Myanmar Discovery (MTG-123) 12 Days / 11 Nights

Day 02: Yangon Mandalay Amarapura Ava Mandalay

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the airport for our 30 minute flight to Mandalay. This commercial centre and cultural tourism site was established in 1857 by King Mindon. We arrive at Tada Oo International airport and travel directly to the ancient city of Amarapura. We next visit the Mahagundayone Monastery and observe the daily life of the monks. This is a great opportunity to take some memorable photos of the monks as they parade for their daily meal. We travel a short distance to the U Bein Wooden Bridge that crosses the Taung Tha Man Lake. At 1.2km long it is the world’s longest teak bridge. We then proceed to Ava (Inwa). Our sightseeing includes the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery then we visit a workshop producing hand-made lacquer ware for Monks. We then drive to Sagaing and visit the Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda, a copy of the famous Mahaceti Pagoda in Sri Lanka and travel on to the Sagaing Hill center of Meditation. Finally we drive on to Mandalay and check in at our hotel.

Overnight at Mandalay.

Today’s Highlights include:

• Flight to Mandalay
• Ancient City of Amarapura.
• Mahagundayone Monastery
• U Bein Wooden Bridge (Taung Tha Man Lake).
• Visit Ava (Inwa)
• The Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery
• Sagaing and Sagaing Hill Meditation centre
• The Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda

Today’s Inclusions:

• Tours with your own personal guide ~ all entrance and camera fees.
• All transport in private car or mini bus.
• Breakfast.

Day 03: Mandalay Mingun Mandalay

After an early breakfast at the hotel we transfer to the jetty for our boat trip to Mingun. Visit Mingun’s unfinished Pagoda and the Mingun Bell, one of the world’s largest hanging bronze bells and the Myatheindan Pagoda. After sightseeing in Mingun we cruise back to Mandalay. In the afternoon we visit the Mahamuni Buddha Image, Zegyo Market and some of Mandalay’s cottage industries, such as weaving and tapestry making, Burmese candy making, Bamboo fan making near the Eindaw Yar Pagoda, the Atumahsi Monastery and Shwenandaw (or Golden Palace Monastery). We also visit Kuthodaw (Maha Lawkamarazein) Pagoda, which is famous as the world’s largest book made of many stone slabs on which are inscribed the whole of the Buddhist scripture. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill. Overnight in Mandalay.

Option 1: Mandalay Palace Tour
A two hour tour of the restored Mandalay Palace ~ This booking must be pre-arranged with your tour package.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Today’s Highlights include:

• Boat trip to Mingun.
• The Myatheindan Pagoda
• The Mahamuni Buddha Image
• Zegyo Market
• Some of Mandalay’s cottage industries, such as weaving and tapestry making, Burmese candy making, Bamboo fan making near Eindaw Yar Pagoda.
• Atumahsi Monastery
• Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery)
• Kuthodaw (Maha Lawkamarazein Pagoda)
• Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill.

Today’s Inclusions:

• Tours with your own personal guide ~ all entrance and camera fees.
• All transport in private car or mini bus.
• Breakfast.

Day 04: Mandalay Sagaing Monywa

After early breakfast at the hotel we drive to Monywa. On the way we visit the Sagaing Hills (21km south-east of Mandalay) and the western bank of the Ayeyarwaddy river. Our tour continues to Monywa located in the Valley of Chindwin River and a pleasant destination for visitors. Sightseeing includes Thanbode where half a million Buddha images exist. Bode Tahtaung where a thousand Bo trees or Banyan trees live and we visit a 300 foot long reclining Buddha image. In the afternoon we cross the Chindwin River and drive to Hpo Win Taung and Shwe Ba Taung by pick-up jeep or Hilux.

We return to Monywa where we stay for the night.

Today’s Highlights include:

• Drive to Monywa.
• Visit the Sagaing Hills (21km south-east of Mandalay).
• The Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda.
• Thanbode where half a million Buddha images exist.
• Bode Tahtaung where a thousand Bo trees or Banyan trees live.
• Visit a 300 foot long reclining Buddha image.
• Drive to Hpo Win Taung and Shwe Ba Taung.

Today’s Inclusions:

• Tours with your own personal guide ~ all entrance and camera fees.
• All transport in private car or mini bus.
• Breakfast.

Day 05: Monywa Pakokku Bagan

Breakfast at the hotel in Monywa and drive to Pakokku – famous for cotton blankets. Visit the local markets where you’ll see the weaving industry and a peanut snack making cottage. We then transfer to the jetty for our private charter cruise to Bagan situated in Central Myanmar on the eastern bank of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River.

Arrive at Bagan in the evening. Overnight in Bagan.

