Upon Arrival to Yangon Airport.
Formerly known as Rangoon, or the garden city of the east, Yangon is the thriving economic heart of the nation and an epicentre of transformation in Myanmar. Yangon’s city centre is blessed with many fine colonial-era buildings and is an exotic mix of spiritual heritage and colourful street life that makes it one of the most fascinating and vibrant cities in Asia.
Starting from Mahabandoola Park and Sule pagoda we explore the quaint old quarter of Yangon and its colonial buildings and heritage. Your guide will share interesting insights into key events and architecture of the city’s landmarks. In the local fashion, we make a tea stop in a popular tearoom to try typical Burmese tea and snacks.
We stroll by the iconic Strand Hotel, old time classic and sister property of the Raffles in Singapore, a great spot to try their signature cocktail Strand Sour or one of the more recent creations (drinks not included in tour).
By the Yangon pier, we hop on trishaws (bicycle taxis) for a short ride along the lively riverfront and small street market. Walk through the sprawling Chinatown and Indian quarter market streets to Bogyoke Market Bazaar, area and maze of hundreds of shops selling all kinds of things from longyis to gemstones.
We complete the day with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda, a gold-covered bell dome structure that dominates the city’s skyline. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed.
After breakfast, we transfer to Yangon airport for a 1hr flight to Nyaung U / Bagan. Where we begin our journey into the Ancient Kingdoms of Bagan. The Dhamayazeka Zedi is our first visit, providing panoramic views of the temple studded plains of Bagan. We continue the gold gilded Swezigon Stupa, purported to contain a holy tooth relic of the Buddha. Not far from the stupa, the Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple is a sight to behold, housing Bagan’s best preserved mural paintings of the Buddha’s Jataka re-incarnations. Next, we learn how Bagan’s famous lacquerware crafts are produced in Myingaba Village, and then visit Htilominlo Temple to learn how Burmese sand paintings are created. The day’s temple tour ends with a visit to the beautifully symmetric and majestic Ananda Temple with its four standing Buddha images that seem to gaze at the viewer with fixed serenity wherever the viewer stands.
We continue the exploration of Bagan with visits to the Manuha Temple, built by the Mon king in the 1300s to represent his time in captivity under the Bagan king. Continuing to the Thanakha Museum and a Cigar Work Shop we learn respectively about the traditional uses of the fragrant thanaka paste and how Burmese make the local cheroot cigars. A visit to the Nyaung U Market, the largest market in the Bagan region, gives us a glimpse into local life. We also see how cottage industries like brick making and are carried out with traditional methods. During a visit to a Monastic School that provides disadvantaged children with free primary level education, we have the opportunity to interact with the school children. For sunset, a bullock or horse cart ride around the temples offers unparalleled photo opportunities of one of the richest archaeological treasures in southeast Asia as the sun dips behind the temples ruins (weather permitting).
Enjoy your breakfast, we will drive to Mandalay . On the way to Pakokku visit a tortoise center located inside Minsontaung Wildlife sanctuary and greet rare and endangered start tortoise. Upon arrival to Pakokku an un-spoiled small town famous as a tobacco trading center and for its weaving shops . Time permitting visit local market and see genuine indigenous regional open air market with a vast array of things for sale including local's snacks, fresh vegetables, ingredient, textiles, handy crafts etc, see the small Thanakha vendor, cheroots factory and slippers workshop and wood carving sculpture. Our journey continue to Mandalay via Paleik, which village with a cool snake temple, old pagoda ruins and not many tourists. Lots of local weavers to check out and a good place to buy traditional fabrics. After that we drive to Mandalay. Arrive in Mandalay and transfer to hotel.
Early rise to give alms to the monks then off to bustling local tea shop and enjoying local style breakfast morning cup and bowl of national soup, Mohinga which is said to be the best in Mandalay. After breakfast, return to the hotel.
Visit the the lively Zegyo market in the heart of the city to experience more authentic local life in Mandalay, then drive to jade market for an insight into trade and follow and how local and Chinese merchants are trading on jade. Then we drive to Sagaing Hill, we enjoy views of the hillside dotted with countless pagodas and visit a monastery to learn how the lives of monks and nuns and try out here and if you like meditation.
In the afternoon, proceed to Mingun village. Visit Minguin Pagoda which was dedicated to be the highest one but remained as the biggest pile of bricks, the biggest bell ringing bell of 90 tons, the unusual Myatheindan pagoda, which represents Mt. Meru and the abode of celestial beings.
We end of our day with a visit to Amarapura one of the ancient capitals and famous for its textile industry. Enjoy the spectacular sunset by U Bein bridge, a simple yet remarkable teak structure that spans 1.2km over Taungtaman lake we have the option to be rowed over the calm water. U Bein Bridge silhouetted by the setting sun is a magical experience and a photographer's dream.
After breakfast at hotel transfer to airport for flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival to Mandalay you will be welcomed and greeted by guide and transfer to hotel. After check-in and refreshment, afternoon free time for shopping and exploring Chiang Mai independently.
In the evening meet for Northern specialty Kantoke dinner and traditional dance show and those who still have energy can go to the night market of Chiang Mai.
We travel north to Doi Angkhang to enjoy some of Thailand's most spectacular scenery and to meet the minorities and taste the fresh produce of Royal Projects farms grown here.
Pure mountain air, beautiful panoramic views welcome you in this hidden paradise. Doi Ang Khang region boasts with some of Thailand's most spectacular scenery and is inhabited by several hill tribes. Mingle with the locals and learn about their fascinating customs, beliefs and culture. Enjoy clean nature and visit the Royal Angkhang Project with fruit, vegetable and herb gardens initiated by the king to provide alternative livelihood to hill tribe folks to growing opium poppy.
