Compare Discovering Burma (Myanmar) & Northern Thailand by Audley Travel vs Thailand In-Depth Exploration by Odynovo

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Yangon (Rangoon).

Day 2 : Yangon (Rangoon)

On arrival in Yangon you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel. This evening you will visit the Shwedagon at sunset. This magical centrepiece of the city, is a beautifully tranquil and spiritual place to visit.

Day 3 : Yangon (Rangoon)

Explore the city on foot and by the circle train, which navigates the peripheries of Yangon and offers a wonderful behind the scenes insight into city life.

Day 4 : Bagan (Pagan)

This morning fly to Bagan and spend the day exploring some of the thousands of temples and stupas that are scattered across a vast arid landscape.

Day 5 : Bagan (Pagan)

You have the day to relax and explore at your own pace.

Day 6 : Bagan (Pagan)

Today you head out into the countryside by jeep to see a different side of Bagan away from the popular temples. Visit small villages renowned for peanut and palm sugar production, as well as rice mill, while following the pilgrimage route to visit King Anawrahta's pagodas.

Day 7 : Monywa

This morning you will be transferred to the riverside where you board a small private boat for the journey to Pakokku. From Pakokku you will be driven onto the town of Monywa.

Day 8 : Mandalay

Visit Shwe Ba Hill and the Po Win temple complex before continuing onto Mandalay via the peaceful Sagaing Hills.

Day 9 : Mandalay

Spend a varied day exploring Mandalay's railway bazaar, jade market, famous pagodas and family-run handicraft workshops.

Day 10 : Nyaung Shwe

Fly to Heho today for the transfer to Inle Lake.

Day 11 : Nyaung Shwe

Enjoy a full day exploring the stilted villages of Inle Lake by boat. At sunset you swap your long-tail boat for a small wooden canoe to explore the smaller tributaries of the lake where few tourists venture.

Day 12 : Nyaung Shwe

Today you will explore the impressive Indein pagoda complex.

Day 13 : Kyaingtong (Kengtung)

Return to Heho for your flight to Kyaingtong. You have the afternoon to explore the town with your guide.

Day 14 : Kyaingtong (Kengtung)

Today you start your trek out through rice paddies to indigenous ethnic villages that are home to the Ann, an animist community, and Akha tribes.

Day 15 : Chiang Rai

Enjoy a visit to the Buffalo Market this morning before travelling through the Shan Hills to Tachilek, the border town with Thailand. Your guide will assist with immigration formalities and ensure you are safely delivered into the hands of your Thai guide. From here you transfer to your hotel.

Day 16 : Chiang Rai

Spend the day exploring the picturesque Golden Triangle.

Day 17 : International return flight

Today fly to Bangkok and onto the UK. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

Day 1 Arrival - Bangkok

Welcome to the Land of Smiles! Touch down in Thailand's massive capital - Bangkok, and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Have the rest of the day to relax and recover from the long flight.
Overnight: Bangkok

Day 2 Bangkok (B, L)

Start by visiting a colorful flower and vegetable market, where tons of fresh flowers on sale fill the air with an intoxicating scent. Continue on to the highlight of today's tour - the glittering Grand Palace, the most spectacular of all Thai monuments. Wander through the sprawling complex containing 100-plus royal heritage buildings, including the sacred Wat Phra Kaew. Appropriate dress is required. After lunch, take a long-tail boat ride through the canals, known locally as khlongs, to see Thai houses on stilts and the typical rural life of the local people. Before ending the boat ride, admire the photogenic Wat Arun from the boat on the river. Disembark and transfer back to your hotel, with the rest of the day to relax.
Overnight: Bangkok

Day 3 Bangkok - Kanchanaburi (B, L)

Depart from energetic Bangkok in the morning and set off on a 3-hour drive to Kanchanaburi, a land awash in WWII history and natural beauty. You will spot significant sites related to the infamous "Death Railway" built by Allied prisoners of war during World War II, including the museum sitting above Hellfire Pass, Krasae cave with its adjoining wooden railway bridge, Hollywood-famous Bridge on the River Kwai, before ending your trip at Don Rak War Cemetery. During the journey, soak up the natural beauty and take a relaxing boat ride on the Kwai River to dispel the gloomy moods. Finally, settle into your comfortable hotel for the night.