Today’s Highlights include:

• Drive to Pakokku.
• Visit the local cotton weaving factories
• Cruise to Bagan down the mighty Ayeyarwaddy river

Today’s Inclusions:

• Tours with your own personal guide ~ all entrance and camera fees.
• All transport in private car, jeep, Hi-Lux, mini bus or boat.
• Breakfast.

Day 06: Bagan

As a special addition to your tour package we offer a number of options to select from. These require special bookings and must be pre-arranged when you make your trip reservation.

The option choices are defined as follows:

Option 1: Balloon Over Bagan.
This is a unique opportunity to see Bagan’s 2.217 temples & pagodas from the air. You get a magnificent birds-eye view of thousand year-old pagodas, temples and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River as it has never been seen before. The balloon is guided by gentle winds not exceeding 24 km/h. Eight/Six passengers plus a pilot fit into the balloon’s basket. The champagne flights at sunrise last just under an hour and take off daily from October through March. Due to the limited capacity, advance bookings at an early stage are required. This booking must be pre-arranged with your tour package.

Option 2: Tower View of Bagan.
This takes you on a visit to the tallest building in Bagan where you will see the ancient city spread out before your eyes. This booking must be pre-arranged with your tour package.

Option 3: A two hour Massage at your hotel.
You may choose to relax at the end of the day by enjoying a traditional massage at your hotel’s spa facility. This booking must be pre-arranged with your tour package.

Option 4: Bicycle tour of Bagan.
Riding a bike is a great way to see the ancient pagodas and temples of Bagan at your own leisure. This booking must be pre-arranged with your tour package.

Option 5: Tour to Mt Popa.
Travel from Bagan to the hillside town of Mt. Popa to see the sacred pagoda and enjoy the mountainous views. This booking must be pre-arranged with your tour package.

After breakfast, we visit a tropical village to see an old Noodle Cottage and observe the daily life the people in Taung Bi Village. In the afternoon we visit Kyaugu Umin Temple, which is an interesting rock cave tunnel, and Nagayon, an elegant and well preserved temple containing many Buddha images, the main one of which is twice life size and shelters under the hood of a huge serpent.

Overnight in Bagan.

Today’s Highlights include:

• Balloon over Bagan or Tower View or Massage or Bicycle Tour or Mt Popa excursion
• Visit the village of Taung Bi Village
• The Kyaugu Umin Temple
• Nagayon,

Today’s Inclusions:

• Tours as selected with your own personal guide ~ all entrance and camera fees.
• All transport in private car or mini bus.
• Breakfast.

Day 07: Bagan

In the morning we visit the Bupaya Pagoda, on the bank of majestic Ayeyarwady River and the Mahabodhi Temple which resembles the Mahabodi Temple in Bodaghaya. In the afternoon we visit Abeyadana Temple, with very interesting paintings, showing a Mahayana influence; the Nagayon Temple, an elegant and well-preserved temple, built by King Kyanzittha and the Ashe & Anauk Pagoda, with hundreds of unglazed terracotta tiles illustrating scenes from the jatakas and finally the Lowkananda Pagoda, built in 1059 by King Anawrahta.

Overnight at Bagan.

Today’s Highlights include:

• The Bupaya Pagoda on the bank of majestic Ayeyarwady River
• The Mahabodhi Temple
• The Abeyadana Temple
• The Nagayon Temple
• The Ashe & Anauk Pagoda
• The Lowkananda Pagoda.

Today’s Inclusions:

• Tours with your own personal guide ~ all entrance and camera fees.
• All transport in private car or mini bus.
• Breakfast.

Day 08: Bagan Heho Pindaya

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Heho. Arrive at Heho Airport and drive to Pindaya (65 km). Sightseeing includes the Pindaya Caves with thousands of Buddha Images placed there by pilgrims over many centuries and an umbrella workshop. Stroll underneath the Banyan trees which are said to be over 200 years old. Take breath of fresh air and lots of photos.

Overnight in Pindaya.

Today’s Highlights include:

• Flight to Heho
• Drive to Pindaya
• Visit the Pindaya Caves
• See 1,000’s of Buddha images donated by pilgrims over the years
• Visit a traditional umbrella workshop
• Stroll under 200 year old Banyan Trees

Today’s Inclusions:

• Tours with your own personal guide ~ all entrance and camera fees.
• All transport in private car or mini bus.
• Breakfast.

