AMAZING INDOCHINA TOUR - 35 Days 

This is a truly amazing tour that covers 5 countries in just over one month. Please take a look at the itinerary and note which parts interest you and which parts don't so that we can tailormake this to suit your needs. For example, if you don't have a month, ask about our 2 week tours!

Route: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Halong - Hoi An - Saigon - Mekong Delta - Siem Reap - Vientiane - Luang Prabang - Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai - Yangon - Bagan - Mandalay

 

ITINERARY IN BRIEF

Day

Route

Meals

Transport

1

Arrival in Hanoi

(D)

  

2

Hanoi Full Day City Tour

(B)

  

3

Hanoi - Bai Dinh - Trang An - Hanoi

(B)

  

4

Hanoi - Full Day Halong Bay Cruise - Overnight on Board                

(B/L/D)

  

5

Halong Bay - Overnight on Board

(B/L/D)

  

6

Halong - Hanoi - Overnight train to Danang

(B/Br)

Overnight Train

7

Arrival in Danang -  Ba Na Hill - Hoi An

(B)

  

8

Hoi An - City Tour - My Son Holyland

(B)

  

9

Hoi An - Danang - Saigon Half Day City Tour

(B)

Domestic flight

10

Saigon - My Tho - Mekong - Saigon

(B)

  

11

Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnel - Street Food Tour - Saigon

(B/ Light D)

  

12

Saigon - Siem Reap - Apsara Dance Dinner

(B/D)

International flight

13

Siem Reap Full Day Angkor Wat Complex

(B)

Tuk Tuk

14

Siem Reap - Tonle Sap - Kampong Phluk - Wat Thmei - West Baray

(B)

Tuk Tuk

15

Siem Reap - Full day Banteay Srei - Temples

(B)

Tuk Tuk

16

Siem Reap - Full day Koh Ker, Preah Vihear

(B)

  

17

Siem Reap - Vientiane

(B)

International Flight

18

Vientiane - Full Day Vientiane City Tour

(B)

  

19

Vientiane - Luang Prabang

(B)

Domestic Flight

20

Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfalls, Half Day City Tour

(B)

  

21

Luang Prabang - 2 Days Mekong River Crusie & Pak Ou Cave

(B/L/D)

Overnight Cruise

22

Pakbeng - Full day Cruising to Chiang Rai

(B/L)

  

23

Half day Chiang Rai City Tour

(B)

  

24

Full Day Discover Golden Triangle

(B)

  

25

Transfer to Chiang Mai - City Tour

(B)

  

26

Full day Chiang Mai Temple Tour

(B)

  

27

Chiang Mai - Yangon - Royal Dinner

(B/D)

International Flight

28

Full Day Yangon City Tour

(B)

  

29

Yangon - Bagan - Temple Visits

(B)

Domestic flight

30

Bagan - Mt.Popa - Salay - Bagan

(B)

  

31

Bagan - Mandalay - City Tour

(B)

Domestic flight

32

Mandaylay - Amarapura - Sagaing - Mandalay

(B)

  

33

Mandalay - Yangon - Leisure

(B)

Domestic flight

34

Yangon Leisure

(B)

  

35

Yangon - Departure

(B)

  

ITINERARY IN DETAIL

Day 1   Arrival in Hanoi                                                        (D) 

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by your driver and tour guide and transfered to your hotel in Hanoi for check-in.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2    Hanoi Full Day City Tour                                       (B) 

After breakfast at your hotel, you will start the city tour from Ba Dinh Square, the biggest square in Hanoi where all the cultural and political events of the city, especially demonstrations, take place. Visit the Complex of Ho Chi Minh located nearby and see his house-on-stilts, his fishpond and the One-Pillar Pagoda. You will continue the tour passing the Hữu Tiệp Lake, where lies a wreckage of a B-52 bomber shot down shortly before the war ended and enjoy a tour around the Old Quarter of Hanoi by pedicab. Lunch is at your own arrangement for flexibility. This afternoon, you will continue to visit more sites in and around this fascinating city including Ngoc Son Temple, the Sword Lake, which is considered the center and the soul of the city and the Temple of Literature, the very first High School of Vietnam. This evening, enjoy a show of Water Puppetry, a unique stage art created by the Vietnamese peasants. Dinner at own arrangements.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3    Hanoi - Bai Dinh - Trang An - Hanoi                 (B) 

