This program features the main tourist destinations in Myanmar. Explore Yangon – the garden city and the main gateway to Myanmar, Bagan – one of the richest archeological sites in Asia, Mandalay – the cultural centre and Inle Lake – the tranquil lake famous for its leg rowers. You will find that the local people and the stunning landscape far exceed your expectations. Transportation between each destination is by domestic flights on Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways or Air Bagan. These airlines operate throughout the year.
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 30 minute domestic 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 drive to Mandalay to check in at our hotel. We then 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.
After breakfast we transfer to the airport and take a 30 minute flight to Heho the arrival point for flights to Inle Lake and drive on to Nyaung Shwe. We transfer to our hotel on Inle Lake by boat. Located 900 meters above sea level, Inle Lake is the second largest natural lake in Myanmar with hazy, blue mountains as a backdrop. We visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, the most famous pagoda of the Shan State. At Ywa-Ma village we visit the gold and sliver smith workshops. 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 (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.
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
Bagan – Treasure Resort Hotel or Similar
Mandalay – Mandalay Hill Resort or Similar
Inle – Inle Paradise Resort or Similar