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Thailand & Angkor Wat, Cambodia17 day tour - February 7, 2014with Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma) & Singapore Option - NEW!
The NEW BEST Tour in the World!
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 that includes: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma) and an option to visit Singapore.
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 has two highlight days, 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 (7 if you add the extension to Inle Lake).
 Here is an overview of your fantastic tour!
In Vietnam:
Halong Bay is one of the fantastic highlight days. There are over 3,000 monolith, majestic, uniquely shaped islands in Halong Bay. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth, it even exceeds the beauty of the Li River in China. A James Bond Movie was filmed in Halong Bay. We also visit Hanoi.
In Cambodia:
There are two fantastic highlight days in Cambodia, Angkor Wat & Tonli Sap Lake. Angkor Wat is the best ruins in the world, they are unrivaled in beauty and state of preservation! Its mightiness and magnificence displays a pomp and luxury surpassing that of Pharaoh, an impressiveness greater than that of the Pyramids, and artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal! Films like Tomb Raiders have been filmed here. Tonli Sap Lake will amaze you with the villages and houses built on stilts, along with the floating villages and houses that live on the lake.
In Thailand:
Thailand is Siam, the King & I and Anna & the King. You will have one Fantastic highlight day in Chiang Mai Thailand - One of our passengers this year said. “this has been the best 24 hours in my life” after his day in Chiang Mai area. The day included the holding and feeding baby tigers, petting large tigers, witnessing the best Elephant show in the world, riding elephants over the mountain to visit the Long Neck Tribe. As seen in National Geographic’s, the women stretch their necks by putting metal rings around their neck. In Thailand we also visit Bangkok and the staggering beautiful palace and temples of the King. At the very tip of the Golden Triangle (Chiang Rai), we take a 3 hour boat ride down the Mekong River. We will dock on in the country of Laos to visit a Laos village.
In Myanmar (Burma)
There are Two fantastic highlight days in Burma, Bagan ruins and for those doing the extension, Inle Lake. Bagan is probably one of the most amazing sights we have ever seen. Within a few square miles are the ruins of over 2,500 temples and pagodas. Inle Lake is beautiful, unique, filled with floating villages, floating Gardens, floating Temples and so much more. This is a 10+ in sites to visit in the world. We also tour Rangoon before leaving Burma.
Travel & Leisure Magazine list the top 10 cities in the world each year. Three of the cities you are going to visit on this tour have made Travel & Leisure’s Top 10 cities in the world:In the current list, Bangkok Thailand is the #1 city in the world & Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) is #7. In last year’s list Chiang Mai Thailand was also part of the top 10.
Singapore Air:We use the number one airline in the world, Singapore Air. There is more leg room, better service and each seat has its own individual television that has over 100 hundred movies that you can start, pause or stop when you want too.
Whisper Perfect Headset Receivers
Pricing InformationPackage Pricing Includes:
Important Note: Many travel companies show a low price, but by the time you add everything in, they become expensive.
Our pricing is a package that will actually give you more for less! Below we have listed what is included in our discounted package price.
Package Pricing: $3,995*
*Per person cash discount price, based on double occupancy.
Does not include optional extension, airfare and tips.
Airfare examples:
SLC roundtrip - $1,947 (Includes SLC to Hanoi & Rangoon to SFO & SFO to SLC, taxes & fees)
LAX roundtrip - $1,598 (Includes LAX to Hanoi & Rangoon to SFO, taxes and fees)
Please call if originating from another city, it may vary from the examples above.
You may also purchase your own airfare.
Itinerary (subject to change as needed)
Day 1- Feb 7 Fri: Fly
Today you will fly from your home to San Francisco where you will board the Singapore Airline Jet late this evening. The new jet boasts roomier seats and the best on-demand entertainment system. Your flight will take you to Singapore and then on to Hanoi.
Day 2- Feb 8 Sat:Flying
Cross the International Date Line and lose a day.
Day 3- Feb 9 Sun: Hanoi Vietnam
You will arrive midday into Singapore, change planes and continue on to Hanoi. You will arrive early evening into Hanoi. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your 5 star Luxury hotel.
Day 4- Feb 10 Mon: 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 beautiful 4 hour excursion by boat through Halong Bay on a charming traditional wooden junk. You will cruise by rock formations with such names as Stone Dog, Incense Burner (Dinh Huong), and 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), and Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto) before returning to Halong pier. We will then head back to Hanoi to overnight.