After breakfast at hotel, you will be collected from your hotel and head to Ninh Binh. Your tour guide will introduce you to Bai Dinh Pagoda, which boats hundreds of Buddhist statues including the biggest statue made in bronze and standing 10 meters tall. In the afternoon, you will continue onwards to Trang An, taking a boat ride along Trang An river to enjoy the cave complex. The scenery of Trang An is a unique combination of deep turquoise river water, mountains, water caves and a clear blue sky which you will not find anywhere else. The boat trip will range from 2 to 3 hours and you will be rowed by a local person. After the boat trip you will return to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4    Hanoi - Full Day Halong Bay Cruise - Overnight on Board                             (B/L/D)

Today you will be collected at 8am to head East to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin. A Natural World Heritage Site as designated by UNESCO in 1994. The road will pass by the Red River Delta with green paddy fields and rural villages, where hard-work farmers will be busy with their farming jobs, often using ploughing buffaloes. Upon arrival in Halong, you will board your Junk Boat to cruise the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands of odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, you can visit the Surprising Grotto, stop for swimming or kayaking, pass floating villages and approach islets to enjoy their beauty. Back to the boat for dinner. This evening, attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the boat near Titov Beach. Please note! The program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose.

Overnight on board Junk Boat in Halong Bay

Day 5    Halong Bay - Overnight on Board                      (B/L/D)        

After breakfast, continue to cruise around the famous Bay of Halong.

Overnight on board Junk Boat in Halong Bay

Day 6    Halong - Hanoi -  (B/Br)           

Today you will enjoy breakfast with a view before visting Luon Cave, a ring-shaped pool inside an island in Halong with absolutely tranquil landscape and emerald waters. You will then cruise back to the Wharf of Halong, passing many islands that have been named, such as the Cock-Fighting Rock, Sail Island, Incense burner rock or Sea Dog Rock. Arrive at Halong Wharf around 11.00. Head back to Hanoi and to Train Station for an overnight train to Danang.

Overnight on train

Day 7    Arrival in Danang - Ba Na Hill - Hoi An           (B) 

Upon arrival in Danang, you will be met and taken to your hotel in Hoi An, to check-in. After lunch (by your own arrangement), you will be collected and taken to see Ba Na Hill to explore and the Golden Bridge in Danang. You have a chance to ride on a modern system of cable cars for a bird's-eye view. This has been described as “very miraculous and attractive while enjoying a feeling of flying in the blue sky amidst the clouds and wind”. You will then pass some historical French villas as well as the suspension bridge, Nui Chua & the Mountain Peak (at the height of 1,487m). Next, visit Vong Nguyet Villa where you will visit the wine cellar, Linh Ung Pagoda, Sakyamuni Buddha's monument and Ba Na by night. You will be dropped back at your hotel in the evening.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8      Hoi An - City Tour - My Son Holyland              (B) 

Today will start with breakfast at your hotel before you enjoy a morning tour of the picturesque Hoi An Ancient Town. You will take an interesting walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls, enjoy the attractiveness of ancient houses Tan Ky & Phung Hung, as well as a Japanese Bridge. Later you can stop at shrines or stroll into the market located by Thu Bon river. This is also a wonderful town to shop for lanterns, soft silk, raw silk, or get your clothes tailored within a day. You will be taken back to your hotel at the end of the morning. Lunch at your own arrangement. This afternoon your guide and car will meet you at your hotel for your drive through the beautiful countryside villages and towns on the way to the ancient relics of My Son. Your walking tour begins with a short ascent up to the Cham ruins, walking along a track bordered by jungle. As we reach the top, the fascinating ruins appear. While you explore the area, your guide will explain the history of the religious site which served as a burial place for the Cham monarchs many centuries ago.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9      Hoi An - Danang - Saigon Half Day City Tour (B)  Domestic flight

Suggested flight from Danang to Saigon from 12:00 to 13:30

After breakfast you will be collected for your transfer to Danang airport to take the mid-day flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival in the city, you will be welcomed at the Tan Son Nhat airport and transfered to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon, you will join a half day tour to have an overview of Ho Chi Minh City, the most dynamic city of Vietnam. Expect to see Reunification Palace, this beautifully preserved palace was the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam and on April 30th 1975 the American War officially came to an end here, the War Remnants Museum, where you can see countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting the second Indochina war and also the Old Post Office which was built sometime between 1886 and 1891. You will also visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture.

