Burma Tour (November 2018)

Day 01

Yangon Arrival

Depending on your arrival at Yangon airport, welcome by our English speaking guide and he/she will lead you to explore the Great city of Yangon by car. Visit Sule Pagoda which is said to have been built approximately 2500 years ago, and you can also explore the city centre where many colonial buildings still exist. Continue visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda, a must see on any visit to Yangon and is the most sacred location in the whole of Myanmar, built to house eight hair relics of the Buddha and other interesting places. Overnight will be at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 02

Yangon – Mandalay by flight

Fly to Mandalay by domestic flight. Mandalay is a former royal capital in northern Myanmar on the Irrawaddy River. It is the center of Myanmar culture and religious heritage. In its center is the restored Mandalay Palace from the Konbaung Dynasty, surrounded by a moat. Visit Mahamuni Buddha image, covered with many layers of gold leaves and continue visit to Myanmar handicraft workshops. After that visit Northern part of the city, Kuthodaw pagoda ( the world’s biggest book), Golden monastery (famous for its intricate wood-carvings) and a popular sunset for panoramic view from the top of Mandalay hill. Then drive back to the hotel. Overnight will be at the hotel in Mandalay.

Day 03

Ava-Sagaing-Amarapura

A full-day tour of the three ancient royal capitals surrounding Mandalay: Sagaing, Ava, and Amarapura. The tour starts with a visit to Sagaing, which is known for the numerous Buddhist monasteries, temples and impressive stupas. Then transfer to Ava, which is the capital from the14th to the 18th century, and we will visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the famous Maenu’ brick monastery. Then continue towards to Amarapura, royal capital from 1783 until 1859, where highlights will include a visit to a silk weaving workshop and U Bein Bridge. Crossing the Tangthaman Lake, U Bein Bridge is the longest and oldest teakwood bridge in the world.  Overnight will be at the hotel in Mandalay.

Day 04

Mandalay– Bagan by boat

Today you will have boat trip from Mandalay to Bagan. On the way you can see the local life, some rural villages and beautiful scenery along the bank of Irrawaddy river. Today you will spend most of your time on the boat and lunch is included on the boat. You will be picked-up at the jetty in Bagan and transfer to your hotel. Overnight is at the hotel in Bagan.

Day 05

Bagan

Exploring Bagan, thousands of temples on the plains of ancient capital and it is one of Asia’s most stunning archaeological sites. Explore the most beautiful and historically significant temples including  Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as the first Buddhist building, Ananda Temple which has four Buddha Images in standing position and reliefs depicting the Buddha from his birth to his Enlightenment. Continue to visit Thatbyinnyu Temple, the highest white stucco building in Bagan, Htilominlo Temple, DhamanyangyiBagan’s most massive temple, Mahuha Temple built by King Manuhar in Mon Style, MyinkabarGubyaukgyi Temple well-  known for its wall painting depicting scenes from the Jataka. In the evening enjoy sunset view at the selected place by your guide. Overnight will be at the hotel in Bagan.

Day 06

Bagan – Mt. Popa

This early morning you can take balloon ride experience over Bagan. (advance booking is needed.)

After having your breakfast, our tour guide will take you to Nyaung U market to explore before we go to Mt. Popa that can be spent like a half day trip. Mt. Popa is an extinct volcano and home of Myanmar’s legendary 37 Nats or spirits. It is an important place for local pilgrims, and there is a temple complex on this holy mountain. You may see many local people who sell some roots, fruits and some parts of the animal which are used for medical. And then drive to the hidden village “ SetSetYo” where to explore the ways of the local life, a very old style. At the village, you may see (only very sometime) the peculiar hair-style adorned by the children that is used to be the way of hair parting from the monarchical era.Then back to Bagan and overnight will be at the hotel in Bagan.

Day 07

Bagan – Inle (by flight )

Fly to Heho by flight and then transfer to Pindaya by car get through farms, local villages, local people going to their daily works. Pindaya, there has a huge cavern where nearly 8,000 Buddha statues appearing. Then drive back to Inle lake travel through by a beautiful environment with a view of mountains and rice fields. Overnight at hotel in NyaungShwe/ Inle lake.

Day 08

Inle- Indein( Boat )

In the morning take a private boat trip to Indein small village first. It’s located on the western bank of the Inle Lake. You can see incredibly atmospheric despite the crowds. By climbing along the comfortable stairway, notice so many small stupas and most constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries. The highlight is to see the local life in the rural village and distinguish Shan-style small stupas.  Then come back to Inle Lake and visit the main tourist destinations of the lake.  Fantastic Intha people are the Lake dwellers who are unique for their leg rowing. You may visit the famous floating garden, PhaungDawOo Pagoda, silversmith workshop, weaving from lotus fibres, cheroot making. Overnight at hotel in NyaungShwe / Inlelake.

Day 09

Inle- Sagar village by Boat

This morning, set off your journey by boat for Sagar village – located in a Southern region of Inle Lake. This quaint town is still unfamiliar to many tourists, but it is now one of the beautiful places in Shan State which feature charming and rustic beauty of landscapes and the locals. Your boat takes about 3 hours, but you are awarded fabulous views of various species of birds. Upon arrival in Sagar, start your excursion with a variety of stops. One of the highlights of the region you should not miss is the “sunken” stupas of Sagar submerged by the lake a few months a year. You could also visit a local monastery and villages before continuing onto the village of Thaya Gone. Visiting the village, you have a chance to take a closer look at unique making process of rice wine. The next stop in your journey will be SaeKhaung Pottery Village where you will be enchanted by various pots with different sizes and shapes. Make a photo stop at Tar Kaung to admire a wide range of stupas. On the way back, you have a chance to observe a busy life of the locals on the lake and admire stunning sunset when a day comes to a close. Overnight will be at the hotel in NyaungShwe / Inle lake.

Day 10

Inle – Yangon  (by flight)

In the morning we will transfer to Heho airport and take a domestic flight to Yangon. Depend on your international flight time we will Visit to Bo Gyoke market where various handicrafts and souvenir shop are located. Then Transfer to Yangon International airport for departure to home.