Day 1: February 14: Fly

Today you will fly from your home to LAX. Mid-afternoon you will board the brand new A 380 Singapore Airline Jet. The new jet boasts roomier seats and the best on-demand entertainment system. Their wide LCD screen is the largest offered in any economy class seats. Your flight will take you to Singapore and then on to Hanoi.

 

Day 2: February 15: Flying

Cross the International Date Line and lose a day.

 

Day 3: February 16: Hanoi Vietnam

You will arrive into Hanoi late morning, immediately beginning our tour of the Hanoi area. First we head to HOAN KIEM LAKE and Ngoc Son Temple, located in the heart of Hanoi, which contains an islet with the tiny TORTOISE PAGODA. From there we will explore the OLD QUARTER. This fascinating network of narrow alleys and shophouses is also known as The 36 Streets, each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts to medicines to tombstones. A handicraft loversparadise and a endlessly interesting place to explore local life. Afterwards, visit the MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY which brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions of minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings. Overnight in Hanoi.

 

Day 4: February 17: Hanoi – Halong Bay

By vehicle from Hanoi to HalongBay, with over 3,000 majestic islands, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. We will take a 4 hour excursion by boat ride through Halong Bayon a charming traditional wooden junk . En-route lunch will be served. You will cruise by rock formations with such names as Stone Dog, Incense Burner ( Dinh Huong), Fighting Cock ( Ga Choi). At the core of the islets, there are two wonderful caves and grottoes to visit as Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto), Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto) before returning to Halong pier. We will overnight in Halong.

 

Day 5: February 18: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Angkor Wat Cambodia

We will return today to Hanoi, finish any sites not visited and then fly this evening to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the closet city to Angkor Wat. Upon arrival we will transfer to your hotel in Siem Reap.

 

Day 6: February 19: Angkor Wat

Visit Angkor Wat: The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. To approach the temple you must cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. As you enter the main building you will ascend through a series of galleries and courtyards before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day.

Visit Angkor Thom: The fortified city of ANGKOR THOM covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public cermonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle.

Visit TA PROHM, one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. Tomb Raiders and other movies were filmed here.

 

Day 7: February 20: Angkor Wat Area

Tonle SapLake: Kampong Kleang is located about 50 km from Siem Reap town. The place is situated northeast shore on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake. The road to the site is good but rather narrow. By boat we will explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges of the lake, passing submerged forests and fishing farms. We will also visit the local market. The friendly locals make visiting a local market an interesting excursion.

 

Day 8: February 21: Angkor Wat – Kuala Lumpur

This morning we will fly from Angkor Wat to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.  Afternoon tour will include the Royal Palace, city tour, Jamek Mosque, shopping and more.  

 

Day 9:  February 22:  Kuala Lumpur

Today will be a full day tour into the country side and quaint communities of Malaysia.  We will also visit Theon Hou Chinese Temple and the Spectacular Batu Cave Hindu Temple.  Overnight Kuala Lumpur.

 

Day 10: February 23: Kuala Lumpur - Chiang Mai

This morning early we will fly from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai.  Upon arrival we will immediately start our tour by visiting the Golden Temples on the hill overlooking Chiang Mai. We will also have time for a city tour, plus a visit to a fantastic wood carving and umbrella making factory. This evening we have something special. If you saw the show Tangled, you would have seen the fire balloons that filled the sky, this actually happens in Chiang Mai. This evening you will have a chance to light your own balloon on fire and watch it rise into the sky. Overnight Chiang Mai.

 

Day 11: February 24: Chiang Mai – Golden Triangle

Today will be a highlight day that you will never forget. You will enjoy a ride on elephants through the jungle and across streams to start your day. You will then travel to a long neck tribe. As seen in National Geographic, the women of the Long Neck Tribe, put multiple metal rings around their necks that stretch their necks. The rings weigh over 20 pounds. We will also visit Tiger Kingdom, here you will be able to see many tigers and if you would like, you will have an opportunity to play with baby tigers or pet a large tiger.

 

Day 12: February 25: Chiang Mai – Bangkok

This morning early we will fly from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Upon arrival we immediately do our tour of Bangkok that will include a visit to THE ROYAL GRAND PALACE, the nation's landmark and most praised royal monument. The former royal residence of the Chakri Kings, the palace is the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court. Built in 1782 by King Rama I, it was the centre of power for more than 150 years. Today, the palace is Bangkok's major landmark and most popular tourist attraction. WAT PHRA KAEW, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is located right next to the Grand Palace together form perhaps the greatest spectacle for the visitor to Bangkok. It consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics, and dates back to 1782, when Bangkok was founded. When you enter the compound, you first of all see Wat Phra Kaew and the nearby attractions, and then move on to the Grand Palace afterwards. Photography is permitted in the Royal Palace Grounds and in the compounds of the Emerald Buddha Temple, but not inside the buildings.