Overnight in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Day 10    Saigon - My Tho - Mekong - Saigon                  (B) 

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be collected and driven to My Tho, the homeland of many traditional family-run factories, working with locally grown products to produce coconut candy and rice paper. You will then embark on a cruise along the mighty Mekong River where you may view the life of the local people that live along the banks. You will stop at one of 4 islands in the area for sightseeing, enjoy the fresh tropical fruits accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music at the plantation. Afterwards you will embark on a small boat rowed by a local person who will take you through the small canals, showing you water coconut trees. Visit a local factory and taste the honey tea and see the local produce such as the coconut candy milk and of course you also can try it! Stroll in the garden where the locals feed the honeybees. Finally, enjoy the horse and cart ride ”Xe Loi” trip through the tranquil roads of the village. Lunch on guest’s own arrangement for more flexibility. This afternoon you will make a stop at Vinh Trang pagoda, a famous pogoda in the area that its architecture is a mix of Chinese, Cambodian, and French culture, before returning to Saigon.

Overnight in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Day 11    Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnel - Street Food Tour - Saigon            (B/Light Dinner)              

Breakfast at hotel. Morning picked up at your hotel to visit Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the few remaining monuments to the Vietnam War. Beneath the ground lie 200 km of tunnels, dug by hand and inhabited by the forces of the Vietnamese guerillas during the conflict. At its peak, prior to the Tet Offensive in 1968, the tunnel complex was base to almost 10,000 troops. To this day, it remains one of the most impressive examples of how fierce the war used to be. You even can try to crawl some of the tunnels underground to have the real experience. This evening, you will enjoy a street food tour of Saigon. Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Day 12     Saigon - Siem Reap - Apsara Dance Dinner   (B/D)             International flight

Suggested flight to Saigon to Siem Reap from 13:45 to 15:25

Breakfast at the hotel and relax until you’ll transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport, for a flight to Siem Reap.

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your tour guide in Siem Reap, transfered to your hotel for check-in and then enjoy a free afternoon. This evening you will experience “Apsara traditional show” including buffet dinner. For a comparatively small town, Siem Reap offers an amazing range of dining venues and cuisines from Asia and the West. The emphasis is, of course, on Khmer/Cambodian food with the classic Amok Cambodian curry and Khmer BBQ being some of the most popular dishes.

Overnight is Siem Reap

Day 13     Siem Reap Full Day Angkor Wat Complex     (B)  Tuk Tuk

Breakfast at hotel. You will be collected at 7:30am to commence your visit to Angkor Thom city, founded in 12th century by king Jayavarman VII and remained the capital until 17th century. At this city, you will visit the most well-preserved gate, then continue to the peaceful smiling faced tower temple of Bayon where you can imagine how amazing it was for the first explorer to see this when there was no one but trees with umbrella-like branches and other types of creeping vegetation. Then it will be time for you to stroll around the jungle temple, Ta Prhom, overgrown by huge tree monsters with snake-like roots and famous for being featured in The Tomb Raider movie. Next you will head to the active pilgrimage site of Angkor Wat, the biggest Hindu temple in the world to enjoy with the longest wall carving which is more than 2000 meters long by 2 meters high. After completing the tour around all the most visited temples in Angkor area, you still have time to admire the whole view of Angkor Wat temple, rice paddy, north east highland and active reservoir of West Baray and to get fresh air on the summit of Phnom Bakeng hill. Tonight, enjoy your time at the night market or one of the many bars in Siem Reap.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14     Siem Reap - Tonle Sap - Kampong Phluk - Wat Thmei - West Baray (B)  Tuk Tuk

Breakfast at hotel. Today, you will visit Chong Kneas Floating Villages, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Embark on a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia and the largest in Asia. The boat ride through Chong Khneas will allow you to see ordinary Cambodians going about their daily life, fishermen, boat-makers, markets, schools, spirit houses and waving children.  

