13 Day Golden Asia Private Jet Tour

An AJT representative holding an "All Japan Tours" sign will be waiting for you just after you walk out of the customs clearance area, at the arrival hall. They will assist you with your transfer to the hotel.

Aman Tokyo 5* or similar

Begin your tour of Tokyo with a visit to Asakusa - a grouping of sacred buildings belonging to two separate religions. Here, you will see Japan's two main religions living together in harmony. This is an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. One piece of this area is the famous Asakusa Kannon Temple, or Senso-ji, one of Tokyo's oldest and most famous temples. The first section of the temple that most people will visit is the Kaminarimon, Kaminari Gate, which serves as the entrance to the market. This temple belongs to its own independent sect of Buddhism. You will also be able to explore Nakamise Market, which is located right after the temple's outer gates. This is a traditional- style shopping street with several centuries of history. Continue from there to the Imperial Palace to see the beautiful East Gardens. The palace is the current residence of Japan's Imperial family, and a historic landmark. Next, you may enjoy the natural atmosphere of Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Finally, visit the Nezu Museum, where you can enjoy an assortment of pre-modern Japanese and East Asia art that Nezu Kaichiro collected. After the bombing in World War II destroyed some of the collection, Kaichiro's son continued to add to it to ensure that his father's collection remained impressive.

Aman Tokyo 5* or similar

Take a short flight to Osaka, then transfer on to Kyoto. In the old capital, climb to the viewpoint of Kiyomizu-dera, a famous temple best known for a large wooden stage that overlooks a forested vista of natural beauty. Then we will travel to Kodaiji Temple, which is a lavish temple built in the memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Here you will experience Zen Meditation and Green Tea Ceremony. We will wrap up the day in the Gion Geisha district, where its streets are lined with tea houses and exclusive establishments where guests are entertained by Geisha and Maiko. Here, we will enjoy traditional Kyoto cuisine while viewing a special Geisha Performance.

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto 5* or similar

Today, travel toe Nijo Castle, a designated UNESCO world heritage site and a perfect architectural example of castles from the feudal era of Japan. Next, we will visit Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, covered with 18-karat gold leaf. This three-story temple was originally built by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397. Then we will tour the Arashiyama district. First is a visit to see Tenryuji Temple, where you can take in scenes of a traditional landscape rock garden. Then proceed through a dense bamboo grove, past several small shrines, tea shops, and private houses before arriving at the Togetsukyo Bridge over the Hozu River.

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto 5* or similar

In the morning, transfer to Osaka, then catch your flight to Bangkok, Thailand.

Peninsula Bangkok 5* or similar

Begin at the magnificent Grand Palace Complex, once the residence of Thai kings and the royal court. This complex includes a Reception Hall, Coronation Hall, and Funeral Hall. Your tour will also take you to the Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), located inside of the complex. This gilded temple is often regarded as the heart of Buddhism in Thailand. It is also home to an exquisite ‘emerald’ Buddha statue, carved from jade and considered to be one of the holiest religious objects in Thailand today. Then you’ll travel to Jim Thompson’s house. Thompson was an American entrepreneur who became fascinated with Thai silk, and in the 1940s, he sought to revive production of this exquisite fabric. Over time, his business and international reputation blossomed. In addition to intricate silk production, his Thai-style home also boasts impressive collections of traditional and contemporary art. Continue to Wat Pho, one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest Buddhist temples. Wat Pho is best known for its striking Reclining Buddha. This monumental statue is over 150 feet (15 m) high, adorned in shimmering gold leaf, and depicts the Buddha passing into nirvana. In the evening, take a flight to Yangon, Myanmar, and transfer to your hotel.

Governor's Residence 5* or similar

Myanmar is a country of golden spires and the capital city of Yangon presents brilliant pagodas and statues of the Buddha to attract the eye of every visitor. Start the day's sightseeing at the 2,000 year-old Sule Pagoda, an octagonal stupa brightly shining in the center of a busy Yangon thoroughfare. You can proceed from there to Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda and behold the one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in Myanmar, draped in a robe of shimmering gold, offering a peaceful expression. Be sure not to miss the detailed artworks inscribed on the feet. Then, make your way to the shores of Kandawgyi Lake to see Karaweik Hall - an opulent river barge and buffet-style restaurant designed to emulate the magnificent flair of a Burmese palace. Next, you can venture to Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) , which overflows with local food, clothing, and handicrafts. Finish the day at one of the world’s most sacred Buddhist sites -- the Shwedagon Pagoda, an exquisite structure covered in luminous gold leaf. At the hour of sunset, watch the oil lamp-lighting ceremony, where hundreds of oil lamps are lit to allow visitors to enjoy the pagoda after dark.

Governor's Residence 5* or similar

NOTE: Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) is closed on Mondays and public holidays.