Dress Code: Participants on this tour should note that the chapel is a national shrine and you will be required to wear proper attire (no bare shoulders, knees or strapless-heel shoes). Shoes must be removed before entering the temple buildings as a matter of respect. After our city tour we will head to our 5 star luxury hotel located on the River.

 

Day 13: February 26: Bangkok

Today is a free day to explore or just relax at the pool in your 5 star luxury hotel. Bangkok is easy to get around with the boats located at the hotel or the monorail system that is nearby if you want to explore. We will be there to give you ideas of things you could do. Overnight Bangkok.

 

Day 14: February 27: Bangkok – Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar)

This morning we will take a boat ride through the Floating Market, enjoy some shopping and then head to the airport for our afternoon flight to Rangoon, Burma. Upon arrival we will transfer to our hotel.

 

Day 15: February 28: Rangoon – Bagan – Rangoon

This morning early we will take a flight to Bagan for a day tour. Bagan is a spectacular plain stretching away from the Ayeyarwaddy River, dotted with thousands of 800-year old temple ruins. Although human habitation at Bagan dates back almost to the beginning of the Christian era, Bagan only entered its golden period with the conquest of Thaton in 1057 AD. SHWEZIGON PAYA: King Anawrahta started the construction of the Schwezigon Pagoda to enshrine some relicts of Buddha. The construction was finished by his successor, King Kyansittha between 1086 and1090. Originally the Shwezigon Pagoda marked the northern end of the city of Bagan. The stupa's graceful bell shape became a prototype for virtually all later stupas over Myanmar. GUBYAUKHYI TEMPLE at Wetkyi-Inn: This Temple was built in the early 13th Century and repaired in 1468. The great colorful painting about the previous life of Buddha and the distinguished architecture make this temple an interesting site for a visit. ANANDA PAHTO: one of the finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples. Thought to have been built around 1105 by King Kyanzittha, this perfectly proportioned temple heralds the stylistic end of the Early Bagan period and the beginning of the Middle period. GUBYAUKGYI TEMPLE at Myinkaba: Built in 1113 by Kyanzittha son Rajakumar, this temple is famous for its well-preserved Stuccos from the 12th century on the outside walls. The magnificent paintings date from the original construction of the temple and are considered to be the oldest original paintings in Bagan. MANUHA TEMPLE: The Manuha Temple was built in 1059 by King Manuha, the King of Thaton, who was brought captive to Bagan by King Anawrahta. It enshrines the unusual combination of 3 seated and one reclining image Buddha. It is said that this temple was built by Manuha to express his displeasure about his captivity in Bagan. SHWESANDAW PAYA: In 1057 King Anawrahta built this Pagoda following his conquest of Thaton. This is the first monument in Bagan, which features stairways leading up from the square bottom terraces to the round base of the Stupa. This Pagoda is ideal to watch Bagan's magnificent sunsets. LACQUERWARE WORKSHOP: the villages around Bagan are known for producing the finest lacquerware in Myanmar. Stop by one of the workshops and learn about the painstaking process of laquerware making and decoration. This evening we will fly back to Rangoon to overnight.

 

Day 16: March 1: Rangoon (Yangon)

Yangon lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on the wide Yangon River. The city is filled with tree-shaded boulevards, while shimmering stupas float above the treetops. The city became the capital only in 1885, when the British completed the conquest of Upper Myanmar and Mandalay's brief period as capital of the last Burmese kingdom ended. We will start the day at the SULE PAGODA, a gleaming octagonal pagoda that stands squarely at the centerpoint of the city. Afterwards, visit the NATIONAL MUSEUM to gain an insight into Myanmar. See the eight meter high Sihasana Lion Throne, used by the last Burmese king, and other fascinating artifacts from Burmese history and culture. Enjoy a break at BOGYOKE (SCOTT) MARKET, a pleasant covered market containing crafts from all corners of Myanmar, gems, fabrics and more. In the afternoon, visit some of the more well known pagodas, including BOTATAUNG PAGODA, named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted relics of the Buddha from India over 2000 years ago, and NGADATKYI PAYA, with a giant seated Buddha image. Finally, continue to the SHWEDAGON PAGODA, the highlight of any visit to Yangon. Towering over the city, this pagoda is the most sacred spot in the country, built to house eight hair relics of the Buddha. The Shwedagon and surrounding shrines are at their most beautiful during the sunset hour, as the golden stupa reflects the changing colors of twilight. Overnight in Yangon.

 

Day 17: March 2: Rangoon to Singapore

Late morning you will take the short flight to Singapore.  We will do a short afternoon city tour before heading to our hotel in Singapore.

 

Day 18: March 3: Return Flight Home

Today we fly on Singapore Airlines through Los Angeles back to your home.