9-Day Yangon and Angkor Wat Tour with Beach Break

Welcome to Myanmar, the Land of Golden Pagodas. Your 9-Day Yangon and Angkor Wat Tour begins in the mesmerising city of Yangon. Upon arrival, a friendly local guide will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to explore this bustling city which, while no longer the capital, remains Myanmar’s most vibrant and commercially-important city.

After breakfast at your hotel, your once-in-a-lifetime tour of Myanmar begins with its most important Buddhist site, the Shwedagon Pagoda. Myanmar isn’t called the Land of Golden Pagodas without good reason, and Shwedagon is inarguably its most impressive. The 325ft stupa adorned with over 25 metric tonnes of gold leaf dominates Yangon’s skyline and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Soak up the contemplative atmosphere on the main terrace as Burmese monks in saffron robes stroll by collecting morning alms. Next, you will move on to the Sule Pagoda, a golden spire at the city’s throbbing epicentre. A blend of East meets West, take in a towering gold Buddhist pagoda, colonial British architecture, Chinese vendors and a Muslim mosque, all without the turn of a head. Unwind with a pre-lunch stroll through the picturesque Maha Bandoola Park before an afternoon trying your hand at bargaining for fine silks at the colourful Bogyoke Market, and sampling local life at Yangon’s thriving Chinatown district.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be driven by private car to Ngwe Saung Beach, a thirteen mile stretch of fine white sand by the clear warm waters of the Bay of Bengal. You’ll arrive in time to catch the sun setting over the seemingly-endless blue sea before a relaxing night in your resort hotel.

Ngwe Saung is all about relaxation; it’s a lie back, do nothing kind of place. Wiggle your toes in  fine white sand, swim in the clear, year-round warm waters of the Bay of Bengal, or take a stroll along the narrow sandbar that connects Lovers’ Island to the mainland at low tide. If you find yourself craving a little more activity, sailing, boat trips to Bird Island, and snorkelling among dancing schools of tropical fish will give you plenty with which to occupy yourself for a couple of days. Be sure to sample the abundance of fresh seafood caught just off shore.

After breakfast at your hotel, take one last stroll along the perfect white sand before driving back to the capital. Your guide will take you to the airport for your short flight to Cambodia, having marveled at the best of Myanmar’s golden pagodas, and having wiled away the hours at one of the nation’s finest beaches.

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, the gateway to the enigmatic jungle temples of Angkor, a friendly local guide will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to explore this quaint yet bustling town, a hidden gem of world-class wining and dining, kind locals, and charming markets.

After breakfast at your hotel, your awe-inspiring tour of Angkor begins. Entering through the grand South Gate, you’ll explore Angkor Thom, the last capital of the once great Khmer Empire, with the 216 enigmatic faces of The Bayon at its centre. Still within the ancient city walls, you’ll marvel at the view from the summit of Baphuon, the enormous temple mountain, affording unspoiled views over the surrounding ruins. You’ll round off the morning poring over the intricate bas-relief of the Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King, before having lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you’ll venture deeper into the jungle to the crumbling ruins of Ta Prohm. Here you’ll witness the monstrous jungle vines and sprawling tree roots that seem intent on claiming the ruins as their own. We cap off our day of adventuring with a delicious dinner at a traditional Apsara dance performance at Angkor Village Resort.

After breakfast, you will witness the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat, in all its glory. This incredible twelfth century monument stands testament to the dedication and skill of the ancient Khmer people and is truly a wonder of the world.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll savour the remote peace of Banteay Srei, or the ‘Citadel of Beauty,’ some 20km away. This less-frequented woodland temple is beautifully preserved and is incomparable with any other in Angkor. En route to your hotel, we stop at a rural Khmer village to give you insight into the everyday lives of the friendly local people. The evening is yours to explore Siem Reap some more.

After breakfast you’ll head for the Tonlé Sap, dominating the map of Cambodia as the largest freshwater lake in southeast asia. While here, you’ll observe life on the lake for the fishermen and their families who make their homes on the stilt-housing in the water. Once back on dry land, you’ll have the chance to stroll through Psar Chas, a bustling old market, where you’ll find your pick of souvenirs to treat loved-ones back at home. After the tour, you’ll be taken to the airport for your departure, leaving Cambodia with the fondest of memories.

11-Day Cambodia and Myanmar Jetsetter Tour

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