Highlights of Laos and Myanmar: A 16-Day Southeast Asian Journey

Day 1. Arrive Vientiane
Located on the banks of the Mekong River, the Laos capital is a relaxed place that has a feel more similar to a provincial town than a capital city. Weathered French Colonial mansions give way to golden temples, and the languid pace of life makes it an ideal place to explore by bicycle. -/-/-

Day 2. Vientiane
Vientiane is a low-built, red roofed capital city, with a French feel and a relaxed atmosphere. We will explore some of the best sights including the Victory Gate which is a Triumphal Arch with good views of the town, the That Luang stupa which is said to contain a hair of the Buddha, and Wat Sisaket, a beautiful temple packed with fine Buddha images. We can spend the evening visiting the lively night markets that line the Mekong River. They offer a variety of local handicrafts, clothing, souvenirs, and delicious street food. B/-/-

Day 3. Vientiane - Vang Vieng
After breakfast we take the 3.5-hour drive north to Vang Vieng. Along the way, stop at the Hmong village and the archaeological site of Vang Xang to see an 11th-century Buddha statue. Then visit Ban Houy Mo fishing village before lunch at a local restaurant. Later, we take a boat trip on the Nam Xong River before reaching our hotel for the night. B/-/-

Day 4. Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng enjoys an idyllic setting. Perched on the banks of the Nam Song River, it is surrounded by towering jagged limestone cliffs. Once known as a party-town for backpackers, present-day Vang Vieng has re-invented itself as the home of adventure travel in Laos, where its setting lends itself to a host of activities for anybody from casual walkers to adrenaline thrill-seekers. Today has been left free for you to choose from a number of optional excursions, such as a guided walk past rice paddies to nearby minority villages, Kaeng Nyui waterfall by tuk tuk or a yoga session. B/-/-

Day 5. Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang
After breakfast we take the train journey through the heart of Laos to Luang Prabang. This journey takes us through the mountains in a series of newly constructed tunnels, with some spectacular mountain scenery to take in in-between tunnels. We arrive into Luang Prabang around two hours later, a journey which used to take a full day when travelling by winding mountain road. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang is nestled in a valley of lush rolling hills and sits at the confluence of two rivers, the Khan and the mighty Mekong. Influence from its French occupiers is peppered all over the city, with grand white-washed Indochinese villas lining its leafy streets, oddly complementing the golden- tipped wats (temples) found around almost every corner. Time moves so slowly here that it almost stands still, and a must-do is grabbing a Lao coffee, sitting down outside one of the many cafes and just watching the world go by, in traditional Lao style. This evening there is chance to walk to nearby Mount Phousi and climb its 328 steps in time for sunset, offering excellent panoramic views over this sleepy city and beyond. B/-/-

Day 6. Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves
We start early the day to watch the monks' daily "Tak Bat" alms-giving ritual and explore the local fresh market before things get crowded. After hotel breakfast, walk through the Royal Palace Museum to learn about local history, then visit Wat Xiengthong temple with its distinctive sweeping roof. Afterwards, we will board a traditional long-tail boat for the short journey up the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves. There a number of steps to climb here as we make our way up the limestone cliffs to reach the sacred Buddhist shrine. Back to Luang Prabang for overnight. B/-/-

Day 7. Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang
We will leave Luang Prabang early and drive to Xieng Khouang using back roads instead of main highways. This route gives you a more authentic feel for rural Laos with fewer tourists around. Upon arrival, head to the Plain of Jars, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Plain of Jars contains thousands of massive stone jars, some weighing several tons, carved from rock and spread across the Xieng Khouang Plateau. They date back roughly 500 BCE to 500 CE. Hundreds of large stone jars are scattered across the plateau, and nobody really knows their exact purpose. The best-supported explanation today is that the jars were part of a complex ancient funerary system, but the exact cultural group that made them - and the full details of their rituals - remain unknown. B/-/-

Day 8. Xieng Khouang - Vientiane - Yangon (Myanmar)
Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Vientiane. Then, catch a flight to Yangon in Myanmar. Arrival in Yangon in the early afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Sightseeing begins with a visit to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to the 70-meter reclining Buddha. We continue to Kandawgyi Park, where we can see Karaweik barge - a replica of the royal barge. We visit also the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revert Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Overnight in Yangon. B/-/-

