To

Cambodia, Myanmar & Thailand

3Delephant from 07.08.05 – 01.09.05

ITINERARY FOR CAMBODIA, MYANMAR AND THAILAND
SIEM REAP – BKK - YANGON - HEHO – KALAW - PINDAYA ̵= 1; INLE LAKE - HEHO - MANDALAY - MINGUN - MANDALAY - SAGAING= - MONYWA - PAKOKKU - BAGAN - MT. POPA - SALE - BAGAN – YANG= ON – BKK – KOH SAMUI - BKK

Sun. 07.08.05 SIEM REAP / arrival day
Upon arrival at the airport in Siem Reap, by PG-930 at 08:50 welcome by our Italian speaking guide and transfer= to Sofitell Royal Angkor Hotel for check-in. Late afternoon climb the hill to watch a dramatic sunset. Overnight at Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel.

Mon. 08.08.05 SIEM REAP
After breakfast, visit the Angkor complex include the south gate of Angkor Thom and Bayon, Baphoun, Elephant Terraces, Leper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace area. In the afternoon&n= bsp; exploring this mysterious city by visiting to the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat– one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art. Overnight at Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel.

Tue. 09.08.05 SIEM REAP
Breakfast at your hotel, you spend = some hours drive outside Siem Reap, the guide will escort you to visit the Bantei Srei, Banteay Samre, the birthplace of Khmer classical architecture style. = In the afternoon continue your exploration with a visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever Other temples in the area include Ba= ntey Kdei,Srah Srang, Ta Keo. Overnight at Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel.

Wed. 10.08.05 = SIEM REAP
After breakfast at your hotel, cont= inue the exploration of Preakhan, the sword and other tmepes including Neak Pean, East Mebon and Pre Rup. In the afternoon visit the boat trip to the floating village, where clusters of schools, homes, shops are afloat on the river. Overnight at Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel.

Thu. 11.08.05 SIEM REAP – BANGKOK – YANGON
After breakfast transfer to the air= port for your flight to BKK, by PG-941 (Etd: 09:10 / Eta: 10:10) and further to Yangon, by PG-701 (Etd: 11:20 / Eta: 12:10). Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, by Bangkok Airways PG-701 at 12:10 welcome by our lo= cal tour guide and transfer to Pansea Hotel for check-in. Rest of the day free = at your own leisure. Overnight at Pansea Hotel.

Fri. 12.08.05 YANGON
City tour to downtown and Yangon's riverfront. On the way see many of the remarkable sites of the colonial and religious past of this garden city. Old Rangoon was Dr William Montgomerie’s design. He was the army superintendent surgeon and lear= nt his city planning skills from Sir Stanford Raffles in Singapore. Buildings = of heritage in Yangon are now listed for protection. The period architecture of the old city center, among others, includes: Yangon City Hall, design= ed by U Tin in 1925, The Strand Road with the Moorish arched General Post Offi= ce, The red brick Customs House, the towered Port Authority, the Queen Anne sty= le Civil Court, the red brick General Hospital built in 1911, the Cultural University and the Railway Station. Late afternoon visit the Shwedagon Pago= da described by Somerset Maugham: "The Shwedagon rose superb, glistening = with its gold, like a sudden hope in the dark night of the soul of which the mys= tics write, glistening against the fog and smoke of the thriving city." This massive bell-shaped stupa rises nearly 100 meters above its hill-top surroundings. Wander through this magnificent structure and its courtyards, stupas, bells, Temples, and Buddha images, and see religious and secular visitors from all parts of the globe. Shwedagon has become the symbol of Myanmar. Enjoy the sunset over the Pagoda. Overnight at Pansea Hotel= .

Sat. 13.08.05 YANGON - HEHO - KALAW ( 1/2 day trekking)
Morning flight to Heho in Shan Stat= e, by Air Mandalay 6T-807 (Etd: 10:15 / Eta: 11:25). Upon arrival drive to Kal= aw (appr. 1 hour), a beautiful pine-clad hill station. In Kalaw visit the mark= et and downtown area. In the afternoon drive for 15 minutes to the north-west = and stop at the junction A. From here take the footpath to the right. The road = and trail goes through beautiful scenery. After 1½ hrs you arrive Pane H= ne Pin, a Palaung Tribal Village with a population of 600 people. These people make their living from agriculture and occasionally from hunting, and live = in long houses, with 4-5 families sharing the single storied structures. From = Pane Hne Pin you have to walk for 2 hrs to reach junction B from where the car w= ill bring you back to Kalaw (appr. ½ hr drive). Overnight at Hill Top Villa Hotel.

