HIGHLIGHTS OF MYANMAR 9 DAYS
Yangon - Bagan - mandalay - KAlalw - inle lake - yangon
Myanmar, a land that has an undefinable quality to make you fall in love with its mountains, beaches, islands, lakes, food and culture and of course the people that bring these places to life. A collective of diverse cultures and traditions woven together to form a mesmerizing landscape of wonder. Myanmar Be Enchanted.
ITINERARY & PRICES
Day 1 Arrive Yangon (B)
Met upon arrival and transfer to Panorama Hotel.
Sightseeing in Yangon: Visit colonial heart of Yangon: Start the day in the heart of Yangon which features an interesting selection of monuments and colonial buildings. Among others, you will see the Independent Monument, the High Court, the City Hall and the Sule Pagoda (view from the outside only).
Visit Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake: Kandawgyi Lake, also known as the Royal Lake, is a natural body of water located in the city center and a good place for strolling and picnics. The lake is attractive at sunset when the glittering Shwedagon pagoda is reflected in its calm waters.
Visit Bogyoke Aung San (Scott) Market (Close on Mondays and public holidays): Explore the Bogyoke Aung San Market, also known as Scott Market, which contains over 2000 stalls and is the best place in Yangon to browse through the complete range of local handicrafts.
Visit Shwedagon Pagoda: The highlight of any visit to Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda dates back about 2500 years and was built to house eight sacred hairs of the Buddha. Its original shape has changed beyond all recognition over the centuries. Its bell-shaped superstructure, resting on a terraced base, is covered in about 60 tons of gold-leaf, which is continuously being replaced - Overnight in Yangon.
Day 2 Yangon - Bagan by flight (B)
Departure transfer to airport for flight to Bagan. Met upon arrival and transfer to Bagan View hotel. Discover the Beauty of Bagan: Explore the vast and fascinating area of Bagan, and discover temples with unique stories, features and architecture. The spectacular plain of Bagan stretches away from the Ayeyarwaddy River and is dotted with over 2,000 temple structures dating back over 800 years. Spend the day exploring the temples and hearing the fascinating history and stories behind these imposing structures. Have a chance to visit a lacquerware workshop to learn about the intricate process of lacquerware making and decoration. At the end of the tour enjoy a panoramic view of the sun setting over the plain of Bagan from one of the ancient pagodas. A selection of temples will be visited including: Shwezigon Paya, a beautiful golden pagoda containing relics of Buddha. The site was started by Anawrahta but not completed until the reign of Kyanzittha between 1086 and 1090. The pagoda's graceful bell shape served as a prototype for later stupas built throughout the country. Gubyaukhyi Temple at Wetkyi-Inn, an early 13th century temple with an Indian-style spire. The ceiling is covered with paintings depicting the previous life of Buddha. Ananda Pahto, one of the largest, most beautiful and best preserved of the Bagan temples. It was built around 1105 by King Kyanzittha who was inspired by Indian architecture. During the 1975 earthquake Ananda suffered considerable damage but has been totally restored. Gubyaukhyi Temple at Myinkaba, a 12th century Buddhist temple famous for its well-preserved frescoes, considered to be the oldest original paintings to be found in Bagan. Manuha Temple, which was built, according to inscriptions, by the captive Mon King Manuha in 1067. It contains three seated Buddha images along with an image of Buddha entering Nirvana. Shwesandaw Paya, a graceful white pyramid-style pagoda dating back to 1057. This 328-foot-high imposing structure is visible from far away rising from the plains of Bagan. Enjoy sunset at one of the sunset hills or from Bu Paya.(Shwesandaw Pagoda is not allowed to climb up until further notice due to some old bricks was fallen down)
Watch sunset over Bagan: Enjoy a panoramic view of the sun setting over the plain of Bagan from one of the pagoda platforms - Overnight in Bagan.
Day 3 Bagan - Excursion to Mount Popa (B)
Visit Mount Popa, a cylindrical hill that rises sharply from the surrounding plain, and is considered to be the home of Myanmar's most important nats (spirits). Ascend the mountain via a winding covered staircase watched by the curious monkeys that populate the area. At the top is a monastery and temple complex with shrines to the 37 nats, along with spectacular views. Continue sightseeing from previous day. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 4 Bagan - Mandalay by flight (B)
Departure transfer to the airport for your flight to Mandalay. Met upon arrival and transfer to Hotel Yadanarbon Mandalay .
Excursion to Amarapura, Sagaing, and Inwa (Ava): This day tour visits three former royal capitals, each with its own unique atmosphere. In the morning, drive to Amarapura, and visit Mahagandayon Monastery; every day at mid-morning, monks and novices line up to receive their daily offering of alms and food from faithful Buddhists. Next, pay a visit to Sagaing, the spiritual center of Myanmar. Hundreds of stupas, monasteries, temples and nunneries are to be found in Sagaing Hill, sometimes known as a living Bagan. Thousands of monks and nuns retreat here for meditation and contemplation. Stop at some of the most famous temples, such as Sun U Ponya Shin Paya, U Min Thonsei Paya and Kaung Hmu Daw Paya.
