SNAPSHOTS OF THE ORIENT (Cambodia, Vietnam & Myanmar) – 18 Days 17 Nights

Start City: Phnom Penh

Departure city: Mandalay
Route: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Angkor Complex – Danang – Hoi An – Hue – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay

Duration: 18 Days 17 Nights

Private Tour. Departure: Daily, upon your request.
– Extendable with optional tours

Please let us know your international arrival and departure flight time, so that we can adjust your itinerary much better.

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1: Phnom Penh Arrival
Day 2: Phnom Penh city tour
Day 3: Phnom Penh – upstream river to Siem Reap
Day 4: Siem Reap – Floating Village – Phnom Krohm Mountain
Day 5: Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Ta Prohm – Angkor Thom
Day 6: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat – Beng Mealea – Fly to Danang – Hoi An
Day 7: Hoi An Ancient town
Day 8: Hoi An – Drive to Hue
Day 9: Hue Royal citadel – City tour
Day 10: Hue – Fly to Hanoi – City tour
Day 11: Hanoi – Halong Bay overnight on boat
Day 12: Halong bay – Hanoi – Fly to Yangon
Day 13: Yangon city tour
Day 14: Yangon – Fly to Bagan – Sightseeings
Day 15: Bagan – Mt Popa – Bagan discovery
Day 16: Bagan – Fly to Mandalay – Sagaing – Amarapura
Day 17: Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay Hill
Day 18: Mandalay departure

COST: Price is quoted in US dollars per person based on double/twin room.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Phnom Penh Arrival

Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s vibrant and bustling capital city. Despite its recent turbulent history, Phnom Penh’s wide tree-lined boulevards and faded colonial mansions hold an undeniable charm. Upon arrival, our tour guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Now enjoy some free time to rest and freshen up before driving to the dock to catch an evening boat cruise along the Mekong River to watch the sunset over the shimmering city.

Meals: None

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Day 2: Phnom Penh city tour

Phnom Penh was founded in the 14th century and has long been a vital trading hub at the confluence of three rivers: the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac. Start the day learning about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia’s recent history on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Choeung Ek “Killing Fields”. Our cultural tour continues as we visit the National Museum – a journey into ancient Khmer art and civilization and the Royal Palace, home to the royal family and the opulent silver pagoda.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Day 3: Phnom Penh – Upstream river to Siem Reap

In the morning, transfer to the jetty for speedboat to Siemreap. Arrive at Siemreap early afternoon. Check –in hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure to explore the town. Enjoy dinner at restaurant with Apsara Performance.

This river cruise experience depends on water level of Mekong River, if the water level of this period is so low, not enough to operate the speedboat, we will offer you by car transfer for this route.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Day 4: Siem Reap – Floating Village – Phnom Krohm Mountain

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.

In this day, we will head out of town and embark on a short cruise along Tonle Sap Lake visiting the local floating villages. This late afternoon, we will have a chance to watch the sunset from the foot of Phnom Krohm

Mountain on the way back to your hotel in town.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Day 5: Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Ta Prohm – Angkor Thom

We begin the temple exploration today at Angkor Thom near west gate. From the enigmatic faces of Bayon Temple to the intricate base reliefs of the Terrace of the Elephants, Angkor Thom is filled with fabulous monuments. From there you will discover the jungle-covered temple of Ta Phrom. At midday have lunch at local restaurant of your choosing. After lunch we will drive to Banteay Srei, it is also one of the most beautiful temples; built in 967 AD by Jayavarman V’s guru, it showcases the most exquisite, deep and complex carvings in all Khmer architecture, and Preah Khan meaning “Holy Sword” is one of the largest temple compounds in Angkor and is defended by four concentric walls. The main shrine and its adjoining buildings are richly decorated with Buddhist motifs and scenes from Hindu epics. We will return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon so you can enjoy your free time shopping and relaxing.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 6: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat – Beng Mealea – Fly to Danang – Hoi An

Enjoy an entire day dedicated to discovering the mysterious Angkor temples. 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. After that return to hotel for breakfast then set back out, drive further to Beng Mealea Temple and explore the abandoned temple (11th century), strangled by the jungle.

Heading to Siem Reap Airport for the flight to Danang, get picked up and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Day 7: Hoi An Ancient town

Hoi An is a small city in Central Vietnam famous for its wooden houses, family chapels, Assembly Halls and for its silk shops. It is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants who traded mainly in high quality silks. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.

We spend a walking tour around this enchanting port town and visit its numerous places of interest: 400 years old Japanese Bridge, 300 years old Chinese temple, 200 years old Vietnamese former merchants’ house, the local fish market … Around the town we can see a numerous art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like. After lunch in local restaurant, you will have a chance to ride a “Xich Lo or pedicab” through the opposite site of Hoi An River bank where you can take a panorama of Hoi An town.

