Le Hong Yen Le Hong Yen 
 
 
Essences of Indochina
Essences of Indochina

     

 

Day 1: Yangoon Arrive 

Take the morning flight to Yangoon via Bangkok on TG, arrive Yangoon at 18h40PM. Upon arrival, you will be welcome by our guide and transfer to hotel.  The Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is still a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating and authentic capitals of South East Asia. Overnight in Yangon. 

 

Day 2: Yangoon – Bagan (B)

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Yangon's Mingaladon Airport for the flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo). On arrival transfer to the hotel. Mid-morning tour feature Nyaung Oo sector:  the colourful Market, the Shwezigon Pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa, Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jatakas murals paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.  
Afternoon tour of the main temples of Old Bagan sector: Visit Gawdawpalyin, Ananda, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple with four impressive standing Buddha images, Ananda Okkyaung, one of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan period. Shwesandaw temple, Thatbinnyu. The highest temple in Bagan rising to 61m.  
End the day with a horse cart tour among the temples passing by the traditional village of Taungbi, Sulamani temple and the massive Dhammayangyi temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. Sunset over the site from one of the open upper terraces in Bagan. Overnight in Bagan. 

 

Day 3: Bagan (B)

After breakfast, morning sightseeing of Bagan features the lesser-known Myinkaba sector with a visit to several remarkable old temples: Myyingalazedi, Manuha and Nanpaya temples and Kubyaukgyi with some of the best paintings. Observe the process of traditional lacquer ware, one of Myanmar's best-known handicrafts and a specialty of Bagan. In the afternoon, visit to the countryside village of Minnanthu, the least visited area in Bagan with temples such as Payathonzu, with its unusual architecture and Tantric Buddhism influence, Lemyethna and Nandamannya. End the day with enjoy sunset cruise on Irrawaddy River. Overnight in Bagan. 

 

Day 4: Bagan – Mandalay (B)

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Nyaung Oo Airport for the flight to Mandalay. On arrival, a sightseeing tour of Mandalay, Myanmar’s cultural capital features Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its venerable statue of Buddha covered with gold leaf. Mandalay has long been known as a centre of skilled craftsmanship and in former times supplied the Royal courts. In the afternoon, visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures (known as the world’s biggest book) and Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite woodcarving. Enjoy the sunset from Mandalay Hill. Overnight in Mandalay. 

 

Day 5: Mandalay- Mingun – Ava- Amarapura – Saggaing (B)

After breakfast at the hotel depart for an excursion to the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing.  You can have an opportunity to attend the daily meal of over thousand monks at the country’s largest monastery; Mahagandayon in Amarapura before visiting a silk weaving workshop. Then, continue to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries and visit by horse and carriage the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and fort.  
In the afternoon, we cross the bridge over the Irrawaddy River and continue to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar and is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers. Visit Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda, U Min Thone Sae’ Pagoda and Shin Pin Nan Gyaing Pagoda. Ending your day with walking and enjoying the sunset over the 200 year-old U Bein Bridge, constructed entirely from teak. Overnight in Mandalay. 

 

Day 6: Mandalay – Heho – Inle Lake (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for domestic flight to Heho in Shan State.  
From Heho a 1-hour scenic drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery on the way. Board a private motorboat to head out onto Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. We pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by Intha people, the leg-rowing fishermen of the lake and see their floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles.  
Stops for visits at the Nga Hpe Chaung (jumping cats) Monastery and its Shan Buddhas and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary. Your sight seeing also includes a visit to the weaving village of Inpawkhone, a cheroot factory where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. If time allows us, we will go for an improvised walk through one of the villages. Overnight Inle Lake.  

 

Day 7: Inle-Indein-Heho-Yangon (B)

After breakfast, we head to the morning market on the lake. Rotating around villages on and near the lake in a 5 day rhythm, a colorful market visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes is held daily (except on new and full moon days).  
From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa O village of In Dein. After a walk around the village, passing a local school, take the covered stairway to the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area where ancient stupas are partly covered by vegetation. From here there is a magnificent view over the lake.  
In the afternoon, you will be transfer to Heho Airport for the flight back to Yangon.  On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Yangon. 

 

Day 8: Yangoon – Bangkok (B)

After breakfast, your sight seeing begins with the World Famous Shwedagon Pagoda which glittering with gold on the Singottara Hill, a breathtaking and colorful sight visited by Buddhists from all over Myanmar. Then visit to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda's 70m long reclining Buddha. In the afternoon, exploring around the city by car and lifestyle of local people. And then enjoy your day freely and leisurely at the Bogyoke Market, formerly known as  Scott Market (closed on Monday and public holidays) before transferring to Mingaladon Airport for your flight to Bangkok (RGN – BKK//TG306// 19h40PM – 21h20PM).  
Arrive Bangkok, pick – up at the airport & transfer to your hotel, overnight in Bangkok.  

