The Great Eastern Circuit

Siem Reap : Arrive in Yangon and check-in at the hotel. This day is kept for you to relax.

Siem Reap : An exciting couple of days are a great Siem Reap. Siem Reap is known for Chinese architecture, French infusion and the Khmer history. Visit Angkor Wat, the sprawling temple complex on this day. It is advisable to keep a lot of time discovering the temples here. Even a whole day is not ample, so make sure you see the main highlights and have some time to roam around and photograph the place. In the late afternoon travel to the South Gate of Angkor temple, board a handcrafted wooden boat or gondola for a romantic cruise on the moat surrounding the walled city. The view of the temples from here is spectacular.

Siem Reap : This day is reserved to see the other sights of Siem Reap; the markets that you may have to jostle through, the French Quarter, museum, traditional dances and even the craft and shopping scene. Located on the north of the Tonle Sap Lake lies the village of Kompong Khleang. A combination of stilted and floating houses, a boat trip to the village is the perfect way to understand the extremities of life on the lake. Later, we visit Ta Prohm, a unique temple that has been left to nature with trees and vines growing amongst the structures. This is one of the most photogenic temples in the Angkor area and recently gained fame as the ‘Tomb Raider temple’ after featuring in a Hollywood film with Angelina Jolie. Enjoy exploring this 12th century temple. Travel this afternoon is by remork, or the Cambodian version of the tuk tuk.

Siem Reap – Luan Prabang : Leave on this day for the city of Luan Prabang. This lies in the northern part of Loas and is a popular hiking destination. The valley converges at the confluence of Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Rest at the hotel to prepare for the next two days of sightseeing.

Luan Prabang : We visit the most historic temple Wat Xiengthong, showcasing the classical Luang Prabang style. We board a private boat for a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. Our first stop is the village of Ban Muangkeo where we start a short trek to reach the mysterious caves of Pak Ou; two caves set in a limestone cliff facing the Mekong River crammed with thousands Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. We then return to Luang Prabang by boat, stopping at the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Nongxai. We arrive back in Luang Prabang by mid-afternoon where you have the option to climb Mount Phousi which offers a spectacular view Rivers.

Luan Prabang : This morning we head to the Tamarind Restaurant for your cooking class. Visit the local market with the chef, who will teach you about the ingredients used in the dishes you will prepare. Return back to the restaurant and begin your class, located in its beautiful pond side garden, under the expert tuition of your chef. In the afternoon visit the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails. Next to the falls is a Bear Rescue Centre, which does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear. The evening is at leisure to relax or we visit the night market for evening exploration.

Luan Prabang – Bangkok : We have just enough time to visit Mount Phou Si, the seat of the Wat Chom Si shrine and then take a flight to Bangkok in Thailand. Bangkok exudes a completely different charm, which we explore the next day. We visit Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving centre. Here you will be given a guided tour and the silk weaving process will be explained.

Bangkok : On the Khmer trail again, we visit temples and pagodas that emulate the same style of architecture. We visit the Grand Palace, and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple, the Wat Pho Temple with an enormous reclining Buddha and the Wat Arun Temple. We also take an evening cruise in the Chao Phraya River.

Bangkok – Yangon : This morning, we leave Bangkok and arrive in Yangon and check-in at the hotel. This day is kept for you to relax.

Yangon : The day is reserved to see the top sights of the city with a guide. Stroll around Sule Pagoda, the City Hall, old railway station and the post office. Later, visit the Bogyoke Aung San (Scott) Market – the city busiest & liveliest bazaar – wher you can see local life at close quarters. The Karaweik Royal Barge and the Kyaukhtatgyi pagoda are next on the list. The contract of the soothing pagodas and the bustle of the market make it an interesting day.

Yangon – Inle Lake : After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Heho in Shan State. On arrival, continue by car and enjoy a scenic drive to Nyaung Shwe jetty. Here, you visit some local temples and nunneries. The markets are abuzz with activity, so it’s an added plus for the photographers.

Inle Lake : Naturally, it’s all about the water at Inle Lake town. Today, you embark on a full day tour of by a private boat. The day throws in views of the leg-rowing fishermen, floating gardens and even a floating village at Ywama (the lake’s downtown). Hopefully we can time this with a floating market that is held every 5 days at Ywama. Later we visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the weaving village of Inpawkhon and the jumping cat monastery, with beautiful antique Buddha statues.

Inle Lake – Bagan : It’s time for another domestic flight to Nyaung U. Check in at the hotel in nearby Bagan and be prepped for half of the day to be filled with a visit to the Manuha Temple, Nanpaya Temple and Abeyadama Temple. We end the temple trail at Lawkananda Pagoda. The day ends with a sunset boat ride along the legendary Irrawaddy River.

Bagan : A magical day of floating in the air on a hot air balloon is kicked off early. From the balloon you can look at the marvelous plains of Bagan and get a bird’s eye view of the wonderful pagodas and the Irrawaddy River. Later, we visit the NyaungOo market to get a glimpse of everyday life in Bagan. We spend the rest of the morning exploring Shwezigon Pagoda, caves of KyanzitthaUmin, Htilominlo Temple and Ananda temple. More village life can be seen at Anauk Pwa Saw and Minanthu. Late afternoon, we visit Dhammayangyi pagoda and finally enjoy the sunset from one of the most scenic spots in town.

Bagan – Mandalay : A flight to Mandalay leaves us the rest of the day to explore the 150 years old U Bein teak bridge and the Maha Gandaryone monastery, before winding down for the night.

Mandalay : On the last day of the trip, enjoy roaming the streets of Mandalay. The gem market and ThayeZay Station Bazaar are the two haunts that we trawl. Later we tour the city visiting Mahamuni Buddha Image, Shwenandaw (Golden Palace) Monastery, Atumashi Monastery, and Kuthodaw pagoda. The trip’s last highlight is the sunset from top of Mandalay Hill. This is also the last day, when your departure is scheduled.