14 Days Exploring Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos with Mekong River Cruise

ITINERARY

Day 1: Yangon | Arrive in Yangon

International Flight: Excluded
Welcome to Myanmar! Upon arrival in Yangon, you will be welcome by our local guide with the signboard and then escort you to the hotel 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.

Accommodation: The Loft Hotel

Day 2: Yangon | Shwedigan Pagoda and Yangon Impressions

Meals: Breakfast
Rise early in the morning, then 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. Then 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. Then, return to the hotel.

Accommodation: The Loft Hotel

Day 3: Yangon – Bagan | Flight to Bagan | Valley of a Thousand Temples

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
You’ll transfer by flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the 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.

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 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 some leisure time in the evening.

Accommodation: My Bagan Residence by Amata

Day 4: Bagan – Kalaw | Flight to Heho | Kalaw Hiking and Hill Tribes

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast

Today, 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: Kalaw Heritage Hotel

Day 5: Kalaw – Inle | Countryside, and Pindaya Caves | Transfer to Inle Lake

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.

Inle Lake is home to the Intha tribes – a local tribe with water gardens and who row their oars with their feet, requiring great dexterity. The Shan Hills surround the lake for great views. Long-Necked Karens come down from the hills to sell their handicrafts in markets and along the roads around the lake.

Accommodation: Inle Resort

Day 6: Heho – Inle | Kakku Pagodas

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Go to visit 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. 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. In the evening, enjoy the Christmas Gala Dinner, this fun-filled evening with live entertainment, music, and buffet dinner.

Accommodation: Inle Resort

Day 7: Heho – Inle | Inle Lake Excursion: Life of the In Tha Tribe

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Your excursion today will be made by a private longtail boat to see the life of the Intha tribe(the name of locals who live on the lake), to discover their unique floating farms and life on the water. Witness local fishermen who catch their prey while using only one leg to paddle the boat. Then you’ll visit the Long Neck Karen Women who come down from their homes in the Shan Highlands to sell their handicrafts to visitors.

Intha Tribes at Inle Lake – 14 Days Exploring Myanmar Thailand Laos Mekong River Cruise

Accommodation: Inle Resort

Day 8: Heho – Chiang Rai | Flight to Tachilek | Cross Into Thailand | Doi Tung Royal Gardens

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Take a morning flight to Tachileik. Upon arrival, our representative will greet you and assist you to the border. After going through Thai immigration, our guide from Chiang Rai will be waiting to greet you with a signboard.

Then, drive up to admire the temple of Wat Phra That Doi Tung, about 2,000 meters above sea level. Temple is a special place for all the people of Chiang Rai. The royal family helped ween many of the tribes in this region off opium crops by introducing produce and other crops with this project. Finish the day off with a sunset at Doi Tung. After the exploration, you will transfer to the resort for check-in.

Chiang Rai is a quiet city nestled between two mountain ranges in the valley along the Mae Kok River. It has a colorful history, is the birthplace of the Lanna Kingdom, and was once home to the Emerald Buddha – during a short time when the priceless Buddhist relic was brought for hiding. The friendly town makes a great base camp for visiting the Golden Triangle, Ancient City of Chiang Saen, Mae Salong Mountain, and the “Island on the Clouds” (Phu Chi Fah viewpoint). Aspiring local artists have produced world-acclaimed pieces of architecture and art such as “The White Temple” and “The Black House”.

Accommodation: Le Patta Chiang Rai Resort & Hotel

Day 9: Chiang Rai | Mae Salong Hill Tribes | The White Temple

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, transfer to Mae Salong mountain, a scenic peak in the Shan Highlands. First, stop at a tea plantation to try some fresh hot tea in the morning while taking in the splendid views. Learn about the Chinese military KMT village that resettled at Mae Salong and their interesting story. Have lunch at a Yunnanese restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Akha, Yao, and Lisu hill-tribe villages. Then, continue to Wat Rong Khun(the White Temple). This unique and modern temple features Hindu and Buddhist architecture along with very contemporary and peculiar art and sculptures. After the exploration, return to the resort for leisure time.

