Arrive in Yangon
On arrival at Yangon airport ( MH 740 @1015 HRS ) you will be met by our guide and transfer to hotel.
Lunch at Royal Thazin Restaurant
Dinner at Rose Garden Hotel
Overnight at hotel in Yangon.
Yangon
After breakfast, you will visit beautiful Kandawgyi Lake with the huge mythical birds of the Karaweik Barge in prominent view. On to the Botataung Pagoda, located on Yangon harbor, where you will see many ancient Buddhist relics and artifacts. Then visit the downtown district and its many old colonial buildings still in use. There is also the Independence Monument in Mahabandoola Gardens, dedicated to Burma’s independence from Great Britain in 1948. The streets are filled with colorful sidewalk markets selling various items both old and new. After our downtown ‘walkabout’, if time allows, we may go to Wahdan jetty on the Yangon River to see the hustle and bustle of local life as goods and people transfer on and off the ships.
Afternoon sightseeing includes the colossal reclining Buddha Chaukhtatkyi, and the National Museum (Note: Museum closes on Monday and public holidays), filled with cultural exhibits of Myanmar. You will end the day with a visit to the awe inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda, perhaps the most beautiful pagoda complex in all of Asia.
Lunch at Padonmar Restaurant
Dinner at Coriander Leaf Restaurant
Overnight at hotel in Yangon.
Flight to Nyaung U, explore Bagan
Morning at leisure. Transfer to airport in time for flight to Bagan . On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to hotel for check in .
Later on in afternoon sightseeing highlights Sulamani Temple built by King Narapatisithu; Dhammayangyi Temple, a massive later period temple with the finest brickwork in Bagan, and Thatbyinnyu Temple which towers above other monuments of Bagan. You can also visit a Thanaka museum, dedicated to the tree bark and root of the Thanaka tree used in making a fragrant white colored paste which Myanmar women wear for skin beauty and protection from the sun. Visitors can learn how to make and apply the Thanaka paste. As the sun goes down you will be at one of the ideal temple top viewing sites selected by your guide.
Lunch at Sunset Garden Restaurant
Dinner at Hotel at Tharabar Gate
Overnight at hotel in Bagan.
Boat ride to village in the middle of river
After breakfast, you will go to the Ayerwaddy river for an enjoyable 30 minute boat ride to Kyun Thiri Island (in the middle of the river). Here you will stop and make a visit to this typical farming village, interacting with the villagers and observing their ways of life. You will also visit a monastery where you are served local tea and snacks. Return to Bagan by boat in time for lunch.
In the early afternoon take free time to relax before you go to see a small lacquer ware crafts shop in Phawsaw Village to observe the process of making these beautiful pieces. You can also try your own hand at making some. Then ride by horse cart through some of Bagan’s temple areas, monasteries and villages before enjoying another beautiful sunset view.
Lunch at The Moon Restaurant
Dinner at Nanda Restaurant
Overnight at hotel in Bagan.
Flight to Mandalay, visit the ancient royal capitals
After breakfast, you will be transferred to airport for your flight to Mandalay. On arrival at the Mandalay airport, continue to Sagaing, a former capital of the Shan kingdom in the 14th century, lies across and slightly downriver from Mandalay and there are many interesting stupas scattered over Sagaing Hill. Later on you will visit another former royal capital, Inwa which was founded in 1364 and which lasted nearly 400 years as a royal capital. Highlights include the ' leaning tower of Ava', Maha Aungmye Bonzan, a brick-and-stucco monastery, and the elegant teakwood monastery Bagaya Kyaung.
Last stop is at the ancient royal capital of Amarapura. Here you will visit Mahagandayon monastery, which is a school for young monks, and the nearby U Bein bridge. It is more than two centuries old and at 1.2 km is the longest teakwood span in the world.
Lunch at Small River restaurant
Dinner at hotel
Overnight at hotel in Mandalay
Boat trip to Mingun, highlights of Mandalay
You will go to Mandalay jetty where you will take a short and pleasant ride upriver to Mingun, the site of what would have been the world's largest pagoda had not King Bodawpaya died in 1819 thus halting all further work. Later an earthquake in 1838 split the monument and reduced it to partial rubble. Nonetheless, the mammoth base of the unfinished pagoda is still a very impressive sight as you approach from the river. Nearby you can also visit the Mingun Bell, moved from the zedi after the earthquake and now hung in a new shrine building. It is said to be the largest hanging un-cracked bell in the world. Return to Mandalay.
Afternoon sightseeing includes the highly revered Mahamuni Pagoda; a gold leaf hammering craftshop, Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings; Kuthodaw Pagoda, renowned as the World's largest book for its 729 stone slabs containing the entire Buddhist scriptures, and if time permits Mandalay Hill for a view over the city and Ayeyarwaddy River.
Lunch at Unique Myanmar Restaurant
Dinner at Ko’s Kitchen Restaurant
Overnight at hotel in Mandalay
Flight to Heho, explore Inle lake by boat
On arrival at Heho airport, you will be driving to unique and magical Inle Lake, located about 900 meters above sea level and 22 km long by 11 km wide. Arrive Nyaung Shwe jetty and start your sightseeing by long tailed boat to Innpawkhone Village where you can see lotus and silk weaving industries. Next visit Nanpan to see the traditional boat making, cheroot (Burmese cigar) making factory. Lunch time break
And then continue your visit to Phaungdaw U Pagoda and if we have time, take a short visit to Leshae Village where you can see the making of Buddha image from dried flower powder. Later visit to Nga Pae Chaung monastery and floating gardens.
Lunch at Mr. Toe’s Restaurant
Dinner at Hotel
Overnight at hotel in Inle Lake
Visit to Indein, flight back to Yangon
Continue your Inle Lake sightseeing with a visit to Indein and its enchanting 17th century pagodas. To reach Indain and the nearby village you will take a boat ride up a small scenic creek that runs into Inle lake. Evening at leisure.
Lunch at Bamboo Forest Restaurant
Dinner at Green Chili Restaurant
Overnight at hotel in Inle Lake
Flight back to Yangon, at leisure
Transfer to Heho airport in time for flight to Yangon. On arrival, transfer to hotel in Yangon. Half day ( 4 hours ) vehicle at disposal (no guide ).
Lunch at The Marina Restaurant in Yangon.
Dinner at the hotel
Overnight at hotel in Yangon
Flight back home
Transfer to airport in time for international flight MH 741 @ 1115 HRS.
