Through the Golden Triangle to Thailand

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The Golden Triangle is the infamous region originally known for its production of opium, overlapping three countries: Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. Isolated from the rest of Myanmar, travel through this area of beautiful mountains and fascinating tribal cultures to reach Thailand over land, after exploring busting Yangon, the temples of Bagan and serene Inle Lake.

Tour Overview

Book Tour

Start: 

Yangon

Finish: 

Tachileik/Mae Sai (Thailand)

Length: 

12 days/11 nights

Transport: 

plane, car

Accommodation: 

hotel, guest house, resort

Deluxe Hotel Supplement: 

US$39 per day

Total Price From

US$1,9891

Per Day From

US$1661

Tour Highlights
Visit one of the most notorious and exotic regions in Southeast Asia
Meet the colourful and fascinating hill tribe peoples who live in the Golden Triangle
Enjoy spectacular sunset views of the Bagan plains from atop an ancient pagoda
See the monastery at Mount Popa, located on a volcanic plug and protected by spirits
Witness the beautiful and serene Inle Lake, home to fishing villages on the water
Visit the bustling Myanmar-Thai border town of Tachileik

Day-by-day Itinerary
Day 1 Yangon

Arrive in Yangon and head to the Buddhist heart of Myanmar – the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda.

Wander downtown during the balmy evening and explore the many restaurants and bars now cropping up in increasingly cosmopolitan Yangon.

Days 2-3 Bagan and Mount Popa

Fly up to Bagan and begin the day exploring the Ananda pagoda, dating from the 12th century and famed for its gilded sikhara tower at its peak; choose from bicycle, car or horse and cart to get around the plain. The area is also renowned for its lacquerware and artisan crafts, which make perfect souvenirs or gifts. Later in the day, climb the Gawdawpalin or Bupaya pagodas for perfect sunset panorama views of the thousands of temples.

On your second day, we can arrange hot-air balloon rides that will give you spectacular sunrise views (additional charge, must be booked in advance). Head south east of Bagan to explore the spectacular monastery at Mount Popa, which sits precariously on top of a volcanic plug. In the evening, enjoy some Myanmar wine over dinner by the pagodas.

Days 4-5 Mandalay

Fly to Mandalay and visit the last royal palace of the Konbaung dynasty, recalling the days of Thibaw and his queen, Supayalat, before they were expelled to India by the British. Just to the south of Mandalay, take a stroll down the longest teak bridge in the world, the iconic U Bein bridge in Amarapura. The town of Amarapura is full of textiles stores and small metal works factories, where you can watch master craftsmen cast Buddha statues in bronze or visit a weaving factory to see how fabrics are made.

Further to the south at Inwa, take a horse and cart around the quiet meandering roads that once made up a powerful kingdom’s capital city. Across the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay, the Mingun Bell is reputed to be the heaviest and largest working bell in the world. If you’ve worked up a hunger wandering around Mingun and its massive unfinished stupa, reward yourself by purchasing some freshly steamed corn on one of the many roadside stalls – it’ll be the sweetest you’ve tried.

Days 6-7 Inle Lake

Fly to Heho airport and transfer via car to characterful Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake. If you go for the superior hotel option, a boat will take you to your hotel on the lake (standard hotels are in Nyaung Shwe). There will be plenty of time in the afternoon to relax or for sightseeing around the lake to see the local Intha fishermen employing their traditional one-leg rowing technique.

After breakfast the next day, visit the ancient lakeside stupas at Indein and see handicrafts in Nampan village. If the time is right, see the floating markets that are a photographer’s dream. Finish up your day with sunset wine tasting at Red Mountain Estate vineyard and then dinner on the lakeshore.

Days 8-9 Inle Lake to Kyaing Tong

The route from Inle Lake to Kyaing Tong is over land by car – through the mountaintop state capital of Taunggyi and the beautiful, lush and wild mountain scenery of eastern Shan State. This route, including an overnight stop at the town of Myine Pyin, is rarely taken by foreigners and requires a government permit – which is not guaranteed to be granted (if we are unable to secure this permit for you due to cicumstances at the time of your booking, the journey will instead be by plane from Heho to Kyaing Tong).

Days 10-11 Kyaing Tong

When you reach Kyaing Tong, you will find a culturally diverse place, set against a scenic mountain backdrop. Explore the Wild West charm of the town and surrounding mountain areas, including Wa, Shan, Akha and Lahu tribal villages. If you want to relax, the hot springs six kilometres to the west of Kyaing Tong are a must.

Day 12 Kyaing Tong-Mae Sai (Thailand)

Travel by car to the border town of Tachileik and depart to Thailand at Mae Sai.

Indicative standard and deluxe hotels for this tour
Standard hotels  Deluxe hotels
Yangon - Clover Hotel  Yangon - Chatrium Hotel
 Bagan - Floral Breeze Hotel Bagan - Bagan Lodge
 Mandalay - Hotel Rama Mandalay - Mandalay Hill Resort
Inle Lake (Nyaung Shwe) - Hupin Hotel Inle Lake - Amata Garden Resort
Myine Pyin - local guest house Myine Pyin - local guest house
Kyaing Tong - Kyaing Tong New Hotel Kyaing Tong - Kyaing Tong New Hotel

To get prices for this tour with luxury accommodation or basic accommodation, please enter a query in the ‘Any further queries’ field when you submit your tour booking form (link below). 

Our Service Include: 

Accommodation with breakfast (twin room basis)
Domestic flight tickets, including insurance surcharge and current fuel surcharge
Passenger service charges for domestic flights
Entrance fees and zone fees for the visits mentioned
All transfers and sightseeing by private air-con vehicle with drivers, as mentioned in program
Private local boat fare for Inle Lake excursion, as mentioned in program

Our Service Do Not Include: 

International ticket to/from Yangon
Visa fees and visa arrangements for Myanmar
Visits not mentioned in the program
Dinner at hotel
Drinks and personal expenses
Tips and porters at hotels
Any other items not mentioned

Important Notes: 

The above itinerary is indicative and some details may change according to conditions and availability; you will always be informed of such changes.

There may be changes to estimated prices depending on air fuel cost, domestic airfares, US$ exchange rates and festive season surcharge. All supplemental cost to be advised.

[1] Price per person based on two person tour (twin hotel room sharing basis) during high season (October to April). Larger groups will pay less per person, single person purchase will mean a higher price.

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Map DataMap data ©2015 Basarsoft, Google, SK planet, ZENRIN
Map Data
Map data ©2015 Basarsoft, Google, SK planet, ZENRIN
Map data ©2015 Basarsoft, Google, SK planet, ZENRIN
 
 
 
 
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