| TOURS CONTENTS |

THAILAND-MYANMAR-CAMBODIA CONNECTION - 11 Days / 10 Nights

CODE: EX.R-ERT/TMCC
ARRIVE BANGKOK
Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to hotel. Early afternoon depart for a city tour with visits to the Vimarnmek Palace in the Dusit Park and the adjacent Wat Benjamabophit (Marble Temple). End the day with a stop at the Jim Thompson House before returning to hotel. Overnight in Bangkok.

BANGKOK (B, L)
Morning visit to the Wat Arun, the Royal Barge Museum and Wat Pho by boat. After lunch at a local restaurant visit the Grand Palace (closed on Sundays - the alternative is the National Museum) before returning to hotel. Overnight in Bangkok.

BANGKOK - YANGON (B)
Arrive in Yangon and transfer to your hotel. Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is still a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating and authentic capitals of South East Asia. After lunch, a city tour includes the National Museum, Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda's 70m long reclining Buddha. Visits continue to Myanmar's holiest monument, the Shwedagon Pagoda with its golden stupa covered with 60 tons of pure gold leaf. Overnight in Yangon..

YANGON - MANDALAY (B)
Early morning transfer to Yangon's Mingaladon Airport for the flight to Mandalay. On arrival, a sightseeing tour of Mandalay, Myanmar's cultural capital, features Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its venerable statue of Buddha covered with gold leaf. Mandalay has long been known as a center of skilled craftsmanship and in former times supplied the Royal courts. A tour of traditional workshops includes crafts such as woodcarving, marble masonry, Kalaga tapestry and gold leaf making. After lunch visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures (known as the world's biggest book) and Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite woodcarving. Enjoy the sunset from Mandalay Hill. Overnight in Mandalay.

MANDALAY - AMARAPURA - AVA - SAGAING - MANDALAY (B)
After breakfast at the hotel depart for full day trip to the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. The day begins with a visit to the 18th century capital, Amarapura. Attend the daily meal of over thousand monks at the country's largest monastery; Mahagandayon. Visit a silk weaving workshop, the craft specialty of Amarapura. Proceed to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries and visit by horse and carriage the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and fort. In the afternoon cross the bridge over the Irrawaddy River and continue to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar and is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers. Finish the day with a walk at sunset over the 200 year-old U Bein bridge, constructed entirely from teak. Overnight in Mandalay.

MANDALAY - BAGAN (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the jetty for a boat trip to Bagan. As it sails southwards, the riverboat passes many villages offering a glimpse into the way of life along the Irrawaddy River. Arrive in Bagan late in the afternoon. On the dry plain of central Myanmar by the banks of the Irrawaddy River stands Began, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia. The 230 years, from 11th to 13th century, in Bagan thousands of stupas and temples many of which are still standing today. Overnight in Bagan.

BAGAN (B)
After breakfast, morning sightseeing of Bagan features the colorful Nyaung Oo Market, the Shwezigon Pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa, Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jatakas murals paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. In the afternoon observe the process of traditional lacquer ware, one of Myanmar's best known handicrafts and a specialty of Bagan. Visit Ananda, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple with four impressive standing Buddha images, Ananda Okkyaung, one of the few surviving brick monastery from the early Bagan period and Thatbyinnyu the highest temple in Bagan rising to 61 meters. End the day with a horse and carriage tour among the temples passing by the traditional village of Taungbi, Sulamani Temple and the massive Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. Enjoy the sunset over the site from the upper terrace of Myauk Guni Temple. Overnight in Bagan.

BAGAN - YANGON - BANGKOK - PHNOM PENH (B)
Transfer to Nyaung Oo Airport for the flight back to Yangon. On arrival transfer to international airport for flight to Bangkok. Short stopover in Bangkok and change of plane for flight to Phnom Penh. Arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport. After the visa and immigration formalities proceed to the exit where your guide will welcome you. Transfer to hotel. This city was once considered one of the most beautiful in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history it still retains a colonial charm. In the afternoon visit the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom hill, founding place of the city. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

PHNOM PENH - SIEM REAP (B)
Transfer to Pochentong Airport after breakfast for the morning flight to Siem Reap. Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. On arrival begin a tour of the temples with the Great City of Angkor Thom. Start at the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat and the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. Overnight in Siem Reap.

SIEM REAP (B)
After breakfast depart for a visit to Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean (River of 1000 lingas) and Banteay Samre. In the afternoon, visit the Grand Circuit taking in Pre Rup, Neak Poan and Preah Khan. Overnight in Siem Reap.

DEPART SIEM REAP (B)
After breakfast take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake (best from July-February) and afterwards visit the Siem Reap market and the workshops of Artisans d'Angkor (wood and stone carving) and/or visit the Landmine Museum of Mr. Aki Ra before transferring to Siem Reap Airport for departure flight.


TOUR INCLUSION OF:
  • Flight from Bangkok to Yangon.
  • Flight from Yangon to Mandalay.
  • Flight from Bagan to Yangon.
  • Flight from Yangon to Bangkok.
  • Flight from Bangkok to Phnom Penh.
  • Round-trip transfers between airport and hotel.
  • Accommodation with daily breakfast.
  • English or French speaking local guides.
  • Land transportation by air-conditioned vehicles with driver.
  • Boat trip if mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees for mentioned visits in the itinerary.
  • Meals mentioned in the itinerary as (B) is breakfast, (L) is Lunch, (D) is Dinner.
TOUR EXCLUSION OF:
  • Flight from Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (~65 USD)
  • 2-day Angkor Temple Pass (~40 USD)
  • Airport departure taxes and surcharges.
  • Visa stamping fee.
  • Personal expenses as telephone, laundry, etc.
  • Others meals are not mentioned in the "inclusion of" above.
OPTIONAL:
  • Add-on international airfare from interior U.S. cities.
  • Add-on other flights if mentioned in the "exclusion of".
  • 2-day Angkor Temple Pass (~40 USD)
  • Travel Insurance.

 

1820 West 3600 South, Suite #C
Salt Lake City, UT 84119 - U.S.A.
Tel: (801) 973-4163 - Fax: (801) 973-2545
E-mail: tours@vietlinktravel.com