LAOS, VIETNAM AND MYANMAR TOUR 16 DAYS

Destination: Luang Prabang/Pak Ou Caves/Xieng Khouang/Vientiane/Hanoi/Perfume Pagoda/Tam Coc/Van Long/Ha Long/Yangon/Bagan

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: Arrival Vientiane (G)

Arrive at Wattay Airport and transfer to your hotel. Visit the city’s major historic sites and landmarks including Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, Wat Prakeo (which once enshrined the Emerald Buddha now in Bangkok), Wat Simuang, That Luang, the Patousai Monument, and the central market. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane/Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

We transfer to the airport for a brief morning flight to the mountain kingdom of Luang Prabang. This former royal capital has retained its small-town charm offering a glimpse into its unchanged way of life. Visit the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Sen, Wat Visun and climb to the summit of Mt. Phousi for a stunning panorama of the town and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang/Pak Ou Caves (B, L, G)

Travel on a long-tailed boat on the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves where hundreds of gilded and wooden Buddha statues are housed inside a towering limestone cliff. After a picnic lunch on the banks of the Nam Ou River, visit the riverside village of Ban Hang Sae to observe the making of rice wine and a textile weaving demonstration. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang/Xieng Khuang (B, L, G)

Morning transfer to the airport for a 40-minute flight to Xieng Khuang. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel and begin exploration of the Plain of Jars where mysterious giant stone jars are scattered over an area of several hundred square metres. The jars range from 1 to 2.5 metres in height dating back 2,000 years are assumed to be funery urns or storage containers. Visit several nearby H’mong villages en route back to Xieng Khuang. Overnight in Xieng Khuang.

Day 5: Xieng Khuang/Vientiane (B, G)

Visit the local market before transferring to the airport for a morning flight to Vientiane. Transfer to the hotel with remaining time free for own exploration. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 6: Vientiane/Hanoi (B, G)

Your time will be your own until transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax after your journey before a welcome dinner at a colonial building. In the evening, you’ll have tickets for a performance of traditional Water Puppetry (an art form unique to northern Vietnam, and a good, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture). Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi city tour (B, L, G)

An all day city tour, possibly including the Temple of Literature, (the first university in Viet Nam dating back to the 11th C), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Ethnology Museum and the centre of Hanoi, including the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son temple and the bustling Old Quarter with a complex of architecture – traditional tube houses, religious buildings and the colonial houses. In the evening, you’ll have tickets for a performance of Cheo (an traditional music typical for the northern Vietnam). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8: Hanoi/Perfume Pagoda 1 day (B, L, G)

In the morning you’ll be picked up to travel to the Perfume Pagoda. On arrival you’ll be rowed through rice fields on a scenic waterway to the complex of pagodas and shrines built into the limestone cliffs of the Mountain of Fragrant Traces. Your picnic will be taken from Hanoi. In afternoon you’ll drive back to the city.

Day 9: Tam Coc/Van Long 1 day (B, L, G)

In the morning you’ll be picked up to travel to Van Long. On arrival you’ll ride an ox cart to visit the Old House and the Old Pagoda and then board a boat to visit the Van Long Natural Reserve. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll visit Tam Coc – being rowed through paddies and into three caves in a peaceful valley. In the afternoon you’ll return to Hanoi.

Day 10: Hanoi/Ha Long (B, L, D, G)

A morning drive to Ha Long Bay, (one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas – the world’s largest marine “karst” landscape). Travel by traditional-style boat to some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Includes swimming, fishing, hill (not mountain) climbing for Bay overviews, exploring sea level caves in a small sampan, etc. All meals will be provided on board and your accommodation will be on the boat in a twin room with en suite toilet and shower.

Day 11: Ha Long/Hanoi (B, L, G)

Morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch and then return to Hanoi for an overnight stay.

Day 12: Hanoi/Bangkok/Yangon (B, G)

In the morning you’ll be free until the car takes you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Bangkok, where transits to Myanmar. Upon arrival, our tour guide will await to transfer you to Yangon city centre. Stay at leisure.

Day 13: Yangon city tour (B, L, D, G)

Have breakfast in the hotel. Embark on a walk from Sule Pagoda to City Hall building, from where you will enjoy the British buildings of Emmanuel Church, Inland Water Transport. Following, you will encounter the exotic food stalls and local markets of Yangon. Finish your walk with a shopping time in Scott market.

In the afternoon, you will have time to discover, Chaukhtatgyi pyay, the biggest reclining Buddha statue in Myanmar. Followed by a stroll to Shwedagon pagoda, the most prominent Buddha monument with highest tower made of gold and diamonds, shining to the sky of Yangon. Dinner in a cozy restaurant overlooking the golden spire of Shwedagon.

