From the Golden Land to the Land of Smiles - Myanmar & Thailand
From Mandalay, To Bagan, Yangon, Kyaikktiyo, Hapa An, Mawlamyine, Myawaddy, Mae Sot, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Nabgkok - 12 Nights

Package Details

Overview

Myanmar: Learn about the rich Burmese culture as you discover Mandalay and its top attractions. Visit the ancient archeological wonders of Bagan. See the ‘heart’ of Buddhist Myanmar - the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and see the legendary Golden Rock at Kyaikhtiyo. Explore caves and trek mountains at Hpa Ann the city of Karen State. Meet the local people of Mawlamyaing on an island along the Thanlwin River.
Thailand: Visit Thailand’s most impressive World Heritage Site at Sukhothai Historical Park. Cruise along the Chao Phraya River and discover a place rich in history and culture.

Details

DAY 1
MANDALAY (ARRIVAL)
Greetings on arrival from your tour guide. If time permits stop briefly at the famous U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest teak footbridge that spans over the Taungthaman Lake. Hotel check in. The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure.
(-) Overnight in Mandalay

DAY 2
MANDALAY
Enjoy a city tour of Mandalay to discover splendid markets, monasteries, Indian temples, mosques and gold workshops. Visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, where the most revered Buddha image lives. Continue to a local workshop to observe the process of ‘Goldleaf beating’. We then visit a historic Buddhist monastery, the Shwenandaw Monastery before visiting a few important pagodas namely, the Kuthodaw Pagoda and Kyauktawgyi Pagoda. End our day watching a romantic sunset from the top of Mandalay Hill with sweeping views of Mandalay and its surroundings.
(B) Overnight in Mandalay

DAY 3
MANDALAY – MT. POPA – BAGAN
From Mandalay, transfer to Mt. Popa in the morning and reach Popa Mountain Resort in time for lunch. Enjoy lunch at the resort’s terrace offering the most prestigious views of Mt Popa with the glistening Taungkalat Monastery dramatically perched on top. Continue driving, along the way stopping by at local villages including a visit to the ‘Paing’ roadside shop to see locals climb up trees to harvest toddy juice. Arrival in Bagan late in the afternoon, hotel check in and free leisure in the evening.
(B,L) Overnight in Bagan

DAY 4
BAGAN
Explore an ancient city on a full day tour, first with a visit to the Nyaung U Market. See Bagan’s most significant temples and pagodas such as the Ananda Temple, Thatbyinnyu, Gubyaukgyi
and Dhammayangyi. Stop at a lacquerware workshop. In the afternoon, hop on a charming horse-cart ride as it takes you to a special spot where you can watch the sunset with views of the vast area of Bagan temples and the Ayeyarwaddy river.
(B) Overnight in Bagan

DAY 5
BAGAN – YANGON
Transfer to airport for flight to Yangon. Greetings and pick up on arrival. Continue to the heart of the city first stopping by at Chauk Htet Gyi Pagoda (Reclining Buddha). Enjoy a short leisurely
walk sightseeing downtown Yangon with its colonial-style architecture before we check in the hotel. After resting, we will visit the ‘heart’ of Buddhist Myanmar, the world famous, Shwedagon
Pagoda. Take your time, as you observe the surroundings and enjoy this fascinating place.
(B) Overnight in Yangon

DAY 6
YANGON – BAGO – KYAIKHTIYO
Drive northeast towards the ancient former capital, Bago, en-route stopping by to see the Kyaikpun Pagoda. On arrival in Bago stop by the impressive Kanbawzathadi Palace, a reflection of one of Myanmar’s glorious dynasties. Continue driving to Kyaikthto. From here hop on a track to the halfway station and walk up the rest to see the legendary ‘Golden Rock’. Enjoy a peaceful
sunset and a spiritual atmosphere.
(B) Overnight in Kyaikhtiyo

DAY 7
KYAIKHTIYO – HPA AN
Early risers can enjoy watching the sunrise at the Golden Rock (5-minute walk from hotel). Descend back to the base camp at Kinpun where your driver awaits. Journey south towards Hpa An. Along the way stopping by Baying Nyi Naung Gu Cave and Kawgun Caves both spectacular limestone caves. End the day sightseeing at Kyauk Kalat (Water Lake) Monastery.
(B) Overnight in Hpa An

DAY 8
HPA AN – MAWLAMYINE
Onwards on our journey to our next stop, Mawlamyine an attractive city, surrounded by a stupacapped hills and the sea. On our way, we will visit the Win Sein Taw Ya Pagoda to see the world’s
largest reclining Buddha. Arrive in Mawlamyine. From here visit Bilu Kyun (Ogre Island) home to palm-studded rice fields and fruit plantations with villages and workshops producing a variety of handicrafts. Finally visit the historical Seindone Mibaya Kyaung, a 100 year monastery made of wooden structure.
(B) Overnight in Mawlamyine

DAY 9
MAWLAMYINE – MYAWADDY (MAE SOT BORDER) (DEPARTURE) 
Transfer to Myawaddy Border Gate. Arrival mid-afternoon at the Immigration gate to cross border from Myanmar to Thailand. (Cross the border without tour guide). Arrive at Mae Sot Border where your tour guide and driver awaits. Welcome to Thailand! Transfer to hotel for check in. The rest of the day is free for leisure or relaxation.
(B) Overnight in Tak

DAY 10
MAE SOT (TAK) – SUKHOTHAI
After breakfast at the hotel continue overland to Sukhothai, a UNESCO World Heritage City of historical sites and temple ruins. Arrive in Sukhothai and check in your hotel. The rest of the day
is free to explore the charms of this rural city and its rustic lifestyle.
(B,L) Overnight in Sukhothai

DAY 11
SUKHOTHAI – AYUTTHAYA
Visit Sukhothai Historical Park ruins. Take your time and enjoy a leisurely walk seeing Thailand’s most impressive World Heritage Sites and learning about each of the ruin’s historical significance. Drive west to see the towering seated Buddha image at Wat Sri Chum. After lunch, continue driving to Ayutthaya until we reach our hotel for overnight.
(B, L) Overnight in Ayutthaya

DAY 12
AYUTTHAYA – BANGKOK
We continue to drive north of Ayutthaya to visit Bang Pa-In the former palace of Siam’s Kings. Board a local boat and travel upstream along the Chao Phraya River back to Ayutthaya. See Wat
Phanang Choeng and Wat Yai before we continue or drive to the final destination of our trip, Bangkok.
(B, L) Overnight in Bangkok

DAY 12
BANGKOK (DEPARTURE)
Transfer to airport for departure flight home

Guidepost Tours can arrange an extended stay in Bangkok or Thailand

Inclusions

All described sightseeing as in program above
Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle
Boat transfers and sightseeing as per program
Accommodation in hotels with daily breakfast
Domestic flight including airport tax
English-speaking local guides in each destination as per program detail
Admission fees to indicated sights
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (Meals: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Domestic gov’t tax and service charge

EXCLUDED SERVICES
International air tickets
Visa fees
Travel Insurance in all kinds
Meals: if not mentioned in itinerary
Compulsory Meals
Tip, drinks, any personal expenses
Early check-in and late check-out
All early and late airport transfers
Supplement for throughout guide service for any language
other than English-Speaking local guides in each destination
Camera / video fees
Hot air ballooning in Bagan in Day 3
Any services not mentioned in the program
Laundry, telephone calls and any other expenditure of a personal nature

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