In the afternoon, you will visit Artisan D’ Angkor, the handicraft center for the wood and stone carving and see the process of how they are created. Continue to Wat Thmei (Killing Field) with a unique glass-walled stupa containing the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge. Some of the bones were recovered from a nearby well while others are the remains of soldiers who died on a nearby battlefield. Next is the West Baray, which is a vast man-made lake, surrounded by an earthen levee which forms a dyke. According to legend, the young daughter of a ruler of Angkor was grabbed by an enormous crocodile, which made a large opening in the south dyke of the West Baray that can still be seen today.Transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15     Siem Reap - Full day Banteay Srei - Temples       (B)          Tuk Tuk

After breakfast at the hotel you will be heading to Banteay Srei. The first stop will be at the Banteay Srei Butterfly Centre. The next stop on the tour is the Cambodian Landmine Museum which was established in 1997 by ex-child soldier Aki Ra, following years of fighting, he returned to the villages where he had planted mines as a child soldier and began removing then by hand and defusing them with homemade tools. The truly stunning Banteay Srei Temple is next, which is home to some of the most exquisite stone carvings on earth. You will take a look around, learning all about the temple and its history.

Overnight is Siem Reap

Day 16     Siem Reap - Full day Koh Ker, Preah Vihear (B) 

After breakfast, your private tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for your excursion to the Preah Vihear Temple and the Koh Ker Group. Preah Vihear Temple is an ancient Hindu temple built during the reign of the Khmer Empire on the top of a 525 metre cliff on the mountain. Even though parts of the temple were destroyed, it still looks magnificent and unique among the temples of Angkor. From the top of the mountain, you will also obtain a spectacular bird’s eye view of the land and view Thailand from afar. Continue your exploration to Koh Ker Group. The Koh Ker group consists of more than 180 sanctuaries in a protected area of 81 square kilometers, but now only around dozen monuments can be visited by tourists. The most famous temple is the seven tiered pyramid temple at Koh Ker.

Transfer back to hotel, rest of the day will be at your leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 17     Siem Reap - Vientiane                                           (B)  International Flight

Flight from Siem Reap to Vientiane via Laos Airline

Breakfast at the hotel, relax until your transfer to Siem Reap Airport for a flight to Vientiane.

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a fascinating capital, with a fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. This charming and easygoing city will provide a smooth introduction to Laos.

After a short rest, an orientation walk of Lao Capital is a pleasant way to spend the afternoon, strolling around some of the city’s most historical sites and seeing some of the French colonial architecture.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 18     Vientiane - Full Day Vientiane City Tour        (B) 

Breakfast at hotel. Today you will visit some of Vientiane’s major sights; including the oldest temple Wat Sisaket, an amazing structure featuring remarkable frescoes and Buddha images. You also visit the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage is the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. You also visit the central market Talat Sao. In the late afternoon, you will be driven to the outskirts of the city to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, near the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were create by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. Observing the spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset from one of the riverside bars is a perfect way to finish the day.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 19     Vientiane - Luang Prabang                                   (B)  Domestic Flight

Flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for flight to Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang has been claimed by the UNESCO to be ‘the best-preserved city in South East Asia’.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 20     Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfalls, Half Day City Tour                (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, you can enjoy a short-guided tour where you will visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace which displays a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings, right through to the last sovereign. You will visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name.

Next is Wat Aham, which was first built in the 1500s, then the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center where you will learn more about local hill tribes in Laos.

This afternoon we drive to Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, you have the opportunity to visit the Lao ethnic minority groups-Ban Ouay Village, Ban Ou village and Ban Thapene Village. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Khouang Si waterfalls and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible.

At the end of the tour you will return to the town where you can climb the 328 steps of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.

Finally, explore the Night Market, where you willt find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

                                                               

Day 21     Luang Prabang - 2 Days Mekong River Crusie & Pak Ou Cave (B/L/D)             Overnight Cruise

An early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. We then visit the Morning Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. After breakfast at hotel, we visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture and we then we take a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make local rice wine. We then continue our boat trip to the atmospheric riverside town of Pakbeng. The Mekong was once the only major transport route in the country, Pakbeng, being the halfway point on the Mekong River between Luang Prabang and HoueiSay, developed as an overnight stop for many traders travelling along the river. This scenic and authentic river cruise has been described as a once in a lifetime experience.

