On arrival you will be welcomed by Great Tours guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Drive through downtown to explore the city centre and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. You’ll start at the post office – a lovely historic building- and to Sule Paya in the middle of downtown, passing by Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument along the way. Then visit Little India and Chinatown – stop to greet the vendors and let them introduce you to their wares – some familiar, some exotic.

Photo stop at the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge.Nothing will prepare you for Shwedagon Pagoda, with its glittering gold stupa. At the pagoda, observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at Shwedagon pagoda.

 

Early morning flight to Bagan. Begin exploration of Bagan by visiting a busy local market and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. You will spend the day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town by visit to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples. Also visit a local lacquerware workshop and watch men and women ply their craft using traditional methods.  In the late afternoon climbing to the top of the Temple for sunset views. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas.

 

You may continue sightseeing Temples & Pagodas and villages in the morning or take excursion trip to Mount Popa (45 km drive), an extinct volcano with spectacular views, 4981 feet above sea level. 777 steps lead up to the Buddhist shrine place on the top of the Popa peak. On the top of mountain there are monasteries, pagoda and shrines indifferent styles. In the mid afternoon back to Bagan  and you will explore Bagan from a different perspective as you explore the area by Pony cart. The cart can explore areas that cars are unable to enter giving a different feel of Bagan.

Breakfast at hotel. Pick up from hotel. Leave Bagan in the morning and take a private local boat across the Ayeyarwaddy River to Pakkoku (approx. 3 hrs by boat), an un-spoiled small town famous as a tobacco trading centre and for its weaving shops. This river journey is interesting because you see all types of local boats along the river as well as the local river life. Arrive Pakokku and visit the local market and see genuine indigenous regional open-air market. Then continue drive (approx. 4 hrs) to Monywa. Arrival Monywa and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day at leisure.

 

Rise early to take the ferry to the other side of the Chindwin River where you board a pick-up to see the seldom visited 15th Pho Win Daung temple complex where more than 450,000 sandstone Buddha’s were carved in the hillsides in caves, alcoves, or tiny niches. The cave murals are still intact with indigo blues and soft pastels. Visit Shwe Ba Daung, which features unique pavilions cut from the surrounding sandstone and filled with Bubddha images. Drive back to Monywa. and visit Thanboddhay Pagoda. Inside you will see thousands of Buddha images (reportedly over 500,000) decorating every wall, archway and niche. The buildings in the compound have interesting jataka reliefs. Proceed drive to Mandalay (140 km – 4 hours). Arrival Mandalay and transfer to hotel.

 

Full day sightseeing in Mandalay -  visit the second most sacred image in Myanmar next to the Shwedagon Pagoda is the Mahamuni Pagoda. Next visit Golden palace Monastery famous for its intricate woodcarvings. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. Before sunset  visit a 200-year-old teak bridge, the most photographic site in Myanmar.

 

Morning- breakfast at the hotel.  Following, you embark on a scenic boat cruise on the magical Irrawaddy River, watching river commerce and villages as they were centuries ago.  Mingun is about 11 km (one hour each way) upriver from Mandalay and home to the impressive Mingun Bell, the world’s largest intact bronze bell, the unfinished Mingun Paya, and lanes filled with art galleries and bullock taxis. Visit Ava and then the cross the Ayeyawaddy River over Ava Bridge and visit the Sagging Hill where there are about six hundred Monasteries. Stop at Silverware cottage industry, clay pot making and Nunnery to learn the daily life of Buddhist nuns. Watch the sunset from the top of Sagaing Hill.

 

Morning flight to Heho in the Shan state. Upon arrival drive to Kalaw (appr. 1 hour), a former British colonial town. Kalaw, another hill station as well as peaceful summer resort nestled in pine-clad mountains, is 1,400 meters above sea-level. It is located 70 km west of Taunggyi. In the neighborhood lie villages of Palaung and other hill tribes who come to Kalaw market held every five days in their colorful costumes, adding to the quiet attraction of Kalaw. Overnight in Kalaw.

 

After breakfast scenic drive across the Shan Plateau to NyaungShwe pick up boat & transfer to your hotel for check in. Enjoy the full day tour by boat in Inle lake. . The five Buddha images of Phaung Daw U Pagoda are the holiest in Inle Lake.  Next, visit a unique Monastery on the Lake Nga Phe Kyaung, near Ywama village where the local Monks have trained the cats to jump through hoops, it is now affectionately known as the jumping cat Monastery. Proceed to Nampan village and see local cigar [cheroot] making and canoe carving.

