Myanmar Luxury Trip

Handcrafted Travel
Daily Departure

Overview

  • Beach Escapes
  • Culture & Heritage
  • Luxury Travel
  • Day 1: Arrival in Yangon
  • Day 2: Yangon City Tour
  • Day 3: Yangon – Fly To Mandalay Royal Palace
  • Day 4: Embark On Road To Mandalay Cruise
  • Day 5: Visit Ava – Boat To Bagan
  • Day 6: Bagan Temple Ruins
  • Day 7: Disembark in Bagan – Sightseeing
  • Day 8: Balloon In Bagan – Free at leisure
  • Day 9: Bagan – Fly To Heho – Drive to Kalaw & Visit Elephant Camp
  • Day 10: Kalaw – Drive to Red Mountain – Inle Lake
  • Day 11: Inle Lake Sightseeing
  • Day 12: Cooking Class – Visit Tribe Village
  • Day 13: Heho – Fly to Thandwe – Ngapali beach
  • Day 14: Ngapali Beach
  • Day 15: Ngapali Beach
  • Day 16: Thandwe – Fly Back To Yangon
  • Day 17: Departure Yangon

Customizable itinerary

Mingalabar! Welcome to Yangon, Myanmar.

Upon arrival at Yangon Airport, your private guide and driver are waiting to meet you, holding up a welcome signboard with your names on it and take you directly to your hotel in the downtown. Welcome banner on arrival at the hotel and a welcome cocktail while checking-in. While every effort is made to have your room available upon arrival, check-in time is at 02:00 pm; your room may or may not be ready before this time. Your tour guide will provide additional details regarding your stay, and you will be able to ask any questions you may have. The rest of the day is at leisure.

End of the day, you have a chance to enjoy dinner in Le Planteur – one of the most luxurious restaurants before coming back to Yangon hotel.

Stay overnight in Belmond Governor’s Residence Yangon or The Strand Hotel.
Meals: (_/_/D)


The city’s historical colonial and religious influences have survived despite its status as a rising Southeast Asian city, making for a truly unique experience.

Start a morning tour to visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell-shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds and rubies, sapphires, and topaz – a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to begin our trip in this “Golden Land”.

After that, head to Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, famous for an impressive reclining Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha Image before coming back to downtown and enjoy lunch in the Seeds Restaurant & Lounge, a romantic, contemporary Fine Dining Getaway by the Lake

In the afternoon, take a look around the colorful Bogyoke market where obtains Myanmar souvenirs, a perfect replacement for shopping. Walking around the National Museum and the magnificent complex architecture of British Colonial are the main tourist attractions downtown.

Top off the afternoon exploration of colonial heritage with high tea at The Strand, one of Myanmar’s most iconic colonial-era hotels.

Stay overnight in Belmond Governor’s Residence Yangon or The Strand Hotel.
Meals: (B/L/_)



After an early breakfast at the hotel transfer to Yangon’s Mingaladon Airport for the flight to Mandalay.

Upon arrival, our private car and tour guide will welcome us to the Mandalay airport and transfer to the hotel in the center. On the way, we will stop in Amarapura to attend the daily meal of over a thousand monks at the country’s largest monastery; Mahagandayon at 10:30 am every day.

Enjoy lunch in Mingalabar Restaurant – Asia Highlights’ Top Pick in Mandalay.

Afternoon highlight to the most significant Buddha images covered in several tons of gold leaf and the crown prize in wars between competing kingdoms; the Golden Palace Monastery, the sole surviving Royal Palace building in Mandalay, offering a glimpse of the original style and architecture of the Myanmar royals; and lastly, the Kuthodaw Pagoda, a compound housing Buddha’s teachings carved in the sacred Pali script on stone tablets and regarded the world’s largest book in terms of surface area. Time permitting, we enjoy a stroll through the lively Zegyo Market in the heart of the city to experience authentic local life.

We end our day with sunset panoramic views over the city skyline on Mandalay Hill, the highest point of the city.

Stay overnight in Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort or Hilton Mandalay.
Meals: (B/L/_)



Free in the morning until 10:30 am, check out and our car and tour guide will pick us up for a transfer to Shwe Kyet Yet village to embark on Road to Mandalay Cruise – one of the most luxurious cruises in Myanmar. Embark the ship at midday and set sail north along the Ayeyarwaddy River.

Enjoy an afternoon discovering the city’s key sites and traditional arts including a visit to a family of bronze casters.