Day 9. Yangon
Transfer to Yangon Railway Station to take a unique ride on the city's circular train ride via the outskirts of the town (about 20-30 min). This slowly travelling train gives you the unique opportunity to observe the colorful lifestyle of the local people. We get off the train at the Kyi Myin Daing market and then transfer back to Yangon. The sightseeing continues with a drive along the famous Strand Road and a visit to the harbour, the 2000-year-old Sule Pagoda and Mahabandoola Park. We continue to a local tea shop for some tea drinking. Free time for shopping at the Bogyoke market (closed on Mondays and public holidays). Last on our list for the day is a visit to the vibrant Chinatown Night Market. Overnight in Yangon. B/-/-

Day 10. Yangon - Bagan
Morning flight to Bagan, Myanmars ancient capital dotted with thousands of pagodas and flanked by the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. We visit Shwezigon Pagoda, its graceful bell shape became a prototype of later Myanmar stupa, and then continue to Wetkyi-in Gubyaukkyi, a cave temple with exquisite Jatakas mural paintings. We continue to the eminent Ananda Temple with a 51-meter shimmering gold tip, Manuha Temple, Nanpaya Temple and Gubyaukgui, which is protected by UNESCO for its mural paintings. We finish the day with a visit to the famous Shwesandaw Pagoda and follow the steps up to one of the high terraces to enjoy a great view over the plains and the city. Overnight in Bagan. B/-/-

Day 11. Bagan
After breakfast we visit Tayoke Pyay, Payathonzu and Nandamanya Temples (noted for exquisite 13th century murals) and Kyat Kan Cave Monastery, a famous meditation centre in Bagan. In the afternoon we continue to the farming villages around Bagan that will give an insight to the rural life of the local people. Afterwards we head to the beautiful Nat Hlaung Kyaung, a monastery famous for wood carvings and collection of ancient Buddha statues and lacquer boxes. At the end of the day, we enjoy the sunset at one of the monuments near the Ayeyarwady River. Overnight in Bagan. B/-/-

Day 12. Bagan - Mandalay
After breakfast we drive from Bagan to Mandalay (app. 4 hours), the spiritual heart of Myanmar, we head straight to Mahamuni Pagoda one of Myanmar’s most revered Buddha images, a 4-meter-high statue covered with a thick layer of gold leaf. We spent the afternoon exploring the Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings, and the Kuthodaw Pagoda, where Buddhist scripture is carved on 729 marble tablets, billed as the “biggest book” in the world. We finish our sightseeing on Mandalay Hill, an ideal spot to enjoy the sunset over the town. Overnight in Mandalay. B/-/-

Day 13. Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava - Sagaing - Mandalay
A full day trip to the ancient cities of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. We visit country’s largest monastery “Maha Gandayone Kyaung”, home to several thousand young monks, renowned as a center for monastic study. By a short ferry boat ride, we cross Myintge River (Myintge canal) to Ava, where we visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery (the Me Nu Ok Kyaung). We continue to Sagaing Hills, with numerous pagodas and over 600 monasteries and nunneries dotted along the Hills. Visit the impressive 29.3m-high Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin pagoda, and U-Min Thounzeh (30 Caves). A stroll along the 1.2km long teak-pole U Bein pedestrian bridge before we return to the hotel in Mandalay for overnight. B/-/-

Day 14. Mandalay - Heho - Inle Lake
After early breakfast we drive from Mandalay to Heho (app 5 hours) in the Southern Shan State, the gateway to the captivating Inle Lake. We embark on a private motorboat on a sail trip among stilted villages, floating gardens, unique pagodas, and traditional flat-bottomed boats powered by leg-rowing fishermen. We visit Phaung Daw Oo pagoda and its five holy Buddha images. We see Nampan floating villages that hosts many local artisans. Our tour continues to Inn Paw Khone weaving village and finally visit Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, one of the most impressive of the many monasteries on the lake with its 150-200 pillars with elaborate wooden carvings. Overnight at a hotel on the Inle Lake. B/-/-

Day 15. Inle Lake - Indein
Boat trip on the lake. Visit Pa-Oh village of In Dein on the western bank of the lake. We pass by the busy village of Ywama, the largest on the lake, and continue to Nyaung Ohak Monastery, where we wander through a stair path lined up with many hundreds of wooden columns before we reach the impressive Shwe Inn Thein Paya complex with more than 1000 stupas, built in the 17th and 18th century. After a stroll in the pagoda complex, we take the boat back to Inle Lake and the hotel. B/-/-

Day 16. Inle - Heho - Yangon. Departure
Transfer to Heho airport to catch the flight back to Yangon. End of services. B/-/-