Highlights of Myanmar [ 10 Days / 9 Night ]

Historical & Cultural Discovery of Burma
Destinations : Yangon » Mandalay » Amarapura » Sagaing » Ava » Bagan » Pindaya » Kalaw » Inle Lake

Day 01, Arrival Yangon [By PM Flight]

Welcome to the garden city, Yangon, Myanmar !

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, welcome by our friendly representative with your name board and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. 

(Yangon has a population of over five million people, Yangon is the bustling former capital of Myanmar. The city boasts verdant parks, beautiful colonial buildings and the famous Shwedagon Pagoda. Yangon was declared the capital of Myanmar in the late 19th Century by the British. They rebuilt the town after a fire destroyed it in 1841, hence the colonial influences in the architecture. The British renamed the city Rangoo, however it has been restored to its original Burmese name of Yangon since 1989 when the country was also renamed Myanmar (replacing the British name of Burma.)

Day 02, Excursion Yangon (By Car)

After breakfast at the hotel, meet with our guide and ahead to explore your fascinating full day sightseeing of Yangon. Start a visit to Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda which is 72 meters long reclining Buddha image. Then proceed to City Hall, one of the most beautiful examples of mixed British colonial and traditional Burmese architecture. Sule Pagoda, over 2000 years old ancient shrine, the High Court, colonial-era Indo-Saracenic Architecture, including its clock tower and its red-bricked exterior and then visit Mahabandoola Park with its independence monument. Thereafter, visit Bogyoke Market - a shopping market with more than 2000 shops selling all kinds of products but of special mention is the beautiful exotic “Shan Bag '' velvet slippers, lacquer ware, Gems shops and all sorts of handicraft.,. [Bogyoke market is closed on Mondays and Public Holidays.] 

Then visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda  located on top of Singuttara Hill, where many locals and Buddhists come to worship. The over 2500 years old pagoda was renovated several times until taking its current shape in the 15 century. All Buddhist people believe that the relics of four enlightened Buddha were enshrined in the Shwedagon pagoda.[Overnight at the Hotel peacefully]

Day 03, Yangon – Mandalay (by AM flight) Excursing Mandalay

This morning, our driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer to the Yangon International airport for your flight to Mandalay. 

Upon arrival at Mandalay International airport, our friendly guide will greet you by holding a name board. Then make a visit to Mahar Myat Muni Buddha Image the most ancient Buddha castled in bronze in Myanmar and continue to the handicraft workshops such as bronze in Myanmar. 

This afternoon visits Mya Nan San Kyaw Palace (Royal Palace); this golden palace represents Myanmar’s Sovereignty and independence and can arouse a national patriotic spirit amongst the people of Myanmar. The Royal Palace was destroyed by a British forces air raid in March 1945 but was finally renovated and restored faithfully into its original structure in September 1993. The 89 main halls were re-built with reference to the original photographs, pictures, palm-leaf manuscripts and a miniature model.

Later head to Shwenandaw Monastery, famous for its teak carvings of Buddha myths, which adorn its walls and roofs. It is the single remaining major original structure of the original Royal Palace of today. The tour continues to Kuthodaw Pagoda, often called the world's largest book (a set of 729 huge stone slabs on which the Buddhist scriptures are inscribed). Finish the day with a visit to Mandalay Hill to watch sunset over the city plains. [Overnight at the Hotel peacefully]

(Mandalay is located 668 km north from Yangon and the last capital of the Burmese Kingdom. Mandalay embodies all the elements of Myanmar’s ancient educational, social and cultural system yet the city is also heavily influenced by many Chinese who have relocated here since Burmese foreign trade restrictions were eased.)

Day 04, Mandalay – Amarapura – Sagaing – Ava – Mandalay (By Car, ferry boat)

After breakfast at the hotel, a direct visit to an ancient city of Amarapura meaning the 'City of Immortality'. Mahagandaryone Monastery, the largest teaching monastery in Myanmar. Each day at around 10:30 close to 700 monks queue up for their morning meal ritual. From the monastery continue to U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge. The bridge was constructed of 984 teak posts that were once part of the deserted Inwa Palace and it is 1.2 kilometers in length making it the world’s longest teak span. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. 