Day 5- Feb 11 Tue: Hanoi — Angkor Watt
Today we will visit Hanoi. We will first 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 and crafts to medicines and tombstones. It’s a handicraft lover’s 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.We will fly this afternoon to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the closest city to Angkor Wat. Upon arrival we will transfer to your 5 star luxury hotel.
Day 6- Feb 12- Wed: Hanoi – Angkor Wat Cambodia
Our Visit to Angkor Wat will be another fantastic highlight day!The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and a favorite 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 ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. We will visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to TA PROHM, one of the most popular attractions of Angkor. 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- Feb 13- Thu: 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- Feb 14 Fri: Angkor Wat – Chiang Mai
This morning we will fly from Angkor Wat Bangkok, change planes and fly to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival we will visit a wood carving factory and an umbrella factory along with a city tour, before arriving at our 4 star deluxe hotel in Chiang Mai. 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 fire balloon and watch it rise into the sky.
Important Note:Our next area to visit is Chiang Mai, but there is no direct flight! You have to fly through Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
Day 9- Feb 15 Sat: 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 the larger ones. From there we head to see the elephants where you’ll see them perform a fantastic show, then we will ride them over the mountain into the Long Neck Village. As seen in National Geographic, the women of the Long Neck Tribe put multiple metal rings around their necks to stretch them. The rings weigh over 20 pounds. We return to Chiang Mai to overnight.
Day 10- Feb 16 Sun: Bangkok – Pattaya
Our morning begins with a flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival we will tour Bangkok, which will include a visit to THE ROYAL GRAND PALACE, the nation's landmark and most praised royal monument. This is the former royal residence of the Chakri Kings. The palace is a 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 and 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 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 or knees.) Shoes must be removed before entering the temple buildings as a matter of respect. Late this afternoon we will transfer to Pattaya, located about 1 hour south of Bangkok. We will spend tonight and tomorrow night in a fantastic 5 star beach resort.
Day 11- Feb 17 Mon: Pattaya
Today is like a fun day at sea, but instead you will be at a 5 star beach resort! You can relax by the beautiful pool, take a walk on the beach or take a shuttle to Pattaya and spend as much of the day as you like shopping and exploring Pattaya. Tomorrow, you will be refreshed and ready to continue on the best tour in the world!
Day 12- Feb 18 Tue: Bangkok – Rangoon Burma (Myanmar)
This morning we will head to the airport for our afternoon flight to Rangoon, Burma. Upon arrival we will transfer to our hotel.
Important Note: Burma (Myanmar) is one of the most impressive countries in the world to tour. But for many years Burma (Myanmar) has been a country everyone has recommended you do not travel to because of political problems. It was removed form that list by the US and other countries last year. The flood of tourists since being taken off the do not visit list, has completely overwhelmed the country! During the high season (the best time to visit Burma & the time of our visit) there are 3 passengers looking for rooms for every room available. Most of the existing hotels are not fully up to the deluxe and luxury hotels you find in other countries. But because of the demand, they are the most expensive hotels we have on this tour! It is an absolute fight to get the hotels we need, and this year we had to sometimes split our group into 3 hotels to get everyone taken care of. Is it worth the headache? Absolutely!!!!! You are already in the neighborhood - you do not want to miss the best ruins in the world at Bagan and the experience of a lifetime at Inle Lake!
Day 13- Feb 19 Wed: Rangoon – Bagan
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 in 1885. We will be doing a city tour. The most important stop will be SHWEDAGON PAGODA, which 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. We will then take an afternoon flight to Bagan. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.
Day 14- Feb 20 Thu: Bagan
Today will be another fantastic highlight day. We consider Bagan to be the BEST RUINS in the WORLD! 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 lacquerware making and decoration. We will overnight in Bagan.
Day 15- Feb 21 Fri: Rangoon
Today our group will split. Those that are doing the recommended Inle Lake extension will fly this morning to Inle Lake and transfer by boat to their hotel (see information under the Inle Lake Extension). Those not doing the extension will fly midday back to Rangoon and transfer to your hotel as you have already toured Rangoon.
Day 16- Feb 22 Sat: Rangoon – San Francisco
This morning the non-extension group will fly to Singapore, change planes and continue on to San Francisco.
NOTE: We arrive at approximately 8:30 pm into San Francisco and in many cases it will be too late to travel to your home. We have included the hotel in San Francisco. If a flight becomes available and you can continue home, then we will deduct $100 per room off your invoice for not using that hotel.
