Best of Vietnam , Cambodia, Laos, Thailand , Myanmar - 37 days

In and around Hanoi.

Landing at the Hanoi Airport. We welcome and pick you up at the airport to your hotel.

You will check in hotel and take a rest before getting ready for the tour with 3 options. You can choose your preferred tours:

Option 1: Half-day Hanoi city tour with hidden train street. Begin your tour at the Ancient House and wander at the old style 19th century architecture. Then head to Hang Buom Culture and Arts Center, with a variety of exhibitions to honor Hanoi contemporary artists. A unique experience for those who loves art and beauty.

Next, we head to Hoa Lo Prison, a place held prisoners who were agitating for independence, often subject to torture and execution.

 On the way to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, an important place for the Vietnamese. The complex is a traffic-free area full of botanical gardens, monuments, memorials and pagodas. Stop outside Ba Dinh Square and take a look outside the mausoleum, then continue to explore the One Pillar Pagoda. (Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays, and for at least 2 months (June 15-August 15) for annual maintenance but you can still take pictures of the Mausoleum and walk around the maintenance but you can still take pictures of the Mausoleum and walk around the area) Our last destination is the famous train street! Order yourself a cup of coffee while watching the train pass by right in front of your face! It's a lifetime experience that you will never forget that thrill rush feeling. Sometimes the train schedule might be delayed so if you're lucky enough, you'll get to see the train. 

Option 2: Street food walking tour with hidden Train street visit.Start your tour at the meeting point at No.47 Hàng Bông Street, and head to a traditional restaurant specializing in entrees such as pillow cake, shrimp cake, Pho rolls, and spring rolls. Have a taste of some popular and classic Vietnamese dishes. 

Then head over to the nearby St. Joseph’s and stop for some pictures of the late colonial French architecture. Along the way make sure to stop at a local restaurant to try Banh Cuon (filled rice noodles) and watch as skilled chefs demonstrate how this tasty dish is created.

Next, enjoy Pho (noodle soup), which is Vietnam’s most famous dish. Try both the beef and chicken versions. Definitely don't miss out on a Vietnamese traditional dessert called Chè (sweet soup). There are both hot and cold versions for each season.

After several dishes, you will be full and satisfied. Catch a taxi and go straight to the train street. We will stop at a typical coffee shop at the train street corner and enjoy egg coffees while waiting the train passes by.

Although according to official schedules, the train will come daily, sometimes they do and sometimes not, so if we're lucky, we may catch one and see the huge train passing with our own eyes.

When you finish enjoying the drinks, hop in a taxi again to go back to the meeting point where the tour ends. For those who would love to have a different look of the bustle and hustle streets in Hanoi, select the cyclo option in which you can sit back and enjoy surrounding sceneries in quiet comfort.

Option 3: Egg Coffee Class Choose your suitable time for the class, then head on to the destination- Cafe Minh (53 Luong Ngoc Quyen street), only a few meters from Ta Hien Beer street.

Meet the teacher whom will introduce everything to you from the history, the culture. Roll up your sleeves and prepare the ingredient. Step by step, you'll be instructed carefully and thoroughly the way of making your coffee.

Here's some of the recipes we will discover:

- The internationally famous egg coffee. Labor-intensive and easily satisfying enough to make it well worth the work. learn the magic.

- Hanoi-style expresso-strength milk coffee. Several small details make it great!

- Saigon-style milk coffee. A tad sweeter than Hanoian with 3 secret drops.

After class, feel free to stay to enjoy and compare your creations on our balcony or open front sidewalk area and compare your various creations as you plan your next adventure and if you need any of the making materials for take-home, we carry everything and can set you right up pronto.

Just 100 km down to the south of Hanoi, Hoa Lu was theancient capital of Viet Nam from 986 to 1009. The Trang Aneco-tourism site is considered the “Ha Long Bay land”.Here, space was so quiet that the only sounds were those ofthe trains. In the distance, visitors have the opportunity toperceive the white flowers of the reeds in the foothills.While enjoying fresh air and mountain scenery, which takes visitors into a magical world.

7:30 - 8:00: Our guide and driver pick you up at your hotel, arrive after 2,5 hours.

10:00: Depart to the most popular attraction to visit inNinh Binh are the Trang An Grottoes (the World NaturalHeritage site). Arriving Trang An - eco tourism site. In 2hours you will be surprised by the beauty of this landscapethat seems as Halong Bay on land. The bamboo boat willtake you through many amazing caves.

