Cambodia and Myanmar Highlights

Activities: Fly to Siem Reap, check in at the hotel, walk around the hotel area, visit the Old Market, and enjoy a welcome dinner and Khmer dance.

Upon your arrival in Siem Reap - the most prosperous region of contemporary Cambodia, your guide will meet and transfer you to the hotel. Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire.

Over 100 temples are spread over a vast area and the site easily lives up to its status as one of the seven wonders of the forgotten world. Take a walk around the hotel and then explore the “Old Market"- a market in the city of Siem Reap in northern Cambodia.

The market is popular with tourists in the city and sells souvenirs, including T-shirts, silverware, silk, wood and stone carvings, Buddhas, and other items. It is also known for its variety of Cambodian cuisine.

In the evening, a welcome dinner is followed by the traditional performance of Khmer dance.

Activities: Visit Ta Prohm by tuk-tuk, visit Angkor Wat, and take a boat to visit floating villages in Tonle Sap Lake.

Today, your full day is dedicated to exploring the mysterious Angkor temples. In the early morning, take a tuk-tuk to visit Ta Prohm - located southwest of the East Mebon and east of Angkor Thom. Ta Prohm is among the largest of the monuments in the Angkor complex. The complex included 260 statues of gods, 39 towers with pinnacles, and 566 groups of residences. The trees growing out of the ruins are perhaps the most distinctive feature of Ta Prohm.

Continue to visit Angkor Wat - a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world. Built-in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the best preserved- an architectural masterpiece. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief, and sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world.

In the afternoon, make your way with a short cruise to the impressive lake of Tonle Sap. As one of the world’s most varied and productive ecosystems, the region has always been of central importance for Cambodia's food provision. Take your time to immerse yourself in the beautiful sights of floating villages- the distinctive features of the region.

Activities: Visit Angkor Thom, Bayon temple, the Elephant Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King, Banteay Srei, and Preah Khan.

After breakfast, your morning journey will be donated to explore another famous ancient capital: Angkor Thom - undeniably an expression of the highest genius. It is, in three dimensions and on a scale worthy of an entire nation representing ideas that only great painters would dare to portray. Continue onto Bayon temple.

Dating from the 12th century, Bayon Temple is the spectacular central temple of the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Don’t miss out on the Terrace of Elephants stretching over 300 meters through the core of Angkor Thom. It is an impressive, two-and-a-half-meter tall, 300-meter long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and garudas spanning the front of Baphuon.

Take a few walks to the terrace of the Leper King-a double terrace wall at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants.  Next, stop at Banteay Srei - a beautiful 10th-century Hindu temple complex, about 23 miles north of Angkor Wat and Preah Khan - one of the largest temples of Angkor.

In the afternoon, turn back to town.

Activities: Walk along the village, learn about Cambodian vegetables, Join a cooking class, check out the hotel in Siem Reap, fly to Yangon, and check in the hotel in Yangon.

This morning, you get a great chance to learn more about authentic Khmer cuisine through an interesting cooking class. Your experience starts with a walk along the village. You will be introduced to Cambodian vegetables, herbs, and other ingredients.

Afterward, head back to the classroom to express your cooking talent. Enjoy your achievement before returning to the hotel for check out. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Yangon - the former capital of Myanmar. Upon your arrival, your guide and driver will meet and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Activities: Fly to Bagan, visit Nyang U Market, Shwezigon pagoda, Ananda temple, and surrounding temples, visit a local lacquer wear workshop, and watch the sunset at the top of the Shwesandaw pagoda.

In the early morning, take a flight to the World Heritage site- Bagan. The thousands of temples that are spread across the plains of Bagan combine to form one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia and provide views quite unlike anywhere else on earth.

Begin with a visit to Nyang U Market in Old Bagan where you can see the bustling ambiance of the locals flocking together to sell and buy their fresh produce. Make your way to the impressive Shwezigon pagoda. The golden Shwezigon Paya in Bagan is one of the most significant religious buildings in Myanmar, for it served as a prototype for later stupas built throughout the country and marked an important development in the relationship between traditional Burmese religion and Theravada Buddhism.

Continue onto Ananda temple- one of the four main temples remaining in Bagan. Ananda temple is considered to be one of the most surviving masterpieces of Mon architecture. En route, make a stop to admire some of the surrounding temples.

Your afternoon sightseeing will start with a visit to a local lacquer wear workshop where you will have a chance to learn more about the traditional techniques of craftsmen and admire unique and beautiful products.

Finish your day by a drive to Shwesandaw pagoda for a stunning sunset over the surroundings.

Activities: Free to explore the city.

Today is at your leisure. You could make a different journey with the option of taking a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the town in the early morning. Alternatively, if you are an adventure lover, don’t hesitate to take a bike ride to soak in the local life of the temple field.

