Best of Laos and Myanmar

Known as the hub of Buddhism in Myanmar, Mandalay is a realm of stupas, monks and monastery. The most fascinating visit will be the time to behold the monks doing their worship and having meals.

Drive to Mandalay pier, embarking on a private boat upstream to visit Mingun, famed for its huge and incomplete Pahtodawgyi Pagoda and Mingun Bell the 90 tons ringing bell.

In the afternoon, visit Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery – noted for its exquisite wood carvings, gold leaf beating workshop, Kuthodaw Pagoda – known as the world’s biggest book and finish the tour by visiting Mandalay Hill to watch the sun-set and the panoramic view of the city.

After breakfast, transfer to the pier for cruising journey from Mandalay to Bagan. This downstream journey will take around 10 hours with one stop for local village. 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.

Bagan is Myanmar’s archaeological wonderland, where over 3,000 ancient temples blossom from the countryside. Visit Nyang U Market before start your temple exploration with a visit to Shwezigone pagoda, which is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha to Ananda, Sulamani Temple.

In the afternoon, discover the traditional way that local people make the lacquer wares which features a part the Bagan fame. We offer a beautiful sunset cruise on Ayeyarwaddy River for today.

Optional: Discover Bagan by Air Baloon

Watch the sun rise over the many temples of Bagan on a premium hot air balloon flight. Enjoy hot and cold drinks before your flight, then board your hot air balloon and soak in the sight of the temples and local people below. When you return to the ground after a 45-minute flight, have a breakfast accompanied by sparkling wine before returning to your hotel.

After breakfast, start your sightseeing day with sightseeing to Minkaba Gubyaukyi temple, experience the architectural difference in MyaZedi pagoda before heading to Manuha Temple.

This afternoon, enjoy the exotic horse cart to one of the biggest temple in Bagan: Nan Paya pagoda and many other interesting sites nearby. The highlight of today is the panoramic view from the second highest pagoda of Bagan the ShweSandaw pagoda. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Yangon.

Today you will visit Shwedagon pagoda – the most prominent monument in Yangon which dominates the sky with golden flash, giant spires and holy relics. Our next visit is Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda’s 70m long reclining Buddha.

In the afternoon, continue our Yangon sightseeing with the visit to Sule Pagoda. It is believed to enshrine a strand of hair of the Buddha. From Sule Pagoda, we embark on an orientation walk to Chinese Town, covering exotic streets of Yangon downtown and British Colonial building as Emmanuel Church, Inland Water Buildings.

End our city tour at Bogyoke Market (close on Sunday). Formerly named Scott’s Market, it is now the main tourist destination where you can find antique, Burmese handicrafts & jewelry shops, art galleries & clothing stores.

You are free to explore the Bustling City until getting transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Vientiane. There is no direct flight so that you will transit in Bangkok. Upon your arrival, our local tour guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in.

Today we have a full day to explore Vientiane- the charming and fascinating capital of Laos , one of the classic Indo Chinese cities which conjure up exotic images, with its intriguing mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, American and Soviet influences. Our visit will take you to the key sites: National Museum, Wat Sisaket the city ‘s oldest surviving temple with thousands of silver and porcelain images in the gloriously authentic temple compound that offers you a glimpse into the Vientiane of the past, the next stop is Haw Phra Kaeo. This large temple is beautiful both interiorl and exterior, it was built to house the famed Emerald Buddha in courtyards filled with frangipani trees.

In the afternoon a stop at the older part of Morning market is recommended before the visit Pha That Luang. The giant golden stupa is a sight to see as the bright gold holds a sharp contrast to the pure blue sky. Next you will go to climb the Arc De Triomphe of Laos, Patuxai. The massive arch has a beautiful mosaic tiled ceiling and once at the top you can see for miles around Vientiane.

Have breakfast in the hotel and then transfer to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at the airport, you are welcomed and transfered to hotel in town for check in. The rest of the day we will visit The Royal Palace (official name “Haw Kham”) which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.

Before sunset, ascend the 328 steps to the top of Phou Si Mountain that offers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding rivers and cityscape before wandering through the bustling Hilltribe Market for traditional textiles and handicrafts made by the hill tribes.

This morning you may want to wake up early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. (You can have a self-arrangement for this activity).

After breakfast, our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Luang Prabang and transfer to the local pier to embark on a traditional boat trip upstream on the Mekong River to visit Pak Ou caves. En route, stop over to visit Ban Xang Hai where distillation sticky rice wine can be seen. Gently cruise up the Mekong River to admire the startling collection of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of all shapes and sizes nestled deep in the massive limestone caverns of the Pak Ou Cave. Dine on fabulous Lao cuisine while anchored beneath the limestone karsts on a tranquil stretch of river. On the return cruise, stop at small villages to see the production of traditional Lao textiles and Sa paper by local artisans.

In the afternoon we will enjoy a short visit through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls. You will have a chance to make the most of beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills, and small villages. Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. Sitting under the shade of big trees and swimming or jumping up and down in the pools can be relaxing and enjoyable. The water tumbles down a large drop and cascades gently in to several cool, clear pools where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. We drive back to the town in the late afternoon.

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