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Kingdom of Siam & Burma (20 days)
From: $0
Code: E-ZCLZZ0003
Tour Style: Classic
Duration: 20 days
Difficulty Comfort Exclusivity
Home » Multi%country » Classic Tours » Kingdom of Siam & Burma (20 days)

 

Itinerary Brief:

DAY 01: BANGKOK ARRIVAL
DAY 02: BANGKOK - AYUTHAYA – PHITSANULOK
DAY 03: PHITSANULOK – SUKHOTHAI – LAMPANG
DAY 04: LAMPANG – LAMPOON - CHIANG MAI
DAY 05: CHIANG MAI
DAY 06: CHIANG MAI - CHIANG RAI
DAY 07: CHIANG RAI - TACHILEIK - MANDALAY
DAY 08: MANDALAY CITY IMPRESSIONS
DAY 09: MANDALAY
DAY 10: MANDALAY - BAGAN (BOAT TRIP)
DAY 11: BAGAN HIGHLIGHTS
DAY 12: BAGAN - MOUNT POPA - BAGAN
DAY 13: BAGAN - HEHO - INLE LAKE
DAY 14: INLE LAKE
DAY 15: INLE LAKE - YANGON
DAY 16: YANGON
DAY 17: YANGON - BAGO – GOLDEN ROCK (Kyaikhtiyo)
DAY 18: GOLDEN ROCK – BAGO - YANGON
DAY 19: YANGON - BANGKOK (private transfer without guide)
DAY 20: BANGKOK DEPARTURE (private transfer without guide)
 

 

  • Difficulty: Easy - Suitable for travellers with an average level of fitness and independent mobility.

 

 

DAY 1: BANGKOK ARRIVAL
On rrival at Bangkok airport (Suvarnabhumi) you will be met by your friendly guide and transferred to your hotel for check in. You will then have free time to settle in or explore Bangkok

 

Overnight in: Bangkok Hotel
Meals: None

 

DAY 2: BANGKOK - AYUTHAYA – PHITSANULOK
After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and you will be transfer to Ayuthaya province, the former capital of Thailand. Your first visit will be Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon whose name was given by King Naresuan to commemorate a battle fought against the Crown Prince of Burma . His momentous victory was a single-handed combat from the back of elephants and brought independence to Ayutthaya after 15 years as a Burmese dependent. Within the complex is a huge image of a reclining Buddha made of brick and stucco. Also situated in the compound is a statue of King Naresuan which is highly revered by the Thais. You then visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram, built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to honour his mother. Wat Chai Wattanaram was conceived as a replica of the Angkor temple. A royal monastery, the temple’s unique feature is a huge tower which is surrounded by smaller towers. This symbolizes Mount Meru, the abode of the heavenly gods.
You continue on to Phitsanuloke province, the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great and on the way, visit Wat Prasri Rattana Mahatat which houses Thailand’s most beautiful Buddha Image, Phra Phutthachinnarat. The large Sukhothai-style bronze statue was cast in 1357 by the order of King Maha Thamma Racha I of Sukhothai and is now highly respected by Thais countrywide.

 

Overnight in: Phitsanuloke Hotel
Meals: B

 

DAY 3: PHITSANULOK – SUKHOTHAI – LAMPANG
After breakfast. The vehicle takes you to Sukhothai province to visit the Historical Park of Sukhothai founded in the 13th century. Sukhothai (literally means Dawn of Happiness) was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom, which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored in Sukhothai Historical Park and as sucj, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You visit the important ruins of the Royal Palace and Buddhist temples in the historical park including Wat Mahathat and Wat Si Chum. You then drive further north to Lampang province, famous for its horse-drawn carriages and with a rooster as its provincial emblem. The city boasts a long history of human settlements on the Wang River basin, some of which dating back to more than 1,000 years ago and is rich in archaeological evidence reflecting ancient civilizations of Hariphunchai, Lanna and Burma. You visit some beautiful temples including the temple Wat Phratat Lampang Luang, with a golden Chedi in Lanna architectural style containing a Holy Relic. The entrance arches, called Pratu Khong, aer adorned with fine plaster designs and beautiful murals on wooden walls, said to be the oldest in the North. The over thousand years old templeof  Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao with its Burmese style architectural works and delicate craftsmanship is also worth a visit. If time permits, you may have an opportunity to ride on a horse-drawn carriage to explore Lampang city and its cultural attractions.

