MYANMAR, THAILAND AND LAOS TOUR 14 DAYS

Destinations: Yangon/Mandalay/Amarapura/Ava/Sagaing/Bagan/Bangkok/Ayuthaya/Vientiane/Vang Vieng/Tham Phoutham/Luang Prabang/Pakou

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: : Yangon arrival (G)

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your Guide who will accompany you as you transfer to the hotel. Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia. This afternoon, your sightseeing begins with a visit to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses a 70-meter reclining Buddha. Continue to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. The central stupa is over 90 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf- a breathtaking and colorful sight which dominates the city skyline. Overnight in Yangon

Day 2: Yangon/Mandalay (B, L, G)

Early this morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, begin your sightseeing tour of Mandalay with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda. This pagoda is home to one of the country’s most revered Buddha images which, over the years, have been covered with gold leaf giving it an almost ‘lumpy’ texture. Mandalay is well known for its skilled craftsmen and as you tour traditional workshops, you will learn more about the city’s cottage industries. Observe the production of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries, and gold-leaf where the techniques remained unchanged from those used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court. This afternoon, continue your tour of Mandalay with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s Biggest Book’. Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace. This grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving. Head to the top of Mandalay Hill as the sun begins to set to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River.
Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 3: Mandalay/Amarapura/Ava/Sagaing/Bagan (B, L, G)

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for an excursion around Mandalay to explore the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. Begin your tour in Amarapura, where you will attend a special ceremony. Witness the alms collection at Mahagandayon monastery, when over one-thousand monks gather to collect their daily meal from the local Buddhists. After this beautiful spectacle, continue to U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge. The bridge spans over 2 kilometers in length and offers fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. Before leaving Amarapura, stop at a silk weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products. Continue to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries and travel by horse and carriage through the area stopping to visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort. This afternoon, cross a bridge over the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. It is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers and you will visit pagodas such as Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin, U Min Thone Sae, and Shin Pin Nan Gyaing. Return to Mandalay and transfer to the airport for a late afternoon flight to Bagan. Overnight in Bagan.

Day 4: Bagan (B, L, G)

The exciting day of sightseeing starts with a trip to the colorful Nyaung Oo Market followed by visits to the various renowned temples in Bagan. Stops include Shwezigon Pagoda with its magnificent golden stupa, Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi cave temple with its exquisite murals, and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. Lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, visit Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece of the early temple style that contains four impressive standing Buddha images. Continue to the nearby Ananda Okkyaung, one of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan period and Thatbyinnyu Temple, Bagan’s tallest temple at 61 meters. Embark on a sunset horse carriage ride that takes you past dozens of temples – including Sulamani and Dhammayangyi – and the traditional village of Taungbi. As the sun sets, climb onto one of the upper terraces for panoramic overviews of the Bagan plains. Overnight in Bagan.

Day 5: Bagan/Yangon (B, L, G)

After breakfast, head to Ngat Pyit Taung Monastery and explore the temple’s caves to learn about the local traditions and beliefs. Then, visit the monastic primary school and observe local children studying in their classrooms. Be greeted by the warm smiles of these friendly children as you interact and play with them. Coming from underprivileged backgrounds, these students will surely appreciate a small donation of cash or school supplies from you. Lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch, explore the town of Nyaung U and the neighboring villages where you can learn about the traditional livelihoods in this area. Discover the interesting process of creating Poneyay (pea powder paste) and see how local plum jam is made and packed. In addition, visit the workshops to witness the production of the region’s best known products: handmade lacquer ware and wooden handicrafts. At the villages, find out how cartwrights make the traditional bullock carts that are still used by farmers and locals throughout the country. This afternoon makes a great opportunity for hands-on activities as the local craftsmen often love to share their techniques with visitors. Later, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Yangon. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 6: Yangon/Bangkok (B, G)

After breakfast at your hotel, free until transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. On arrival at the airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The glorious history of Thai Capital, Bangkok is much interwoven with the Chakri dynasty which still reigns but no longer rules Thailand. The bustling metropolis of Bangkok in the midst of dynamic modern growth, still preserves plenty of cultural heritages making it the national treasure house. No activities planned for this afternoon , however our guide is on hand to advise some available options.
Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 7: Bangkok city tour (B, L, G)

The long tail boat trip is a perfect way to start our exploration of Bangkok. We navigate along the Chao Phraya River and venture into the many lively inner canals which provide some fantastic views of the local life close up. Along the way we make stop over at Wat Arum, the temple of Dawn, before continuing to the Grand Palace. This masterpiece is dedicated to the Thai Royal Family’s ceremony. Nearby are the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew, which is famous for the Emerald Buddha Image and the Vimarnmek Museum, the world’s largest building entirely made of golden teak . We visit this complex and drive through the many vibrant streets of China Town to the Wat Pho, one of the most significant temples in Bangkok. This sacred edifice houses a gigantic gold plated Reclining Buddha. The remainder of the day is free for your own exploration of the town and catching up on many funny shopping areas.
Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 8: Bangkok/Ayuthaya (B, L, G)

Heading out of the town we drive though the scenic countryside to Ayuthaya, the ancient capital of Siam from 1350 to 1767 AD. This glamorous city was all but ultimately destroyed by the hands of Burmese, however it is still fascinating to explore the ruined temples. Among these is Wat Phra Sisanphet, an impressive monument that was used as the royal temple by several kings. The following site is Wat Chai whose the constructing patterns are very interesting. We continue to Bang Pa In, which was served as the summer palace for many Thai monarchs. This structure has a captivating collection of marvelous pavilions in a variety of Thai, Chinese, Italian and Victorian architectural styles. We embark a luxury boat at Wat Potangtai Pier and cruise down the river to Bangkok, a perfect way to observe the rural landscape.
Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 9: Bangkok/Vientiane (B, G)

