The Treasures Of Five Countries
Embark on a remarkable journey across Southeast Asia, exploring its timeless heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures. From the bustling streets of Bangkok and the cultural charm of Chiang Mai to the mystical temples of Mandalay and Bagan, this trip unveils the very soul of Myanmar. Cruise the serene waters of Inle Lake and discover the colonial elegance of Yangon. Continue your adventure through Vietnam, where the dynamic Saigon, the ancient charm of Hoi An, the historic capital Hanoi, and the spectacular Halong Bay await. In Laos, wander the tranquil UNESCO city of Luang Prabang. Conclude with the awe-inspiring Angkor Temples in Siem Reap, one of the world’s greatest archaeological wonders. This journey offers an unforgettable blend of history, spirituality, and natural beauty, showcasing the best of Southeast Asia in one extraordinary itinerary.
DAY 1: BANGKOK ARRIVAL (-/-/-)
Upon arrival at the international airport of Bangkok, you will be welcomed by our driver for a private transfer to your hotel. Rest of the time is at leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Bangkok
Distance:
- Bangkok Airport – Bangkok Centre: 16 miles 🡪 30 minutes driving transfer
DAY 2: FLOATING MARKET – BANGKOK CITY TOUR (B/-/-)
After breakfast, we shall pick you up at your hotel then drive to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market – the most colorful of Thailand’s floating markets – 104 km southwest of Bangkok. You can see boats of various shapes and size which carry goods for trading such as tropical fruits, vegetables, flowers and food on wooden boats with smile of vendors. Experience a thrilling long-tail boat ride out of the floating market and journey along the winding canals to see remote villages, gardens and plantations.
Return to the city and spend the afternoon for city tour. Start with the Grand Palace which is the official of the King of Siam since 1782, made up of numerous buildings, halls, and pavilions set around open lawns, gardens and courtyards. It is located on the bank of The Chao Phraya River. Inside the Grand Palace complex is Wat Phra Kaeo or Temple of the Emerald Buddha – the most beautiful and sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. The following visit is Wat Pho – the temple of reclining Buddha. The temple has a long list of credits: The oldest and largest temple in Bangkok, the longest reclining Buddha and the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, the first public education institution.
Overnight at hotel in Bangkok
DAY 3: BANGKOK – FLY TO CHIANG MAI – CITY TOUR (B/-/-)
Take a short morning flight to Chiang Mai. Meet our driver and tour guide for a transfer to your hotel. After short refreshment, head out for a visit to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep which was built in 1383. It is located 1,050 meters above sea level. See the marvelous golden pagoda, which is containing the holy relics of Lord Buddha. You can enjoy the panoramic view of Chiang Mai City and Ping valley from the summit of Doi Suthep. Then visit Orchid Nursery to see a large collection of more than 50 different types of colorful exotic year-round-bloom orchids.
Back to your hotel and rest of the time is at leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai
Distance:
- Bangkok Centre – Bangkok Airport: 16 miles 🡪 30 minutes driving transfer
- Chiang Mai Airport – Chiang Mai Centre: 3 miles 🡪 10 minutes driving transfer
DAY 4: A DAY AT ELEPHANT SANCTUARY (JOIN-IN) (B/L/-)
08:00 – 08:30am Pick up from your hotel or accommodation.
Drive approximately 1.5 hours outside of Chiang Mai through rural landscapes, agricultural areas, and forested hills.
10.30 Arrive at the Karen village. Meet your guide and walk for 10-15 minutes through the village to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Change into traditional Karen clothing. Enjoy an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history, and behavior.
11.00 Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in their natural home as you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.
12.00 Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruit.
13.00 Walk with the elephants to the river. Bathe and brush the elephants.
14.00 Join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa. Swim in the river and take photos with the elephants.
15.00 Change clothes and walk for 10-15 minutes through the Karen village.
15.30 Leave the Sanctuary and return to Chiang Mai at around 17.00 – 17.30
* The times shown here are approximations.
* What to bring: Hat, Suncreen, Towel, Clothes, Bathing suit, Insect Repellent, walking shoes
Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai
Distance:
- Chiang Mai Central – the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary: 2 miles 🡪 10 minutes driving transfer
DAY 5: CHIANG MAI FREE – FLY TO MANDALAY (B/-/-)
You are free at leisure until early afternoon transfer to the airport for a flight to Mandalay. Get picked up on arrival and free for the rest of the day.
Overnight at hotel in Mandalay
Distance:
- Chiang Mai Central – Chiang Mai Airport: 3 miles 🡪 10 minutes driving transfer
- Mandalay Airport – Mandalay Centre: 20 miles 🡪 45 minutes driving transfer
DAY 6: MANDALAY FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING (B/-/-)
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.
