In December 2012 I travelled to Laos, again guided by Gia Linh Travel. And I will use Gia Linh Travel again for a trip to Myanmar in a year or so. So yes, I recommend Gia Linh Travel without reservations.
Destinations: Yangon/Bagan/Mandalay/Inle Lake/Bangkok/Chiang Mai/Mae Hong Son/Chiang Rai/Chiang Saen/Ho Chi Minh City/Tay Ninh/Cu Chi/Mekong Delta
The tour is perfect for all those new to Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The allure of the capture scenic landscapes and remarkable culture in three charming countries will be experienced beyond your imagination.
Begin the tour by traveling to Myanmar; explore the colonial grandeur of Yangon – formerly known as Rangoon, a relatively quiet and charming city. Bagan’s temple-filled plains, the cultural centre of Mandalay – the city exudes an exotic and mysterious vibe, and the tranquil waters of Inle Lake – one of the country’s most spectacular sights
Continue the tour with the visit to Thailand, experience the north of Thailand by visiting a region of the country known for its diverse cultural landmarks and spectacular scenery boasting abundant natural surroundings and traditional Thai architecture. Visit the Royal Palace, Mae Hong Son, River Kwai, several hill tribes, an elephant orphanage in Chiang Mai and take a magical boat trip on the Mekong River with a visit to the Golden Triangle. Get lost in the stunning scenery of Southern Vietnam with Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta tour
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide
Day 1: Yangon arrival (G)
Arrive in Yangon where you will be welcomed by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel to drop off you luggage. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 2: Yangon/Bagan by flight (B, G)
This morning we head for the airport to get the early morning flight to Bagan. Check into the hotel and depart for a sightseeing excursion around the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area. A comprehensive exploration of Bagan includes Nyaung Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Kyansittha Umin; Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite mural painting of 13th century and Htilominlo Temple.
In the afternoon, after a visit to lacquer ware workshops; continue to Manuha Temple built by exile King Manuha; Nanphaya, said to have been the residence of King Manuha; Ananda Temple, architectural masterpiece and Oak-Kyaung monastery decorated with multi colour mural paintings. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset from one of the temple of Bagan. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.
Day 3: Bagan/Mandalay by flight (B, G)
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Nyaun U airport for flight to Mandalay. When you arrive at Mandalay airport, drive to ancient capital of Amarapura, the city of Immortality for a visit to Bagaya Monastery with a famous collection of Buddha images; weaving industries, two-century old U-Bein teak bridge on the Taungtaman Lake and observe the lunch process of thousand of monks who take their last meal of the day at 10:00 am in total silence. Proceed to Mandalay and check in at the hotel.
After refreshment, you will take a sightseeing tour of Mandalay which includes Mahanumi, a life like Buddha image. Mandalay is the last capital of Myanmar and that make her to be the best place to see all the traditional arts and crafts. Start visiting gold leaf making work-place and see how the gold leaf is being made by hand in a traditional way. Continue visit the Old Palace grounds; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world’s largest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha’s Doctrine; Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill. Overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.
Day 4: Mandalay/Heho/Inle Lake (B, G)
After breakfast, depart the hotel for flight to Heho on the Shan plateau. Transfer by road to Inle Lake and transfer to our hotel by long tail boat across the lake. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon, we plan to spend the day visiting villages and sampling the spectacular array of traditional handicrafts. You will see the unique method locals use to row their boats, fishermen with their own style of fishing, floating farms and gardens and a handloom weaving cottage with its own showroom. You will visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda which houses the five most revered Buddha Images in the southern Shan State. Overnight at the hotel on Inle Lake.
Day 5: Inle Lake/Heho/Yangon by flight (B, G)
We are heading back down country today to return to the airport at Heho for our flight to Yangon. Our route takes us back to Heho and down the escarpment to Nyaung-Shwe for a busy local market. Check in at airport and fly back to Yangon. Upon arrival, check in at hotel.
In the afternoon, we plan to visit by car to Karaweik, a royal barge for fantastic photo shot along the “pilgrims” causeway across the Royal Lake with stunning views of Schwedagon Pagoda and visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for souvenir shopping. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.
Day 6: Yangon/Bangkok (B, G)
After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Yangon International airport for your return international flight to Bangkok. On arrival, you’ll be picked up to the hotel. You’ll spend the night in Bangkok.
Day 7: Bangkok City Tour (B, L, G)
After breakfast, you’ll begin your tour of Bangkok with a long tail boat ride along the Chao Phraya River to see many lively inner canals which provide some fantastic views of the local life. Along the way you will stop over at Wat Arun, the temple of dawn, before continuing to the Grand Palace which dedicated to the Thai Royal Family’s ceremonies. Nearby is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew, which is famous for the Emerald Buddha Image. After seeing this complex, you will drive through the many vibrant streets of China Town to some of the most significant temples in Bangkok. The landmark of Wat Traimit is well known as the Golden Buddha Temple while Wat Po houses a gigantic Reclining Buddha. You will spend the night in Bangkok.
Day 8: Bangkok/Chiang Mai/Mae Hong Son (B, L, G)
Flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and then connecting flight from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. Upon arrival at Mae Hong Son airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel. After a short rest, we will start our sightseeing tour and first visit Long Neck Karen Village by taking a boat along the Pai River. Lunch time. After lunch, we continue to visit The Phrathat Doi Kong Mu Temple where is the worthy of worship in Mae Hong Son. It is located on the top of Kong Mu Mountain. Later then, visit to Jong Kahm and Jong Klang Temple, then drive back to the hotel and free hat leisure.
