Thailand, Myanmar & Cambodia Connection - 12 Days / 11 Nights

Bangkok – Yangon – Mandalay – Amarapura – Ava – Sagaing – Mandalay – Bagan – Yangon – Bangkok – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap

Another great inspiring journey encompassing Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia, to the world spiritual heritage of each destination from splendid royal palaces, fascinating colonial charms, holy temples to marvellous ancient ruins

Tour Highlights

• Taking Bangkok’s city tour to Vimarnmek Palace and the adjacent Wat Benjamabophit (Marble Temple), and enjoying a visit to the must- go Jim Thompson House for Thai silk
• Taking a boat to Wat Arun, the Royal Barge Museum and Wat Pho, the temple famous for traditional Thai massage, and the world- renown Grand Palace
• Visiting the quietly charming city of Yangon with its impressive French colonial architecture, including the National Museum
• Wandering to different temples and stupas in Yangon, including the holiest Shwedagon Pagoda, Mahamuni Pagoda, Kuthodaw Pagoda and Shwenandaw Monastery
• Visiting the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing to discover the holy wood- carved monasteries, the remains of the Royal Palace and fort, and religious centres
• Taking boat trip to Bagan, on the way giving you a glimpse into the way of life along the Irrawaddy River, and visiting Bagan, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia
• Travelling to Phnom Penh, the city once considered one of the most beautiful in the Orient, with a colonial charm, national Museum, Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom Hill
• Exploring the greatness of the Angkor Complex and the main temple ruins in Siem Reap: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Banteay Kdei, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei
  
  

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - 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.

Day 2 - Bangkok
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. (B,L)

Day 3 - Bangkok -Yangon
Arrive in Yangon (after a stop and change of plane in Bangkok) 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. (B)

Day 4 - Yangon - Mandalay
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 centre 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. (B)

Day 5 - Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava - Sagaing - Mandalay
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 speciality 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 centre of Myanmar and is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centres. Finish the day with a walk at sunset over the 200 year-old U Bein bridge, constructed entirely from teak. Overnight in Mandalay. (B)

Day 6 - Mandalay - Bagan
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 Bagan, 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. (B)

Day 7 - Bagan
After breakfast, morning sightseeing of Bagan features the colourful 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. (B)

Day 8 - Bagan - Yangon - Bangkok - Phnom Penh
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 Phnnom Penh. Arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport. After the visa and immigration formalities proceed to the exit where your Exotissimo guide will welcome you. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh. (B)

Day 9 - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
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.

In the afternoon explore the colourful Russian and Central markets. Transfer to Phnom Penh Airport for a short flight to Siem Reap. On arrival transfer to your hotel and overnight in Siem Reap. (B)

Day 10 - Siem Reap
Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. This morning 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. (B)

Day 11 - Siem Reap
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. (B)

Day 12 - Depart Siem Reap
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. (B)

Note: We can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itineray does not match your expectations.