21 Days Luxury Tour through Burma and Thailand with Beach Retreat

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 the hotel for check in. Then you are at leisure to explore the Chao Phraya riverfront, go shopping, or visit a Muay Thai boxing gym on your own.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 2: Bangkok | Relax | Welcome Dinner Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Morning and afternoon are at your leisure to relax after the international flight. Feel free if you want to explore the city on your own.

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

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 3: Bangkok | Bangkok Royal Palace by Traditional Long Tail Boat

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.

Old Temple Wat Chaiwatthanaram of Ayutthaya

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.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 4: Bangkok | Ayutthaya Kingdom Discovery

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
Start early and transfer North to the Ancient Kingdom of Ayutthaya. Start by visiting Wat Phu Khao Thong – a temple outside of Ayutthaya started by the invading Burmese who built the base when they overtook Ayutthaya and was finished by Siam who later took back their city. Continue to Ayutthaya and start with the Royal Palace and Royal Temple – dating back to the 14th century. Continue to the nearby Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit where the largest bronze Buddha in Thailand is housed.

Enjoy a Thai lunch and some free time. Have a short visit to Wat Lokaya Sutha – the image of the reclining Buddha. Then continue to the Royal Palace at Bang Pa In, which is the Summer Palace of the Thai Royal Family. Return back to your hotel in Bangkok for leisure time.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 5: Bangkok – Yangon | Flight to Yangon | Welcome Royal Style Dinner

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast , Dinner
Morning is at your leisure to simply relax or explore the rest in city on your own.

In the afternoon, take a flight to Yangon Capital. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check in.

Royal Marble Boat

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

Accommodation: Belmond Governor’s Residence

Day 6: Yangon | Burma’s Capital City

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.

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 7: Yangon – Bagan | Flight to Bagan

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
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.

Enjoy the leisure time at your resort with view of the ancient Bagan Temple.

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel

Day 8: Bagan | Bagan’s Valley of a 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 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: Aureum Palace Hotel

Day 9: Bagan – Mandalay | Hot Air Balloon Ride | Flight to Mandalay

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
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.

Silhouette View of Bagan

Board an afternoon flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you and continue to your hotel for check-in. Then you’re able to relax for the rest of the day. Simply relax or have a stroll in the city on your own.

Accommodation: Hilton Mandalay

Day 10: Mandalay | Explore Mandalay Highlights

Meals: Breakfast

Morning is at your leisure to simply or you can have own exploration in the city.

In the afternoon, we’ll take you 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 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.

Accommodation: Hilton Mandalay

Day 11: Mandalay | Amarapura Ancient Capital

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning: Transfer by private vehicle to Sagiang, the capital of Sagiang Division located on the Irrawaddy 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 12: Mandalay – Chiang Mai | Flight to Chiang Mai

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Relax sometime in the morning. In the afternoon, take a flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check in.

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 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: Anantara Chiang Mai

Day 13: Chiang Mai | Temples of the Lanna Kingdom | Cultural Show with Thai Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.

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. You’ll return to the hotel for some leisure in the afternoon.

In the evening, we will transfer to an outdoor courtyard theater. Take a place in traditional Thai seating as Thai dishes are brought to you. Enjoy colorful performances in traditional Lanna Thai apparel with live music. Then return to the hotel after the show.

Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai

Day 14: Chiang Mai | Alms Giving | Tea Plantations & Hmong 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.

Northen Thai Tea Plantation – 21 Days Luxury Tour Burma Thailand Tropical Phuket Beaches Retreat

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: Anantara Chiang Mai

Day 15: 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 with 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: Anantara Chiang Mai

Day 16: Chiang Mai | Leisure | Royal Style Spa

Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy some leisure time in the morning to relax or you may want to have own exploration in the city.

Chiang Mai is known for its legendary “Siam Lanna” massage techniques dating back to the Lanna Kingdom. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a royal relaxation treatment at the top-rated spa in Chiang Mai. Transfer to Zira Spa – an award-winning spa inside a beautiful Lanna-style refurbished mansion. You’ll enjoy your choice of either an aromatherapy massage(oil) or a traditional massage(non-oil) for 1 hour. Continue to the night markets to explore the interesting curios, trinkets, silks, and jewelry created by the hill tribes in the surrounding highlands. Return back to the hotel for leisure and overnight.

Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai

Day 17: Chiang Mai – Phuket | Flight to Phuket | Relax on the Beach

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Board a morning flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, our representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your resort where the private pool villa awaits. Your villa would have the stunning vista view of Andaman sea.

North of the resort are two sandy beaches facing the Andaman Sea, Kata Beach just down hill and Karon Beach a bit further North. Kata Hill is a scenic spot just a mile North of your resort. Further North a ways is Freedom Beach – a quiet secluded beach in an alcove that is a bit off the beaten path. Head North a little further and you’ll be at Patong Beach – a popular beach destination on Phuket Island. There are many restaurants, hangouts, and bars around Patong Beach. You might also find a gym on your own to try your hand at a lesson in Thai Boxing.

Accommodation: The Shore At Katathani

Day 18: Phuket | Relax on the Beach

Meals: Breakfast
Today is at your leisure to explore the beaches of Phuket. Or indulge your self with the resort’s spa and other facilities.

Sunset at Phuket Beach – 21 Days Luxury Tour Burma Thailand Tropical Phuket Beaches Retreat

Accommodation: The Shore At Katathani

Day 19: Phuket | Sea Caves by Starlight

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
World famous kayaking inside marine limestone karst islands with macaques, water monitors, kingfishers and Sea Eagles. Meet at the hotel around 11 AM to transfer to the pier. Then continue by boat with a light lunch served onboard. Self-paddle with your own sea cave guide through tunnels and lagoons. When darkness falls, stars shine overhead in the circle of black night, fireflies flash in the cliffside jungle and, most of all, the sea glows with phosphorescence. Enjoy a spiritual ceremony with your own made “Krathong”. Have a magnificent dinner onboard. Then return to land. A truly magical and out of this world experience (Listed among National Geographic’s “World’s Top 50 Adventures”).

Accommodation: The Shore At Katathani

Day 20: Phuket | Relax on the Beach | Private Seaside Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Morning and afternoon are also at your leisure to relax.

As dusk approaches, you’ll enjoy a private seaside dinner with candles, personal butler, and the sound of the sea. Dinner will feature a 4-course traditional Thai menu. Enjoy a fine cuisine while you chat and reflect on the fond memories you’ve collected over a few weeks.

Accommodation: The Shore At Katathani

Day 21: Phuket | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast
Today our representative 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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