VIP private tour of 5 countries
This is just one of the private tours we provided for our clients
5 countries private tour of Indochina
January – February
BANGKOK
Jan 08, Day 1 Arrival Bangkok
After immigration and custom formalities you enter the Arrival Hall of Terminal 1/2.
Please turn RIGHT/LEFT in the direction of Exit Group Tour.
Meet and transfer from Bangkok airport to Hotel by private car/minivan.
Overnight Peninsula Hotel deluxe riverview room.
Mon Jan 09, Day 2 Bangkok
Combined Rural Klong Tour with visit to the Grand Palace
Am. This boat trip by long-tailed boat “Rua Hang Yao” undoubtedly is the nicest which can be taken on the Thonburi canals. You will be cruising up the Chao Phya river and after your first stop at the landmark of Bangkok “Wat Arun” branch off into several narrow canals passing through coconut plantations, orchards, vegetable gardens, old temple and rural houses which have been kept in their traditional charm. During this tour you will see the real river life. And continue to visit the impressive Grand Palace, Coronation Hall, Throne Hall, Reception Hall and the compound of the Wat Phra Keo (Emerald Buddha Temple). Return by car/coach to your hotel.
Important: Dress properly
Lunch by own arrangement and afternoon at leisure
Overnight Peninsula Hotel deluxe riverview room.
Tue Jan 10, Day 3 Bangkok
Damnernsaduak Floating Market & River Kwai
07.00 – 18.00h This most interesting full day tour takes you to the rural floating market of Damnernsaduak. See old women and young ladies wearing broad Lampshade hats paddle boats loaded with fruits, flowers, vegetables, cooked food.
Continue driving to Kanchanaburi and board the original Death Railway Train passing over the dangerous looking wooden viaduct built along the mountain side until Tam Kra Sae Station. Drive back to Kanchanaburi and stop at the historic “Bridge over the River Kwai”. Lunch at the nearby local restaurant included.
After lunch take a short trip by long tailed boat passing beautiful scenery along the Kwai Yai River to visit the JEATH museum. Continue by minibus to visit the War Cemetery. Return to Bangkok at approx. 18.00h.
Overnight Peninsula Hotel deluxe riverview room.
Wed Jan 11, Day 4 Bangkok – Vietnam
Transfer from hotel to Bangkok International airport
08.50h Depart Bangkok by flight to Saigon
client’s comments about Bangkok: “The guide was excellent. We enjoyed Peninsula Hotel”.
VIETNAM
Wed 11 Jan, Day 5 BANGKOK – SAIGON (B/-/D)
10.20h Arrive in Saigon. Transfer to your luxury hotel. You’ll have the remainder of the day at leisure to rest from your long flight. In the evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers at a festive cocktail and dinner party where you will learn about the exciting adventures ahead.
Overnight SHERATON HOTEL/ Premium Deluxe room
Thu. 12 Jan.06 Day 6 SAIGON City tour (B/-/D)
Visit the highlights of downtown Ho Chi Minh City including the former Presidential Palace – now the Revolutionary Museum (now Ho Chi Minh City Museum)- and its underground communications bunkers, once headquarters for the Ho Chi Minh Government during the “American War”. Explore the local art galleries of the central city as you wander along the former French Colonial streets, and stop for photos at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the 1880’s General Post Office. Visit History Museum, Emperor Jade Pagode (chua Ngoc Hoang or Phuoc Hai), War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh market.
Tour Chinatown and visit the Thien Hau Pagoda, honoring the goddess of the sea and protectress of sailors and fishermen. You’ll wind up your day at the Binh Tay Market, the largest of the Cholon area markets. It is vast and colorful and sells everything from spices and silks to Chinese medicinal herbs, food and consumer goods.
Sheraton Hotel
Fri, 13 Jan 06 Day 7. Tay Ninh – Cu Chi (B/-/D)
Ho Chi Minh City, Cao Dai & Cu Chi Tunnels
In the morning, drive about 60 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City to the Cao Dai Great Temple. This modern sect, founded in the 1920’s, is a synthesis of Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, and Christian beliefs, with a dash of Islam thrown in. In the bizarre temple, the Supreme Spirit is symbolized by a giant eyeball and “Divine Agents” or patron saints make contact at s?ances through a temple medium.