Dine on Asia and Western cuisine in the elegant restaurant. Enjoying cruise’s excellent house wines or selecting an international label from cruise’s extensive list

Lunch and dinner are served on the cruise. Stay overnight on the boat in the private deluxe cabin.
Meals: (B/L/D)


Stretch out and relax at an early-morning yoga session, followed by a refreshing treat from cruise’s Healthy Juice Bar.

Join a Buddhist almsgiving ceremony and experience village near cruise’s jetty before the ship sets sail.

Alight in Ava to explore the ancient capital. Take a traditional horse and cart tour or discover the sights by bike

As the ship sails to Bagan, enjoy a range of onboard activities. Attend a talk on Myanmar culture, sample local infusions in cruise’s Burmese Tea Shop, and learn how to dress in a traditional longyi or have our fortune told by an astrologer. You can also indulge in a treatment at the spa, work out in the gym, or relax by the pool on the Observation Deck – the largest outdoor space of any river cruises in Myanmar.

Lunch and dinner are served on the cruise. Stay overnight on the boat in private deluxe cabin.
Meals: (B/L/D)


Rise early to attend a soothing meditation session before the ship arrives in Bagan.

A range of tour options is available today. Choose from “Introduction to Bagan” for temples and history. “A day in the life” for local culture, food, and markets, or “Bagan by bicycle” for those seeking with a taste for action and adventure.

Before rejoining the ship for lunch, stroll through the small village that is home to Belmond’s private jetty near Old Bagan. We may wish to visit Belmond’s free clinic where cruise’s onboard doctor will be treating local patients.

In the afternoon, visit Ananda – one of Bagan’s most magnificent temples. Continue our tour as we explore an off-the-beaten-track temple by torchlight.

End your visit by admiring the sunset over the plains.

Dine under the stars at the Road to Mandalay Grill on the Observation Deck before enjoying a classic marionette performance

Lunch and dinner are served on the cruise. Stay overnight on the boat in private deluxe cabin.
Meals: (B/L/D)


An early-bird breakfast is served before you disembark from Belmond Road to Mandalay for our onward travel arrangement at around 10:00 am.

Our private car and tour guide will pick us up from jetty and transfer to the only five-stars hotel in Bagan – Aureum Bagan Resort.

Enjoy lunch in Sunset Garden Restaurant – the best of riverside restaurants in Bagan.

In the afternoon, the sightseeing starts with the most distinctive pagodas such as Shwezigon Pagoda – the holiest one believed to be enshrined with Buddha tooth and hair. Proceed to Htilominlo Temple, an impressive 46-meter tall sanctuary which is one of the largest monuments on the plains of Bagan.

Following your afternoon sightseeing with a visit to Dhammayangyi, the largest temple on the plains of Bagan.

Stay overnight in Aureum Bagan Resort.
Meals: (B/L/_)


In the early morning, we take a sunrise Balloon flight over the plains of Bagan. From above looking down, Bagan is beautiful as a watercolor picture. Along two banks of the gentle Ayeyarwady River are small villages hiding in the bamboo trees. The top of golden pagodas glistens under the sunlight. The flight surely gives you an interesting and unheard-of experience of the country of Myanmar.

Free at leisure in the hotel after early morning activities.

Stay overnight in Aureum Bagan Resort.
Meals: (B/_/_)

 

Transfer to Nyaung U Airport for domestic flight to Heho. Transfer from Heho airport to Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp – start from Magwe Village and walk to the camp

Take a light refreshment. Walk to the river to the Elephant bath. We can join in feeding and bathing the elephants.

Exploration of the forest area on the elephant back, opportunity to see butterflies, birds, and orchids in the area.

Lunch in the main camp. After lunch, we can explore the surrounding area with a local trekking guide

We are also welcome to join in planting indigenous trees from the nursery in forest recovery efforts

Back to Elephant camp and drive back to Kalaw.

Overnight staying in Kalaw Hill Lodge.
Meals: (B/L/_)

After breakfast, check out and drive to Nyaung Shwe to visit the Red Mountain Vineyard which is one of the best local wines that purely distills in Myanmar. We can have a rest at the restaurant of the vineyard tasting the wines while having the panoramic sunset view of the Inle Lake and the surrounding area.

Enjoy lunch in The Shan Restaurant and then take a boat to our luxury resort on the lake.

Stay overnight in Inle Princess Resort or Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min.
Meals: (B/L/_)


During today’s excursion by boat on picturesque Inle Lake we see the famous leg rowers, the typical floating gardens where fruit and vegetables are grown, local methods of fishing, and village life.  A highlight is often visiting the traditional village of Paukpar, with its neat rows of bamboo houses and where we may be able to stop and visit a family for Shan tea.

