21 Days Vietnam and Burma Unique Hill Tribes and Highlights Tour

ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi | Arrive Hanoi

International Flight: Excluded

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival in Hanoi, our guide will greet you at the airport welcome area and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

After check in, enjoy a stroll on your own around Hoan Kiem Lake outside your hotel. Feel free to also pick up a souvenir at the night markets or at one of the many trinket shops in the alleys and small roads of this historic part of town.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi | Best of Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast
See the highlights of Hanoi during your full day city tour, enjoy the visit to cultural, historical and iconic landmarks.

In the morning, you’ll be escorted to see some of the most significant places in Hanoi.

You’ll begin by seeing the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400-year-old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original bodhi tree under which Buddha sat. Next, you’ll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a large memorial where the charismatic Vietnamese leader read the Declaration of Independence in 1945. Not far from here is the One Pillar Pagoda. This millenia-old structure was built on a large stone column in the middle of a pond to resemble a temple seen in the Emperor’s dream.

Ancient University of Vietnam

Then you’ll learn about the highlight of this tour – The Temple of Literature. The ancient university was erected almost a millenium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, courtyards, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings.

Temple of Literature

In the afternoon, you’ll go on to see the museum of ethnology to learn about the different ethnicities in Vietnam. Next, you’ll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. You’ll also be able to visit the Ngoc Son Temple, which rests on the lake with a narrow bridge for access.

Then you’ll enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top. In the Hanoi Old Quarter, you’ll enjoy streets full of life with genuine shops and cafes frequented by locals.

The tour finishes with a Water Puppet Show performed by the world renowned Thang Long Opera House. This performance features a talent unique to Vietnam. You’ll watch as water puppets perform the folklore legends of Vietnam while live ethnic music sets the mood.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay | Voyage Halong Bay with Cruise by Orchid

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, your guide and driver will transfer you to Halong Bay. Upon arrival, enjoy refreshments at Private Lounge until boarding. Then board Orchid Cruise.

Receive a safety briefing and check in your cabins. The boat sets adrift for Da Chong islet, home to an old French lighthouse. Enjoy a sumptuous feast in the panoramic dining hall while enroute to the isles of Con Vit and Gia Luan. The bay opens up to you with stunning green karsts towering above the water. This area receives very few cruise ships as it has just been newly opened up. Continue to Ba Trai Dao beach of Lan Ha Bay. A paradise with perfect beaches and natural beauty. Stop at one of the beaches for swimming or kayaking during the afternoon.

Halong Bay Sunrise

As dusk approaches, welcome the sunset with a local specialty – “Ba Kich”(a liquor made from Noni fruit). Back on board, you’ll join a cooking demostration to learn a few Vietnamese culinary secrets. Enjoy your creation! Then time for supper in the dining hall. Delicious Vietnamese cuisine and seafood in a romantic setting. After dinner, you may enjoy watching the stars from the sundeck, watching a movie in the restaurant, or give night squid fishing a try with the staff(subject to seasonal availability).

Accommodation: Orchid Cruise

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi | Halong Bay Sunrise

Meals: Breakfast
Rise early for one of the top best sunrises in the world. Then head to the sundeck for an invigorating Tai Chi session amongst a picture-perfect backdrop of karsts, sea, and nature. Enjoy a breakfast in the dining hall before taking a journey to explore the area around Sang Tai sea cave via canoes.

Return back to the pier for check out and then transfer to Hanoi for overnight.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Day 5: Hanoi – Sapa | Road Trip to Sapa | Leisure

Meals: Breakfast
Today, you will travel around 4 hours on the newly built highway northward from Hanoi to Sapa through the lush countryside and beautiful mountainsides. Sapa is a lovely small town located near the top of the Annamite Range and surrounded by the ethnic hill tribes. Then you will check in your hotel and enjoy some leisure time.

