Burma and Thailand vacation – 18 days

Day 1: Mandalay arrival
Welcome to Mandalay – 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.
Upon arrival, you are greeted by our tour guide, get transferred to hotel, check in and relax.
Meals: N/A
Accommodations: Hotel in Mandalay
Day 2: Mandalay – Sagaing – Inwa
This morning you head to Sagaing. The destination 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 Pagoda Cave, U Min Thonze Pagoda and U Ponya Pagoda. Continue the trip to Inwa. Once a royal capital, it 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, walk over Ubein Wooden Bridge, the longest teakwood of its type & enjoy great sunset view here.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay
Day 3: Mingun – Mandalay City
First, 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. The next stop is the Shwenandaw Monastery, 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. In the afternoon, visit 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 head to 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. Wrap up the fruitful day trip with the drive to Mandalay Hill. 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 4: Mandalay – Fly to Bagan – Ancient land sightseeing
After breakfast, today you take the short flight to Bagam. 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. You then enjoy the gorgeous sunset on boat over the Irrawaddy River.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.
Day 5: 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 6: Bagan – Fly to Heho – Inle Lake boat trip
This morning you take the short flight to Heho, gateway to Inle Lake and the Shan region. This freshwater lake is the 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 7: 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 8: Pindaya – Fly to Yangon
Enjoy a scenic drive to Pindaya with opportunities to stop and photograph the colourful farms and rolling hills of the Shan Plateau. Upon arrival, you visit the limestone caves that house more than 8,000 Buddha well preserved statues of various sizes. Afterward, you proceed to the handicraft village and see how the locals make the Shan parasols and paper.
Finally, you head to Heho airport, get ready for the flight to Yangon. Get welcomed by our tour guide and driver, head to hotel. Check in and relax.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon
Day 9: Yangon city tour
Now 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, have a chance to 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.
Finally, say good bye to Myanmar and get ready for the flight to Thailand.
Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling capital. Your driver and guide will meet you outside the baggage claim of the airport and take you to your hotel in the city center. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to recover from jet lag and explore the city on your own.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok
Day 10: Bangkok City Tour.
Today’s sightseeing starts with the Wat Pho. We then proceed to the Grand Palace complex, which also covers the famous Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha). Next, we board a private long-tail boat onto Klong Bang Luang. Let’s enjoy its tranquility and observe the fancy shops, local temples and vendors as the boat moving slowly along the waterway. We then stop at Baan Silapin, an inspiring art gallery. Here you can either make crafts in an art workshop or take time to walk around the neighborhood. A traditional Thai puppet performance comes next (if available). On our way back to the hotel, we will visit Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn).
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok.
Day 11: Bangkok – Ayutthaya Historical Park – Phitsanulok.
This morning, you will leave Bangkok for Ayutthaya ~ 80 kilometers North of Bangkok. The first stop is the Bang Pa-In, also known as Summer Palace located 18km from Ayutthaya on the bank of Chao Phraya River. Arrive in Ayutthaya – the ancient capital to visit the highlights of the area including Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Maha That – a temple over 600 years old; before driving further to Phitsanulok, one of the oldest cities in Thailand, for the night.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phitsanulok.
Day 12: Phitsanulok – Sukhothai Historical Park – Lampang.  
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, the drive takes you to visit Wat Phrasriratanamahathat or another name is Wat Yai Temple. Built in 1357 and later developed into a monastery, this temple now houses Phitsanulok’s most revered statues of Lord Buddha; and visit to SGT.Maj.Thawee Folk Museum which filled with knowledge & wisdoms of the forefathers, then further drive to Sukhothai and spend time to visit Sukhothai Historical Park, whose remains have been classified as World Heritage of Humanity. This magnificent site is easily accessible by biking; this is how we suggest you to visit (if you have energy to bike as option). After that, the driver will take you to Lampang, check in your hotel and relax.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Lampang
Day 13: Lampang – Chiang Mai – Wat Doi Suthep.
In the morning, spend time with the beautiful complex of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang which is the main attraction in Lampang which is one of the best preserved examples of Lanna style temple architecture in Thailand. The next visit is to Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum where is famous for “Chicken Bowl” products.
Further driver to Chiang Mai – “New City”. Enjoy afternoon guided tour to visit Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep – 3,500 feet above sea-level, the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand, containing a holy relic of Lord Buddha. You will have a panoramic view of the city from this height.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai.
Day 14: Chiang Mai – Elephant Camp.
Breakfast shall be served at the hotel and then we will visit one of the popular Elephants Camp, where you can see the Elephants at work. You have a chance to ride the elephants crossing the river into the forest. Then return by Oxcart (if available) to the elephant village to have lunch. After lunch, enjoy a bamboo rafting adventure along the river for around 45 minutes. Onwards to an orchid farm where there are many beautiful species of orchid. And after that going back to the hotel and free at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai.
Day 15: Chiang Mai – Fly to Phuket.
Free at your leisure until driving to the airport for your flight to Phuket. With a long stretch of beaches and a smattering of costal islands, Phuket is the perfect tropical, beach getaway. Picked up by local driver for a transfer to your hotel. Check in then enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phuket.
Day 16: Phuket – Free at your leisure.
Enjoy an entire day free for basking in the sun or bathing in the warm coastal waters.  This is the time when the dream of spending holidays in an exotic country becomes a reality.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phuket. 
Day 17: Phuket – Free at your leisure.
Today you are free at your own leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phuket.
Day 18: Phuket – Departure.
Your last day of the trip has come. Enjoy your time until you are transferred to the airport to catch your departure flight home.
Goodbye & Safe Travels!
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.