Some of the Divine Agents include Jesus Christ, Confucius, Lao Tsu, William Shakespeare, Vladimir Lenin, Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill. You can observe a very colorful, yet formal service at midday.
For a complete change of pace, in the afternoon you will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, part of an underground network that zigzagged from the southern tip of the Ho Chi Minh Trail near Cambodia to the Saigon River. The tunnels were a key to Viet Cong success and used for decades in guerrilla warfare against both the French and the Americans.
You can see secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for an evening at leisure.
Sheraton Hotel
client’s comments: “Enjoyed Sheraton Hotel”.
Sat, 14 Jan 06 Day 8 Saigon – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B/L/-)
Mekong River & Can Tho
This morning you’ll drive to Vietnam’s “rice bowl,” the Mekong Delta, a rich fertile region of flat farmland interlaced with thousands of waterways and tributaries of the mighty Mekong River. It is known locally as Cuu Long, or the “River of Nine Dragons.
You’ll journey south about three hours to the town of Cai Be, known for its large floating market, to board a motorized sampan for a view of life on the river. Cruise along the upper reaches of the river through a maze of tributaries and fruit plantations.
Lunch will be served in a tropical fruit orchard. Your leisurely cruise ends in Vinh Long, where you will drive and ferry to the Delta’s economic hub city of Can Tho. Your luxury accommodations are in a splendid colonial-style hotel situated on the banks of the Hau River. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy this splendid hotel.
Victoria Can Tho Hotel/ Deluxe River view
client’s comments : “We considered this day to be the best part of Vietnam – to see local people’s life, floating markets…. “.
Sun, 15 Jan 06 Day 9 Can Tho – Chau Doc (B/-/D)
The main attraction in Can Tho is a series of floating markets.
You’ll make an early morning visit to the Cai Rang floating market. The boat trip through the colorful congestion of women and children jostling for space and vying to sell their wares makes for great photography.
Later in the morning, you’ll drive toward the Cambodian border to the town of Chau Doc. Until the mid 18th-century, Chau Doc was part of Cambodia and today supports the largest Khmer population in the Delta.
You’ll take a short walk up Sam Mountain, which draws pilgrims to visit several ornate and colorful temples and pagodas, for an unparalleled 360-degree view of nearby Cambodia.
At this point, the Mekong River is decorated with hundreds of floating homes, each with suspended nets below for raising and selling fish. You’ll visit one of these unique homes.
Continue to your luxury hotel, built in a colonial style on the banks of the Bassac River at the Three River Crossing. It is entirely part of the bustling life of the river inside the Mekong Delta.
Victoria Chau Doc Hotel/ Deluxe River view
client’s comments : “It might be interesting for other people but we thought that one day at Chau can be sufficient “.
Mon, 16 Jan 06 Day 10 Chau Doc – Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/D)
After breakfast this morning, you’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City by road and ferry, pausing for lunch along the way. Fresh fish and local fruits should be sampled.
You’ll arrive in Saigon in late afternoon and have the rest of the day at leisure.
Sheraton Hotel
Tue, 17 Jan 06 Day 11
6:30am Ho Chi Minh City – Hué (B/-/D)
Today you’ll fly to Hué, the heart of central Vietnam,
VN 250 (6:30-7:50) and transfer to your hotel, a historic building built in 1901. This landscape – with its misty Perfume River and pagodas – has long been a source for poetry and paintings.
Always an important cultural, intellectual and historical city, Hue Remains one of Vietnam’s main attractions. Under the last dynasty, Hue was the capital of Vietnam until 1945. It is a relatively small, quiet city known for its magnificent architecture of citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples. These treasures were erected under the Nguyen dynasties, all against a poetic background of greenery along the banks of the Perfume River.
Your city tour of Hue, the former imperial city, offers an insightful look into its regal past with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, a 1,000-acre complex with 66-foot-wide ramparts and a moat. It was modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, but only a few important structures are remaining. It is currently being restored with help from UNESCO.
Then boat ride on Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hué’s most preserved religious monument. On the banks of the Perfume River, it is the oldest monastery in Hue, dating back to the 17th-century. The Laughing Buddha is encased in glass at the front of a nearby temple.
This afternoon journey to the hills surrounding Hué, which are dotted with imperial tombs. The Tu Duc Tomb was built in the 1860’s as a pleasure garden and final resting place for an emperor who had 104 wives and numerous courtesans, but no son to succeed him. Khai Dihn’s Tomb, completed in 1931, was designed with a mixture of European and Asian architecture.
