Cambodia – Myanmar Adventure 17 Days

Day 1: Siem Reap arrival
Welcome to Siem Reap, the provincial capital and gateway to the ancient Angkor temples. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srei and the legendary Angkor Wat. Our driver and guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. We suggest a trip to Siem Reap’s downtown night market.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 2: Angkor Temples – Biking tour
Today you begin your biking adventure through the magnificent Angkor Archaeological Park. Our guide will meet you at your hotel and lead the way, cycling out of Siem Reap and into the Angkor complex. Rise early for the most beautiful, haunting and spiritual moment of the magnificent Angkor Wat at dawn. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was constructed by Suryavarman II who reigned Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century and dedicated them to the Hindu God Vishnu. You then pedal to 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. Leaving Angkor Thom by the north gate, you bike to Preah Khan (Sacred Sword), one of Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII. Stop for a lunch of delicious Khmer cuisine before visiting the mysterious, jungle-entwined temple, Ta Prohm. Return the hotel around 3pm and enjoy some free time to relax and take a shower. At 4:30pm our driver and guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to Phnom Bakheng to enjoy the sunset, casting the surrounding temple-dotted jungle in golden radiance.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 3: Cycling tour – Tonle Sap Lake
Today you visit some of the oldest temples in the Angkor complex. After breakfast bike out of town to the ancient capital of King Indravarman I (877-889), now referred to as the Rolous Group and known as the birthplace of classical Khmer art and architecture. Stop for lunch at the local village before biking back to Siem Reap (total biking distance: 26km). In the late afternoon you will drive to Kampong Pluk. Upon arrival, board a traditional wooden boat cruising to a “floating village” – boats have been converted to look like houses and the “village” moves from place to place following water levels. Stay until sunset for your enjoyment before going back to the hotel. Time at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 4: Siem Reap – Fly to Yangon (via Bangkok)
It is your time to enjoy your last wonderful moments in Siem Reap. Today we will come and pick you up for airport transfer for your flight to Yangon, Myanmar.
Mingalabar! Up on arrival at Yangon International airport, our guide and driver will welcome you. Welcome to Myanmar, the country has just opened its doors to the world after 60 years of isolation and now waiting people to explore its unique heritage and culture.
Yangon is the former capital and remains the most developed city of Myanmar. The bustling city of Yangon is the best place to witness the country in transition, where century-old buildings from the British colonial period vie for space with the emerging modern skyline. Head to the hotel to check-in and freshen up.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Yangon
Day 5: Yangon – Kyaikhtiyo
After breakfast at hotel, you are leaving Yangon; enjoy a scenic journey to Kyaiktiyo, 190km to the east. One of Myanmar’s great pilgrimage sites is the Golden Rock, a huge boulder covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. The pagoda at the Golden Rock is said to hold a hair of the Buddha. Late morning, arrive at Kyaiktiyo base camp and transfer to the transit junction with one of the small open trucks in one-hour ride, followed by up to an hour challenging walk up to the hill top.
Here, you visit Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, built on the top of a huge gilded boulder and enjoy sunset from this unforgettable site.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Kyaikhtiyo
Day 6: Kyaikhtiyo – Bago – Yangon
After breakfast, return to the base-camp by open truck and head back to Yangon. Have a stop to explore Bago, an ancient capital dating back to the 6th century. Sightseeing in Bago includes the beautiful 55m long reclining Buddha called Shwethalyaung, the Mon style Shwemawdaw Pagoda – one of the most venerated in Myanmar. Its spire stands 114m high and is taller even than the Shwedagon Pagoda. Also visit the old Palace of Kambozathadi and the huge four sitting Buddhas. Transfer back to Yangon by late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Yangon
Day 7: Yangon – Fly to Mandalay – Sagaing – Inwa
Take the morning flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, head to Sagaing, which is renowned as the religious center of not only Mandalay but also Myanmar. Here you will be impressed with the view of the countless white and gold pagodas dotting along the river and around the Sagaing Hill. Furthermore, it is also the home to more than 100 meditation centers and 3,000 monks. Here you will have the visit at the Budda Cave, U Min Thonze Pagoda and U Ponya Pagoda.
You then cross the river by ferry to Inwa (Ava), situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Once a royal capital, Inwa is now a quiet rural oasis. Enjoy a horse cart ride around the peaceful countryside, visiting Bagaya Kyaung, a beautiful teak wood monastery, Maha Aungmyay Bonzan Kyaung, and Nan Myint tower.
