On arrival at Mandalay International airport, you are welcomed by our friendly local tour guide and transferred to local restaurant for your lunch. After lunch we start the days’ tour with;

(1) Maha Muni, The holiest Buddhist site in Upper Myanmar: a Buddha image of great beauty and witness the reverence and worship of the local people.

(2) Then, we visit Mandalay Palace and the nearby, Shwe Nandaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery) - noted for its exquisite wood carvings and Kuthodaw Pagoda - known as the world biggest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha's Dhamma or Doctrine.

(3) Afterwards, we finish the day’s tour by visiting Mandalay Hill to experience a tropical sun-set with panoramic views of the city and the Ayeyarwaddy River. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

DAY 2: MINGUN-SAGAING-INWA (AVA)-AMARAPURA

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel, today’s tour including;

(1) We go to Mandalay pier, embarking on a private boat upstream to visit Mingun, famed for its huge and incomplete Pahtodawgyi Pagoda and MingunBell; a 90 ton ringing bell and largest of its kind in the world and the nearby Myatheintan Pagoda, a representation of the Buddhist universe.

(2) Then, drive to the Sagaing Hills across the Ayeyarwaddy river bridge and see the spectacular scenic view on approach to these pagoda-dotted hills. We visit Umin Thonze Pagoda and Soon Oo Ponnyashin Pagoda from where fantastic views of the pagoda-studded Sagaing Hills and the Ayeyawaddy River are seen.

(3) Afterwards, continue on to the Inwa (Ava) which was the capital of a Burmese kingdom for some four hundred years – longer than any other capital. Once in the town getting around the town may be by horse-drawn cart if that sort of transportation appeals to you. The carts do a tour of sights such as the 27 meter high masonry tower called Nanmyint Tower and the Bagaya monastery which is made completely of teak.

(4) In the evening, we drive to the ancient capital of Amarapura, the city of Immortality for a visit to Bagaya Monastery with a famous collection of Buddha images; local weaving cottage industry of cotton cloth, the two-century old U-Bein teak bridge on the Taung thaman Lake. We enjoy the spectacular sunset at there and drive back to Mandalay. Lunch & dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.

DAY 3: MANDALAY-MT.POPA-BAGAN (by private A/C vehicle)

After breakfast at hotel, we depart from Mandalay to Bagan by private fully A/C car. High way from Mandalay to Bagan is 293 kilo meters long and it will take nearly 4 ½ hrs drive. On the way we can enjoy the beautiful countryside scenery of the central Myanmar.

(1) Just before arriving to Bagan we visit to Mt. Popa and join local pilgrims on a 777-step winding staircase ascent of the Mt. Popa and see the Nat (spirit) shrines that line the walkway along with the monkeys that live on the mountain. Mt. Popa is known as the abode of Nats (spirits) - a collection of 37 magical spirits both feared and honoured by some Myanmar people.We also observe the Nat museum, which houses 37 life-size Nat statues sculpted from teak.

(2) Then proceed to Bagan and en route we have experience the traditional toddy palm sugar and peanut oil production (if time permits). We may stop several places for making the photos and knowing the countryside. Lunch & dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Bagan.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

DAY 4: BAGAN (full day sightseeing)

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel we begin the days’ tour with:

(1) A morning visit to the interesting local Nyaung Oo Market where you can buy some cotton clothing or local woven fabrics and souvenirs.

(2) Shwe-Zi-Gon; completed in 1084, noted for its glazed plaques depicting scenes from the Jatakas, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas

(3) Wet-kyi-Inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with its exquisite mural paintings of 13th century

(4) The majestic Htilominlo Temple; built in 1211 AD and one of the largest temples, noted for its fine plaster carvings on the arch pediments and friezes

(5) Ananda Temple; 1090AD, a masterpiece of early period temple-architecture with four huge standing Buddha Images. Have a lunch at good and hygienic restaurant.

(6) After lunch proceed to Minnanthu farmer village and lacquer-ware workshop to learn about the fascinating technique of this art

(7) Manuha Temple built by exile King Manuha (a captured king's impression of life in prison)

(8) Nam Phaya an earliest masterpiece with its fine stone carvings (photo stop at Seinnyet Nyima Pagodas, a temple and a stupa with exquisite design)

At the end of the temples tour, drive to a view mound in order to enjoy the spectacular sunset over Bagan ancient monuments. Lunch & dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Bagan.

