Vietnam Cambodia & Myanmar in Depth – 18 Days

Day 01: Hanoi – Arrival (D)
Upon arrival, welcome by our Tour Guide and transferred to your hotel. In the late afternoon, we will take an hour Cyclo - tour viewing the charming French colonial architecture to the bustling Old Quarter. Welcome dinner will be reserved at local restaurant.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 02: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)
After the breakfast at the hotel, we will do a full day visit around Ha Noi.
In the morning: The day starts with visit to the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh- the nation’s founder, containing Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, and the house on stilts, One Pillar Pagoda. Next up visit Tran Quoc Pagoda - Hanoi’s oldest pagoda on the bank of West Lake.
Afternoon: visit Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature & Vietnam’s first university) which was constructed in 11th century. Later on you get on the cyclo or electric car, take a tour in 1h around the Old Streets which were named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. Stop at Hoan Kiem Lake to learn about legend of the lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, followed by the Water Puppet show- a uniquely Northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 03: Hanoi – Ninh Binh (B, L)
In the morning, depart from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (100km - 2.5 hours), transfer directly to the port; get into a rowing boat (around 2.5 hours) to explore the picturesque waterways in Trang An ecological tourist site. Forested limestone mounts contrasting in emerald water, caves, lowland and rivers create a mysterious fairytale-like scene. We then visit a network of 11 caves with beautiful stalactites of all shapes and colors. Disembark and then have lunch at the local restaurant. After having short breaking, transfer to Hoa Lu, one of the oldest capitals in Vietnam dated to 968 – 1009. The remaining vestiges include two temples dedicated to Dinh and Le Kings. These temples are surrounded by beautiful hibiscus gardens, ponds with lotus blossoms and frangipani spreading a delicate perfume. Take time to relax in its airy and reflective atmosphere.
Overnight at the hotel in Ninh Binh.

Day 04: Ninh Binh – Halong (B, L, D)
We depart Ninh Binh for Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Halong bay has more than 1.000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes
Upon arrival at Halong Bay we embark on a boat trip to cruise discovering this magnificent UNESCO World Wonder. This is a great journey among surreal islands rising from a tranquil emerald sea.
In the late afternoon, we anchor for the night on the bay and enjoy a delicious seafood dinner on board.
Overnight on a junk boat in Halong Bay.

Day 05: Ha Long – Hanoi – Fly to Da Nang – Hoi An (Breakfast, Brunch)
Early morning coffee and tea will be served on the sundeck follow you by a Tai Chi class. Then you continue exploring the magnificent Halong Bay. Change to a small motor or rowing boat to see the Luon Cave by passing through the pretty entrance to come across a tranquil round lake, surrounded by luxuriant trees and high stone walls. When you return to the junk, brunch is ready with much different kind of Vietnamese and Western foods. Cruise check out. You are transferred to Noi Bai airport for flight to Da Nang. On arrival, you are picked up and transfer to the hotel in Hoi An for check-in. free time at your leisure.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 06: Hoi An Town (B, L)
Hoi An known as an ancient town of meandering narrow streets dating back to the 16th century. A one day tour offers us a chance to see the Japanese Bridge, Phuoc Kien Pagoda, the ancient house Tran Phu and the Hoi An Museum. Enjoy shopping with tailor made clothing, lanterns, shoes, food or relaxation on the beach.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 07: Hoi An – Da Nang – Fly to Sien Reap (B)
Free time at the leisure until transfer to Da Nang airport for your flight to Siem Reap.
Warmly welcome at Siem Reap International airport, meet and transfer direct to hotel for check in.
Visit the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya, which flourished in the late 9th and early 10th Centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred as the Roluos group. The three Roluos temples are Bakong Temple Mountain with wonderful carvings on the false doors and lintels, the funerary temple of Preah Ko, Lolei Temple with the Roluos group's most exquisite carvings and inscriptions.
Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 08: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat Tours (B)
Breakfast at hotel
Visit to Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), Ta Som, built in late 12th century C.E. the most distant temple on the grand circuit, small but classic. Preah Khan temple, Built by the King Jayavarman VII. Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation.
Visit to the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang ("The Royal Baths" was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Ta Keo, constructed in late 10th early 11th century C.E, the first temple to be constructed wholly of sandstone.
Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 09: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat Tours (B)
Breakfast at hotel
We drive to Visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
It is time to visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Enjoy wonderful sunset from the top of Phnom Bakheng Hills.
Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 10: Siem Reap – Yangon (B)
Breakfast at hotel
This morning we will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen's "floating village" with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the "village" move from place to place following water levels and current.
Transfer to Siem Reap International airport for flight to Yangon.
Warmly welcome at Yangon International airport, meet and transfer direct to hotel for check in.
Overnight in Yangon.

Day 11: Yangon – Bagan (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Bagan. Arrive Bagan and transfer to the hotel. Bagan, one of Asia’s most popular archaeological destinations and one out of two most pre-eminent religious old cities in South East Asia. The sightseeing starts with a visit to Gubyaukgyi Temple (Wetkyiinn village) – the 13th century ‘cave temple’ with fine frescoes of scenes from Jakatas; Ananda Temple – one of the masterpieces surviving and remaining in Bagan and considered to be in the Mon architecture style; Thatbyinnyu Temple- the highest building on the Bagan plain. Dhamanyangyi Temple - built by King Narathu in 12th century which displayed the finest brickwork in Bagan. A visit to the lacquer ware factory followed by a visit to local village. Visit Shwesandaw or Mahazedi Pagoda to enjoy watching Stupa and Temple scenery then sunset over Bagan.
Overnight in Bagan.

