Upon arrival to Mandalay Int'l airport, Discovery DMC local guide will welcome you and transfer to Mandalay 40km/1hr to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy a morning stroll through the lively Zegyo Market in the heart of the city to experience more authentic local life in Mandalay.
We continue to the Artisan Quarters, where some of the oldest artisanship is showcased dating back to last kingdom of Myanmar. We observe the process of pounding gold leaf, detailing teakwood carvings and embroidering Myanmar tapestry. We also see how bronze and marble Buddha statues are carved, cast and molded.
Next, we proceed to the highlights of Mandalay: the sacred Mahamuni Pagoda, housing one of the most significant Buddha images in the country, covered in several tons of gold leaf and the crown prize in long past wars between competing Myanmar kingdoms. Near the Mahamuni we visit the Jade Market for an insight to the trade and lastly, the Kuthodaw Pagoda, a compound housing Buddha’s teachings carved in the sacred Pali script on stone slabs 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.
Pick up from your hotel in Mandalay by our local guide and short transfer to river jetty. Our tour starts with 1-hour cruise across the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River (Irrawaddy) to Mingun village, known for its massive unfinished pagoda cracked by an earthquake in the 1800s; another attraction to see here is Mingun’s massive bronze bell, believed to be largest ringing bell in the world.
We continue leisurely 2hr/20km cruise downstream to Ava (Inwa). Ava was the ancient capital of Shan and Burmese Kingdoms for over four centuries; we disembark at Myint Nge River by jetty to explore the small roads of Ava by a horse cart.
We visit the Bagaya teak monastery, over 300 years old yet well preserved and still in used by local monks; the Nanmyin watch tower, the last standing structure of the Ava dynastic 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.
Late afternoon we cross over the Myint Nge River by small ferry boat and meet our driver and transfer to Amarapura one of the ancient capitals. Today Amarapura is famous for its textile industry. At the end of our day we enjoy spectacular sunset by Ubein bridge. (weather permitting)
Should you wish we can visit one of the family owned cottage industry workshops and boutiques on our way back to Mandalay.
After breakfast we transfer to the jetty and board private vessel to Yandabo. Yandabo is charming artisan village perched on the banks of Ayeyarwady river. Spend the afternoon exploring the village. Observe how clay is worked by feet and hands and how ready pots are placed to dry and burned in kilns.
Tonight you will stay in charming Yandabo Home boutique resort.
After breakfast we sail across the river to visit 1000 buffaloes village and to experience authentic countryside life in rural Burma and continue upstream towards Mandalay.
Depending on river conditions the boat journey may take up to 6 hours. Transfer to hotel for overnight.
Bagan Temples Tour (Full Day)
After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our journey into the Ancient Kingdoms of Bagan. We start visit to the gold gilded Swezigon Stupa, purported to contain a holy tooth relic of the Buddha. Not far from the stupa, the Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple is a sight to behold, housing Bagan’s best-preserved mural paintings of the Buddha’s Jataka re-incarnations. Next, we learn how Bagan’s famous lacquerware crafts are produced in Myingaba Village, and then visit Htilominlo Temple to learn how Burmese sand paintings are created. The day’s temple tour ends 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. Enjoy dinner with a cultural performance.
Visit the Nyaung U Market, the largest market in the Bagan region, gives us a glimpse into local life.
Then we continue the exploration of Bagan with visits to the Manuha Temple, built by the Mon king in the 1300s to represent his time in captivity under the Bagan king. Continuing to the Thanakha Museum and a cigar workshop, we learn respectively about the traditional uses of the fragrant thanaka paste and how Burmese make the local cheroot cigars. We also see how cottage industries like brick making and are carried out with traditional methods. During a visit to a monastic school that provides disadvantaged children with free primary level education, we have the opportunity to interact with the school children. In the late afternoon, last but not least we continue by ox or horse cart to witness a magical sunset behind the temples (weather permitting) .