In the afternoon, we visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State and the boat construction workshop at Nampan village as well as stopping to see some traditional handicrafts – silk weaving on wooden handlooms in Inpawkon village, a cheroot workshop and a blacksmith shop. Continue by boat to visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery (Jumping cats), one of the oldest monasteries on the lake and where inside its large wooden meditation hall and are over 200-year-old ancient Buddha statues. Returning back to the hotel the beauty of the sunset over Inle Lake enchants all visitors.

Stay overnight in Inle Princess Resort or Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min.
Meals: (B/L/_)


After breakfast, our tour guide picks you up from the hotel and takes a boat to the cooking class.

Our cooking classes take us through the experiences of sourcing Inle ingredients, some exclusive to the lake, at the local market. Then we will be learning to prepare real traditional dishes exclusive to the region either in our cooking classrooms or out as a guest in the real kitchen in the local community.

Upon arrival, guests will receive welcome drinks (Shan tea, fresh juices). They will then show the guests the cooking area. Next, the chef of the Inthar Heritage House will present us with the menu, give details about the class, ingredients, and cooking methods. After this introduction, they will show us their vegetable gardens and pick the ingredients for the meal. Back in the kitchen, we will clean the vegetables and start cooking, with step-by-step teaching of their chef. As soon as dessert is ready, we can sit down and enjoy the meal.

The Inthar Heritage restaurant is part of the Inle Heritage Foundation, which promotes the heritage of Inle cultures and supports the sustainable development of the Inle region. During the guided visit we will show you conservation and preservation activities (Burmese Cats, Species aquarium), the Vocational Training Center (environment-friendly agriculture).

Guided visit hours (start at): 01:30 pm, the visit takes approximately 1 hour.

Continue our excursion by motorized boat to Indein pagoda complex, in the south-west of the lake. The boat leaves the lake and enters a narrow canal with a beautiful natural environment to continue to a small Pa O tribe village. From the village, follow an old covered path to a 13th-century monastery and the very impressive ruins of hundreds of ancient pagodas, some hidden in the vegetation. The main stupa-area on the top of the hill offers breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains and down to the valley and the lake in the far distance.

Stay overnight in Inle Princess Resort or Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min.
Meals: (B/L/_)


A short flight from Heho will take us to Ngapali Beach, the most beautiful beach in Myanmar with coconut groves and Treasure island.

Free at leisure to enjoy the beach and our resort.

Stay overnight in Aureum Ngapali Resort or Sandoway Resort.
Meals: (B/_/_)



Free at our own to visit Ngapali fishing village, Thandwe town, or immerse in scuba diving in the most pristine coves of Bengal Bay.

Stay overnight in Aureum Ngapali Resort or Sandoway Resort.
Meals: (B/_/_)

Free at our own to visit Ngapali fishing village, Thandwe town or immerse in scuba diving in the most pristine coves of Bengal Bay.

Stay overnight in Aureum Ngapali Resort or Sandoway Resort.
Meals: (B/_/_)


This morning, take your own time to relax until we are transferred to the Thandwe airport for a flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to the hotel for check-in.

Stay overnight in Belmond Governor’s Residence Yangon or The Strand Hotel.
Meals: (B/_/_)


After breakfast, a fleet of microbuses and guides will be available outside the hotel for guests who would like to do some last-minute shopping or complete their cultural visit of Yangon exploring colonial downtown.

Then take the drive to Mingaladon International Airport to check in on your onward flight.

End of services.

Meals: (B/_/_)

Useful Information

This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services. Please click on REQUEST A FREE QUOTE (above) and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!

Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suit your requirements.

What’s Included?

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  • Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
  • Private Vehicles and Drivers
  • Private English Speaking Guides (Other languages if available, upon request)
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)

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  • Domestic flights within Myanmar
  • Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
  • Service Charge & Government Taxes

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What’s Not Included?

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  • Your International Flights to and from Myanmar
  • Myanmar entry Visa Fees (contact us for further information)
  • Personal Expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
  • Any bank fees or charges at your end

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  • Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Personal Travel Insurance
  • Tips for guides and drivers

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Request this tour

Free service. No credit card required

Reviews on Our Service

We are committed to giving our customers unforgettable experiences in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and beyond, not just something staged for tourists. Read reviews written by our customers about their experiences in Indochina after they have returned home. These include the ratings and comments on attractions, guides, activities, hotels and food.

Excellent
4.9/5
5 97.66%
4 2.13%
3 0.21%
2 0%
1 0%

Vietnam Luxury Vacation Review: Sightseeing, Culture, 12-Day Travel

Asia Pioneer Travel was professional, provided prompt communication before and during our trip, and offered an itinerary custom to our wish list and timeline.

