15 Days The Best Of Myanmar And Laos Tour

After breakfast, start to pick up at your hotel and drive to visit Mandalay Palace which is located in the city center. It was built by King Mindon in 18 century and one of the land mark of Myanmar. Then, move to Shwe Kyaung Monastery, the most significant of Mandalay’s historic buildings. It is the sole remaining structure of the former wooden Royal Palace that was built by King Mindon.
Visit the Jade market. It’s really nice to walk around the market and observe the traders. It is the market of most interest to the traveler visiting town.
Afternoon, continue to Mahar Myat Muni Pagoda, the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site of Burma. It was built in 1785 by King Bodawpaya of the Konbung dynasty.
Then, continue our trip to visit U Bein Bridge which is the world’s longest teak footbridge gently curves 1300yd across shallow Taungthaman Lake, creating one of Myanmar’s most photographed sites. You can watch the wonderful sunset from there.
Late afternoon, return back to your hotel. Overnight in Mandalay.

After breakfast, you will be transferred for Jetty for a private boat across the river Ayeywarwaddy to visit Mingun. The dedications of King Bodawpaya such as the unfinished Pathodawgyi Pagoda a brick counterpart of pyramid in Egypt and the Mingun Bell, the second largest bell in the world are the most prominent religious heritages. Then visiting the Myatheintan Pagoda, the best representation of the Universe, will refresh your tiredness and fatigue. Return to Mandalay
After noon, drive to Ava, 30-minute to the south of Mandalay, was known in the west as the Kingdom of Ava. Stop by a tributary and cross it with a ferry. Travel by pony-cart around Ava to Nanmyint leaning tower which gives a birds' eye view of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River; Bagaya wooden monastery; Aungmyaybonza Monastery made of brick and stucco. Though the Royal Palace has gone, the Pagodas, Temples and Monasteries still remain.

After that, transfer to Mandalay airport for the short flight to Bagan. On arrival in Bagan, you are met by our guide at the airport for the transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Bagan.

After breakfast at hotel, we head to Mt. Popa about 48 km south east of Bagan. Mt. Popa, known as the abode of Nats (spirits) - a collection of 37 magical spirits both feared and honored by some Myanmar people and the nat museum, which houses 37 life-size nat statues sculpted from teak. It's time to climb for 777 steps to the summit.
Proceed to Popa Mountain Resort ( 1hr drive ) for our lunch. The restaurant offers a great view to the Popa summit that stands straight from the central plain. Return to Bagan at noon.

Afternoon, take the sightseeing excursion around the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area. A comprehensive exploration of Bagan includes Nyaung Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Kyansittha Umin; Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite mural painting of 13th century and Htilominlo Temple. 
Ananda Temple, architectural masterpiece and Oak-Kyaung monastery decorated with multi-colour mural paintings. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset from one of the temple of Bagan.
Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.

After breakfast, depart the hotel for flight to Heho on the Shan plateau. Transfer by road to Inle Lake and transfer to our hotel by long tail boat across the lake. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon, we plan to spend the day visiting villages and sampling the spectacular array of traditional handicrafts. You will see the unique method locals use to row their boats, fishermen with their own style of fishing, floating farms and gardens and a handloom weaving cottage with its own showroom. You will visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda which houses the five most revered Buddha Images in the southern Shan State. Overnight at the hotel on Inle Lake.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit floating market which is a 5 day rotation market most fascinating to watch the daily life of the minorities and their activities. Continue our excursion by motorized boat to Indein pagoda complex, in the south-west of the lake. The boat leaves the lake and enters a narrow canal with a beautiful natural environment to continue to a small Pa O tribe village. From the village, follow an old covered path to a 13th century monastery and the very impressive ruins of hundreds of ancient pagodas, some hidden in the vegetation. Overnight in Inle Lake.

We are heading back down country today to return to the airport at Heho for our flight to Yangon. On arrival in Yangon, you are met by our guide at the airport for the short transfer to the hotel.
Proceed to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. A visit to Kyaukhtatgyi offers an in depth to Buddhism and better understanding of local practices.
After that, your guide will take you to Kandawgyi Park, capturing the glittering Karaweik barge, once the royal palace. From here, walk on the curvy teakwood bridge to reach Shwedagon Pagoda, the most impressive site of Yangon.
Boasting a rich history of over 600 year, Shwedagon consists of 8 central stupas and 64 other small sites. It is a good chance to witness Yangon people praying and be interested by intrigue stories from our tour guide.
Return to the hotel in late afternoon. Overnight in Yangon.