We will see the Flag tower, the Noon gate , Hung Mieu Temple
Saigon Morin Hotel
client’s comments : “Saigon Morin Hotel is 5* Beautiful old colonial hotel, owned by government. The service was Ok (comparing with hotels above we stayed).”
Wed, 18 Jan 06 Day 12 Hue – Danang (B/-/D)
Continue the programme of the previous day.
Then drive 67 miles from Hué to Danang, a spectacular coastal
drive with lunch en route. Today Danang is Vietnam’s third largest city, but it is one of the oldest centers of civilization in Vietnam. Danang was the center of the Cham Dynasty from the 2nd-century and today boasts the largest collection of Cham artifacts in the world at the Cham Museum.
Tour the museum with a former professor who has spent his life studying this culture. Danang’s colorful history is reflected in its colonial architecture. Remnants of the French and Spanish colonists of the 17th- and 18th-centuries can still be seen in parts of the city. Tree-lined avenues, tricycle (cyclo) rides and a variety of riverside cafes and restaurants provide relaxing diversions.
You’ll overnight at a prime beach front location overlooking Danang’s renowned “China Beach.” Your ocean view deluxe room could be described as French Colonial style meets Asian interior design.
Furama Resort/ Ocean view
Thu, 19 Jan 06 Day 13 Danang – Hoi An – Danang (B/-/L)
Hoi An is an ancient port town that was designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. It is one of the rare places where you will find genuine Vietnamese architecture.
On your morning walking tour of the Old Quarter, you’ll have a glimpse of a medieval Vietnam that no longer exists in the other areas of the country.
We will see, the Museum of trade Ceramics, the Tran Family home and chapel, the Japanese Covered bridge, the Central market
In the afternoon return to Danang, where you’ll have the remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy the resort and the beach.
Furama Resort/ Ocean view
client’s comments : “Furama Resort is beautiful modern resort. Appealing especially to people who like modern hotels”.
Fri, 20 Jan 06 Day 14
14:20 Danang – Hanoi (B/-/D)
Fly to Hanoi. Free day at leisure.
Sofitel Metropole Hotel/ Premium
Sat, 21 Jan 06 Day 15 Hanoi (B/L/-)
Drive excursion about 25 miles southwest of Hanoi to the Thay Phuong Pagoda. Built in the 11th-century, it includes a variety of enclosures with Buddhist figures.
Here you’ll drive through the rice fields and village communities that link some of Vietnam’s most important Buddhist religious sites. This evening you’ll attend a water puppetry performance. A hidden puppeteer stands in waist-deep water and skillfully maneuvers dancing puppets attached to bamboo poles, telling stories of the daily life of the people.
Return to Hanoi for dinner and overnight.
Sofitel Metropole Hotel
Sun, 22 Jan 06 Day 16 Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi (B)
Today you will enjoy a full day excursion to Halong. At Halong Bay the romance of old Vietnam still lingers in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. 4 hours boat ride, you’ll sail aboard a traditional Chinese-style junk through some of the 3,000 limestone and dolomite islets, whose name translates as “Where the Dragon Descends into the Sea.”
Stop at an islet to explore the karst geology by climbing through a series of breathtaking caves and grottos, marveling at some of the most impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations found in the world. A fine seafood lunch will be served aboard. Return to Hanoi late in the late afternoon.
Sofitel Metropole Hotel
client’s comments : “Yet another great hotel. One couple stayed in deluxe new rooms and they were large and fabulous. Standard rooms are acceptable as well. Boat ride was terrific. We got a wonderful lunch for just $7! “.
Mon, 23 Jan 06 Day 16 Lao Cai by night train Victoria Express (B/-/D).
Enjoy a morning tour of charming Hanoi, with colonial style buildings,
tree-lined avenues and many lakes. Visit beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, known as the Lake of the Restored Sword. It is closely linked to the legend of Le Loi, the hero who asked the heavens for help in resisting the advance of the Chinese in 1418 A.D.
You’ll visit Ba Dinh Square to see Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the museum to his life and the simple cottage where he lived and worked. Walk through the Fine Arts Museum, with its ethnographical displays, paintings and famous lacquer ware.
