The owners of Fun For Less Tours spent almost 7 weeks in January and February exploring Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Burma.  They wanted to make sure we had the best tour possible.  From their many trips to this part of the world, along with their explorations this year, they have created a new fantastic tour!  It includes 7 countries:  Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos, Singapore and Myanmar (Burma).

 

 Here is why this tour is now the BEST TOUR in the World!

 

This tour has more highlight days than any other tour!  On every tour there are days that stand above the rest, days that will never be forgotten, these are what we call highlight days.  For example you will love every day on a tour of Peru and Machu Picchu, but two of the days will stand above everything else; the day you explored Machu Picchu and the day you visited the Uro tribe on Lake Titicaca – these two days are what we call the fantastic highlight days.  A Machu Picchu tour has two of these, our tour in China has 5 fantastic days, (the most of any tour until now) – Our new redesigned Southeast Asia tour has 6 fantastic highlight days.  You will love every day on this tour, and when you add 6 fantastic highlight days and you get to do it all while staying in 5 star luxury, this has become the best tour on earth.

Day 1: February 9: Fly

Today you will fly from your home to LAX.  Mid-afternoon you will board the brand new A 380 Singapore Airline Jet.  The new jet boasts roomier seats and the best on-demand entertainment system.  Their wide LCD screen is the largest offered in any economy class seats. Your flight will take you to Singapore and then on to Hanoi.

 

Day 2: February 10: Flying

Cross the International Date Line and lose a day.

 

Day 3: February 11: Hanoi Vietnam

After changing planes in Singapore, you will arrive into Hanoi late morning, we will immediately begin our tour of the Hanoi area.  First we head to HOAN KIEM LAKE and Ngoc Son Temple, located in the heart of Hanoi, which contains an islet with the tiny TORTOISE PAGODA.  From there we will explore the OLD QUARTER.  This fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses is also known as The 36 Streets, each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts to medicines to tombstones.  A handicraft lovers paradise and an endlessly interesting place to explore local life.  Afterwards, visit the MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY which brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country.  Inside the museum are detailed descriptions of minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings. Overnight in Hanoi.

 

Day 4: February 12: Hanoi – Halong Bay

This morning we travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay, with over 3,000 majestic islands, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth and a definite fantastic highlight day!  We will take a 4 hour excursion by boat ride through Halong Bay on a charming traditional wooden junk.  En-route lunch will be served.  You will cruise by rock formations with such names as Stone Dog, Incense Burner (Dinh Huong), Fighting Cock (Ga Choi).  At the core of the islets, there are two wonderful caves and grottoes to visit as Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto), Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto) before returning to Halong pier.  We will overnight in Halong.

 

Day 5: February 13: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Angkor Wat Cambodia

We will return today to Hanoi, finish any sites not visited and then fly this afternoon to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the closest city to Angkor Wat. Upon arrival we will transfer to your hotel in Siem Reap.

 

Day 6: February 14: Angkor Wat

Our Visit to Angkor Wat will be another fantastic highlight day!The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings.  To approach the temple you must cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades.  As you enter the main building you will ascend through a series of galleries and courtyards before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside.  On the way we stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls.  Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk.  Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day.

Visit Angkor Thom: The fortified city of ANGKOR THOM covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public cermonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to TA PROHM, one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. Tomb Raiders and other movies were filmed here.

 

Day 7: February 15: Angkor Wat Area

Another fantastic highlight day will be Tonle Sap Lake: Kampong Kleang is located about 50 km from Siem Reap town.  By boat we will explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges of the lake, passing submerged forests and fishing farms.  We will also visit the local market. The friendly locals make visiting a local market an interesting excursion.

 

Day 8: February 16: Angkor Wat – Kuala Lumpur

This morning we will fly from Angkor Wat to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.  We will enjoy an afternoon city tour and overnight.

 

Day 9: February 17: Kuala Lumpur – Chiang Mai

This morning we will fly from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival we will immediately start our tour by visiting the Golden Temples on the hill overlooking Chiang Mai.  We will also do a city tour on our way to our hotel.  If you saw the show Tangled, you would have seen the fire balloons that filled the sky, this actually happens in Chiang Mai. This evening you will have a chance to light your own balloon on fire and watch it rise into the sky.  Overnight Chiang Mai.

 

Day 10: February 18: Kuala Lumpur - Chiang Mai

Today will be a fantastic highlight day that you will never forget.  We start with a visit to Tiger Kingdom, here you will be able to see many tigers and if you would like, you will have an opportunity to play with baby tigers or pet a larger tiger.  From there we head to the elephants.  After their special fantastic show, we will board them to cross over the mountain to the Long Neck Village.   As seen in National Geographic, the women of the Long Neck Tribe put multiple metal rings around their necks that stretch their necks.  The rings weigh over 20 pounds.  We return to Chiang Mai to overnight.

 

Day 11: February 19: Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai  

Some of the best shopping is in Chiang Mai.  We will have time before heading north to visit a fantastic wood carving and umbrella making factory.  We then travel north to the very pinnacle of the Golden Triangle.  The Mekong River splits at the top of Thailand.  Three countries are bordered when the river splits, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos, creating the Golden Triangle.  You will stand in Thailand where the river splits and look across one side and see Laos and the other side and see Myanmar.  We overnight at the tip of the Golden Triangle.  

