15 Days Treasures of Southeast Asia -Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar

ITINERARY

Day 1: Chiang Mai | Arrive in Chiang Mai

International Flight: Excluded

Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. After getting settled in your room, feel free to take the hotel shuttle to explore the night markets and bazaars for some interesting souvenirs made by the hill tribes in the surrounding mountains.

The old city walls still stand verdantly against the course of time, inviting pilgrims to come rest and explore the lost treasures of the Lanna Kingdom. Established as the capital in 1,296 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: Chala Number 6 Hotel

Day 2: Chiang Mai | Befriending the Gentle Giants of Asia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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 each be paired with your own elephant. Learn how they became free from abuse and misuse. You’ll be shown how to approach your elephant, what spoken commands they respond to, how to read their body language, and how to check their health. Then have an opportunity to feed them. The mahout will also show you how to ride on their 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.

Note: Please note not to wear any perfume or strong fragrances as elephants are sensitive to smell. Also, bring a change of clothes for swimming, odorless sunscreen, and a towel.

Accommodation: Chala Number 6 Hotel

Day 3: Chiang Mai | Alms Giving | Tea Plantations & Hill Tribe

Meals: Breakfast

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 take a trip up in the hills and visit a tea plantation. Take a seat above the terraces flowing with arched rows of green tea shrubs while you sip on a fresh cup of hot Oolong. Explore the tea plantation to learn a little about the process of cultivating and harvesting tea. Then continue 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. After seeing their home and making a new friend, return back to Chiang Mai.

Accommodation: Chala Number 6 Hotel

Day 4: Chiang Mai – Mandalay | Chiang Mai Heritage | Flight to Mandalay

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, visit the most prominent temples in Chiang Mai. Start with Wat Phra Singh which houses the famous Phra Singh Buddha image. It features Lanna art throughout and illustrates many famous Buddhist stories. Continue on to Wat Chedi Luang, which once contained the Emerald Buddha. The temple is partially in ruins due to an earthquake in the 1500s. Then stop at Wat Chiang Man which is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and also houses one of Thailand’s greatest treasures: the Crystal Buddha.

Wat Chedi – 15 Days Treasures Southeast Asia Thailand Cambodia Myanmar

Then continue to Wat Suan Dok, which houses many of the remains of generations of the old Chiang Mai Royal Family. Finally, visit Wat Jet Yot – this peaceful temple is surrounded by green and was built in the Mahabodhi style from India to house the Eighth World Buddhist Council in 1453. Then return to the hotel.
.
In the afternoon, take a flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check in.

Mandalay and Amarapura were the former capitals of Burma during it’s last reigning monarchs. Towering spires rise through medlars and banyan trees giving clues to it’s glorious past. Teakwood bridges cross vast moats with walls surrounding the former palace while off in the distance a shining gem atop Mandalay Hill beckons your approach.

Accommodation: Mandalay Hill Resort

Day 5: Mandalay | Impressions of Mandalay

Meals: Breakfast

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: Mandalay Hill Resort

Day 6: Mandalay | Amarapura Ancient Capital

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning: Transfer by private vehicle to Sagaing, 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.

Teakwood Bridge in Amarapura -15 Days Treasures Southeast Asia Thailand Cambodia Myanmar

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: Mandalay Hill Resort

Day 7: Mandalay – Bagan | Flight to Bagan

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

Today you’ll take a flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the Bagan Lodge for check-in.

The plains of Bagan rest along the Irrawaddy River as a vast outstretch of monuments rise above the land. Thousands of temples and stupas spanning many centuries were built during Bago Kingdom’s reign. Thanaka trees and mountains in the distance give this place an enchanting feel – like you’ve entered a far off land in a time bygone.

Accommodation: Bagan Lodge

Day 8: Bagan | Valley of Thousand Temples

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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 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 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: Bagan Lodge

Day 9: Bagan – Yangon | Flight to Yangon | Yangon Highlights

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, board on the flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, you will be welcome by our local guide with the signboard and then escort you to the hotel for check-in.

After getting settled in your room, 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. 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 Old Burmese History and also is an important Buddhist icon. Enjoy the sunset over the pagoda.

In stark contrast to the heritage of Mandalay and the stunning views of Bagan, Yangon is the more recent capital of Myanmar at the fork of the Yangon and Bago Rivers. It is the heart of Myanmar with a more recent history under colonial times. In the distance shines the Golden Shwedagon Pagoda where locals rise early to pay tribute – a small leaf of gold to be placed on the beacon of the city.

Accommodation: Rose Garden

Day 10: Yangon – Siem Reap | Shwedagon Pagoda | Flight to Siem Reap

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

Shwedagon Pagoda – 15 Days Treasures Southeast Asia Thailand Cambodia Myanmar

After breakfast, go to visit Shwedagon’s Golden Pagoda early in the morning while few tourists visit and while monks and locals pay homage. Continue to the old Strand Road ending at the old Strand Hotel. Next visit Bogyoke Market which sells many Burmese traditional handicrafts including stone carving, wood carving, bronze carving, painting, etc.

In the evening, you will board on a flight to Siem Reap Angkor City of Cambodia. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our guide with the signboard and then escort you to the 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.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Shack

Day 11: Siem Reap | Ancient City of Angkor Thom by Bicycle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a relaxing cycling tour in the morning in ancient Angkor Thom – a stone city built around the time of Angkor Wat.

The biking tour will start at the South Gate – a photogenic bridge at the gateway of the stone city of Angkor Thom which has made its way into many Hollywood movies. Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. Enter the stone city and explore shaded trails and ancient monuments. Visit Bayon Temple where you will be surrounded by 216 gigantic stone faces which fame as “Khmer Smile”, you will also visit the Terrace of Elephants, the Royal Palace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Stop your cycling trip with a visit to the local monastery to chat with monks and see their daily life.

On the way back, stop to see the Killing Fields of Wat Thmei. Our guide will relay to you about the history of the Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot and the war. Cambodia is still healing from these atrocities.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Shack

Day 12: Siem Reap | Kulen Mountain and 1,000 Lingas

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you’ll wake early to visit 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. Trek to 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.

Next, you’ll visit Banteay Srei, the Citadel of Women. This smaller temple in the jungle features some of the most intricately preserved carvings of all the temples in Cambodia. Then you’ll take an ox-cart ride through the rice fields and give Palm Sugar and Palm Wine a try if you fancy. Then you’ll return to the hotel to relax at your own leisure or stop at a local souvenir market on the way back.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Shack

Day 13: Siem Reap | Floating Village on the Tonle Sap Lake

Meals: Breakfast

In the afternoon, you’ll take a boat trip on the water of the Tonle Sap Lake to a floating village called Kampong Phluk. Kampong Phluk means, Harbor of the Tusks, due to it’s past trade in elephant ivory many years ago. Having 3,000 inhabitants residing in stilted houses, the most common profession is fishing.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Shack

Day 14: Siem Reap – Bangkok | Angkor Wat Sunrise

Internal Flight: Included

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.

In the afternoon, you’ll take a flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, you will join the hotel shuttle transfer to Le Meridien Suvarnabuhmi Hotel. Check in and enjoy your leisure time.

Accommodation: Le Meridien Suvarnabuhmi Bangkok Golf Resort and Spa

Day 15: Bangkok | Farewell!

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

Today, you will transfer by the hotel shuttle to the airport before your onward flight. Thank you for traveling with us!

GET FREE QUOTE