Go off the beaten path to explore Myanmar's best sights: Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake.
Discover two cities in Thailand that embody Southeast Asia: exotic Bangkok and relaxing Phuket. Enjoy a Thai massage and relax on a sunny beach with cool water to help relieve your fatigue.
Enjoy the visual feast of your surroundings and set your mind free. You will be fully immersed in the local cultures, World Heritage religious treasures, and lifestyles.
Days
14
Price
US$3,974 P/P
Best For
Discovery-seekers
Best Time
Nov. to Apr.
Tour Highlights
We have just returned from an amazing trip to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Our travel adviser Albee Ning prepared a wonderful itinerary taking us to great locations with creative activities highlighting local culture.
We traveled with Asia Highlights (Lissie was our agent) several years ago when we went to Saigon, and the experience was so positive, we automatically went to Asia Highlights again for an extensive trip to Southeast Asia.
Itinerary Details
This 14-day natural and cultural adventure covers Myanmar's highlights and the essence of Thailand. This classic route has been defined as being fascinating by travelers. Your experienced guide will make adjustments to meet your expectations if you want to change any part of your trip.
Upon arrival, your guide and driver will greet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day to adjust to the jetlag or spend some leisure time wandering around your hotel.
Jump onto a train at Yangon Circular Railway for an overview of this city. This journey takes about 3 hours even though it's only for a distance of 45 kilometers. Being seated among different commuters on their way to schools, offices, and marketplaces will give you a better idea about the local people's daily lives and you will learn why Yangon is more laid-back compared with other capital cities in Southeast Asia.
A museum is the best place to learn about a city quickly so visit the National Museum of Myanmar to learn more about this city. U Thant House, the residence of the former UN Secretary-General U Thant, is a window for you to learn about his life and story.
If you want to witness how important the giant reclining Buddha is to local devotees, Chaukhtatgyi Paya is a must-see. The Shwedagon Pagoda is the holiest place for local devotees and is also the landmark of Yangon. This gilded pagoda is studded with nearly 5,000 diamonds and some gems. When the sun is setting, the pagoda glitters in the dusk. You are presented with a picturesque, sacred, and particularly soul-touching picture.
Before you go to the airport and leave for Mandalay, pay a visit to Aung San Suu Kyi's house. Under house arrest, she spent 15 years of her life at this house.
After a 35-minute flight, you will arrive in Mandalay. Your Mandalay tour starts with a visit to the Bagaya Monastery, which is home to many monks and novices, offering free education for local youths at the same time. Spend some time exploring the historical site of Sinkyone Fortress. Even though there aren't many buildings there now, you can still understand that it played an important role during the British conquest in the 19th century.
Hold your breath and be amazed by the sight of U Bein Bridge stretching its enchanting outline in the fading light of the day.
Mandalay is the second-largest city in Myanmar. The Burmese deity and ethnic identity are fully expressed in this city.
You will start the day at the Mahamuni Buddha Temple. Local devotees get up early in the morning and go there regularly for a daily face washing ceremony (this starts at 4am), with offerings that include fresh towels, flowers, and food.
A special teak monastery named Shwe Inn Pin Monastery differs from others as more than 30 monks live there. You will learn about the monks' daily lives by chatting with one of them.
Exploring Kuthodaw Pagoda before lunchtime, you will learn why it deserves the reputation of being the world's largest book.
Learn the craft of making gold leaf at a factory and show your generosity by putting gold leaf on the largest Buddha image in Mahanyatmuni Pagoda, just like the locals.
Climb up Mandalay Hill for incredible views if you still feel energetic or go back to your hotel to catch up with some rest.
(Please note: The main chamber of the Mahamuni Buddha Temple is available for male visitors only. Female visitors can watch a live video in the front foyer.)
Say goodbye to Mandalay and land in Bagan on a morning flight. After checking in at your hotel, escape from the crowded city and head towards West Pwasaw Village for a Burmese cooking class.
Learn about recipes and ingredients (mainly fish products and raw vegetables) from your friendly and experienced chef, then head up to the kitchen and cook some Burmese cuisine. Afterward, treat your palate with some homemade delicacies. Knowing that some of the cost for the cooking class is donated to support schooling and housing in the community makes your cuisine even better.
The Shwezigon Pagoda, constructed in 1060, is the antecedent of a Burmese-style pagoda. It's also the most recognized shrine in Nyaung-U.
The stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bagan Archaeological Zone, is an ideal destination for every traveler. Adorned by the morning mist, hundreds and thousands of temples, stupas, and pagodas sprawl out solemnly and magnificently. Covering 25 square kilometers, you will visit typical sites, such as the Ananda Temple, Dhammayangyi Temple, the Mahabodhi Temple, and Dhammayangyi Temple.
Please note that an optional hot-air balloon flight is available: Take a 1-hour balloon flight over Bagan to get the best panoramic view of temples, stupas, and pagodas, which will undoubtedly become one of the most poetic and picturesque moments in your lifetime. Available reservation time: October to March, with a fixed schedule every morning. A sunset flight is available upon special request. This activity is in great demand so it's recommended to make a reservation 3 months in advance to secure your booking.
It takes about 40 minutes to get from Bagan to Heho (the airport town near Inle Lake) by flight. Inle Lake, situated at a higher altitude, greets you with its cool breeze.
Have lunch in a floating restaurant and start your journey. You may have questions about the floating houses and gardens, and how the local fishermen row their boats with one leg. As your boat cruises along the lush water and past the tranquil villages, you will learn about the ethnic cultures, traditions, and lifestyles from your knowledgeable guide. The locals collect weeds from the depths of the lake to fertilize vegetables and fruits in their farmlands. The lake is their homeland, which they build and develop from generation to generation.
