Thailand and Myanmar tour 16 days

Day 1: Bangkok arrival (G)

On arrival at Suvanphumi Airport, you’ll be driven to your hotel. Rest of the day, you’ll be free to stroll around the city as you wish. You’ll spend the night in Bangkok.

Day 2: 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 3: Bangkok/Samut Songkram/Floating Market/Rose Garden (B, L, G)

An early morning we drive to the south- west of Bangkok, visit to local market at Samut Songkram before we continue driving to Damnern Saduak a rural floating market. We will stop to visit coconut sugar palm industry. Arriving at Damnern Saduak we will board on a long tail boat ride along the water way to the picturesque floating market of Damnern Saduak. After visit these sites we continue to visit The royal Thai handicraft industrial, and then visit the Rose Garden, its consists of over 50 acres of tropical paradise with flower gardens, orchards and a typical Thai village. Thai village show starts at 3:00 p.m. and you can witness ordination into the fingernail dance, Thai boxing, hill tribe dance, sword fighting, elephants at work and folk dancing. Lunch will be in the Rose Garden.

Day 4: Bangkok/Yangon (B, G)

Breakfast at hotel, then free at leisure till the time has come for your transfer to the airport for your flight to Yangon. 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 5: Yangon full day sightseeing (by car) (B, G)

After breakfast at hotel, Yangon full day sightseeing; visit to Chaukhtatgyi (Reclining Buddha) Pagoda a colossal Buddha, Karaweik Hall Royal barge on the Royal lake for photo stop, Yangon’s city center featuring Sule Pagoda at city center and colonial building, National Museum, drive in downtown visit China Town with the fruit market and Yangon’s city center covering World famous Shwedagon Pagoda. Witness the golden dome light up sunshine at the sunset. Overnight at hotel in Yangon.

Day 6: Yangon/Golden Rock by car (B, G)

Early morning drive to Kyaikhtiyo, passing the World War II War Cemetery, dedicated to the 27,000 Commonwealth Forces who died in Burma. Upon arrival at the base camp, transfer to a special open truck for uphill toward the second base camp and take a light trekking to the Golden Rock along the twisting footpath through bamboo forest. At the summit is a small Pagoda insignificant in size but unique for its position. The rock is completely covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edged of the cliff. Marvel the sunset on hilltop and watch the evening activities at the shrine of the local pilgrimages before descent trek to the Golden Rock Hotel for overnight.

Day 7: Golden Rock/Yangon by car (B, G)

After breakfast, leave your hotel to take a downhill ride by special open truck to the base camp where your private car is awaiting for you. Drive back to Yangon via Bago. On the way, visit the cashew nut, rubber plantation and the nearby an orphanage house. Make a short visit of Bago town tour including local market; Shwetharlyaung, 55 meters long reclining Buddha Image and Shwemawdaw Pagoda, its spire is even taller than the great Shwedagon Pagoda. Return to Yangon through rural landscape of rice fields and small villages. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 8: 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 9: 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 10: 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.

Day 11: Mandalay/Mingun/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 12: Mandalay/Heho/Pindaya by flight & car (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 13: Pindaya/Inle Lake by car (B, 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 14: Inle Lake boat excursions (B, G)

After breakfast at the hotel, visit floating market which is a 5day 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 15: 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 16: Yangon departure (B, G)

After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Yangon International airport for your return international departure flight.

Price in US$ per person:

Our price includes:

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room.
• Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above
• One way domestic flight tickets in Myanmar: Yangon – Bagan, Bagan – Mandalay, Mandalay – Heho, Heho – Yangon, including domestic airport taxes.
• International flight tickets: Bangkok – Yangon, including airport taxes.
• Boats cruise as programme.
• Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced, safe driver.
• The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary
• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Lunches as specified, in the good local restaurants, picnics where suitable restaurants are not available.
• VAT and other taxes

Our price does not include:

• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visas
• Dinners
• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Insurance.

Hotel list for Five Stars standard:

• Bangkok: Amari Watergate Hotel (***** overlooking views of the city centre) similar
• Yangon: Trader Hotel (***** sits at the centre of the capital, the perfect base for taking in the city’s distinctive and fascinating culture) or similar
• Bagan: Tharabar Gate Hotel (***** surrounded by more than 4000 ancient temples and Pagodas) or similar
• Mandalay: Sedona Mandalay Hotel (***** ideally located in the heart of the city and faces the majestic Royal Palace and Mandalay Hill) or similar
• Pindaya: Inle Inn (located in Pindaya close to Pindaya cave with its thousands of Buddha statues) or similar
• Inle Lake: Inle Resort (***** perfectly situated in the Inlay Lake, one of the finest resorts) or similar

Hotel list for Four Stars standard:

• Bangkok: Hotel Century Park (**** city centre) or similar
• Yangon: Grand Plaza Park Royal (**** in the heart of the city’s prized cultural attractions) or similar
• Bagan: Bagan Thande Hotel (**** sits on the edge of the Eastern bank of great Ayeyawaddy river, near one of the sacred stupa, Gawdaw-palin) or similar
• Mandalay: Mandalay Hill Resort (****lies at the foot of Mandalay Hill with a panoramic view of a myriad of pagodas, face the distinctive architecture of the Royal Palace) or similar
• Pindaya: Inle Inn (located in Pindaya close to Pindaya cave with its thousands of Buddha statues) or similar
• Inle Lake: Paradise Inle Resort (**** still on the stilts over the lake, wooden walkways connect the rooms with the main reception building, restaurant and jetty) or similar

Hotel list for Three Stars standard:

• Bangkok: Bangkok Palace hotel (*** centrally located at the heart of Pratunam, Bangkok’s commercial shopping and entertainment district) or similar
• Yangon: Summit Parkview Hotel (*** short distance from the business district and major sightseeing places) or similar
• Bagan: Thazin Garden Hotel (*** on the high plain surrounded with ancient Pagodas and ruins) or similar
• Mandalay: Mandalay City Hotel (*** an urban resort hotel, the needs of value-orientated business and leisure travelers) or similar
• Pindaya: Inle Inn (located in Pindaya close to Pindaya cave with its thousands of Buddha statues) or similar
• Inle Lake: Paramout Inle Lake (*** built on stilts and stands majestically in the heart of Inle Lake) or similar

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.