Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar tour 23 days

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

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (D, G)

Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax after your journey before a welcome dinner at a colonial building. In the evening, you’ll have tickets for a performance of traditional Water Puppetry (an art form unique to northern Vietnam, and a good, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture). Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi (B, L, G)

An all day city tour, possibly including the Temple of Literature, (the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th C), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Ethnology Museum and the centre of Hanoi, 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 3: Hanoi to Ha Long (B, L, D, G)

A morning drive to Ha Long Bay, (one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas – the world’s largest marine ‘karst’ landscape). Travel by traditional-style boat to some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Includes swimming, fishing, hill (not mountain) climbing for Bay overviews, exploring sea level caves in a small sampan, etc. All meals will be provided on board and your accommodation will be on the boat in a twin room with en suite toilet and shower.

Day 4: Ha Long to Hanoi (B, G)

Morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch and then return to Hanoi for an overnight stay.

Day 5: Tam Coc/Van Long 1 day/Lao Cai (B, L, G)

In the morning you’ll be picked up to travel to Van Long. On arrival you’ll ride an ox cart to visit the Old House and the Old Pagoda and then board a boat to visit the Van Long Natural Reserve. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll visit Tam Coc – being rowed through paddies and into three caves in a peaceful valley. In the afternoon you’ll return to Hanoi for your overnight train to Lao Cai.

You’ll spend the night in Lao Cai.

Day 6: Lao Cai/Sapa/Ethnic market (B, L, G)

You’ll be met at the Lao Cai station and taken by a Jeep or a Land Cruiser to visit an ethnic market. After a picnic lunch, you’ll return to Lao Cai and continue your journey into the mountains to Sa Pa, a small town perched on the mountainside opposite Mt. Fan Si Pan, Vietnam’s highest peak.

The trips to ethnic markets are a fascinating experience but must be on Tuesday (Coc Ly Market), Saturday (Can Cau) or Sunday (Bac Ha or Muong Hum Markets). Picnic lunch will be prepared in the morning from Sa Pa. You’ll arrive in Sa Pa in the late afternoon, with time to relax before dinner.

Day 7: Sapa/Villages/Hanoi (B, L, G)

Morning stroll to the town busy market and then easy trek to ethnic villages of H’mong in a scenic valley. After stream-side picnic lunch, you’ll be picked up to visit other ethnic villages of the H’mong, Day and Red Dao people. Return to Sapa and then back to Lao Cai station for an overnight train to Hanoi.

Day 8: Hanoi/Bangkok (G)

On arrival at Suvanphumi Airport, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Your overnight stay will be in Bangkok.

Day 9: 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 Pho houses a gigantic Reclining Buddha. You will spend the night in Bangkok.

Day 10: Bangkok/Ayutthaya (B, G)

Today we drive via Suphanburi to the former capital city of Siam, Ayuthaya. The ancient city of Ayuthaya is known as the “Venice of the East” due to the fact that it lies along the Chao Phraya River, the tributaries of which surround Ayuthaya province. The glory of the Ayutthaya Empire (1350-1767A.D.) is evident in the remains of temples such as Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and Wat Chai Wattanaram, which you will visit in the afternoon. A further visit includes Wat Yai Chai Mongkol. Your lunch will be served at a good local restaurant.

Afternoon, the tours continue to visit Wat Chaimongkol and continue drive to visit Bang Pa-in Summer Palace. Bang Pa In was served as the summer palace for many Thai monarchs from the 17th century. This structure has a captivating collection of marvelous pavilions in a variety of Thai, Chinese, Italian and Victorian architectural styles. Your overnight stay will be in Ayuthaya.

