Indochina Heritages

Today, Indochina Heritage brings you to Bagan, known to be one of the greatest architectural sites in Asia. Upon arrival at the airport you will be warmly welcomed by our guide and driver and transferred to explore Bagan.

It’s off to the vibrant Nyaung Oo Market, where the locals come to trade fresh products and other goods daily. From here you will have a look around the Old Bagan starting with a visit of the renowned Shwezigon Pagoda, constructed by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious memorial. Travel over dusty lanes and tree shaded roads to explore a small village on foot, getting a glimpse of local lifestyles of Bagan’s residents. Continue to more lesser-known monuments, selected based on your interest, in the area for the remainder of the morning. If you wish, a short walk can be arranged through a series of smaller monuments which allows for a unique perspective of Bagan.

This particular afternoon will begin with a trip to a traditional lacquer workshop of Myanmar’s most popular handicrafts. Afterwards you’ll continue to Ananda Temple, which is considered to be an architectural work of art and is certainly one of Bagan’s most gorgeous temples as well as home to two distinctive Buddha images. From here you will journey on by horse cart for an excursion that passes Thatbyinnyu, the tallest temple in Bagan, gigantic Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork, and of course, Sulamani Temple. Take pleasure in an extraordinary sunset from the upper terrace of one of the surrounding temples.

The activites will begin with a 50 km drive (1 ½ hours) that will take you to Mount Popa, Mount Popa – an extinct volcano – rises to over 1500 metres and offers stunning panoramic views. Popa today is one of the most popular pilgrimage spots in the country. People travel here from many miles away just to worship the diverse spirits known as “nats” that Buddhists believe reside here. There are 777 steps leading up to the place of pilgrimage on top of the precipitous Popa crest. Although the final climb to Popa’s summit is by no means compulsory, it is strongly recommended, as the views over the Myingyan Plain are truly magnificent. On the way back to Bagan make sure to stop in a local village and witness how people make wine and molasses from the fruit of the palm tree.

Bagan is not only the site of thousand year old temples and pagodas, but also of many quaint villages scattered throughout the temple plain. This morning we will transfer to Taung Bi village and get to know the local lifestyle and pay a visit to the noodle makers, a Myanmar-style movie theatre, the village hairdresser and the local tea shop. Continue touring along the Ayeyarwady River and visit on the way the blacksmith, the brick maker, dry snack ‘factory’ and a bamboo roof producer. Skills from these trades have been passed down through generations over hundreds of years.

In the afternoon, you will set off from your hotel and be driven to the Bagan jetty for a private river boat towards Kyauk Gu U Min. Throughout your Irrawaddy river cruise you will be treated to fabulous scenes of life on and by the water: fishermen, ferry boats, riverside villages and views of the Bagan temples. After your exploration of Kyauk Gu U Min, you’ll return to the boat for a relaxing cruise back to Bagan (around 1 hour).

Then transfer direct to Nyaung U Airport to take afternoon flight back Yangon at around 5:05pm – 6:25pm. Arrive Yangon and transfer to hotel for check-in and freshen up at leisure.

Your beautiful excursion of this day will start with a quick look at Sule Pagoda, City Hall, Independence Monument and high court.
After some time for relaxing, make a visit to one of the most revered Buddha images in Myanmar- Kyi Reclining Chauk Htat Buddha image. Take a walk around Kandawgyi Lake where you can catch the views of the nearby Shwedagon Pagoda and Karaweik (Hansa Bird) badge. Take your time in the late afternoon to visit this majestic pagoda to delve into the exceptional architecture of the structure.

Then transfer to Yangon International Airport to take your departure flight and conclude the trip.

Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital with its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas. Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour (flexible and may be adjusted according to one’s own interests) will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and stilt house), the Presidential Palace, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature; West Lake including the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple; and one of the city’s museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). Later in the afternoon, enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture.

After breakfast, we start Vietnam Family Leisure Tour today by transfer to Halong Bay – designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site since 1994. Traveling through the scenic fertile Red River Delta countryside, we get to Ha Long Bay by noon. The natural world heritage site Ha Long Bay is truly one of the most impressive scenery that should not be missed if someone ever comes to the north.

Upon arrival at Ha Long, we embark on cruise for an exploration of the legendary Ha Long Bay. This exciting hours cruise passing by the evocatively shaped islets will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands and islets rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. Enjoy a Sea food lunch while you cruising through the bay.

Arrival in Van Gia floating fishing village, take rowing boat through the village or kayaking to visiting around the floating fishing village. Visiting Halong Pearl Farm Village, and Swimming in the bay.

Back the cruise and relax, free fresh fruits are served. You’ll join cooking class guided directly by Chef of the Cruise. You have chance to practice Vietnamese traditional dishes such as spring roll or famous cuisine of Vietnam.

After time for dinner enjoying special BBQ seafood on the cruise, you will be free for evening entertainments: play game on the cruise: cards game, chess, karaoke, squid fishing, and overnight on the Cruise.

Wake up in the morning to the calming sound of the waves crashing on the nearby islands, enjoy Tai Chi lesson on sundeck. Enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and relax. Sitting on the upper deck, you can enjoy the breath – taking beauty of the rocky Islands rising from the crystal-clear waters of the Bay. The quiet is almost eerie; in summer you can hear birds singing, even that cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breeze.

Arrive Sung Sot Cave (Amazing Cave) and joining with guide to visiting and explore the cave.Our boat start cruising back and brunch buffet will be served on the way. Check out and arrive at the harbor by 11:30.

You get back on our car and go back to Hanoi for the flight to Danang. On arrival, your guide/driver will welcome you and take you to your hotel.

After breakfast, you will have a two hour walking tour, visiting Hoian’s best attractions: Quan Cong temple, the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Old Merchant House, Fujian Assembly Halls and the local fish market.
Free afternoon to do your own exploring.

After breakfast, you will be free until take a flight to Siem Reap. Upon your arrival at the airport, meet up your tour guide and driver then transfer to the hotel for check in. Rest of the days is free at your own leisure. Tonight you will enjoy special dinner with Khmer Apsara Dance Show.

Early morning, we will visit the sunrise at Angkor Area – the idea is to view the reflection of amazing Angkor temple in the morning sun. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After that, Start your sightseeing tour of Angkor area we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. Afternoon, we visit the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple.

Breakfast at hotel, Heading out of town we make our way by traveling on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei. Along the way we make stopover at the Preah Dark village and we follow these with a visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive relief’s depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. Afternoon we take short walk along the road in front of the King’s Residence to see the Main Shrine, where the local people usually worship, with its statue of Yeay Teap, Preah Ang Chek and Preah Ang Chorm. Buying jasmine and lotus flowers to worship is very important for the Cambodians.

We continue to one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Chars, also called the “Old Market”, where anything and everything is for sale! Then continue to Wat Bo, a large, highly respected pagoda, founded in the 18th Century. Like the Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh, the vihear of Wat Bo contains unique wall paintings of the Reamker that are said to be late 19th Century. Look for the daily-life market scenes such as an opium smoking Chinese merchant, the colonial era French officer at the market and the French soldiers attending a traditional dance performance. Also of interest is the large collection of Buddha statues located behind the main Buddha.

Day at leisure until to transfer to the airport to take flight back to your country.