We will reside in Pakbeng overnight.

Day 22     Full day Cruising to Chiang Rai                           (B/L)             

Breakfast at hotel. Today we will visit the local market where many hill tribe people converge from the outlying valleys and hillsides to sell their goods and buy provisions. Upon leaving Pakbeng, we re-embark on our boat for the second leg of our journey toward HoueiSay, which is close to the famous Golden Triangle. The cruise is long, but the unequalled, tranquil river scenery will make this an interesting day and then you can cross over the bridge to Thailand.

Upon arrival in Chiang Rai, you’ll be meet & greet and taken to your hotel.

Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 23     Half day Chiang Rai City Tour                              (B) 

Breakfast at hotel before a half day Chian Rai city tour. Visit Wat Pra Singh, One of Chiang Rai’s oldest temples, the Wat Phra Singh was built in 1385, a little over a century after the city of Chiang Rai was founded by King Mengrai in 1262. The main structures of the Lanna style temple are the ubosot, the viharn, a chapel containing a footprint of the Buddha and the Kuti or monks living quarters. Visit Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue temple) , this is also an important religious place. Visit Black house (Baan Dum): The House of National Artist - Dr. Thawan Duchanee. This is the residence of Dr. Thawan Duchanee who is a renowned Thai National Artist and also a museum.

Return to hotel for an afternoon of free time.

Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 24     Full Day Discover Golden Triangle                   (B) 

Breakfast at hotel before a visit to Doitung, Royal flora garden and Royal residence. Visit Maesai, the trading border. Then the Golden Triangle area, visiting Sop Ruak, where the river Ruak joins the mighty Mekong and where they converge the borders of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. This is the apex of the Thai portion of the notorious Golden Triangle, but today this part of the border is less wild. Lunch at restaurant. Enjoy Maekhong boat trip to Donsao (Laos Island). Visit Opium House. Then transfer to hotel.

Overnight at Chiang Rai.

Day 25     Transfer to Chiang Mai - City Tour                    (B) 

Breakfast at hotel. Morning check out and take long-tail boat along Maekok river approx. 45 minutes to Karen hill tribe village. Visit Wat Huay Pla kang, One of the main attractions once inside the temple is a huge, magnificently carved wooden statue of Guan-Im Bhodisatva, which is a Chinese goddess of mercy and compassion. Then transfer to Wat Rongkhun, better known as “the White Temple” is one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand. The temple outside the town of Chiang Rai attracts a large number of visitors, both Thai and foreign, making it one of Chiang Rai’s most visited attractions. There was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous Thai visual artist. Lunch at restaurant. Then drive through scenery from Chiangrai to Chiangmai (200 Kms. away) by road along picturesque scenic routes pass the several beautiful northern mountains and valley, short stop at Maekachan hot spring. Then transfer to hotel.

Overnight at Chiang Mai.

Day 26     Full day Chiang Mai Temple Tour                      (B) 

Breakfast at hotel. Depart your hotel (Note: Takeaway breakfast from the hotel) and arrive at the foothill of DoiSuthep mountain in time to buy offerings and join the locals during the daily alms giving ceremony. This is a serene Buddhist procession where dozens of monks walk barefoot through the street collecting food and everyday items. Continue up the mountain to Wat DoiSuthep and climb the 309 steps of the Golden Naga staircase to reach its golden pagodas. After a visit to Doi Suthep, continue to discover one of the best–kept secret temples of Chiang Mai, Wat Palad, known as the Temple below the Temple. This temple is a significant element of the Chiang Mai area’s history with its temple grounds aged beyond 650 years old. Next, proceed to Wat Umong, built in the 14th century, a heavily forested temple covered by moss and small plants offering a unique yet charming sense of natural decay. After a walk through its mysterious tunnels, you’ll reach the Viharn of the temple to experience your own private blessing ceremony. After that, enjoy this lovely day with a delicious bowl of Khao Soy. This famous Northern Thai dish is a combination of coconut cream, crispy noodles and plenty of spice that is sure to delight!

