Laos & Myanmar Tour 16 Days/ 15 Nights

Burma or Myanmar  is home to some of the early civilizations of Southeast Asia including the Pyu and the Mon. In the 9th century, the Burmans of the Kingdom of Nanzhao entered the upper Irrawaddy valley and, following the establishment of the Pagan Empire in the 1050s, the Burmese language and culture slowly became dominant in the country.

 

Destinations

• Major  in Myanmar as Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay & Inle Lake
• Laos beauty spots

Highlights

• Yangon sightseeing
• Famous pagodas in Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake
• Khuangsi Waterfall in Luanprabang
• Plain of Jars in Xiengkhoang

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Yangon Arrival & Sightseeing

Day 2: Yangon- Nyaung U- Bagan (B/-/-)

Day 3: Bagan Sightseeing (B/-/-)

Day 4: Bagan- Nyaung U- Mandalay- Amarapura- Mandalay (B)

Day 5: Mandalay- Mingun- Mandalay (B)

Day 6: Mandalay- Heho- Nyaung Shwe- Inle Lake (B)

 Day 7: Inle Lake- Morning Market- Indein- U Daung Hill Trekking (B)

Day 8: Inle Lake- Nyaung Shwe- Heho- Yangon (B)

Day 9: Yangon- Vientiane (B)

Day 10: Vientiane – Vangvien by road (B)

Day 11: Vangvien – Xiengkhoang by road (B)

Day 12: Xiengkhoang – Luangprabang by road (B)

Day 13: Luangprabang – Pak Ou cave – Khuangsi waterfall (B)

Day 14: Luangprabang – Departure (B)

Day 1: Yangon Arrival & Sightseeing

Arrival at airport, pick up and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, visit the most significant pagoda, Shwedagon, which the global scholars describe as One of Wonders in the World. Shwedagon plays very important role in the Old Burmese History not only standing as the holiest structure for the Buddhist all over the world. Enjoy the sunset from nearly 26-century years old Most Glorious Buddhist Shrine.Overnight in Yangon

Day 2: Yangon- Nyaung U- Bagan (B/-/-)

In the early morning, transfer to the airport for the flight to Bagan (Picnic breakfast can be arranged from your hotel!). Hundreds of Ancient Stupas, Temples, Monasteries, Libraries and Buddhist Universities welcome you to the then Heart of Buddhism. On arrival, drive to a temple to have a glimpse of Bird’s eye view tasting a bit of its marvel. Then you may visit Nyaung U morning market which is known as Market On The Floor with a variety of local vegetables and products such as typical snacks, food, Handicrafts, Thanakha the most adorned Burmese Make-up, and so on. Then, visit the most sacred stupa Shwe Zi Gon built in 11 Century by the most outstanding Buddhist King, Anawrahta, Gu Byauk Gyi Temple to see the mural from 12 Century, the massive red-colored Htilominlo Temple, and lastly before check-in at the hotel, visit most beautiful Ananda Temple built in late 11 Century housing giant Standing Buddhas which give the viewers illusion of Smiling-or-Serious facial expression of the Enlightened One. In the afternoon, a visit to famous Lacquer Wares Workshop is worth enough to see its hand-made black products that come in a variety of household items from the smallest one of tea-cup to the Giant Sun Oak, the food container to be sent to the Buddhist monasteries in the yester years. Then, drive to the Shwe San Daw Pagoda to enjoy sunset. Overnight in Bagan 

Day 3: Bagan Sightseeing (B/-/-)

After breakfast drive to the Dhamayarzaka Pagoda with 5 entrances, seems like the pentagon of Bagan, and go up for the panoramic view with many temples. After that, continue to Myin Kabar village for the visit to Myin Kabar Phaya with the best mural paintings, Manuhar Pagoda and Nan Phaya. Then proceed to the Sulamani Temple which is famous for its neat and tidy brick- lying, and Dhamayankyi which is the most massive one and the pyramid of Bagan. In the afternoon, visit by horse-cart to a small village of Taung Phi in which a dilapidated teak-wood monastery awaits the visit of few lost tourists. The horse-cart will wind around more temples when the sun is sinking on the western horizon providing the century-old temples with its shade; the unforgettable memory of a visit to Ancient Bagan. Make some stops on the way to take your private National Geographic shots. Finally the horse will make an end at a temple for sunset. Enjoy peace and tranquility on the vast scope of temples scattered among the tropical palm trees, white-barked acacia, neems.

