Thailand to Burma (8 Days)

Day 1: Bangkok

Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening at your own leisure.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok City Tour & River Cruise 

This morning visit the colorful Flower Market before continuing on to the spiritual and religious heart of the city – the striking Grand Palace. Topped by golden stupas, the complex has been the site of royal coronations and is home to the legendary Emerald Buddha. Next take a tuk tuk ride to Wat Pho, home to the famous golden Reclining Buddha.

From here cross Chao Phraya River for lunch at Supatra, a traditional Thai restaurant set on the river banks, before boarding a longtail boat to explore the city’s canals. Known as khlongs, the canals enable surface water to make its way to the sea and have long been a way of getting around Bangkok. On your journey glide past curious stilted houses and gleaming temples whilst old men fish and children frolic about on the water’s edge.

The boat drops you off within walking distance of Khao San Road, popular with backpackers and hippies. Late afternoon offers free time for you to enjoy the many bars, restaurants, street performers, market stalls and tailors – that will measure you up for a new suit, that line this vibrant road.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 3: Bangkok –Kanchanaburi  

Bangkok – Kanchanaburi. It’s an early start today as we drive 2.5hrs west of the capital to the small town of Kanchanaburi. Here we pay our respects to the thousands of Allied POWs who perished in the area under the hand of the Imperial Japanese Army. After pausing at the Allied War Cemetery we continue to the infamous ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’, immortalised by the film of the same name. You have a chance to take pictures before you board a train for a 2 hour journey that crosses the bridge before following the tracks dug by the POWs and locals some 75 years earlier.

Disembarking at Nam Tok we have a short drive to ‘Hellfire Pass’ where the POWs dug through a mountain often using only their bare hands. A fascinating museum at the entrance details the region’s history.

After our day’s sightseeing a leisurely longtail boat ride leads us to our fabulous floating jungle raft hotel. To the beauty of a hundred softly glowing lanterns and the sounds of the tropical forest and cool water flowing by we enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening on the deck.

 Overnight in Kanchanaburi.

Day 4: Bangkok –Yangon 

Kanchanaburi – Bangkok – Yangon. In the morning return to Bangkok to catch your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival visit the glistening golden Sule Pagoda located in the heart of this former capital city, and then drive to the famous 2500-year old Shwedagon Pagoda for sunset.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 5: Yangon-Bagan 

Yangon– Bagan. Today board a short flight to Bagan. Upon arrival your first stop will be at one of the most important stupas in the region, the Dhammayazika Zedi, where you can admire striking views across the stupa-filled plains of Bagan.

Continue on to the Archaeological Museum to learn more about the region and then carry on to visit a few more of its important sites, such as the Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi, Htilominlo and Ananda Temples. Later make a stop at a small factory to see how beautiful lacquer-ware items are produced, and perhaps even pick up a souvenir or two.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 6: Bagan –Mandalay 

Bagan – Mandalay. This morning is kept free should you wish to embark on the experience of a lifetime, a relaxing hot air balloon ride over the stupas of Bagan as the sun rises over the horizon. After breakfast explore some of the surrounding countryside with a drive out to Mount Tankyi, with its many temples standing like sentinels over the countryside below. In the afternoon venture further by horse and cart, a novel and popular way to visit some temples and soak up the atmosphere before catching your flight on to Mandalay.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 7: Mandalay Surrounding 

Following breakfast head to the jetty for a boat ride upriver to Mingun to visit the remains of what could have been the world’s largest pagoda. Intended to reach a staggering height of 152 metres, work on the pagoda stopped after the death of King Bodawpaya in 1819. Dramatically split by an earthquake in 1838, the monumental structure is still incredibly impressive. Next stop is the huge Mingun Bell and the beautiful white Myatheindan pagoda nearby.

Returning by boat to Mandalay the afternoon is spent exploring the Royal Palace, the teak carvings of the historic Shwenandaw Monastery and the world’s largest book at the Kuthodaw Pagoda. Our day concludes with Mandalay Hill and depending on the time, a spectacular sunset with vistas across the city.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 8: Mandalay –Bangkok 

Mandalay – Bangkok. This morning depart for Mandalay airport for your return flight to Bangkok or alternatively on to Thandwe and the paradise beach resort of Ngapoli.