 

Day 9: Bangkok (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. A full day tour of Bangkok’s attractions starts with a morning exploration of Thonburi Klongs. A first stop will be made at Wat Arun, the magnificent temple of dawn, which was built during the 19th century on the site of the Royal Chapel of King Taksin, which dates from the 17th century.  Arrive at Ta Chiang pier and continue to the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha. After the visits enjoy lunch at the beautiful Supatra River House overlooking the Chao Phraya River. After lunch proceed to Vimarnmek Palace, the world’s largest teak building and finish the day with a stop at the Marble Temple, Wat Benjamabophit, featuring a fusion of Thai and European styles. Overnight in Bangkok   

 

Day 10: Bangkok – Chiangmai (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Chiangmai (BKK – CNX//PG215// 08h00AM – 09h15AM).  Arrive Chiangmai, pick – up at the airport & full day tour in Chiangmai: Private Elephant Safari –Hmong Nong Hoi Village. Overnight in Chiangmai.  

 

Day 11: Chiangmai – Chiangrai (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit the Watdoi Suthep temple in Chiangmai. Afternoon, journey to Chiangrai. Overnight in Chiangrai.  

 

Day 12: Chiangrai – Pakbeng (B, L, D)

Breakfast at your hotel. The LuangSay riverboat leaves HoueiSay pier at 09h00 for a cruise down the Mekong to Pakbeng. En route one stop is made to observe the rural life of the river tribes along the Mekong. There is a buffet lunch on board. Arrival in Pakbeng before sunset and check-in at the LuangSay Lodge. Dinner on the terrace, overlooking the Mekong. 

 

Day 13: Pakbeng – Luang Prabang (B, L)

Full breakfast at the lodge. (Optional: walk to Pakbeng market, where people from the surrounding villages exchange their goods).
At 08h30 board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. A short stop is made to visit a hill tribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao whiskey production before the a buffet lunch on board. Continue to Pak Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, where you visit the Tam Ting “Caves of a Thousand Buddha’s”. Arrival at Luang Prabang before sunset. Meet your guide and driver at the pier after enjoyable with Luangsay Cruise, then transfer to the hotel for check in. Overnight in Luang Prabang. 

 

Day 14: Luang Prabang (B)

After breakfast, your full day city tour city tour begins at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Continue to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs. During Pimai, the lao new year, the Prabang normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum is brought and put on public display in this temple. Then the Wat Sene with its beautiful golden façade. 
In the afternoon, Wat Visoun, entirely rebuilt after being destroyed in 1887 by the invading Black Flags from southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit it takes its name from. We will also visit Wat Aham where we can find the altar of the 2 genius of Luang Prabang and then visit of Wat That where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred inside the large central stupa. Overnight at the hotel. 

 

Day 15: Luang Prabang – Vientianne (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Rise early and see monks receiving offerings; visit Phosi Market, then continue to the Khouangsi waterfalls; along the way visit minority villages Ban Na Oun, Ban Ou and Ban Thapene; splash around in the pools near the waterfalls; on returning to Luang Prabang stop at the weaving village of Ban Phanom till the time to transfer to the airport for the flight to Vientiane (LPQ – VTE// QV106// 15h00PM – 15h50PM). 
Once arrive Vientiane we will have the visit around the town at Wat Sisaket Sisaket (the house of thousand Buddha images), Wat Prakeo ( the original home of the emerald Buddha), That Luang Stupa (the stupa that kept the relic of Lord Buddha),  Patouxai (Vientiane arc de Triumph ). Overnight in Vientianne.  

 

Day 16: Vientiane – Phnompenh (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Explore Central Markets of Talad Sao and the well known weaving village, Ban Nong Bonathong  till the time to transfer to the airport for the departure flight to Phnompenh (VTE – PNH// VN841// 10h20AM – 11h50AM).  Arrive Phnompenh, pick – up at the airport & transfer to your hotel. Afternoon, your visit of the Victory Monument, and the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art – notably sculptures – from throughout the ages. And then visit the 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 5,000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90 kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. End your day with the visit of the Wat Phnom temple, Phnom Penh's namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of the city during sunset. Overnight in Phnompenh.  

 

Day 17: Phnompenh – Siemreap (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the notorious Tuol Sleng Museum. In 1975 Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot's security forces and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). It soon became the largest such center of detention and torture in the country. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeung Ek to be executed; detainees who died during torture were buried in mass graves in the prison ground. Room after room the museum displays photographs of men, women and children covering the walls from floor to ceiling; virtually all the people pictured were later killed. Visit the Russian Market (Psah Tuol Thom Pong), a lively outdoor market where you will find antiquities, silver and gold jewelry, gems, silk, kramas, stone and wood carvings, as well as T-Shirts, CDs and other souvenirs. Transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport for your flight to Siem Reap (PNh – REP//FT994// 15h45PM – 16h25PM).  Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in siemreap.  

 

Day 18: Siemreap (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.  
Afternoon, visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), until sunset. Dinner show at Apsara Theatre & Overnight in Siemreap.  

 

Day 19: Siemreap (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, Visit Preah Khan temple. Built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Continue your visits to Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool and representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake and visit the temple of Ta Som as well as Srah Srang (“The Royal Baths”), undoubtedly used in the past for ritual bathing. Afternoon, Visit "Les Artisans d'Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles" of Siem Reap and time at leisure at the local market. Overnight in Siemreap.  

 

Day 20: Siemreap – Saigon (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hochiminh city, Vietnam. Pick –  up at the airport & transfer to your hotel in Saigon.



 
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