Cross the river by ferry to Inwa (Ava), situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Once a royal capital, Inwa (Ava) is now a quiet rural oasis. Enjoy a leisurely Horsecart Ride around the peaceful countryside, briefly visiting Bagaya Kyaung, a beautiful teak wood monastery, Maha Aungmyay Bonzan Kyaung, and Nan Myint Tower. On the way, stop and observe how local artisans make their famous alms bowls out of iron. Finally, return to Amarapura, to end the day At U Bein's Bridge, a picturesque teak bridge which extends over one kilometre across Taungthaman Lake. At dusk, the bridge teems with monks and local people as they stroll home or linger to enjoy the colors of the sunset. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 5 Mandalay (B)
Sightseeing in Mandalay: The last capital of royal Burma, Mandalay is still one of the largest cities in Myanmar, and a cultural and spiritual centre. Neighbouring Sagaing is home to over sixty per cent of the country's monks, while the artisans of Mandalay continue to turn out the finest crafts in Myanmar. Begin the tour at Mahamuni Paya. The Mahamuni image enshrined here is perhaps the most venerated image in Myanmar, covered in over 15 cm of gold leaf. Worshippers flock daily to the shrine at four in the morning to observe the unique face-washing ceremony. Afterwards, head to Shwenandaw Kyaung, or the Golden Teak Monastery. Built entirely of golden teak, this intricately carved wooden monastery was once part of the Mandalay Palace, used as private apartments by King Mindon and his chief queen. Continue to Kyauktawgyi Paya, famous for its monumental seated Buddha, carved from a single block of marble. Visit Kuthodaw Paya, known also as "the world's biggest book". Around the central stupa are miniature pavilions, each housing a slab of marble numbering altogether 729, these slabs are inscribed with the entire Tripitkata, or Buddhist scriptures. The final stop is at Shwe Kyin Old Monastery, an old monastery at the base of Mandalay Hill which was built during the period of King Mindon.
Excursion to Mingun with boat trip (SIC boat): Just a boat ride away along the Ayeyarwaddy River is the little town of Mingun, which boasts some of the most impressive pagodas in Myanmar. We'll be amazed by the ruins of the enormous Mingun Paya - never finished, its size would have dwarfed all contemporary pagodas. Equally as grand is the Mingun Bell, a 13-foot tall bronze bell weighing 90-tonnes. Today's Highlights: Boat to Mingun, Mingun Paya, Mingun Bell, Hsinbyume Pay. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 6 Mandalay - Kalaw drive (B)
Travel by vehicle from Mandalay to Kalaw. Set off from Mandalay to Meikhtila, stopping every now and then to take photos of the passing fields and local villages. Continue on to Kalaw enjoying the views of the hillside cultivation and the ethnic villages. Overnight in Kalaw at Hill Top Villa Resort.
Day 7 Kalaw - Inle Lake drive (B)
Visit local market: Sightseeing in Kalaw with a light trek to nearby villages. A popular hill station in the British days, Kalaw sits high on the western edge of the Shan Plateau. It is still a peaceful and quiet place with an atmosphere reminiscent of the colonial era. The small population is a mix of Shan, Indian Muslim, Bamar and Nepali. Visit Kalaw's most interesting attractions including: Thein Taung Paya, a temple perched on the hill overlooking the Thazi-Taunggyi Road; Aung Chang Tha Zedi, a glittering stupa covered in gold-coloured mosaics; Dhamma Yon: a two-storey temple which from its top floor offers views of the town; Hsu Taung Pye Paya, ruins and crumbling stupas just behind the Dhamma Yon; Nee Paya, located just west of town and featuring a gold lacquered bamboo Buddha. And moving to the more modern, visit Christ The King Church, a Catholic church under the supervision of the Burmese Father Paul, and the Italian Father Angelo Di Meo, who have been in Myanmar since 1931. The Christ figure over the altar came from Italy, and Father Angelo painted the mural background.
Enjoy trekking in the plateau near Kalaw, which is inhabited by people of the Palaung and Pao tribes. Intha, Shan, Taungthu, Taung-yo, Danu. Kayah, Danaw and Bamar tribes occupy the mountains to the north and east. One of the main sources of income is the cultivation of 'thanaq-hpeq' (a large leaf used to wrap Burmese cigars).
Travel by vehicle from Kalaw to Inle Lake. Transfer by boat to Paramount Inle Resort. Overnight in Inle Lake.
Day 8 Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon (by flight) (B)
Excursion by boat on Inle Lake. Enjoy a boat ride on Inle Lake and discover its calm serenity, still waters and colorful brush strokes of floating vegetation and slow moving fishing canoes. Rolling high hills hug the lake on all sides, as the lake's shore and islands host 17 villages on stilts, mostly inhabited by the Intha people. Enjoy the awe inspiring scenery and meditate on the one of a kind skill of the local fishermen who make use of their legs in a unique rowing technique to glide themselves gracefully around the lake. Visit the enchanting floating gardens, a teeming market and an Intha village around the lake. The day also includes a visit to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inn Paw Khon Village (Lotus and silk weaving villages) and the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery. Transfer by boat and by vehicle from Inle Lake to Heho. Flight from Heho to Yangon. Met upon arrival and transfer to Panorama Hotel. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 9 Depart Yangon (B)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Prices based on minimum of two person traveling - On request
Single room supplement is extra. Please contact us for Single travel alone and Single room supplement.
INCLUSIONS:
- This is a shared bus program using English speaking local guides.
- Accommodation as mentioned above or equivalent.
- Where very early morning flights are scheduled, a breakfast box may replace the standard ABF.
- Meals according to itinerary / Breakfast box in lieu of ABF when early morning flight.
- Flight ticket(s), in economy class unless otherwise specified, according to the itinerary.
Flight from Heho to Yangon
Flight from Bagan to Mandalay
Flight from Yangon to Bagan
- Porter fees at the airport where guide service is booked.
- Current fuel surcharges are included, however, these are subject to change prior to tour start date.
- Boat ticket(s) according to the itinerary.
- Ground transportation in private A/C vehicle.
- 1 complimentary bottle of drinking water and 1 cold towel per person per half day tour/ 2 bottles of water and 2 cold towels per person per full day tour.
- Sightseeing incl. admission fees according to itinerary.
EXCLUSIONS
• Personal expenses, International airfare, Visa fees
• Customary gratitude to your guide and driver
