Start City: Hanoi
Departure city: Yangon
Route: Hanoi – Ninh Binh Ancient citadel – Halong Bay – Yangon – Bagan – Mt Popa – Mandalay – Inle Lake
Duration: 13 Days 12 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: Hanoi arrival
Day 2: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Trang An
Day 3: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay overnight on boat
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi city tour – Fly to Yangon
Day 6: Yangon city tour
Day 7: Yangon – Fly to Bagan – Sightseeings
Day 8: Bagan – Mt Popa – Discovery
Day 9: Bagan – Fly to Mandalay – Sagaing – Amarapura
Day 10: Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay Hill
Day 11: Mandalay – Fly to Heho – Inle Lake sightseeings
Day 12: Inle Lake – Indein – Fly to Yangon
Day 13: Yangon departure
COST: Price is quoted in US dollars per person based on double/twin room.
Group size | 2 persons | 4 pax | 6 pax | Single Supp |
Land Tour/pp | 1,732 | 1,428 | 1,356 | 551 |
4 domestic flights/pp | 730 | 730 | 730 | |
Total/pp | US $ 2,462 | 2,158 | 2,086 |
Tour Includes | Tour Excludes |
– 5 Regional & domestic flights: Hanoi – Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay – 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 vehicle – Service of English speaking guides in every location – Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited – Meals as mentioned in the itinerary |
– 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 – Visa fees (contact us for further information) |
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi arrival
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. In the afternoon, take a walk around the center, visiting some of Hanoi’s main attractions: the Opera House, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. In the evening enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture – followed by a welcome dinner at one of Hanoi’s finest restaurants.
Meals: Welcome Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel – Trang An
We leave Hanoi at ~ 08.00 and head south for a 2-hour drive along Highway One. Along the way, stop where you wish to take photographs of local villages and the surrounding landscape.
Hoa Lu , situated 100 km south of Hanoi, was the capital city of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty between 968 and 1009 AD. Some of the sanctuaries and tombs have survived the years and can still be seen today. From time to time, archaeologists have excavated buried parts of this citadel with rusty weapons and ceramics. The temples are said to be built on the old foundation of their original palaces in 11-12th centuries and restored in 17th century.
On arrival, we start cycling on the countryside road, onto Hoa Lu – an ancient citadel, maybe with a stop for its history in the 10th century. Then we continue our riding through the limestone peaks to Tam Coc, passing rice paddies and through the rural villages.
Here we are in Tam Coc and lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
Afternoon, take the amazing boat trip to visit Trang An grottoes which is a gathering of 31 valleys, 50 cross-water caves, and home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna, many of them in the Red Book of Vietnam. While rowing through Trang An grotto in the quiet, fresh air of the highlands, with only the sound of birds and the oars stirring the clear water and surrounded by magnificent forested mountains upon which graze white goats, visitors enjoy a heaven on earth.
Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh
Day 3: Ninh Binh – Drive to Halong Bay – Overnight on boat
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 4: Halong Bay – Drive to 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. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. Your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to your hotel in Hanoi.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi city tour – Fly to Yangon
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.
Our driver and car will transfer you to Hanoi International Airport for your flight to Yangon in the late afternoon.
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.
Upon Yangon arrival, our tour guide & driver will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon
Day 6: Yangon city tour
Breakfast at your hotel, our tour guide & driver will escort you today to 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: Welcome Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon
Day 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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 10: 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 11: Mandalay – Fly to Heho – Inle Lake sightseeings
This vast picturesque lake, 900m above sea level, 22 km long and 10km across, is the second largest lake in Myanmar. Inlay Lake is famous for its scenic beauty, floating gardens of vegetation and the unique leg rowing of the Intha, the native lake dwellers. The lake is also home to a wide array of bird-life including egrets, cranes, ducks, storks and birds of prey.
After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel, travel from Mandalay to Heho for Inle Lake by a short morning flight. Your guide and car will pick you up at the airport and take you a scenic one-hour drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which features beautiful carvings and a collection of Buddha images. We will also stop in Nyaung Shwe for a short walk around town and visit to the colorful market if it is being held that day.
Upon arrival, board on motorboat for a sightseeing tour to Phaungdawoo Pagoda, famed for its richly gilded five small Buddha images, also is believed the holiest in Inle Lake. Our next visit is Ngaphechaung monastery, known as jumping cat pagoda. As you travel further to Nam Pan village; cotton and lotus weaving factory, cigar making houses will impress you with a sense of traditional Intha life.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 12: Inle Lake – Indein – Fly to Yangon
In this morning, you will visit the 5 days market which is hold in different villages surround the lake. This is definitely a fascinating place to enjoy the scene of local tribes in their colorful clothes and exotic market atmosphere.
After lunch, the boat will take you to beautiful temple of Indein, located on the hill overlooking the lake. It will be definitely relaxing to walk along the corridor and enjoy the giant columns which have been left to the nature for centuries.
If time permits, there may be time to enjoy a short walk through one of the lakeside villages.
Heading to Heho airport to travel back Yangon. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Yangon
Day 13: Yangon departure
Checking out from your hotel, travel by car to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A