Day 17- Feb 23 Sun-Home
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
The Inle Lake Adventure & Singapore Extension
This could be a highlight adventure of a lifetime. Everything on Inle lake is done by small boats that hold 6 to 8 passengers. Even your hotel will be on stilts in the middle of the lake or on stilts at the edge of the lake. After visiting over 150 countries in the world, we can definitely say this was our most unique and loved experience on any lake in the world! We would actually rate it in our top 10 experiences anywhere in the world! Most of their villages, farms, gardens, stores and Temples you visit are built on stilts or floating in the middle of the lake. Many of our past guests have stated this was the highlight of the whole tour to Southeast Asia!!! Do we recommend it? YES, YES, YES and YES!!!! Is it for everyone, no! If you always need a 5 star hotel to stay in, this may not be for you! With the demand for hotels in Burma, and the size of hotels in Inle Lake, we may be split into different hotels. All of the hotels have clean linens and private bathrooms, but some of our group may be in a better hotel than others. If you are the kind that becomes jealous or frustrated when someone has a better hotel than you, than Inle lake my not be for you – as it could happen!
Physically there are no long walks at Inle Lake, but you must be physically able to climb in an out of a boat several times a day. Everything is by boat, even getting to your hotel is by boat. If you are physically able and you want an expertise of a lifetime – Add the Inle lake extension!!!!
Inle Lake Adventure and Singapore Extension will add four nights to your tour. The regular tour will fly directly through Singapore on their way to Hanoi. The extension group will fly two days earlier and overnight two nights in Singapore before joining with the regular group on the flight to Hanoi. They will also separate from the regular group at Bagan when they fly to our two night Inle Lake adventure. After Inle Lake the extension group will fly to Rangoon midday, overnight and then fly the next day through Singapore, continuing on to SFO. Overnight in SFO. Fly home.
Inle Lake & Singapore Option includes:
Extension Price: $845 (includes all additional flights, taxes and fees)
Extension Itinerary
Feb 5 Wed: Fly
Today you will fly from your home to California where you will board the Singapore Airline Jet. The new jet boasts roomier seats and the best on-demand entertainment system. Your flight will take you to Singapore.
Feb 6 Thu:Flying
Cross the International Date Line and lose a day.
Feb 7 Fri: Singapore
You will arrive into Singapore this afternoon. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your 5 star luxury hotel. You will have a free afternoon to explore Singapore, which is not large and easily explored at your leisure.
Feb 8 Sat: Singapore
You will have a full free day to explore beautiful Singapore. Singapore is easy to get around and fun to explore on your own.
Feb 9 Sun: Singapore – Hanoi –
You will have a free morning. Late this morning we will transfer to the airport to fly to Hanoi. You will join with the non-extension passengers on the flight to Hanoi. From this point on your tour will be identical to the regular group through Bagan in Burma.
Note: February 10 – February 20 is identical to the itinerary of the main group. The extension group will join with the non-extension group on the flight from Singapore to Hanoi. On 21 February you will again separate from the non-extension group as they will fly to Rangoon and on home, You will fly to Inle Lake.
Day 17- Feb 21 Fri: Inle Lake
Today we have separated from the non-extension group. We have an early start today. Our flight to Heho departs at 7:50am on Air Bagan flight 9141. Upon arrival at approximately 8:30am we will transfer to the Inle Lake region. Here we travel by boat to the western shore of the lake. As you travel across the lake you may glimpse locals going about their daily tasks. Here we find exit the boat and wind our way to the hidden Indein temple complex. The complex is home to hundreds of stupas in various stages of preservation. Many are still hidden under the thick overgrowth of moss and vines. We conclude the day at the hotel.
Day 18- Feb 22 Sat: Inle Lake
Today we enjoy another boat excursion on Inle Lake. Inle Lake is beautiful, and fertile with calm waters which are dotted with patches of floating vegetation. The lakes shore and islands are home to 17 villages built on stilts, mostly inhabited by the Intha people. We visit one of these villages and a local market. Along the way we enjoy the scenery and may observe local fishermen using their leg-rowing technique to propel themselves around the lake. Later we also visit the Phaung Daw OO Pagoda and the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery. The day concludes at the hotel where you will have time to enjoy the area at your leisure.
Day 19- Feb 23 Sun: Inle Lake – Rangoon
This afternoon we will transfer from Inle Lake to the airport for our flight to Rangoon. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.
Day 20- Feb 24 Mon: Rangoon – San Francisco
This morning the group will fly to Singapore and board your evening flight to San Francisco.
NOTE: We arrive at approximately 8:30 pm into San Francisco and in many cases it will be too late to travel to your home. We have included the hotel in San Francisco. If a flight becomes available and you can continue home then we will deduct $100 per room off your invoice for not using that hotel.
Day 21- Feb 25 Tue: Home
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
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