Day 09: Pindaya Inle Lake

After breakfast at the hotel in Pindaya sightsee by foot around the Botaloke Lake and visit the local market. Drive to Nyaung Shwe and transfer to our hotel on Inle Lake by boat. Being located 900 meters above sea level, Inle Lake is the second largest natural lake in Myanmar with hazy, blue mountains as a backdrop. After lunch we visit Indein Village, located at the western side of the lake. Passing Nyaung Ohak Monastery we follow a stair path lined with many hundreds of wooden columns, we finally reach the impressive Shwe Indein Pagoda complex. From the hillside you have great view over the lake area. On the way back to the boat, walk through a romantic bamboo forest at the riverside. In the afternoon we continue sightseeing on the lake.

Overnight at Inle lake.

Today’s Highlights include:

• The township of of Nyaung Shwe
• Indein Village.
• Nyaung Ohak Monastery
• Shwe Indein Pagoda complex
• Wonderful views of Inle Lake
• Walk through a romantic bamboo forest at the riverside
• Sightseeing on the lake.

Today’s Inclusions:

• Land and lake tours with your own personal guide ~ all entrance and camera fees.
• All transport in private car, mini bus or boat.
• Breakfast.

Day 10: Inle Lake

After breakfast at hotel we visit the Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, the most famous pagoda of the Shan State. Ywa-Ma village, and a gold and sliver smiths workshop. After lunch we visit the Jumping Cat Monastery and the floating gardens. We see local methods of fishing, village life and the famous Inle Lake leg rowers. In the evening, enjoy the sunset while visiting Inle Lake by boat.

Overnight at Inle Lake.

Today’s Highlights include:

• The Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda
• Ywa-Ma village
• Gold and sliver smith workshops.
• The Jumping Cat Monastery
• The floating gardens
• See local methods of fishing, village life and the famous Inle Lake leg rowers.
• In the evening, enjoy the sunset while visiting Inle Lake by boat.

Today’s Inclusions:

• Land and lake tours with your own personal guide ~ all entrance and camera fees.
• All transport in private car, mini bus or boat.
• Breakfast.

Day 11: Inle Lake Heho Yangon

After breakfast we transfer to the airport and fly back to Yangon (1 ½ hours flight time). On the way to the hotel we visit Kabar Aye (the World Peace pagoda) and Maha Pasana (a famous Buddhist cave) then we check in at our hotel. After lunch we go shopping at Bogyoke Market (Scott’s Market) see hundreds of shops where you can find local products such as Gems, Jewellery, carvings, silks and many other traditional items. In the evening take a stroll through China Town where you can observe the traditional and modern lifestyle of the citizens of Yangon.

Option 1: War Memorial Tour
Visit the World War Two War Memorial (this will be of particular interest to British people).

Overnight in Yangon.

Today’s Highlights include:

• Flight to Yangon
• Visit Kabar Aye (the World Peace pagoda)
• Maha Pasana (a famous Buddhist cave)
• Shopping at Bogyoke Market (Scott’s Market)
• Wander through China Town

Today’s Inclusions:

• Tours with your own personal guide ~ all entrance and camera fees.
• All transport in private car, mini bus and boat.
• Breakfast.

Day 12: Departure Yangon

Breakfast at your hotel. You are at your leisure until your departure time.

Transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight to conclude this unique experience.

Today’s Inclusions:

• All transport in private car or mini bus.
• Breakfast

* * * * * End of our Service * * * * *

Tour Service Includes:

• Accommodation in single, twin or double sharing room – Yangon: 2 nights, Mandalay: 2 nights, Monywa: 1 night, Bagan: 3 nights, Pindaya: 1 night & Inle: 2 nights (total 11 Nights)
• 3 domestic flights : Yangon – Mandalay (cruise) Bagan – Heho – Yangon
• Charter boat for Mingun, Pakokku – Bagan and Inle as per program
• Meals: Daily breakfast at hotel.
• Transfer and transportation with private air-conditioned car or coach
• Entrance fees for the defined sightseeing locations (as per program)
• Camera Fees
• Experienced and fluent English speaking guide fees
• Optional Tours in where indicated – includes Bagan Balloon trip etc.
• A bottle of drinking water and a packet of refreshment tissues per day per person
• Airport Departure Tax

Service Excludes:

• Meal: Other than those defined
• International Airfares
• Travel Insurances
• Visa Fees
• Extra tours not defined in the program
• Personal Expenses such as Drinks, Tips, Laundry, Phone Charges, etc…

Hotels Used:

Yangon – Kandawgyi Palace Hotel or Traders Hotel or Similar
Bagan – Treasure Resort Hotel or Similar
Mandalay – Mandalay Hill Resort or Similar
Inle – Inle Paradise Resort or Similar
Monywa – Win Unity Hotel (Deluxe, Garden View)
Pindaya – Conqueror Hotel (Superior Room)