In-Depth of Three Charming Countries - Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia

After breakfast at the hotel, our tour will begin with a visit to the downtown area where you can explore a range of colonial buildings around the city on foot. And continue to visit Yangon City Hall which is centrally located in downtown Yangon and considered a fine example of Burmese architecture, featuring traditional roofs. It is next to several important landmarks such as, Sule Pagoda, MahaBandula Park which is a public park, High Court, and the Main Post Office. After that, we will go for a walk to Kandawgyi Park. Then, we will visit Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda which is 72 meters long reclining Buddha image. After that, during the sunset time, we will visit Shwedagon Pagoda which is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar and surrounded by an array of temples, shrines, and pavilions. Then, we will return back to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, our driver will transfer to the airport to fly to Bagan. On arrival at Nyaung U airport, our guide will pick up with your name board and your journey begins with a visit to a local colorful market where you can learn the local life. Then, we will continue our journey with a visit to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction to Bagan’s rich history; we will visit nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite Jataka mural paintings, the elegant Htilominlo temple. Then transfer to our hotel to reload. This afternoon begins with a visit to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece that is one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. And then we will continue to visit Thatbyinnyu the highest temple in Bagan, massive Dhammayangyi Temple, noted for its remarkable brickwork. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the Nyaung La Phet Hill. And back to your hotel.

Today we will visit the rural village of Minnanthu, where you can see cotton weaving and harvesting the crops in their field. And we will start the tour by bike and visit Bagan famous temples such as Laymyathnar Monastery Complex, Phayathonsu, Nandamannya with mural painting from the 13th century. Then, and back to the hotel for a break of a few hours to enjoy the swimming time at your hotel. Later this afternoon, our journey continues to Manuha temple with huge Buddha images, Nanpaya built with the sandstone, GubyaukGyi temple (Myinkaba) where you can see a very colorful mural painting of Bagan period. If you prefer to visit Lacquerware workshops, our guide will assist you to bring a nice place. Then, in the evening, to catch the sunset, make your journey to jetty for a slow cruise down the Ayeyarwaddy River by boat. As we cruise down, we will observe the lifestyle of fishermen and riverside villagers as well as enjoying the unique perspective of Bagan’s temples. And return to your hotel and overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Mandalay (about 4 and a half hours). On arrival, we will visit Maha Muni Pagoda famous for its life-like Buddha image. After lunch, start your exploration from the North East corner of Mandalay Palace. We will visit Mandalay Royal Palace and exploring around.  Then, we will Visit the ShwenandawKyaung, the Golden Teak Monastery which was constructed entirely of golden teak. This impressive wooden monastery was once part of the Mandalay Palace. We will continue to Shwe Inn Bin Monastery and then to KuthodawPaya, more commonly known as the world’s biggest book. The slabs of marble are inscribed with the entire Tripitkata; Buddhist scriptures. We will go up to the top of Mandalay hill where you can enjoy the fascinating sunset and transfer back to the Hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, start sightseeing Mingun by boat, just 12 km on the west bank upstream from Mandalay. Upon arrival, visit Pon Daw Phaya, a five-meter-high working model for gigantic structure, Set Taw Ya Phaya, the vaulted shrine with a footprint of the Buddha, Mingun Pa Hto Taw Phaya, one of the worlds largest chides built by Bodaw Phaya, Mingun Bell, weighing 90 tons known as the world largest ringing bell, Hsin Byu Me Phaya, a representation of the Sula Mani Phaya which stands atop of Mt. Meru. Proceed to Ava (Innwa). Innwa tour highlights include the 27-meter-high Masonry Watch Tower, Nan Myint (or) the” Leaning Tower of Innwa”, and Bagaya Monastery built with 276 teak pillars _­. After lunch, visit Sagaing Hill. Then we will drive to Amarapura to enjoy Sunset at U Bein Bridge, made of teak logs and planks over 200 years ago by then-Mayor U Bein. Then we will return back to Mandalay and transfer to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Pindaya (about a 5-hr drive).  Pindaya is famous for its impressive caves. While we are driving, we will have a chance to see the cave and the fantastic scenery of the files and the village. It feels like we are missing something. Pindaya Caves are filled with thousands of Buddha statues, and we can explore the traditional cottage industry of Umbrella Making and the scenic lake. Then continue to Nyaung Shwe. On arrival, transfer to hotel and evening at leisure.

