13 Days Experience the Culture of Thailand and Myanmar

ITINERARY

Day 1: Bangkok | Arrive in Bangkok

International Flight: Excluded

Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival in Bangkok, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

Beginning as a small trading village on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok has expanded to be both Thailand’s largest city and serves as its booming and cosmopolitan capital. As a gateway to South East Asia, Bangkok has grown in international business significance and yet still maintains its grandeur, mystery, and tropical beauty. With its many markets, world-class restaurants and street food, extraordinary Royal Palace, and a myriad of pagodas, it continues to attract millions of visitors each year and is consistently rated as one of the world’s foremost Destination Cities.

Accommodation: Chatrium Hotel Riverside

Day 2: Bangkok – Chiang Mai | Bangkok by Boat | Flight to Chiang Mai

Meals: Breakfast

In the early morning, take a traditional long-tail boat to Wat Arun – the Temple of the Dawn to enjoy a stunning view and explore the gem of Bangkok.

Continue to one of the must-see sights, the spectacular Grand Palace, undoubtedly the city’s most famous landmark. Built in 1782- and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government – the Grand Palace of Bangkok is a grand old dame indeed, that continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, all of which is a proud salute to the creativity and craftsmanship of Thai people.

Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom. Within the palace complex are several impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which contains the small, very famous and greatly revered Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century. The robes on the Buddha are changed with the seasons by HM The King of Thailand and forms an important ritual in the Buddhist calendar. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace around the turn of the twentieth century, but the palace complex is still used to mark all kinds of other ceremonial and auspicious happenings.

In the afternoon, take a flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to Pimping Village Hotel for check-in.

Northern Thailand

The old city walls still stand formidably against the ravages of time, inviting pilgrims to come rest, and explore the lost treasures of the Lanna Kingdom. Established as the capital in 1296AD of the vast “Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields”, Chiang Mai carries a heritage lurking around every quiet cobble-stone alley and corridor. These days, cafes, boutiques, pubs, and spas are auspiciously peppered throughout, while colorful Meo and Akha hill tribes make their daily ritual visit to the valley to offer their hand made tapestries and handicrafts to curious adventurers. The Ping River weaves through the valley to the East of the Old City while a peaceful moat surrounds the time-worn walls.

Accommodation: Rimping Village Hotel

Day 3: Chiang Mai | Gentle Giants of Asia

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Elephant Sanctuary – 13 Days Experience Culture Thailand Myanmar

Today, you will visit an elephant sanctuary in the jungles near Chiang Mai. First, you’ll learn about the project and hear the amazing stories of each rescued and orphaned elephant. You will have an elephant just under both of your care for the day-with the mahout (elephant guide) to help you learn about your elephant and get acclimated with their behavior and personality. Learn how she became free from abuse and misuse. You’ll be shown how to approach your elephant, what spoken commands she respond to, how to read her body language, and how to check her health. Then have an opportunity to feed her. The mahout will also show you how to ride on her neck(no heavy howdah seats are used) or you can walk alongside your elephant if you prefer.

Continue to the nearby river. Here you will have the opportunity to observe or participate in bathing the elephants with the sanctuary staff. The sanctuary has a photographer who will capture these moments in high quality for you throughout the day and provide you a CD of the experience. Next, enjoy a picnic spread.

After you have said your farewells, return back to the hotel for some leisure time.

Accommodation: Rimping Village Hotel

Day 4: Chiang Mai – Mandalay | Early Morning Temple Alms Giving | Hill Tribes and Doi Suthep Temple | Flight to Mandalay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Rise early morning to join locals in visiting a Buddhist monastery. You can watch or participate in offering alms to Buddhist monks at Wat Srisodain. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Then continue up into Doi Suthep Mountain to a Meo hill tribe village. Have the opportunity to see their unique apparel and simple way of living. Meo families take a great deal of pride in their herbal gardens.

Continue to Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Temple perched on the mountain. Every Temple with a name starting with Wat Prathat contains Buddhist relics and is considered sacred to adherents. Climb around 300 steps to reach the temple. On the way, ring some of the temple bells, if you like. The temple has a set of impressive murals picturing scenes from the life and teachings of Buddha. Our guide will elaborate on some of the history and stories as you explore the temple compound. After the visit, return to the hotel for check out.

