MYANMAR TOUR OF HIGHLIGHTS

Myanmar’s rich history and exotic culture is reflected in this tour of former capitals. Set off from Yangon to alluring Mandalay where the surrounding towns reflect an era of prolific building and cultural growth and continue to Bagan whose historic plains are a testament to a once-mighty empire ...

* BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival - Yangon Package Tours

Day 2: Yangon Sightseeing Tours at Temples & pagodas (B /-/-)

Day 3: Yangon Flights to Mandalay – Mandalay Sightseeing Tours at Amarapura (Former Capital) – Mandalay Package Tours (B /-/-)

Day 4: Mandalay Package Sightseeing Tours to Mingun – Mandalay Travel Packages (B/-/- )

Day 5: Mandalay Sightseeing Tours – Traveling to Bagan by Express Boat (B/-/-)

Day 6: Bagan Package Sightseeing Tours at Old Temples & Relics (B/-/-)

Day 7: Bagan Sightseeing Tours – Flight to Heho – Inle lake Package Sightseeing Tours (B/-/-)

Day 8: Inle Lake Sightseeing Tours to Floating Markets & Villages (B/-/-)

Day 9: Inle Lake Sightseeing Tours – Flights from Heho to Yangon (B/-/-)

Day 10: Yangon - Departure (B/-/- )

Arrive to Yangon International Airport by Air Asia. You will meet your tour guide after clearing immigration and customs control at Yangon Chinthe in front of Yangon - MyanmarInternational Airport. Transfer to hotel.

* Yangon formerly Rangoon, was the capital of Myanmar until it was superseded by Naypyidaw in November 2005. Today, with a population of over 5 million people, it remains the largest city and main economic hub of Myanmar.

The city is an amalgamation of British, Burmese, Chinese and Indian influences, and is known for its colonial architecture, which although decaying and beyond appreciation, remains an almost unique example of a 19th-century British colonial capital. New high-rise buildings were constructed from the 1990s (and some are scarily unoccupied and left as ghost skyscrapers and hotels as seen along Upper Pansodan Rd.) as the government began to allow private investment (while former national government buildings such as the massive Secretariat Building, as the capital is shifted to Naypyidaw, have been left to rot). However, Yangon continues to be a city of the past, as seen by its longyi-wearing, betel nut chewing and spitting pedestrians, their friendly or even familial attitude towards strangers, its street vendors and its pungent smells.

Overnight in Yangon.

In this morning, after having breakfast at hotel, we’ll enjoy our Yangon Full-day sightseeing by visits to the old colonial-style city centre, the gilded Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2,000 years, Chinatown and Indian Quarter. The tour continues to Chauk Htat Gyi, a huge reclining Buddha image, followed by a photo stop at the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge. Enjoy the sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda, famous world wide - its golden stupa is the 'heart' of Buddhist Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa in surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. There are always many Myanmar people praying and making offerings atShwedagon Pagoda in Yangon - Myanmar Shwedagon which enshrines strands of Buddha's hair and other holy relics. Located west of the Royal Lake on 114 -acre Singuttara Hill in Yangon, Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred and impressive Buddhist site for the people of the Union of Myanmar.

The rest of time, you could take a walk around the China Town or view the sunset far beyond from the bank of rivers

Overnight in Yangon.

Transfer to Yangon Airport for domestic flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival at Mandalay Airport, drive to Amarapura and visit Mahagandayon, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study; continue to the 150-year-old U Bein teak bridge, built in 1851 at the time when Amarapura was the royal capital. Check into your hotel late morning.

An afternoon of comprehensive sightseeing in Mandalay includes Mahamuni Pagoda with its spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layers of gold leaves, Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung (Golden Monastery), a superb example of a traditional wooden building and Kuthodaw Pagoda (known as the world’s largest book), consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. Enjoy spectacular views at sunset from Mandalay Hill, where there are interesting glass-studded temples.

Overnight in Mandalay.

In the morning, transfer to jetty for boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun, site of a brick pagoda towering about 11 km (one hour each way) upriver from Mandalay, and home to the world's largest intact bell. The boat tripis interesting because you see all types of wooden boats and bamboo rafts, carrying goods up and down the river. Visit the Mingun Bell, weighing 87 tons and being the world's largest intactHsinbyume Paya Pagoda in Mingun (Mandalay) - Myanmar bronze bell, the beautiful Hsinbyume Paya (also known as Myatheintan Pagoda) and the unfinished Mingun Paya (built with the intention of being the world's biggest pagoda). Sail back to Mandalay.

