This program is designed so that you can visit all the major tourist destinations as well as some of the smaller, more secluded parts of this fascinating country. Explore cities ranging from Yangon – the garden city and the main gateway to Myanmar, Bago – the ancient Mon Capital, Bagan – one of the richest archeological sites in Asia, Mandalay – the cultural centre, Amarapura – the city of Immortality, Sagaing – the Place of Meditation, Pindaya – a cozy town famous for its Shan paper parasols, Inle Lake – the tranquil lake of the leg rowers and Twente – noted for its famous pottery. You will find the people, the culture and the landscape absolutely fascinating.
Transportation between each destination is by domestic flight on Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways or Air Bagan.
The airlines operate throughout the year.
The RV ‘Mahaythi’ cruise boast used for our trip to Twente is a modern, state of the art tourist class vessel. It plies the Yangon River, the Twente Canal and its various tributaries, providing an unforgettable journey with luxurious facilities set in a traditional style.
Trekking in Pindaya is not too hard (and not too soft). The maximum walking time will be approximately two hours. The trek goes up and down but it is not steep. Meals during the trekking will be traditional village cooked food. Trekking boots or sport shoes are highly recommended as are rain coats in the wet season (from July to September).
Accommodation at the monastery in Yasakyi Village is simple and we sleep in the main hall with men and ladies accommodated separately. We provide mattresses, blankets, pillows and mosquito nets.
Arrive Yangon international airport and be welcomed by your personal tour guide.
Transfer to your hotel for check in, after that start your Yangon city tour. This will include the Sule Pagoda in the heart of the city and the Chauktatgyi Pagoda, one of the largest reclining Buddha images in Myanmar. Enjoy a special evening visit to the massive Shwedagon Pagoda – famous worldwide for its golden stupa, it is the ‘Heart’ of Buddhism in Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa is surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues.
Overnight in Yangon.
After breakfast, you’ll take an early morning domestic flight to Bagan to discover its glorious past and amazing history. Bagan is situated in Central Myanmar on the eastern bank of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. You’ll arrive at Nyaung U Airport in the new township and check in at your hotel. The whole day is spent sightseeing Bagan’s most important temples and pagodas ranging from temples with the earliest wall paintings to the original classic style pagoda’s that influenced the designs of later Buddhist monuments. Tour highlights include the colorful Nyaung Oo Market, and Shwezigon Pagoda – built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine. Then we go to the Ananda Temple – King Kyansittha’s masterpiece and the crowning achievement of the early style temple architecture. Next is Thatbyinnyu Temple – the highest building on the Bagan plain. After that we visit the Htilominlo Temple – the largest temple in Bagan – noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. In the afternoon we observe the process of making traditional lacquer ware, one of Myanmar’s best known handicrafts and a specialty of Bagan. Then we visit the Manuha Temple, Myingabar Gubyaugyi Temple – an early period Pyu-style temple of Hindu influence with some of the oldest mural paintings in Bagan and Dhamanyangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. Lastly we watch the sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River from either the Buphaya or Shwesandaw Pagoda.
Overnight in Bagan.
After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the airport for our short 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. Then we drive to Sagaing and visit the Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda which is a copy of the famous Mahaceti Pagoda in Sri Lanka. We also visit the Sagaing Hill Meditation centre. Finally we drive to Mandalay and check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Mandalay.
After an early breakfast 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 the Shwenandaw Monastery (or Golden Palace Monastery). We also visit the Kuthodaw (Maha Lawkamarazein Pagoda) which is famous as the world’s largest book of many stone slabs on which are inscribed the whole of the Buddhist scripture. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill.
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.
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 wee visit a traditional 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.
After breakfast at the hotel we trek to Sikya Inn Village inhabited by the Danu hill tribe. The trekking ends after we’ve travelled around 7 km over 4 hours. Take rest for a while and have a snack with refreshing green tea. Then we continue on to Yasakyi Village, where we visit the Palaung hill tribe people who produce traditional cloth & tribal wares. Upon arrival we have lunch and rest in a monastery. Then stroll in the village and chat with the local people. Dinner will be served to you accompanied by the hill tribe’s cultural dance.
Overnight at the monastery in Yasakyi Village.
Early morning, after breakfast we trek to Mount Yasakyi about 7,000 feet above sea level. This delightful spot offers stunning, panoramic views. We then climb down and continue to trek to Mane Taung, Pinsein Pin, Htin Shugone, Taung Bawgyi and return to Pindaya. Check in at the hotel and relax at leisure.
Overnight in Pindaya.
After breakfast at the hotel in Pindaya we 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.
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.
After breakfast we transfer to the airport and fly back to Yangon. 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.
After breakfast we transfer to the jetty to board the RV Mahaythi, for our cruise to Twente on the Yangon River. Located 24kms to the east of the capital, Twente is famous for its traditional pottery. We visit a traditional pottery workshop where we see working methods that have remained unchanged for generations. Observe the daily life of the local people in this charming small town. Visit the Shwesandaw Pagoda with its impressive 75 metre high Stupa. Return on board the RV Mahaythi and enjoy a relaxing lunch while we cruise back to Yangon.
Overnight in 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.
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Yangon – Kandawgyi Palace Hotel or Traders Hotel or Similar
Mandalay – Mandalay Hill Resort or Similar
Bagan – Treasure Resort Hotel or Similar
Pindaya – Conqueror Hotel (Superior Room)
Inle Inle – Paradise Resort or Similar