12:00: Lunch in Restaurant where you can try the special food is goat meat and other traditionallocal foods. After Lunch, Depart to visit Trang An tourist attraction – Hoa Lư.

13:00: Arrive Hoa Lu, once ancient capital of Vietnam dating back to the 11th century. Havingbeen eroded over the millennia, the dilapidated ruins have nearly been absorbed by the

spectacular scenery creating a mystical atmosphere that willbesure to titillate your imagination, visit King Dinh and LeTemple.

13:30 - 14:00: Visit Mua Cave - totally get challenging to finallyenjoy wonderful relaxation on the top of Mua Cave mountainwith a majestic world around you.

16:00-16:30: Getting on the car return to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

08:30: Pick up at your hotel near by the Old Quarter in Hanoi by shuttle bus departure to Halong Bay – Lan Ha bay.  Short break half way. 

12:00: Arriving Tuan Chau marina, transferred  by tender of cruises. Welcome aboard the  cruise. Refresh with our welcome drink. Meet  the captain, crew in the cruise briefing, safety  instruction. 

13:00: A special lunch in Vietnamese cuisine  of fresh seafood

and an assortment of  appetizing favorites are served while sailing  through Islets of Con Vit. 

15:30: The Cruise sails through Lan Ha Bay. 

The area is surrounding of extraordinary limestone karsts landscapes. We progress to Ong Cam Area  of Lan Ha Bay- a separate part of Ha Long bay. This is a quiet tourist paradise in Vietnam, enjoy  kayaking and/or enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Bay. 

17:30 Back to Cruise, drop anchor for staying overnight. Enjoy the complimentary Sunset Party on the  sundeck with local wine and fresh fruit.

19:00: Dinner is served in the restaurant. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. After dinner, retiring to your cabin or join the fishing excursion, watch a movie, have a drink at the bar, wifi access or play exciting games. Overnight on board.

The morning is the best time of the day on Lan Ha Bay. You might like to head to the upper deck to participate in our daily Tai Chi sessions or relax with an early morning cup of tea, coffee or juice to watch the stunning scenery unfold before you. After breakfast, explore the mysterious caves amongst the remote islets on local rowing boats.

The breath-taking beauty of this World Heritage region will certainly impress. Check out of your cabin as we draw closer to the mainland. After a final early brunch and a last farewell from our crew, you will be transferred back to Hanoi .

Overnight in Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi, drop you off at your hotel. Free time till picked up at hotel for transferring to  train station for night train to Lao Cai. Meet at your hotel in Hanoi at around 20:00 hrs and transfer to Hanoi train station. Overnight train trip  to Lao Cai in Private 4-berth sleeping train cabin. Train departs at approximately 21:15 hrs. 

Notes: 

- Our tour guide will not accompany during the train trip 

- Train schedule is subject to change. 

- Private compartments on request at surcharge. 

- Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers  (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement). Restrooms at either end  of the carriages complete the local experience. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Accommodation: Overnight on train

Picked up at Lao Cai Station upon your early arrival for over an hour drive uphill in a shared  mini van to Sapa. After freshen up and Breakfast in a local restaurant you will enjoy a free walk  around this charming town, paying visit to Sapa  market and the old cathedral where you can meet  a lot of local ethnic minority peoples such as Black H’mong and Red Zao wearing their traditional colorful dresses selling their farming 

and gathering products and handicrafts for souvenir.

Back to our Sapa office at about 10.30 and begin your exploration trip to Muong Hoa valley. You will follow the main road heading south for about an hour before turning right to a foot path down hill to Muong Hoa Valley. This part offers spectacular scenery of the highest part of Hoang Lien Son mountain range and in a nice day, Fansipan Peak can be seen.

Crossing the river by a suspension bridge you will challenge your feet uphill to Y Linh Ho village.  Here you will pay visiting to some H’mong families, watching them doing their daily works. After  picnic Lunch, the trail continues up and down hill for about 2 hours as you reach to Lao Chai, a large  village of the H’mong and then following the river bank to Ta Van of the Zay people. Paying visiting  to local homes, village schools… you will enjoy much your cultural discovery of local ethnic peoples  as well as breathtaking scenery of the Muong Hoa Valley. Settle down in Ta Van village for an  overnight home stay. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Accommodation: Homestay in Ta Van Village 

Leaving Ta Van village after Breakfast, you will take the trail uphill, passing fascinating terraced rice field and some small hamlets of the H’mong before getting through a bamboo forest to a waterfall, enjoy a break for magnificent scenery and then continue walking for half an hour to Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Zao peoples which sits on the top of a hill and looks down Muong Hoa river.

