21 Days Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos Cultural Tour

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 welcome area and transfer 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.

Shwedagon Pagoda – 21 Days Myanmar Thailand Laos Cultural Tour

Accommodation: The Loft Hotel

Day 2: Yangon | Sunrise at Shwedagon Pagoda | Yangon Highlights

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 – Kalaw | Flight to Heho | Hiking in Kalaw and Pa O Hill Tribes

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast

Then, 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 4: Kalaw | Gentle Giants of Asia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, You’ll transfer to Magway elephant camp. You’ll welcome by staff and inform about the project (necessary information about camp will be given by English speaking staff). As well as safety instruction will be given before interacting with elephants. Start with walking (5-7mins) to the elephant village and see the life of mahouts with their families.

Time to introduce the elephants and feed them (daily prepared food). Then the team will lead you to go to the river where the elephant baths and you can join for washing elephants like your owned pet. Lunch will be served at the main camp. After the exploration, you will transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Countryside of Kalaw – 21 Days Myanmar Thailand Laos Cultural Tour

Accommodation: Kalaw Heritage Hotel

Day 5: Kalaw – Inle | Pindaya Caves and Shan Countryside

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 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
Continue 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 and return to the resort for leisure.

Accommodation: Inle Resort

Day 7: Heho – Inle | Life of the Intha 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 Tribe at Inle Lake – 21 Days Myanmar Thailand Laos Cultural Tour

Accommodation: Inle Resort

Day 8: Heho – Bagan | Flight to Bagan | Valley of a Thousand Temples

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Take a morning flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, you’ll transfer 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.
Then, 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 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 9: Bagan – Monywa | Pokkaku Trade Post | Ma U Village | Thousand Buddhas Under a Thousand Trees

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, You’ll transfer to Jetty to embark on the private boat (3 hours) for Pakkoku. Observe life along the Irrawaddy River. Then arrive at Pakkoku, which is a well-known tobacco trade center. Upon arrival at Pakkoku, drive to Monywa, the second-largest city after Mandalay in central Myanmar. Monywa is the major trade center whose surroundings are filled with fertile fields yielding the best crops such as rice, beans, vegetables, and tobacco.

On the way, stop at Ma U village to see village life with home trade skills such as Bamboo Thatch Weaving, Incense Stick crafting, and so on. Then take a walk among the 16th to 18th century Pagoda Complex nearby. You can also stop at a Thanaka plantation, a special wood grown in Myanmar that is used for Burmese beauty. Then visit Bodhi Tahtaung Buddhas so named after one-thousand Sitting Buddhas under a thousand Bo Trees. Last you’ll visit the second largest reclining Buddha and the tallest standing Buddha which measures 413 feet in height. Continue to your hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: Win Unity Resort Hotel

Day 10: Monywa – Mandalay | Sandstone Caves and Amarapura

Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the jetty of Chindwin River which is the third-longest river to take a ferry to the other side where an American Willy Jeep waits to carry you to Pho Win Taung Cave Pagodas. Walk up to the Sandstone Caves built from the 16th to 19th centuries. Monkey food sellers may accompany you. Then, drive to Sagaing crossing over the newly-opened bridge paralleling the first British-built Span side by side. One the way, visit Thanbude Temple with its more than half-million Buddha Images inside and outside of the main temple. Sagaing is the capital city of Sagaing Division and has several times been the Royal Capital. But in recent times it has been a center Buddhist study and worship. Visit Sagaing Hills filled with Meditation Centers, Monasteries, and Nunneries. The view from the platform of Sun Oo Punya Shin Pagoda that takes the overwhelming hilltop is quite breathtaking. Continue to Mandalay for check-in.

Then, visit the U Bein Bridge which is 1.2 kilometers long and is the longest teakwood bridge in the world.

Accommodation: The Home Hotel

Day 11: Mandalay | Mandalay Highlights

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, explore the reconstructed Mandalay Palace for a taste of the royal Burmese architecture in historic times. The compound is spread out over 413 hectares surrounded by a moat and wall.

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).

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. King Mindon commissioned large tablets inscribed with the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism – a key Buddhist text.

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

Accommodation: The Home Hotel

Day 12: Mandalay – Chiang Rai | Flight to Tachileik | Golden Triangle Discovery | The White Temple

Meals: Breakfast
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.

In the morning, visit the Golden Triangle, where the Ruak River and the Mekong river meet forming the borders of three countries – Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos – the area is known for its stunning views. Then, you’ll transfer to Chiang Rai. On the way, you’ll stop at 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, you’ll transfer to the resort for check-in.

Accommodation: Le Patta Chiang Rai Resort & Hotel

Day 13: Chiang Rai | Mae Salong Mountain and Hill Tribes

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 return to the resort for leisure time.

Accommodation: Le Patta Chiang Rai Resort & Hotel

Day 14: Chiang Rai – Pakbeng | Gateway to Laos: Mekong Discovery Cruise

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 with 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 hilltribe 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 15: Pakbeng – Luang Prabang | Gateway to Laos: 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.

Accommodation: My Dream Resort

Day 16: Luang Prabang | Hiking to Villages and 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: My Dream Resort

Day 17: Luang Prabang | Luang Prabang Heritage

Meals: Breakfast

The morning is at your leisure to explore on your own or visit a spa for a massage.

In the afternoon, begin with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We’ll also visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.

Late afternoon, transfer to the forest temple of Wat Phon Phao for watching a stunning sunset over the Laos countryside. Return to the hotel for leisure time or explore the night markets on your own.

Accommodation: My Dream Resort

Day 18: Luang Prabang – Pakse | Flight to Pakse | Bolaven Plateau: Waterfalls and Hill Tribes

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
You’ll transfer by flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check in.

Then, you’ll go to see the Bolevean Plateau. The Bolevean Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. The area is famous for its many waterfalls, and the most beautiful of these falls, Tad Fan Falls. Tad Fan Falls is spectacular with twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be seen en route. In the afternoon we arrive at Pha Suam Waterfall to explore the ethnic minority villages of Lao Teung Katu. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: La Folie Lodge

Day 19: Pakse | 4,000 Islands & Kayaking with Dolphins

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, we transfer to Nakasang village. From here we board a local boat which takes us down the mighty Mekong and through some beautiful scenery until arriving at Don Khon Island. From Don Khon Island we walk along the island to see the old French train and the amazing Liphi waterfalls. At the waterfall, we take a short walk to above the falls where we enjoy lunch together amongst some beautiful surroundings! After our lunch and taking some time to relax, we begin kayaking down the Mekong to an area near the Cambodian border where we will have the chance to see Mekong Dolphins. After spending some time to try and spot the dolphins, we will return back to your hotel in Pakse. The evening is at your leisure.

Accommodation: La Folie Lodge

Day 20: Pakse | Wat Phou Temple

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Discover the hidden charm of Southern Laos in the afternoon, which encompasses visits to an ancient temple ruin and quaint colonial town. Wat Phou is a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex that has been inscribed as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Go with our guide to visit nearby Wat Phou, a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. The temple was constructed in three levels: the bottom level is focused on the baray (water reservoir) and promenade, the second level features quadrangular pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary itself. The temple was built by the rulers of the Khmer empire before the construction of Angkor Wat. This place served as the most important economic and political center of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples. Return back to the hotel for leisure and overnight

Wat Phou Temple – 21 Days Myanmar Thailand Laos Cultural Tour

Accommodation: La Folie Lodge

Day 21: Pakse | 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!

GET FREE QUOTE