Myanmar & Thailand Adventure - 14 Days

Highlights

• Take in aerial views over the temples of Bagan
• See “The World’s Biggest Book” in Mandalay
• Visit the iconic Buddha on Indein, located on Inle Lake
• Witness the "water people" and their floating vendor stalls in Bangkok
• Snorkel off the coast of Phuket

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Yangon

Welcome to Myanmar! The former capital, Yangon,
 is Myanmar's largest city and continues to be the country's most important
 commercial hub. After checking into your hotel, visit Kyauktatgyi Pagoda, home to a large reclining Buddha 
statue. Afterward, you'll make a quick stop
 at the Royal Lake in Kandawgyi Park, then visit the legendary 
Shwedagon Pagoda.  

Day 2: Yangon to Bagan


This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bagan. You'll go to an elevated location amid the temple plains to observe the pagodas and temples from above. Have a look around Ananda Temple—one of the 
most recognizable of Bagan’s temples—and break for lunch before driving to the river and boarding a wooden boat for a peaceful cruise down the Irrawaddy River.

Day 3: Bagan

Visit Shwezigon Pagoda, constructed by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century. You will then travel to a small village where you can walk around and get a glimpse of the life of Bagan’s residents, followed by a visit to lesser-known temples in the area. In the afternoon, tour Old Bagan and Ananda Temple, an architectural work of art and one of Bagan’s most recognizable temples.

Day 4: Bagan to Mandalay

Take a flight to Mandalay. You'll visit Mahamuni, the pagoda that houses one of the country’s most honored Buddha images, and Kuthodaw Pagoda, frequently dubbed as “The World’s Biggest Book” for its collection of 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings. Go to Shwenandaw Monastery before sunset, when you'll stroll along the legendary U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world.

Day 5: Mandalay to Heho

Fly to Heho and transfer to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, you will have an opportunity to visit rural workshops that specialize in traditional Shan paper and unique handcrafted umbrellas.

Later, go for a cruise on the canal that leads to the open lake. The quiet waters of Inle Lake are dotted with floating gardens and stilt houses. Discover Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main haven, which contains five sacred images of Buddha decorated in gold leaf.

Day 6: Inle Lake & Indein

On a boat, you'll travel to the Pa-Oh village of Indein, positioned on the western shores of Inle Lake. Climb the staircase to the pagoda complex to see the iconic Buddha figure enshrined among hundreds of stupa ruins. Enjoy views over the lake before boarding the boat to cruise past more stilted villages and native communities.

Day 7: Yangon to Bangkok

Leave Myanmar behind for Thailand. After your flight to Bangkok, you'll have free time to settle in and explore the city before the next day's excursions.

Consider visiting the Bangkok Art and Culture Center, or shop and get a bite to eat on Khao San Road. Catch a sunset view of Wat Arun Temple, on the water's edge, if you can. Then get some rest before the second part of the itinerary begins.

Day 8: Bangkok

Today's devoted to sightseeing in Bangkok. Go to the Grand Palace, the most important royal palace in Thailand, Wat Pho, one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, and board a boat to cruise along the canal of Thonburi and get a glimpse of the everyday life of the famous "water people" of Thailand.

Day 9: Bangkok - Ratchaburi - Kanchanaburi

In the early morning, travel to the well-known Damnoen Saduak floating market, where local vendors buy and sell goods almost entirely on water. Jump in a canoe and gently glide on the canals among hundreds of small boats loaded with all kinds of goods, from juicy fruits to colorful fabrics. In the afternoon, go for a train ride on the "Death Railway"—the tracks snake high along the cliffs on a solid wooden support system.

Day 10: Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya

Discover the ruins of Ayutthaya, which give a glimpse into the past and the city destroyed by the Burmese army in 1767. Visit Wat Chai Wattanaram, one of the most imposing of the remaining monuments of old Ayutthaya, and check out the luminous bronze Buddha at Wat Phra Mongkhon Bophit before visiting the Royal Monastery.

Day 11: Ayutthaya - Bangkok - Phuket

After checking out, transfer to Bangkok airport for your flight to Phuket. The rest of the day is free to relax on white sandy beaches, explore the old town, and feast on fresh seafood.

Visit marketplaces in Phuket City, go out for drinks in Patong, the island's main resort town, or venture by car to the Big Buddha, a giant Buddha image situated atop the Nakkerd Hills.

Day 12: Phuket Tour

On a guided tour, you'll take a speedboat to Phi Phi Island, one of Thailand's most famous beaches. Relax on Monkey Beach and snorkel in the afternoon at Bamboo Island or Khai Nai Island, depending on the tide.

At night, check out the lively food and drink scene at one of Phuket's famous night markets, like Chillva Market in Phuket Town.

Day 13: Relaxing on Phuket

You'll have the whole day to do as you please in this island paradise: sleep in, sunbathe, go snorkeling or diving, or just walk on the beach and enjoy the scenery. Eager to see more island scenery? Take a boat tour to Khao Phing Kan, located in Phang Nga Bay northeast of Phuket. Offshore, you'll see a strikingly tall and narrow islet called Ko Ta Pu or Ko Tapu. Thanks to its appearance on film, it's known as "James Bond Island."

Day 14: International Departure

Your time in Thailand has come to a close. You'll transfer to the airport to catch your flight home. Safe travels!