2 Weeks Experience Myanmar, Thailand and Bhutan Like a Local

ITINERARY

Day 1: Yangon | Arrive in Yangon

International Flight: Excluded

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

Shwedagon Pagoda – 2 Weeks Experience Myanmar Thailand Bhutan Local

Accommodation: Belmond Governor’s Residence

Day 2: Yangon | Yangon Highlights

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

After the tour, return back to the hotel for leisure and overnight.

Accommodation: Belmond Governor’s Residence

Day 3: Yangon – Inle | Flight to Inle Lake | Inle Lake Excursion

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You’ll transfer by a morning flight to Heho. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min Hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, take a private longtail boat to see the life of the Intha tribe(the name of locals who live on the lake). You’ll 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.

Return to the hotel for leisure and overnight.

Accommodation: Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min Hotel

Day 4: Inle | Kakku Pagodas

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, start the tour 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. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Kakku Stupas – 2 Weeks Experience Myanmar Thailand Bhutan Local

Accommodation: Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min Hotel

Day 5: Inle – Sagaing | Flight to Bagan | Board Ananda Cruise

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You’ll transfer by morning flight to Bagan. Our guide will bring you to the pier.

Board Ananda cruise upstream towards Sagaing. Relax as you pass villages set against a backdrop of soft browns, rich tamarind trees, with white and golden pagodas gracing the distant hills. There is no better way to enjoy this riverine picture than from the Kansi panorama lounge.

After lunch, a variety of onboard activities will be offered including a longyi (sarong) and thanaka (cosmetic) demonstration, a back of house tour, and a talk on Myanmar. It covers the country’s incredibly rich history, more recent and controversial events, and prospects for the future.

Accommodation: Ananda Cruise

Day 6: Mandalay | Ananda Cruise: Amarapura

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The morning will be spent sailing as you enjoy the passing countryside. A cooking class with their Executive Chef will be available.

In the afternoon, visit the pagoda sprinkled Sagaing Hill, an important religious and monastic center, home to some 554 monasteries and 6,000 monks and nuns. Here you will visit a Monastic school and orphanage where you will have the opportunity to meet some of the residents and understand the teachings of Buddhism. Next, take in the views from the top of the hill on the terraces of the Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda which are truly breathtaking. Below and all around, pagodas of different shapes and sizes dot the landscape.

Visit the U Bein Bridge, a spectacular place to enjoy the sunset. This long teak bridge snakes across the Taungthaman Lake and each evening you can watch monks crossing the bridge to collect food donations.

This is a very spiritual and time-traveling experience.

Accommodation: Ananda Cruise

Day 7: Mandalay – Bangkok | Ananda Cruise: Mandalay Highlights | Flight to Bangkok

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After check out from the cruise, enjoy a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, one of Myanmar’s most religious monuments housing the revered Mahamuni Image. Continue on to visit Shwenandaw Monastery which is the only palace building to survive the bombings of World War II. This beautiful teak monastery had been the apartment of King Mindon, and after his death in 1879, his son King Theebaw removed it from the Mandalay Palace.

Lastly, visit Kuthodaw Pagoda (Maha Lawka Marazein), built by King Mindon in 1857, in effect a copy of the Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan. Kuthodaw is often called the biggest book in the world, for surrounding, it are 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Tripitaka texts (Buddhist cannon).

Then continue to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, our Bangkok guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner alongside the Chaophraya River.

Accommodation: Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort and Spa

Day 8: Bangkok | Bangkok by Boat | Banyan Tree Dinner Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

In the evening, our guide will greet you and escort you to the pier. Embark on a renovated rice barge for a cruise dinner by Banyan Tree. The dinner features a live Apsara performance while you enjoy Thai delicacies and take in the night lights of the Chao Phraya River.

Accommodation: Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort and Spa

Day 9: Bangkok – Punakha | Flight to Paro | Transfer to Punakha

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

You’ll transfer by afternoon flight to Paro. Upon arrival, enjoy the clean mountain air and clear blue skies as our friendly guide greets you at the airport. Then transfer you to the hotel in Punakha for check-in (4-hour transfer). Overnight at Punakha.

