13 Days Burma Highlights Tour with Angkor Ancient Stone City Extension

ITINERARY

Day 1: Yangon | Arrive in Yangon

International Flight: Excluded
Meals: Dinner
Welcome to Burma! Upon arrival in Yangon, our guide will greet you at the airport welcome area and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

In the evening, enjoy a Myanmar royal style welcome dinner on a floating marble boat.

Accommodation: Belmond Governor’s Residence

Day 2: Yangon | Burmese Capital Highlights

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, 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.

Ordination Ceremony at Shwedagon Pagoda – 13 Days Burma Highlights Tour Angkor Ancient Stone City

In the afternoon, visit Kandawgyi Park for a stroll near Chaukhtetgyi Reclining Buddha Image – one of the largest in Yangon. Continue to the highlight of Yangon: the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, which has been described as one of the wonders of the world. Shwedagon plays a very important role in the Old Burmese History and also is an important Buddhist icon. Enjoy the sunset over the pagoda.

Accommodation: Belmond Governor’s Residence

Day 3: Yangon – Inle | Flight to Heho | Continue to Inle Lake

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Board a morning flight to Heho. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and continue the transfer you to your resort next to stunning Inle Lake for check-in. Enjoy the leisure time for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min

Day 4: Heho – Inle | Inle Lake Excursion by Long Tail Boat

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Your Excursion today will be made by private longtail boat to see the life of the In-tha tribe(name of local ethnic people live on the lake), to discover their unique floating farms and life on the water. You will also witness local fisherman who fishes while using only one leg to paddle the boat. Then you’ll visit the Long Neck Ladies who were relocated from the Myanmar and Thailand border.

Rest of the day is at your leisure to relax.

Intha Tribe at Inle Lake – 13 Days Burma Highlights Tour Angkor Ancient Stone City

Accommodation: Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min

Day 5: Heho – Bagan | Flight to Bagan | Bagan’s Valley of a Thousand Temples

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Board a morning flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

Today you’ll 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 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 a way to the sky’s edge casting curious shadows from the temples across the plain. Continue to Shesandaw Pagoda. From your vantage point, you’ll watch one of the best sunsets in Southeast Asia. Then you’ll take a horse cart ride back to your hotel.

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel

Day 6: Bagan | Hot Air Balloon | Popa Volcano

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. It is also great to see the other balloons in flight. After an hour ride, you’ll have a smooth landing. Return back to the hotel for a breakfast.

Hot Air Balloon over Bagan’s Valley of a Thousand Temple

Your Mount Popa excursion begins after breakfast when your tour guide and driver will meet you at your hotel.

We then 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 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 late this evening.

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel

Day 7: Bagan – Mandalay | Flight to Mandalay | Explore Mandalay Highlights

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Board a morning flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, you’ll go to see the Highlights of Mandalay, you’ll start off your day with an opportunity to learn about the distinct Buddhist culture unique to Burma. You’ll visit the Mahamuni Image where you’ll have an opportunity to watch locals pray and place the gold paper on the statue of Buddha for a blessing. You can participate as well if you like for a small donation to the temple(only men are allowed to place the gold on the statue).

You’ll also visit a gold paper factory to see how golden leaves are made, a staple in Burmese religious practices. Then you’ll visit the 19th-century Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery) famous for its teak carvings of Buddhist mythology.

Next, you’ll see the Kuthodaw Pagoda which is a Buddhist stupa that contains the world’s largest book of Buddhism.

At the end of your day, you’ll enjoy a gorgeous sunset from the top of Mandalay Hill.

Accommodation: Hilton Mandalay

Day 8: Mandalay | Amarapura Ancient Capital

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. Then you’ll visit the Maha Ganayon Kyaung Monastery to see hundreds of monks line up for daily meals. Then visit the U Bein Bridge which is 1.2 kilometers long and is the longest teakwood bridge in the world.

Next, you’ll see 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.

Lunch at a restaurant.

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

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

Accommodation: Hilton Mandalay 

Day 9: Mandalay – Siem Reap | Flight to Siem Reap

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning, take a flight to Siem Reap with a short stopover in Bangkok. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

Siem Reap is a quaint town in Cambodia and the gateway to the vast remains of the Angkor empire. Discover the Royal Gardens on your own with ancient trees home to a colony of giant fruit bats. Take a stroll along the scenic riverside and visit the night markets to find unique souvenirs. You may also want to spend the evening with a visit to Pub Street with several restaurants and bars that stay open late into the night. Many restaurants have live entertainment in the evening.