Morning, your tour guide will pick you up at your hotel and you'll start exploring the city on a guided walk through the exotic streets filled with historical buildings. Begin your sightseeing from Sule Paya, an important cultural and historical site of the city which witness the changes of country with many revolutions. From here, step toward Mahabondoola Garden, Independence monument and stop by Strand Hotel. On the way, you will pass by some of the most splendid British colonial architect then venture your senses with little China and India town, experience the open market full of curry, fresh river catches and local food stalls.
Another break is a typical Yangon teashop which serve snack and sweet drinks including the famous Burmese coffee. This is a good chance to observe local daily life (coffee and snack fees are not included in the tour)
Overnight in Yangon.

(There is no direct flight between Myanmar and Laos)

After breakfast, check out hotel and transfer to Yangonn International airport for the flight to to Luang Prabang, Laos with the transit in Bangkok. On arrival in Luang Prabang, you are met and transferred to the hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, transfer to the pier to board a traditional long boat for a cruise on the Mekong river. On the way, visit villages located on the riverbank including Ban Xang Hai and learn how local rice whisky is made. Continue on to Pak Ou, visit Tham Ting and Tham Theung caves with their Lao style Buddhist sculptures assembled over the centuries by local people. On the way back, visit the village of Ban Xang Khong, the village of homemade Saa Paper.

In the afternoon, visit Wat Mai and walk along the streets to Wat Xieng Thong, located on the bank of the Mekong River. It is one of the most elegant and best-preserved examples of 16th century Luang Prabang temple architecture.
Visit Wat Aham, known as the "Monastery of the Opened Heart"
Take a walk up Phu Si hill and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful view overlooking Luang Prabang and the Mekong river.  Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, drive through beautiful rice fields, hills and villages to Kuang Si Waterfalls (1 hour drive). On the way, stop to visit a small ethnic minority village to learn more about their culture and daily life. Arrive at Kuang Si Waterfalls, relax or possibly walk up to the top of the water fall for a nice view and enjoy the beautiful landscape and fresh water in which you can swim during the summer. Visit the bear sanctuary next to the falls, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc. Return to Luang Prabang in the mid afternoon.
Evening, you are free to explore the Night Bazaar, where you can find lovely collections of handmade textiles produced by local communities from the region surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, we make our way over the mountains to Xieng Khuang, the province which is best-known for having been heavily bombed during Indochina War. But of course it is also famous for the historic Plain of Jars. We can make some stops at villages to observe the rural life of local people, including ethnic minorities such as the Hmong people. Our first stop is at Ban Kiew Nya for the panoramic view before continuing down to Ban Phoudam, where we can see the two hill tribe minorities of H’Mong and Khamu living in harmony. After that we visit the H’Mong market at the junction of Phoukhoun. From there, we will drive further to visit Tham Pra, which served as the hospital for the army during Indochina Wars. Arrival in Phonsavanh, the capital of Xiengkhouang province and check into your hotel. Overnight at hotel in town!

In the morning, enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoun. Muang Khoun one place in the old provincial capital that was not been destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. Muang Khoun is home to unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lies in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.
After that, we drive back to tow and visit the “Plain of Jars”, which is an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over a plateau. These huge jars are supposedly over 2,000 years old, but most of archaeologists still question their purpose. We have time today to explore the Plain of Jars site 1 and some nearby villages, populated by the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people; they are very poor but possess a vibrant local culture and an interesting history.
We then transfer out to the airport to take the flight to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, depart for a visit to the Buddha Park, located outside Vientiane Capital. The Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan is filled up filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues built in 1958 by Laos Shaman. The concrete sculptures are bizarre but intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful park. Drive back to Vientiane. En route, stop at Mai Savanh to explore the traditional textiles of the Lao people. This shop specializes in high quality silk products produced by several families from the northern province of Luang Nam Tha Province and the southern provinces of Attapeu and Sekong.

In the afternoon, visit Vientiane City. Visit Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital with thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo, which is also a museum displaying a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art and the Presidential Palace (outside).  Stop at Wat Simuang, considered to be the guardian of the city’s spirit.
Visit That Luang, the holiest site in Laos, constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16^th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun shines on its towering golden spire.
End the day with a visit to Pangkham Street, with its plethora of tailor shops, and the Nam Phou Fountain. Here you can see how traditional areas of the city are embracing modernity. Overnight in Vientiane.