Best of Cambodia and Myanmar

This morning we will take a very early direct flight to Bagan. Myanmar’s archeological wonderland, where over 3,000 ancient temples blossom from the countryside. Have an early breakfast at the hotel then drive to the airport to catch a short domestic flight to Bagan. Start your tour with a trip to the bustling Nyang U Market in Old Bagan then explore the beautiful, gold leaf Shwezigon Pagoda and learn about the Burmese Buddhist tradition. We continue our tour with a visit to Ananda Temple, stopping along the way in the Bagan plain to admire some of the surrounding temples. In the afternoon, take a tour of a local lacquer wear workshop and learn about this traditional craft. In the evening drive to Shwe San Daw Pagoda and climb to the top to enjoy a sunset over the surrounding plain and winding Ayeyarwaddy River.

Enjoy an entire day devoted to exploring Bagan’s magical temples. Begin your tour with a visit to Myinkaba temple, then head to the peaceful village, Manuha to get a taste for local life and culture and discover the unique 11th century, Nanphay A temple. In the afternoon you are invited to take a horse cart ride to some of Bagan’s grandest temples then head to Tayokepyay pagoda to watch the sunset.

Early morning, transfer to the pier for cruising journey from Bagan to Mandalay. This upstream journey will take around 12 hours. Lunch will be served on cruise. Arrive in Bagan at around 5:00 pm, meet our guide/driver in the pier and transfer to the hotel.

After breakfast, board a private boat and motor down the Ayeyarwaddy to Mingun, home to several unique pagodas, including the ruined Mingun Pahtodawgyi—the remains of a massive unfinished Buddhist stupa begun by King Bodawpaya in 1790. Visit the 90-ton bell before heading to the distinctive architectural pagoda, Myatheindan. Return to Mandalay in the afternoon and enjoy a delicious lunch at a riverside restaurant over views of the nearby floating villages. In the afternoon, take a tour of Mandalay palace—the royal palace of the last Burmese monarchy, constructed between 1857 and 1859 by king Mindon. Head to Kuthodaw Pagoda, famed as “the world’s biggest book” composed of 729 stupas, each representing a page in the “book” indicating the Buddha’s life. Conclude the day with a ride up the zigzagging road to Mandalay Hill. Climb to the top of the hill and watch the sunset around the surrounding plain, river and mountains.

Leave the city on the morning flight to Heho where driver and tour guide of Myanmar travel awaits to take you to visit the local market of Nyaung Shwe, one of a handful of towns along the banks of the immense Inle Lake. The lake sustains Intha families, who live entirely on stilted villages, their crops grown on cleverly suspended floating gardens. Take in the scenes by boat tour, marveling at the leg-rowing fishermen.
Enjoy the rest of the day and the tranquility of one of the most spectacular lakes in Southeast Asia. A lake probably most remembered for its Intha fishermen, their extraordinary boat rowing techniques and its lovely sunset.

This morning, a boat takes you to a beautiful temple of Indein, located on the hill overlooking the lake. It will be relaxing to walk along the corridors and enjoy the giant columns which have been left to the nature for centuries. Continue with the sightseeing to Phaungdawoo Pagoda, famous for its richly gilded five small Buddha images, also is believed to be the holiest in Inle Lake; Ngaphechaung monastery, known as jumping cat pagoda. As you go toward Nam Pan village the various cotton and lotus weaving factories and cigar making houses will attract your sense of traditional Intha life.

Have breakfast in the hotel, leave by boat to the northern bank of the lake where the car and driver is wait for you. Take a nice drive to Heho airport for the flight to Yangon. On arrival, enjoy the city tour of Yangon with a visit to the grandiose gold pagoda complex: Shwedagon Paya. Explore the pagoda, walking among crowds of colorful robed monks and nuns then savor the sunset from the highest spire. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner of traditional Burmese cuisine at Karaweik Palace.

Spend your full day exploring Yangon and its highlights from Sule Pagoda, the heart of Yangon city; Chaukhtayi Pagoda and Kandawgyi Lake. If time permits, we will stop for shopping at Scott market.
Our driver will transfer you to the Yangon International Airport for your departure to Phnom Penh. 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. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

We start to visit Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha, we continue to visit Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed.
Afternoon, then continue to explore the Central Market (PhsarThmei) a large market constructed in 1937 in the shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways with countless stalls of goods. We end our day trip at Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh’s namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, 7.30 am driving to Siem Reap with your tour guide. On the way, we will visit Spider market where a lot friend spider are sold there. Then proceed our way to Siem Reap. We will stop at carving stone village to see how the Buddha statue is made and carve with unique Cambodia style. We will have the last stop at Naga Ancient bridge the ancient Khmer ruins bridge since the Angkor Period.Upon arrival at Siem Reap, you will be met and driven to Siem Reap town for a city tour and orientation of Siem Reap. Dinner Show ar local restaurant.

Wake before dawn and take a “Tuk-Tuk” ride to visit the jungle-entwined temple, Ta Prohm. Sunrise is one of the most beautiful and haunting times to visit the temples whose ancient sandstone blocks are painted gold by the early morning rays. Return to the hotel for breakfast before going back to the temple complex to visit the magnificent Angkor Wat— the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture. In the afternoon, head out of town and embark on a short cruise along Tonle Sap Lake to visit the local floating villages.

After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the ancient fortified capital: Angkor Thom. Nearly 10 sq km in size, this city once housed a population of over 1 million people. Start your tour with Angkor Thom’s imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Next, visit Bayon temple, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King then head to Banteay Srei and Preah Khan (Sacred Sword): one of Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII.

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