After breakfast at the hotel, the driver and guide will come and go to discover the unique culture of Myanmar’s Inthar people. We will spend a morning by canoeing in the midst of the water of their neighborhoods. Then, we will continue to explore Inle Lake by boat. There are many small villages nearby where you can see the unique leg-rowers and their traditional style. We will visit typical floating gardens and enjoy the local methods of fishing and magnificent scenery. And then go to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest sites in this area of Shan State, and proceed to the weaving village of Inpaw khon and to one of the local markets in the Inle Lake region (it is only available on Market days). Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant serving Inthar cuisine. Then explore the southern part of the lake by boat sailing through lush vegetation scenery to reach Indein village. It is famous for its ruined cluster of pagodas by 16^th Century. You can enjoy the most amazing historical sights on the shore of the lake consisting of hundreds of small stupas. And then return to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will fly back to Yangon. On arrival, we will pick you up and visit Botahtaung Pagoda. It is a famous pagoda located in downtown Yangon, near the Yangon River. It is hollow within and houses what is believed to be the sacred hair of Buddha. After lunch, we will go to BogyokeAung San Market at where there are 2,000 sprawling shops for clothes, gemstones and jewelry, Myanmar traditional arts & crafts, and souvenirs. Then, we will transfer you to Yangon International Airport to join your flight to Hanoi. On arrival, our driver will pick you up and transfer to the hotel.

Note: BogyokeAung San Market is closed on every Monday.

This morning, we will start a Hanoi tour by visiting outside Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum. Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continue to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on West lake (One of the oldest in Vietnam). Have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch proceeds to visit the Ethnology Museum, continue to visit the Temple of Literature. Vietnam’s first university constructed in 1070. It is gardens and well-preserved architecture offers a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. We will take you past Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful waters and visit Ngoc Son Temple, Walking to visit Ma May ancient house. Then, overnight in Hanoi.

Note:

+ On Monday and Friday morning, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed.

+ On Monday, Ethnic museums are closed, visit Thang Long Citadel instead of Ethnology Museum.

At 08:00 am, the tour guide will pick you up at the hotel, depart to Ninh Binh province to visit Hoa Lu & Tam Coc, enjoying the beautiful sceneries of the rural areas on the way. Upon arriving in Ninh Binh, the guide takes you to visit Hoa Lu – the Ancient Royal capital of Viet Nam. We will visit Dinh king temple and Le king temple. In the 10th century, finding out the heroic histories of these two Kings in Chinese Wars. After that, we go to Tam Coc (10 km far from Hoa Lu). Have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch you will get on bamboo boat – rowed by the local people – in Small River to visit Tam Coc (three caves) on the way. You pass through three enormous caves that provide a brief respite from the intense summer sun. It takes approximately two hours to go up and down the river and along the way, you witness local fisherfolk, village life along the river, and, of course, the striking limestone karst formations that Tam Coc is famous for. After that, getting on the car to the hotel in Ninh Binh. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

At 08:00 AM, the tour guide will pick up and transfer to Halong Bay. From Hanoi, head east for more than 3 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994. The road will pass by the Red River delta with green paddy fields and rural villages, where hard-work farmers are busy with their farming jobs, plow buffaloes, or planting seedling. Upon arrival in Halong, at 12:00-12:30 pm, we’ll take a big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands of odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, we can visit the Surprising Grotto, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating villages, and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the boat for dinner late afternoon. Evening attends activities on the boat or relaxes at your own leisure. Overnight on Halong Bay.

Note: Program may differ slightly base on cruise ships. I will update the exact itinerary of the cruise when the tour is confirmed, and the cruise is selected.

