The Colours of Southeast Asia

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Yangon.

DAY 2-4 YANGON   COLONIAL BUILDINGs AND gleaming PAGODAS

Your guide will meet you on arrival for the transfer to your hotel and the first afternoon is free for you to relax.

During your time in Yangon, you’ll get an introduction to Myanmar and a sense of the contrasts of life in this fast-changing country on our unique signature city tour. Observe daily Yangon life on a morning trip on the local “circle” train, enjoy a street food dinner with refreshing local beer, take in the faded colonial architecture, ride a rickshaw to a local market and visit the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, whose recognisable golden stupa dominates the city's skyline.

DAY 5 & 6 BAGAN   EXTRAORDINARY ancient pagodas

From Yangon, it’s a short flight to Bagan. Take in the astonishing archaeological zone and beyond with your guide. Our tours are always timed to include quiet moments away from the crowd and to give you a more in-depth insight.

DAY 7 & 8 IRRAWADDY RIVER CRUISE

Your river voyage departs from Bagan, travelling along the Irrawaddy River to Mandalay. Cruising along at a leisurely pace gives you time to take in the beautiful Burmese scenery. Accommodation on board is comfortable, and dining is of excellent quality. With expert guiding en route, you’ll explore traditional villages and get a feel for local life.

DAY 9 & 10 MANDALAY   BUDDHIST HERITAGE AND ANCIENT CAPITALS

Your boat cruise ends in Mandalay where you’ll spend two days exploring ancient capitals, colourful markets, Buddhist heritage, intricate carvings and sunrise at the famous U Bein Bridge. You'll take various modes of transport as you travel around with your guide.

On the second day, an evening flight takes you south, across the border to Chiang Mai in Thailand. 

DAY 11-13 CHIANG MAI   Thailand’s bustling second city

 You’ll spend three full days in Chiang Mai, enjoying guided tours with plenty of relaxation time. Highlights include an evening food tour where your guide will introduce you to a range of delicious Thai dishes and a morning visit to Doi Suthep temple where you’ll watch the peaceful procession of Buddhist monks collecting their alms at dawn against a backdrop of golden pagodas.

During your stay, you could try your hand at whipping up some Thai delicacies at a cooking school or spend the day at the Elephant Nature Park where mahouts will teach you how to bathe an elephant and feed it from the viewing platform. 

DAY 14-16 LUANG PRABANG   Beautiful, sleepy heritage town

It’s just a 1-hour hop from Chiang Mai to timeless Luang Prabang, one of the highlights of Southeast Asia. During your three days here, you’ll notice how different Laos is to the other destinations you’ve visited in terms of scenery and culture. The landscape is quite dramatic with river gorges and jungle-clad hills. During the time with your guide, you’ll head to the Kuang Sii Waterfalls for a picnic breakfast, explore the historic sites of the UNESCO town itself, take in the picturesque night markets and perhaps play a game of petanque with the locals (a popular sport here; a legacy of the French!)

Day 17-21 Siem Reap  The remarkable Temples of Angkor

Your final stop is Siem Reap, the gateway to the Angkor Temples.  Along with Bagan, this is one of Southeast Asia’s most remarkable archaeological sites, and few people have the chance to compare both in one holiday!  You’ll spend four days in the area as there is a lot to take in, so much so that it’s useful to take your time and combine exploring with some relaxation at your hotel.  

During your stay, you’ll visit Angkor Wat, the ancient royal city of Angkor Thom and Ta Phrom amongst other quieter, less well-known sites. Our tours of the region are carefully timed and constructed to ensure you get the most out of your visit.

Beyond the temples, Siem Reap has some lovely restaurants to enjoy, and you’ll also have the chance to visit the unique villages on Tonle Sap Lake.

Day 22 Fly Home or Stay

Today you depart Siem Reap on your flight back to the UK. However, if you’d prefer to travel a little further in Cambodia or perhaps extend your trip into Vietnam, then the itinerary can be tailored accordingly.