Day 11: Ayutthaya/Phitsanuloke/Sukhothai/Bangkok (B, G)

You’ll depart Ayuthaya early in the morning and drive directly to Phitsanuloke. Short stop at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, temple houses one of Thailand’s most beautiful and significant Buddha images, and then visit to Sergeant-Major Dr.Thawee BuranaKhet Folklore Museum which is well known for its collection of folk arts, crafts, basketry, pottery and ancient kitchen utensils. There are also many agricultural and household instruments displayed. You’ll then continue 1 – hour drive to Sukhothai.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Sukhothai Historical Park; the first truly independent Thai Kingdom, visit the ruins of the Royal Palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats, dams, ditches, ponds canals and the water dyke control system which was the magical and spiritual center of the Kingdom are now preserved and restored by the Fine Arts Department with the cooperation of UNESCO, not only with a view of fostering Thailand’s national identity but of safeguarding in fine example of mankind’s cultural heritage. Important sites inside the old city walls include: Wat Mahathat the Royal temple with a giant chedi built to house Buddha relics brought from Sri Lanka; Wat Sri Sawai with its three Hindu –style prangs; Wat Traphang Thong in the centre of a large pond and its Buddha Footprint; Wat Sa Si, an attractive temple on connecting islands with a large Singhalese Chedi; Wat Traphang Ngoen on the Silver Lake; etc. You will spend the night in Bangkok.

Sukhothai was the capital of the first Kingdom of Siam in the 13th and 14th centuries. It has a number of fine monuments, illustrating the beginnings of Thai architecture. The great civilization which evolved in the Kingdom of Sukhothai absorbed numerous influences and ancient local traditions; the rapid assimilation of all these elements forged what is known as the ‘Sukhothai style’.

Day 12: Bangkok/Chiang Mai (B, G)

After breakfast, you will board another flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport by our guide and then driven to your hotel.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Chiang Mai most sacred temples, drive around the Old City to see city’s moats and ruined city’s walls. Start the temple tours with Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple and probably dates from 1296. The temple was residence of King Mengrai, who founded Chiang Mai. Continue this tour with visit Wat Phra Singh; the temple contains marvelous examples of Lanna art including a Lanna style viharn. Then drive on to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, This temple was built in 1383. It is located 15 kms from the city and 3,500 feet above sea level. See the marvelous golden pagoda, which is containing the holy relics of Lord Buddha. You can enjoy the panoramic view of Chiang Mai City and Ping valley from the summit of Doi Suthep. You will spend the night in Chiang Mai.

Day 13: Chiang Mai/Mae Taeng/Pai (B, G)

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up and driven to visit the Jungle Raft Elephant Camp in Mae Taeng to see the elephant shows. After that, you will enjoy an exciting ride on the elephants crossing the river and up the hill. Then you will return by oxcart to the camp where buffet lunch will be served. Rafting adventure starts from here and last for 45 minutes along the river. On wards to the Orchid Farm, here there are many beautiful of 500 species of orchids.

Continue drive to Pai, a tiny town halfway between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son with some steep and winding roads through the mountains with various stops on the way, such as Mok Fha Waterfall, Pong Dued hot spring where the steam from the spring permeates the site in the morning creating fascinating sights. The area is also rich in teak woods. Arrive to Pai in late afternoon. You will spend the night in Pai.

Day 14: Pai/Mae Hong Son (B, G)

After breakfast, you’ll drive on to visit Lod Cave where a huge cave system is once a dwelling place of pre-historic man. Experience with taking the Bamboo raft into the cave; explore the 1 kilometer-long cave along which can be found beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Also discovered are 2,000 year old remains of utensils and coffins. Then continue to visit Fish Cave, a special feature is the hollow cave filled with numerous freshwater fish, which is of the same family as the carp. The fish are quite safe from being caught as they are believed to belong to the gods.

On arrival, you’ll visit Wat Doi Klong Moo located on a hill to the west of town. There are two Burmese-style Chedis. The larger one was built in 1860 while the smaller one was erected in 1874. A panoramic view of Mae Hong Son can be enjoyed from the site. Continue to Wat Jong Klang and Wat Jong Kum, magnificent Burmese style temples; there are several interesting items such as wooden figurines of human and animals depicted which means one of odd stories of former incarnations of the Buddha created by Burmese craftsmen. Transfer to the hotel in late afternoon. You will spend the night in Mae Hong Son.

