Myanmar & North Vietnam Discovery 14 Days

Day 1: Yangon Arrival
Arrival at Yangon International Airport, you are greeted by our tour guide and driver.
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: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon
Day 2: Yangon – Fly to Bagan – Sightseeing
Today you have the flight to Bagan. Today you start exploring ancient Bagan with a visit to Nyaung U market, then have an exotic horse cart ride around to Shwezigon Pagoda, which is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. Continue to Htilominlo Temple, Ananda Temple, housing four standing Buddha and then to Sulamani Temple.
This afternoon, continue to one of the biggest temples in Bagan: Nan Paya pagoda and many other interesting sites nearby. This is the most relaxing way to end a day in Bagan.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.
Day 3: Bagan rural sightseeing
Drive to the Ayeyarwady River for a short boat ride to Kyun Thiri Island. Visit a typical farming village, interacting with the villagers and observing their way of life. Take tea with some monks then return to Bagan late morning.
In the afternoon, take bicycle to visit short training class to a local lacquer ware workshop and learn how this traditional piece of art is made. You can experience some lacquer ware creation and make your artwork memory. Another highlight today is the panoramic sunset view over Bagan.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.
Day 4: Bagan – Fly to Heho – Inle Lake discovery
This morning, you leave Bagan for 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.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 5: 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. Wrap up the fruitful day trip with fantastic sunset over the beautiful lake.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 6: Inle Lake free time – Fly to Yangon.
Free day enjoy Inle Lake by yourselves. You then fly back to Yangon, have the transfer to hotel, check in and relax.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Yangon
Day 7: Yangon city tour – Fly to Hanoi
After breakfast, 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 monument contains a 99m high golden stupa and spires, adorned with 7,000 diamonds, sapphires and rubies and allegedly, hairs belonging to the Gautama Buddha. You then take the international flight, leave Myanmar for Vietnam.
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Your driver and guide will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your hotel in the city center.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi city tour
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 will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and stilt house), the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Presidential Palace; the Temple of Literature; the Quan Thanh Temple, the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & West Lake; and one of the city’s museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). In the evening enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Hanoi.
Day 9: Hanoi – Sapa
Your trip starts with 5-hour scenic luxury bus ride from Hanoi Capital to Sapa hill station with a comfort stop at the half way. Upon arrival, check in the hotel followed by your lunch (your own account).
The afternoon is full of activities. You’ll walk down streets for the orientation guided tour that endures one hour and the tour includes all the key sites such as the Old Church, local market and the dining & shopping streets… Then, continue by a drive to Sau Chua ethnic Black Hmong village. This village has been recently discovered and much less visited. It is located on the mountain summit, therefore you can take the best photos of panorama Sapa town down there at sunset. Besides, you will have lots of interactions with the villagers who show their great hospitality and want to share their life so you’ll learn more about how they live. Back to the hotel then and have the rest of day at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.
Day 10: Sapa sightseeing
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then begin your adventure in this beautiful mountain landscape and home to many minority hill tribe peoples. In the late morning, your guide will take you on a two-hour trek through the terraced rice fields to visit the villages Cat Cat and Sin Chai, where you will learn about local traditions and daily life. Rest of the day, you are free at leisure or explore the town on your own.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.
Day 11: Sapa – Drive to Hanoi
After simple breakfast at homestay, your driver and guide will take you to one of the local markets (Sin Cheng or Cao Son on Wednesday/ Lung Khau Nhin on Thursday/ Can Cau on Saturday and Bac Ha or Muong Hum on Sunday). Wander through the stalls packed with hand-crafted goods peddled by the various hill tribe peoples who come here to buy and sell their wares.
After lunch, farewell the Vietnam’s Northwest area for a journey back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, check in at hotel and enjoy your time at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.
Day 12: Hanoi – Halong
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before setting out on a 2.5-hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay, a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as you sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin (weather permits). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.
(The itinerary is a sample and it will be different between cruises. Our travel consultants will provide the exact schedule and program if you book a specific cruise such as Hera Cruise, Halong President Cruise, Emperor Cruise, Halong Violet, Halong Jasmine, Paradise Luxury Cruises, Orchid Cruise, Indochina Sails, Au Co Cruise, Starlight Cruise etc.)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight cruise
Day 13: Halong – Hanoi
Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as you navigate back to Halong City. Your driver will meet you at the Halong jetty and take you back to Hanoi
Meal: Breakfast, Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 14: Hanoi departure
Breakfast at hotel. Today is your free day and we arrange you the airport transfer.
Get ready for the International flights.
Thank you for your time with us!
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: N/A