Wild and Wonderful
Thailand and Myanmar
- Thailand & Myanmar
- 14 Days
- Yangon | Inle Lake | Bagan | Mandalay | Bangkok | Chiang Rai | Chiang Mai
- The lively city of Yangon
- Floating gardens of Inle Lake
- Hotair balloon ride over Bagan
- 150 years old U Bein teak bridge at Mandalay
- Kuthodaw pagoda – world’s biggest book with the collection of 729 stone slabs
- 24 hour flower market in Bangkok
- Hilltribe Centre to see all the northern Thai tribes
- Buddhist blessing ceremony by monks
Overview
A journey into erstwhile Burma, now Myanmar, offers breathtaking experiences dominated by serene pagodas, hot-air balloons suspended over acres of green fields and small hamlets wedged in a rural backdrop. The country promises a tryst with sublime Buddhist monasteries and astonishing countryside, offering an insight into a relatively unexplored region of the world. Compared to that, Thailand seems to a destination which has been touted for ages as a top East Asian holiday pad. In this trip, you’ll find that Thailand is also seen with a new gaze and aligns with the rhythm of lesser-treaded places, while also offering the essentials.
Travel through major towns of Yangon, Inle Lake, Bagan, Mandalay and Bangok, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai to experience their distinct ambience. Alive with natural wonders and easy going good naturedness, these two countries, though different in many ways, exude the same warmth and enthusiastic hospitality. Besides, it forces you to hit pause on life and see the world in slow motion – whether it’s robed monks offering prayers, farmers working in lush fields or fishermen waiting patiently in lakes to get a bite.
Itinerary
1
Yangon : Arrive in Yangon and check-in at the hotel. This day is kept for you to relax.
2
Yangon : The day is reserved to see the top sights of the city with a guide. Stroll around Sule Pagoda, the City Hall, old railway station and the post office. Later, visit the Bogyoke Aung San (Scott) Market – the city busiest & liveliest bazaar – where you can see local life at close quarters. The Karaweik Royal Barge and the Kyaukhtatgyi pagoda are next on the list. The contract of the soothing pagodas and the bustle of the market make it an interesting day.
3
Yangon – Inle Lake : After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Heho in Shan State. On arrival, continue by car and enjoy a scenic drive to Nyaung Shwe jetty. Here, you visit some local temples and nunneries. Today holds in store, a full day tour of Inle Lake by private boat includes a chance to see the leg-rowing fishermen and the floating gardens, built up from the strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Visit a floating village at Ywama (the lake’s downtown) where a floating market is held every 5 days. The tour also includes a visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the weaving village of Inpawkhon and the jumping cat monastery, with beautiful antique Buddha statues.
4
Inle Lake : Naturally, it’s all about the water at Inle Lake town. After breakfast, start the excursion by motorized boat to Indein pagoda complex, in the south-west of the lake. The boat leaves the lake and enters a narrow canal with a beautiful natural environment to continue to a small Pa O tribe village. From the village, follow an old covered path to a 13th century monastery and the very impressive ruins of hundreds of ancient pagodas, some hidden in the vegetation.
5
Inle Lake-Bagan : It’s time for another domestic flight to Nyaung U. Check in at the hotel and rest for some time. In the afternoon, explore Manuha Temple before checking out the elaborate stone engravings at Nanpaya Temple.Head south to witness the beautiful Abeyadama Temple and finally the Lawkananda Pagoda, a landmark of Ayeyarwady fishermen. Visit traditional manufacturers of unique Bagan lacquerware. Enjoy a sunset boat ride along the legendary Ayeyarwady River.
6
Bagan : A magical day of floating in the air on a hot air balloon is kicked off early. From the balloon you can look at the marvelous plains of Bagan and get a bird’s eye view of the wonderful pagodas and the Irrawaddy River. Later, we visit the NyaungOo market to get a glimpse of everyday life in Bagan. We spend the rest of the morning exploring Shwezigon Pagoda, caves of KyanzitthaUmin, Htilominlo Temple and Ananda temple. Make a short excursion at Anauk Pwa Saw village to see the cotton weaving work as well as Minanthu Village which produces cooking oil from peanuts. In the late afternoon, visit to the Dhammayangyi pagoda, Bagan’s largest temple. The temple is a large square, single story, pyramidal temple with six monumental ascending exterior terraces. Horse cart riding regales guests in the evening. Finally, enjoy a from one of the most scenic spots in town caps the evening.
7
Bagan – Mandalay : A flight to Mandalay leaves us the rest of the day to explore the 150 years old U Bein teak bridge and the Maha Gandaryone monastery as well as other sights. Later, on the city tour, we visit the Mahamuni Buddha Image, covered with thick layers of gold leaves, marble carving and bronze carving workshops, Shwenandaw (Golden Palace) Monastery, Atumashi Monastery and the Kuthodaw pagoda, known as the world biggest book with the collection of 729 stone slabs on which the teaching of Buddha are inscribed uniquely. The evening closes with a sunset view from Mandalay Hill.
8
Mandalay – Bangkok : After breakfast, start your day with a visit to the gem market, popular among the local for the precious and semi-precious stone. Continue to the nearby Thaye Zay Station Bazaar, a pop-up market that runs its stalls based around the train timings. Later, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Bangkok.
9
Bangkok : We start at a refreshing note at the beautiful and vibrant 24 hour flower market. Here restaurants, hotels and florist come to buy their daily stock of fresh locally grown flowers. Later, we visit Wat Pho and the massive golden reclining Buddha statue inside. It’s then into a local tuk tuk, for an exhilarating transfer to the Grand Palace. The Palace is the royal and religious heart of the country, with the revered Jade Buddha.
10
Bangkok – Chiang Rai : Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Rai and settle in. Founded in 1262AD, Thailand’s northern most city boasts of a fascinating architectural history with a mix of Thai and Burmese styles. Begin your tour by visiting the beautiful Wat Rong Khun or White Temple. This temple is still under construction and is made from dazzling white and mirrored materials. Artisans come here to contribute to the construction of the temple, and to leave a legacy for future generations.
11
Chiang Rai : Explore the Golden Triangle, to learn more about the opium trade that made this region so famous. Our first stop is at the Hilltribe Centre, a place that is dedicated to giving the visitor an understanding of the main tribes that populate this region. Featured at the site are the Akha, Lahu, Lisu and the Karen or ‘Long Neck’ tribes. We then continue to a viewpoint that gives us a peek into Laos and Myanmar. Later we make our way to the Opium Museum that showcases how opium was produced and consumed through the centuries. We then head to Chiang Saen, a former capital of the country, where we see the old walls and the ruins of a former Wat before returning to our hotel in the early evening.
12
Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai : After breakfast, drive to Chiang Mai to visit the ancient temple of Wat Phra Kae, original home of the Emerald Buddha which is now housed in Bangkok. A replica was made and placed in the same spot where it was found. We continue to Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong with its large gold stupa. We then arrive at the hotel and witness a colorful Thai Khan Toke dance show.
13
Chiang Mai : Today, we visit a local temple for a Buddhist Blessing by Thai Buddhist Monks with an opportunity to offer them flowers and food. We start the tour of the old city of Chiang Mai, using trishaws. We visit some of the main temples along with the central market, where rural people come to sell their produce and stock up on supplies. We also visit the nearby Elephant Nature Park.
14
Chiang Mai – Bangkok : The morning is free to spend at leisure. Later, we take a flight to Bangkok for your departure.
| November – February: | Winter months, recommended to travel. |
| March – June: | Summer months, when it is moderately hot in April, but May and June are avoidable. |
| July – September: | Monsoon months where trips are doable. |
