Burma sample student itinerary

Please note: the itinerary below is a sample itinerary and can be modified as required by your group to suit your travel style and budget. Please Contact us for a complete range of itineraries.

• 13 days SG$/AUD$1680 (excluding international airfares, visas and travel insurance)
• For convenience we have listed this trip price in Australian dollars but can naturally accept payment in any currency)
• Airfares: Tailor Made Vietnam can readily arrange a very competitive airfare for your group to anywhere from Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. We are also happy to provide you with contact details of our flight agents if your school is coming from the Middle East in Europe

The trip is designed to be of specific interest to students and will include visiting the best of dynamic Bangkok, followed by a journey to the Thai hinterland to visit The Bridge over the River Kwai, the former POW region and a journey on the ‘Death Railway It is after this that our real adventure begins as we take a short flight to Myanmar (formerly Burma) an enigmatic and little understood country still struggling to find a place in the 21st century. One arrival we will enjoy the highlights of the fabled city of Rangoon, before flying north to visit beautiful Inle Lake and the enchanting Temples of Pagan which we will have the opportunity to experience by way of hot air balloon (optional). We will also visit Burma’s picturesque coastal regions overlooking the Indian Ocean where we will enjoy empty beaches as beautiful as one could find anywhere else in the world.

This trip is perhaps the most intriguing and in all senses of the word ‘special’ trip Tailor Made Vietnam has to offer. Despite being perhaps the safest and most rewarding country in the region to visit, political events have meant that it is only the most adventurous travellers have yet had the opportunity to experience the beauty and graciousness of this country. Without doubt, a few years from now Burma will be the must see ‘new’ destination in Asia. Until that day, Burma will remain a place whose beauty and wonderment is still only known to a relative few.

Day 1 Arrive Bangkok This morning following a brief orientation meeting with your tour leader, we will set out to explore the sites, sounds and smells of this famous Asian city - the epitome of the modern, steaming Asian metropolis and a wonderful dynamic Asian hub. We will begin by boarding a river boat and explore the watery canals to witness the everyday life of Thai locals by the river. Following this we will visit the Grand Palace, with its many spectacular temples. These glorious buildings were once the seat of monarchical power, and were built as a city in itself. Learning of the exploits of the modern King, our local guide will explain just why Thailand maintains one of the world’s strongest and most respected monarchies. Today we shall also visit Wot Po - a Buddhist temple with a reclining Buddha, 46 metres in length. In the afternoon there will be visit to Chatuchak market or one of Bangkok’s mega emporiums which sell the most abundant range (and cheapest!) electronic goods, mobile phones, and computer gear to be found anywhere in the world before returning to our hotel in the afternoon for a swim and later enjoying some of the cuisine Thailand is famous for. (Please note, lunch is not included today) (L, D)

Day 2 Kanchanaburi This morning we will board our air-conditioned bus to travel to the town of Kanchanaburi, a few hours northwest of Bangkok. This town is the site of the infamous Japanese prison base that held captured Australian & Allied troops during World War 2. Between 1942 & 1944 the POW’s were ordered to build a 415 km railway to Myanmar (formerly Burma) through some of the most ruggered jungle terrain in the world. We will visit the town’s fascinating museum and then visit the POW (Prisoner of War) built Bridge on River Kwai, popularised in by the Hollywood Movie of the same name. Shortly after we will board the Burma-Thai train for a trip along the track dubbed the ‘Death Railway’ by the POW’s that built it. Upon arrival we will have lunch and then explore the surrounding areas and natural jungle. Following this we will journey to our very comfortable resort hotel close to the Thai-Burmese border to enjoy an afternoon swim and dinner.  (B, L, D) 

Day 3 Hell fire Pass/Ayutthaya/Sleeper train An early departure today will bring us to Hellfire Pass where POWs were forced to dig a gorge through solid rock. Whilst here we will visit the fascinating Museum to learn of the efforts and hardships faced by POW’s who endured life here during World War II. Whilst here we will also visit the POW (prisoner of war) built Bridge over the River Kwai, popularised by the Hollywood movie of the same name. In the afternoon we will travel to the former Thai capital city of Ayutthaya where 33 Thailand kings resided over the once all conquering Asian nation. After a brief rest, we board the overnight train bound for the Thailand northern city, Chiang Mai. We enjoy dinner tonight on board the train before our seats are turned into bunk beds for sleeping. (B, L)

Day 4 Chiang Mai Arriving early this morning in Thailand’s high-altitude northeastern province of Chiang Mai We will check into our located hotel before wondering out to visit the famous Golden Temple of Doi Saket. In the afternoon we will set out to learn the secrets of Thai cuisine as one of Chiang Mai’s chef’s teachers us all we need to know to impress our friends and family back home, with a hands-on spicy cooking lesson. In the evening we will visit the famous and atmospheric night markets of Chiang Mai where all manner of textiles, watches and handicrafts can be bought for a bargain.