You’ll transfer by flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to Mandalay Hill Resort for check-in.

Mandalay was the final place where the monarchs of Burma would make their royal capital. The old Mandalay Palace rests in the Northern center of the city surrounded by a moat. Kuthodaw Pagoda nearby is home to the largest book containing the tenets of Buddhism spread out over the grounds in individual enclosures. Mandalay Hill overlooks the palace and the Irrawaddy River.

Accommodation: Mandalay Hill Resort

Day 5: Mandalay | Amarapura and Sagiang | A Buddist Spiritual Journey

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning: Transfer by private vehicle to Sagiang, the capital of Sagiang Division located on the Irrawady River. You’ll cross the Inwa Bridge, which was built by the British in 1934. Next, you’ll visit Kaung Mu Taw Pagoda: a dome-shaped pagoda which rises up 46 meters. At the base of the pagoda, there are 812 stone pillars, each one with a hollow and image of a Nat inside. Continue with a visit to Sagaing Hill. The hill has a number of small pagodas with many meditation centers along with Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda – pagoda painted with gold. You can stop at monasteries and nunneries to speak with monks while enjoying hot green tea. Or enjoy some meditation with our guide.

Lunch at a restaurant.

Then continue with a visit to Amarapura,“The City of Immortality”, the old capital of Myanmar. At the end of the day, visit the old temple of Pahtodawgyi which was built in 1820.

Return to Mandalay and the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Mandalay Hill Resort

Day 6: Mandalay – Kalaw | Flight to Heho | Transfer to Kalaw and Local Market | Kalaw Hiking

Meals: Breakfast

Kalaw – 13 Days Experience Culture Thailand Myanmar

You’ll transfer by flight to Heho. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to Kalaw. On the way, stop at Aung Ban – a local market selling local cuisine, wine, and traditional handicrafts. Try the local specialty of Shan Noodles at a Burmese traditional tea house. A small street market sells flowers such as Burmese Orchids, local necessities, and colorful fruit. The Shan Dried Tea is one of the best in Myanmar.

Continue to Kalaw, a British Hill Station and small towns with ethnic minorities, such as Pa-O, Palaung, and the Shan. The town has a colonial atmosphere with houses and buildings influenced by the British. Take a deep breath of fresh highland air – as it is located 1,300 meters above sea level.

After check-in at the hotel and a short rest, drive West to start your half-day hike to a Palaung village. Visit a household in the village and be introduced to the tribe. The Palaung are reputed for their traditional longhouses. Many generations of a family may share their abode under one roof. Then continue on foot to another meeting point where you will take the car back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Royal Kalaw Hills Resort

Day 7: Kalaw – Inle | Pindaya Buddha Caves | Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery | Inle Lake

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive to Pindaya (approx. 2 hours). It is a small peaceful town situated at the base of Shan Mountains and the end of the fertile plains. On the way to Pindaya from Aung Ban is quite picturesque. Make several stops for photos and visiting the farmers while they work in the fields. The area is a boon for a variety of crops such as Sesame, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Mustard Oil, Wheat, and perennial orchards like Mandarin Oranges and Tea. Upon arrival visit a Paper Umbrella workshop where you can see the Shan-style Parasol produced by hand.

Then, drive up to Pindaya Limestone Natural Caves with more than 8,000 Buddha Images. In the afternoon, drive to Nyaung Shwe (approx. 2 hours). It is another Shan town bordering the North edge of Inle Lake. On the way, you can visit Shwe Yan Pyay monastery built mainly of teak wood in 1882 and it’s a pagoda with colorful mosaics decorated on the interior walls. Then continue to Nyaung Shwe where you will embark on a longboat to the resort for check-in.

Accommodation: Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min Hotel

Day 8: Inle | Kakku Pagodas

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast transfer to the 3rd century Kakku Pagodas complex, a lesser-known wonder which has been featured on National Geographic. Stop on the way for a visit to the Ayetharyar Vineyard where you’ll taste Myanmar’s local wine and view a beautiful landscape of the surrounding hills and countryside. Then visit Taung Gyi, the capital of the Shan State. The next stop is the Kakku Pagodas. 2,548 large white pagodas are set on a square – packed in closely together. You’ll be wandering through marvelous pillars and stupas of Kakku. Each stupa is intricately crafted with delicate images and sculptures that are in beautiful detail.