We will stay at the Angkhang Nature Resort - the top choice of the region with well appointed rooms considering the remoteness. The resort is located short mountain bike and easy hike access from the Royal Agricultural Station. The resort is spread over a tree-shaded slope where the only sound is usually birds tweeting. Rooms come with private balconies, satellite TVs, tea and coffee makers, and electric blankets. The restaurant serves up a good selection of Thai and international dishes created from Royal Project produce.
After breakfast drive back to Chiang Mai. Afternoon free time for shopping and exploring Chiang Mai independently.
In the evening meet for Northern specialty Kantoke dinner and traditional dance show and those who still have energy can go to the night market of Chiang Mai.
Road to Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Sukhotai highlights from the 13th century: Wat Mahathat and Wat Sra Sri. We can tour here either by bike (at additional cost) or on foot, accompanied by the guide. For today lunch we will try Tom Kha Kai, chicken soup with coconut milk, flavored with lemongrass. And then, road to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Siam where beautiful old temples await. Ayutthaya is one of Unesco World Heritage sites of Thailand.
Visit Wat Chai Mongkhol, with its courtyard entirely lined with Buddha statues and its imposing Chedi, Wat Chedi Sri Suryothai built in homage to a Thai princess, hero of the resistance against the Burmese army, and Wat Lokayasutharan with giant Buddha 37m long and 8m high. Today’s lunch includes tasting one of the most popular Thai dishes Pad Thai, which is sautéed noodles with soy, dried shrimp and fish sauce – delicious. (Vegeterian versions available too)
We arrive to Phitsanuloke late afternoon / early evening.
06.00-06.30 Pick up from major hotels in Sukhothai. Depart to Kanchanaburi.
09.00 Visit Thailand–Burma Railway Centre an interactive museum, information and research facility dedicated to presenting the history of the Thailand–Burma Railway. The fully air-conditioned center offers the visitor an educational and moving experience. Visit Allied War Cemetery, resting-place for more than 6,000 Allied prisoners of war (POWs). Visit the world-famous Bridge over the River Kwai, a part of Death Railway constructed by Allied POWs.
12.00 Arrive at Hintok River Camp, Check–in and have Lunch.
14.00 Visit the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum which is dedicated to those Australians and other Allied Prisoners of War and Asian labourers who suffered and died at Hellfire Pass and elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region during WW2. Walking along the Hellfire Pass Walking Trails and return to Hintok River Camp. Late afternoon get on a mountain bike to visit a village or farm nearby the camp.
19.00 Dinner and overnight at Hintok River Camp
Morning departure for Damnoen Saduak floating market. On the way we can stop at a factory where coconut sugar is extracted if you would like. Marvel at maze of canals where houses have been built on stilts over the water and the floating market where merchants trade their produce from boats loaded with fruits and vegetables.
Next continue drive to Kanchanaburi. We stop at the Allied Cemetery to learn about the history of the region and events of WWI that took place in this region. Walk on the famous Kwai River bridge spanning the river.
Today lunch will include local specialty from Kanchanaburi Kaeng Kai Baan, a chicken farm curry. In the afternoon we take a train ride in beautiful scenery and return to Kanchanaburi for the night.
07.00 Breakfast
08.00 Depart the hotel for Erawan National Park.
09.00 Upon arrival, start to trek along its nature trail to the splendid waterfalls inside. Appreciate its natural beauty, patterns and shapes of the tropical forest, particularly the stunningly big trees believed to be protected by the tree spirit. Then enjoy relaxing and swimming in the emerald-coloured pools.
12.30 After Lunch, continue a journey to enjoy elephant riding and rafting.
14.00 Be excited with soft adventure on the elephant back and bamboo rafting.
15.40 Enjoy the train excursion from Wang Poh to Tha Kilaen stations along the Death Railway that partly runs in parallel with the River Kwai.
16.40 Arrive Tha Kilaen station, pick up by A/C van to the hotel.
17.30 Transfer to the accommodation.
Road to Bangkok, today we will discover the daily life in Bangkok travelling by skytrain followed by a taxi boat ride on the Chao Praya River to the Tha Tien pier. From here we visit the Royal Palace and Wat Phra Keo which houses the Emerald Buddha, the greatest royal treasure of Thailand. Next we continue to nearby Wat Po temple housing enormous and beautiful 46m long golden Buddha. Then it is time for some food, enjoy lunch by the Chao Praya river and taste popular Kai Kratiem, fried chicken with garlic and soy sauce.
In the afternoon we explore Bangkok’s colourful Chinatown with bustling flower market streets and stalls.
Bangkok is a city of sharp contrasts, the gleaming skyscrapers juxtaposed with vibrant open-air markets and men pushing wooden pushcarts. Royal palaces and ancient pagodas are surrounded by the vivid colors of daily street life, and it's impossible to go a few meters without a new photo opportunity. Land at Bangkok International Airport and today is free for you to explore the city. Shoppers can have endless fun in the traditional markets and throbbing malls. Watch classical Thai music concerts or find some of the funky bars that the city is famous for. Have your senses engaged and elevated just by wandering around, the city that exudes exotic smells and sounds. And despite the contrasts and contradictions, one part of Bangkok is omnipresent; smiles. Wherever you are, expect to see a beaming face in front of you. Welcome to Thailand. Welcome to the land of smiles.
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Bangkok airport for your departure flight.
