Tours of Indonesia; Myanmar; Borneo & Malaysia
Cities on this tour:
- Bali, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, Bago, Bagan, Mandalay, Kuching, Miri, Kota Kinabalu
Tour Price Includes:
- Round trip airfare from San Francisco to Bali and return from Kota Kinabalu.
- First/Deluxe Class hotel accommodation based on double occupancy.
- Meals as in the itinerary (B=Breakfast * L=Lunch * D=Dinner)
- Guided sightseeing tours.
- Transportation and all Inter Asia airfares as mentioned in the itinerary.
Scheduled Itinerary for this Tour:
Day 1 – San Francisco to Bali (Indonesia)
Depart San Francisco for a pleasant flight to Bali via Hong Kong by Cathay Pacific Airways.
Day 2 – Bali
Arrive Bali in the morning and transfer to the Bali Beach or same class hotel to rest and relaxation. In the evening enjoy a special Indonesian performance. (L.D.)
Day 3 – Bali
After breakfast explore this fascinating resort with a full day tour. Attend a performance of the masked Barong Dance. The most beautiful of Bali’s classical dances . After this performance discover the artistic genius of the Balinese with visits to three villages, with its own specialties. Celuk is a center for gold and silver work. The villagers of Mas dedicate their life to woodcarving, while Ubund is noted for its Balinese painters. Also, visit Bedulu, the Tampaksiring sanctuary, and Kintamani at Mount Betur before returning to the Grand Hyatt Bali hotel (B.L.D.)
Day 4 – Bali
After breakfast the whole day is free for leisure. (B.)
Day 5 – Bail/Yogyakarta
Depart for Yogyakarta in the morning and take a trip to explore for yourself why they consider the Borobudur Monument as one of the Severn Wonders of the World. Overnight at the Hyatt Regency or same class hotel. (B.L.D.)
Day 6 – Yogyakarta
Take a full day tour of Yogyakarta which includes visits to a batik factory, the Sultan’s Palace, Taman Sari (The Water Castle), a cottage industry in silver, and the historic Pranbanan Temple. (B.L.D.)
Day 7 – Yogyakarta/Jakarta
Take a morning flight to Jakarta-Capital city of Indonesia , upon arrival,we will pass by the latest and modern tourist attraction in Jakarta such as Ancol, National Museum, and enter the Beautiful Indonesian Miniature which is consists of miniature of 26 cultural Height light of Indonesian ethnics also with other point of interests. Stay at the Le Meridien Hotel or similar. (B.L.D.)
Day 8 – Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
Morning flight to Kuala Lumpur upon arrival, we will start city tour of the KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Tower (photo stop only), National Monument, Independence Square where the tallest flag-pole in the world is flying high and the King Palace and other places of interest. In the evening attend a Malay cultural performance and feast on Malay delicacies. Enjoy your stay in Kuala Lumpur. (B.L.D.)
Day 9 – Kuala Lumpur/Yangon (Myanmar)
Morning depart for Yangon and your tour of Burma (now called Myanmar). sightseeing includes high lights of the tour of Sule Pagoda, Maha Bandooia Park with Independence Monument, located at the heart of the city, Chaukhtatgyi reclining Buddha image and a sunset visit to the 2,500 years old magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda sheathed in 11tons of pure gold and 4,350 diamonds weighing 1800 carats! Stay at the Trader Hotel or similar. (B.L.D.)
Day 10 – One day excursion to Bago
Morning make an excursion by coach to Bago-once the capital of ancient Mon Kingdom. It is about 80 kilometres northeast of Yangon. Tour highlights include Bago Traditional Market, the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, the Hintha-gon Paya and Kanbawza Thardi Golden Palace, a replica of the Golden Palace built by King Bayintnaung. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, continue to the Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha Image, the Mahazedi Pagoda with its impressive bell-shaped stupa and the Kalyani Sima, this sacred hall of ordination was originally built by King Dhammazedi. Also visit a cheroot making workshop. Then return to Yangon. En route visit a pottery workshop and World War II Allied War Cemetery, which is situated near Htaukkyant. Enjoy your dinner at a local restaurant. Stay overnight at the Trader hotel or similar hotel. (B.L.D.)
