21 Days Myanmar and Cambodia Tour with Irrawaddy River Cruise

Meals: B

Rise early in the morning to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda which is the largest pagoda painted with real gold in Yangon. The benefit for visiting the pagoda in the early morning is that you will enjoy a quiet and extremely peaceful atmosphere to watch local people and monks pray in front of the Pagoda.

Transfer back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast you will visit the Reclining Buddha (Chaok-Htat-Gyi) and Mahabandoola Park.

Have some rest after lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy your free time to wander the Bogyoke Market. Then stroll around the busy streets of Yangon’s famous China Town and Yangon Jetty. Finish the day at the riverside where is flanked by colonize style buildings, which will give you the impression of old-time Myanmar.

Overnight in Yangon.

Flight: Domestic flight is on GTT arrangement

Meals: B

Transfer to airport for onward flight to Heho where you will be picked up and transfer you to your hotel by the lakeside of Inle Lake.

Inle Lake locates in the highland of Myanmar in an altitude of around 3,000 feet above sea level. Here you will enjoy different atmospheres and ambiance from the middle part of Myanmar.

After check-in hotel, enjoy your day at leisure to relax.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Meals: B

Take a boat through the Inn Thein creek, and you’ll get to Indein village. There are two groups of pagodas ruins to explore, Nyaung Ohak and Shwe Inn Thein.

The pagoda complex of Nyaung Ohak dates back to the 16th century, and you can see the traces of time clearly. Plants and trees spring up over these pagodas. Slow down your pace to marvel at the detailed sculptures of celestial beings and mythological animals.

From Nyaung Ohak, a 700-meter covered walkway leads up to Shwe Inn Thein, where you can see hundreds of pagodas in the 17th and 18th centuries. You can also get a stunning view of Indein village and the surrounding area.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Meals: B

After breakfast, drive to Taung Gyi, the capital city of Shan State. On the way, you can visit the first Official Vineyard of Myanmar producing the wine called Ayetharyar Wine. You can stop at the factory viewing the Vines on the hill-side and try the four different Wines at the Winery Bar enjoy the view overlooking the whole vineyard.

Continue your drive to Taung Gyi and pick up your local Pa-O Guide at the Pa-O National Organization Head-quarters. The Kakku Pagoda Complex is situated in the Pa-O Territory and it is a must to register and buy the entrance ticket at that office as well as to have a Pa-O accompany. Then, drive to Kakku (approx: 2 and a half hour). You will drive past several Pa-O villages on the way and also the fertile lands; Wheat, Sesame, Rice, Cauliflower, Onions and some vegetables are grown in those fields and make some stops to take the photos.

Upon arrival at Kakku, you may enjoy lunch first or you can explore Kakku Pagoda Complex first. Kakku has more than 2000 Shan Style pagodas and the complex is well-preserved by the PNO. You can spend more or less one hour walking around in the precinct taking pictures, observing the tiny figures on the small temples. Walk up to the central Pagoda and meet with the Swine Statue from the legend of pagoda complex.

In the afternoon, drive back to Taung Gyi and you can visit one of the Pa-O villages on the way.

Overnight in Inle lake.

Flight: Domestic flight is on GTT arrangement

Meals: B

Transfer to airport for domestic flight to Bagan in the early morning. Upon arrival in Bagan, you will be welcomed by your local guide at the airport and then transfer you to the hotel.

In Bagan, you will be amazed by the thousands of Buddhist pagodas spread on the plain. These pagodas used to own by individual families during its prosperous time.

Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Bagan.

Meals: B

You will visit the Nyaung Oo Market where local people buying food in daily life and the Shwezigon Pagoda which is the largest pagoda in Bagan painted with real gold.

Have a rest at the hotel during the hottest time in the afternoon. Then it's time to enjoy a Horse Cart Ride for the sunset. You can climb up to the top of the Shwesandaw Pagoda for sunset and then take the horse cart back to the hotel. It will be an unforgettable memory of taking the horse cart ride to travel through the pagodas when it is quiet in the dusk.

Overnight in Bagan.

Meals: B

In the morning, drive to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano with its golden shrines.