In the morning, visit Jade Market to get real insight into the Jade products and fining procedures. Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery – noted for its exquisite wood carvings and Kuthodaw Pagoda – known as the world’s biggest book.
In the afternoon, drive 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, walk over Ubein Wooden Bridge, the longest teakwood of its type & enjoy great sunset view here.
Overnight at hotel in Mandalay
DAY 7: MANDALAY – DRIVE TO BAGAN – TEMPLE EXPLORATION (B/-/-)
After breakfast, we take 4 hour scenic drive to Bagan, the famous Archaeological Area, where more than 2,000 Buddhist monuments blossom from the countryside.
This afternoon, start our temple exploration to one of the biggest temples in Bagan: Nan Paya Pagoda, Manuha Temple, Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple and Shwesandaw Pagoda
We offer an hour beautiful sunset boat ride on Irrawaddy River.
Overnight at hotel in Bagan
Distance:
- Mandalay – Bagan: 128 miles 🡪 4,5 hours driving transfer
- Bagan – Shwezigon Pagoda: 4 miles 🡪 12 minutes driving transfer
- Shwezigon Pagoda – Ananda Temple: 3 miles 🡪 10 minutes driving transfer
DAY 8: BAGAN DISCOVERY (B/-/-)
Today, start with the option of sunrise hot air balloon flight (surcharge) and head to lively & colorful market of Naung U, a truly Burmese market where almost everything is offered. The tour around the market provides best photo-moments of local life and people.
Afterwards, we visit Shwezigon Pagoda, which is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. Continue to Htilominlo Temple, Ananda Temple, housing four standing Buddhas and then to Sulamani Temples.
This afternoon, enjoy the exotic horse cart through Bagan plain for more temple visit. The highlight of today is the panoramic sunset view of Bagan Plain.
Overnight at hotel in Bagan
DAY 9: BAGAN – FLY TO HEHO – INLE LAKE SIGHTSEEING (B/-/-)
Leave Bagan for Heho, where our driver awaits to transfer you to Inle Lake. Relax on the boat ride to your resort.
Inle Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar, located 900 meters above sea level and is home to the Intha people; who are known for their one leg rowing technique.
In the afternoon, board a motorboat for a sightseeing tour to Phaungdawoo Pagoda, famed for its richly gilded five small Buddha images and is also believed the holiest in Inle Lake. Our next visit is Ngaphechaung Monastery, known as “jumping cat” pagoda. As you travel closer towards Nam Pan village, cotton and lotus weaving factories and cigar making houses will impress you with a sense of traditional Intha life.
Overnight at hotel in Inle Lake
Distance:
- Bagan Central – Bagan Airport: 5,9 miles 🡪 13 minutes driving transfer
- Heho Airport – Inle Lake: 24 miles 🡪 1 hour driving transfer
- Inle Lake – Nyaung Shwe: 17 miles 🡪 55 minutes driving transfer
- Nyaung Shwe – Ngaphechaung Monastery: 19 miles 🡪 1 hour driving transfer
DAY 10: INLE LAKE – INDEIN – INLE LAKE (B/-/-)
This morning, you will visit the 5-Day Market, which is held in different villages surrounding the lake. This is definitely a fascinating place to enjoy the scene of local tribes in their colorful clothes and the exotic market atmosphere.
Continue to the beautiful temple of Indein, located on the hill overlooking the lake. It will definitely be relaxing to walk along the corridor and enjoy the giant columns, which have been left to nature for centuries.
Rest of the time is at leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Inle Lake
Distance:
- Inle Lake – Indein temple: 27 miles 🡪 1 hour 15 minutes driving transfer
DAY 11: INLE LAKE – HEHO – FLY TO YANGON & CITY TOUR (B/-/-)
In the morning, take a short flight to Yangon.
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.
We first enjoy an oriental walking tour visiting City Hall & Mahabandoola Park with Independent Monument then to China Town, India Town covering exotic streets of Yangon downtown and British Colonial building as Emmanuel Church, Inland Water Buildings.
Continue to Bogyoke Market, 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.
Later, visit Shwedagon pagoda – the most prominent monument in Yangon which dominates the sky with golden flash, giant spires and holy relics then get transferred to the airport for your departure flight. End services.
Overnight at hotel in Yangon
Distance:
- Inle Lake – Heho Airport: 24 miles 🡪 1 hour driving transfer
- Yangon Airport – Yangon Central: 7,3 miles 🡪 25 minutes driving transfer
DAY 12: YANGON – FLY TO SAIGON (B/-/-)
After breakfast, our driver will transfer you to the airport for noon time flight to Saigon.
