Day 01: Arrive Yangon (MYANMAR)

On arrival, welcome by your tour guide at the Yangon Int’l airport and transfer to your hotel. Check in starts from 1500 hrs.   Evening enjoy sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda.
Overnight: Summit Parkview Hotel, Yangon (2 nights) (B)

Day 02: Yangon

Today’s tour includes Sule Pagoda, the National Museum, Scott Market (aka Bogyoke Aung San Market-closed on Monday), Chaukhtakyi Pagoda (Huge Reclining Buddha) & Mailamu Pagoda, which has a series of interesting images of the Buddha in his previous incarnations as well as a lovely reclining Buddha image, Nanthida Jetty and if time permits a walking city tour of Yangon. (B)

Day 03: Yangon/Bagan (Flight)

This morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Bagan; represents the spiritual heritage and heartland of old Burma. Arrive Bagan and visit the major temples and monuments of the town, the local Nyaung-U Market, monasteries and caves. And then visit a lacquer-ware making shop to learn about the fascinating technique of this art.   Enjoy the beautiful sunset over Bagan from a temple.
Overnight: Bagan Thande Hotel, Bagan (2 nights) (B)

Day 04: Bagan/Popa/Salay/Bagan

First stop during today’s tour will be a drive to Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano, which is the legendary home of the Nats (or Spirits). And then visit to Salay, famous as the historic home of Salay U Ponya, a Bagan Era writer/poet.   Here we visit interesting sites including Payathonzu, an interconnected complex of three brick shrines; Thadanayaunggyi Kyaung, an ancient monastery in continuous use for several centuries, and Mogok Vipassan Yeiktha, a meditation center. We will also have the opportunity to see Nan Paya, home to a large lacquer Buddha dating back to the 13th century, and an old brick and stucco Buddhist scripture library. We finish the day with a visit to Youqson Kyaung, the oldest surviving wooden monastery hall in the Bagan area. (B)

Day 05: Bagan/Mandalay (Drive 200 kms/124 miles)

After breakfast at hotel we head for Mandalay-the last capital of Myanmar before the British took over.  This city is of great cultural and historical importance and is the most “Burmese” of Myanmar’s large cities. Mandalay's Buddhist monasteries are the most important in the country - about 60% of all the monks in Myanmar reside in the Mandalay area.
Overnight: Sedona Hotel, Mandalay (3 nights) (B)

Day 06: Mandalay

Today’s visit includes Mahamuni Buddha (a bronze Buddha image), wood and stone carvings, gold leaf beating workshop, ShweKyaung (golden palace monastery), Kuthodaw Pagoda-which is famous as the World's Biggest Book. Finally go up Mandalay Hill for a beautiful sunset over the misty city. (B)

Day 07: Mandalay/Amarapura/Sagaing/Mandalay

This morning we first head out to Amarapura to visit Mahagandayon monastery, where we will see more than a thousand disciplined monks & novices as they line up to receive their daily offering of alms & food from faithful Buddhists and to see their last meal of the day in total silence. (if we are lucky,  we can see food offering ceremony as well).   Next stop is of U Bein's bridge, a picturesque teak wood bridge and then continue visit traditional hand loom factory. Drive to to Sagaing, a former royal capital and the spiritual center of Myanmar. Hundreds of stupas, monasteries temples and nunneries are to be found in Sagaing Hill. Thousands of monks and nuns retreat here for meditation and contemplation. Visit Kaungmudaw Pagoda (with its huge egg – shaped dome in Ceylonese style) and Soon U Ponnya Shin pagoda on the Sagaing Hill.  Drive back to Mandalay. (B)

Day 08: Mandalay/Heho (Flight)/Pindaya/Kalaw (Drive)

Transfer to Mandalay Int’l Airport to catch a flight to Heho. On arrival drive to Pindaya (about 3 hrs), a small picturesque town of Shan State, and visit Pindaya Cave; these caves are ensconced in a limestone ridge overlooking the lake, inside the cave, there are more than 8000 Buddha images – made from alabaster, marble, brick, lacquer and cement.   A visit to the traditional paper workshop and umbrella workshop will also be included before proceeding to Kalaw.
Overnight: Pine Hill Resort, Kalaw (1 night) (B)