 

Overnight in: Lampang Hotel
Meals: B

 

DAY 4: LAMPANG – LAMPOON - CHIANG MAI
After breakfast, you depart for Chiang Mai via Lampoon making a short stop at the colourful Tung Kwian Market, where handicrafts, fruit, vegetables, live animals and the famous Lampang Ceramics are on sale.  You then proceed to Lamphun for a visit to the famous Wat Haripoonchai, one of the most sacred monuments in the north, continuing on to Chiang Mai.  You drive up to Doi Suthep to visit Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep (built in A.D. 1384). It is 3,500 feet above sea-level, the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand, containing a holy relic of the Lord Buddha, with a challenging flight of over 300 stairs, flanked by enormous mythological Nagas. A panoramic view of the city can be seen from here. After our visit we check-in at Empress Chiang Mai hotel.

 

Overnight in: Chiang Mai hotel
Meals: B

 

DAY 5: CHIANG MAI
After breakfast, free day at your leisure.

 

Overnight in: Chiang Mai hotel
Meals: B

 

DAY 6: CHIANG MAI - CHIANG RAI
After breakfast, departure to Chiang Rai. Upon check in you will be advised about the optional activities and excursions (not included in the program).

 

Overnight in: Chiang Rai hotel
Meals: B

 

DAY 7: CHIANG RAI - TACHILEIK - MANDALAY
Very early in the morning vehicle lead you out toward Mesai. After going through immigration process at the Thai border crossing you cross  to the Myanmar side.
Upon arrival at Mandalay airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Free day at your leisure.

 

Overnight in: Mandalay Hotel
Meals: B

 

DAY 8: MANDALAY CITY IMPRESSIONS
You enjoy a morning stroll through the lively Zetgo Market in the heart of the city to experience more authentic local life in Mandalay. You continue to the Artisan Quarters, where some of the oldest craftsmanship is showcased dating back to last kingdom of Myanmar. You observe the process of applying gold leaf, detailing teakwood carvings and embroidering Myanmar tapestry. You also see how bronze and marble Buddha statues are carved, cast and moulded. Next, you proceed to the highlights of Mandalay: the sacred Mahamuni Pagoda, housing one of the most significant Buddha images in the country, covered in several tons of gold leaf and the crown prize in long past wars between competing Myanmar kingdoms. You visit the Golden Palace Monastery, the only surviving Royal Palace building in Mandalay, offering a glimpse of the original style and architecture of the Myanmar royals; and lastly, the Kuthodaw Pagoda, a compound housing Buddha’s teachings carved in the sacred Pali script on stone slabs and regarded as the world’s largest book in terms of surface area. You end your day with sunset panoramic views over city skyline from Mandalay Hill, the highest point of the city.

 

Overnight in: Mandalay Hotel
Meals: B,L

 

DAY 9: MANDALAY
After breakfast at the hotel, you embark on a journey to the Ancient Kingdoms of Myanmar near Mandalay. You will be transfer 15km to Ava (Inwa), the ancient capital of the Shan and Burmese Kingdoms for over four centuries. You cross over the Myint Nge River by ferry and explore the small roads of Ava by horse cart. You visit the Bagaya Teak Monastery, over three hundred years old yet well preserved and still in use by local monks; the Nanmyin Watch Tower, the last standing structure of the Ava dynasty palace compound also known as the “Leaning Tower of Ava”; and the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery building with its graceful curves and archways. You continue to the ancient kingdom of Sagaing, located across the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. From the Sagaing Hills, you enjoy magnificent views overlooking the river and hillside covered with countless pagodas. You visit a monastery in Sagaing to learn about the life of Buddhist devotees and continue to well-known silversmith village near Sagaing. You continue to another beautiful ancient capital city, Amarapura, famous for its weaving and textile industries. There, you visit a cottage industry workshop to learn how Myanmar longyis and traditional fabrics are made. We continue to the Ubein Bridge, a simple yet strong teak structure that spans 1.2km over Taungtaman Lake. The bridge silhouetted by the setting sun is one of the most magical experiences in Myanmar and a photographer’s dream.

 

Overnight in: Mandalay Hotel
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

 

DAY 10: MANDALAY - BAGAN (BOAT TRIP)
Very early in the morning you will depart toward Bagan by the Ayeyarwady River.Upon arrival you will have free time to explore on yur own.

 

Overnight in: Bagan Hotel
Meals included:B

 

DAY 11: BAGAN HIGHLIGHTS
After breakfast, transfer to Yangon domestic airport for a 1hr flight to Nyaung U/ Bagan. You start your journey to Ancient Kingdoms of Bagan with a visit to Dhamayazeka Zedi for a panoramic view of the temple studded plains of Bagan. You continue to the Archeological Museum and magnificent gilded Swezigon Stupa purported to contain a holy tooth relic of the Buddha. You enjoy the most well preserved mural paintings in Bagan at Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple. You learn how Bagan’s famous lacquerware crafts are produced in Myingaba Village. You visit Htilominlo temple and learn how Bagan sand paintings are made. You conclude the day’s sightseeing with a visit to the beautifully symmetric Ananda Temple with its four standing Buddha images inside. You continue by decorated bullock cart to witness a magical sunset behind the temples (weather permitting).
Lunch in a restaurant by Ayeyarwaddy River. In the evening dine in one of Bagan’s best restaurants with puppet show performance.