Overnight in Mae Hong Son
Day 9: Mae Hong Son/Chiang Mai (B, L, G)
After breakfast at hotel, today we will travel to Chiang Mai and begin the journey to visit Fish cave to behold of the most wondrous of a school of fish (over 100 fish) which gather peacefully in the steam inside the hole of the cave. Then continue to visit Lahu Tribe Village. Lahu is the second most population in Mae Hong Son. In the early ages Lahu was very famous in hunting. But the most colorful and attractive dresses among the hill tribe in Mae Hong Son must be Lisu. Then visit to the Lod Cave to see one of the most important archaeology place which has a stream known as “Laang” flows through from one end to the another end of the cave. Then we drive to the hotel in Chaing Mai to check in and free at leisure in the evening.
Overnight in Chiang Mai
Day 10: Chiang Mai Elephant Safari and Doi Suthep (B, L, G)
Breakfast at hotel. Today we will enjoy seeing how elephants are used to help in logging work and then take an elephant riding around 45 mins. After the elephant ride, we take Oxcart about for 30 mins. Lunch time. After that enjoy the beauteousness of the countryside along the river by bamboo raft. An Orchid farm is also visited. Then we will visit Wat Doi Suthep, the most sacred temple in Chiang Mai which contains a holy relic of the Lord Buddha. After this exciting tour we go back to the hotel and free at leisure. Overnight in Chiang Mai
Day 11: Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai (B, L, G)
Today we leave from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. On the way we will visit the most famous local industry at Sankampang District to see silk weaving, umbrella making, wood carving and silvers ware. After that we drive to our hotel in Chiang Rai and check in and free at leisure in the evening.
Overnight in Chiang Rai
Day 12: Chiang Rai/Chiang Saen/Golden Triangle (B, L, G)
Breakfast at hotel and then we journey to visit Chiang Saen by taking a boat along the Mae Kong River around 30 mins. Later we continue our tour to Golden Triangle and Mae Sai (Burmese border). Lunch time. Then visit Akha and Yao Villages to walk around the villages and see their lifestyle. Then we go back to the hotel.
Overnight in Chiang Rai
Day 13: Chiang Rai/Bangkok (B, L, G)
Breakfast at hotel and today we will visit the highest peak on the Thai – Myanmar border. Doitung provides an opportunity to view en route many different Lahu and Akha village as well as terraced farming areas and sees from distance the Princess Mother’s frigid flower Garden. Doitung temple is located at the peak. Its scenery reminds on overlooking the entire northern rice field plain. After that our journey takes us to the Chiang Rai airport for your flight back to Bangkok.
Day 14: Bangkok/Ho Chi Minh City(B, G)
After breakfast, one will be picked up from the hotel at a scheduled time and leave for Bangkok airport for your international flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, you’ll be picked up to the hotel. You’ll spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh city tour 1 day (B, L, G)
After breakfast, you’ll start your city tour including the History Museum (special exhibition of the 5thC “Oc Eo” civilisation), the Museum of War Remnants (very partial, but riveting, recollections of the “American War”: not for the squeamish), the huge Ben Thanh market (one of the liveliest areas of Ho Chi Minh City), the Jade Emperor Temple (superb effigies, remarkable carved panels of the descent to Hell and incongruous terrapin and tortoise sanctuaries) and a lacquer workshop. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 16: Ho Chi Minh/Tay Ninh/Cu Chi (B, L, G)
Drive to Tay Ninh to visit the Cao Dai Holy See (in time to watch the mid-day ceremony), Cu Chi (intricate network of underground passages and bunkers that became legendary during the 1960′s for their role in the war of liberation). Farewell dinner and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Cao Dai is a “new” religion unique to Viet Nam with around a million followers. Both its creed and its architecture are remarkable and exotic.
Day 17: Ho Chi Minh/My Tho/Can Tho (B, L, G)
At 8:00 you’ll be picked up at our hotel to travel to My Tho. On arrival, boat cruise on Mekong river to the Thoi Son island: rowing through small canals and walking along small village road to visit fruit gardens, elementary school, spirits distilling house, and see the daily life of villagers. On your visit you’ll have chance to enjoy some of tropical fruits and traditional music show. After lunch at a local restaurant on island, you’ll continue to cruise to visit a coconut candy workshop. In the afternoon, you’ll driven further into Mekong Delta to Can Tho province. You’ll spend the night in Can Tho.
Day 18: Can Tho/Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, G)
Boat cruise to Cai Rang floating market on the Mekong Delta (views of rural lifestyle). Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon return to Ho Chi Minh city for overnight
Day 19: Ho Chi Minh departure (B, G)
Escorted departure from Tan Son Nhat airport.
Price in US$ per person:
Our price includes:
Our price does not include:
Hotel list for Five Stars standard:
Hotel list for Four Stars standard:
Hotel list for Three Stars standard:
If, at the time of booking, any hotels or rooms in the list above are fully booked, we will endeavour to find accommodation of a similar standard elsewhere. If the only available accommodation is of a higher or lower standard, we will revise the price accordingly and consult you immediately.