Accommodation: Victoria Sapa

Day 6: Sapa | Meet Remote Hill Tribes (Lao Chai-Tava-Gian Tour)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

You’ll then leave your hotel to visit Lao Chai village while following the road down the mountain. Views of the Muong Hoa valley and magnificent surroundings of mountains and rice terrace fields can be seen from this road. Along the road, you may have a chance to see ethnic groups of H’mong, Giay, Red Dao and stalls serving tea, fruits, and sweets. Arrive at the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai, where you will experience the daily life of the villagers. After that, take a walk from Lao Chai to Ta Van village, where the Giay hill tribes live. Here you’ll take a rest and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the local guide in a local house.

After lunch, you’ll trek through the winding hills and venture through a bamboo forest to find a hidden waterfall. Here, you’ll stop to relax. Continue on foot to explore the Red Dao village of Giang Ta Chai where you will also have the chance to see their daily activities. In the afternoon, you’ll return back to Sapa.

View of Sapa Valleys

Accommodation: Victoria Sapa

Day 7: Sapa | Authentic Weekly Bazaar of Flower H’mong Ethnic

Meals: Breakfast
Each day of the week, various ethnic village tribes congregate together in remote sections of the mountains. They dress in their finest ethnic garments to represent their tribes as they come together to buy, sell and trade their produce and livestock with other villages. The hill tribe market is a unique opportunity to see the colorful ethnic apparel proudly on display. It is a time of social and community gathering. Finally, return to your hotel and relax.

The flower Hmong Ethnic Minority

Accommodation: Victoria Sapa

Day 8: Hanoi – Yangon | Return to Hanoi | Flight to Yangon

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, you will travel by vehicle back to Hanoi. Enjoy the view of the lush countryside and beautiful mountainsides along the way.

Board an afternoon flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, our guide will greet and transfer to your hotel for check in.

The evening is at your leisure to relax.

Accommodation: Belmond Governor’s Residence

Day 9: Yangon | Yangon City Highlights

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.

Floating Marble Boat

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

Accommodation: Belmond Governor’s Residence

Day 10: Yangon – Bagan | Flight to Bagan

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Morning is at your leisure to relax or explore the rest in the city on your own.
Board an afternoon flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, our guide will greet and transfer to your hotel for check in.

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel

Day 11: 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 the hotel during the 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 a 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.

Valley of a Thousand Temples – 21 Days Vietnam Burma Unique Hill Tribes Highlights Tour

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel

Day 12: Bagan – Inle | Flight to Heho | Continue to Inle Lake and Highlights

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, take a flight to Heho.

Upon arrival at Heho airport and after luggage collection, drive to Nyaung Shwe, another Shan town bordering famous Inle Lake on the northern end. On the way, a visit to Shwe Yan Pyay monastery built mainly of teak wood in 1882 and its pagoda with colorful mosaics decorated on the interior walls around the central pagoda constructed 2 years before its adjacent monastery. Sight-seeing on the Lake may include; Phaung Daw Oo pagoda which is the most sacred religious stupa housing 5 Buddha images, Silk Weaving village (lotus fabrics weaving technique can also be seen unique only in here!), Blacksmith, Cheroot or Myanmar Cigar factory, the nature of Inthars, Lake Residents with their Floating Gardens and finally visit the Jumping Cat monastery which is the oldest one with antique Shan-style Buddhas and Buddhas’ alters. Then transfer back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min

Day 13: Heho – Inle | 3rd Century Kakku Temple

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, drive to Taung Gyi, the capital city of Shan State. Taung Gyi won the prize in the year 2005 the Best City of Myanmar and Ideal City. On the way, you can visit the first Official Vineyard of Myanmar producing the wine called Ayetharyar Wine. You can stop at the factory viewing the Vines on the hill-side and try the four different Wines at the Winery Bar enjoy the view overlooking the whole vineyard. Afterward, continue your drive to Taung Gyi and pick up your local Pa-O Guide at the Pa-O National Organization Head-quarters. The Kakku Pagoda Complex is situated in the Pa-O Territory and it is a must to register and buy the entrance ticket at that office as well as to have a Pa-O accompany.