Situated 50 km southeast of Bagan, this solitary peak showcases the Popa Taungkalat shrine, the favored home of Myanmar's most powerful "Nats" (local spirits), statues of which can be found at its base. These spirits were once so important to the country's early Kings that it was essential for them to consult the Nats before commencing their reign. The shrine is located at the top of the mountain, and if you have the energy, climb to the top (well worth the climb!). Along the way, there are a multitude of monkeys expecting a treat!

On the way back, stop by a local village to learn about local culture and lifestyle. Then enjoy lunch at a hill resort. Also, visit a palm sugar workshop, where the harvested nectar from local trees is cooked into the sugar cubes that you see in teashops.

Overnight in Bagan.

Meals: B

Enjoy a exciting morning Hot Air Balloon Ride in Bagan.

Ordinarily an average of 45 mins of flight duration is expected. However, the entire experience will last about 2 1/2 hours.

On landing, our fully trained Myanmar ground crew will pack the balloon whilst passengers enjoy a glass or two of celebratory champagne. Balloons over Bagan is a private Myanmar company that is committed to the preservation of Bagan and its environment. A contribution from each flight will be donated to community programmes that directly benefit the local population.

The rest of the day you can relax in hotel, or take a biking tour through the pagoda area to discover more interesting sites of Bagan.

Overnight in Bagan.

Meals: B / L / D

After breakfast, you can enjoy relaxing time until transfer to Irrawaddy Princess Jetty. Then, enjoy the welcome cocktail in Saloon and check in.

After lunch, you will sail upstream to Salay, a small town founded in the 13th century with Bagan-era shrines, beautiful 19th century teak monasteries and preserved buildings.

In the late afternoon, stop at the typical river village.

Overnight in Cruise.

Meals: B / L / D

In the early morning, you will continue upstream to Yandabo Village, a village famous for the production of terracotta from the riverbank clay.

Here, you will see the pottery making process at various stages. After a short excursion, you will return back on board and continuous upstream.

Finally, moor overnight near Myin Mu.

Overnight in the Cruise.

Meals: B / L / D

Today, you will arrive at Monywa in the morning. After Breakfast, you will go to visit the splendid Sambuddhia Kat Kyaw Pagoda where more than 500,000 Buddha statues are placed. Then, your tour continues to Kyaukka Village to visit a "plain lacquer" ware type workshop.

Called in Myanmar "Kyauk Kar", this kind of lacquerware has only two colors, black, and red made by natural pigments and the Aung Sakyar Stupa with the longest reclining Buddha of Myanmar.

Overnight in the Cruise.

Meals: B / L / D

Today, continue sailing upstream and upon arrival to the Royal Capital of Inwa (Ava). You will head to explore Ava by horse-cart. Here, you can visit the beautiful 200-year-old teak Bagaya Kyaung Monastery, Nanmyin watchtower (27mt. high), and the Me Nu Ok Kyaung Monastery.

After the tour, back to the cruise and continue sailing upstream until arriving at Sagaing.

In Sagaing, you will spend 2.5 hours on an excursion by coach. You will explore the most important Buddhist Religion Site.

Afterwards, back to the board and sail downstream. You may enjoy the sunset over Sagaing Hill if the weather permits. Tonight, you will moor overnight at a sandbank mid-stream, near Sagaing.

Overnight in the Cruise.

Meals: B / L / D

In the early morning, your tour will continue sail upstream to the Mingun Pagoda Complex. Here, you will visit the Mingun Bell, weighing 90 tones and the biggest hanging undamaged bell in the world and the "Home For The Aged". After the tour, sailing downstream to Gaw Win Jetty.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Mahamuni Buddha Image by coach. It is a bronze Buddha image castled during the lifetime of Buddha himself. Then, move on to visit tapestry works, wood carving, bronze casting workshops, marble carving workshop, and silk weaving home cottage.

Next, you will go to see the Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery,and other attractions here. Finally, you'll return back to Cruise.

Overnight in the Cruise.

Meals: B

Today is your final day for the cruise. Continue sailing downstream. You are expected to get up early to enjoy the stunning sunrise. After breakfast, you will disembark at Shwe Kyat Yet Jett.