Accommodation: Como Uma Punakha

Day 10: Punakha | Punakha Dzong | Wangdi’s Palace | Traditional Hot Stone Bath

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, visit the Punakha Dzong. This fortress sits at the fork of the Pho-chu and Mo-chu rivers. It is considered by locals to be the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Also, it has played an important role throughout the country’s history. Then drive to the Wangdi’s Palace. It is magnificent to look upon because it is situated high on a bluff overlooking two rivers. Moreover, the fortress was pivotal in unifying the regions of Bhutan.

As the sun approaches the horizon, soak in a Menchu (A Bhutanese Traditional Hot Stone Bath) to relax your body and mind. Red hot stones are placed in the water along with fresh herbs. The aroma and steam fill the cool air while you sip on a cup of hot tea, enjoying a view of the countryside as the sunsets.

Accommodation: Como Uma Punakha

Day 11: Punakha – Thimphu | Transfer to Thimphu | Takin Nature Preserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, our guide will greet you for your transfer Thimphu (3 hours). It’s a great opportunity along the way to learn about Bhutan’s culture from the guide. The journey will take you through the scenic Dochu Pass. Resting over 10,000 feet above sea level, stop at the pass to see the 108 stupas and take in the panoramic views of the Himalayas. Then continue to Thimphu and get checked in at Amankora Thimphu Lodge.

In the afternoon, go for a hike at the Takin Preserve known for its wildlife. The Takin is a unique goat native to the Himalayas and also Bhutan’s national animal.

Return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Amankora Thimphu Lodge

Day 12: Thimphu | Bhutan Heritage and History

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, start with a visit to the National Library. It’s home to a large collection of Buddhist literature. Continue to the Institute for Zorig Chusum. This is where students study for six years to learn the 13 national arts and crafts. Then visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. Here research and preparation are done on medicinal herbs found in the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Stop for lunch, then visit the National Memorial Chorten – a monument to world peace and prosperity. Also, stop at the Handicraft Emporium. This is where locals offer a wide range of arts and crafts including the unique “thangkha” paintings and Bhutanese textiles. Continue to the Folk Heritage and National Textile Museum.

After the tour, return back to the hotel for leisure and overnight.

Accommodation: Amankora Thimphu Lodge

Day 13: Thimphu – Paro | Royal Botanical Gardens | Transfer to Paro | Tiger’s Nest

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, you will transfer to Paro (1.5 hours) with a stop at the Royal Botanical Gardens on the way. Bhutan is located in the Alpine Zone and is home to several hundred species of plants and herbs. There are also 16 endangered bird species that live in Bhutan, several of which can at times be seen from the Gardens. Continue to the hotel in Paro for check-in.

In the afternoon, hike to the ancient cliff monastery of Taksang – the Tiger’s Nest. You’ll enjoy scenic views of the pine forests and Paro Valley on the climb up. Prayer flags overhead and alongside the path will show the way. Then behold the Paro Taktsang, also known as The Tiger’s Nest. Legend says it was home to the first Tibetan monk to spread Buddhism in Bhutan. After climbing the steps, explore the monastery with our guide. Then be taught in the way of Bhutanese meditation while incense fills the air. The cave that the monastery was built around has been a place of mediation since 853 AD. Return back to the resort for overnight when you’re ready.

Accommodation: Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary

Day 14: Paro | Bhutanese Fortress | Chele Pass and Kila Gompa Nunneries

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start the morning with a visit to the Rinpung Dzong – a large fortress and community center of the Bhutanese. Then enjoy a scenic ride to Chele Pass the highest altitude in the country accessible by vehicle. Take a hike through meadows to Kung Karpo Pass. While here you can get an excellent view of frosted mountain peaks. Continue along the ridge overlooking Paro valley until you arrive at the Kila Gompa nunneries – a group of convents built in the steep cliffs. Visit with the nuns and learn about their isolated lifestyle. After returning to the resort, feel free to enjoy a traditional hot stone bath before a sumptuous dinner.

Accommodation: Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary

Day 15: Paro | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast

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

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