This program highlights all the major tourist destinations of beautiful Myanmar from Yangon – the garden city and the main gateway to Myanmar, Bagan – one of the richest archeological sites in Asia, Mandalay – the cultural centre, Amarapura – the city of Immortality, Sagaing – the Place of Meditation and Mingun – the home of the world biggest ringing bell. You’ll also visit the tranquil Inle Lake to see the famous leg rowers and people living on the water in this “Venice of the East”. The people and culture of Myanmar are fascinating and the stunning landscape that you will visit is simply breathtaking. Mandalay-Bagan public boats operate everyday. They leave at 06:00am and the arrival time in Bagan depends on the season and water level. In the dry season from October to May, it can take 8 to 9 hours. In the rainy season from June to September, it can take 6 to 7 hours, but the wet season is the time for maintenance so they do not operate consistently at that time. It is a pleasant, interesting trip with plenty to see along the way – fishing villages, bullock carts, corn fields, market boats and people going about their every day life alongside the river. Transportation between each destination is by domestic flight on Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways or Air Bagan. The 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 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 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.
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.
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the jetty to take a boat trip along the Ayeyarwaddy River to Bagan – situated in Central Myanmar, on the Eastern bank of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River, to discover its glorious past and histories. Arrive at Bagan in the evening.
Overnight stay in 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.
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.
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Heho the arrival point for flights to Inle Lake and drive on to Nyaung Shwe then we 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 (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