After  spending time visiting the village, making friend with the Zao and experiencing the hospitality you  will cross the river by another suspension bridge and then uphill again to Hau Thao village where you  will pay visiting to a local handicraft center where H’mong and Zao women gather for exchanging  experience and skill of making handicrafts. A late Lunch will be prepare here nearby this center and then you have time relaxing as well as getting  acquaintance with local school boys, girls and their  teachers as well. 

Later a short drive will take you back to Sapa Town 

15:00 - 15:30 Driver will pick you up & transfer 5  hours to Hanoi by limousine bus. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi 

Today we fly economy class from Hanoi  to Danang with Vietnam Airlines. Our driver and guide will meet you on arrival and transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town . You will  check-in at your Hoi An hotel and  enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

This morning we explore Marble Mountain with stunning caves and sacred pagodas then back to Hoi An Town for lunch. In the afternoon we will do a walking tour of Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

Free in the morning.

In the afternoon, transfer to the station for day train to Hue. Enjoy scenic view of Hai Van Pass on the way. Arrive Hue in late afternoon. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy free time.

Note*: The train journey is part of a great local experience. Restrooms at either end of the carriages.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

08:00: Pickup at the hotel.

Today, we will spend a full day touring Hue city.

In the morning: visit Old Imperial City, Flag Tower, Thien Mu Pagoda and Dong Ba bustling market. Lunch at the local restaurant.

In the afternoon: visit Royal Tombs of Minh Mang and Khai Dinh. We will also visit a Conical hat village and incense stick village

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

After breakfast, we will fly to Ho Chi Minh City. On your arrival you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel. After a short break we will discover the Cu Chi Tunnel, an underground city constructed by the Vietnamese guerrilla during the Vietnam War.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Today's sightseeing will take in The Reunification Palace, War Remnant Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Ben Thanh market. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Discover the Mekong River, essential to Vietnamese life.

This morning, transfer to remote My Tho. This burgeoning capital rests in the Mekong Delta and is surrounded by beautiful countryside known as the "rice basket of Vietnam". First visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it is set amongst lovely gardens overflowing with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools and tombs and ornate gates which provide entry. Continue on a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages.

After lunch, visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island or explore the island on foot (the island is flat and relatively small). Return to Saigon for your flight this evening to Siem Reap.

Overnight in Siem Reap

After breakfast, begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, visit the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure hidden under a canopy will leave you feeling as if you’d stepped into an adventure movie set.

Then visit Banteay Kdei ("Citadel of Chambers”). Continue on to the Victory Gate, the Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, and 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 offers many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy.

In the afternoon, be prepared today for one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat.

Enter Angkor Wat and to view its amazing architecture and history. Angkor Wat possesses some of the longest and most intricate stone carving. This complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. Spend the morning exploring through the many passages, levels, and chambers that once housed many treasures of the ancient world.

In the evening , you will enjoy a dinner with traditional Khmer Apsara Dancing Show

In the morning, a half day excursion to the biggest Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake—Tonle Sap Lake. You’ll take a fun ox cart ride through the countryside,. Continue on a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful lake views and mangrove forests. Spend rest of the morning at Kompong Phluk, the largest village on the lak , to discover the fascinating daily lifestyle of the local people who live on the water.

After lunch, transfer to airport for flight to Phnom Penh. upon arrive , guide will meet and escort you to check in. Rest of your own leisure.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Start the day with a TUK TUK ride to visit the Silver Pagoda which has 5,000 silver tiles on the floor and a visit to the Royal Palace where the Khmer royal family lives. You will also visit the National Museum where you will see the large collection of Khmer history, arts and architecture.

In the afternoon, head straight to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to delve into the disturbing past of the country. Accompanied by your knowledgeable guide, browse poignant exhibitions then head to the verdant environs of the city to see the impressive Choueng Ek Memorial, a pagoda constructed out of 8,000 human skulls excavated from the Killing Fields.

Today, enjoying your free morning until transfer to the airport for your flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival in Vientiane airport, your private local guide from IndochinaTour.com will welcome you at the airport then escorts you to your hotel in Vientiane City. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to relax, you can have a relaxing walk around the hotel to discover the city or stroll along the river bank to enjoy sunset.