Drive by the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, which was nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton” by the prisoners of war it held during the Vietnam War.
Stop at the One Pillar Pagoda, or Chua Mot Cot, originally built in 1040 A.D. on a pillar constructed of a single large tree trunk. Then view the Van Mieu, or Temple of Literature (the first National University of Vietnam), which dates back to 1070 and is dedicated to the cult of Confucius, Quan Thanh temple, Westlake and Army museum
In the afternoon, continue with a visit to the Old Quarter by cyclo (rickshaw), Vietnam’s most traditional form of transportation. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores and galleries in this souvenir hunter’s paradise.
You’ll visit one of the country’s most renowned art galleries, the Mai Gallery. The owner, Mr. Duong Tuong, is at the center of Hanoi’s intellectual community of writers, composers and artists and spent time during the war as Vietnam’s foremost English translator.
Dinner at local restaurant. After dinner, board Victoria Express for an overnight trip to Lao Cai.
Victoria Express/ Deluxe (Three 2-bed-sleeper cabins, located in separate cars (2 cabins in one car, third cabin in another car. It is possible to move between cars.). Overnight on board
VICTORIA EXPRESS/ Deluxe cabin
Tue, 24 Jan 06 Day 17 Lao Cai – Bac Ha – Coc Ly –Sapa (B/-/D)
You’ll disembark the Victoria Express in Lao Cai and drive to the Bac Ha and nearby local villages. Boat ride on Chay-River to visit the market of Coc Ly.
You’ll continue to the village of Sapa for lunch and check-in to your hotel. Stop for visit at Ta Phin village if time allows. The rest of the day at leisure for you to explore the scenic area on your own. Located near the Chinese border, Sapa remains the jewel of the northwest. It lies at 5,400-foot elevation and is a former French resort town.
Sapa comes alive during the weekend market when local ethnic H’mong and Dao people trek in from nearby villages to sell their wares – particularly hand-loomed clothing items – and engage in matchmaking rituals. This region of captivating mountain scenery also boasts countless trails and walks for hiking enthusiasts.
Victoria Hotel Sapa/ Superior room
Wed, 25 Jan 06 Day 17 Sapa (B/-/D)
Today you will explore the area of the remote hill tribes on foot. The full day excursion will visit the Dao, Giay and H’mong settlements in the Lao Chai and Ta Van Ray districts. On the way, stop to see the old carving stones.
The three-hour walk is rated moderate to intermediate, descending from Victoria into a scenic valley of cascading water crossed by suspension bridges. You may opt for a 30-minute drive by car both ways, or on the return, if you prefer not to walk.
Return to Sapa for dinner.
Victoria Hotel Sapa
Thu, 26 Jan 06 Day 18 Sapa – Hanoi by day train Victoria Express (B/-/D)
Transfer to railway station in Lao Cai. Train to Hanoi (10:20-20:30) 3 deluxe cabins
Lunch on board.
Transfer to hotel. O/n Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel
client’s comments : “Sapa was very interesting however it was very cold. The Victoria Hotel Sapa had not sufficient heat. There were many guests at reception demanding heat. The hotel provided extra blankets. We had to sleep in our warm clothes. Sapa is located in North so climate is completely different. On another side, going there in summer will entail more heat in other parts of Vietnam so you can’t win. Hard to get there. Victoria Express. It is not Orient Express quality… Train ride while very comfortable in 2 pax deluxe cabin, and entertaining (local people also used train, traveling with their chickens, etc! But very long train ride. The government is planning to build airport in Lao Cai so it will be easier to get there in the future. “.
Fri, 27 Jan 06 Day 19 HANOI – BANGKOK (B)
Free at leisure till transfer to airport for departure.
Depart from Vietnam to Bangkok.
10:40 Arrive Bangkok
Walk across the walkway to check in at the Amari Airport Hotel
Sat. 28 Jan.06 Day 20 BANGKOK – LUANG PRABANG (B/-/-)
LAOS
Sat. 28 Jan.06 Day 21 BANGKOK – LUANG PRABANG (-/-/D)
13:20H Arrive Luang Prabang.
Transfer to to hotel.
Afternoon, sightseeing with visit Wat Visun, the beautiful Wat Xiengthong, walking along Wats street, Phousi hill for sunset.
Dinner at the Indochina restaurant with live Lao traditional music show.
