12-Day Myanmar and Vietnam Highlights Tour

Welcome to Myanmar – the Land of the Golden Pagodas! Upon your arrival in Yangon, your friendly local tour guide will be waiting to meet you and take you to your hotel to check-in.The rest of the day is yours to relax, rest and if jet-lag permits, do a little exploring! Overnight in Yangon.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be taken to the airport for your short flight to the ancient city of Bagan. When you arrive, you'll take a tour around the impressive gold-plated Shwezigon Pagoda, before taking a wander around the Nyaung Oo Market; a typical busy Myanmar marketplace.After lunch, you will visit Myingaba Gu Byankgyi Temple, a UNESCO protected temple, which is noted for its ancient mural paintings. After this, you'll enjoy a pleasant horse ride into the countryside, before you are taken to the top of the grand Shwesandaw Pagoda to watch the sun go down.Overnight in Bayan.

In the morning, you will be taken to the airport for your flight to multicultural city of Mandalay. Upon your arrival, you'll take a trip to the 'City of Immortality', Amarapura, to visit the fascinating Maha Ganayon Kyaung Monastery, which is the largest teaching monastery in the country. The rest of the morning, is spent visiting the U Bein Bridge, the oldest teakwood bridge in the world, the unique egg-shaped Kaung Mu Taw Pagoda and finally admiring the view from the top of Sagaing Hill.

In the afternoon, you'll take a peaceful boat trip across the Irrawaddy River, stopping off to see the Mingun Bell, an enormous and impressive temple bell. At dusk, you can enjoy sunset with the breath-taking view of the U Bein Bridge.Overnight at Mandalay.

After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for the flight to Heho. When you arrive, you'll be taken to your hotel by the stunning Inle Lake to check in. Once you've had a short rest, you will head to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, home to five famous images of Buddha, that have been so covered in gold leaf their forms can no longer be seen.

This afternoon, you will take a enjoyable boat trip on a traditional long tail boat; you will go through a floating village and visit the Long Neck Karen village, where your knowledgeable guide will explain all about these fascinating people's culture and customs. This is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir - not many people can say they have a scarf hand-woven by a member of the Karen tribe.Overnight at the Inle Lake.

This morning, your once in a lifetime Myanmar tour starts by visiting two of the temples that give the country it's namesake; the famous Shwedagon Pagoda - the largest and most sacred Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Soak up the atmosphere here, before the next stop, the unique Sule Pagoda. You'll have the chance to sample some local food, after a stroll through the picturesque Maha Bandoola Park.In the afternoon, you'll get to experience the colourful, bustling Bogyoke Market and Yangon's thriving Chinatown.Overnight in Yangon.

After breakfast, you can go for a final wander around or pick up those last-minute souvenirs, before your guide takes you to the airport for your ongoing flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival to Hanoi, your friendly local guide will greet you at airport and then take you to your hotel to check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax, settle in and, if jet lag permits, do a little exploring on your own.Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, you will enjoy a morning touring around Hanoi city. Begin with a visit to The Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Stilt House, Presidential Palace and Museum. Then, its on to, the One Pillar Pagoda, this temple rises from the centre of one pillar and is said to be have been built in the shape of a lotus. Finish your day with a stroll around the Fine Arts Museum; showcasing pieces from a range of historical periods.

Your afternoon will be spent at the fascinating Ethnologic Museum, where you can learn a bit about the many different ethnic minorities in Vietnam. After this, you'll be taken to visit the ancient Hoan Kiem Lake; you can find out all about the very interesting mythology that surrounds it. The tour ends with a special Vietnamese treat – you will take a cyclo or rickshaw around the picturesque Old Quarter.You can relax until the evening, when you will be able to enjoy a cultural treat – a famous Water Puppet Show at the theatre.

Can you think of a better way to see the beautiful Halong Bay, than a one and a half day cruise? You will be driven to Halong Bay, in the morning, the interesting journey gives you the opportunity to see the rustic scenery of typical Vietnamese villages.You will board by noon and enjoy a nice welcome cocktail before you set sail! You're sure to marvel at the incredible views over this magnificent landscape - a peaceful and unique experience. The cruise ship offers a variety of optional fun activities like kayaking, swimming, diving which will definitely add to the trip.Overnight on cruise at Halong Bay.

This morning, you can get up early for Tai Chi class on the sundeck or just soak up the breathtaking views. You'll disembark at around 11am; your private guide will be waiting to meet you at the pier to take you back to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. The afternoon is yours to enjoy and explore the city.Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will start your tour by visiting Cu Chi Tunnels; a vast network of tunnels made by the Viet Cong during the war. On the way back to the city, you will make a stop to have a traditional Vietnamese cooking class, which includes a fascinating trip to a local organic farm. At the end of the lesson, you can sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labour!

After your delicious lunch, drive back to Ho Chi Minh and enjoy an afternoon of sight seeing, which will include: admiring the architecture of the Old Saigon Post Office, getting a taste of a local marketplace at the Binh Tay Market, learning more about the wars of Vietnam and the effects they had on the country, at the War Remnants Museum and finally visiting the impressive French colonial-style City Hall.The evening is yours to explore the city and sample some of the world's favourite food!Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Today's an early start, you'll head out of Ho Chi Minh to explore the incredible scenery of the city of Mỹ Tho; once there you'll take a private boat trip on Tien River, through the beautiful coconut forest to the gateway of the Mekong Delta.After lunch, you will drive back to Saigon. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy.Overnight at Ho Chi Minh.

Your last morning in Vietnam is yours to grab a few last minute souvenirs or simply soak up the atmosphere. Finally, it'll be time for your guide take you to the airport for your flight on to your next destination. Vietnam is a unique cultural experience and hopefully, by the time you leave, you will have a new appreciation for this incredible country and it's people.

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