21 Days Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia Expedition

ITINERARY

Day 1: Bangkok – Mandalay | Welcome to Indochina!

International Flight:Excluded
Meals: Dinner
Welcome to Myanmar! This morning, we will arrange your flight from Bangkok to Mandalay. Upon arrival in Mandalay, our guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to Rupar Mandalar Resort for check in. After, you’ll receive a short tour briefing in the lobby about your Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia tour. Then enjoy a short leisure time.

Note: If your international flight arrives before 10:30AM we can arrange your flight from Bangkok to Mandalay on the same day. For later international flight arrivals into Bangkok, we can arrange an overnight at an airport hotel with airport shuttle service.

During the evening, enjoy a unique cultural dinner show at Kinsana Garden Theatre. Notably, the performance features traditional musical instruments and dance spanning eight periods dating back to the 11th century. While the theatrics ensue, enjoy some of the finest cuisine in Myanmar to welcome you to Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.

Accommodation: Rupar Mandalar Resort

Day 2: Mandalay | Explore Mandalay City Highlights

Meals: Breakfast

During the morning, you’ll be able to relax at your hotel or explore the city on your own. When it is afternoon, you’ll go to see the Highlights of Mandalay. First, you’ll have an opportunity to learn about the distinct Buddhist culture unique to Burma. Moreover, you’ll visit the Mahamuni Image where you may watch locals pray and place gold paper on the statue of Buddha for a blessing. In addition, you can participate as well for a small donation to the temple.

Next, visit a gold paper workshop nearby to see how golden leafs 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, a Buddhist stupa that contains the world’s largest book of Buddhism.

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

Accommodation: Rupar Mandalar Resort

Day 3: Mandalay | Ancient Amapura Capital

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
After breakfast, transfer to the capital of Sagaing located on the Irrawaddy River. From there, 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 provided by locals, a custom in Buddhism. Later, visit the U-Bein Bridge which 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 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: Rupar Mandalar Resort

Day 4: Mandalay – Bagan | Bagan’s Valley of a Thousand Temples

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
In the early morning, take a flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to Aureum Palace Bagan Resort for check in.

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. First, you will visit the Nyaung Oo Market where locals buy and sell produce. Second, 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. Later, 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. Finally stop at Shesandaw Pagoda. From your vantage point, you’ll watch one of the best sunsets in Southeast Asia. After, you’ll take a horse cart ride back to your hotel followed by leisure time in the evening.
Accommodation: Aureum Palace Bagan Resort

Day 5: Bagan – Heho | Hot Air Balloon Ride | Flight to Heho

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.
In the late morning, take a flight to Heho. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to Aureum Palace Inle Resort next to Inle Lake for check in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Inle Resort

Day 6: Heho | Excursion on the Inle Lake

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch

Your Excursion today will be made by private longtail boat to see the life of the In-tha tribe(name of local ethnic people live on the lake), to discover their unique floating farms and life on the water. You will also witness local fishermen who catch fish while using only one leg to paddle the boat. Then you’ll visit the Long Neck Ladies who were relocated from the Myanmar and Thailand border.

Rest of the day is at your leisure to relax.

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Inle Resort

Day 7: Heho – Thandwe | Flight to Thandwe | Relax on the beach of Ngapali

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 Aureum Palace Ngapali Spa & Resort for check in at their Executive Ocean Cottage with private pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, ocean view with private veranda, and upgraded amenities. Enjoy a few days of relaxation on the beach to break up your Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia tour.

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Ngapali Spa & Resort

Day 8 – 9: Thandwe | Relax on the beach

Meals: Breakfast
During these days, you can relax on the beach, enjoy the spa services of the resort, and witness the beautiful sunset over the Bay of Bengal.

Accommodation: Aureum Palace Ngapali Spa & Resort

Day 10: Thandwe – Yangon | At Leisure | Flight to Yangon

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Morning is at your leisure to enjoy the beaches. In the afternoon, take a flight to Yangon to continue discovering Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to for check in. The evening is at your leisure to experience the city.

Accommodation: The Governors’ Residence

Day 11: Yangon | Burma Capital Highlights

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: The Governors’ Residence

Day 12: Bangkok – Luang Prabang | Flight to Luang Prabang | Welcome Dinner Cruise

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast , Dinner
In the morning, continue your Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia tour with a flight to Laos. You will take two flights to Luang Prabang with one short stop in Bangkok, Thailand. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to Belmond Residence Vat Phou  for check in.

Join the Nava Mekong, the hit river dinner cruise in Luang Prabang.

Moor near a traditional village where Lao dancers act out historic sets that include interpretations of the royal ballet, village life, folk tales and legends. After the evening festivities, return to your hotel.
Accommodation: Belmond Residence Phou Vao

Day 13: Luang Prabang | Turquoise Tranquil Waterfall and Laos City Temples

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch

In the morning, you’ll start with a visit to the Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. This then takes us to the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang.

In the afternoon, start 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 also have time to visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.

A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribes surrounding Luang Prabang.

Accommodation: Belmond Residence Phou Vao

Day 14: Luang Prabang | Elephant Sanctuary Village

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
In the morning, transfer to Elephant Village – an elephant sanctuary with a focus on rehabilitation and care of rescued elephants. Here you’ll meet the camp manager and receive a short briefing about the elephants. Throughout the day, you’ll take place in the following activities:

• • Riding an elephant – you’ll have the opportunity to ride directly on the neck of an elephant
  • Mahout Training – learn about the commands of how to communicate to the elephant
  • Enjoy lunch at the outdoor garden restaurant
  • Bathe your elephant – Go down to the nearby Nam Khan River to bath your elephant; perhaps the elephant will bathe you as well!

