22 Days Thailand and Burma Luxury Holiday with Tropical Beach Escape

ITINERARY

Day 1: Yangon | Arrive in Yangon

International Flight: Excluded

Welcome to Burma! Upon arrival in Yangon, our guide will greet you at the airport welcome area and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Then you’re able to relax.

Accommodation: Belmond Governor’s Residence

Day 2: Yangon | Leisure Day | Royal Style Welcome Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Daytime is at your leisure to relax or explore the city on your own.

In the evening, enjoy a Myanmar royal style welcome dinner on a floating marble boat. Enjoy a fine cuisine as you begin an enchanting journey through Myanmar(Burma). Return to your hotel when you’re ready.

Accommodation: Belmond Governor’s Residence

Day 3: 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 Old Burmese History and also is an important Buddhist icon. Enjoy the sunset over the pagoda.

Accommodation: Belmond Governor’s Residence

Day 4: Yangon – Bagan | Leisure | 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 5: Bagan | Bagan’s Valley of a Thousand Temples

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Valley of a Thousand Temples – 22 Days Thailand Burma Luxury Holiday Tropical Beach Escape

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 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 in 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.

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel

Day 6: Bagan – Heho | Hot Air Balloon | Flight to Heho | Continue to Inle Lake and Relax

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’s ride, you’ll have a smooth landing.

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

Accommodation: Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min

Day 7: Inle | Inle Lake and Highlights

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 fisherman who catches 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 Tribes at Inle Lake – 22 Days Thailand Burma Luxury Holiday Tropical Beach Escape

Check out from the resort and transfer to the Hill Station of Kalaw for overnight.

Accommodation: Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min

Day 8: Heho – Inle | 3rd Century Kakku Temple

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. 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. Continue to Inle Lake for check-in and overnight.

Accommodation: Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min

Day 9: Heho – Inle | Leisure Day

Meals: Breakfast

Spend this full day at your resort. The scenic Inle Lake is in view.

Accommodation: Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min

Day 10: Heho – Mandalay | Leisure | Flight to Mandalay

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

Relax in the morning at your resort with a scenic view of Inle Lake.

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. The evening is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Hilton Mandalay

Day 11: Mandalay | Old Capital of Amarapura

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 | Explore 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).

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. 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: Hilton Mandalay

Day 13: Mandalay – Chiang Mai | Leisure | Flight to Chiang Mai

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Morning is at your leisure to simply relax or have your own exploration in the city.
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 handmade 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 14: 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 15: 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.

Northern Thai Hill Tribes – 22 Days Thailand Burma Luxury Holiday Tropical Beach Escape

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 16: 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 17: Chiang Mai | Leisure Day

Meals: Breakfast
After a few days exploring Chiang Mai, enjoy some leisure time in the morning to relax or you may want to have your 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 18: 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 the Andaman sea.

North of the resort is two sandy beaches facing the Andaman Sea, Kata Beach just downhill, and Karon Beach a bit further North. Kata Hill is a scenic spot just a mile North of your resort. Further North a ways are 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 19: 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.

Accommodation: The Shore At Katathani

Day 20: 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 on board. Self-paddle with your own sea cave guide through tunnels and lagoons. When darkness falls, stars shine overhead in the circle of the 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 21: 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 22: 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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