Keep on the “Xich Lo” through the tiny lanes of Hoi An countryside, passing the fields of corn, sweet potatoes, beautiful local fruit-garden … Stop over the local fishing village, get on the boat for 2 hours streaming down to Cua Dai estuary to enjoy the sunset cuise on the river.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Day 8: Hoi An – Marble Mountain – Sea Cloudy Pass – Drive to Hue

Car p/u at your hotel and transfer to Hue. The first stop is the Marble Mountain where you can see some marble factories and see their art works. We then have a chance to see China beach – one of the most beautiful and famous beach in Vietnam. The next stop is Cham museum where displayed the exhibitions of Cham people. The Cham museum in Danang has incomparably the best collection anywhere of Cham materials, mostly sculptures. After that, we drive 20km on Sea cloud pass (Hai Van Pass) – the highest pass in the country and one of the most scenic hillside roads in Vietnam. Sea cloud pass is the last spur of the Truong Son Range that reaches to the sea, sightseeing in Vietnam is at its best here with the sequel of valleys and lagoons as the road descends lower. And our last destination is Lang co beach which lies on the most beautiful curve of the “S” where you can be the first to see sunrise in Vietnam. Lang Co beach attracts visitors by its wild beauty with white sand and blue sea. Arrive Hue in mid afternoon and stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 9: Hue Royal citadel

Hue was once the Imperial capital and now listed as a World heritage site. Sitting on the banks of the delightful Perfume River you will find amazing citadels, fabulous palaces and royal tombs. Many of the sites can be reached by river and this makes an excellent way to see the city.

Pick up from hotel in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. A boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River visits Hue’s best-known religious sites, Thien Mu Pagoda. Then continue to discover Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945 including Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and Forbidden Purple City.

The afternoon continues with a visit to the elaborate tombs of emperors Tu Duc & Khai Dinh. This guided tour gives you a deep understanding about King’s philosophy of geomancy and how this affected royal life.

Back your hotel for overnight.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 10: Hue – Fly to Hanoi – City Tour

After breakfast, heading to the airport for a morning flight to Hanoi.

Welcome to Hanoi: Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Your guide and driver will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your hotel in the city center.
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.

The visit includes most of the City’s outstanding historical and cultural sites.

– Temple of Literature, built in 11th Century and the country’s first University

– The complex of Ho Chi Minh historical sites (include: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, HCM’s Stilt House and One Pillar Pagoda – (closed on Monday & Friday)

– Quan Thanh Temples & Tran Quoc Pagoda

– Visit one of the museums in Hanoi (Museum of History, Museum of Ethnology, Museum of Fine Art, Hoa Lo prison which is also known as the “Hanoi Hilton”
Late afternoon, we will have a brief city tour: discover Hanoi Old Quarter on cyclo ride or open electric car. In the evening enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from

Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture. Stay overnight at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 11: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise

After breakfast you will have over 4 hour drive along the country side of the Red River Delta to the UNESCO world’s heritage site of Halong Bay.

Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk 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 we 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 Tonkin Gulf (weather permitting). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Accommodation: on cruise.

Day 12: Halong Bay – Drive to Hanoi – Fly to Yangon

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. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. Your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Hanoi Airport for your 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.
Our tour guide & driver will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

Day 13: Yangon city tour

Our tour guide & driver will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Begin your first Myanmar visit to Shwedagon pagoda – the most prominent monument in Yangon which dominates the sky with golden flash, giant spires and holy relics.

Reach to the post office – a lovely historic building, we then walk from Sule Pagoda passing by Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument along the way to Chinese Town, covering exotic streets of Yangon downtown and British Colonial building as Emmanuel Church, Inland Water Buildings.

Our next visit is National Museum and you can see the 8 meter high Golden Lion Throne as well as the Mandalay Royal Regalia at the (closed on Mondays and public holidays).

We then continue to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda’s 70m long reclining Buddha. This provides a great overview of Buddhism with murals depicting the life of Buddha, the feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray.

After the visit, proceed to Yangon’s oldest Chinese temple and continue to the riverside located Botataung Pagoda.

Spend a little time for shopping at the Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, – one of the biggest market in Yangon for handicrafts and other goods. (Note: Market is closed on Mondays and public holidays).

Next your guided tour goes to Kandawagyi Park, one of central Yangon’s greenest spots. Here you will see the glittering Karaweik barge, a replica of the royal barge, and the vast lake with views of Shwedagon in the background. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point.

Your highlight for this evening is the dinner in Karaweik Palace, overlooking to the Royal Lake and Shwedagon tower. The dinner is served with fine Burmese food and amazing cultural show.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

Day 14: Yangon – Fly to Bagan – Sightseeings

From the 11th to 13th centuries, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, the rulers constructed thousands of huge stupas and temples many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel, travel from Yangon to Bagan by a short morning flight, begin your first experience to visit Nyaung Oo Market where dozens of vendors come to sell their fresh products. The market is at its busiest early in the morning as the locals come to do their shopping. This is a great opportunity to observe the daily life of the friendly locals.

