Exotic Southeast Asia

Min-ga-la-ba and welcome to the former capital city of Myanmar, Yangon. Formerly known as Rangoon due to the influence of British colonialism, this former capital of Burma is still the most influential city in the country.

Upon arrival to Yangon, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to the lakeside boutique Chatrium Hotel among lush greenery surrounding the famous Kandawgyi Lake with breathtaking views of the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda. Enjoy your day free at leisure to explore Yangon on your own.

Meals: No meals

Accommodation: Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon

Rise and shine to your first full Burmese day! Enjoy a classic breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the busy streets of India Town in the downtown area of Yangon. Hop on to the circle line commuter train at the Yangon Central Train Station to experience a real-life look into the daily life of the inhabitants of Yangon.

After a 45-minute ride, disembark for a visit to Chaukhtatgyi Paya, home to a 70-meter-long reclining Buddha, and Sule Pagoda, one of the most important religious sites and meeting points in Yangon.

Stop for a snack at a local tea shop with an array of treats and delicious teas or coffees to participate in another wonderful daily life activity to the Burmese. Gathering at tea shops is a local custom and you will see all manner of folks stopping by to conduct business and socialize.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon

After breakfast, take a short one-hour flight to the flat green plains of Myanmar’s Bagan. Built between the 11^th and 12^th century, this ancient city is now a fantastic archaeological site which rivals that of even Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.

Spend the morning at leisure until an afternoon bicycle tour of many important sites in Bagan, starting with Ananda and Dhamayangi Temple. Stop at the ancient Buddhist Shwezigone Pagoda and Gu Byauk Gi Pagoda with its beautiful mural paintings. Finish at Shwe Sandaw Pagoda and admire the beautiful artistry within.as well as the awe-inspiring sunset views outside.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Bagan Thande Hotel

Transfer to Nyaung-U Airport for a 40-minute flight to Heho, a small town located in the Shan State. Upon arrival to Heho, a one-hour drive brings you to the gorgeous highland area of Inle Lake, home to many ethnic minorities.

Cycle through Nyaung Shwe, a sleepy little village filled with charming nunneries, local temples, and farming lands, to the Red Mountain Estate, one of the finest vineyards in all of Myanmar, for a picnic lunch.

Once you’re finished, our driver will pick you up and bring you to the Amata Garden Resort to complete the check-in procedures.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Amata Garden Resort

Take a trip by boat on the gorgeous Inle Lake where fisherman glide along the water with their unusual rowing techniques, casting glittering nets to find food. Pass by villages inhabited by local people with the houses built on stilts and floating gardens before reaching Indein Village, home to the Pa O minority tribe and also one of five villages who host the weekly morning market. This market is visited by all lake inhabitants and the surrounding hill tribes and gives us a first-hand look into daily life and work in the region.

Walk through the village, following an old path that leads to a 13^th century monastery and ancient set of ruins peeking out throughout the jungle. Return to your hotel in the early afternoon and enjoy the rest of your day free at leisure.

Return to the resort and rest until a flight to Mandalay, the cultural and traditional heart of the country. Filled with Buddhist monasteries, exotic temples and glittering pagodas, it’s easy to see why Rudyard Kipling had so much to write about in his iconic poems.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: The Link 78 Mandalay Boutique Hotel

Rise and shine for a big breakfast before leaving the hotel to discover the history of Mandalay on a full-day adventure.

Visit some of the most famous sites within the city, such as the Royal Palace of Shwenandaw and its monastery, built almost exclusively with gorgeous teak wood. Proceed to the foot of Mandalay Hill to visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to the world’s largest book, a set of Buddhist scriptures inscribed on huge stone tablets! Have some time to wander freely amongst the many shimmering gold pagodas and temples on the hill before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, journey outside of Mandalay 13 km to Amarapura, the Immortal City, a former capital of Myanmar between 1783-1821 and then again from 1842-1859. The city is well-known for its beautiful handmade silk weavings. Drop by Mahagandayon Monastery, where over 1,000 monks currently study and live, before ending the day at the iconic U-Bein Bridge.

Over 200 years old and fashioned entirely out of teak, the bridge measures a staggering 1.2 km long and is the longest bridge of its kind in the world. Enjoy a stroll across the bridge before having a romantic sunset rowboat ride to get a unique vantage on this exquisite sight.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: The Link 78 Mandalay Boutique Hotel

Discover the wonderful artistic heritage of Myanmar with morning visits to different hands-on workshops to learn about puppet making, lotus weaving, lacquered making, and silversmiths.

