MYANMAR, CAMBODIA AND VIETNAM TOUR 21 DAYS

Destination: Yangon/Bagan/Mandalay/Siem Reap/Phnom Penh/Ho Chi Minh City/Mekong Delta/Nha Trang/Hanoi/Ha Long/Sapa/Fansipan

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. If you arrived by mid day flight, we may proceed for lunch. After lunch, a walk through “downtown” Yangon, a diverse mix of faded colonial architecture from the British times, and high-rises built by more recent investors; Sule Pagoda, built in the early 3rd century is a landmark in the city centre.

Late afternoon visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds and rubies, sapphires and topaz – a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to begin our trip in this “Golden Land”. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Yangon/Mandalay (B, G)

After breakfast, take the early flight to Mandalay. Our driver will meet and greet you at the airport, commence your day by travelling to Amarapura. It is very exciting to see thousands of monks preparing and queuing for lunch in Mahagandaryone Monastery. After that, you will take a walk over U Bein bridge, the longest teak wood of its type in Myanmar to Mahamuni Image pagoda from where the unique boat is await to transfer you back for lunch.

In the afternoon, the drivers will take you to Ava, visiting the giant ball-shaped pagoda of Kaunghmudaw pagoda. Proceeding to Sagaing hill, where you will see the different life of monks and nuns. Climbing up to Soon U Ponya Shin pagoda, beholding the magnificent view of Mandalay and its river.

Day 3: Mandalay/Bagan (B, G)

After breakfast at your hotel, set off for a trip to Mandalay place, constructed by the last king of Myanmar. Followed, you will head to Kothudaw pagoda, the biggest book with 729 pages stored in white stupas, take your time to experience the remain building of the real palace which is meticulously sculpted in teak wood. The tuk-tuk ride over the zigzags road of Mandalay hill will open the panoramic view of Mandalay city.

After lunch, stay at leisure and doing some shopping to the traditional shop of carpet, sculpture and souvenirs before taking the flight to Bagan. Once you are in Bagan, our driver will be await for the beautiful sunset on Ayeyarwaddy river.

Day 4: Bagan (B, L, G)

Your sightseeing day starts from Shwe Zigone pagoda which is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. Further, you will head to Old Bagan zone, also the biggest archaeological zone in Myanmar to discover the uniqueness of Ananda, That byin Nyu and Manuha pagodas. Lunch in a chic local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will have chance to experience the traditional way of making lacquer ware and weaving silks. Immerse in the sunset scene in the second highest temple of Bagan.

Day 5: Bagan/Yangon (B, G)

Your day begins with the explore to the downtown of Yangon where the British colonial architecture influences remains. Embark on a morning walk start from Sule pagoda to city hall, Emmanuel church, Inland water Transport and Strand hotel, you will have a great chance to see food stall and some local markets. Afterward, continue your walk to China Town and Chinese temple. Lunch will be served with authentic Burmese food.

In the afternoon, visit National Museum to experience more about this beautiful country. Finish your traveling time buy shopping souvenirs at Scott market. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 6: Yangon/Bangkok/Siem Reap (B, G)

After breakfast, you will be free for relaxing until the car takes you to the airport for your flight to Bangkok, where transits for a flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, the car will pick up and take you to the hotel for check-in. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7: Siem Reap (B, G)

Commence your day with a visit to South gate of Angkor Thom through its majestic doors, monumental temple of Bayon facing the tropical forest, Baphuon and Phimeanakas mountains, elephant terrace and Terrect of the Liper King and other interesting places.

Spend your afternoon discovering the admirable Angkor Wat: the 7th World heritage wonder, the founded by Suryavarman II who reigned Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century and dedicated them to the Hindu God Vishnu. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys, ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction. Return to your hotel in Siem Riep.

Day 8: Siem Riep/Phnom Penh (B, L, G)

Have breakfast in your hotel and take the early flight to Phnompenh, the capital of Cambodia Kingdom. Enjoy your full day sightseeing to the key sights of Phnom Penh include the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious “Killing Fields” of Choeung Ek. These are indeed places to experience the insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. Lunch in a chic restaurant before continue your tour to private quarters of the Royal Palace where now is home to the royal family and therefore very close to the public. Afterward, you are invited to visit the styled Russian market.