Time spent at Inle Lake is never boring and a visit to a local market makes your journey even more delightful. Explore one of the village's local markets, which is held every 5 days. Busy with boats crossing the water, a bustling market, and exquisite handicrafts, you will have a better insight into how the locals trade and live.
Boating through narrow riverbanks and sneaking into a hidden path, the magnificent Indein Pagoda complex will burst into your view. Hundreds of small stupas spring out at the lakeshore and the moss-covered surfaces tell you about their historical story. There's no need to control your heartbeat from getting such a pleasant surprise; just enjoy it and commit this charming sight to memory.
It's hard to end this unforgettable Myanmar journey but exotic Bangkok awaits you. A private transfer from the airport to your hotel is provided. Settle into your hotel and relax.
Bangkok is not only the capital of Thailand but also a bustling, exotic city for travelers.
Traffic jams can't be avoided if you don't pick the right time to go out. Your local guide will transfer you to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market early in the morning to catch the best time to visit (8–10am) to avoid the tourist crowds. Take a long-tail boat down to the floating market — paddling along the canal among lots of boats, the picture-postcard images you've seen before become a reality.
After spending 1 to 2 hours at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, you will return to Bangkok to visit three highlights: the spectacular Grand Palace, the impressive Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the famous Jim Thompson House.
There are no activities in the morning so you can get up late or wander around your hotel before taking an afternoon flight to Phuket.
It's time to switch into vacation mode after landing in Phuket.
Sunshine, beaches, and cool water — enjoy your vacation as you wish.
Fly to Bangkok to catch your onward flight back home. Global Highlights is more than happy to be part of your unforgettable 14-day Myanmar and Thailand tour, and we hope to help you again soon.
Price Includes
Price from: $3,974 (Tour code: gh-ah-9)
Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
Trip Notes
Seasonal information
The best time to visit Myanmar is RIGHT NOW! Whatever season you come, Myanmar presents its best with a delicately-designed journey.
Some people prefer the cool and cozy air during the cool season, which is from late September to next year's February. This is considered the peak season of Myanmar; travel costs is relatively higher than the off season, yet the greatest part is you get great weather and good chance for hot air balloon flight in Bagan.
Visiting Myanmar during summer time, March to September, is also a brilliant choice as for the cost and also, you wouldn't be troubled with big travel groups. We will pace out your journey with short breaks during the rounds of sightseeing.
As for Thailand such an all-time favorite destination, winter time is also the best time to travel yet you should be noted that some hotels will charge extra for rooms and complosary dinner during the Christmas and New Year.
Visas
People of all nationalities, except those from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are required to obtain visa for Myanmar. You may apply for E-Visa online by yourself or we can issue you an approval letter for visa proceedure at the airport.
Approval Letter will be used for eVisa application for air entry. Take your passport and 1 passport-size photo to get your passport stamped at one of the airports of Yangon, Mandalay or Nap Pyi Taw, with no extra cost at the airport.
For more information, please take some time reading over Myanmar Visas and How to Apply for.
For Thailand, besides the countries with exemption, most nationalities are granded with a single-entry Visa-on-Arrival at some major internationall airports. Cost ranges from USD50 to USD80 per person.
General information for accommodation in Myanmar
Most hotels for foreign tourists in Myanmar were built in the late 1990's without A/C and limited choices. It is until recent years that A/C rooms and family rooms have become a standard for hotels when more and more foreign-funded hotels are being built. Hotels of Global Highlights' selection are all with A/C and rooms of at least 30㎡. To ensure a cozy stay, Global Highlights would suggest you choose hotels at a higher ranking.
Meals
Daily breakfast at hotels and a lunch for days with sightseeing are included, so are some dinners as mentioned in the itinerary. For meals that are not included, your tour guides will suggest where and what to eat.
Food in these countries is mainly rice-based and you will eat a lot of vegetables, fish, chicken and beef. If you would like to make special arrangements, such as Halal or Kosher food, or none-dairy, please inform your travel advisor at the time of inquiry. We will do our best to accommodate you.
Just a heads-up: Halal options can be very limited in Bagan and Inle Lake, and we will use common restaurants and make special orders upon your permission.
Transportation
You will have a private car in each destination; our cars are within 5 years of usage and your private drivers will be polite and drive with strong regard for safety.
Internal flights are operated by Myanmar and Thailand's national airlines.
In Myanmar, most airlines operate flights in the early morning. Although it might be a bit tiring at the beginning, good things are that the flights are fairly short, within one hour, and you get much time for activities or leisure in the next destination.
As for overland connection, please be noted that road conditions are not very delightful in Myanmar and we wouldn't put you through discomfort from city to city as the 100km distance might take up to 5 hours.
In Thailand, there are refquent flights between two major tourist cities, thus we will update the fligt information once confirmed.
Arrangements
Sightseeing, activities and accommodations that are mentioned in this tour you are looking at are just for your inspiration.
If you want to have a free afternoon upon arrival in Inle Lake, we will remove the afternoon boat trip; if you would like to have a candle-lit dinner among Bagan's temples, special arranges will be made; it is always up to you to make the trip just the right way you want.
If you are looking for experiences that are not done by others, Discovery your way, Global Highlights' motto suites you the best.
Responsible Travel
Travel avails you with special experiences. Somehow its impact on the local community can be more beyond imagination and what Global Highlights wishes to do is lead the impact onto a good path, a path that helps the local people (not only your tour guides) boarden their outlook and the local communities develop.
Some lunches are served at local restaurants that are also training centers for former street kids. Taking baby steps one at a time, we highly appreciate you would like to be part of it (of course, we can make other arrangements if needed).
With that being said, detours to so-called factories or specialty workshops are strictly prohibited. We make sure your tour guides earn enough to support their families without squeezing commissions out of you.
Why Travel with Global Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