Sun. 14.08.05 = KALAW - PINDAYA
After breakfast visit market and downtown area. Then drive to Pindaya (appr. 2 hours drive), a charming vill= age with its paper umbrella cottage industry. Upon arrival transfer to Conqueror Hotel for check-in. In the afternoon visit the Pindaya cave, famous for its thousands of Buddha images and the paper umbrella cottage industry. Overnig= ht at Conqueror Hotel.

Mon. 15.08.05 PINDAYA – KAUNG DINE – INLE LAKE (= B)
After breakfast drive to Kaung Dine (appr. 3 1/2 hours), at the north-western shore of Inle Lake. This Intha village is well known for the production of soybean cakes. Wander around and observe these cottage industries and visit also a small settlement of Padau= ng people, whose women wear brass rings around their necks. (Giraffe ladies). = In the afternoon first excursion on Inle Lake and shop at the silk weaving vil= lage of In Phaw Khon. Overnight at Lake View Resort.

Tue. 16.08.05 INLE LAKE (B)
Full day excursion on Inle Lake (25= km) famous for its unique one-leg rowers, typical floating gardens, Ywama float= ing market, local methods of fishing and village life and the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda hous= ing five sacred and almost shapeless Buddha images, contorted because of the quantity of applied gold leaf, gifts from the believers. The Buddha images = are purported to have come here in the 12th Century. Nga Phe Kaung (jumping cat monaste= ry). In the afternoon, proceed to Indein (appr. 1 hour drive) to see the ancient Bagan + Shan style pagodas, built during Bagan Period, passing the beautiful scenery with tall grasses and little water steps. The ruin pagodas, hide in= the bushes will give you an impression of you were in the 12th - 13th Centuries ago. Overnight at Lake View Resort.

Wed. 17.08.05 INLE LAKE - HEHO - MANDALAY
After breakfast transfer to Heho airport for the flight to Mandalay, the city of the last Myanmar Kings, by = Air bagan W9-273 (Etd: 12:25 / Eta: 12:55). Sightseeing of Mandalay starts with= a visit to the Shwe In Bin Kyaung, one of the most outstanding monasteries and the down town are. In the afternoon visit gold leaf making industry, Mahamuni Pagoda, originally built by King Bodawpaya in 1784, hosting the revered Mahamuni image, cast in the 1st Century and now covered in thick go= ld leaves and arts and crafts center (bronze casting; stone carving, etc= .). Then drive to Amarapura, the "City of Immortals" and enjoy the su= nset at U Bein wooden bridge, over 150 years old, which is still in use. Overnig= ht at Sedona Hotel.

Thu. 18.08.05 MANDALAY - MINGUN – MANDALAY
After breakfast drive to Kywezon je= tty to watch the busy riverside activity and take a local riverboat to the anci= ent capital of Mingun (appr. 1 hour per way). Visit the Settawya Pagoda, with a footprint of the Buddha, walk to the huge Mingun Bell, see the nearby unfinished Mingun Pagoda, built to be the world’s biggest pagoda and visit the Hsinbyume Pagoda, a reproduction of the mythological Mt. Meru. Th= en come back to Mandalay. In the afternoon, visit Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery (noted for its exquisite woodcarvings), Atumashi Monastery (Incom= parable Monastery), Kuthodaw Pagoda (known as the worlds biggest book for its stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures) and finally climb up the 1729 steps to the Mandalay Hill. Overnight Sedona Hotel.

Fri. 19.08.05 MANDALAY - SAGAING - MONYWA
After breakfast drive to Sagaing Hi= ll, a retreat for Buddhist devotees with numerous pagodas and monasteries (including nunnery, Oo Min Thonese and Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda), visit Kaunghmudaw Pagoda and proceed to Monywa, a typical Myanmar town located on= the bank of the Chindwin River. In the afternoon visit the cotton blanket weave= rs, the Hindu Style Than Buddha Temple, unique in all of Myanmar, beautifully decorated with the most beautiful stucco work in the country, dating from t= he 17th century. Finally go for sunset to the Alantayar Pagoda, sight of the largest reclining Buddha image in all of South East Asia, over 600 feet in length. Overnight at Win Unity Hotel.

Sat. 20.08.05 MONYWA - PAKOKKU - BAGAN
In the morning, drive to Pankangyi,= a 19th century town with old city walls and an archaeological museum. Visit to the Pakhan-ngai Kyaung, a 19th century largest wooden monastery with 332 te= ak pillars. En route stop at some villages to study the daily life of the peop= le in the rural area. After arrival in Pakokku, a bustling tobacco trading cen= tre, take a private boat and cross the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River to Bagan (appr. 2 hours). Overnight at Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel.