Sun 29 Jan.06 Day 22 LUANG PRABANG (B/-/D)
Boat trip to Pak Ou cave, stop on the way to Ban Xieng Lek
(weaving village) “Tham Ting and Tham Phoum caves”, lunch at Ban Pak Ou. Then return by boat to Luang Prabang. If time permits, visit
Ban Xang Hai (Lao rice whisky distillation)
Dinner at a local restaurant.
client’s comments : “We visited monks early morning. Very interesting. Enjoying Luang Prabang very much. “.
Mon 30 Jan.06 Day 23 LUANG PRABANG (B/-/D)
Visit the National museum (the former Royal Palace), excursion by car/bus to “Kuang Si” water fall, stop on the way to visit Hmong and Khmu(Ban Tha Paen) village. Then return to Luang Prabang, continue to visit Ban Phanom and Tomb of Henry Mouhot, then to hotel.
We may see the Wat Mai and the daily “pintabot (begging rounds) of monks
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Tue. 31 Jan.06 Day 24 LUANG PRABANG – VIENTAINE (B/-/D)
Transfer to the airport for flight to Vientaine
Arrive and transfer to hotel (Setha Palace or Similar).
Dinner at hotel.
Wed. 01 Feb.06 Day 25 VIENTAIN (B/-/D)
Sightseeing in Vientiane with visit Wat Sisaketh, Ho Prakeo, Wat Simeuang, the morning market and then lunch break.
In the afternoon, visit Wat Inpeng, Wat Ong Tu, Thatluang stupa and Patuxay monoument. Dinner at local restaurant.
Thu. 02.Feb.06 Day 26 VIENTAIN – BANGKOK – SIEM REAP (B/-/-)
Transfer to the airport for flight to Bangkok by Bangkok Airways TG 691 10:30 arriving Bangkok 11:35 and continue to Siem Reap (Cambodia).
client’s comments : “Other than Lunag Prabang, we felt that Vientain was not interesting. Should have spend one night less in Vientain – would be enough. Just a capital city. Pansea Hotel Luang Prabang was excellent yet another old feel Colonial Hotel. “.
CAMBODIA
SIEM REAP (ANGKOR) (B/-/-)
Arrive Siem Reap 16:00
Afternoon: Arriving to Siem Reap airport. Meet with your guide and transfer to your accomodation. Afternoon visit Chong Kneas the Floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake.
Overnight Le Grand Hotel (Landmark room)
Fri. 03 Feb.06 Day 27 SIEM REAP (ANGKOR) (B/L/-)
Morning: Breakfast
Our tours are designed to visit the temples in the historical order. This gives you a good view of the architectural development. Begin by visiting some of the earliest temples in the area.
Hariharalaya (last Kingdom before Angkor 9th century)
+ Preah Ko, 879 AD.
+ Bakong, 881 AD.
+ Lolei, 893 AD.
+ Banteay Srei, 967 AD. **
Afternoon:
Second Angkor capital (early classical period, 10 century)
+ Prasat Kravan, 921 AD.
+ East Mebon, 952 AD.
+ Pre Rup, 961 AD.
+ Takeo, beginning of 11th century.
First Angkor capital (King Yasovarman, 889-900)
+ Phnom Bakheng, end of 9th century.
Overnight Le Grand Hotel (Landmark room)
Sat. 04 Feb.06 Day 28 SIEM REAP (ANGKOR) (B/-/-)
Morning: Breakfast
Third Angkor capital (11th century)
+ Baphuon, middle of 11th century.
+ Phimeanakas, early 11th century.
+ Northern & Southern Khleang, beginning 11th century.
Kingdom of Jayavarman VII (1181-1219):
+ Southern Gate of Angkor Thom:
+ Bayon, late 12th century.
+ Ta Prohm, early 13th century.
Kingdom of Jayavarman VII (1181-1219):
+ Terrace of the Elephants, end of 12th century.
+ Terrace of Leper King, end of 12th century.
Afternoon:
Kingdom of Suryavarman II (1113-1150)
+ Angkor Wat, first half of 12th century.
Overnight Le Grand Hotel (Landmark room)
Sun. 05 Feb.06 Day 29 SIEM REAP – PHNOM PENH (B/-/-)
Morning / Afternoon:
After breakfast. Transfer to Airport and fly to Phnom Penh.