 

Overnight in: Bagan Hotel
Meals included:B

 

DAY 12: BAGAN - MOUNT POPA - BAGAN
After breakfast you head for  Mt. Popa and on return you have some free time.

 

Overnight in: Bagan Hotel
Meals included: B,L

 

DAY 13: BAGAN - HEHO - INLE LAKE
Enjoy breakfast you will be transfer to the airport for the flight to Heho, a quiet transit town with one of the few airport links in the beautiful hills of Shan State. You visit the bustling main Heho market, the meeting point for different ethnic minority groups of the surrounding areas to trade handmade goods and locally grown produce (on market days only). Enroute to Inle Lake, you stop at a local family workshop  to learn how Shan umbrellas and paper are made by traditional methods using the fibres of the mulberry tree. Next, you take a 1-hour drive to Inle Lake that descends through the valley with views of the Shan mountains and rice paddy fields. Near Inle Lake, you visit the Red Mountain Estate to tour the lush vineyard situated on the side of mountain, and of course taste some of Myanmar’s premiere wines, observing the different aging methods carried out in their cellar. After checking into the hotel, you embark on afternoon explorations of Inle Lake, populated with floating islands and gardens made from the naturally tangled roots of water hyacinth plants and reeds. Delight in the picturesque sights of fishermen who balance and row while standing on one leg, a technique indigenous to the Inn Thar minority group who do this only on Inle Lake.

 

Overnight in: Inle Lake Hotel
Meals included: B,L

 

DAY 14: INLE LAKE
After breakfast you journey by boat, following the currents of a small river to reach the Inn Thein Pagoda complex, a site that makes us feel as if we’ve stepped back in time. To access the complex, you walk through verdant bamboo groves that open up to a field covered with the ancient pagodas constructed over 1,000 years ago. You boat back to the lake and visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, the home of some of the country’s most sacred Buddha statues covered in gold leaf by devout followers. You also make a visit to the Inpawkhon weaving villge to learn how local silks, linens and lotus fabrics are handmade and crafted. As an extra treat, you stop at a house for Burmese cats built over the lake, where you see the preservation efforts and reintroduction of this rare pure breed of felines to Myanmar. At Nampan village, local craftsmen show us how Burmese cigars, or “cheroots,” are traditionally packed and rolled. You end your day with magnificent sunset canoe ride with boatmen who gracefully navigate and row perched on one leg.

 

Overnight in: Inle Lake Hotel
Meals included: B,L

 

DAY 15: INLE LAKE - YANGON
The morning is free for sightseeing on the Lake. Our team can make arrangements for a leisurely stroll to neighboring villages to observe local village life. Alternatively, we can make arrangements for a visit to Nyaung Shwe town to explore the quaint town or shop for local handicrafts. . In the afternoon, our team transfer you to the Heho Airport for the next connecting flight to Yangon. Rest of the day is free at leisure in Yangon.

 

Overnight in: Yangon Hotel
Meals included:B

 

DAY 16: YANGON
In the morning you visit the quaint Yangon old quarter. After lunch you take an afternoon tour through the colonial-style city center of Yangon. You start with one the landmarks, the Sule Paya stupa – built over 2,000 years ago and the focal point of numerous historical events in the city – Chauk That Gyi pagoda to view its magnificent reclining Buddha, and Karaweik Hall to marvel at the uniquely decorated “hamsa-bird-shaped” floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal Lake). You visit Bogyoke (Scotts market, where hundreds of gemstone, handicrafts, art, clothes and food stores are tucked in a maze of colour. You complete the day with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Swedagon Pagoda, a gleaming bell dome structure that dominates the city’s skyline. Legends state that the sacred hairs of the Buddha are enshrined here. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed.