Later, visit Wat Pra Singh, one of over 200 ancient Buddhist temples located around the city, one of the most well regarded examples of Lanna architecture. Wat Chediluang, is the site of an enormous pagoda, originally 280 feet high, and which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. Transfer to Warorot market, to see and feel the real northern people’s way of life.

Overnight at Chiang Mai.

Day 27     Chiang Mai - Yangon - Royal Dinner                (B/D)             International Flight

Suggested flight from Chiang Mai to Yangon from 11:40am to 12:35pm

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer from hotel to Chiangmai airport, to board your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, you'll greet by your guide who will accompany and transfer you to your hotel. Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage make it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia.

Our tour will end upon the sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the religious wonders of Buddhism worldwide, biggest temple in Yangon, which just celebrated its 2,600 years, a place where we meet devoted Buddhists in meditating, praying and having volunteers' works at any time of the day. In the evening, visit “Garden City of East” is to take your pictures at tranquil Kandawgyi Lake and Royal Dinner at the Karaweik – a royal floating barge.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 28     Full Day Yangon City Tour                                    (B) 

After breakfast, we'll take a tour around the city center which is filled various historical and colonial buildings partly by car or partly on foot. We’ll first visit to Sule Pagoda which is a 2200-year-old temple surrounded by government buildings and commercial shop. Then, you'll pass along the way to Mahabandoola Park where Independent Monument exists. Continue your tour by passing City Hall, a little india and a little china.

Continue to Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, where you can browse through the wide selection of Myanmar handicrafts and other goods (Note: closed on Mondays and public holidays).

We'll visit Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, one of Myanmar's more beautiful reclining buddhas which is topped by a crown encrusted with diamonds and other precious stones. The feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 29     Yangon - Bagan - Temple Visits                         (B)  Domestic flight

Suggested flight from Yangon to Bagan from 9:15am to 10:35am

After check out, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bagan. Located on the bank of Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River. Bagan is home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world. Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will take you to an elevated temple for a panoramic view of Balan vast plains. Continue to visit numerous temples and shrines in the area, including Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple at Wetkyi-Inn Village which is well-known for its exquisite Jataka mural paintings, the elegant Htilominlo Temple, noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.

Check-in hotel.

This afternoon, we'll continue to visit the area, including Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece, one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. Built with the early Mon-style, Ananda contains unique Buddha images, whose expressions seem to change depending on the distance and directions of the viewers. From here, we visit to Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, and the massive Dhammayangyi Temple, noted for its remarkable brickwork, and Sulamani Temple.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 30     Bagan - Mt.Popa - Salay - Bagan                        (B) 

After breakfast, we will head to the morning market at Chauk, filled with the locals in their daily purchasing activities but also a lovely place for chatting and meetings. Go on to the village of Salay, an important Buddhist centre with a big, incredible wooden monastery with intricate carvings, but furthermore the village and strange statues symbolised to balance near the monastery will really, somehow, will help us find our real balance. Afterwards, drive to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano standing on 1518m high, which plays an important role in Myanmar culture, religion and history since its establishment not only for religious reasons but the magnificent, strange design on the hilltop. The shrine hereby is dedicated to worshipping 37 Nats, the Burmese ancient animist spirits. From the top of Mt. Popa, a great panorama at sunset can keep us much longer than expected. Return to the hotel late afternoon.

Overnight in Bagan.

Notes: Salay monastery will be closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holiday for visitors. Visit to surrounding villages and markets will be recommended instead.

Day 31     Bagan - Mandalay - City Tour                             (B)  Domestic flight

Suggested flight from Bagan to Mandalay from 8:25am to 9:00am

After breakfast and checkout, we will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Mandalay, a cultural capital of Myanmar. The natural focus of the city is an abrupt but grand hill, rising above a vast moated and walled square. Upon arrival, picked up by our local guide and transferred to hotel. This afternoon we'll visit Mahamuni Paya pagoda, where a 13ft-high seating Buddha covered in gold leafs attracts not only pilgrims but numerous visitors, as one of Myanmar's most famous statues. Go on to Kuthodaw, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned the title as the "World's Biggest Book". Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace, a grand teakwood building, known for exquisite woodcarving. Head to the top of Mandalay Hill to enjoy magnificent view of the city and Irrawaddy River.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 32     Mandaylay - Amarapura - Sagaing - Inwa - Mandalay      (B)         