Activities: Fly to Mandalay, visit Mahagandaryone Monastery, stroll along U Bein Bridge, visit Kyautawgyi pagoda, take a boat along Taungthaman Lake, drive to Sagaing hill, climb to the top for beautiful views, explore Son U Pon Nya Shin Pagoda.

This morning, take a flight to Mandalay- which retains a rich history and traditional culture. Begin with a visit to Mahagandayon monastery -where over one-thousand monks reside. Take your time to witness the monks in their afternoon meal and rice ceremony.

Afterward, stroll along the impressive U Bein Bridge- a beautiful 1.2-kilometer structure built from teak planks and said to be the longest of its type in the world. Stop to visit the Kyautawgyi pagoda which is known for its enormous Buddha image made out of a single piece of white marble. On the way returning to Mandalay, take a boat along Taungthaman Lake to watch the tranquility and serenity of this beautiful lake. This is one of the best places in Amarapura.

Your lunch will be followed by a drive to Sagaing hill to learn about the different Buddhist education systems for monks and nuns and visit the local university. Climb the top of the hill to admire the Buddha caves and Buddha images. Make the final stop at Son U Pon Nya Shin Pagoda. This Pagoda is sat on the top of a 240-foot high hill and from the various viewpoints, there are probably the best views possible of Sagaing and the river.

Activities: Take a private boat to Mingun, visit Mingun Pagoda, Mingun Bell, Mandalay palace, and Kuthodaw pagoda, and watch the sunset at the top of Mandalay Hill.

After breakfast, embark on a private boat downriver to Mingun- which is famous for its unique ruins. Start your tour with a visit to the massive brick Mingun Pagoda- an unfinished pagoda built at the end of the 18th century, and was the largest pagoda in the country.

Continue onto the Mingun Bell. The bell is housed nearby the Paya in a Zayat, an intricate Burmese-style pavilion with a multi-tiered roof. The bell measuring almost 4 meters high is the largest working bell in the world.

In the afternoon, return to Mandalay where you will enjoy your own lunch at a riverside restaurant. Afterward, make a visit to Mandalay palace- the first palace to be built in Mandalay, by King Mindon when he shifted his capital from Amarapura in 1861, to fulfill an old prophecy.

Continue onto Kuthodaw pagoda which comprises a gilded pagoda, hundreds of shrines housing inscribed marble slabs, and several pavilions. The pagoda is also called “the world’s largest book”, named after the 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings. Wrap your day with a stunning view at sunset on the top of Mandalay Hill.

Activities: Fly to Heho, visit Nyaung Shwe market, take a boat trip to the hotel, and explore the lake.

This morning, leave Mandalay for a flight to Heho. Upon your arrival, your driver and guide will take you to visit the local market of Nyaung Shwe - the gateway to Inle Lake. Inle lake is the country's second-largest lake and features floating villages, gardens, various tribes nearby, and fishermen who row with their legs.

Your scenic boat tour to your hotel will pass through villages with stilted houses and floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Spend the rest of the day exploring one of the most beautiful lakes in Southeast Asia which is home to the Intha people and the unusual rowing techniques.

Activities: Take a boat to visit Indein temples, visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda, Ngaphechaung monastery, cotton and lotus weaving factory, cigar making houses.

In the morning, embark on a boat to visit the beautiful temple of Indein. Take a leisurely walk to enjoy the mysterious beauty of this untouched temple. Then, continue onto Phaungdawoo Pagoda- the most highly revered monastery in the Inle Lake area.

It houses five ancient images of the Buddha that are completely covered in gold leaf. Don’t miss out on Ngaphechaung monastery- an attractive wooden monastery built on stilts over the lake at the end of the 1850s. The monastery is also known for a collection of old Myanmar Buddha images from different areas that are worth seeing.

Proceed to the village of Nam Pan to visit the cotton and lotus weaving factory, cigar making houses. Here you can see Innthar people using their traditional silk weaving techniques to create unique and high-quality products.

Activities: Fly to Yangon, visit Shwedagon Paya, and watch the sunset.

After breakfast, take a boat and then car to the airport for a flight to Yangon. Begin with a visit to Shwedagon Paya - the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. The Shwedagon Pagoda is a great cone-shaped Buddhist monument 99 meters high. After exploring the pagoda, reach the highest point. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa at sunset from this vantage point.

In the evening, enjoy a fabulous dinner of traditional Burmese cuisine at Karaweik Palace.

Activities: Visit Sule pagoda, Chaukhtayi pagoda, and Kandawgyi Lake, and transfer to the airport.

Your city tour will discover the highlights of Yangon including the Sule pagoda- an excellent landmark. It is said to be over 2.000 years old; Chaukhtayi pagoda and Kandawgyi Lake which was constructed during colonial times, and surrounded by a green, tree-filled park. If time allows, stop to shop for your own at Scott market.

Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.