Upon arrival in Saigon, meet our tour guide and driver for a transfer to the city center. Rest of the time is at leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
Distance:
- Yangon Central – Yangon Airport: 7,3 miles 🡪 25 minutes driving transfer
- Tan Son Nhat Airport – Saigon Central: 4 miles 🡪 20 minute driving transfer
DAY 13: SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA – SAIGON (B/L-)
Leave Saigon early in the morning for Mekong Delta.
The program will start with a visit of Cai Be floating market. Then, an optional stop can be made at local workshops where you can see how to make rice paper, coconut candy and pop-rice, pop-corn.
A delicious lunch will be served at a local house.
After lunch, we’ll come to Tan Phong Island. The rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals and enjoy the peaceful time. It is so interesting to see traditional houses made of wood or palm leaves and see some activities of the local farmers with an opportunity to make contacts with them and see how they catch fish or pick up fruits by ancestral ways in Mekong Delta…
Walking around the villages is an amazing way to see the local farms, houses, real life and have an opportunity to see farmers picking up their fruits on the ancestral ways in Mekong Delta… where we can also see how they make rice-net for spring rolls, sew coconut leaves for cottage roof and especially see how they wave the dried water hyacinth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes…
Come to visit Mekong garden, have a cup of tea and enjoy the local music in this garden. The cruise will back & end at Cai Be pier.
Getting transferred back to Saigon
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
Distance:
- Saigon Central – Cai Be: 69 miles 🡪 2 hours 15 minutes driving transfer
DAY 14: SAIGON CITY TOUR – FLY TO DA NANG – HOI AN (B/-/-)
After breakfast at hotel, explore diverse attractions of Vietnam’s modern metropolis.
Start with a visit to the War Remnants museum and former Presidential Palace. You conclude the day exploring the city’s French colonial architecture, stopping at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office.
In the afternoon, take flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, get transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. Rest of the time is at leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Hoian
Distance:
- Saigon Central – Tan Son Nhat Airport: 4 miles 🡪 20 minute driving transfer
- Da Nang Airport – Hoi An: 25 miles 🡪 45 minute driving transfer
DAY 15: HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN VISIT (B/-/-)
After breakfast, enjoy the walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient quarter, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tam Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge.
In the afternoon, explore Hoi An’s local life by visiting the nearby handicraft village (Kim Bong carpenter village, Tra Que herb planting village)
Overnight at hotel in Hoian
DAY 16: HOI AN – DA NANG – FLY TO HANOI & CITY TOUR (B/-/-)
Leave Hoi An for Hanoi. This afternoon, enjoy half day guided city tour exploring Vietnam’s charming capital; with its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas. We visit Hanoi’s key sites: the Temple of Literature and one of the city’s museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum).
Late afternoon enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Distance:
- Hoi An – Da Nang Airport: 25 miles 🡪 45 minute driving transfer
- Noi Bai airport – Hanoi Centre: 22 miles 🡪 30 minutes driving transfer
DAY 17: HANOI – HALONG (B/L/D)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before setting out on a 3 to 4 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay.
Enjoy the cruise in the amazing 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 sailing 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 permitting). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.
Overnight on cruise in Ha Long Bay
- The itinerary is subject to change on local operation office, name of cruise, weather condition, local authority’s decision.
- Meals are served Vietnamese or International food on cruise. Vietnamese vege food is available on cruise in case you inform to our operation office in advance.
Distance:
- Hanoi Central – Halong Bay: 109 miles 🡪 02 hour driving transfer (express way)
DAY 18: HALONG – HANOI – FLY TO LUANG PRABANG (B/-/-)
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 the nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for brunch then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as you navigate back to Halong City, where your driver will meet you at the dock and take you back to Hanoi and straight to the airport for late afternoon flight to Luang Prabang. Get picked up on arrival.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang
Distance:
- Halong Bay – Hanoi Airport: 130 miles 🡪 2,5 hours driving transfer (express way)
- Luang Prabang Airport – Luang Prabang Centre: 2,5 miles 🡪 8 minute driving transfer
DAY 19: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVES (B/-/-)
After breakfast, you will take the cruise along a Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, where you will discover gold-lacquered Buddha statues of all shapes and sizes nestled deep in the limestone caverns.
In the afternoon, embark on a cultural tour of Luang Prabang in the afternoon, you will explore the gilded temple Wat Xieng Thong, a choice of temple (Wat Aham/ Wat Visoun or Wat Mai) and 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.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang
Distance:
- Luang Prabang Centre – Pak Ou Caves or vice versa: 17 miles 🡪 40 minutes driving transfer
DAY 20: LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI WATERFALL (B/-/-)
After breakfast at your hotel, take a stroll visit vibrant morning market (near Wat Mai) with a wide array of foods, fruits & other local stuffs for sales.