Day 4: Bagan- Nyaung U- Mandalay- Amarapura- Mandalay (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Nyaung U Airport for the flight to Mandalay, the last Capital City of the 3rd Myanmar Dynasty. On arrival at Mandalay International Airport, drive to Amarapura aka the Southern City, the ancient Royal Capital before Mandalay. In Amarapura, visit one of the biggest monasteries with more than 1200 Buddhist monks where under the strict tight-scheduled Rules the monks study very hard the Buddhist Canons day and night in order to be able to carry on the Budda’s teachings verbally like the Noble Theras did after the Buddha’s demise in the 6th Century B.C. Then visit the Silk-Weaving workshop. Here, Amarapura hand-weaving silk Designs are very famous as Lun Yar Kyaw Cheik, More-than-hundred Loom Design, in which many small colorful silk threaded looms wave through the weft creating the unique Myanmar Ceremonial silk longyis. Depending on the designs, to finish a longyi with a hundred or so looms, it can take at least a month! Then drive to U Bein Bridge believed to be the longest wooden bridge in the world that spans Taung Thaman Lake. Take a walk on the bridge and enjoy a photo opp! In the afternoon, visit Kuthodaw Pagoda which is known as the world biggest book of the world, Golden Palace Monastery where you can see the best wood-carvings. The monastery was at first in the Palace City wall and 5 years before the British Annexation, it was dismantled and reassembled to the present site to be donated to the venerable monks. The Golden Palace so called because the interior and exterior surfaces of wood structure have been gilt with millions of Gold Leaves that are fabricated in Mandalay. Finally, go up Mandalay Hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the city with sunset. Overnight at Mandalay

Day 5: Mandalay- Mingun- Mandalay (B)

After breakfast, drive to Kywe Sun Jetty on the western bank of River Ayeyawaddy. Walk a little along the bank for photos. Then, take a private boat to visit a small village of Mingun. Visit Migun Stupa unfinished due to the mysterious beliefs of its builder. Then, visit Mingun Bell weighing over 90 Metric Tons that is believed to be the world heaviest hanging bell in the world. Just in front is the very first Home for the Aged founded purely by a Burmese Lady. Meeting with the long-term nurse who speaks fair English at the Center of Old Age pays a lot. Finally visit Mya Thein Dan Pagoda which represents famous Mt. Meru according to Buddhist Cosmology. Getting on Mingun Taxis, that is, the Oxen-drawn Carts make a visit to Mingun memorable! After that, take the boat back to Mandalay. In the afternoon, visit Mahamuni Buddha Image situated on the outskirts of Mandalay City highly venerated and adored by Mandalay Citizens. The Image is believed to have been here from Arakan State, another Kingdom in 18th Century situated at Western Coastal Line as a war trophy. As if all the gold leaves beaten in Mandalay came upon the image, Gold leaves offered by the worshippers form the lumps on the robe of Buddha. Then visit the Handicrafts Workshops such as Gold Leaf Beating, Stone Carvings, Bronze Casting, Marionette and Wood Carvings and so on. Mandalay having built as new Royal Capital City, the king gave plots for the Arts and Craftsmanship around the Palace City and so Mandalay has become the center of all of Myanmar Traditional Handicrafts. Overnight in Mandalay  

Day 6: Mandalay- Heho- Nyaung Shwe- Inle Lake (B)

After breakfast, drive to the Mandalay airport for the flight to Heho, a small Shan town situated on the sea level of nearly 1300 meters. After luggage collection, drive to Nyaung Shwe, another Shan town bordering famous Inle Lake on the northern end. On the way, you can pay a visit to Shwe Yan Pyay monastery built mainly of teak wood in 1882 and it’s pagoda with colorful mosaics decorated on the interior walls around the central pagoda constructed 2 years before its adjacent monastery.Upon arrival at Nyaung Shwe, embark on a long boat propelled by the Chinese noisy engine to transfer you to your hotel. Today Sightseeings on the Lake may include; Phaung Daw Oo pagoda which is the most sacred religious stupa housing 5 buddha images, Silk Weaving village (lotus fabrics weaving technique can also be seen unique only in here!), Blacksmith, Cheroot or Myanmar Cigar factory, the nature of Inthars, Lake Residents with their Floating Gardens and finally visit the Jumping Cat monastery which is the oldest one with antique Shan-style Buddhas and Buddhas’ alters. Enjoy the cat show at the monastery. Overnight in Inle Lake

 Day 7: Inle Lake- Morning Market- Indein- U Daung Hill Trekking (B)

After breakfast, visit a morning 5-day traditional market at a village on the lake or on the shore of the lake. Here at Inle Lake, the markets come on 5-day basis. Besides the Inthars, some tribal ladies such as Pa-O, Pa Laung can also be seen at the market selling their farm produce and afterwards they go back to their villages on the mountain with the purchase of what they need for the household, that is a photo opportunity! Then, drive by boat to Indein Ruined Pagoda Complex along a small river that sustains Inle Lake by flowing into it. Passing the Large green Myanmar Bamboo forests on the way, you will reach the Ruined Indein pagodas that stand on the hill slope providing a panoramic view to the lake.

