Tours of Myanmar; Borneo & Malaysia.
Cities on this tour:
- 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)
- Transportation and all Inter Asia airfares as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Guided sightseeing tours.
Scheduled Itinerary for this Tour:
Day 1 – San Francisco to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
Depart San Francisco for a pleasant flight to Kuala Lumpur via Hong Kong by Cathay Pacific Airways.
Day 2 – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
Afternoon 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 Hotel Istana or same class hotel. (D.)
Day 3 – 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 4 – 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 5 – 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. (Threadbare Gate) (B/L/D)
Day 6 – 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. (B,)
Day 7 – 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 8 – 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.D.)
Day 9 – 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 10 – Kuching/Lemanak River Safari
In the morning take a native longboat to travel upstream against the rapids and pole through to clean shallow water to the longhouse (head hunter) on Skrang River. Stop to collect jungle products. Fish from the shoreline, and enjoy lunch native style on the river bank. Receive a warm welcome from the long house dwellers and witness their colorful traditional dance.** Please pack 1 days clothing and necessary items in a carry on for overnight in the Safari. (B.L.D.)
Day 11 – Lemanak River Safari/Kuching
After breakfast say goodbye to your host, the king, and return to Kuching for continue some more city tour of Old Kuching, visiting the colorful Central Markets and squeezing through narrow alleyways crammed with spice dealers and textile shops. Pass by the heritage buildings of the White Rajah era, the Pavilion, the Square Tower, the Court House, the Charles Brooke Monument and the Post Office. Stay at the Hilton hotel.(B.L.)
Day 12 – Kuching/Miri
Board an early flight to Miri and transfer to the Park 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. Stay at the Marriott Hotel or same class hotel. (B.L.)
Day 13 – Miri/Kota Kinablu
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 14 – 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 15 – 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 GraceHostel or similar. ** Please pack 1 days clothing and necessary items in a carry on for Mt. Kinabalu’s overnight.. (B.L.)
Day 16 – Kota Kinabalu
In the morning return to Kota Kinabalu by coach and transfer back to Le Meridien Hotel or similar hotel for rest. (B.L.D.)
Day 17 – 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.)