The rest of the day free at your own leisure.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Meals: B

In the morning, drive about 30 minutes to get to Sagaing which is located by the Ayeyarwady River.

Cross the Innwa Bridge that is built by the British in 1934. Firstly you will visit the Maha Ganayon Kyaung Monastery to see hundreds of monks lining up for daily meals at 10:15 am.

Continue to visit Kaung Mu Taw Pagoda, a dome-shaped pagoda rising up to 46 meters. At the base of the pagoda, there are 812 stone pillars, each one with a hollow and an image of a Nat in it. Followed by Sagaing Hill, with a number of small pagodas and meditation centers. Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda also sits here. You can stop at a monastery and talk with monks while taking a cup of green tea.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Sagaing and take a short break. Then head to Amarapura, known as the City of Immortality, situates 11 km to the south of Mandalay. Here you will first visit the U Bein Bridge which is 1.2 kilometers long and turns out to be the longest teakwood bridge in the world.

Then visit to Bagaya Monastery that is decorated with splendid Burmese architectural works such as carvings, floral arabesques, curved figurines and the reliefs of birds and animals. Then go to Nagayon Temple. The roof of the temple is draped by the naga Mucalinda, who protected the Buddha from the elements while achieving enlightenment.

Drive back to Mandalay and enjoy your free time.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Flight: International flight include and arranged by GTT

Meals: B

After breakfast, the guide will escort you to the airport for your next destination - Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Upon arrival, your private local guide will welcome you in the airport then escort you to your hotel to check in.

Rest of the day at your leisure to relax and explore the city.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY18

Meals: B

Breakfast is at hotel. We depart hotel at 8.00am for full day guided Angkor exploration, start with the south gate of Angkor Thom atop 4 giant faces, stroll to explore Bayon temple consisting of more than 200 smiling faces in stone, admired by interesting temples including Baphuon, Phimeanakas, terrace of leper king, terrace of elephant & Ta Prohm temple adorned with the stunning tree roots where Lara Croft Tomb Raider was filmed. 

After lunch, continue to witness the marvelous Angkor Wat – the world’s heritage listed by UNESCO in 1992 and the largest monument in the world. Unlock the amazing history, its ancestral incredible, architectural masterpieces and the finest carvings dates back to the Khmer Empire when it dominated the largest parts of Southeast Asia. On your way back to Siem Reap, enjoy the sunset from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Pre Rup.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY19

Meals: B 

In the morning, a half day excursion to the biggest Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake-Tonle Sap Lake. You’ll take a fun ox cart ride through the countryside, continue on a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful lake views and mangrove forests. Spend rest of the morning at Kompong Phluk, the largest village on the lake, to discover the fascinating daily lifestyle of the local people who live on the water.

This evening you’ll be picked up at your hotel for an evening private food tour by vespa through the heart of Siem Reap. The tours provide a unique opportunity to learn about Cambodian life and culture. You’ll sample authentic Khmer dishes in a variety of off-the-beaten-tourist-path settings, from street-side food stalls to busy local markets. We'll introduce you to popular Khmer market specialties and street snacks, plus a few of Cambodia's exotic tropical fruits.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY20

Meals: B

This morning visit the Angkor Silk farm offers free guided tours of the process from the mulberry bushes cultivation to the production of silk fabrics and accessories. As the Silk Farm covers an area of 8 hectares, of which 5 are used for the mulberry trees plantation, you will enjoy the beautiful setting while learning about the fascinating process of silk-making.

On the way back we will stop to visit Senteurs D’Angkor Founded in 1999, Senteurs d’Angkor has succeeded in relying on local resources to develop an original and local craft industry of high quality, maintaining working conditions that are respectful to people. Thus, our staff have good terms of employment and social protection.

Next visit the Artisans Angkor workshop where they are reviving ancient Khmer Arts & Crafts while improving the lives of thousands of people living in rural areas.

For a unique experience this evening our driver will take you to see a performance of the Phare Cambodian Circus from the best VIP seats in the house.  Theater, story, dance, high-energy music and circus acts tell uniquely Cambodian stories.  These circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Meals: B

Today, the guide will transfer you to the airport. Hope you have a nice trip home and look forward to traveling with you again!

Service End.