Overnight in Vientiane

Vientiane, the charming capital city of Laos with rich heritage of Buddhist culture, is waiting for you to discover.

You full day city tour will take you to visit the highlights of Vientiane. Your will firstly get to know some more history of Laos by visiting the National Museum, then visit the temple Wat Sisaket which is the oldest surviving temple with thousands of Buddhist images. The temple Wat Prakeo which housing the famous Emerald Buddha image really amazed the Indochina tour makers. Your full day Vientiane city tour will also visit the symbolic site That Luang Stupa and Patuxay Monument.

The rest of the day is free at your leisure.

Overnight in Vientiane

After breakfast, you will leave for the beautiful town Vang Vieng by taking Road 13 toward North. On the way stop at KM 52 Hmong Village for a short visit. Then visit the archaeological site of Vang Xang, which has one of the oldest Buddha statues dating back to 11th century. After visiting Vang Xang, you will stop for photos at the fishing village of Ban Houy Mo, then continue to Vang Vieng, stopping for lunch en route at local restaurant. When you arrive in Vang Vieng, you'll take a boat trip on the Nam Xong River for natural beauty of Vang Vieng, You'll check in at your hotel, then have free time at your leisure.

Overnight in Vang Vieng

After breakfast, driving toward the ancient city of Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will start a visit to the Royal Palace Museum (closed on Tuesday), which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. See the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground and representing classical Laotian architecture. Visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.

In the afternoon, Visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before heading out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. Later this afternoon return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. Finally climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa and a sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. Finally visit the famous Night Market, where you’ll find handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe peoplesliving in the surroundings.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

This morning, embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River. Along the way, stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where Laos rice wine and rice whiskey is produced. . You'll be able to try some and learn about the process used to make it. Then on to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Lunch will be served near the caves. 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, disembark to visit the traditional weaving village of Ban Phanom, famous for its hand woven textiles.

Continue to explore the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

This morning, enjoying your free morning until transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival , your private local guide from IndochinaTour.com will welcome you at the airport then escorts you to your hotel in Bangkok City. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to relax, you can have a relaxing walk around the hotel to discover the city.

Overnight in Bangkok

This morning , visit the Grand Palace, a beautiful example of an ancient Siamese court, and Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha statue. Then, ride like a Local by tuk-tuk to Wat Pho temple, to behold the 150-foot-long Reclining Buddha statue. Next, explore the city’s renowned klongs(canals) by boat and cruise the Chao Phraya River. Also visit Wat Arun and the Royal Barge Museum.

Overnight in Bangkok

This morning visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market where you will experience the traditional Thai market with numerous vendors selling local foods, fruits and products from their boats. Explore the market before continuing on to Kanchanburi to learn about the region's storied past and present-day culture. Made famous by the book and movie The Bridge on the River Kwai, the infamous bridge and railway is a notable part of the Kanchanaburi landscape. Visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre to get an understanding of the deadly, Herculean task many Thais were faced with decades ago.

Then continue to Prasat Muang Sing Historical Park. The park is full of examples of the Khmar influenced architecture in this part of Thailand. Take some time to just relax here, before making your way back to Bangkok airport for your onward flight to Chiang Rai.

Overnight in Chiang Rai

The golden triangle is a mysterious region for most of Indochina tour makes, today you will enjoy a full day excursion to the heart of golden triangle region.

Your fascinating day will start from morning by firstly visit the Long Neck Karen village to see the long neck hill tribe people who relocated from the Thai and Myanmar border. If it is possible, you will also able to visit a Cock Fighting near the hill tribe village. Keep driving to Mt. Doi Mae Salong and visit the Chinese village on the top of the mountain. Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue the trip to the highest peak on the Thai-Myanmar border. Doi Tung, provides an opportunity to view enrooted many different Lahu and Akha village as well as terraced farming areas and see from distance the Princess Mother's frigid flower Garden. Doi Tung temple, built in A.D.1493, is located at the peak. Its scenery reminds one of Switzerland, features many unique images and temple architecture over looking the entire northern rice field plain. Return to the hotel and rest of the day free at leisure

After breakfast, visit the White Temple, is an unusual Thai temple designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, who mixes traditional Buddhist temple architecture with pop culture references. Then we will drive toward Chiang Mai to continue your Crossing Vietnam  in northern Thailand. After around 2.5 hours drive, you will stop to visit a charity school—School For Life which co-founded by Berlin Free University, it is a children’s village offers free education, accommodation and medical care to children with difficult background. It is highly appreciated by UNISCO. Here you will enjoy a cooking lesson with Children to learn how to cook local Thai Food, lunch will be the food you cook and enjoy it with children there.

