Burma Tour

Day 01

Take flight from Mumbai to Yangon. On arrival at Yangon.                                                                                                                          

Upon arrival to Yangon International airport, you will be welcomed by our English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel. 

Stay at Lotte Hotel. 

Day 02

After breakfast, we will visit one the landmarks, Sule paya stupa – built over 2,000 years ago. Then, we will visit the National Museum where Myanmar’s ancient heritage and culture are on display. After that, we will visit the focal point of numerous historical events in the city –CHAUK HTAT GYI pagoda to view its magnificent reclining Buddha, and Karaweik hall to marvel at the uniquely decorated “hamsa-bird-shaped” on Kandawgyi (royal) lake. We complete the day with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon pagoda, a gold covered bell dome structure that dominates the city’s skyline. Legend has it that strands of sacred Buddha’s hair are enshrined here. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed. 

Overnight stay: Lotte Hotel. 

(B)

Day 03

After breakfast, we transfer to Yangon airport for the domestic flight to bagan/nyaung u. Upon arrival, we begin our journey into the Ancient Kingdom of Bagan. We start with a visit to the Nyaung u market, the largest market in the Bagan region, to get a glimpse into the local life. We also see how cottage industries like brick making are carried out with traditional methods. We continue to the gilded Shwezigon stupa, purported to contain a holy tooth relic of the Buddha. And then Kyansitha  umin, a cave temple, the long dimly lit corridors are decorated with frescoes, some believed painted by Tartar invaders during the Mongol occupation after 1287.Next, we visit Gubyaukgyi (Wet-Kyi-Inn), this 13th-century ‘cave temple’ has an Indian-style spire like the Mahabodhi Paya in Bagan. It is interesting for the fine frescoes of scenes from the Jatakas. Then to Htilominlo temple to learn how Burmese sand paintings are created. The day’s temple tour continues with a visit to the beautifully symmetric and majestic Ananda temple with its four standing Buddha images that seem to gaze at the viewer with fixed serenity wherever the viewer stands. Then we visit Dhamayangyi temple, the largest temple of Bagan with the thickest walls and the Sulamani temple. Finally, proceed to bupaya to watch the sunset over the famous Ayeyarwaddy River. 

Overnight stay: Aureum Bagan Resort 

(B)

Day 04

After breakfast, we learn how Bagan’s famous lacquer ware crafts are produced in Myingaba village, and then go to myazedi temple. Closely, the Myingaba gubyaukgyi temple is a sight to behold, housing Bagan’s best preserved mural paintings of the Buddha’s Jataka reincarnations. Manuha temple, built by the Mon king in the 1300s, represents his time in captivity under the Bagan king. And then we visit the Dhamayazeka zedi, providing panoramic views of the temple studded plains of Bagan. It is worth a look around for bamboo and wood houses built long ago. Laymyetnat temple and Payathonzu with Minnanthu village are of a later period than those in Central Bagan.  

Nanda-man-nya temple, it is a single-chambered temple has very fine frescoes and a ruined, seated Buddha image. Tayok pye paya is a large temple, built by Narathihapate (1256-1287) who is known as the king who fled from the Mongolian invasion, thus ‘Tayok Pye’ in Myanmar. 

Overnight stay: Aureum Bagan Resort. 

(B)

Day 05

After breakfast, we transfer to Bagan/ Nyaung U airport for the domestic flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, we continue to the Artisan quarters, where some of the oldest craftsmanship are showcased. We observe the process of pounding gold leaf, detailing teakwood carvings and embroidering Myanmar tapestry dating back to the last dynasty of Myanmar. We also see how bronze and marble Buddha statues are carved, cast and molded. Next, we proceed to major highlights of the city: the sacred Mahamuni pagoda, housing one of the most significant Buddha images covered in several tons of gold leaf and the crown prize in wars between competing kingdoms; the Golden palace Monastery, the sole surviving Royal Palace building in Mandalay, offering a glimpse of the original style and architecture of the Myanmar royals; and lastly, the Kuthodaw pagoda, a compound housing Buddha’s teachings carved in the sacred Pali script on stone tablets and regarded as the world’s largest book in terms of surface area. We end our day with sunset panoramic views over city skyline on Mandalay hill, the highest point of the city.  

Overnight stay at Hilton Mandalay Hotel.        

(B)

Day 06

After breakfast, we drive about 15km to Ava (Inwa), the ancient capital of Shan and Burmese kingdoms for over four centuries. Crossing the Myit Nge River by ferry, the small roads of Ava are explored by horse-drawn carts. We visit the Bagaya Teak Monastery, over three hundred years old yet well preserved and still in use by local monks; the Nanmyin Watch Tower, the last standing structure of the Ava dynasty palace compound also known as the “Leaning Tower of Ava”; and the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, a 300-year old architectural wonder with graceful archways. 

After that, we will visit the Ancient Kingdom of Sagaing, located across the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. From the Sagaing Hills, we enjoy views of the hillside dotted with countless pagodas and pay a special visit to a monastery to learn about the life of Buddhist devotees. 

Visit another beautiful ancient capital, Amarapura, famous for its textile industries. There, we visit a cottage industry workshop to learn how Myanmar longyis and traditional fabrics are woven. Continuing to the Ubein bridge, a simple yet remarkable teak structure that spans 1,2km over Taungtaman Lake. Ubein Bridge, silhouetted by the setting sun, is a magical experience and a photographer’s dream.     

Overnight stay at Hilton Mandalay Hotel.   

(B)   

Day 07

After breakfast, we transfer to Mandalay airport for the domestic flight to Heho, a quiet transit town in the beautiful hills of Shan State, northeast of Yangon. En route to Inle Lake, we stop at a local family workshop to learn how Shan umbrellas and paper are made by traditional methods using fibers of mulberry trees. Next, we take a 1-hour drive to Inle Lake that descends through the valley with views of the Shan mountains and rice paddy fields. After checking into the hotel, we embark on afternoon explorations of Inle lake, visit Phaungdaw oo pagoda, the home of some of the country’s most sacred Buddha statues covered in gold leaf. We also make a visit to the Inpawkhon weaving village to learn how local silks, linens and lotus fabrics are handmade and crafted. We visit nampan village, local craftsmen show us how Burmese cigars, or “cheroots,” are traditionally packed and rolled. 

Overnight stay Aureum Inle Resort. 

(B)   

Day 08

After breakfast, transfer to Yangon international airport for your departure flight. 

(B)