* All touring schedules and activities can be adjusted according to guests’ wishes.*
After breakfast, we drive to Kalaw, a former British colonial hill station where ambassadors would spend the summers enjoying the crisp mountain air and sipping on gin tonics. After we check into the hotel and enjoy our lunch, we can spend afternoon either luxuriating in fresh mountain air for those who prefer sedentary pleasures, or hiking around Kalaw’s beautiful forest vistas for those yearning more active pursuits. Local guides can adjust the duration and difficulty of the more active activities according to our wishes.
Morning transfer to the lake, catch a glimpse of a life centered around this beautiful highland lake is located in the heart of the Shan Plateau at 3000 feet (900m). The lake is inhabited by many different ethnic groups, the predominate being the Intha, known for leg rowing their boats while fishing.
Take a private motorboat around the lake to discover its natural beauty and explore the culture of the different people living on the water. Float through the floating gardens, witness the famous leg rowers in action while they fish, then stop for tea at a local family’s house. Stroll through a traditional market stalls for colourful weavings, silver jewery, and other handicrafts made by the people living nearby.
Enjoy a traditional Intha lunch with locals. After lunch visit a weaving factory, to see how the colorful fabrics sold in the markets are made from cotton, silk, and the rare lotus plant. Visit a local factory where they make cheroot, Burmese cigars and the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, famous for a festival where the community rows a barge in the form of a hintha bird.
Charming Inle Lake life on water and highlights
After breakfast we journey out by boat, following the currents of a small river to reach the Inn Thein Pagoda complex, a site that makes us feel as if we’ve stepped through a forgotten portal in time. To access the complex, we walk through verdant bamboo groves that open up to a field covered with the ancient pagodas constructed over 1,000 years ago.
We boat back to the lake and visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the home of some of the country’s most sacred Buddha statues covered in gold leaf by devout followers. We also make a visit to the Inpawkon Weaving Village to learn how local silks, linens and lotus fabrics are handmade and crafted.
At Nampan Village, local craftsmen show us how Burmese cigars, or “cheroots,” are traditionally packed and rolled. We end our day with magnificent sunset canoe ride with boatmen who gracefully navigate and row perched on one leg.
Kakku - Journey to Pao Homelands
Travel by boat to Nyaung Shwe, from where you drive up the pine-clad hills to Taunggyi (30km, about 1 hour), a former British hill station and today the capital of the southern Shan state. Visit the local market where ethnic minority people sell their produce, and a cheroot maker's where skilled young women can make hundreds of cheroots in a day.
Approximately two hours' drive from Taunggyi in countryside inhabited by the Pa-O people lie the 'lost' ruins of Kakku, a pagoda encircled by dozens of small stupas. Little is known about the origins of this unusual place. Pa-O people believe that the original pagoda dates back some 2,000 years. Wander around the stupas which are decorated with fine stucco work and Buddha images - some in good repair, others not. Visit a Pa-O village and a large monastery on the way back to Taunggyi.
On the hill slopes near Taunggyi grows Myanmar's best wine on the Aythaya Estate Wine Garden. When you arrive at the vineyard, enjoy wine-tasting with light food. The small outdoor tasting room provides a commanding view over the terraced vineyard as well as a wonderful breeze. Beyond the rolling green hills, you can see shimmering Inle Lake, and on a clear day you can also enjoy the surrounding mountain landscape. Return to Nyaung Shwe and go back to your hotel in Inle Lake.
Morning breakfast at hotel and transfer to Heho airport for flight to Yangon. Starting from colonial-style city center and one the landmarks Sule Paya stupa – built over 2,000 years ago and the focal point of numerous historical events in the city –Chauk That Gyi pagoda to view its magnificent reclining Buddha, and Karaweik Hall to marvel at the uniquely decorated “hamsa-bird-shaped” floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake. We visit Bogyoke (Scott) Market, where hundreds of gemstone, handicrafts, art, clothes and food stores are tucked in a maze of color. 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. Legends state that the sacred hairs of the Buddha are enshrined here. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed.