Overnight: Kanchanaburi

Day 4 Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya (B, L)

After breakfast, leave the sombre yet scenic Kanchanaburi behind and travel onward to Ayutthaya, the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Pause on route to visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, which was used by the Thai Kings as a summer retreat and continue driving to the UNESCO-designated Ayutthaya Historical Park. Within, you will then be guided through the journey back in time to explore some important ruined temples, like Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, and Wat Maha That.
Overnight: Ayutthaya

Day 5 Ayutthaya - Lopburi - Sukhothai (B, L) 

Start off with a morning visit to  active Wat Phutthaisawan, with many sacred things for people to worship. If you like, head over to meet and even feed the friendly monkeys living in Wat Kai. Afterwards, continue the 6-hour road transfer departing Ayutthaya for Sukhothai via Lopburi. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way. You will reach Sukhothai in the late afternoon. Check in to your hotel and enjoy some leisure time to go around by yourself.
Overnight: Sukhothai

Day 6 Sukhothai - Lampang (B, L)

Today, the UNESCO-recognized Sukhothai invites you to explore two historical parks for a fascinating insight into its royal past. Once the first Siamese capital before Ayutthaya, Sukhothai Historical Park comprises the remains of royal palaces, twenty-six temples, city gates, walls, and moats. Proceed with a one-hour drive northwards across some 50 kilometers to the serene Si Satchanalai Historical Park, an open green space dotted with ancient temples and ruins. After your visit, drive for about 2.5 hours in a northerly direction and you'll come to Lampang, meaning "horse carriage city", which boasts numerous temples in various architectural styles. The rest of the day is on your own to settle into your hotel and relax in your surroundings.

Overnight: Lampang

Day 7 Lampang - Chiang Rai (B, L)

After breakfast, head out to the highly revered Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, a great example of early Lanna architecture, before hopping on a traditional horse-drawn carriage for sightseeing around the old city. You will then visit the Shan-style Wat Si Rong Mueang with impressive teak wood design and Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao - Lampang's most important temple with a mix of Mon, Shan, Burmese and Lanna styles. Continue for your onward destination to Chiang Rai, overland past the scenic Kwan Phayao.
Overnight: Chiang Rai

Day 8 Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and hit the road for a 1-hour drive to the northernmost point of Thailand - Mae Sai, where you will embark on a brief border exploration into Myanmar. You can even do a one-day crossing with a migration fee on your own. A 30-minute drive afterward will take you to spot the Golden Triangle, the intersection of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. After that, continue on to the sought-after Chiang Mai, with en-route visits to Long Neck Karen Village and White Temple. Upon arriving in the evening, check into your hotel and get rested up after one day's adventure.

Overnight: Chiang Mai

Day 9 Chiang Mai (B, L)

Historically, Chiang Mai was built to be the capital city of the Lanna Kingdom (1292-1775). This morning is reserved for a cooking class at a Lanna family for an immersive dose of local traditional flavor. Characterized by a salty and sour taste, Lanna food - commonly known as northern Thai food - is different from other Thai dishes. You will be shown around the host family's graceful teak wood houses, pick up fresh ingredients from the orchard, and try your hands at making authentic dishes under the host's guidance. After cooking, enjoy your own creations for lunch. Finish off the day trip to the sacred mountain of Doi Suthep, where you will climb up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on the top for fantastic views overlooking the whole city and its surroundings.
Overnight: Chiang Mai

Day 10 Chiang Mai (B, L) 

Asian elephants have been a symbol of Thailand since ancient times. Today, drive out of the city into the lush countryside to Baan Chang Elephant Park for a close-up experience with these magnificent creatures. You'll dress in traditional mahout attire, help care for the elephants, roam with them in the jungle, and aid in their feeding and bathing routine. Finally, transfer back to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Chiang Mai

Day 11 Chiang Mai - Phuket (B)

After several days' exploration in central and northern Thailand, the beach part of your vacation in the southern island paradise starts today. Enjoy some leisure time before taking a late morning flight to the world-renowned Phuket. Upon arrival, a private transfer will whisk you to your resort for the next three days' vacation. For the rest of today, relax thoroughly in your room, cool down in the swimming pool or enjoy the sunshine on the beach.
Overnight: Phuket

Day 12 Phuket (B)

The day is truly yours to enjoy as you wish. Optionally, hop from Phuket to other islands like Phi Phi Island, Similan Islands and James Bond Island on daily excursions to fully enjoy the great seascape with great water activities around Phuket.
Overnight: Phuket

Day 13 Phuket (B)

Indulge in another day of leisure in Phuket. You may like to take a walking tour around Phuket's old town to see Sino-Portuguese-style shophouses and sample fresh seafood while exploring its open markets and bustling streets.
Overnight: Phuket

Day 14 Phuket - Bangkok, Departure (B)

Enjoy the final morning in Phuket at leisure, before flying back to Bangkok to connect your international flight back home.