Day 15: Mae Hong Son/Chiang Mai (B, G)

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a boat trip along Pai River to visit the world famous Long Neck Karen Village where the Padaung women still following the old-age culture traditions of wearing numerous brass rings around their long, slender necks. This distorts the growth of their collarbones and makes them look as if they have long necks – which they don’t. This row of brass rings does not actually stretch their necks but in fact squash the vertebrae and collar bones. A woman generally has about twenty or more rings around her neck. This neck ring adornment is started when the girls are 5 or 6 years old.

In the afternoon, you’ll return back to Chiang Mai by road with your guide & driver for 4 hours. You will spend the night in Chiang Mai.

Day 16: Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai (B, G) by car only (no flight)

After breakfast, driver to Chiang Rai to visit Doi Tung, 2,000 meters above sea level. In the past, shifting slash-and-burn cultivation destroyed the forest around Doi Tung area. Until 1987 when the Doi Tung Development Project was established in accordance to the King’s Mother initiative. Then visit to Mae Fah Luang Garden and Doi Tung Royal villa. You will spend the night in Chiang Rai.

Day 17: Chiang Rai/Chiang Saen/Golden Triangle (B, G)

Breakfast at the hotel. You will drive to Mae Chan to visit Akha hill tribe villages; explore the villages that are very simple, unique costumes, their own tradition and dialect. The trip continues to visit archeological remains at Chiang Saen city, the first capital city of the northern Thailand.

In the afternoon, you will visit the world famous Golden Triangle where the borders of three countries (Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar) are met. Enjoy the panoramic view of Mekong River and Hall of Opium and Boat Trip along the Mae Khong River, made a stop at Don Sao Village, Laos. Then continue to Mae Sai town, the Thailand-Myanmar border and the northernmost point of Thailand. Enjoy shopping the Myanmar products at the local market. You will return to your hotel in late afternoon. You will spend the night in Chiang Rai.

Day 18: Chiang Rai/Bangkok/Yangon (B, G)

Your time will be your own until our guide and driver arrive to take you to Chiang Mai airport where you will board the flight to Bangkok to connect with your international 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 19: 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 20: Yangon/Bagan (B, L, D, G)

You would be transferred to the airport for flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, you would be met and transferred to hotel.

Pagan is the most amazing sight in Myanmar if not Southeast Asia. Across 40 sq km of the country, there are literally thousands of stupas & temples. In every direction, you will see ruins of all sizes, some soaring into the sky and others standing quaintly at a corner. The meandering Irrawady completes the scene.

Our exploration of this amazing archaeological site starts from the golden stupa of Shwezigon. Then, we continue to Kubyauk Gyi with exquisite mural and Ananda, rated by many as the most beautiful in Pagan.

In the afternoon, we continue with Nanpaya, for its Mon style architecture and Manuha for its four Buddha images. Then, we climb up Shweshandaw Pagoda for the beautiful sunset over Pagan…..

Day 21: Bagan (B, L, D, G)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning walk along the temples avenue: from Mimalaung Kyaung to Pahtotharmyar, Nat Hlaung Kyaung, Ngekywe Nadaung, and Thetbinnyu temple – the highest temple in Bagan, and Shwegugyi temple – famous for Bagan style Buddha Statue. Then continue to visit Nagayon temple – late 11th century standing Buddha Image protecting by Dragons, proceed to New Bagan to visit a lacquer ware workshop. Lunch at a local restaurant located on the Ayeyarwaddy River bank. Afternoon visit Dammayangi – the most massive temple, Dhamayarzaka – one of the few stupas with 5 entrances in Bagan, Minanthu village and its temples – Phayar Thonezu and Nandamanya temple – 13th century finest mural paintings, sunset view from a temple terrace.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 22: Bagan/Yangon (B, G)

In the morning, you would be transferred to the airport for flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, you would be met and transferred to hotel.

You have the afternoon at leisure. Bogyoke Market is a delight to explore and Golden Valley offers many excellent Art Galleries and precious Mogok Rubies.

Day 23: Yangon departure (B, G)

Transfer to the airport for flight.