Sun. 21.08.05 BAGAN
Enjoy the whole day at the most extensive archeological site in Asia. Bagan has over 2000 temples and pagod= as of various sizes in varying states of repair and spread across the plain. Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; Gubyaukgyi, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scene and Ananda Temple with four huge standing Buddha images and numerous seated figures and niches around the galleried interior. Thatbynnyu Temple and Dhamanyangyi Temple. In the afternoon visit lacquer ware home industry, Man= uha Temple built in Mon style from 1059 and Nanphaya Temple, said to have once = been the residence of King Manuha; Gu Byauk Gyi Temple (Wet Kyi Inn), which has = very nice frescoes inside. Enjoy sunset over terraces of the Shwesandaw Pagoda. Overnight at Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel.

Mon. 22.08.05 BAGAN - MT. POPA - SALE - BAGAN
After breakfast drive to Mt. Popa (appr. 1½ hrs drive). On the way visit some villages and watch the collection of juice from the palm trees, and its conversion into palm sugar. Visit the great extinct volcano. Rising out of the shimmering heat, the solitary volcanic crag of Mt. Popa is home to Myanmar's most powerful " nats ". Visit the Nat Museum with its life-sized statues of the 37 Nat Gods. Walk up the steps to the stupas and shrines that top the hill above t= he museum, seeing many pilgrims along the way. In the afternoon drive to Sale (appr. 1 ½ hours), a religious centre with many more working monaste= ries than found in Bagan today. Visit the Payathonzu, with three shrines contain= ing mural paintings, Nan Paya, the largest lacquer Buddha image in Myanmar, sai= d to date to the 13th century and the Yoke Sone Monastery, the oldest surviving wooden monastery in Bagan area. In the afternoon drive back to Bagan. Overn= ight at Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel.

Tue. 23.08.05 BAGAN - YANGON
After breakfast transfer to the air= port for the flight to Yangon, by Air Mandalay 6T-412 (Etd: 08:25 / Eta: 09:45). Upon arrival continue sightseeing of Yangon: Sule Pagoda, dating back over = 2000 years, Botataung Pagoda, the Mahaba= ndoola Park with it's Independence Monument and the splendid National Museum, including the gem-studded royal regalia and the Lion Throne of King Mindon = and King Thibaw, the last kings of the Myanmar Kingdom. In the afternoon you ha= ve enough time to wander around the sprawling Bogyoke Market and through fascinating local neighborhoods. Overnight at Pansea Hotel.

Wed. 24.08.05 YANGON – BANGKOK – KOK SAMUI
Transfer to the airport for the fli= ght to BKK, by Bangkok Airways PG-702 (Etd: 13:10 / Eta: 15:00) and continue to= Ko Samui, by Bangkok Airways PG-179 (Etd: 16:50 / Eta: 17:50). Upon arrival transfer to Baan Samui Resort for check-in and overnight.=

Thu. 25.08.05 till Mon. 29.08.05 KOH SAMUI <= b>
Free at your own leisure. Overnight= at Baan Samui Resort.

Tue. 30.08.05 KOH SAMUI – BANGKOK
Free at leisure till transfer to the airport for the flight back to BKK, by Bangkok Airways PG-130 (Etd: 12:00 / Eta: 13:30).

HOTELS:
Siem Reap: Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel/superior room *** ½*
Yangon: Pansea Hotel/deluxe **** ½ * <= br> Kalaw: Hill Top Villa/superior
Pindaya: Conqueror Hotel/superior * ½*
Inle Lake: Lake View/deluxe *** ½*
Mandalay: Sedona Hotel/deluxe ****
Monywa: Win Unity Resort/deluxe 1 ½*
Bagan: Thiripyitsaya Hotel/deluxe with river view ****
Koh Samui: Baan Samui Resort/deluxe room ****

SERVICE: Bed & breakfast in double sharing room, Itali= an speaking guide for Siem Reap and in Myanmar throughout the tour, domestic f= lights by Air Bagan, Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways, air-con minibus throughout the tour (not on 16.08 for the sightseeing on Inle Lake), entrance fees as indicated in our itinerary, all boat excursions as mentioned in our itinera= ry, porter fees at the airports and jetties.
NOT INCLUDED: International flights, visa fees for Cambodia and Myanmar, intl. & domestic airport taxes, early check-in and late check-out, porter fees at the hotels, tips, beverage etc.

Myanmar Travel Ltd.