They helped us focus on highlights of areas which we would have spent considerable time researching and organizing without their help. Their attention to detail in information shared ahead of time, as well as step by step planning of transportation, meals, lodging, and sightseeing options offered a stress-free vacation- optimizing our time and energy on experiencing everything beautiful Vietnam has to offer!
The landscape, scenery, and customs of Vietnam are stunning and diverse. Each area we visited offered its own unique beauty. Absolutely amazing!!!
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Rachel Faust - USA
Mar 8, 2023
From: 5

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Sightseeing, Rice Fields, Boat Rides, 18-Day Trip

We started searching for our tour for Vietnam / Cambodia back in October 2022 to start the tour in the first week of January 2023. We selected this travel agency, and contact name provided to us was Elly. She was extraordinary with her communication with us. Excellent English speaking language capability & excellent in communication on Whats app and email communication. We went back & forth few times to arrange the tour we wanted. She was very accommodating in arranging our schedule. We requested automobile tour for both countries, just for two of us.

We requested SUV FOR OUR COMFORT AND  WE GOT IT!
We requested to get the high end hotel in each city and she gave us choices and not only that but send videos of each hotel for each City and then waited for us to decide which hotel we select. All the Hotels turned out to be one of the best we would expect to be. M/s Elly, personally came to visit with us on the evening of our first day tour. Very respectful and asked if she could do anything for us.I had requested before in our communication, if she would arrange for power converter for us, since my camera chargers are all in 110. So brought two power converters for us! Something, not everyone will do this kind of service. So all the kiddos to her!

as to the drivers in each city were very courteous, very professional and very careful in how and where they have to do driving.

our Guides in each city were so friendly, courteous and knowledgeable in where ever we visited. How ever wish two guides in Hue An and Ho Chi Minh City spoke English more clearly.

We only wish we had one extra day in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, , however, there is so much to see in the world! Perhaps next time will visit Vietnam.

As to Cambodia, same thing to express about site seeing and our Guide and drivers. Guides and drivers really made our travel thro’ the countries where we do not speak that language, made it so comfortable and enjoyable.

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Sudhir D - USA
Mar 3, 2023

Outstanding!

Hi Lam…hope you don’t mind me contacting you directly. My wife Barb  & I (Paul) have just arrived home after completing a great tour of Vietnam which was organised through your company Asia Pioneer Travel.

We want to tell you personally how impressed were were with the level of service that we received…it was amazing and the best that we have experienced anywhere. After we made initial contact with you, you handed us over to Chloe to arrange the trip which she did in very quick time and the amount of detail that she went to was fantastic. From the moment that we walked out of Hanoi airport on arrival to see our guide waiting, we knew that we were in for a great trip. The drivers & guides were fantastic and Chloe was in contact by email constantly making sure that everything was going to plan & that we were happy. At one stage we need to vary the itinerary by extending accommodation & changing air tickets and Chloe did that without any fuss or bother.

We also met some wonderful Vietnamese people along the way and Ive got to say that they are our kind of people, very generous & friendly.

Enough of my ramblings, thanks for a great visit to Vietnam, and a special thank you to Chloe for looking after us in such a terrific manner…she is a very special caring lady.

Kind regards & I hope that we have the opportunity to use Asia Pioneer Travel again….Paul & Barb Little from Newcastle Australia

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Paul & Barb Little - Australia
Mar 2, 2023

Superbly organised and very flexible

We travelled to Vietnam for two weeks, booking the whole trip through Lizzie at Asia Pioneer, including hotels, excursions, trips, guides and internal flights. Lizzie was so helpful and flexible, accommodating changes to our schedule until the last minute, especially as we missed our connecting flight in Dubai and arrived a day later than planned (our fault). Nothing was too much trouble, including getting my wallet back to me after I left it in the car taking us to the airport.

We started in Hanoi in the North and worked our way south to Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon), taking in Ha Long with its amazing sea stacks and sleeping on a boat, then to Sa Pa on the overnight sleeper train from Hanoi, with its wonderful countryside and rice terraces. Afterwards, we went to Hoi An for three days of relaxation. Hoi An probably my favourite place and three days are enough to cover it. Then onto Hue, the original capital, my least favourite place and then finally on to HMC, which was a real contrast to the North.

The 3-star hotels that Lizzie picked were very good and comfortable, and the guides were very knowledgeable. I would definitely use Asia Pioneer again for future Asia trips.

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Alex Miller - United Kingdom
Mar 1, 2023