After lunch, you will enjoy some free time to discover the beautiful countryside around the School for Life Campus.

Keep driving around 30 minutes to Chiang Mai, visit the Meow Hill Tribe Village where locates on the Mountain Doi Pui and it was once famous for opium cultivation. Continue to visit the Temple Wat Doi Suthep where you will enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Chiang Mai City. If you like, here is also one of the best places to enjoy sunset.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

A fun and memorable  Tour is not complete without the experience of elephant. Today you will visit the Elephant Camp at Mae Taman Camp. You will see how the elephants works, and you will have chance to ride the elephant across the river and through the forest around 1 hour. Return by Ox Cart to the elephant village for lunch.

After Lunch, enjoy a bamboo rafting adventure along the river for about 45 minutes and visit an orchid farm after the bamboo rafting ride.

Drive back to Chiang Mai.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

In the morning, start your cultural tour of Chiang Mai. First stop at Kad Ton Payom Market, renowned for its fresh fruits and flowers, aromatic spices and northern Thai cuisine. You can participate in the local tradition of almsgiving — offering food to Buddhist monks. Continue to the Buddhist temple of Wat Umong, nestled in the forested foothills of Suthep Mountain. Learn about the Buddhist proverbs posted throughout the grounds in English and Thai before you head inside to see the impressive Buddha statue. You’ll also visit the 14th-century Wat Suan Dok, a white bell-shaped temple housing a 20-foot (6-meter) Buddha. See the large prayer hall and the unique open-sided chapel, then enjoy an opportunity to chat with a monk about Buddhism and temple life.

In the afternoon, transfer to airport for flight to Mandalay, upon arrive , guide meet at the airport and escort to your hotel for check in .

Overnight in Mandalay

This morning, you will start to see the Highlights of Mandalay. Start off with a visit the Mahamuni Image where you can to watch locals pray and place gold paper on the statue of Buddha for blessing. If you like, For a small donation you can also participate (only men are allowed to place the gold on the statue).

Then visit a gold paper factory to see how golden leafs are made, a staple in Burmese religious practices. On to visit the 19th century Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery) famous for its teak carvings of Buddhist mythology. Next, see the Kuthodaw Pagoda which is a Buddhist stupa that contains the world's largest book of Buddhism.

Overnight in Mandalay

Morning: Transfer to Sagiang, the capital of Sagiang Division located on the Irrawady River. Cross the Inwa Bridge, which was built by the British in 1934. Then visit the Maha Ganayon Kyaung Monastery to see hundreds of monks line up for daily meals. On to visit the U Bein Bridge which is 1.2 kilometers long and is the longest teakwood bridge in the world.

Next visit 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 – a pagoda painted in gold. You may want to stop at monasteries and nunneries to speak with monks while enjoying hot green tea.

Then continue 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.

Overnight in Mandalay

This morning, transfer by flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, the Aureum Palace Hotel for check in.

This afternoon, explore Bagan. See its thousands of Buddhist pagodas spread in the valley of the Ancient City of Bagan. These pagodas were once owned by individual families during prosperous times. Visit the Nyaung Oo Market where locals buy and sell produce. Continue on to the Shwezigon Pagoda , the largest pagoda in Bagan painted with real gold.

Then enjoy a Horse Cart Ride to the small village of Taung Phi for a view of a teak monastery 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. Continue to Shesandaw Pagoda. Watch one of the best sunsets in Southeast Asia before riding back to your hotel.

Overnight in Bagan

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Bagan and visit Mount Popa on the way to Bagan. Explore the Mount Popa, an ancient extinct volcano home of a temple dedicated to animist spirits.

The shrine is located on a volcanic crag, Taung Kalat. Climb the 777 stairs to the top, learn about nats and nat worship while climbing past many shrines and see many local pilgrims and monkeys. On the way back to Bagan, make a stop in a palm plantation where you can learn about the manufacturing process of sugar and pomade Palma.

Arrive at Bagan that is one of the UNESCO heritage site of Myanmar and well known as the land of ancient temples and Pagodas. Free and leisure at the hotel.