After breakfast, we'll visit Amarapura, a former capital whose name means 'City of Immortality'. First, visit Mahagandayon monastery, when over one-thousand monks reside, and visit a silk weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products. Continue our drive to Ava, one of ancient cities and a remarkably rural backwater of empty fields, dotted with widely spaced ruins, monastic buildings and stupas. Explore Ava by deliberate horsecarts to visit Bagaya Kyaung, a wonderful teakwood monastery, Maha AungmyeBonzan monastery that built of stucco-covered brick, and Nanmyin, a leaning watchtower of Ava. This afternoon, drive to Sagaing Hill by crossing a bridge over Irrawaddy River. Uncountable white-and-gold stupas are highlights of Sagaing, making this area regarded as a remarkable religious center of Myanmar. This is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers, and we'll visit pagodas such as Swan Oo, Pon Nya Shin and U Min ThoneSae. Continue to visit Sagaing's local market, a typical Burmese market that not many tourists pay a visit. Here we can find a range of good items, including locally made pottery, silver and other handicrafts. Stop at a small pottery village to see the process of making ubiquitous water pots for any visitors, that found throughout Myanmar. After touring this tranquil site, return to Mandalay with stop at U-Bein Bridge, the world's longest, graceful 200 year-old teakwood construction. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge to the other side with fabulous view of the surrounding farms and streams, especially at the sunset. Drive back to Mandalay and relax for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 33     Mandalay - Yangon - Leisure                              (B)  Domestic flight

Suggested flight from Mandalay to Yangon from 1:40pm to 3:05pm

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to fly back Yangon and leisure in Yagon.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 34     Yangon Leisure                                                         (B) 

Today is leisure day.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 35     Yangon - Departure                                                (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight.

                                                               

 SERVICES INCLUDED

  • English speaking tour guides for transfer and sightseeing (Stations guides)
  • Accommodation on double/twin share basis.
  • Daily breakfast at hotels.
  • Private Air-con transfer.
  • Private boat trip in Trang An, Mekong Delta, Kampong Phluk Floating Village
  • Private cabin on Shared overnight Junk in Halong Bay
  • Shared cruise from Pakbeng to Chiang Rai
  • Cyclo/Green car trip strolling around Hanoi Old Quarters.
  • Horse cart fees and Ferry for Ava Visit
  • Water during transfer.
  • Entrance fee and Zone fee
  • Show tickets

SERVICES not INCLUDED

  • International, domestic flights and airport departure tax.
  • Meals not mentioned in Detailed Program.
  • Vietnam/ Cambodia/ Laos/ Myanmar/Thailand Visa arrangement and stamp fee (If any).
  • Early check-in, late check-out surcharge.
  • Tipping for Guides, Drivers and other local staffs.
  • Banking fee for payment by bank transfer
  • Other expense not mentioned in the program.

 

QUOTATION AND INFORMATION

Package as detailed above from $4,950** USD per person

The above price is based on 3 star accommodation. We can adjust according to your preferences

*The 8 flights detailed in the itinerary above along with the International flights from the USA to Hanoi and from Rangoon back to the USA are additional and the rate will depend on where in the USA you are flying from and on what dates but to give you an idea, using JFK as the USA departure city, the total cost in September 2020 is around $2,200 pp

COMPULSORY TIPS POLICY:

-          Group from 1 pax – 5 pax: Minimum USD 6/guests/day

-          Group from 6 pax – 10 pax: Minimum USD 4/guests/day

-          Group from 11 pax up: Minimum USD 3/pax/day

Package Price

Itinerary as detailed above based on 2 people sharing 

Travel Insurance 
Travel insurance is optional but highly recommended. Policy price is based upon the total package cost, and travelers ages. Please ask for an accurate rate. 

Payment Details 
To confirm the above package I will need a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 per couple for the package plus the payment for the airline tickets. The final balance will then be due no later than 8 weeks prior to departure.