 

Overnight in: Yangon Hotel
Meals included: B,L

 

DAY 17: YANGON - BAGO – GOLDEN ROCK (Kyaikhtiyo)
After a morning pickup from the hotel in Yangon, you drive 2 hours / 99 km to Thantapin, where you take a stroll through the colourful local market. Next, you board a local longtail boat for a ride through rice fields and small Mon villages scattered along the waterway. After lunch at a local restaurant in Bago, you continue 3 and a half hours / 110 km to Kin Pun base camp to change your mode of transport to an open truck. The ride is shared with local pilgrimage makers for the next 11km to Yathetaung base camp, located 500m below the summit ridge. A further, 1hr hike up a partly-paved, steep road leads us to the summit. The Golden Rock, or Kyaiktiyo as the Burmese call it, is a fascinating sacred boulder covered in gold leaf and balanced precariously on the edge of a cliff. Crowning the boulder is a small shrine believed to contain Buddha’s hair relics, the source of the gravity defying magic. A continual stream of pilgrims from Myanmar and Asia come to witness the wonder at least once in their life time. Enjoy the tranquil sunset, soak in the unique atmosphere and share in wonder with fellow monk, nun, and lay pilgrims.

*The Royal Treatment *For those who would prefer relaxation the entire way, they can enjoy views from a bamboo sedan chair carried by four local porters. Arrangements can be made by trip guides at the base of the climb. Prices are determined by season, availability and body weight (typical rates run around 20 USD).

 

Overnight in: Kyaikhtiyo Hotel
Meals included: B,L,D

 

DAY 18: GOLDEN ROCK – BAGO - YANGON
Wake up early for lovely sunrise views and a quiet morning stroll. You have breakfast before descending back to the Kin Pun base camp. You drive 3.5hrs / 110 km to BAGO, one of richest archeological sites in Myanmar and the ancient capital of Mon Kingdom. You visit the impressive 55m reclining Buddha of Shwe Tha Lyaung and marvel at the 114m high Shwemawdaw Pagoda. Taller than even the famous Swedagon of Yangon, the golden spire of the Shwemawdaw is a popular pilgrimage site for Buddhist devotees. After lunch you will visit a Mon weaving village near Bago. The rest of the 1.5hrs/80km drive to Yangon is broken up with visits to a Nat Three shrine dedicated to a legendary Nat spirit, the Kyaik Pun Pagoda with its four giant Buddha images, and the Allied Troops war cemetery honoring 6,000 war heroes of WWII. The Golden Rock excursion ends at your’ hotel in Yangon.

 

Overnight in: Yangon Hotel
Meals included:B,L

 

DAY 19: YANGON - BANGKOK (private transfer without guide)
Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel. Free time for leisure.
Overnight in Bangkok.

 

Overnight in: Bangkok Hotel
Meals: B

 

DAY 20: BANGKOK DEPARTURE (private transfer without guide)
Breakfast and transfer to the Airport. Be aware that the check out must be 13:00 hours  at the latest.

 

Overnight on board
Meals: B

This tour is private and can be tailor-made to suit your travel needs. As a result the price is quoted in US dollars and shown on a per-person basis. The 'Price From' quoted above is for parties of 2, 4 and 6 people and for accommodation in 3 star hotels. The final price will be privately quoted, based on the number in your party, your preferred time of travel, grade of hotel and any additional services requested. Please click on the BOOK NOW button and fill in the booking form, after which one of our travel consultants will customize the best value holiday for you.

 

REMARKS:
We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina particularly, hotel price makes up most of the cost of your Cambodia cycling, Vietnam cycling, Laos cycling, Myanmar cyclingor Thailand cycling. All of our prices are calculated on a twin-shared basis. As a guide, Travel Loops defines hotel grades as follows:

>>Superior Level (3 star hotels in good locations): > 40 USD/room/night
>>Deluxe Level (4 star hotels):> 80 USD/room/night
>>Luxury Level (5 star hotels): > 180 USD/room/night

Price based on twin shared accommodation.
Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
More people means more discount. Please enquire for more details

 

If, after reviewing the details of this tour, you would like to receive a "Special Offer" tour price, just click on the "INQUIRY" button below. If you wish to “Tailor Make" your trip, simply click on the "CUSTOMIZE TRIP" and enter your contact details.

 

COST INCLUDED:
Experienced English speaking guide
Private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
Accommodation in double/twin sharing rooms with daily breakfast
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
Bottled drinking water for sightseeing
All sightseeing entrance fee where required in the itinerary.

 

COST EXCLUDED:
International/domestic airfares & tax
Travel Insurance. (We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance from home)
Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)
Tips for guide, driver, porters and project cost
Beverage and alcoholic drinks
Any other services not clearly mentioned on itinerary and trip inclusive portion.

The hotels listed below are just our suggestions offering the best value for this trip according to the hotel category chosen, but Travel Loops also offers more options to cater for different grades, personal taste, and budget. Please let us know if you have any specific choice of hotels, or personal preferences/requirements.

 

Note: Our choices for each level of accommodation have been highlighted in orange. As mentioned above our selection criteria are based on: prior client reviews, hotel management and staff training, facilities maintenance, location, business relationship and advantages given exclusively to our clients on price and service.
 


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