  

Day 12: February 20: Mekong River - Loas – Bangkok

This morning early we travel by boat on the Mekong River.  With permission from Laos, we will dock on the Laos side of the river and visit a local Laos Village.  When we return from our boat ride right through the middle of the Golden Triangle, we will board a plane and fly to Bangkok.  Upon arrival we will transfer to our 5 star luxury hotel located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.  

 

Day 13: February 21: Bangkok

This morning we will take a boat ride through the Floating Market on James Bond Boats.  We will have time to do some shopping before returning to Bangkok.  This afternoon you will have some free time to explore Bangkok or enjoy a relaxing afternoon at your resort hotel. 

 

Day 14: February 22: Bangkok – Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar)

This morning we will do our tour of Bangkok that will include a visit to THE ROYAL GRAND PALACE, the nation's landmark and most praised royal monument. The former royal residence of the Chakri Kings, the palace is the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court. Built in 1782 by King Rama I, it was the center of power for more than 150 years.  Today, the palace is Bangkok's major landmark and most popular tourist attraction.  WAT PHRA KAEW, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is located right next to the Grand Palace together form perhaps the greatest spectacle for the visitor to Bangkok.  It consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics, and dates back to 1782, when Bangkok was founded.  When you enter the compound, you first of all see Wat Phra Kaew and the nearby attractions, and then move on to the Grand Palace afterwards. Photography is permitted in the Royal Palace Grounds and in the compounds of the Emerald Buddha Temple, but not inside the buildings.

Dress Code: Participants on this tour should note that the chapel is a national shrine and you will be required to wear proper attire (no bare shoulders, knees or strapless-heel shoes).  Shoes must be removed before entering the temple buildings as a matter of respect.  After our tour we then head to the airport for our afternoon flight to Rangoon, Burma.  Upon arrival we will transfer to our hotel.

 

Day 15: February 23: Rangoon – Bagan

Today will be another fantastic highlight day.  We will start early with a morning flight to Bagan for a day tour.  Bagan is a spectacular plain stretching away from the Ayeyarwaddy River, dotted with thousands of 800-year old temple ruins.  Although human habitation at Bagan dates back almost to the beginning of the Christian era, Bagan only entered its golden period with the conquest of Thaton in 1057 AD. SHWEZIGON PAYA: King Anawrahta started the construction of the Schwezigon Pagoda to enshrine some relicts of Buddha. The construction was finished by his successor, King Kyansittha between 1086 and1090. Originally the Shwezigon Pagoda marked the northern end of the city of Bagan. The stupa's graceful bell shape became a prototype for virtually all later stupas over Myanmar. GUBYAUKHYI TEMPLE at Wetkyi-Inn: This Temple was built in the early 13th Century and repaired in 1468. The great colorful painting about the previous life of Buddha and the distinguished architecture make this temple an interesting site for a visit. ANANDA PAHTO: one of the finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples. Thought to have been built around 1105 by King Kyanzittha, this perfectly proportioned temple heralds the stylistic end of the Early Bagan period and the beginning of the Middle period. GUBYAUKGYI TEMPLE at Myinkaba: Built in 1113 by Kyanzittha son Rajakumar, this temple is famous for its well-preserved Stuccos from the 12th century on the outside walls. The magnificent paintings date from the original construction of the temple and are considered to be the oldest original paintings in Bagan. MANUHA TEMPLE: The Manuha Temple was built in 1059 by King Manuha, the King of Thaton, who was brought captive to Bagan by King Anawrahta. It enshrines the unusual combination of 3 seated and one reclining image Buddha. It is said that this temple was built by Manuha to express his displeasure about his captivity in Bagan.  SHWESANDAW PAYA: In 1057 King Anawrahta built this Pagoda following his conquest of Thaton. This is the first monument in Bagan, which features stairways leading up from the square bottom terraces to the round base of the Stupa. This Pagoda is ideal to watch Bagan's magnificent sunsets.  LACQUERWARE WORKSHOP: the villages around Bagan are known for producing the finest lacquerware in Myanmar.  Stop by one of the workshops and learn about the painstaking process of laquerware making and decoration.  We will overnight in Bagan.

 

Day 16 & 17: February 24, 25: Bagan – Inlay lake

We will fly from Bagan to Inlay Lake to enjoy another Fantastic Highlight.  We will spend two full days in the Inlay Lake area.  Its two days of beautiful scenery, floating gardens, villages, markets, local people, local customs, costumes and boat rides – along with staying at a great resort.  This is a 10+ experience. 

 

Day 18:  February 26:  Inlay Lake – Rangoon

This morning we fly to Rangoon.  Yangon (Rangoon) lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on the wide Yangon River. The city is filled with tree-shaded boulevards, while shimmering stupas float above the treetops.  The city became the capital only in1885.  We will tour the city with several stops at important sites.  The most important SHWEDAGON PAGODA, is the highlight of any visit to Yangon.  Towering over the city, this pagoda is the most sacred spot in the country, built to house eight hair relics of the Buddha. 

 

Day 19: February 27: Rangoon to Singapore

Late morning you will take the short flight to Singapore.  We will do a short afternoon city tour before heading to our hotel in Singapore.  We have to overnight in Singapore.

 

Day 20: February 28: Return Flight Home

Today we fly on Singapore Airlines through Los Angeles back to your home.