200 Shan Style Pagodas of Kakku

Kakku Temple – 21 Days Vietnam Burma Unique Hill Tribes Highlights Tour

Then, drive to Kakku (approx: 2 and a half hour). You will drive past several Pa-O villages on the way and also the fertile lands; Wheat, Sesame, Rice, Cauliflower, Onions and some vegetables are grown in those fields and make some stops to take the photos. Upon arrival at Kakku, you may enjoy lunch first or you can explore Kakku Pagoda Complex first. Kakku has more than 2000 Shan Style pagodas and the complex is well-preserved by the PNO. You can spend more or less one hour walking around in the precinct taking pictures, observing the tiny figures on the small temples. Walk up to the central Pagoda and meet with the Swine Statue from the legend of pagoda complex.

In the afternoon, drive back to Taung Gyi and you can visit one of the Pa-O villages on the way back. After saying farewell to the Pa-O Local Guide continue to Nyaung Shwe and transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation: Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min

Day 14: Heho – Thandwe | Leisure | Flight to Thandwe

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, take a flight to Thandwe. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your resort next to Ngapali Beach for check-in. Enjoy the leisure time for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort

Day 15: Thandwe | Relax on the Beach

Meals: Breakfast
Today, you can relax on the beach and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Bay of Bengal.

Ngapali Beaches – 21 Days Vietnam Burma Unique Hill Tribes Highlights Tour

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort

Day 16: Thandwe | Relax on the Beach

Meals: Breakfast
Today, you can relax on the beach and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Bay of Bengal.

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort

Day 17: Thandwe – Mrauk U | Enter Mruak U

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, take a flight to Sittwe.

Upon your arrival at the airport, your tour guide will pick up and transfer you to the pier for private speedboat transfer to Mrauk U. Check in your resort and enjoy some leisure time.

Accommodation: Mrauk Oo Princess Hotel

Day 18: Mrauk U | Cave Temples

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you’ll visit to Shite Thaung, a cave temple built in 1553(quite a contrast from Bagan architecture). Featuring spirally shaped tunnels decorated with stone carved reliefs of daily life & mystical animals, this ancient complex will give you some insight into the history of Myanmar’s ancient spiritual development. Then you’ll visit Andaw Thein cave temple with fine stone carvings. Legend says this houses the relic molar of Buddha.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the massive fortress-like temple of Htuk Kan Thein from the Mrauk-U period. You’ll return to your hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Mrauk Oo Princess Hotel

Day 19: Mrauk U | Chin Tattooed Hill Tribe

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Drive to the jetty, and take a boat up the Lay Mro river and land at Mesaligon Village. You’ll then walk through the fruit gardens with Mangoes, Lychees, Lemons, Citrus, and Pomelos. Continuing on the river, occasionally, you’ll spot vegetable farms along the river bank, Chilies, tomatoes, Peas, Beans, Maize, and Eggplant. The boat will wait at Sun-Bun-Kaing village. Some of the villages along the way are tattooed Chin villages, which you’ll be able to spot easily by noting the intricate tattoos on the faces of women.

Afterward, the boat will continue up to Pan-Baung village. From the village, you’ll trek to Khon Chaung village. After a stop there, we’ll walk up and down hills and ravines, following a footpath under shady trees in the forest. The wilderness is quiet, peaceful, and pleasant. Then you’ll trek back to the boat and return to the hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Mrauk Oo Princess Hotel

Day 20: Sittwe – Yangon | Return to Yangon | Leisure

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, you’ll be transferred to the pier for private speedboat transfer to Sittwe. Take a flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, our guide will transfer you to your hotel check-in.

Accommodation: Belmond Governor’s Residence

Day 21: Yangon | Farewell!

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

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