Afternoon sightseeing includes a visit to Zegyo market (if open) and some of Mandalay's cottage industries, such as weaving and tapestry making, Burmese candy making, Bamboo fan making near Eindaw Yar pagoda. Before the sunset, you should arrive at Shwe Kyin Monastery to observe the very interesting scene of how the student monks start their evening prayers.

Overnight in Mandalay.

This morning, transfer to the banks of the Ayeyarwady River to catch the express boat to Bagan. The River is difficult to navigate because of constantly moving sandbanks and, particularly between December and March, the ferry may move very slowly. The trip normally takes a full day.

The scenery along the Ayeyarwady is timeless – oxen working the fields, water buffalo wallowing in the mud, golden pagoda spires, fishermen, villagers bathing in the river and, of course, every type of boat and river craft that you can imagine. Arrive in Bagan, transfer to Hotel.

Overnight in Bagan.

Remark: The boat does not operate daily due to the lack of passengers. Alternative is to fly to Bagan. The supplement will advise case by case

Full day Bagan’s sightseeing tour, starting with a busy local market and continuing with visits to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples such as Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century, Ku Byauk Gyi, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scenes and Riding Balloon in Bagan - MyanmarAnanda Temple with four huge standing-Buddha images and numerous seated figures arranged around the interior gallery. We then visit to a lacquer craftsman's workshop in nearby Myinkaba village. Sightseeing continues with visits toManuha Temple, built in Mon style in 1059, Nanbaya Temple, a unique sandstone monument that is said to have been the palace of King Manuha, andMyingabaGu Byaukgyi Temple (under the protection of UNESCO), noted for its ancient mural paintings. Observe a sunset in the vicinity of Bagan's ancient monuments.

Overnight in Bagan.

Transfer to Mandalay Airport for domestic flight to Heho. Transfer from Heho airport down into the valley to Nyaungshwe on the edge of Inle Lake and board your own local boat to take you to your hotel.

In the afternoon, we enjoy another boat tour to Indaing, at the western end of the Lake. The boat takes you through a long channel where you watch the farmers cultivate their produce. This ride is one of the most scenic boat tours on Lake Inle. To visit the temple Complex, follow a stair path lined up with magnificent columns to the top. Return to the boat jetty with a leisurely ‘nature walk’.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

This morning, explore one of the 5-day markets (on market day only). By visiting 5-day markets, clients will get insight into the life-style of the ethnic Pa-O, Danu and Intha inhabitants who came to these markets to sell their goods.Enjoy boat trip on Inle Lake – a photographer's dream, its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic high hills provide the perfect backdrop.  See the lake's unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar.

Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State. See traditional handicrafts - silk weaving on wooden handlooms and ablacksmith shop.  Pass endless floating gardens, where fruit and vegetables are grown.Continue by boat to visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries on the lake. One can see ancient Buddha statues which are more than 200 years old.Inle Lake in Shan State - Myanmar

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Transfer by boat to Nyaung Shwe and then proceed to Heho Airport (25 km - 1 hour). Return domestic flight to Yangon and transfer to hotel. Balance of the day at leisure to pursue individual interests. The tour guide and car remain at the clients’ disposal for further sightseeing or shopping.

Overnight in Yangon.

Transfer to Yangon International Airport for your onward flight.

*** End of Services***

* INCLUDING: 

All sightseeing tour and transfer services with private air conditioned car/coach as detailed in our itinerary

Accommodation with breakfast at hotels as specified

Meals as specified in the itinerary

All entrance fees for the places as mentioned in the program

Transfers and tours with English-speaking guide

Boat trips as specified

Service charges, room tax and baggage handling

* EXCLUDING: 

Services not mentioned in our itinerary

All domestic airfares (Yangon-Mandalay, Bagan-Heho-Yangon) as mentioned in the program

Meals other than those specified in the itinerary

Visa fees

International airport departure tax of US$ 10.00 per personInternational flight tickets to/from Yangon

Expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, tips, souvenirs, laundry, etc

Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness)

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