Day 9: Phnom Penh/Ho Chi Minh City (B, G)

After breakfast, you’ll be free until transfer to airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Arriving at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax after your journey before a welcome dinner. Your overnight stay will be in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City tour (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 11: Ho Chi Minh/My Tho/Ho Chi Minh (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, return to Ho Chi Minh City for overnight.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City/Nha Trang (B, G)

Your time will your own until the car takes you to the airport for your flight to Nha Trang. On arrival, you’ll be picked up to visit Cham Ponaga Tower. Overnight in Nha Trang in a hotel which overlooks the sea.

Day 13: Nha Trang (B, L, G)

A whole day boat cruise to the Mun Island for snorkeling. Seafood lunch on boat, wine and fruit party at the Mot Island. Rowing bamboo-basket at a fishing village on the Mieu Island. Overnight in Nha Trang.

The boat trip is a “fun” event. You’ll join a boat party of tourists, with a Vietnamese crew who act as guides, cooks, and musicians. Plenty of wine is included (Vietnamese – very good after the first few glasses), and you’ll be offered the local delicacy of “sea-urchin soup” – definitely an acquired taste. The coral around Mun Island is good, provided you swim away from the area where the boats tie up.

You should get back to the land in time for a visit to the hot spring spa near the Cham tower in the town – you can wallow in mud, shower in spring water, and bathe in a large hot mineral water swimming pool set in beautiful gardens for just over $3 – amazing value! Please let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send a quotation for this arrangement.

Day 14: Nha Trang free (B)

Free day in Nha Trang for a beach break.

Nha Trang offers a sufficient variety of activities for a short break in the beach resort. You can have a boat trip to the islands for snorkeling, swimming, “water bar” with Vietnamese wine, water sport. Diving facilities and service here is supposed to be the best in Vietnam. There are many restaurants along the beach offering good Vietnamese and international food. A ten minutes drive takes you to the hot spring spa – you can wallow in mud, shower in spring water, and bathe in a large hot mineral water swimming pool set in beautiful gardens for just over $3 – cheap at ten times the price!

Day 15: Nha Trang/Hanoi (B, G)

After breakfast, your time will be your own until transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. On arrival, the car will pick you up and transfer to a hotel for check in. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Temple of Literature, (the first university in Viet Nam dating back to the 11th C and the centre of Ha Noi, including the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son temple and the bustling Old Quarter with a complex of architecture – traditional tube houses, religious buildings and the colonial houses. In the evening, you’ll have tickets for a performance of Cheo (an traditional music typical for the northern Vietnam). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 16: Ha Long 1 day on boat/Lao Cai (B, L, G)

At about 8:00 you’ll be driven to Ha Long Bay (one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas – the world’s largest marine “karst” landscape). Then you’ll board a traditional-style boat for 5 hour cruise on the bay and visit some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Includes swimming and hill (not mountain) climbing for Bay overviews. Your seafood lunch will be on the boat. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to Hanoi for refreshment at a local hotel before abroad an overnight train.

Day 17: Lao Cai/Sapa/Fansipan (B, L, D, G)

You’ll be met at the Lao Cai station and taken by a Jeep or a Land Cruiser to Sapa. The adventure really start: climbing to Fansipan mountain which is at 3,143 m altitude. You’ll climb and trek through Hmong villages and sub-tropical forest. Lunch will be at 1,300 m and dinner at 1,650 m altitude.

Day 18: Fansipan (B, L, D, G)

The climb continues and guests start to enjoy nature with spectacular vistas of mountains. Lunch will be at 2,200 m and dinner and overnight at 2,900 m.

Day 19: Fansipan (B, L, D, G)

The day when you get to the summit of the mountain – the highest one in Vietnam. In the afternoon, you start to descend and spend overnight at 2,900 m.

Day 20: Fansipan/Sapa/Lao Cai (B, L, D, G)

The descend continues and guests will arrive at Sapa in the afternoon then back to Lao Cai station for an overnight train to Hanoi.

In order to enjoy the best weather to climb the mountains, this adventure is made only from October to mid-December and from March to April.

Day 21: Hanoi departure (B, G)

In the morning you’ll visit the stilt house of a famous Vietnamese artist to view his antique collection and restoration work. Next, you’ll visit the home of another talented painter to enjoy his lacquer and oil painting artwork. Finally, you’ll meet another artist who brush- paints Vietnamese traditional calligraphy. You are free until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.