Day 12: Bagan – Mt. Popa – Bagan (B)
Early breakfast at hotel, drive to Mount Popa, visit the great extinct volcano. Rising out of the shimmering heat, the solitary volcanic crag of Mt. Popa is home to Myanmar's most powerful "nats". Visit the Nat Museum with its life-sized statues of the 37 Nat Gods. Walk up the steps to the stupas and shrines that top the hill above the museum, seeing many pilgrims along the way. The way by the roadside can see the locals climbing up the palm tree and making jaggery. Drive back to Bagan and transfer to the airport for flight back to Yangon. Arrive at Yangon and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Bagan.

Optional tour: Balloon over Bagan (sunrise and sunset champagne flights take off daily from October through to the end of March).

Day 13: Bagan – Mandalay – Amarapura– Mandalay (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Mandalay, the spiritual heart of Myanmar. On the way to Mandalay, stop at Amarapura- the “City of Immortals” and visit the 150 year old Mahagandayon Monastery, a famous Buddhist Learning Center. It is home to a thousand monks, who will form a procession as they go to take their noon and final meal of the day at 10:30. Continue to U Bein Wooden Bridge built in 1782. And visit the Myanmar traditional hand-weaving silk workshop.
In the Afternoon, Sightseeing in Mandalay - the last capital of Myanmar Kingdom, includes Mahamuni Buddha Image – believed to be cast in bronze in front of Buddha himself and nowadays gilded with thick gold leaf; gold leaf hammering, marble carving, and tapestry making, Shwenandaw monastery – still existing masterpiece of last Myanmar kingdom’s architecture in teak and wood carving; Kuthodaw Pagoda – renowned as the world’s largest book; and Mandalay Hill – regarded a natural watch tower in the plain region of Mandalay – to view the sunset.
Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 14: Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya – Kalaw (B)
Breakfastt at Hotel. Check –out hotel and transfer to Airport. Depart for Heho by domestic flight Morning, schedules flight) (30 mins flying). Then drive to Pindaya (Approx: 2 hours) through the Shan Plateau, through fields of mountain rice. Visit magnificent Pindaya caves set in a limestone ridge overlooking a picturesque lake where thousands of different types of Buddha images are an display in the various cave chambers. Continue visit some local houses where families produce Shan paper and parasols. Drive to Kalaw (1&1/2 hrs ) – a popular hill staion in the British days. You can enjoy cozy scenes along the way. Check in to your hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 15: Kalaw -Nyaung Shwe Jetty – Inle (B)
After B’fast, first visit to mroning colourful market to see people ways of life. Visit Christ the King Church – a brick Catholic church and Hnee Paya – features a gold lcaquered bamboo Buddha. Drive to Nyaungshwe on the edge of the Inle Lake: famous for its unique leg rower (2 & ½ hrs drive). Arrive Nyaung shwe and proceed to Inle lake by local boat and Check-in Hotel. An excursion by boat on Inle Lake, heading to the middle of Inle lake including Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda the holiest religious site in Southern Shan State. Floating Villages & Gardens where fruit and vegetables are grown. See traditional handicrafts – silk weaving on wooden handlooms and a blacksmith shop. Stop at Ngaphechaung Monastery which is famous for its (Jumping – Cats Show).
Overnight in Inle.

Day 16: Inle - Indein - Inle (B)
Breakfast at Hotel. An excursion by boat on Inle lake will includes sights of the famous leg rowers typical floatin gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and magnificent sceneries. Visit one of the local markets in the Inle lake region (on market days by days). And then, an excursion by boat to the Western Shore of Inle Lake to the beginning of a stair path leading to the hidden and unknown Inn Dein Pagoda complex. Return back to hotel. Free and leisure. Enjoy sunset at hotel.
Overnight in Inle.

Day 17: Inle - Nyaung Shwe Jetty - Heho - Yangon (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the Heho airport for flight to Yangon.
Your excursion begins with a tour through Yangon’s colonial style city central. Visit Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda where the biggest reclining Buddha image in Myanmar (73m long) is situated, Sule Pagoda - a landmark in downtown Yangon. Continue visit Swedaw Pagoda (Buddha’s Tooth Relic).
After a photo stop at the Karaweik Hall, a “hamsa-bird –shaped’s floating barge on Kadawgyi Lake, stroll through the Bogyoke (Scotts) market with hundreds of foods, clothes, handicrafts and gems stores, proceed to Yangon’s oldest Chinese temple and at the riverside located Botataung pagoda then visit the Shwedagon Paya- described by Somerset Maugham: "The Shwedagon rose superb, glistening with its gold, like a sudden hope in the dark night of the soul of which the mystics write, glistening against the fog and smoke of the thriving city." This massive bell-shaped stupa rises nearly 100 meters above its hill-top surroundings. Wander through this magnificent structure and its courtyards, stupas, bells, temples, and Buddha images, and see religious and secular visitors from all parts of the globe. Shwedagon has become the symbol of Myanmar.

Day 18: Yangon Departure (B)
Free and leisure at the hotel until departure for next destination.