Optional: You can take a small trekking to the summit of U Daung Hill. The hill was once very famous for the Buddhist Monk residing at the monastery on top of the hill, called U Daung Hill Sayardaw. He has passed awaome years ago and the fame of the hill goes away. The essence of doing this trekking is to see Inle Lake, Indein Pagoda complex and surrounding areas with the Bird’s eyes’ views. Ascending or descending, the views, depending on the altitude you reach, change in its beauty and color. After 2 hours or less than that, you will reach the summit where you will see the Buddhist Monastery, meditation center, and sometimes you will meet with the Pa-O people coming to offer the Alms-food to the very few monks living at that monastery. You may be offered the food by those visiting merit-doing Tribal people. Descending way down to Inle Lake is fantastic with the very beautiful views to the lake and surroundings making your trekking unforgettable!!! In the afternoon, drive back to your hotel.

Overnight in Inle Lake

Day 8: Inle Lake- Nyaung Shwe- Heho- Yangon (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Nyaung Shwe Jetty where the car is waiting for you to proceed to Heho Airport for the flight back to Yangon.. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check in. After a short rest, visit the Kandawgyi Park to relax taking a stroll around the park and Chaukhtetgyi Reclining Buddha image which is the biggest one in Yangon. Then visit Scott Market which sells many Myanmar Traditional Handicrafts, namely, Pan Sai Myo, 10 kinds of flowers; Blacksmith, Goldsmith, Coppersmith, Stone Carvings, Wood Carvings, Lacquer Wares, and so on (Scott Market is off every Monday!). Finally, take a stroll in China Town.

Day 9: Yangon- Vientiane (B)

Free at leisure till you’ll be transferred to Yangon airport for a departure flight to Vientiance via Bangkok. On arrival at Wattay Airport, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Soviet and American influences. A city tour acquaints us with the capital and after a short rest, we start visiting the major sights; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 10: Vientiane – Vangvien by road (B)

We leave this wonderful town after breakfast for our journey northbound on route no. 13. We will see some breathtaking scenery enroute as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. We make a stop along the way at Vang Xang, a famous archeological site dating back to the 11th century. We reach our final destination in the afternoon, the small and tranquil village of Vang Vieng, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. On arrival at Vang Vieng, we cross the Nam Song River to Tham Jang caves and then enjoy a short trek through breathtaking mountain landscape to explore the Tam None Cave and some hill villages. Today ends with a superb panorama of the sunset reflecting over the Nam Song River.

Overnight in Vang Vieng

Day 11: Vangvien – Xiengkhoang by road (B)

Today we will set off early driving up route 7TH north to Xieng Khuangg, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. We also have time, this afternoon seeing the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Overnight in Xieng Khaung

Day 12: Xiengkhoang – Luangprabang by road (B)

Early morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hilltribe people barter and exchange merchandises. We then head out this small town towards Luang Prabang, enroute we stop off to see the Buddha images in Thampra, a site more than 200 years old, and various Hmong and hilltribe minority villages along the way. Really nice and friendly people welcome you to their villages. After a photo stop, we continue driving uphill, enjoying the splendid natural scenery of the mountains, the forest and landscape. After a tea or coffee break at Sala Phoukhoun, where the borders of Vientiane-Xiengkhouang-Luang Prabang meet as a T-Junction. The journey will take us over mountainous regions until we approach Luang Prabang.

The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. After checking into hotel, if time permits, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there, we visit the Night Market, where you can browse a lovely selection of handmade textiles, made by the local people and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight at Luang Prabang

Day 13: Luangprabang – Pak Ou cave – Khuangsi waterfall (B)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

AM:       After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panaromic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.  Along the way, we stop at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is distilled. We return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for silk handweaving and for traditional Saa Paper making.

PM:        We continue our excursion toward Khouangsi Waterfall, en route, we visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. The Khouangsi Waterfall setting really illustrates paradise. We return to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 14: Luangprabang – Departure (B)

After breakfast we visit The National Museum (close Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign, Also the Central Market is not to be missed. After visiting these sights in the morning, you have free time to explore the town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure

Tour included:

• Bed and Breakfast in twin or double sharing room
• Private air con car for transfers and sightseeing
• 3 Domestic Flight Sectors as mentioned in the program
• Boat for Kyauk Gu U Min visit in Bagan & Inle Lake site visits
• English Speaking Throughout Guide
• Horse Cart in Bagan
• Entrance Fees for the site visits and Elephant Camp Package mentioned in the program
• Meals as indicated in the program (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch & D= Dinner)

Tour excluded:

• Myanmar Visa & Laos
• Travel Insurance
• Entrance fees for extra site visits not mentioned in the program
• Early check-in and late check-out fees at the hotel
• Tips for the porters, guides, drivers, bell-boys, etc
• Other meals, Food and beverage
• International airports tax of 10 USD per person