Arriving in Phnom Penh, meet with your guide and transfer to your accommodation. Time at leisure.
Overnight Le Royal Hotel (landmark room)
Mon. 06 Feb.06 Day 30 PHNOM PENH (B/-/-)
Morning / Afternoon:
National Museum, Silver Pagoda, Royal Palace & Wat Phnom
Spend the day with your guide visiting:
– National Museum.
– Silver Pagoda (or the temple of the Emerald Buddha),
– Royal Palace.
– Tuol Sleng Museum.
– Russian Market.
– Wat Phnom.
Complete your visit with a Cyclo drive trough the city and the prepare for a sunset cruise along the river banks of Phnom Penh and stop at one of the local restaurants along the Mekong river (not included)
Overnight Le Royal Hotel (landmark room)
Tue. 07 Feb.06 Day 31 PHNOM PENH – BANGKOK (B/-/-)
Morning: Breakfast
After visit the differents market of Phnom Penh, Russian Market, Olympic market. Last opportunities to do shopping. Afternoon transfer to airport and flight to Bangkok.
client’s comments : “Cambodia’s temples were spectacular. The guide is Cambodia was voted the most knowledgeable guide during the whole trip. He did somehow spoke in monotone but had a fenomenal memory. Enjoyed sunset cruise at Phnom Pehn. Again loved hotels. “.
MYANMAR
Tue. 07 Feb.06 Day 32 Yangon Arrival (via Bangkok)
Arrive at Yangon Airport, after clearing customs and immigration formalities welcome by our guide and transfer to the Hotel. Your guide will deliver detailed program and internal air tickets Bagan-Heho.
Overnight at PANSEA Hotel (Deluxe Room) in Yangon.
Dinner at HOTEL
client’s comments : “Very nice hotel. “.
Wed. 08 Feb.06 Day 33 Yangon – Mandalay – Join Road to Mandalay cruise
Morning transfer to airport for domestic flight to Mandalay. Arrive and transfer to Jetty to join RTM Service.
After a morning flight from Yangon to Mandalay board the Road To Mandalay berthed on the Ayeyarwady River at Shwe Kyet Yet, opposite the beautiful pagoda-studded Sagaing Hills. After lunch on board enjoy a guided tour of the key sights of Mandalay, regarded as the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning. Return to the ship stopping enroute to admire sunset over the river. Enjoy dinner and local entertainment on board in the evening. Overnight on board.
Thu 09 Feb 06 Day 34 Road to Mandalay
After breakfast visit Sagaing, the living centre of the Buddhist faith in Burma and famous for its silver and silversmiths, who still work in much the same way as their ancestors did. The ship gets underway mid morning for its journey south. The rest of the day is spent relaxing on board, observing the fascinating local river life from the top deck. In the afternoon, your guide gives a lecture on the Myanmar way of life. Enjoy dinner and local entertainment on board during the evening.
Fri 10 Feb 06 Day 35 Road to Mandaly
The ship arrives in Bagan in the morning, where over 2,000 temples and pagodas remain on the awe-inspiring plain. A guided orientation tour introduces you to the most important temples. After lunch you may rejoin the guide to visit the inside of some of the more significant pagodas. Alternatively, you can hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this fascinating area on your own. Late afternoon, your guide takes you to watch the breathtaking vista of the sun setting over the plain. Dinner and local entertainment await you on board.
client’s comments : “Having experiencing previously other Orient-Express trains, we expected more from RTM. While the cruise was interesting, but it was actually one full day of cruising we felt, hiring our own private barge or boat would benefit us better. Just our opinion. Thought RTM was overpriced and dining was not that excellent “.
E&M Travel comments : “While other clients enjoy RTM , for some people who like upscale travel it will be probably better to hire indeed private boat like we did Manohra song in Thailand for example. “.
Sat 11 Feb 06 Day 36
After breakfast disembark ship. Transfer to Bagan airport and fly to Heho. Transfer to Nyaung Shwe (27 km / 1 hour 20 min) to Hotel. From Heho airport for Nyaung Shwe by car driving hour 01:20 hour. Nyaung Shwe to Inle Princess Hotel by boat takes 01:00 hour. Approximate time of arrival at Inle Princess is 12:30 PM.
Check-in into hotel.
