🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The backbone of this trip is Highway 226, which runs straight across lower Isan. From downtown Ubon to downtown Sisaket is about 65 kilometres — an easy hour's drive — and the Huai Thap Than–Sisaket stretch was recently widened to four lanes, so it moves a lot faster now. A private car makes the most sense here, because several of the best stops sit off the bus routes — especially the hilltop temples around Sirindhorn and the durian orchards near Khun Han. Day one covers the eastern, border-adjacent side of Ubon; day two crosses into Sisaket city; day three heads south to the Khmer ruins and volcanic durian before looping back.
Latest border status — read this before you plan
The famous border viewpoint Pha Mo I Daeng in Khao Phra Wihan National Park (Kantharalak district) has been closed indefinitely since mid-2025 because of Thai–Cambodian border tensions, and the Chong Bok border zone on the Ubon side is sensitive as well. So this plan steers clear of the actual border areas and links normally open, safe stops instead. Before every trip, recheck the national park's page and the latest provincial announcements, because the situation can change.
The 3-day route at a glance
- Day 1 — Ubon's Sirindhorn–Khong Chiam side Wat Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao (the glowing temple), Kaeng Saphue rapids, a Mekong-side viewpoint, then overnight in Ubon city or Khong Chiam
- Day 2 — Cross into Sisaket city Drive Route 226 into Sisaket, Phra That Rueang Rong, the Four Thai Tribes Museum, Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park, then overnight in Sisaket city
- Day 3 — Khmer ruins and volcanic durian Prasat Sra Kamphaeng Yai, the Million-Bottle Temple in Khun Han, volcanic durian orchards (in season), pick up local goods, then drive back
Book the activities in your Ubon Ratchathani trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Day 1 — Ubon's Sirindhorn side, the glowing temple, the Mekong
Day one covers Ubon's eastern highlights, close to the border but still firmly in normal tourist territory. The headliner is Wat Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao — the glowing temple — where the kalpataru tree mural behind the ordination hall glows green after dark. Time your visit for around dusk so you catch it both in daylight and once it starts to glow.
Phu Prao → Kaeng Saphue → Mekong at Khong Chiam
Time it right for the glowing temple
The heart of day one is the dusk-into-dark window at Phu Prao. Go in daytime and you'll only see the ordination hall — no glow. Aim to reach the temple around 3 to 4 pm, walk the grounds, then wait for the light in the early evening. It glows brightest once the sky is fully dark, roughly 7 to 7.30 pm.
Day 2 — Crossing into Sisaket city
Today is the cross-province day. Drive from Ubon south down Highway 226 into Sisaket city — about 65 km, an hour and you're there. Cover the city's closely clustered highlights: Phra That Rueang Rong, the Four Thai Tribes Museum and Somdet Park, the city's green lung. No rush — you can take it easy all day.
Phra That Rueang Rong → Four Thai Tribes → Somdet Park
Shift your dates to match durian season
If you're set on eating volcanic durian straight from the orchard, plan the trip for late May through July, which is Sisaket's durian season. Out of season the orchards have no fruit to sample, but the temples and ruins are open as usual. June often brings a volcanic durian festival in town — check the dates before you go so you get the fruit fresh at the source.
Day 3 — Khmer ruins, the bottle temple, volcanic durian
On the final day, head south to the Uthumphon Phisai and Khun Han districts to take in thousand-year-old Khmer ruins, a temple built from a million glass bottles, and the volcanic durian country that's the province's real claim to fame — then pick up some souvenirs and loop back.
Sra Kamphaeng Yai → Bottle Temple → durian orchards
Tweaking the plan to your style
Only 2 days, 1 night
Combine the Phu Prao glowing temple and Kaeng Saphue on day one, then cross Route 226 into Sisaket on day two for Phra That Rueang Rong and the Bottle Temple. One night in either Ubon or Sisaket.
Khmer-ruins enthusiast
Lower Isan is Khmer-ruin country. If you love history, carry on from Sra Kamphaeng Yai to Prasat Sra Kamphaeng Noi, and there are plenty more ruins along Route 226 on the Surin–Buriram side.
Waiting for the border to reopen
If Pha Mo I Daeng and the border viewpoints come back one day, add a day for Kantharalak and the Phanom Dong Rak sea of fog. For now, stick to the routes that are open as usual.
Rough budget per person (3 days, 2 nights)
- Accommodation, 2 nights — 1 night in Ubon + 1 night in Sisaket, from about 700-1,500 THB a night for a mid-range stay; split it two ways with a travel partner
- Food, 6-7 meals — around 700-1,200 THB; Isan food around here isn't expensive
- Entry fees — most temples and ruins are free; the zoo in Somdet Park is about 30 THB for adults
- Fuel — the loop from Ubon to Sirindhorn to Sisaket to Khun Han and back is about 800-1,300 THB per car, split among the group
- Souvenirs/durian — shallots, garlic and jasmine rice are cheap at the source; volcanic durian in season is priced by grade
- All in, a mid-range trip runs about 2,000-3,500 THB per person (cheaper still with 2-4 people sharing, and not counting the cost of getting to Ubon)
Can you do it without your own car?
Up to a point, yes — but you won't see as much as you would with a car. There are both trains and vans running regularly between Ubon city and Sisaket city, comfortable and cheap. Getting around within Sisaket city — Phra That Rueang Rong and Somdet Park — you can use local hired transport. But the out-of-town spots, like Wat Phu Prao on the Sirindhorn side, Prasat Sra Kamphaeng Yai and the Khun Han durian orchards, sit off the bus routes, so you'd have to charter a vehicle or rent and drive yourself. Without a car, this works better for people who want to focus on the two city centres rather than chase hilltop temples and fruit orchards.
Best timing + driving safely
The most comfortable season for lower Isan is Nov–Feb — cool air and clear skies — while May–Jul is volcanic durian season, when you can taste it right at the orchard. In the rainy months of Jun–Oct, the hill roads up to Wat Phu Prao and around Khun Han get slick, so drive slowly, and check the border status every time before you set out. Fill up the tank before heading onto the district back roads, because petrol stations are far apart.
Find a base in Ubon city before you set off
See Ubon hotels →