Day 11 – Yangon/Bagan
Morning flight to Bagan, the city of 13,000 temples. Full-day sightseeing includes a memorable experience at Bupaya Pagoda for the panoramic view over the Ayeyarwady River and the many ancient monuments, which make this one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. Stay at the Aureum Palace Hotel Bagan or similar. (B.L.D.)
Day 12 – Bagan (Half day optional excusion of Mt. Popa – Included lunch)
After breakfast in the hotel, you can relax or join the half day by coach to optional tour of Mt. Popa-an extinct volcano, which is the abodeof Nats ( Spirits ). On top of the mountain, there are monasteries, pagodas and shrines in different style. Lunch at Popa Mountain resort then drive back to Bagan and pick up the rest of tour members who didn’t join the optional tour and continue to Shwe Gukyi temple for panoramic morning beauty of old Bagan area. Here you will have the chance to study the ruin palace site of Bagan. Then visit to the highest temple of Bagan “Thatbyinnyu”. Then to Dhammayangyi, a massive temple with the finest brickwork. and last we will visit a temple Sulamunitemple where you can see fine frescos from 18th century Kone Baung era and it also has a beautiful back round history so make sure you get that. Overview of Bagan temple from nearby temple called Tayoke Pyay and that calls for that day. Dinner on your own. (B,)
Day 13 – Bagan/Mandalay
Morning flight to Mandalay. Full-day sightseeing in Mandalay, home of the largest marble Buddha in the world and center for Burmese art, architecture and handicrafts. (Sedona Hotel) (B/L/D)
Day 14 – Mandalay/Yangon
Late morning flight back to Yangon and upon arrival, walking tour of the remaining sights which is starting from downtown central post office; the Strand Road, the jetty to observe the ways of life of the people on Yangon River. Pansoedan Street, famous for the most impressive colonial buildings to be found in Yangon. City Hall, the high court, Bogyoke( Scott ) market where a lot of food, clothing, handicrafts, and gems stores are located. Last, if time is allowed, we will visit to the hand made glass blowing factory and exploring the natural warehouse. (B.L.)
Day 15 – Yangon/Kuching (Borneo, Malaysia)
After breakfast depart for Kuching-Sarawak’s capital city on Borneo’s West coast. Upon arrival, city tour of Kuching’s Chinatown, the Cat Statue (Kuching means “Cat” in Malay), the colourful Tua Pek Kong Chinese Temple, the Civic Centre Viewing Platform and the world famous Sarawak Museum. Across river, visit the unique Cat Museum, passing the magnificent State Mosque and the Astana, the former residence of the White Rajahs. Return via the golden-domed City Mosque. Stay at the Hilton hotel. (B.L.D.)
Day 16 – One day Excursion to LeManak River Safari
Breakfast served at the hotel’s coffee house. Then depart for full day Lemanak River Safari – the Lemanak Longhouse excursion. The journey will take 4 hours by road and 1 hour by motorized longboat. En-route stop at a pepper garden and Serian town. After lunch continue journey until the banks of the Lemanak River where the motorized longboat ride begins. Pass through cool, thick overhanging, jungle foliage before arriving at the Iban or Sea Dayak longhouse. Observe the lifestyle of the natives as they go about with their daily chores. Try the “Tuak” (home brewed rice wine) and witness the traditional “Ngajat” or war dance. Then followed by a blowpipe demonstration and an exciting jungle walk. Depart longhouse by motorized longboat down river. Transfer overland to Kuching and transfer to the hotel. Buffet dinner at the hotel’s coffee house. Overnight at Hilton Hotel, Kuching.
NOTE : Due to primitive conditions, be prepared for some discomforts.