The White Temple – 14 Days Exploring Myanmar Thailand Laos Mekong River Cruise

Accommodation: Le Patta Chiang Rai Resort & Hotel

Day 10: Chiang Rai – Pakbeng | Mekong Discovery – The Gateway to Laos

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the early morning, check out the hotel for a transfer to the border to embark on a cruise to Luang Prabang. Our guide will help you get to border customs where you will go through on your own. Then take the shuttle across friendship bridge(you will need to pay for the ticket on your own which is around $1-2 per person). On the other side, you’ll go through Laos border customs to get your visa. A representative of the cruise will be waiting in the welcome area to greet you.

Then embark on the cruise upstream. Tranquil river scenery along this untouched part of the Mekong will make this an interesting day. On the way, stop to visit a local hill tribe and learn about their culture and life in this remote part of the world. Continue onto Pakbeng where beautiful views of the Mekong await. Enjoy dinner from a terrace lookout as the sunsets. Overnight in Pakbeng.

Accommodation: Le Grand Pakbeng

Day 11: Pakbeng – Luang Prabang | Pak Ou Caves and Villages

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Rise early for a delicious breakfast and freshly brewed Laos coffee while you enjoy expanse views of lush jungle and peaceful river. Continue for the second leg of the journey toward Luang Prabang. Palm trees, Bodhi, and rosewood line the shores with the occasional village life along the river. Visit the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims who come to make their request to the “Lord Naga” – a legendary river serpent believed to live in this part of the Mekong.

Continue to Luang Prabang, the old King’s city of Laos – full of Buddhist temples and monks with surrounding jungles at the fork of two rivers. Our guide will greet you at the pier and you’ll continue to the hotel for check-in.

A location so often ignored by travelers, but truly a must-see spot. Luang Prabang has been listed since 1995 as a UNESCO World Heritage for its unique architecture, cultural and religious significance. The historic town is at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers.
Accommodation: Le Sen Boutique Hotel

Day 12: Luang Prabang | Hiking to Kuang Si Waterfall

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Transfer in the morning to Ban Long Lao village – a Hmong and Khmu ethnic village who live simple lives off the land in a self-sustained community. After exploring the village and mingling with the locals, you’ll begin the hike to Kuang Si Falls. Along the way are lush green forests and clear streams. Visit a cave along the way that once acted as a bomb shelter. Arrive at Kuang Si Waterfall – one of the most turquoise waterfalls in the world. The afternoon can be spent swimming in the waterfall and visiting the Bear Rescue Center where several Sun Bears and Malayan Black Bears are being cared for after being rescued from bile farms and wildlife traffickers. Then you’ll return to Luang Prabang and evening is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Le Sen Boutique Hotel

Day 13: Luang Prabang | MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary | Mekong Tree House Sunset Cocktails and Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, transfer to MandaLao – an elephant sanctuary with a focus on rehabilitation and care of rescued elephants. Here you’ll meet the sanctuary caretaker and receive a short briefing about the elephants. Throughout the morning, you’ll take place in the following activities:

• Locate the elephants with the caretaker;
• Feed the elephants under the guidance of the caretaker and learn about their behavior;
• Bathe your elephant – Go down to the nearby river to bathe your elephant; perhaps the elephant will bathe you as well!
• Enjoy lunch at the outdoor garden restaurant

Then return to your hotel for leisure time in the afternoon.

As dusk is settling, transfer to a nearby secluded restaurant with a treehouse along the Mekong River. Enjoy sunset cocktails and dinner at the treehouse villa. Delicious Laos dishes will be brought to you as the sun is setting along the horizon. Return to the hotel for the evening at leisure. Subject to availability at the time of booking.

Accommodation: Le Sen Boutique Hotel

Day 14: Luang Prabang | Farewell!

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

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