Highlights of Myanmar & Northern Vietnam 18 Days

Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide who will escort you to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to downtown with a brief introduction en route. Your guide will be holding a welcome signboard with the ASIA TOUR ADVISOR LOGO & your name. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the tree-lined boulevards, French Indochinese architecture and tranquil lakes of this unique city.

Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city and home to seven million people. Traditional and refined with French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, scenic lakes and a bustling Old Quarter, Hanoi has a sophisticated charm. Observe locals practicing Tai Chi by the lake, with barbers and food vendors plying their sidewalk trade.

Notes:
+ Hotel check-in time is from 14:00/ early check-in subject to room availability
+ We’re flexible to switch the itinerary if you want to start/finish your trip in another city

About 7h45 – 8h30am: We pick you up at your hotel, departure for Hoa Lu - Tam Coc, enjoying the beautiful sceneries of the rural areas on the way

10.30: After arriving in Ninh Binh province, the guide takes you to visit Hoa Lu - the Ancient Royal capital of Viet Nam. We will visit Dinh king temple and Le king temple.In the 10th century, finding out the heroic histories of this two Kings in Chinese Wars. After that, we go to Tam Coc (10 km far from Hoa Lu).Have lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch you will get on bamboo boat - rowed by the local people - in Hoang Long river to visit Tam Coc (three caves) on the way. You pass through three enormous caves that provide a brief respite from the intense summer sun. It takes approximately two hours to go up and down the river and along the way, you witness local fisherfolk, village life along the river and, of course, the striking limestone karst formations that Tam Coc is famous for.If you like to go biking, it is a good idea. You will have chance to visit real villages and amazing landscapes by bicycle about one hour (from Restaurant).
16.00: We take the car come back Ha Noi and will be in Hanoi around 18:00. Enjoy your leisure evening.

After breakfast at your hotel .The guide pick you up at your hotel and then visit the capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our days' tour will visit the highlights.

See the grand and solemn mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov), the 'icon of Hanoi' - The One Pillar Pagoda, West Lake's Tran Quoc temple. After lunch, visit the beautiful Temple of Literature, take a cycle for visiting the bustling Old Quarter .

You will be transfered to a mini hotel to store luggages. Have room for shower from 17h30 to 20h30.Dinner by yourself and free time until about 20h45,our guide come to pick you up from your hotel then transfer to Ha Noi Railway Station and catch the night train to Lao Cai (overnight on the train, the cabin with 4 berths, soft sleeper and air-conditioning, sharing toilet, no bathroom). Arrive Lao Cai 5:30 or 6:00am the next morning

The train arrives at around 6:00 am. Look for the “Trekking Sapa’s Logo & Your Name” sign when you exit the train station, as our guide will pick you up there and transfer to the former hill station of Sapa

After having breakfast at local restaurant, Walking through the town for about 20 minutes before turning to a dirt road to Ma Tra Village, where inhabited by Black H'mong ethic. Continue trekking up the village and getting through paddies fields will lead you to an ancient Catholic abbey, built by French colonists.

Walk 2 km more to reach Ta Phin Village for exploring the daily life of Red Dzao. Here you have a good choices to buy woven and textile brocades, which is made by ethic people and having picnic lunch before exploring village and Ta Phin Cave and small hamlet of Black H'mong people. At the end of day, return to Sapa. Rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Following a hotel breakfast, meet your guide in the morning and depart on a second trek from the town of Sapa to Golden Stream valley. Today’s trekking offers more stunning views of rice terraces and gardens as well as Mt Fansipan, whose summit rises 10,312 feet (3,143 meters) above sea level.After crossing a suspension bridge, marvel at the breathtaking scenery as you continue through the Golden Stream valley, stopping at Lao Chai village for lunch. After your meal, follow your guide on a walk through this village where Black Hmong people reside, and continue on to Ta Van village, home to the Dzay tribe. This part of the hike is relatively easy, though the trail can be quite slippery if it rains, so good footwear is recommended. You’ll visit with some local families and learn about their daily lifestyle and fascinating culture, before departing to the main road to meet up with your driver and return to Sapa.A shower is available at our office, followed by an afternoon free to explore the town on your own. In the evening, The car will pick you up for the night train back to Hanoi. Arrive at Lao Cai train station and take the night train back to Hanoi.

We'll pick you up at hotel in Ninh Binh and drive through the verdant Red River Delta to make our way to the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Halong Bay. You'll board a luxury junk ship for an overnight cruise-- while you relax on-board you can marvel at the incredible limestone karsts that jut out of the sea and the thousands of jungle-covered islands that seem to float on the waves. The turquoise waters of the Gulf of Tonkin swirl around hidden grottoes and ancient caves to create an enchanting, timeless world.

We'll serve you a fresh seafood lunch while you sit back and relax as you enjoy the incredible view with a drink in your hand. We'll take you to a traditional fishing village where the locals have created an entire town on the decks of their boats, then you can explore Tien Ong Cave before returning to the cruise for cocktails, canapés, and a spectacular sunset. End your day with a romantic, candlelit dinner.

Begin the day with a Tai Chi class on deck in the early morning mist or just admire the beautiful scenery as the sun rises over the azure waters. Choose between an excursions to a secluded island with a sandy beach for a swim or join the chef for a cooking demonstration to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine. Enjoy a leisurely brunch while your junk cruises Halong Bay, passing islets and caves as you make your way back to the dock.