End of the day, you have a drive to the world’s longest teak footbridge – U Bein Bridge, which crosses the shallow Taungthaman Lake. This is a fantastic place to take beautiful photos and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the bridge as the sunsets.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay
Day 8: Mingun – Mandalay City
Embark on a private boat upstream Irrawaddy River to visit Mingun. Upon arrival, the first site attracting your attention is Mingun Pahtodawgyi, the uncompleted yet the largest pagoda in Mandalay. Continue the sightseeing to Mingun Bell, the world’s largest ringing bell, which is said to weigh around 90 tons. Then take a walk to the incredibly-white Hsinphymae Pagoda with its special structure and history. A visit to Mingun is definitely the highlight of your journey in Mandalay. In the afternoon, visit Mahamuni Pagoda that is the famous construction with the exquisite wood carvings and stunning perfection in every detail. It is the sole surviving Royal Palace building in Mandalay, which offers a glimpse of the original style and traditional architecture of the Myanmar royals. The next stop is Kuthodaw Pagoda, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, well-known as the world’s largest book inscribed on 729 stone slabs. It’s time to learn about the story and scriptures with our experienced tour guide. If time permits, you Artisan quarters with some of the oldest craftsmanship are showcased dating back to the last kingdom of Myanmar. Here you visit the handicraft workshops, observe the process of pounding gold leaf, detailing teakwood carvings and embroidering Myanmar tapestry. You also see how bronze and marble Buddha statues are carved, cast and molded. Afterward, you proceed to Mandalay Hill at the height of 240 metres for a superb view over Mandalay. From the highest point of the city, enjoy the sunset panoramic views of Mandalay, you can also see the square of the Royal Palace, some pagodas dotted surrounding, and the mighty Irrawaddy River.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay
Day 9: Pyin Oo Lwin day trip
Escaping from the high temperatures of Mandalay, you have a 2-hour-driving to Pyin Oo Lwin (formerly Maymyo). At the altitude of 1,070m, Pyin Oo Lwin is blessed with the pleasant weather and once was a summer retreat during British rule. This hill station is well-known for its colonial buildings and lush botanical gardens. Late in the morning, you reach the hill town and wander around to explore the landmark, including the colorful local market, Purcell Clock Tower in the town center. Following up is the traditional horse drawn carriage through the streets which is very different to the one in Ava. During the ride, you experience the small taste of the colonial past, especially the unique brick and timber British houses. Finally, you have a visit at Botanical Gardens. This 175-hectare garden allows you to leisurely stroll around and enjoy the wonderful landscape of peaceful lake, flower galore, and forestland.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay
Day 10: Mandalay to Monywa
After an early breakfast, make the 4-hour drive to Monywa, along the banks of the Chindwin River. First visit the Thanbodday Zedi temple complex and the Boditataung Pagoda, both known for their extensive Buddha statuary, and the Shwe Thar Lyaung Reclining Buddha Image on Pho Khaung Hill, the largest reclining Buddha image in Burma. After lunch, cross the Chindwin and make the 45-minute drive to Powin Taung stopping along the way to admire the stone-cut pavilions of Shwe Ba Taung. Known as the “Hill of the Alchemists”, Powin Taung Hill boasts several Buddhist cave sites from as early as the 16th century. Numerous Buddha images were carved along the stone walls of these caves, creating a gallery of different images. Throughout the centuries, mural paintings were added, creating what some archaeologists call the richest mural painting collection in Southeast Asia. Overnight in Monywa.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Monywa
Day 11: Monywa – Pakokku – Bagan
After an early start, depart for Pakkoku, one of the more famous towns in Central Myanmar. En route, visit Mau Ale Village, a fascinating ruined pagoda built in the 17th century. You can also observe the workshops of local incense makers and bamboo scale producers. After arriving in Pakkoku, visit the workshops of local blanket weavers (hand-woven) and a marketplace specializing in thanakha (a traditional Burmese cosmetic made from tree bark). Afterwards, head to Bagan.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.
