Highlights of Myanmar & Thailand Island Hopping - 11 Days

Day 1: Welcome to Yangon!

 The former capital of Yangon, also known as Rangoon, is Myanmar's largest city and the country's most important commercial hub. It's also the gateway for most international visitors. Its colonial history and religious buildings make it one of the most attractive places in Southeast Asia.

Day 2: Yangon Sightseeing

The day will start at Yangon’s Central Station, where you will board the Circular Train, which runs around town. It travels at a deliberately slow pace so you have the time to really enjoy your surroundings and get a clear overview of the city.

Disembark at Kyee Myin Daine Station, one of the most beautiful station buildings in Yangon. From here you’ll take a 10-minute trishaw ride through a local neighborhood. At this hour of the morning the neighborhood is a vibrant hive of activities, with children heading off to school, folks grabbing a bowl of noodles on their way to work, and nuns and monks collecting alms door to door.

After walking around the local market, head to the peculiar banana market, in Yangon’s jetty. The river banks here are filled with coconuts, sugar cane, and red bananas. Reach the traditional metal craft market, where you will see pieces being made for local pagodas. 

Later, pay a visit to Kyauktatgyi Pagoda, home to a 236-foot (72-m.) long reclining Buddha statue, with intricate carvings on his feet. Afterward, make a quick stop at the Royal Lake in Kandawgyi Park. Admire the view of Karaweik Hall and take a break on the wooden deck, with spectacular views of Shwedagon Pagoda.

No Yangon itinerary would be complete without a visit to the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda. Start at the eastern staircase, where small shops line the base of the temple, selling religious items. Your guide will tell you about the traditions and rituals of Myanmar’s Buddhists. Step onto the platform, where you'll see the incredible tall chedi, covered in over 40 tons of gold leaf.

Day 3: Flight to Bagan

Transfer to the airport in the morning for your flight to Bagan. 

After your arrival in this beautiful city, your first stop will be at an elevated location amid the plains, to observe the field of pagodas and temples. Take a look around the Thantbyinyu Temple, one of the most recognizable of Bagan’s temples. Your guide will ensure you reach this point before the majority of visitors arrive, enabling you to enjoy the beautiful temple in relative tranquility.

You'll have time afterwards to visit more temples on the plains, learning about the variety of architectural styles in the area, including some artistic wonders from the 9th to 14th centuries. Traveling amid the temples, you will witness rural Bagan life as you pass villages where farmers work amid the monuments.

In the late afternoon, board a private wooden boat at the river. Sitting either in the shade or on the open deck, you’ll be treated to a peaceful view while cruising down the Irrawaddy River, passing small villages, fisherfolk and local boats. Sip on a refreshing cocktail and traditional snacks while watching the sun set.

Day 4: Bagan Tour

Start today with a visit to the renowned Shwezigon Pagoda, constructed by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century. Then travel on dusty lanes and tree-shaded roads past temples and monasteries, to a small village. Here you can walk around and get a glimpse into the lives of Bagan’s residents, followed by a visit to lesser-known temples and monuments in the area. 

After lunch, visit a traditional lacquerware workshop and observe the manufacture of one of Myanmar’s most popular handicrafts. In Old Bagan, visit the Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most recognizable temples. From here, continue your journey on a horse-and-cart, passing through some of the tallest temples of the area, like Dhammayangyi Temple, known for its unique brickwork.

Day 5: Bagan to Inle lake

Start the day with a flight to Heho, the gateway to Inle Lake. You'll be met by your driver, who will take you on a scenic one-hour drive to Nyaung Shwe, on the edge of Inle Lake. Along the way, visit rural workshops where traditional Shan paper and unique handcrafted umbrellas are made. You will also stop at the teak monastery of Shweyanpyay, to see the intricate wood carving that the monks there engage in.

