Myanmar (Burma)

Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight MH 2601 departing at 05:00 to Kuala Lumpur, on arrival at 07:25 connect with MH 740 departing at 09:10 for Yangon. On arrival at Yangon International airport at 10:15 you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After lunch at a local restaurant, depart for sightseeing including a short walk around downtown area where the highest number of colonial buildings remain in whole Asia. Then on to see the colossal reclining Buddha Chaukhtatgyi, we finish our sightseeing at the awe inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda, perhaps the most beautiful pagoda complex in all of Asia.

Dinner and overnight at Rose Garden Hotel.

Flight to Nyaung U, explore Bagan

After an early breakfast transfer to airport your flight YH 935 at 07:30 to Nyaung U. On arrival at 08:50, we begin our visit to one of Asia’s most stunning archeological destinations with its more than 2,000 pagodas doting the plains along the legendary Ayerwaddy River. See the bustling Nyaung Oo local market and then some of Bagan’s most distinctive pagodas including Shwezigon, a prototype of later Myanmar stupas and Wetkyi-in- Gubyaukgyi, a 13th century ‘cave temple with fine wall paintings. One of the most outstanding is the magnificent Ananda Pagoda, one of the most revered pagodas in all Myanmar and containing four tall standing Buddhas within. Lunch at a local restaurant.

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. We 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 we will be at one of the ideal temple top viewing sites.

Dinner and overnight in Bagan, Hotel at Tharabar Gate.

Flight to Mandalay, visit the ancient royal capitals

After breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight YH 917 at 08:05 to Mandalay. On arrival at 08:35, continue to Sagaing, a former capital of the Shan kingdom in the 14th century, which lies across and slightly downriver from Mandalay. There are many interesting stupas scattered over Sagaing Hill. Later we 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. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Last stop is at the ancient royal capital of Amarapura. Here we 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.

Dinner and overnight in Mandalay, Eastern Palace Hotel

Boat trip to Mingun, highlights of Mandalay

After breakfast we will go to Mandalay jetty where we 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 we approach from the river. Nearby we 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. Lunch at a local restaurant.

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.

Dinner and overnight in Mandalay, Eastern Palace Hotel

Flight to Heho, explore Inle lake by boat

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight YH 909 at 08:40 to Heho. On arrival at 09:10 you will go by road 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 our 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 at a local restaurant.

Continue our visit to Phaungdaw U Pagoda and time permitting, take a short visit to Leshae Village where you can see the making of Buddha image from dried flower powder. Later visit to ‘jumping cats’ monastery and floating gardens.

Dinner and overnight at Inle Lake, Amata Garden Resort

Visit to Indein, flight back to Yangon

We continue our Inle Lake sightseeing with a visit to Indein and its enchanting 17th century pagodas. To reach Indein and the nearby village we will take a boat ride up a small scenic creek that runs into Inle lake. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon transfer to Heho airport for your flight YH 731 at 17:00 to Yangon. On arrival at 19:15 you will be met and transfer to your hotel.

Dinner and overnight at Rose Garden Hotel.

Depart Yangon

After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to Yangon airport for your flight MH 743 departing at 16:00 to Kuala Lumpur connecting with MH 002 departing at 23:30 to London arriving at 05:35 on 23 Feb 18 with many memories to share.