Enjoy lunch. Then visit a Pa-O village on the way. After the exploration, return to the hotel for evening leisure.

Kakku Pagoda – 13 Days Experience Culture Thailand Myanmar

Accommodation: Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min Hotel

Day 9: Heho – Bagan | Flight to Bagan | Bagan Valley of a Thousand Temples

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

You’ll transfer by morning flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to Blue Bird Boutique Hotel for check-in.

Bagan is home to the UNESCO Heritage Site of the ancient Pagan Kingdom. Over 2,000 Buddha temples and structures spread out across the Bagan plains. These were built 7 to 9 centuries ago. Bagan is also next to the Irrawaddy River and enjoys expanse views of the Chin Hills to the West and the Shan Hills to the East.
Start the tour to explore Bagan, where you will see its thousands of Buddhist pagodas spread in the valley of the Ancient City of Bagan. These pagodas used to own by individual families during prosperous times. You will visit the Nyaung Oo Market where locals buy and sell produce. Then you’ll visit the Shwezigon Pagoda which is the largest pagoda in Bagan painted with real gold.

Have a rest in the hotel during the hot afternoon. Then you’ll enjoy a Horse Cart Ride first to the small village of Taung Phi where rests a worn teak monastery awaiting the rare tourists who are lost. You’ll continue by horse cart around temples and winding roads as the sun makes it’s way to the sky’s edge casting curious shadows from the temples across the plain. Continue to Sunset Hill for a gorgeous sunset. Then you’ll return to the hotel for overnight.

Accommodation: Blue Bird Boutique Hotel

Day 10: Bagan | Hot Air Balloon over Bagan | Popa Mountain

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Experience the unrivaled majesty of thousands of ancient temples drifting below you in style, comfort, and safety. You’ll rise early in the morning to beat dawn for a spectacular sunrise over the unique Bagan scene aloft in your hot air balloon. The captain will explain the safety procedures, and you can some coffee or tea before departure. Then the balloon will take off and you’ll be treated to an amazing view of the temples across Bagan. After an hour ride, you’ll have a smooth landing.

Your Mount Popa excursion begins after the hot balloon.

We head east toward Mount Popa, an extinct volcano standing 1518 meters high. Mount Popa has played an important role in Myanmar culture, religion, and history since the earliest times. Its shrine is dedicated to the worship of the 37 Nats, the Burmese ancient animist spirits.

Learn about nats and nat worship as you climb the stairs to the top with your local guide. The view over the Myingyan Plain from the top of the volcanic peak is impressive. Transfer back to Bagan for overnight.

Accommodation: Blue Bird Boutique Hotel

Day 11: Bagan – Yangon | Flight to Yangon | Yangon Highlights

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

You will transfer by morning flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to Sule Shangri-La for check-in.

The largest city in Myanmar and the former capital, Yangon is home to over 2,000 years of history. Much of the architecture is Burmese or English colonial left behind during the reign of the British Empire. Take a stroll along the famous Strand Road or in Bogyoke Park and Royal Gardens. The Golden Shwedagon Pagoda shines high above the city on it’s resting place in the center for all to see.
After getting settled in your room, go with our guide to visit the downtown area to see the Old City Hall and Maharbandoola Park. Then take a stroll along the old street ending at the old Strand Hotel. Next, drive to Botahtaung Pagoda which features golden decorations inside the pagoda. Continue to Bogyoke Market which sells many Burmese traditional handicrafts including stone carving, wood carving, bronze carving, painting, etc. In the afternoon, visit Kandawgyi Park for a stroll near Chaukhtetgyi Reclining Buddha Image – one of the largest in Yangon.

After the tour, return to the hotel for overnight.

Accommodation: Sule Shangri-La

Day 12: Yangon | Sunrise at Shwedagon Pagoda | Flight to Bangkok | Farewell!

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

Rise early in the morning and transfer with our guide to the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, for a stunning sunrise. This temple has been described as one of the wonders of the world. Shwedagon plays an important role in Old Burmese History and is also an important Buddhist icon. Early morning, eager Burmese come to visit and donate alms, food, and place gold leaf. Monks are busy performing their morning rituals.

After the visit, return to the hotel to check out.

Shwedagon Pagoda – 13 Days Experience Culture Thailand Myanmar

Our guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Bangkok to catch your flight back home and to bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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