This morning, take a short flight from Yangon to Mandalay, where you will experience Shwenandaw Kyuang Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery), an intricately- carved structure built of teak, decorated with intricate carvings. Next, visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as 'the world’s largest book.' This pagoda contains over 700 stupas, each home to a marble slab inscribed with Buddhist teachings. After, visit one of Myanmar’s most revered religious monuments: the Mahamuni Pagoda. The Great Sage Buddha image, seated on a tall pedestal, is covered in bright gold leaf. From there, you'll have the opportunity to learn the secrets of gold leaf making and application at a local gold leaf workshop. Take a leisurely cruise along the Irrawaddy River as the sun descends over Mandalay Hill, and see the Mingun Bell and Pagoda - one of the largest bells in the world, and the Hsinbyume Pagoda - painted brilliant white, like a castle of clouds rising into the reddening sky. You are sure to enjoy the view of the sun setting behind the scenic vista of gorgeous Mandalay.

Mercure Mandalay 4* or similar

"Today, take a trip to Bagan - capital of the former Pagan kingdom, and city of a thousand temples and pagodas. Start with a visit to the most impressive one - the Shwezigon Pagoda. Initially constructed in 1090, the pagoda was said to hold a number of relics of the Buddha, and many Buddhists come to bask in the spiritual atmosphere of the stupa. Next, make your way to the Swegugyi Temple. Those with an interest in the history and archaeology of Southeast Asia are particularly drawn to this Buddhist temple, which contains a well- preserved stone inscription in the ancient Pali language detailing the history of the temple. Then the tour continues to Ananda Temple - where visitors appreciate the intriguing fusion of Burmese and Indian architecture, as well as the four gold Buddhas enshrined within, each one molded to a different form - one for North, South, East, and West. While travelers usually come to experience the historic and spiritual discovery attached to these ancient religious sites, there are more contemporary experiences that should not be missed. Take a side trip to Myinkaba Village, to the shop of a lacquerware craftsman, where local families have practiced the art for generations. Throughout the tour in Bagan, travelers will have the opportunity to see many more of Bagan's ancient temples, each telling a special piece of the story of the Pagan Kingdom. Each of these temples also maintains an important religious significance to the people of Myanmar as active sites of worship and pilgrimage to Buddhists from around the world. When traveling between these must-see sightseeing spots, be sure to take a ride in a horse-cart - a traditional mode of transit in Myanmar. As you pass from one fascinating discovery to the next, an authentic horse-cart ride fills the in-between moments with its own rustic charm."

Aureum Palace Hotel 5* or similar

Start your day with a special morning excursion: Balloons over Bagan, which invites you to witness the enchanting beauty of Myanmar's most spiritual city from up in the sky in a hot air balloon! This tour allows you to view the golden stupas of Bagan's ancient pagodas in the shimmering light of sunrise. This optional excursion takes you in the air for about one hour during sunrise, casting the temples and landscape into early morning’s dazzling light and color. Upon landing, you and your travel companions will be treated to a celebratory glass of champagne with the crew. After this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, you will continue your discovery of the temples of Bagan with a visit to ancient Tayoke Pyay Temple; Payathonzu Temple - a tight group of 3 pagodas connected by narrow passages; Nandamannya Temple - with some of the best murals preserved inside; and Kyat Kan Cave Monastery - a stone monastery underground where monks still live. Take the opportunity to explore rural Bagan, where you can witness the daily lives of the local in small farming villages.

Aureum Palace Hotel 5* or similar

In the morning, take a short flight to Heho, and drive up to visit the Pindaya Caves, also known as Shwe Oo Min Natural Cave Pagoda. Here you will see thousands of small, golden Buddha images and iconography arrayed throughout the cave interior. After you finish exploring the cave, transfer to your hotel by Inle Lake.

Inle Princess Resort 4* or similar

Begin your day at Inle Lake by a visit to the Five-Day Market - a migrating market which moves up and down the lake in a five-day cycle, frequented by hill-tribespeople of the surrounding region. Then take a boat out on the water to see the many curiosities of the lakeside area, including the famed Intha leg- rowing fishermen, who steer their fishing boats around with one leg wrapped around their oar. Parts of the lake feature floating gardens, where the locals grow fruits and vegetables that rise to float on the lake's surface. Then visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, which houses five sacred images of the Buddha, completely covered in gold leaf. After your lake excursion, enjoy a rare wine-tasting at Ayathaya Winery. The vineyard of Aythaya is one of the first vineyards in country, known for a making a delicious red wine.

Inle Princess Resort 4* or similar

After breakfast, transfer to Heho Airport for your flight to the international airport in Singapore to connect to your returning flight. Thank you for traveling with All Japan Tours.