Thereafter, cross a bridge over the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar.  It is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers and you will visit pagodas such as Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae.  We’ll also visit Sagaing’s local market, a typical Burmese market that few tourists visit. Here you will find a range of items for sale including locally made pottery, silver and other handicrafts. We will also stop at a small pottery village to see the process of making the ubiquitous water pots found throughout Myanmar. 

Then continue south of the city to Ava, the capital from the 14th to 18th centuries, where a short ferry ride will take us across the river to where our horse and carriage are waiting. Visit by native horse carriage to the old wooden Bargaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort. There are many small villages located amid Ava’s ruins and as you travel by horse and cart you’ll get a glimpse of local life in the Burmese countryside, Mainu Brick Monastery and old watch tower. Then return to Mandalay. [Overnight at the Hotel peacefully]

Day 05, Mandalay – Bagan (by AM flight), Excursing Bagan (By Car)

This morning, our driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer to the Mandalay International airport for your flight to Nyaung U. 

Today sightseeing include; Nyaung-U to see the local market and Bagan’s most important reliquary shrine, the Shwezigon Pagoda; a sacred Buddha religious place, is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha and the simple Kyansittha Cave Temple with interesting 12th century frescoes. We continue to the Manuha Temple to see the gigantic Buddhas housed inside and the sandstone carvings of the nearby Nanpaya Temple; it was built using mud mortar, stone, and brick, and was used as the residence of Manuha, Ananda Temple; a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing gold-leaf Buddhas. Then stop for a photo opportunity at the towering Thatbyinnyu Temple, the tallest temple in old Bagan city. At a local lacquer workshop, we witness how local craftsmen skillfully prepare Bagan’s most famous handicraft. In the late afternoon, you will be transferred by horse card to the jetty where we embark for the sunset boat. Sit back and relax aboard a traditional teak boat for the perfect way to end a day exploring Bagan’s temples. Then drive back to the hotel. [Overnight at the Hotel peacefully]

(Bagan with the advent of the 11th century and till the end of the 13th century, kings, generals and dignitaries spared no effort to have brick put upon brick, to build temples and pagodas one after the other with the solitary aim of favorably influencing their re-incarnation. It is believed as many as 12,000 temples and stupas once stood in the area; however, invasions, war and natural disasters have reduced most of these to rubble. Despite this, Bagan is home to more than 2,200 standing ancient temples today and as such, is Myanmar’s greatest architectural site. As there are more than 2000 temples & stupas. Indeed, it is difficult to cover all temples within a limited time. Therefore, we have carefully selected only some major temples for you in order to avoid hectic tourism. But if you want to see more temples, just let your guide or driver know. They can show you as many temples as possible within your stay.)

Day 06, Excursion Bagan (By Car)

After breakfast, our friendly guide will greet you at the hotel and ahead to second day ancient city excursion. Today's visit includes: Lawkananda pagoda; an important Buddha-tooth replica, was erected on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River house, an important Buddha-tooth replica. Apyeyardana Temple; with its beautiful view over the river, Lemethna Temple; topped by an Indian-style spire similar to Ananda. , Damayangyi Temple; is the most massive structure in Bagan  Sulamani Temple; one of Pagan's great two-storied Bamar style temple which has 4 seated Buddha images, Then, the three shrines of Payathonzu; which are connected by passages adorned with Mahayanist or Tantric mural paintings, Nandamanya Temple; with fine frescoes and an unexpectedly erotic mural, Nagayon; an elegant structure belonging to the earlier type attributed to Mon workmanship Temple.  In the late afternoon, enjoy your horse-cart riding among the ruins of ancient city and transfer to Bu Phaya Jetty where you take a private wooden boat trip over the Irrawaddy River. The sun gets lower towards the horizon and sets peacefully over the river. Drink and light Burmese snacks will be served on boat. Then, drive back to the hotel. 

Day 7, Bagan – Heho (by AM flight) – Pindaya - Kalaw (By Car)

This morning, our driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer to the Nyaung Oo airport for your flight to Heho which is the gateway to Pindaya, Kalaw and Inle Lake. 