Day 12: Bagan biking
Start your biking day for a dose of local life and culture. Come to Shwezigone pagoda, which is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. Next to Wetkyi village – Wetkyi In Gubyaukgy temple. Going to Ananda, Sulamani Temple. Later on, from an elevated vantage point, you witness the panoramic view of the archaeological wonders in sunset. This is the most relaxing way to end a day in Bagan.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan
Day 13: Bagan villages – Mt. Popa
Begin the sightseeing with a visit at the colorful Nyaung U market which remains very authentic with a wide range of local grown products. Next, you take an exotic horse cart ride around the ancient land, feel free to drop by any temples in Bagan and many other interesting sites nearby. Now you proceed to the typical Burmese villages, discover their agricultural lifestyle, such as Min Nan Thu Village and Shwe Hlaing village…
Continue your journey to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano standing 1518 metres high. It is the worshipper center of the pantheon of Burmese ‘Nat” spirits (which form an essential part of Buddhist beliefs in Myanmar).  Climb 829 steps with bare foot to reach the revered Popa Taungkalat Monastery perched dramatically on a large rocky outcrop. The adventurous is rewarded with sweeping views of Popa National Park.
In the afternoon, drive back to Bagan and stop en-route at the workshop making traditional palm sugar, cigar maker and peanut oil distillation. You cap the day with an unforgettable sunset from a boat on the Irrawaddy River.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan
Day 14: Bagan – Fly to Heho – Inle Lake boat trip
After the short flight to Heho, gateway to Inle Lake and the Shan region. This freshwater lake is Myanmar’s second largest and measures about 70 square kilometres. There are an estimated 70,000 people living in more than 200 villages on or around the lake. To get a real sense of the lake’s expanse, you will take a longboat cruise navigating pass floating gardens and stilt houses, observe the “one-leg rowing technique” of the Intha fisherman with incredible balance. It’s indispensable to immerse yourselves in the magnificent view of peaceful lake and cascading mountains.
Journey by boat to the most outstanding sites, including: Phaungdawoo Pagoda, the holiest one of Inle Lake with five 800-year-old golden Buddha images. In the afternoon, you continue to Ngaphechaung monastery, the biggest and oldest one over Inle Lake. Here you observe the unique architecture, remarkable collection of Buddha images (But it’s best known for the ‘jumping cats’. In the past, they were trained to jump through hoops in the air). From here, you proceed to Nam Pan village; cigar house, cotton and lotus weaving factory of Intha people. Wrap up the fruitful day trip with fantastic sunset over the beautiful lake.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 15: Local market – Indein boat trip
Boarding on boat again and sail toward Indein. En-route, you visit local 5-day market which is rotating between 5 different lakeside villages over 5-day period. The market is a unique culture; people all around the lake and mountains come here to exchange not only their daily products but also the indigenous cultures. Finally, you reach Indein village. Take an easy walk through verdant bamboo groves to the hilltop of more than 1000 ruined stupas embracing the Shwe Indein pagoda in the middle. All were constructed during the 17th and 18th centuries. You then visit small communities that live along the lake.
If time permits, stop for some moments at Inthar Heritage House on the way back. The restaurant reflects the style and elegance of the Inthar. It’s also a hotel and catering school, a gallery and a Cat Sanctuary for nearly extinct Burmese cats.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 16: Heho – Fly Yangon – City tour
Today you take the flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival, you have a trip downtown with a walking tour through the historic quarter. Along the way you visit the former City Hall and various other examples of 1940’s colonial British architecture. The hidden art galleries inside the small alley could also be the next stop on your tour. Continue to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses the sacred reclining Buddhas as well as the country’s largest one. Spend time at Bogyoke Market, formerly Scott Market (closed on Mondays and public holidays). Built in the 1920s under British rule, the side is listed a heritage of Yangon. It has more than 2,000 stalls dominated by large selections of antique Burmese handicraft, clothing and jewelry…
Last but not least, you go to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist site of Myanmar and the oldest one in the world. The Pagoda contains a 99m high golden stupa and spires, adorned with 7,000 diamonds, sapphires and rubies and allegedly, hairs belonging to the Gautama Buddha. If you are fortunate, join a special oil lamp lighting ceremony with thousand oil lamps are lit around the gilded pagoda. This ancient and symbolic Buddhist ritual will be the truly awe-inspiring spiritual experience.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Yangon
Day 17: Yangon departure
You are free to explore Yangon on your own or enjoy last minute shopping for souvenirs before getting transferred to the airport for departure. End services.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: N/A