Afternoon excursion by boat on Inle Lake (about 4 hours), to see the Intha-fishermen rowing with their legs, Pagoda on artificial islands in the lake, floating gardens and floating market (on market’s day only), continue to PHAUNG DAW OO Pagoda, one of the main principle shrines in Myanmar and dating back to the 18th Century, the NGA PHE KYAUNG Monastery, famous for its jumping cats trained by monks and the weaving village of INPAWKHON.
Overnight at INLE PRINCESS Resort (Lakeview Chalet Type) in Inle.
Lunch = NAN PAN Restaurant
Dinner = at HOTEL
Sun 12 Feb 06 Day 37 Inle Lake
After Breakfast, boat journey to the western shore of Inle Lake to visit the Inn Thein Pagoda Complex, found after following a stair path lined up with magnificent columns. Explore the colourful market (on market days only) in Inn Thein. Continue on foot (about 2 hours) or by ox-drawn carriage (if available) to the U Daung Mountain range to visit the mountain monastery.
Overnight at INLE PRINCESS Resort (Lakeview Chalet Type) in Inle.
Lunch = Local Restaurant
Dinner = at HOTEL
Mon 13 Feb 06 Day 38 Inle Lake
Relax day at Inle Lake.
Overnight at INLE PRINCESS Resort (Lakeview Chalet Type) in Inle.
Lunch & Dinner at Hotel.
Tue 14 Feb 06 Day 39 Heho – Yangon
After Breakfast, transfer to Heho Airports for domestic flight back to Yangon. Depart Heho HK-918 09:35 arrive Yangon 10:50. Transfer to Hotel.
The tour continues to visit SULE Pagoda, dating back over 2,500 years ago; continue to BOTAHTAUNG Pagoda beside the river and visit Yangon’s oldest Chinese Temple
Overnight at PANSEA Hotel (Deluxe Room) in Yangon.
Lunch = ROYAL GARDEN Restaurant
Dinner = SHAN KAN Restaurant
Wed 15 Feb 06 Day 40 Yangon Sightseeing
After Breakfast, visit to Glass Blowing Factory and Bogyoke (Scott’s) Market.
Special evening visit to CHAUKHTATGYI, a huge reclining Buddha Image; KARAWEIK Hall, a ‘hamsa-bird-shaped’ floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal Lake). an extended visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the SHWEDAGON Pagoda for sunset.
Overnight at PANSEA Hotel (Deluxe Room) in Yangon.
Lunch = GREEN ELEPHANT Restaurant
Dinner = KARAWEIK Restaurant with Cultural Show
client’s comments : “Inle Lake was a highlight of Myanmar visit. The lake was fabulous. Hard to get there (plane, boat, drive) as well but worth it. Inle Princess resort is nice, the best accommodation again there. It might appear rustic to others, there are mosquitoes. Food at hotel was not gourmet but again it is not the food we came there for..
The Lake is spectacular. It is authentic area. People are not DRESSED UP in national costumes for tourists. They live without pretensions there. Almost biblical feel. The lake is 5-10 ft deep. Watched the fisherman catching the fish and spearing it.. Saw Locksmith making scissors. Yangon was very interesting. We enjoyed sightseeing. “.
Thu 16 Feb 06 Day 41 Yangon – Bangkok
Transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure flight. Overnight in Bangkok Amari airport
Fri 17 Feb 06 Day 42 DEPARTURE BANGKOK
Walk across the walkway to Bangkok International airport
23:45 Depart Bangkok , fly home.
Services included:
– Itinerary as mentioned, private tour in van (Ford transit or minibus)
– Local English speaking guides (not accompanied on the train – but can be arranged at extra cost)
– Luxury 5* hotels
– Meals (without drinks): Half board as described. (lunch or dinner at local restaurant as indicated, except free days with American breakfast daily only)
– Victoria Train deluxe cabin
– Domestic flights
– Porter at airports & hotels
– Water on bus
Not included:
– Visa
– International airfares and taxes.
– All non-mentioned services and all expenditure of personal matter and trips.
client’s comments : “Overall it was exciting trip. We are most grateful for your professionalism, kind attention to our needs and for the arrangements of all the details that made the trip so enjoyable. We are most mindful of all the effort that went into such a venture and wherever we went your people were all most anxious to attend to our needs and do everything possible to show us an interesting and good time. We certainly look forward to using your services again and recommending our friends to do the same”