Continue the day with visits to the most beautiful pagodas and temples of Bagan including Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; enrich your experience with a visit to Ananda Temple with four standing Buddha images. Continue to the elegant Htilominlo Temple, noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations, the next visit is Sulamani Temple.

In the afternoon, discover the traditional way of making lacquer wares by local people, you can stop over at one of the most treasured handicrafts workshops where craftsmen create fine lacquer ware which features a part the Bagan fame, nearby Myinkaba village.

As today comes to a close, proceed to Mingala Zedi Stupa or Bu Paya, travel to the boat jetty and embark on a sunset cruise. Enjoy a cocktail and a stunning view of Bagan as you cruise along the Irrawaddy River. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Day 15: Bagan Sightseeing – Mt Popa

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Mt. Popa(65 km and takes us 1.5 hour), an extinct volcano with spectacular views known as the most sarced site for meditation in Myanmar. You will have chance to challenge yourselves to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the peak. Its shrine is dedicated to animist spirits known as “Nats”. Our guide will lead you to Popa Kalat Monastery where you can enjoy the panoramic view of Popa national park.

On the way back to Bagan,we will experience the traditonal palm work, cigar maker and peanut oil distillation.
In the afternoon, we have an exotic horse cart ride to one of the biggest temple in Bagan: Nan Paya, a unique sandstone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha. Proceed to Manuha Temple, which built in the Mon style in 1059, and follow on to many other interesting sites nearby such as Dhammayangyi, the largest built by King Narathu in the 12th Century, continue with sightseeing to Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple, experience the architectural difference in MyaZedi pagoda.

The highlight of today is the panoramic sunset view from the second highest pagoda of Bagan the ShweSandaw pagoda.

Back to your hotel for overnight.

Note: Guests have the option of exploring some lesser known temples around the complex or tourguide can deduct some of temples as mentioned above depending on guests’ time and interest.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Day 16: Bagan – Fly to Mandalay – Sagaing – Amarapura

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel, travel from Bagan to Mandalay by a short morning flight. Your guide and car will pick you up at the airport and take you to Sagaing, a 45-minute drive. Located across the Irrawaddy River, Sagaing is considered by many to be the Buddhist centre of Myanmar.

Drive up to Sagaing Hill to Umin Thonzeh. The name translates as ’30 Caves Pagoda’ but in reality the temple is one long hallway built alongside a hill with thirty recessed entrances giving it the appearance of being filled with caves. Inside the building you will find 45 Buddha images, an auspicious number 45 reflecting the number of years that Gotama Buddha was enlightened as a Buddha. Then proceed to Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin pagoda and enjoy wonderful panoramic view of Sagaing Hill with hundreds of stupas. If you look up at the ceiling at Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin you will find the old paintings describing the 16 scene dream sequence of Kawthala King.

Your final stop today will be in Amarapura including Mahagandayon monastery, where over one-thousand monks reside. Amarapura is the best place to experience the monk life in Mandalay.

Before departing Amarapura go to U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge. The bridge was constructed of 984 teak posts that were once part of the deserted Inwa Palace and it is 1.2 kilometers in length making it the world’s longest teak span. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations: Hotel in Mandalay

Day 17: Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay Hill

Drive to visit Mingun complex including Mingun Bell which is more than 87 tons in weight and more than 3.7 metres in height. This is the world’s largest uncracked bell. Just south of the bell you’ll also visit Mingun Pahtodawgyi, a giant brick structure built in the late 1700s and although it was unfinished due to economic troubles it is still an impressive site. Mingun’s other highlight is the Hisnbyume Pagoda, a white-washed temple built to resemble Mount Meru.

In the afternoon, begin with a walk up Mandalay Hill. Rising 240 metres above the city, the hill provides a great viewing platform of the surrounding countryside, Irrawaddy River and city centre. At the base of the hill you’ll stop to visit Shwe Nandaw Kyuang- or Golden Palace Monastery- which is noted for its intricate wood carvings and to Kayuktawgyi Pagoda to view the huge marble Buddha. The marble is from Sagyin quarry and took 10,000 men almost two weeks to transfer the rock from the riverside to its current location. Finally we’ll visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to ‘the world’s largest book’, a collection of more than 700 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings.

Continue to the famed Mahamuni Image – a bronze Buddha image castled during the lifetime of Buddha himself.

Back to your hotel for staying overnight.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations: Hotel in Mandalay

Day 18: Mandalay departure

Checking out from your hotel, travel by car to Mandalay International Airport for your departure flight.
Flight out from Mandalay (Ta Da Oo International Airport), the most convenient flight route Mandalay – Bangkok (Thailand) with several airlines such as Air Asia, Bangkok Airways.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: N/A