Day 09: Kalaw/Inle Lake (Drive 100 kms/62 miles)

First we visit the lively local market where many ethnic minority people of the surround areas buy and trade their goods. Stroll in the steep and winding lanes of Kalaw, enjoying the crisp air, the picturesque old houses and the views of the surrounding hills.   Then drive to Nyaung Shwe (about 3 hrs) the gateway to Inle Lake; where we take a boat ride on the lake to see Intha People's daily life, floating gardens and floating villages.  Visits to PhaungDawOo Pagoda, Ngaphaechaun Monastery and local handicraft centers (silk weaving & black smith) will also be included before checking in our hotel.
Overnight: Myanmar Treasure Hotel, Inle Lake (1 night) (B)

Day 10: Inle Lake/Heho/Yangon (Drive/Flight)

Transfer to Heho Airport to catch a return flight back to Yangon. Arrive Yangon, we will be met and transferred to our hotel.   The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight: Summit Parkview Hotel, Yangon (1 night) (B)

Day 11: Yangon/Luang Prabang (LAOS) (Flight)

Today we are transferred to the airport for a flight to Luang Prabang, the ancient capital city of the Lanxang Kingdom, the center of religious life in Laos and today a World Heritage City.  Upon arrival, we will be met & transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Santi Resort & Spa, Luang Prabang (3 nights) (B)

Day 12: Luang Prabang

Our day starts with a visit to the magnificent Royal Palace. Wat That Luang contains the ashes of King Sisavang Vong, interred inside the large central stupa. The inside of the huge temple contains a few Luang Prabang Buddhas and other artifacts. Abbot Ajannn Khamjan was ordained here in 1940 and is one of the most revered monks in Luang Prabang. Wat Tham Xieng Maen, located in a 100m/109 yards deep limestone cave, also contains many Buddha images. Luang Prabang is famous for its historic temples and an ethereal mountain setting. Wat Xieng Thong, built in 1560 is situated on the banks of the Mekong River, is considered the most beautiful monastery in Luang Prabang with ancient masterpieces of Lao art. Wat Wisunalat, the oldest operating temple in the city, boasts a collection of exquisite gilded wooden Buddha statues dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. Wat Mai, constructed in 1821, was once the residence of the Phra Sangkharaj (the Patriarch of the Buddhist clergy). We complete this incredible day with a visit to Phousi Hill to take in the sunset. (B)

Day 13: Luang Prabang

Today we embark on a day excursion to visit the Pak Ou Caves, located on a steep rock cliff at the confluence of the Mekong and Ou Rivers. The two caves are filled with Buddha images of varying styles, ages and sizes. Ban Xang Hai, located near the Pak Ou Caves, was once a 'Jar-Maker Village' where the community fills jars with láo-láo, the local rice whisky. Ban Thing Hong is located opposite of Ban Xang Hai and close to Pak Ou. Recently an excavated cave has yielded artifacts dating back 8000 years, including stone, bronze and metal tools, pottery, skeletons and fabrics. (B)

Day 14: Luang Prabang/Vientiane (Flight)

You’ll be transferred to Luang Prabang Airport for a short flight to Vientiane. The Laotian capital located on a bend of the Mekong River, amidst fertile alluvial plains. Vientiane is a laid-back city with interesting wats and lively markets. This afternoon we visit Pha That Luang (Great Sacred Reliquary or Great Stupa) built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, a symbol of both Buddhism and Lao sovereignty. Patuxai is a large monument reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris; the huge arch at the end of Thanon Lan Xang also gives an excellent view of the city. Haw Pha Kaew is the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy built in 1565, now converted into a museum containing some of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures. Wat Si Saket was constructed in 1818 in the early Bangkok style; the interior walls of the cloister are punctured with small niches that contain more than 2000 silver and ceramic Buddha images. We end the day with a visit to the Talaat Sao Market to examine the fabrics, jewels and electronic goods available here.
Overnight: Green Park Boutique Hotel, Vientiane (1 night) (B)

Day 15: Depart Vientiane

Today we bid farewell after what will have been an awe-inspiring journey to Myanmar & Laos.  We are transferred to the airport for our departure flight with unforgettable memories of this extraordinary culture.  Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 08 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

Inquire About this Trip

Tour Application Form