 

Continue our sightseeing in Inle Lake, maneuvering by boat though long, scenic channnels where you can watch the farmers cultivate their produce in “floating gardens”.  You will visit the fascinating village of Indein, with it’s complex of ancient shrines and stupas and walk though exotic colonnades of stairways and shop stalls.  You’ll visit the “long neck” tribal women, and weaving and craft villages perched on stilts. See the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. It is a feast for the senses and a photographer’s dream.

 

Morning flight to Yangon. Then enjoy a visit to Scott Market, the sprawling 75-year-old Market. At the market you will find a whole variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems & jewelry – bargain at the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere! Visit the over 100 year old beautiful Rangoon Synagogue. In there you will have the opportunity to meet with Trustee of the Synagogue to learn  the Jewish Life in the Pagoda Land.  Drive through the city and observe  neighborhoods that reflect Yangon’s Burmese, British, Indian, Bangladeshi and indigenous influences. Visit the Jade Buddha temple with marble statue weighs 500 tons and the largest in the world.

 

After breakfast, day at leisure until transfer to airport for International departure flight

 

This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services.

Please click on CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIPS and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!

Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suite your requirements, but may incur price changes

WHAT'S INCLUDED?
• Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels 
• Private Vehicles and Drivers
• Transport from Hanoi to Halong and return by mini van
• Train tickets Hanoi – Sapa – Hanoi per deluxe cabins.
• Private English Speaking Guides (Other languages if available, upon request)
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
• All domestic flights
• Airport Taxes and Fuel charges
• Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
• Drinking water available on the vehicles.
• Service Charge & Government Taxes
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
• Your International Flights
• Personal Expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
• Any bank fees or charges at your end
• Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Tips for tour guide and driver in each region
• Peak season or public holidays surcharge if any
• Compulsory Gala dinner on X-Mas or New Year if any
• Vietnam visa stamp fee 
• Other services not mentioned above

HOTEL SELECTION:

The hotels listed below are our suggestions for the best value on this tour.  However, Asia Essence Tours offers many more options of hand-picked hotels, with different "star ratings", allowing you to customize the vacation to meet your taste and budget.

LOCATIONS	FIRST CLASS CATEGORY	SUPERIOR CATEGORY	DELUXE CATEGORY
Yangon	New Aye Yar Hotel	Rose Garden Hotel	Sule Shangri La Hotel
Bagan	Bawga Theddi Hotel	Thiripyitsayar Sanctuary	Bagan Lodge
Inle Lake	Royal Inle Lake	Inle Resort	Inle Princess
Golden Rock	Mountain Top Hotel	Mountain Top Hotel	N/A
Mandalay	Mandalay City Hotel	Amazing Mandalay	Mandalay Hill Resort

ABOUT HOTELS:

We, at Asia Essence Tours, are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. As the hotel cost will be the major expense of your vacation in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, it is essential that all of the hotels chosen by us are the highest quality for the price paid. All of our prices are based on twin, double or queen shared rooms.

BELOW IS AN EXPLANATION OF THE HOTEL "STAR" RATINGS:

First Class/ 3 Star (from US$ 40 - US$ 60 per room/night)

The First Class/ 3 Star Hotels are good value and normally centrally located. They all have comfortable en-suite rooms, good amenities and public areas to relax in. They are usually family run hotels, so offer great personalized service for your enjoyment and comfort. Most first class properties offer an in-house restaurant, and some may even have a swimming pool!

Superior/ 4 star (from US$ 80 - US$ 110/ per room/night)

The 4* superior Hotels offer a wide range of services. Many superior hotels feature a choice of several in-house restaurants. In addition virtually all of them have a swimming pool. Some may even feature a spa or health club. This grade of hotel offers more for your enjoyment and comfort, while still remaining affordable.

Deluxe/ 5 Star (from US$120 - US$ 180++/ per room/night)

These 5* Deluxe hotels are usually owned by Worldwide, well known Hotel chains. The deluxe hotels feature excellent locations, offer the highest standards of service and facilities, and are known as the best hotels in each region. Facilities such as swimming pools and spas are the norm, and guest rooms are luxurious. These hotels offer first class service and amenities throughout.

ASIA ESSENCE TOURS™ BESPOKE STYLE SUITS EVERYONE

Flexibility: The sample itinerary can be modified to suit your interests, budget as well as your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination.

Tailor-Made Journey: This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of the trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.

Commitment to Excellence: We enjoys excellent relationships with all of the highly regarded hotels and finest properties in our destinations as well as with service suppliers so that we are able to negotiate the most attractive prices for our clients, which enables us to provide exclusive holidays and affordable special offers. We create one-of-a-kind vacations for groups and individuals. We love our destinations and do our best to make sure that our customers feel the same way. Our job is to make sure that everyone gets the right balance of comfort and excitement to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.