Take the morning flight to Kawthaung. Upon arrival, you will be met by the resort representative. Transfer to Kawthaung pier where your luggage will be checked-in. As this is join-in transfer there maybe others arriving bit later to catch the boat to the island.
Time permitting you may take a stroll along bustling waterfront of Kawthaung town and do some last minute shopping. On top of the hill by King Bayint Naung statue and Pyi Daw Aye Pagoda you can get scenic view over the border river to Ranong, Thailand.
When all loaded on boat we depart for Mergui archipelago and Wa Ale Resort. The journey takes approx 2-2.5hrs with speed boat.
Check in to your tent suite or tree house and enjoy dinner in Wa Ale's restaurant and discuss next day plans with the team on site.
Wa Ale is the ideal escape tailored for the adventure traveler, with a love of exploring un-chartered aquatic and jungle habitats.
Offering a wide variety of sights and adventurous activities, from hiking through tropical forests and diving spectacular reefs to kayaking through mangroves; the opportunities for exploration are almost limitless. If you prefer a more relaxed stay, enjoy a walk or bike ride along one of the quiet white sand beaches or take a leisurely swim in the warm azure waters of the resort’s small coved bay.
TURTLE BEACH - Wa Ale Island Resort is located on this beach, which is a protected nesting area where sea turtles lay their eggs year round. Spearheaded by Wa Ale Resorts, the Lampi Foundation was established to manage the protection of turtle nests on the island of Wa Ale.
HONEYMOON BEACH - This is another spectacular beach around a rock formation neighboring Turtle Beach. Just under one kilometer, this white sand beach has clear, calm waters that are yet another setting for guests to relax, enjoy a picnic and explore.
• Snorkel and dive the archipelago’s abundant reefs and caves
• Kayak and paddle board through Wa Ale’s pristine river and mangrove forests
• Trek Wa Ale’s jungle trails and view the unique flora and fauna indigenous to the island
• Explore the exotic marine life and island hopping in the Lampi Marine National Park
• Learn about the local “Moken” fishing community and turtle conservation on Wa Ale and ways to protect this special region
• Relax in the quiet comfort of the Spa after a day of activities
Enjoy another day on this paradise island. The Lampi Marine National Park offers a diverse range of wildlife. Wa Ale Island is home to a multitude of indigenous land animals, including: monitor lizards, pythons, civet cats, gibbons, macaques and the near extinct pangolin.
Up in the air, the colorful diversity is perhaps even greater: there are hornbills unique only to the archipelago, white-bellied sea eagles, while kites, kingfishers, eastern reef herons, emerald
doves, to name but a few of the species that circle the island. The Myeik Archipelago waters showcase an incredible variety of marine life, including: whale sharks, dolphins, as well as eagle
and manta rays, frogfish, ribbon eels and false pipefish.
Diving in Wa Ale
There are 10 dive sites in the proximity of the resort that offer some of the best diving in Andaman Sea. This area is unique for many various nudibranchs and soft corals. As for Fish, we have Lionfish, Scorpionfish, Stonefish in the area which are very beautiful. Also, we can often see the largest of all fish, the Whale Shark, often we see them near Black Rock which is a rock sticking out of the ocean with no land in sight. Underwater at Black Rock teeming with marine life, if we don't see a Whaleshark, then we just might see a Manta Ray. These 2 animals don't get along well together so its usually one or the other.
We Wa Ale offers PADI Dive Courses from Bubble Maker programs for the kids all the way up to Divemaster. We also offer Advanced open water, EFR and Rescue Diver Training.
After breakfast and morning swim it is time for your boat transfer to Kawthaung and fly back to Yangon. Rest of the day is free and leisure at hotel.
Today free until transfer to Yangon Int'l airport for your departure flight.
