots of great things not that far from us.

Post by **Shado** » February 23, 2013, 1:35 pm

A great half-day excursion is to Suan Hin Pha Ngam Park south of Wang Saphung. Between Loei and Phu Kradung. This park is also called Kunming Rock Garden as it is similar to formations in Kunming, China.

Go to Google map - Directions - A = Udon Thani B = Suan Hin Pha Ngam Park Loei. Good roads but it's best to have someone with you who reads Thai because except for the main turnoff at Nong Hin, there are no more signs in English.

A very interesting and beautiful place.

Post by **bumper** » February 23, 2013, 4:24 pm

I had forgotten about that really neat and not far.

Post by **fatbob** » February 23, 2013, 7:05 pm

This topic is brilliant, I will check this place out over Songran, it would be good if other hidden gems were posted in the same manner.

Post by **Hareeba** » March 3, 2013, 8:31 pm

Do you think Khon Kaen is worth a visit? I should have some extra time.

Post by **trekkertony** » March 4, 2013, 3:22 pm

Ubolrat Dam and surrounding area which is about 50k's from Khon Kaen would be a great place to visit for an overnight stop. Excellent motel style units overlooking the lake have appeal. The attached link may be of assistance
http://isan.sawadee.com/khonkaen/attractions.htm

Post by **bumper** » March 4, 2013, 5:36 pm

With some research ahead of time might be.