Be prepared to enjoy a beautiful traditional dance performed by a team trained in the Dance of Apsara.

In the evening, you will be picked up from the hotel lobby and transferred to Angkor Village Hotel Theater for a traditional Apsara Dinner Show. where you will have a unique dining experience which will bring ancient Khmer culture to life in spectacular surroundings while you enjoy the very best in Cambodia cuisine. This one-of-a-kind cultural experience highlights the mysterious civilization and heritage of Khmer spoken through choreography and music. Colorful costumes and playful activities will give you insights into the Khmer daily life and wedding traditions while you enjoy a delicious meal to welcome you to the Kingdom of Wonders.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection

Day 10: Siem Reap | Angkor Thom Ancient Capital

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you’ll begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, you’ll be visiting the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. On your way to Angkor Thom, you’ll catch a glimpse of the front of Angkor Wat as you pass by, which will leave you with a tingling feeling on the back of your neck as you take your first glance of the enormity and wonder of the largest religious complex to ever exist.

Ta Prohm Ancient University

However, we’ll be saving the best for last as you go on today to see some other equally impressive structures of Ta Prohm Temple, Bayon Temple, Banteay Kdei, Baphoun, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure is hidden under canopy will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into the movie set of a treasure hunt adventure. Your private tour guide will give you the history and stories passed through oral tradition.

After you’ve had lunch, your exploits will continue as you visit Banteay Kdei (“Citadel of Chambers”). You’ll also visit Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, Baphuon and Bayon. Bayon sets itself apart with its almost 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcome on your second day to the Kingdom of Wonders. With its winding tunnels, chambers, and daring climbs, Bayon will give you many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy.

Sunset at a Pyramid-shaped Temple

As the sun approaches the horizon, you’ll enjoy a sunset from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Pre Rup. After sunset, you’ll be taken back to your hotel for the evening.

In the evening, you’ll go to visit Phare Cambodian Circus. Be amazed by stunts and choreography unique to Cambodia’s performing arts. You’ll watch as a story written by locals is acted out with an impressive stage show. Be prepared for laughter and wonder as you enjoy the performance. After the hour-long spectacle, you’ll return to your hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection

Day 11: Siem Reap | 1,000 Lingas and Banteay Srei Temple

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, your tour guide will escort you to discover Banteay Srei Temple: The Citadel of Women. Built in the10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this temple lies near the hill of Phnom Dei tucked away in the remote jungle north of Angkor Wat. Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings, which are still in excellent condition to this day. The structures are miniature in scale, but the attention to detail is unmatched among all the temples in Southeast Asia. These factors have made the temple a place of intrigue and wonder, which have led to it being widely praised as a “precious gem”, or the “jewel of Khmer art.” After visiting the temple, you’ll then enjoy your trip to Kulen Mountain.

Banteay Srei Temple (Women Citadel)

As the day begins to unfold, we’ll take your adventure to new heights into the Kulen Mountain National Park(Mountain of Lychees). Explore the jungles brimming with wildlife and tropical fruit. Discover stone carvings under the streams that predate Angkor Wat. See the 16th-century temple on the mountain where Buddhists and Hindus pilgrimage frequently.

For lunch, enjoy a picnic next to Kulen Waterfall where Angelina Jolie was filmed for the movie Tomb Raider. Take a swim if you like before we continue to the rice fields and countryside below the mountain.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection 

Day 12: Siem Reap | Angkor Wat Sunrise | Tonle Sap Lake

Meals: Breakfast
Before the light of day, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the front of Angkor Wat Temple. From here, you’ll watch one of the most revered sunrises in the world. Our guide will arrange a light picnic breakfast for you to enjoy in front of the world’s #1 Heritage Site. Then in the early hours, you’ll explore the vast temple with your guide bringing to life the stories of Angkor. In the morning, the rays of the light play through the chambers as the morning haze settles and giving the temple a mystical ambiance while there are few tourists who visit during this time of day.

Angkor Wat Temple

In the afternoon, start with an ox-cart ride through Cambodia’s green countryside where you’ll see many coconut trees, rice fields, and water buffalo. After that, continue the trip to the largest lake in Southeast Asia, the Tonle Sap. You’ll take a boat ride to Kampong Phlukk which means, Harbor of the Tusks due to its history in the elephant trade several centuries ago. You’ll also see the mangrove forests nearby.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection

Day 13: Siem Reap | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast
Today our guide will transfer you to the airport before your homeward flight and will bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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