Your driver will meet you when you disembark and transfer you straight to the airport for a short flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, you will be met outside the baggage claim area by your guide who will escort you to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to downtown with a brief introduction en route. Check in to hotel.

After breakfast at hotel, start sightseeing with Sule Pagoda in the city center. Enjoy your time seeing the colonial buildings and visit Mahabandoola Park which includes the Independence Monument, an obelisk which commemorates Burmese independence gained from the British in 1948.

Next visit Chaukhtatgyi (Reclining Buddha) Pagoda a colossal reclining Buddha and Karaweik Hall a Royal barge on the Royal Lake for photo stop. Then, proceed to National Museum and enjoy your time observing Myanmar’s ancient handicrafts, history and culture. Next stop is Bogyoke Market where you can buy souvenirs. Then, visit Yangon’s city center covering World famous Shwedagon Pagoda. Witness the golden dome light up sunshine at the sunset. Overnight at hotel in Yangon.

After breakfast at hotel, proceed to airport for the flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, drive to Mahagandayon Monastery where hundreds of young Novice (Sanga) studying Buddhist Literatures with strictly obeying rule and regulation of the Monastery according to Buddha teaching.

In the afternoon, cross the small river by ferry boat to make joyful excursion by horse cart at Ava (Innwa); it was one of ancient Myanmar capitals before British annexation in 1885. Next, proceed to Sagaing Hill, which is perhaps the living center of Buddhist faith in Myanmar today. Hillsides are dotted with numerous Pagodas and Monasteries. Continue to visit Khaungmudaw Pagoda. Then, transfer back to U-Bein bridge and enjoy sunset before going back to Hotel.

Have breakfast at hotel. Depart Mandalay on a private boat along the Ayeyarwaddy River to visit Mingun, a village on the west bank of the river. Visit to Settawya Pagoda, Mingun Pahtotawgyi, and the world renowned ringing Mingun Bell and Myatheintan Pagoda.

In the afternoon, visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, Kyauktawgyi Pagoda a large Buddha image carved out of a single block of marble, Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace)noted for its exquisite wood carving, Kuthodaw Pagoda known as the world’s Biggest Book for its stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures and Mandalay Palace. Overnight at hotel in Mandalay.

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Monywa. Visit to a sandstone cave Po Win Daung, named after a famous “Zawgyi” (alchemist) who once lived here. The Caves of Po Win Daung, numbering more than one hundred, are full of Buddhist statues and murals.

Most exhibit the AVA style but some may date from the 14th Century. Nearby, visit Shwe Ba Daung which features unique pavilions cut from the surrounding sandstone and filled with Buddha images. Overnight at hotel in Monywa.

After breakfast at hotel, proceed to Pakokku, lying across the historic Bagan, it is likely the most popular town of the region and traditionally noted for its impressive Buddhist learning centers and weaving, the latter is now sharply decreased. Newly built bridge is enlisted as the longest bridge in Myanmar.

Visit local market and transfer to jetty by private boat to Bagan. Upon arrival, drive to hotel. Along the way, see nature of local people and beautiful scenery. Overnight at hotel in Bagan.

Enjoy breakfast at hotel. Then, start sightseeing by visiting to the colorful Nyaung U Market, Shwezigon Pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa, Kyansittha Umin; Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple, with superb mural paintings of jataka scenes and Htilominlo Temple.

After the must visit to lacquer ware workshop; continue to Manuha Temple; Nanphaya, the residence of Kind Manuha; Ananda Temple, architectural master piece and Oak-Kyaung monastery decorated with multi colors paintings. Enjoy the breath taking sunset from sunset platform. Overnight at hotel in Bagan.

Have breakfast at hotel, then, start morning sightseeing with Lawkananda Pagoda; East and West Phet Leik with clay plaque Jataka scenes; Thatbyinnyu Temple; Shwegugyi Temple; Palace site and Tharaba Gate.

Tour includes Apeyadana Templewith the paintings of Mahayana concept; Nagayon Temple; Dhamayangyi Temple, a massive Temple with finest brick work. Proceed to an ancient Pagoda to enjoy sunset. Overnight at hotel in Bagan.

After breakfast at hotel, proceed to airport for the flight to Heho. Then, drive to Pindaya, through picturesque scenery.

Visit Pindaya caves, Pindaya lakes; home base paper making and umbrella making industry. Overnight at hotel in Pindaya.

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Nyaung Shwe jetty by car and start full day Inle lake sightseeing by boat starting visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Floating Gardens, Unique Leg-rowers, Traditional Fishing Method, Silk Weaving, Stilt House Villages on the lake and Nge Pe Chaung Monastery. Overnight at hotel in Inle.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel & a day on your own activities or relaxing.
Optional tour to Indein Pagoda complex (at extra cost depending on group size): After breakfast at hotel, visit the Indein Pagoda is located near the Indein creek; it is narrow and has many twist and turns.

Paddy fields around the creek receive water from the creek. Here our beat start venturing into a small canal and pass through the beautiful scenery on the way to Pa O Hill tribe village. After visiting the local market, we enjoy walk to the very impressive ruins containing hundred ancient pagodas, some of which are hidden in the lush vegetation and overnight at hotel in Inle.

After breakfast, proceed to airport for the flight back to Yangon & connect with your flight home. Tour ends.
Thank you for traveling with us and we hope to see you in the next trips.