Enjoy free time until leaving for the Mandalay airport after lunch to catch a late afternoon flight to Thailand’s Chiang Mai.

Meals: Breakfast

Welcome to Chiang Mai, Thailand’s cultural and religious center. Previously the capital of the Lanna Kingdom from 1296-1558, Chiang Mai’s small old town and rolling green expanses are the perfect introduction to the land of smiles.

Start this morning at Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and conservation center for elephants. Throughout the day, get up close with the elephants as you feed, bathe, and play with them after a short training course from a Mahout.

Enjoy a lunch at the camp before returning to Chiang Mai for a late afternoon visit of Wat Umong, a beautiful temple located in thick forests. Then, travel to the holiest temple in all of Chiang Mai, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Here you will be swept away to another time and culture as you hear monks chant their evening prayers while bathed in the twilight of the evening. Admire the impressive view of the city below before returning to your hotel for a good night’s rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Travel 3 hours northeast of Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, a mountainous city on the border of Laos and Myanmar. The emerald Buddha you viewed in the Royal Palace in Bangkok comes from this city, as does the magnificent white Wat Rong Khun. Then pass by Baan Dam, a museum commonly referred to as the Black House due to its colors and the themes explored within.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa

Rise and shine on your last full day in Northern Thailand for a day-trip to visit the infamous Golden Triangle, an area known for its illicit history in the opium trade. In addition, the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos all converge at one point in this area, leaving astounding views to be had.

Drive 1.5 hours north to the sleepy Mekong town of Chiang Saen, the oldest city in Thailand built by Thai ancestors (Ayutthaya was established by Mon-Khmer groups). From here, we will board a long-tail boat and take a 40-min ride up the river to Sob Ruak, the point at which you can survey the three countries all at once.

In Sob Ruak,visit the Hall of Opium Museum to learn more about the history and use of the drug. There is also a privately-run smaller version called the Opium House with additional information for guests who are interested in learning more.

Return to Chiang Sen by a short 15-min bus ride and dine in a local restaurant for lunch before taking a 1-hour car ride towards the Lao border to the small town of Chiang Khong. Just across the Mekong River lies Laos. Check into your hotel and enjoy the quiet evening along the banks of the Mekong River.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Chiangkhong Teak Garden Riverfront Hotel

Today we will complete the border crossing from Thailand to Laos in the morning. After the paperwork is completed, transfer by tuktuk or minivan to the dock to board the Luang Say day cruise. Journey along the Mekong River, meeting different hill tribes along the river.

Enjoy lunch aboard the boat and try delicious local snacks before arriving in Pak Beng just before sunset. Check-in to your accommodation for the night and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Luang Say Lodge

Return to the ship at 8 am and begin sailing towards our final destination of Luang Prabang. Before our arrival to Laos’ most beautiful city, stop at Pak Ou Caves, where a thousand Buddha images are kept. Before reaching Luang Prabang, stop at the Lao Whisky Village to see how villagers make the potent Lau Lao, a special type of whiskey made from rice.

Arrive to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and check into the Mekong Riverview Hotel.

Enjoy a free evening to stroll and admire the simple and classic beauty of both natural and man-made creations along the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mekong Riverview Hotel

Drive out of Luang Prabang this morning and begin your day-hike from Long Lao Village where Khamu and Hmong people reside. Pass orchards, rice fields, and vegetable gardens before disappearing into the wild jungle and some medium-rock climbs, arriving in the afternoon to the out-of-this world Kuang Si Waterfall. Swim and relax in the glowing turquoise waters in your very own version of the Jungle Book. Make sure to stop at the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Sanctuary to learn about one woman’s efforts to protect Asian sun and moon bears from illegal poaching and organ theft for medicinal purposes.

Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon, enjoying your evening free at leisure to explore and shop at the nightly art and craft market.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mekong Riverview Hotel

Rise before the sun and take part in the iconic tradition of Luang Prabang, offering alms to a long line of monks in dusky saffron robes at Ban Vat Sean.Typical alms givings are usually of simple food such as rice or fruit so that the monks can have their one meal per day.

After the ceremony, return to the hotel to have your own breakfast before checking out. Stop by the Royal Palace, nowadays a museum, with a wonderful collection of crown jewels, antique cars, royal objects and weapons, artwork and more. Enjoy the well-tended gardens before transferring to the Luang Prabang Airport for your onward booked travel.

Meals: Breakfast