Day 6 Tachilek – (MYANMAR) We will have time this morning to enjoy a short time at Chiang Rai’s market area and as well as a visit to Wat Phra Kaew where the famous Emerald Buddha (in Bangkok). Following this, our real adventure begins (!) as we depart Thailand en route to the Burmese border. We will begin our day journey to the remote border crossing at Mae Sai which has only very recently been open to foreign travellers. Before this however, we will spend time at the amazing Opium Museum before our final Thai lunch on the river overlooking the tri-border points that divide Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Once we enter Myanmar we will exchange our Thai Baht for Burmese Kyat (pronounced ‘Chat’) before continuing our journey to the remote town of Tachilek. On arrival we can relax and enjoy this remote part of the country long inaccessible to foreigners. We will stay in a highland hotel tonight and enjoy our first taste of Burmese cuisine before a well earned rest. (B, D)

Day 7 Inle Lake After the morning spent strolling around Tachilek, we will board our flight to Heho, gateway to Inle Lake. On arrival we will transfer to the lake and then board fast boats to explore this extensive area, stopping on route to visit cottage industries including weaving collectives set amongst water communities where we will witness are very different way of life. From the comfort of our boats we can enjoy such sights as fisherman rowing in the one-legged style characteristic of Inle Lake boatmen and the gardens of grass and earth floating on the surface of this shallow lake, floating strips of ‘land’ for growing vegetables. We will also visit o the ‘jumping cats’ monastery, Phaungdaw U Pagoda and weaving factories. In the afternoon we transfer to our lakeside hotel and enjoy dinner and a beautiful sunset. (B) 

Day 8 Bagan An early start today will take us to visit a local market to rub shoulders with the local Intha minority people who live in four cities bordering the lake, in numerous small villages along the lake's shores, and on the lake itself. Before departure we will visit a local market before transiting to the airport to fly to Bagan. Arriving in the early evening, we will transfer to our hotel and perhaps enjoy a swim before dinner.

Day 9 Bagan This morning we will set out across 40 sq km of the countryside surrounding Bagan are literally thousands of stupas & temples. In every direction, you will see ruins of all sizes, some soaring into the sky and others standing quaintly at a corner with the beauty of the meandering Irrawaddy River completing the scene. During our time here we will have the opportunity to explore much of this amazing archaeological site beginning with the golden stupa of Shwezigon. Then, we continue to Kubyauk Gyi with exquisite mural and Ananda, rated by many as the most beautiful in Pagan. In the afternoon, we continue with Nanpaya, for its Mon style architecture, Manhua for its four Buddha images and then stop at a lacquer ware factory to see the production of Myanmar most famous handicraft. Then, we climb up Shweshandaw Pagoda to enjoy sunset over Pagan. (B)Whilst in Pagan, we will enjoy one of the most spectacular hot air ballooning rides to be experienced anywhere in the world. This activity takes place at sunrise when we will glide over the Irrawaddy Plain over the thousands of temples and then over rustic rural scenery. (Operating from late Oct through April, the balloon ride is the trips only optional activity and will cost an additional US$240 per person – subject to change).

Day 10 Ngwe Saung This morning we will board another short flight to journey to Pathein in Burma’s delta region. From here we will travel by bus for about 1 hour west to the delightful and for now, less visited  beach side town of Ngwe Saung (pronounced ‘neway-song’) overlooking the Bay of Bengal. On arrival we will transfer to our comfortable accommodation overlooking Ngwe Saung beach – a picturesque coast featuring lovely beaches, turquoise water and friendly fishing communities. (B, D)  

Day 11 Ngwe Saung Today there will be ample time to relax art the resort, and in the afternoon enjoy a boat trip to a remote offshore islands to enjoy swimming and snorkelling. This area of Myanmar like so many of the country’s costal resorts has only been recently accessible to foreigners and will provide us with an opportunity to experience another aspect of this country. (B, D)

Day 12 Irrawaddy Delta / Yangon Today we will depart our coastal resort for a half day drive through the heart of the Irrawaddy Delta back to Yangon. As part of the pleasure of travelling in this region is the simple joy of seeing the rice fields as we weave our way along the intricate network of canals which are the lifeblood of the Ayerwaddy Delta. This vast basin stretches from the Bago Range to the coast of the Bengal Bay and receives year around drainage from several major rivers including the Irrawaddy, Hlaing and Ngawun. The pace of our trip is very relaxed, a perfect way to observe the rural life close up. We will arrive back at our hotel this afternoon. (B, D)

Day 13 Departure Yangon This morning we will visit the most awe inspiring site in all off southeast Asia - the, Shwedagon Pagoda, indeed one of the most outstanding religious monuments in the world.  There will be a short time after this morning to visit Scot Market as well as the vibrant Indian and Chinese quarters of the city before returning to our hotel to check out and then transfer to the airport in the afternoon where your group leader will take care of your onward travel arrangements and bid you farewell. (B)

Grading: Easy. Anyone with reasonable fitness should be able to take part. There are no real physical difficulties. You will be expected to carry your own luggage throughout the trip but only for short distances. Accommodation: Accommodation is on a twin share basis. All hotels are clean and comfortable, with a 3/4 star equivalent rating. Hotels 12 nights

Hotels: Baiyoke Suite (Bangkok), Pung Wan Resort  Kwai Noi (Kanchanaburi) Raming Lodge (Chiang Mai), Blue Duck Hotel (Chiang Rai), Tuppin Resort (Bagan), Hupin Khaing Ding (Inle Lake), New Kyaing Tong Hotel (Kyaingtong), Ngwe Saung Resort (Ngwesaung), Kandawgyi Palace Hotel (Yangon), Transport: Modern air-conditioned bus, boat, plane, elephant, bicycle Group size: Minimum group size 16 students (please contact us regarding complimentary travel for 2 teachers with student groups of 20 +)

• All accommodation and transport en route including 3 internal flights,domestic taxes and transfers
• Tailor Made Vietnam Group Leader throughout the tour
• Local English speaking guides where required
• All sightseeing and entrance fees for museums, attractions and sights as described in the itinerary
• All accommodation and transport including all internal flights on route
• All airport transfers in Southeast Asia
• All breakfasts, 7 lunches 11 dinners

• International flights to Bangkok and departing Yangon
• Myanmar visa,(must be obtained before arriving in Myanmar; US$25)
• Myanmar departure tax (US$20)
• 6 lunches,2 dinners
• Travel insurance

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