Welcome by our esteem guide with the name board and will be transferred to small charming town Pindaya. It is an interesting drive up into the hills and across the Shan Plateau, through fields of mountain rice. Pindaya is famous for its many Banyan trees, many of which are around 250 years old.  Tour overview explore in the small town of Pindaya, home to the Danu tribe, and famous for its limestone caves and beautiful lake. On arrival in Pindaya explore the ancient Pindaya Cave set deep in the limestone ridge overlooking the lake. This winding maze of caves and caverns is filled with more than 8,000 gilded Buddha images of all ages, carved from alabaster, teak, marble, brick and lacquer. Visit the workshop of a local family who produces the famous Shan paper. Learn how the paper is made and watch the artisans crafting the paper into beautiful umbrellas, fans and other handicrafts. Lunch is taken in an idyllic spot on the shore of a private lake nestled at the foot of the hill. Enjoy traditional Shan cuisine while taking in the stunning views, and then stretch your legs with a walk through the surrounding plantations. Then stroll around Ponetaloke Lake to see the local women washing their clothes and the children swimming in the water. Before starting the drive to Inle Lake explore the half ruined Zedi Gyi Pagodas dating back to the 15th and 17th centuries. 

Thereafter, drive back to Kalaw which is a former British hill station and is located at an altitude of 1,320m above sea level. Kalaw, was a popular hill station during the British days. It sits at an elevation above 4000-feet, on the western edge of the Shan Plateau. It is still a peaceful and quiet place with an atmosphere reminiscent of the colonial era. If the time allowed, visit Bamboo Strips' wish fulfilling pagoda, Thein Taung Pay; a temple perched on the hill overlooking the main road and proceed to the viewpoint that has a small shop of Nepalies nation. At the view point you can enjoy beautiful sceneries and panorama views. [Overnight at the Hotel peacefully]

Day 8, Kalaw – Inle (by Car) Excursion Inle Lake (By Boat)

After breakfast at the hotel, continue by road (approximately one hour) to Nyaung Shwe Jetty, this drive will be uphill on a winding road over the Shan Plateau; Inle lake is located 1,328m above sea level and is approximately 22 km long and 11km wide at its widest point. The lake is most famous for the extraordinary lives of the people who live on and around it known as the ‘Inntha’. They are famous for their boat rowing technique; using only one leg! There are many villages surrounding the lake and several temples and floating gardens. 

After hotel check in, enjoy a boat ride on Inle Lake for the day. Your sightseeing will start with a visit to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda which features beautiful carving and a collection of four revered golden Buddha images that have been laden with gold leaf by devotees. The next must-see stop is Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, an attractive wooden monastery built on stilts over the lake at the end of the 1850’s. Today’s sightseeing will conclude with a visit to local workshops: silverware workshop, silk and lotus workshop, cheroot making factory, boat making factory, blacksmith, etc. [Overnight at the Hotel peacefully]

(Inle Lake is located 1,328m above sea level and is approximately 22 km long and 11 km wide at its widest point. The lake is most famous for the extraordinary lives of the people who live on and around it, known as the ‘Intha’. They are famous for their boat rowing technique; using only leg! There are many village surrounding the lake and several temples and floating gardens.) 

Day (9), Excursion Indein (By Boat) Heho-Yangon (By PM Flight) 

After breakfast at the hotel, our guide will greet you to transfer to the jetty for a private boat to the Ywama village for the weaving factory. Then visit Indein Village; the hidden treasure of Inle lake. It is ShweIndaing pagoda complex that is newly open to International travelers where one will be totally amazed by ruined stupas as from the 13th century.  On the way, you will enjoy the natural beauty on the way like vegetable gardens, child and young monks (novices) enjoying their morning bath in the clear stream, water buffaloes and people among the paddy fields etc. After a nice stroll among the pagoda complex, walk back along the bamboo forest to the jetty. Then transfer to the Heho airport for flight to Yangon. 

On arrival at the Yangon International airport, our driver will greet you and transfer to the hotel. [Overnight at the Hotel peacefully]

Day (10), Departure Yangon (By AM Flight) 

After breakfast at the hotel, meet with our driver and transfer to the Yangon International Airport for your flight back to your home country or your next travel destination. 

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