Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos 32 days 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. 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/Bagan (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/Mt. Popa/Bagan (B, G)

This morning, we will be watching sunrise over Bagan (optional) and back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast at hotel, we head to Mt. Popa about 48 km south east of Bagan. Mt. Popa, known as the abode of Nats (spirits) – a collection of 37 magical spirits both feared and honoured by some Myanmar people and the nat museum, which houses 37 life-size nat statues sculpted from teak. It’s time to climb for 777 steps to the summit. Proceed to Popa Mountain Resort (1hr drive) for our lunch. The restaurant offer a great view to the Popa summit that stands straight from the central plain. After lunch, return drive back to Bagan. On the way back, enroute stop at village cottage industry to learn the regional product as well as to watch the collection of juice from the palm trees, and its conversion to brown sugar. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.

Day 4: Bagan/Mandalay (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.

Day 5: Mandalay/Mingun/Inwa(Ava)/Mandalay (B, G)

After breakfast, you will be transferred for Jetty for a private boat across the river Ayeywarwaddy to visit Mingun. The dedications of King Bodawpaya such as the unfinished Pathodawgyi Pagoda a brick counterpart of pyramid in Egypt and the Mingun Bell, the second largest bell in the world are the most prominent religious heritages. Then visiting the Myatheintan Pagoda, the best representation of the Universe, will refresh your tiredness and fatigue. Return to Mandalay. After lunch, drive to Ava, 30-minute to the south of Mandalay, was known in the west as the Kingdom of Ava. Stop by a tributary and cross it with a ferry. Travel by pony-cart around Ava to Nanmyint leaning tower which gives a birds’ eye view of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River; Bagaya wooden monastery; Aungmyaybonza Monastery made of brick and stucco. Though the Royal Palace has gone, the Pagodas, Temples and Monasteries still remain. Return drive to Mandalay and see the silversmith work place on our way back to hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.

Day 6: Mandalay/Heho/Pindaya (B, G)

After breakfast, depart the hotel for flight to Heho on the Shan plateau. Upon arrival, transfer by road to Pindaya (60km) about 90 minutes drive. After check in at hotel, make an excursion to the caves which houses over 8,000 Buddha Images of various sizes, made from teak, lacquer, marble, alabaster and cement. In the afternoon, explore the district for it’s famous traditional paper & umbrella making home base cottage industry. Overnight at the hotel in Pindaya.

Day 7: Pindaya/Inle Lake (B, L, G)

After breakfast at hotel, we are transferring by road to Inle Lake. We have a leisurely morning to make our way down into the Inle basin and by “long-tail” boat out across the lake to our Hotel right on the Inle Lake. 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 8: Inle Lake boat excursions (B, L, G)

After breakfast at the hotel, visit floating market which is a 5-day rotation market most fascinating to watch the daily life of the minorities and their activities. Continue our excursion by motorized boat to Indein pagoda complex, in the south-west of the lake. The boat leaves the lake and enters a narrow canal with a beautiful natural environment to continue to a small Pa O tribe village. From the village, follow an old covered path to a 13th century monastery and the very impressive ruins of hundreds of ancient pagodas, some hidden in the vegetation. The main stupa-area on the top of the hill offers breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains and down to the valley and the lake in the far distance. Return to your hotel and overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Inle/Heho/Thandwe (B, G)

We are heading back down country today to return to the airport at Heho for our flight to Thandwe. 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 to Thandwe. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel at Ngapali Beach. Enjoy and day at leisure. Overnight at your hotel at Ngapali Beach.

Day 10 ~ 12: Leisure at Beach (B)

Day 13: Ngapali beach/Yangon (B, G)

In the afternoon, transfer to Thandwe airport for flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Yangon.

Day 14: Yangon/Bangkok (B, G)

After breakfast, your time will be your own before catching the flight to Bangkok. On arrival, the car will pick up and transfer to your hotel for check in. The rest of the day will be free. You will stay at hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 15: Bangkok/Phuket (B, L, G)

In the morning, you will visit to the Royal Palace and the magnificent temples of the Golden Buddha and the Emerald Buddha, followed by a cruise on the “Klongs” of the imposing Chao Praya River, which passes through the city. Today we will see the oldest temple in Bangkok, Wat Arun, richly decorated with Chinese porcelain. Then, the car will take you to the airport for your flight to Phuket. Upon arrival in Phuket by flight, meet up with your guide and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Phuket.

Day 16-17: Phuket (B)

Today you will visit one of Thailand’s largest and most notorious islands renowned for its dazzling beaches, abundant marine life and warm Thai hospitality. Here you will stay in one of Phuket’s luxury resorts giving you a great insight to what Thai beach break holidays really are.

Day 18: Phuket/Krabi (B)

Free at your own leisure until departure time for private land transportation to Krabi. Upon arrival in Krabi, transfer to your hotel for check in.

Day 19-21: Krabi (B)

Free at your own leisure. Overnight in Krabi

Visit the area that first came to fame as a popular escape for backpackers in the 1970′s, where today Krabi now resembles more established higher end resorts, boasting its remarkable scenery punctuated with limestone Karts and surrounding jungle. For the more active type, rock climbing at Phra Nang regarded as one of the most exciting new places to climb make for superb sea kayaking opportunities. In the evening enjoy one of Krabi’s numerous culinary cuisines.

Day 22: Krabi/Bangkok (B)

Today depart the island of Krabi and take your onward flight back to Bangkok.

Day 23: Bangkok/Phnom Penh (B, G)

After breakfast, you will be free until the car take you to the airport for your flight to Phnomm Penh. Up on arrival in Phnom Penh, you will transfer to your hotel for check in. The rest of the day will be your own. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 24: Phnom Penh (B, L, G)

In the morning, you will visit Koh Dach Island by boat on the Mekong River to see the daily life of the villagers and weaving villages.

This afternoon, you will continue your tours with the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90 kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha, Tuol Sleng Museum with its disturbing account of Pol Pot’s reign of terror as well as Wat Phnom Hill, where you can view the sunset from its top. You will spend the night in Phnom Penh.

Day 25: Phnom Penh/Sihanouk Ville (B)

In the morning, we depart at our hotel in Phnom Penh for Sihanouk Ville (with driver only), 226 km, the road is excellent and after about 3 to 3 ½ hrs driving we arrive at Sihanouk Ville. After checking in the hotel we have free time at leisure to enjoy the beach and the many activities that the hotel proposes. Overnight at Sihanouk Ville.

Day 26-27: Sihanouk Ville (B)

Today we have free day at leisure to enjoy the beach. Overnight at Sihanouk Ville.

Day 28: Sihanouk Ville/Phnom Penh (B)

We have breakfast at the hotel & we have free time at leisure in the morning. In the afternoon our driver will take us back to Phnom Penh. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 29: Phnom Penh/Luang Prabang (B)

After breakfast, your time will be your own before catching the flight to Luang Prabang. On arrival, the car will pick up and transfer to your hotel for check in. The rest of the day will be free. You will stay at hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 30: Luang Prabang (B, G)

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. During our time here, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textile made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 31: Luang Prabang/Kuangsi Water fall (B, G)

An optional 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. From there you will visit the morning Phosi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. After returning to Luang Prabang by late afternoon to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Phabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 32: Luang Prabang departure (B, G)

After breakfast, you will free until the car take you to the airport for your departure flight.