In the late afternoon, the journey begins with a visit to a little complex including Payathonzu, Lemyentha, and Nandamannya Temples with spectacular views over the surrounding plains. This is the perfect introduction to the grandeur and scope of Bagan’s architecture. Walking tours around these beautiful Temples complex make for some excellent photo opportunities. Enjoy the sunset at one of the hillocks over the Bagan plains and admire the light change on the pagodas as they exude antiquity and mystery. 

Overnight at Bagan.

Breakfast at hotel. Early morning will be the time to experience hot air balloon over Bagan. Your guide will transport you to the Nyaung U morning market. This market is always teaming with locals and filled with farm fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, meats and locally caught fish, as well as all manner of consumer goods from clothing to household items. There are also areas that are filled with stalls selling all types of souvenir items for visitors. Once your guide has familiarized you with the layout you will have some time on your own to explore and shop in this vast market.

Your next stop is one of Bagan’s oldest and most famous sites, the Shwezigon Pagoda. The center piece of Shwezigon Pagoda is its large golden bell-shaped stupa built of sandstone blocks, covered in gold and is believed to enshrine a Buddha tooth and hair. You will explore this beautiful legendary pagoda and the many unique Nat shrines and small temples that surround the central stupa.

Then, visit the well-known Ananda Pagoda which contains what is considered to be the most beautiful remaining temple in all of Bagan. At the heart of its Mon architectural style structure stands four 31-foot-tall standing Buddha images gilded in gold leaf. 

Your afternoon begins with a visit to one of the many local workshops in Myingabar village to watch the skilled craftsman produce and decorate lacquerware items. Bagan is one of the last remaining locations in the world where quality lacquerware items are produced. After your educational tour there will be time for shopping.

Transfer to the hotel for check in. The first temple of the day will be the Damayangyi Temple which is the most massive temple ever constructed in Bagan. Finally, you will be transported by local horse cart to the best spot in Bagan to view the sunset. After that, transfer back to your hotel. Leisure and overnight at a hotel. 

Overnight at Bagan.

An early breakfast this morning, proceed to Nyaung U airport for (Approx: 40 mins) short flight to Heho airport. Upon arrival at Heho airport, an hour's drive to Nyaung Shwe jetty at the gateway of the Inle Lake famous for its unique leg rower. En route, the stop will be at a local family-run workshop to observe paper making for the production of traditional Shan parasols. Then, visit “Shwe Yan Pyay, a beautiful red-painted teak building dating back to the 19th century.

Arrive in Nyaung Shwe and start a local boat trip on Inle Lake which is a photographer's dream because of its natural beauty and landscapes. Its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes to which picturesque hills provide the perfect backdrop. Explore the lake's only 'leg rowers', Intha fishermen who stand up with one leg around a single paddle, leaving their hands free to manipulate the conical fishing net. Marvel at Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State.  

Afterward, visit a traditional boat building workshop, and the longboats used to traverse Inle Lake take four weeks to build and are made of local teak. Stop to see traditional handicrafts silk weaving on wooden handlooms and fabrics with the fibers of the lotus flower. Pass endless floating gardens, where Intha lake dwellers grow fruit and vegetables. 

After a day of exploring, transfer to the hotel and overnight in Inle

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, morning visit to the local market; it rotates its location around the lake villages in a 5 days rhythm. The typical market offers an insight into the life of the ethnic Pa-O, Danu, and Intha people who come to these markets to sell and buy goods. 

Long-tailed boat across the lake to Indein at the western end of Inle for one of the most scenic trips on the Lake. Disembark at the jetty and walk for a few minutes through Indein village to reach the 14th – 18th century pagoda ruins of Nyaung Oak. A covered walkway popular with souvenir stall holders leads up to Shwe Inn Thein Paya, a complex of weather-beaten 17th – 18th century zedi; some newly reconstructed. 

Return to Inle Lake and continue to visit Cheroot –maker’s workshop where typical Burmese cigars are made by hand and pass by a traditional blacksmith's forge. It’s time to explore the canoe boat experience by Inle Canoe Lady. The canoe will be rowed by local women who work at the cigar workshop but are offering this short trip to provide their families with an extra income. The canoe through the channels, between the houses built on stilts and the floating gardens of the “Intha” that live in the lake. 

Once your exploration of the pagoda is complete you will be transported to the Heho Airport to have flight back to Yangon.

Overnight in Yangon.

Today transfer to the airport for your flight home