Then return to your hotel for leisure time.
Note: Elephant Village no longer uses Howdahs(Elephant Seats) due to the harm this can cause to the elephants. You will have the choice of riding the elephant’s neck or walking alongside the elephant depending on what you prefer.

Accommodation: Belmond Residence Phou Vao

Day 15: Luang Prabang | Boat Trip to Mysterious Pak Ou Cave

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
In the morning, we embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make Laos rice wine and rice whiskey. You’ll be able to try some and see the process they use to make it. Then we’ll reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Lunch will be served nearby the caves. During lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to try a local dish called “Orlam” which is a soup with vegetables and features a spicy wood that is partially edible. On return, we disembark the boat to visit a traditional weaving village of Ban Phanom, which is famous for its hand weaving.

Accommodation: Belmond Residence Phou Vao

Day 16: Luang Prabang – Siem Reap | At Leisure | Flight to Siem Reap | Welcome Cultural Show Dinner

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast , Dinner
Morning is at your leisure to relax at the hotel. In the afternoon, take a flight to Siem Reap to continue your Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia explorations. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to Shinta Mani Club  for check in.

Be prepared to enjoy a beautiful traditional dance performed by a team trained in the Dance of Apsara.

In the evening, you will be picked up from the hotel lobby and transferred to Angkor Village Hotel Theater for a traditional Apsara Dinner Show. You will have a unique dinner experience which will bring ancient Khmer culture to life in spectacular surroundings while you enjoy the very best in Cambodia cuisine. This one-of-a-kind cultural experience highlights the mysterious civilization and heritage of Khmer spoken through choreography and music. Colorful costumes and playful activities will give you insights into the Khmer daily life and wedding traditions while you enjoy a delicious meal to welcome you to the Kingdom of Wonders.
Accommodation: Shinta Mani Club

Day 17: Siem Reap | Excursion on the Tonle Sap Lake

Meals: Breakfast
During the morning, you’ll take a boat trip on the water of the Tonle Sap Lake to a floating village called Kampong Phluk. Kampong Phluk means, Harbor of the Tusks, due to it’s past trade in elephant ivory many years ago. Having 3,000 habitants residing in stilted houses, the most common profession is fishing. You’ll return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of day on your own.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Club

Day 18: Siem Reap | Explore the Ancient City of Angkor Thom

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch

After breakfast, you’ll begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, you’ll be exploring the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom.

First, you’ll visit Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure hidden under canopy will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into the movie set of a treasure hunt adventure. Your private tour guide will give you the history and stories passed through oral tradition.
After you’ve had lunch, your exploits will continue as you visit Banteay Kdei (“Citadel of Chambers”). You’ll also visit Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, Baphuon and Bayon. Bayon sets itself apart with its almost 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcomed on your second day to the Kingdom of Wonders. With its winding tunnels, chambers, and daring climbs, Bayon will give you many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy.

As the sun approaches the horizon, you’ll enjoy a sunset from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Pre Rup. After sunset, you’ll be taken back to your hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Club

Day 19: Siem Reap | 1,000 Lingas and Banteay Srei Temple

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
After an early breakfast, go to visit Kulen Mountain National Park(Mountain of Lychees). First, explore the jungles brimming with wildlife and tropical fruit. Discover stone carvings under the streams that predate Angkor Wat. Then trek to the 16th-century temple on the mountain where Buddhists and Hindus pilgrimage frequently.

During lunch, enjoy a picnic next to Kulen Waterfall where Angelina Jolie was filmed for the movie Tomb Raider. Take a swim if you like before we continue to the rice fields and countryside below the mountain. Next, you’ll visit Banteay Srei, the Citadel of Women. Unlike the temples you have seen so far, this smaller temple in the jungle features some of the most intricately preserved carvings of all the temples in Cambodia. Then you’ll take an ox-cart ride through the rice fields and give Palm Sugar and Palm Wine a try if you fancy. After the ride, you’ll return to the hotel to relax at your own leisure or can stop at a local souvenir market on the way back.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Club

Day 20: Siem Reap | Wonder of Asia: Angkor Wat Temple

Meals: Breakfast

For your last day in Siem Reap, you’ll experience one of the best highlights of this Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia trip: Angkor Wat Temple.

Have an early breakfast at the hotel. Then you’ll go for a gondola ride through the moats of Angkor Thom to see the vast ruins of the Khmer Empire at its peak. Close your eyes and smell the sweet perfume of the romdoul flowers growing wild on the shore mixed with the scent of lotus flowers bobbing in the water.

Finally, be prepared today to enjoy one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat. At this point, you most probably have gotten glimpses of the towers over treetops and the gates in front in passing. But now you’ll finally get to satiate that curiosity that’s grown in the last few days.

Enter Angkor Wat and learn about the stories and amazing architecture that has stunned archaeologists leaving more questions than answers. For one thing, Angkor Wat possesses some of the most intricate and longest stone carvings in the world. By the same token, this complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. Spend the morning adventuring through the many passages, levels, and exploring chambers that once housed many treasures of the ancient world. In essence, it will be an experience you won’t forget.

The afternoon and evening are at your leisure.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Club

Day 21: Siem Reap | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast
Today our guide will transfer you to the airport before your homeward flight and will conclude your Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia Expedition with a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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