We then drive out of town to Ok Pop Tok to discover Laos’ textile. Starting from a small shop selling only a few designs, it becomes one of the most important textile and artisanal institutions in all of Laos and South East Asia.
Continue our visit the Ban Ouay, Hmong Hill tribe, Ban Ou, Lowland Lao and Ban Thapene of Khmu village and then the famous Kuang Si Waterfalls. You enjoy a spectacular view of water cascading into the clear turquoise pools at its foot.
Bring swimming suit if you would like to have some swim there. Back to the town late afternoon.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang
Distance:
- Luang Prabang Centre – Kuang Si Waterfalls: 18 miles 🡪 45 minutes driving transfer
DAY 21: LUANG PRABANG FREE – FLY TO SIEM REAP (B/-/-)
Morning free at leisure to explore this charming town on your own before getting transferred to the airport for mid-afternoon flight to Siem Reap.
Welcome to Siem Reap, the gateway into the 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.
Upon arrival, our tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport and drive you to the hotel for check-in.
Rest of the time is free to relax at hotel’s pool or hanging around the town on your own.
Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap
Distance:
- Luang Prabang Central – Luang Prabang Airport: 2,5 miles 🡪 8 minutes driving transfer
- Siem Reap Airport – Siem Reap Central: 5 miles 🡪 25 minutes driving transfer
DAY 22: FULL DAY TEMPLE EXPLORATION (B/-/-)
After breakfast at the hotel your day starts with visiting South Gate of Angkor Thom, with its majestic doors, monumental temple of Bayon facing the tropical forest and Baphuon and Phimeanakas Mountains. Later, visit the Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King and Takeo “Jewel of Crystal”, which is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva and was erected at the end of the 10th century.
You won’t miss Ta Prohm Temple, which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty with its giant trees that have grown there for centuries.
Take a nice drive to Banteay Srei, home to Angkor’s finest stone carvings. Built in 967 AD by Jayavarman V’s guru, it showcases the most exquisite, deep and complex carvings in all Khmer architecture.
Sunset at Pre Rup before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap
Distance:
- Siem Reap City Center – Angkor Thom (South Gate): 4.5 miles 🡪 15minute driving transfer
- Angkor Thom – Ta Prohm: 2.8 miles 🡪 10 minute driving transfer
DAY 23: ANGKOR WAT AT SUNRISE – TONLE SAP LAKE (B/-/-)
Wake before dawn and take a tuk-tuk ride to visit the magnificent Angkor Wat the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture.
Angkor Wat, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which 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. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys and ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction.
Back to your hotel for breakfast and some relaxation around hotel’s pool or take an orientation tour around the town, visiting the Old Market.
In the afternoon, drive to Cambodia’s largest natural water reservoir, Tonle Sap Lake.
Here you will embark on a cruise across the Great Tonle Sap Lake to the stilted houses and flooded forest of Kompong Phluk. Upon arrival, change to small rowing boat and travel along the mangrove forest and through the stilted houses of the floating villages.
During wet season, this area will be completely submerged, whilst in the dry season, the stilted houses will tower up to six meters above.
After your visit to the school and the pagoda in the center of the village, return to your motorized boat to travel back to the pier. Relax on your boat while enjoying the sunset on the lake.
The visit in Tonle Sap Lake varies depending on water level.
Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap
Distance:
- Siem Reap City Center – Angkor Wat: 4 miles 🡪 15 minutes driving transfer
- Siem Reap City Center – Tonle Sap Lake: 5 miles 🡪 15 minutes driving transfer
DAY 24: SIEM REAP DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
Today, our driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight home. End services.
Distance:
- Siem Reap Central – Siem Reap Airport: 5 miles 🡪 25 minutes driving transfer
HOME SWEET HOME!
Included / Excluded
To help you plan your trip, we have put together a list of what's included and what's not included in your tour package. This will give you a clear understanding of what to expect and help you make any necessary arrangements before your journey begins.
- Domestic flights: Bagan – Heho – Yangon
- Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
- Private tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary
- Services of a private driver and air–conditioned vehicles
- Service of English speaking guides in every location
- Meals are mentioned on program (B: Breakfast, Br: Brunch, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
- Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
- International flights
- Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels.
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal travel insurance
- Myanmar visa fee
Tour Map
This comprehensive map is designed to guide you through an exciting journey filled with remarkable destinations and captivating experiences.