Breakfast on boat, The Vietnamese call the “East Sea” by a point-oriented name “Eastern Sea”, so you may guess how miraculous it is seeing the sunrise over the islets of the Bay. The boat will take us to go about marvelous areas, where almost every islet has its own name, adopting its shape or reminiscent, including the Fisherman’s Head, Turtle, the Sail, the Incense Burner Rock, the cute Sea Dog Rock or Cock Fighting Rocks and so on. Lunch on boat. Check out and get back to the shore and transfer to Hanoi. Upon arrival Hanoi at 16:00 pm – 17:00 pm, you will check in hotel & free leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

Have breakfast at the hotel, free leisure until the driver (No Guide) picks up you to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by tour guide with signboard, then transfer to the city center. Have lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon: We visit Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral. Next, we will visit the General Post Office, City Hall. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

At 08:00, the tour guide will come to your hotel to pick up you for a half-day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels. Then, head to Cu Chi Tunnels. Arriving tunnels, a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed will be given. We then spend time exploring the maze of tunnels including innumerable trap doors, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers, and kitchens. Then, drive back Ho Chi Minh City. Have lunch at a local restaurant. Then, drive back hotel, check-in & leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

After breakfast at the hotel, the driver (No Guide) will pick up you and transfer to the Bus Station for your journey to Phnom Penh. On arrival to Phnom Penh, we will transfer to your hotel and the rest of the day will be leisure time.

After Breakfast at the hotel, the tour guide picks up from the hotel to visit Royal Palace was built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town. Now it is the resident of the King and Royal family. Visit Silver Pagoda is located within the grounds of the Royal Palace; the Silver Pagoda is named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th-century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Then, we will visit Central Market is a large market supervised by French architects. Free your time selecting souvenirs for your beloved one and testing many varieties of local foods. Afternoon, we will be transferred to visit Killing Field is the site of a former orchard and mass grave of victims of the Khmer Rouge – killed between 1975 and 1979 – about 17Km south of Phnom Penh. It is the best-known of the sites known as The Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge regime executed over one million people between 1975 and 1979.
To continue the story will visit Toul Sleng Genocide Museum the site is a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979. Toul Sleng means “Hill of the Poisonous Trees”. Then, back to the hotel and stay overnight.

After breakfast leave for Siem Reap by private transfer with tour guide accompany to Phnom Penh City (approx. 5h drive). En-route you will see the beautiful scenery of Cambodia countryside and see vendors sell eatable Fried Spider and other kinds of eatable Insects at the halfway stop known for local people as SKON area. Before reach Siem Reap town will visit Kompong Khleang is a massive floating community of Tonle Sap Lake which is approximately 50km from Siem Reap town. Visitors to Kampong Khleang during the dry season are universally awestruck by the forest of stilted houses rising to 10 meters in the air. In the wet season, the water rises to one or two meters of the buildings. Embark on a wooden boat to ride to see the unique way of authentic Cambodian floating village looks like. (Note: Dry season, boats cannot get all the way to the main villages because the water level may be too low for a visit by boat; however, the village can be visited by car). Continue the journey to Siem Reap town.  Check-in the hotel and relax. Stay overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Tour guide picks up to visit “Angkor Wat” is the 7th Wonders’ of the World and the world’s largest temple with an excellent masterpiece of carvings, sculptures, and perfect structure. It is also one of the largest religious monuments in the world.  The afternoon continues visiting Angkor Thom City Complex which includes: Bayon Temple (giant Buddhist face temple) is the second main temple of Cambodia after Angkor Wat. Bayon has become one of the most recognizable images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture.  Next will explore Ta Prom Temple is another fabulous temple covered by dense tropical forest. Its state of ruin is a state of beauty, which is investigated with delight and left with regret. Ta Prohm is also a place where famous Hollywood movie Tomb Raider Movie starred by Angelina Jolie was filmed. The last one enjoys watching a nice sunset (base on nice weather) at Pre Rub Temple. Then, we will return to the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Tour guide picks up to visit Banteay Srei Temple this 10th-century temple is very beautiful and attractive of its intricacy carvings &mythical creature which represents the Hindu God Siva & Uma. Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. Then visit Preah Khan Temple is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia built in the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII to honor his father. This temple is flat in design, with a basic plan of successive rectangular galleries around a Buddhist sanctuary complicated by Hindu satellite temples and numerous later additions. The afternoon continues visiting Rolous Groups Temple (Lolei, Preah Ko, Bakong). The last temple of today is Neak Pean Temple is an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island in JayatatakaBaray, which was associated with Preah Khan temple, built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. Back to the hotel overnight.