Mingalabar Myanmar with Bangkok & Chiang Mai

Day 1

Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand. Welcome to Thailand! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2

Bangkok. Today’s PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR starts with a BOAT RIDE through the klongs, Bangkok’s canals, to see family homes, temples, and the way of life that gives this city the nickname “Venice of the East.” Stop at Wat Arun, the TEMPLE OF THE DAWN, whose 260-foot-tall spire has become identified with Bangkok. Continue on to the GRAND PALACE, comprised of the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the TEMPLE OF THE EMERALD BUDDHA. Also visit the TEMPLE OF THE RECLINING BUDDHA, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It houses more than 1,000 Buddha images, including the 49-foot-high and 151-foot-long massive Reclining Buddha. (B,L)

Day 3

Bangkok. Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore on your own. Your Local Host can help with suggestions to help maximize your time. Perhaps consider a visit to Jim Thompson’s House, a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River, or an excursion to the colorful floating market at Damnoen Saduak. (B)

Day 4

Bangkok–Chiang Mai. Today, fly to Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city. (B)

Day 5

Chiang Mai. Today, your PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR begins with a visit to WAT PHRA SINGH with its famous Buddha image, and WAT DOI SUTHEP, a temple tucked away in the mountains. For the final ascent to the temple, you can take a tram car or walk up the Naga (dragon-headed serpent) staircase, with more than 300 steps. On a clear day, you will enjoy spectacular views of Chiang Mai. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day 6

Chiang Mai. Today, take a PRIVATE GUIDED EXCURSION outside the city to BAAN TONG LUANG to visit several hill tribe groups, including the AKHA, known for gorgeous headdresses decorated with silver coins, and the KAREN, home to the PADAUNG LONG-NECKED WOMEN. Early in life, brass rings are placed on the necks of the village girls and as they mature, additional rings are added. This pushes the collarbone down and compresses the rib cage, creating the illusion of stretching their necks. You will also stop at an ORCHID FARM. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (B)

Day 7

Chiang Mai–Yangon, Myanmar. Fly to Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, the country’s largest city. (B)

Day 8

Yangon. This morning, join your Local Guide for a PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR. Start with a WALKING TOUR of the city’s famous and historic landmarks, including the High Court, City Hall, Central Railway Station, and Sule Pagoda, built during the time of Buddha. Stop along the way at a LOCAL TEA SHOP for a cup of tea/coffee with the locals. After lunch, visit CHAUKHTATGYI to see the massive Reclining Buddha, measuring in at 213 feet. Afterward, continue to SHWEDAGON PAGODA, the most important religious site in the country and a national symbol. Here, a truly enchanting scene unfolds as the sun sets on the golden stupa and locals come to pay their respects. (B,L)

Day 9

Yangon–Mandalay. Fly to Mandalay this morning. Later, your PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING includes KUTHODAW PAGODA and SHWENANDAW MONASTERY, the only remnant of former King Mindon’s “Golden City” to survive the bombing of WWII. Originally the king’s living quarters, the building was moved after his death to its current location and converted into a monastery. Today, the original gilding has faded, but the intricate wood carvings endure, giving you a sense of how extravagant the original teak palace complex was. (B)

Day 10

Mandalay. See the best of Mandalay on two PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOURS. In the morning, visit a TAPESTRY & WOODCARVING WORKSHOP to learn more about these cottage industries and see the skilled artisans at work. Then, stop at a GOLD LEAF WORKSHOP to see how it is made. Lastly, visit MAHAMUNI PAGODA, the most revered shrine in Mandalay, to see its impressive gold-leaf Buddha. Due to the continual application of gold leaf, officials estimate the gold is approximately six inches thick. In the afternoon, visit nearby Amarapura. Your visit focuses on the famous U BEIN BRIDGE, a three-quarter-mile-long bridge built in 1783 from reclaimed teakwood from the old royal palace in Inwa. The bridge is still a cornerstone of the community; locals and monks use it daily to cross Taungthaman Lake while fishermen and farmers go about their daily work below. Take a SAMPAN RIDE on the lake for memorable views of the sunset behind the iconic bridge. (B,L)

Day 11

Mandalay–Bagan. A short flight brings you to Bagan. This evening, attend a TRADITIONAL PUPPET SHOW. (B,D)

Day 12

Bagan. Today, explore Bagan, capital of Myanmar from the 9th to the 13th centuries. It is estimated that during this time, more than 13,000 temples, monasteries, and pagodas were built in the plains surrounding the city—an area of about 40 square miles. Many of these structures have been lost over time, but around 2,300 still stand today, making this one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. After breakfast, your morning PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING starts with a visit to a LOCAL MARKET selling handicrafts, fabrics, and longyis—a versatile sheet of cloth worn around the waist by most local men and women. Then, stop at the ornate SHWEZIGON PAGODA, one of the country’s most important shrines. You will also visit a LACQUER WORKSHOP to learn more about this ancient craft. After lunch, your PRIVATE GUIDED SIGHTSEEING centers on the BAGAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE. Highlights include ANANDA, considered by many to be the most beautiful temple, and DHAMMAYANGYI, the best preserved monument left standing. Also stop to see the exquisite and well preserved fresco paintings at SULAMANI. Your day ends watching the sunset from the top of a temple! (B)

Day 13

Bagan–Inle Lake. Transfer to the airport and fly to Heho, gateway to mountain-fringed Inle Lake, where a private transfer awaits. Pause at Red Mountain Estate to bask in the beautiful scenery as you enjoy a dinner of authentic fare and wine produced from the vineyards here. Continue to your lakeside resort, where you will spend the next two nights. (B,L,D)

Day 14

Inle Lake. Today, enjoy a FULL-DAY PRIVATE GUIDED EXCURSION to see scenes of life around the lake. Stilted houses dot the shorelines, and the local Intha use the famous one-legged rowing technique to fish and tend their floating gardens of tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, and more. These clever gardens are made from weeds lashed together and mud from the lake bottom, then anchored using bamboo poles, allowing them to rise and fall with the water level of the lake. Along the way, stop at a SILK WORKSHOP, where they use the fibers of the lotus plant to weave garments. You will also visit a SILVERSMITH WORKSHOP and a CHEROOT WORKSHOP, where young girls roll the cigars at a dizzying pace. (B,L,D)

Day 15

Inle Lake–Heho–Yangon. Today, transfer to Heho for your flight back to Yangon for an overnight. (B)

Day 16

Yangon. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)