DAY 5: BAGAN-HEHO (by flight)-PINDAYA-INLE LAKE (by car)

After breakfast at hotel, you are transferred to Nyaung U airport for the morning flight to Heho on the Shan plateau. Upon arrival you are welcomed by our local tour guide and start the day’s tours with;

(1) Transfer by road to Pindaya (60km) about 90 minutes drive and enjoy the marvelous landscapes of hilly region with vegetables plantation, terrace landing cultivation, etc… We take an excursion to the Pindaya natural cave which houses over 8,000 Buddha Images accumulated over the centuries.

(2) In the afternoon, explore the small quiet town for its famous traditional Shan paper & parasol making cottage industry.

(3) We then transfer by road to Nyaung Shwe/Inle Lake and on the way we visit Shweyanpye Monastery - typical Shan Monastery. Proceed to hotel and overnight at the hotel in Nyaung Shwe/Inle Lake. Lunch & dinner at local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

DAY 6: INLE LAKE-INDEIN (full day boat excursion)

After breakfast at hotel, we start the day’s tours with;

(1) A boat excursion on Inle Lake, a delight to all with a camera ,its calm water dotted with floating vegetation on floating Islands and small fishing boats, to which scenic high hills provide the perfect back-drop. See the “Intha” (Lake-dwelling people) also known as the unique “Leg-Rowers” who use one leg to stand on the boat while the other leg is wrapped around an oar and rows. Observe floating Gardens, with vegetables and flowers grown on them, and the lake way of life at ‘Kay La Village’.

(2) Ngaphe Chaung Monastery (Jumping cat Monastery)

(3) Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in Southern Shan State which has five small Buddha Statues so heavily gilded with gold that the original Buddha images are unrecognizable.

(4) Observing the Lake Inle cottage industry workshops such as silk & lotus fabric weaving with wooden handlooms at “Inn-Paw- Kone” Village, traditional ‘mild-cigar –making’ (cheroot Factory at “Se’ Kaung Village” and traditional silver and gold smiths, paper umbrella –making at ‘Ywa-ma’ Village. You will also see Padaung hill tribe ladies (ladies with elongated necks from wearing brass rings around their necks) in that village.

(5) We then continue our excursion by motorized boat to the Indein pagoda complex, on the south-west of the lake. The boat leaves the lake and enters a narrow canal to a small Pa O tribal village. From the village, we follow an old path to a 13th century monastery and the very impressive ruins of hundreds of ancient pagodas, some hidden in the vegetation. The main stupa-area on the top of the hill offers breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains and down to the valley and the lake in the far distance. Return to your hotel and overnight at the hotel in Nyaung Shwe/Inle Lake.

Accommodation: Hotel in Nyaung Shwe/Inle Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

DAY 7: INLE LAKE-YANGON (by flight) (transfer + sightseeing)

After breakfast at hotel, we drive Heho airport for the morning flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, you are welcomed by our tour guide and transferred to hotel. After refreshment, start on a city tour including:

(1) Explore downtown Yangon where the British colonial influence is still evident with a visit around Sule Pagoda which is located at the heart of the city and proceed to a range of beautiful colonial style buildings such as the City Hall, the High Court, former Immigration Offices and the Independence Monument in the green Mahabandoola Park. Afterwards, proceed to the Central Post Office at Pansodan Street which is famous for some of Yangon’s most impressive colonial buildings and then have a look at busy life of Pansodan Jetty on Yangon River. Take a short tea break at Strand Hotel by own account.

(2) Botahtaung Pagoda, a famous landmark pagoda beside Yangon River, with a walk-in internal a sacred hair relic chamber of Buddha and its wish-granting Bo Bo Gyi and Mya Nan Nwe’s Nat Shrine.

(3) Bogyoke Aung San Market (named after the father of Aung San Suu Kyi and formerly known as the Scott Market) to purchase souvenirs and handicrafts if you wish. There are gems, fabrics, lacquer ware, wood sculptures, paintings etc… the range of wares is fantastic and don’t forget to bargain!

(4) Chauk-htat-kyi Phaya; a huge life-like reclining Buddha statue surrounded by Buddhist monasteries.

(5) Karaweik Hall to marvel at the uniquely decorated “hamsa-bird-shaped” floating barge on Kandawgyi royal lake with a great view of Shwedagon Pagoda.

(6) Complete the day with an extended visit to the magnificent and world famous Shwedagon Pagoda, known for its religious significance and artistic beauty. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds and rubies, sapphires and topaz - a stunning sight as the sun sets and an unforgettable place to begin your trip in the "Golden Land". Lunch & dinner at local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Yangon.

 

DAY 8: DEPARTURE YANGON (transfer)

After breakfast at hotel, morning is at leisure until you are transferred to Yangon International airport for your return international departure flight.