Day 14: Yangon/Bagan (B, G)

After breakfast, take the early flight to Bagan. Commence your day with a ride from Shwe zi gone pagoda, which is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha to Ananda, That byin Nyu and Manuha pagodas, the prominent monument that were constructed from 11th to 13t century.

In the afternoon, discover the lacquer work which features a part the Bagan fame. Sunset on the legendary Irrawaddy river.

Day 15: Bagan/Yangon (B, G)

Having breakfast at your hotel. Enjoy the sunset with Balloons over Bagan, one of the most special way to capture the beautiful vista of Bagan. Stay at leisure or embark a horse cart ride to the less-visited pagodas of Bagan.

You will take the flight back to Yangon in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel.

Day 16: Yangon departure (B, G)

Set off your day to National Museum then take a stroll in Inaya lake or visit the biggest Glass Factory of Yangon. You will stay at your own for the rest of the time before heading to the airport for your departure flight.

Price in US$ per person:

Our price includes:

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room.
• Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned car as specified in the itinerary above
• Travel by private, air-conditioned car with an experienced, safe driver.
• Boat cruise as mentioned. For Ha Long Bay, you’ll join other passengers on a high quality wooden boat with comfortable accommodation, good facilities and an experienced crew.
• Domestic flight tickets in Laos: Luang Prabang-Xiengkhouang-Vientiane with airport tax
• Return domestic flight tickets Myanmar: Yangon-Bagan-Yangon with airport tax
• The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary except leisure time
• Lunches and dinners, as specified, in the good local restaurants, picnics where suitable restaurants are not available and full board on the boat in Ha Long Bay.
• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Government tax & service charge

Our price does not include:

• One way international flight ticket: Vientiane-Hanoi, Hanoi-Bangkok-Yangon and airport taxes
• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visas
• Other meals not mentioned.
• Drinks, gratuities, tips and personal expenses.
• Insurance.

Hotel list for Five Star standard:

• Luang Prabang: La Residence Hotel (***** positioned atop a hill, with stunning mountain views) or similar
• Xiengkhouang: Vansana Hotel (***** conveniently located, set beautifully atop a hill, all rooms offers private balconies) or similar
• Vientiane: Settha Palace Hotel (***** located right in the city centre, within walking distance) or similar
• Hanoi: Melia Hotel (***** modern high-rise building in one of Hanoi’s leafy boulevards in the city centre) or similar
• Ha Long: Indochina Sails (***** one of luxury cruises in in Ha Long Bay) or similar
• Yangon: Trader Hotel (***** sits at the centre of the capital, the perfect base for taking in the city’s distinctive and fascinating culture) or similar
• Bagan: Tharabar Gate Hotel (***** surrounded by more than 4000 ancient temples and Pagodas) or similar

Hotel list for Four Star standard:

• Luang Prabang: Villa Santi Hotel (**** established in 1992 by Lao businessman Mr. Santi Inthavong in a royal residence) or similar
• Xiengkhouang: Vansana Hotel (**** conveniently located, set beautifully atop a hill, all rooms offers private balconies) or similar
• Vientiane: Novotel hotel (**** ideal location for business trips and holidays) or similar
• Hanoi: Silk Path Hotel (**** modern boutique hotel in the old quarter) or similar
• Ha Long: Ha Long Sails (**** very good quality wooden boats) or similar
• Yangon: Grand Plaza Park Royal (**** in the heart of the city’s prized cultural attractions) or similar
• Bagan: Bagan Thande Hotel (**** sits on the edge of the Eastern bank of great Ayeyawaddy river, near one of the sacred stupa, Gawdaw-palin) or similar

Hotel list for Three Star standard:

• Luang Prabang: Manoluck Hotel (*** combine modern international luxury with traditional Lao styles) or similar
• Xiengkhouang: Auburge Hotel (*** lies in the center of the the town) or similar
• Vientiane: Inter City hotel (*** centrally located, facilitated with basic modern comforts) or similar
• Hanoi: Thang Long Opera hotel (*** city centre, walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake) or similar
• Ha Long: Ha Long Sails (**** very good quality wooden boats) or similar
• Yangon: Summit Parkview Hotel (*** short distance from the business district and major sightseeing places) or similar
• Bagan: Thazin Garden Hotel (*** on the high plain surrounded with ancient Pagodas and ruins) or similar

If, at the time of booking, any hotels or rooms in the list above are fully booked, we will endeavour to find accommodation of a similar standard elsewhere. If the only available accommodation is of a higher or lower standard, we will revise the price accordingly and consult you immediately.