At Nyaung Shwe Jetty, a traditional long-tail boat will be waiting for you. Cruise on the canal that leads to the open lake. The quiet waters of Inle Lake are dotted with floating gardens, leg-rowing fishermen, and stilt houses. The surrounding mountains contrast with the impressive lake and form the perfect backdrop for beautiful photos. On your cruise you'll stop at Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which has a beautiful collection of Buddha images, and the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main haven, which contains five sacred images of Buddha decorated in gold leaf.

Many traditional crafts originate from Inle Lake, and you can stop to visit places where various items are made, if you wish. For example, you can see boat building, a cigar-making workshop, blacksmith and silver smith workshops, and where incredible items woven from lotus silk are made.

Day 6: Fly to Yangon - Transfer to Thailand

It's time to say goodbye to Myanmar and hello to Thailand. The first part of your journey today involves taking a domestic flight from Heho to Yangon in the morning. From there, catch an onward flight to Bangkok in the afternoon.

Day 7: Bangkok to Krabi

Transfer to Bangkok Airport for a domestic flight to Krabi. On arrival in Krabi, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel.

The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure. A couple of optional activities you can add to your itinerary include:

• Krabi Zipline Adventure Experience. A favorite for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Ziplining here is suitable for anyone with moderate physical fitness. 
• Thai Cooking Class. One of the greatest pleasures of traveling to Thailand is eating the cuisine. With this cooking class you can learn about the ingredients and cooking methods required for traditional Thai food. 

Day 8: Krabi Tour

This morning you'll be picked up from your hotel and taken to to Klong Thom District. Krabi’s natural attractions are not restricted to islands and beaches. Today's tour will take you to a hot spring stream, where you can take a relaxing dip in the 100-107° F (38-42° C) waters. The stream is surrounded by rainforest, which you can explore. The areas is home to Gurney’s pitta bird, once believed extinct, so keep an eye out for the yellow, blue, and black feathers of the little bird.

The next stop is the Emerald Lagoon, which you'll reach after taking a short hike through the forest. Cool off with a swim in the lagoon, with its clear green water.

In the afternoon, visit the Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua), one of the most beautiful temples in Krabi. The peaceful surroundings are full of plants and flowers, and are an ideal location for relaxing and meditating. There are also several limestone caves, where you can find stalagmites and stalactites. If you're feeling up to the task, you are welcome to climb the 1237 steps to the top of this temple and experience one of the most breathtaking views in Thailand. Note, though, that the Tiger Cave Temple is on a flat area that's easy to access. Only the view point is on top of the mountain, and it's not necessary to climb up there.

Day 9: Krabi Island Hopping Tour

This morning you'll be taken to Ao Thalane Pier, and transferred by long-tailed boat to Hong Island. The journey takes about 45 minutes, and the views of the rock formations around Hong Island are impressive. After arriving at the island, paddle a kayak in the calm seas, or relax on the beach, feed the fish, or swim in the clear water of the Andaman Sea. There are many shallow coral reefs and a beautiful lagoon to check out.

In the afternoon, explore Ao Thalane, surrounded by towering karst formations and lovely offshore islands. A highlight of touring Ao Thalane are the narrow channels cut through two towering cliffs. You are almost guaranteed to see several species of kingfisher, little herons, and crab-eating macaques here. Paddle back to Ao Thalane Pier, get changed, and return to your hotel.

Day 10: Free Time in Krabi or Optional Island Trip

Today is yours to spend at leisure. Or, if you'd prefer to get out and about, you can add on an optional tour to several neighboring islands by speedboat or long-tailed boat.

If you choose the latter, you'll transfer to Tab Island, which is composed of two smaller islands, Koh Tub and Koh Mor, joined together with sandbars. You can see the sand bars only when the tide is low. Enjoy snorkeling, picnicking on the beach, and swimming in the clear seas. Return to your hotel in the afternoon.

Day 11: Krabi - Departure

Transfer to Krabi Airport for your outbound flight to Bangkok where you can catch your flight home or stay a final night.