What to bring: Raincoat/umbrella, torchlight and some gift for the people in the longhouse such as cigarettes for the chief and sweets for the children. Wear good walking shoes and light clothing. (B.L.D.)
Day 17 – Kuching
Breakfast served at the hotel’s coffee house. Full Day Discover Kuching tour with this historical city. The highlights includes the gigantic cat statue, which is the city’s mascot, the Chinese Tua Pek Kong temple (1876), a stop at the weekend market, the cat museum and Sarawak Museum, which is acknowledged as one of the world’s finest. Pass by a Malay village and mosque, the old gambier spice street with their open air market. Then stop at the Kuching waterfront where you can view buildings still in used today that were built during Rajah Brooke’s time such as the square tower, the old court house, Fort Margherita which is named after the second Rajah’s wife, and Astana, the former White Rajah residence. The proceed for visit to Cat Museum, Orchid Garden and Kek Lapis Cottage Industry.
(NOTE : The Sarawak Museum is closed on public holidays while the weekend market only opens from Saturday noon to Sunday noon). Lunch at the local restaurant, and Buffet dinner at the hotel. (B.L.D.)
Day 18 – Kuching/Miri
board an early flight to Miri and transfer to the Miri Marriott Resort & Spa Hotel or same class hotel. Then, take a day trip through the countryside to explore the Great Niah Caves, a 27-ace limestone cavern where tools, ornaments, and stone pottery continue to be unearthed from the old and new Stone Age. Visit the Painted Cave to view prehistoric wall paintings, observe local marvel at the natural wonder of the untouched rain forest which is over a million years old. Note: This is a historical monument and as such, visitors to the caves are required to observe certain regulations prohibiting the digging, collecting or removal of any object natural or man-made. (B.L.)
Day 19 – Miri/Kota Kinabalu
Enjoy a half day of free time to explore Miri before taking an afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu-the Sate Capital of Sabah and The Land Below the Wind. Upon arrival and city tour of Sabah Foundation Building –one of the hanging structures of the world. Stopover at the Buddhist Temple and visit the Sabah State Museum which displays artifacts from Sabah’s past and diverse cultures prevalent in North Borneo. Pass by the State Mosque – This resplendent structure, with its majestic domes and gold motifs, is a spectacular sight. Stay at the Le Meridien Hotel or Similar Hotel. (B.L.D.)
Day 20 – One day Optional excursion tour to Sandakan and Orang Utan Sanctuary
After breakfast, Sandakan is 40 minutes by air from Kota Kinabalu. A rewarding experience is a visit to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, 20 minutes by road from Sandakan. Here in the Sepilok forest reserve, orphaned or captive orang utans are taught survival skills so that they may return to their natural habitat. They are then released into the forest to roam free. To aid the orang utans adapt to the wilds, a supplementary diet of bananas and milk are laid out on feeding platforms twice a day. Stay at the Le Meridien Hotel or similar Hotel. (B.) *Remarks: one day optional tour is included lunch.
Day 21– Kota Kinabalu – Overnight excursion tour to Mt. Kinabalu
Breakfast in the hotel, today you will take an excursion tour to Mt. Kinabalu which you will visit Poling Hotel Spring Canopy walk, Kinabalu Park and other point of interest. Over night at the Park Grace Hostel or similar. ** Please pack 1 days clothing and necessary items in a carry on for Mt. Kinabalu’s overnight.. (B.L.D.)
Day 22 – Kota Kinabalu
In the morning return to Kota Kinabalu by coach and transfer back to Le Meridien Hotel or same class hotel for rest. Farewell Dinner in the evening. (B.L.D.)
Day 23 – Kota Kinabalu/San Francisco
Recall your adventures in the Orient as your relax on the flight back to San Francisco via Hong Kong. **You may choose to stopover in Hong Kong on the way back on your own within 45 days of the date of departure from San Francisco. (B.)