After breakfast, free until transfer to the airport for your flight to Vientiane

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Soviet and American influences. A city tour acquaints us with the capital and after a short rest, we start visiting the major sights; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage, 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. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 10: Vientiane/Vang Vieng (Road) (B, L, G)

We leave this wonderful town after breakfast for our journey northbound on route no. 13. We will see some breathtaking scenery enroute as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. We make a stop along the way at Vang Xang, a famous archeological site dating back to the 11th century. We reach our final destination in the afternoon, the small town of Vang Vieng, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. On arrival at Vang Vieng, we cross the Nam Song River to Tham Jang caves and then enjoy a short trek through breathtaking mountain landscape to explore the Tam None Cave and some hill villages. Today ends with a superb panorama of the sunset reflecting over the Nam Song River. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 11: Vang Vieng/Tham Phoutham (B, L, G)

After breakfast, we start our board on a local tractor through paddy field areas heading to Tham Phoukham caves, where your breath will be taken away seeing the most beautiful and famous limestone cavern, surrounded by natural forests. Along the way, you have chance to explore the local cultures by greeting the local villagers and learning about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can take a swim to refresh yourself from the hot climate or you could explore the nearby area. You will have a picnic lunch enjoying the scenery. After spending the day at the caves and its surrounding areas, we make our return to the Vang Vieng town, using local transportation or tractor. En route, we visit the ethnic minority villages of Hmong, Souay and Taidam villages meeting the warm and friendly hill tribe people and observing their traditional tribal costumes. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 12: Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang (Road) (B, L, G)

We have an early start for our expedition up route 13 north to Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang that is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The roads are well paved along the way for a smooth journey; we pass some stunning landscape scenery with a mixture of steep terraced fields and hill villages, we take a few photo stops at some small hill tribe village enroute. Each hill tribe village in Laos has a different feel, some are more prosperous than others but all have plenty of life. The Muang Xieng Nguen village is our next stop and we spend a short amount of time observing the local lifestyle prior to reaching Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 13: Luang Prabang/Pakou/Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

Today, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong where you can see the impressive “tree of life” mosaic pattern set in coloured glass. Its exterior architecture is remarkable with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Laotian architecture. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside. We take an interesting visit to the mysterious 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 Xang Hai, famous for the production of Lao rice wine. On return to Luang Prabang, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a small village well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 14: Luang Prabang departure (B, G)

The National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a collection of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. We also have time to visit the Central Market before your transfer to the airport for departure.

Price in US$ per person:

Price includes:

• Breakfast and accommodation in twin or double room.
• All pick up and transfer.
• Boat cruise as program
• One way domestic flight tickets in Myanmar: Yangon – Mandalay, Mandalay – Bagan, Bagan – Yangon, including airport taxes.
• Other one way international flight tickets: Yangon – Bangkok – Vientiane, excluding airport taxes
• Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced, safe driver.
• Entry fees for all sightseeing as mentioned in the programme.
• Lunches as specified.
• VAT and other taxes.

Price does not include:

• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visas.
• Other meals not mentioned.
• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Insurance

Hotel list for Five Star standard:

• 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
• Mandalay: Sedona Mandalay Hotel (***** ideally located in the heart of the city and faces the majestic Royal Palace and Mandalay Hill) or similar
• Bagan: Tharabar Gate Hotel (***** surrounded by more than 4000 ancient temples and Pagodas) or similar
• Bangkok: Amari Watergate Hotel (***** overlooking views of the city centre) similar
• Vientiane: Settha Palace Hotel (*****located right in the city centre, within walking distance) or similar
• Vang Vieng: Villa Namsong Hotel (*****nestled on the tranquil banks of the Song River, elegant colonial architecture, a luxurious garden, a breath-taking view)
• Luang Prabang: La Residence Hotel (***** positioned atop a hill, with stunning mountain views) or similar

Hotel list for Four Star standard:

• Yangon: Grand Plaza Park Royal (**** in the heart of the city’s prized cultural attractions) 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
• 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
• Bangkok: Hotel Century Park (**** city centre) or similar
• Vientiane: Novotel hotel (**** ideal location for business trips and holidays) or similar
• Vang Vieng: Vansana Hotel (**** located right in the middle of the Namsong river front, modern amenities in a well-appointed design) or similar
• Luang Prabang: Villa Santi Hotel (*****, established in 1992 by Lao businessman Mr. Santi Inthavong in a royal residence)

Hotel list for Three Star standard:

• Yangon: Summit Parkview Hotel (*** short distance from the business district and major sightseeing places) or similar
• Mandalay: Mandalay City Hotel (*** an urban resort hotel, the needs of value-orientated business and leisure travelers) or similar
• Bagan: Thazin Garden Hotel (*** on the high plain surrounded with ancient Pagodas and ruins) or similar
• Bangkok: Bangkok Palace hotel (*** centrally located at the heart of Pratunam, Bangkok’s commercial shopping and entertainment district) or similar
• Vientiane: Inter City hotel (*** centrally located, facilitated with basic modern comforts) or similar
• Vang Vieng: Ban Sabai Hotel (*** set on stilts and built in natural materials) or similar
• Luang Prabang: Manoluck Hotel (*** combine modern international luxury with traditional Lao styles) 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.