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Day
01: Arrival Yangon
Arrive at Yangon International airport, transfer to hotel.
Yangon has been the capital of Myanmar since the British
transformed it into their administrative center of future
India. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage
makes Yangon one of the most fascinating capitals of South
East Asia. If time permits visit local glasswork to
observe traditional way of making these hand made local
glassware. Late in the afternoon stroll around hustle and
bustle down town. Overnight in Yangon.
Day
02: Yangon City tour <coach>
Breakfast at hotel. City tour in Yangon features: lively
fish market, Karaweik known to be a royal barge on the
royal lake, Chaukhtatgyi to observe colossal reclining
Buddha Image Botataung Pagoda said to have enshrinement of
Buddha hair relic. Walk around the harbor and a glance at
historic Strand hotel, down town Yangon with its faded
colonial atmosphere and continue visit Shwedagon Pagoda,
claimed to be the world richest golden stupa of two
thousand five hundred years old. The golden dome rises 98
meters above its base and is covered with 60 tons of pure
gold along with numeric precious stones such as jade,
ruby, sapphire and diamond including a 76 carat solid
diamond on its top. Stroll around hustle and bustle Yangon
street evening market. Overnight in Yangon.
Day
03: Yangon - Mandalay - Mingun - Mandalay <flight
/coach>
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for Mandalay
bound flight. Mandalay, the last kingdom as well as the
center of the Myanma cultural, tradition, arts and crafts.
Mandalay has long been known as a center of skilled
craftsmanship and in former times supplied the royal
courts. A four of traditional workshops includes crafts
such as woodcarving, marble masonry, Kalaga tapestry and
gold leaf making etc. Upon arrival at Mandalay proceed to
Kyawzun jetty, observe water buffaloes working with Myanma
superlative teak wood and busy riverside activity. Board
on privately chartered boat for Mingun across Ayeyarwady
river. Visit the home for the poor aged at Mingun. Observe
Mingun bell, the world's largest ringing bell weighing 90
tons. Other tour highlights are Settawya Pagoda with a
marble foot print of Buddha and Pahtodawgyi, an enormous
pile of bricks is all that remain, Shinbume Pagoda built
in 19 century by King Bodawpaya's grandson in memory of
one of his wives. Return to Mandalay and visit royal
palace and the foot of Mandalay hill to observe "the
largest book" at Kuthodaw Pagoda where entire
Buddhist canon recorded on stone tablets totaling 729 in
number. Shwekyaungdaw "golden Monastery" to
observe finest Myanmar wooden architecture, Kyauktawgyi
Pagoda, a large Buddha Image carved out of single block of
marble. Enjoy fantastic view of sunset from the Mandalay
hill. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day
04: Amapura - Sagaing - Ava - Mandalay <coach>
Breakfast at hotel and visit Payagyi to pay homage to the
most revered golden-seated Image at Mahamuni Pagoda.
Observe traditional stone carving, bronze casting works
near by and continue to ancient city of Amapura, meaning
city of immortality, where the country's largest monastery
Mahagandayon is located. Observe the lunch process of
hundreds of Buddhist monks and proceed to Ava, used to be
the capital from 14th to 18th centuries. Observe unique
monasteries and monuments include a look at 88 foot high
watchtower, Bargaya teak monastery which is famous for its
teak pillars amounting to 267 in total and the remains of
the royal palace and fort. Proceed to Sagaing, covered
with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing
hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar
and is home of 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers.
Enjoy fantastic sunset view from the 200 year old U Bein
teak bridge. Return to Mandalay. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day
05: Monywar <coach>
Breakfast at hotel and depart for Monywar <approx 3
hour>. Monywar is a typical Myanmar town located on the
bank of the Chindwin river. Proceed to Phoewintaung site
across Chindwin river. This extraordinary complex consists
of 947 sandstone caves dug out of the rocky hills and
contains what is considered by archaeologists to be the
richest collection of mural paintings and Buddhist statues
in South East Asia. Poewintaung with its unique Buddha
Images and precious frescoes some dating from the early
17th century. Return to Monywar and visit Thanbottay
Pagoda, unique for it's more than 580,000 Buddha images
covering every wall and archway. Return to Mandalay.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Day
06: Mandalay - Bagan <cruise> <except on Wed /
Sun>
Early morning depart for Payagyi to observe the ritual
face washing ceremony of Mahamuni Image. Proceed to jetty
for your Bagan bound cruise along majestic Ayeyarwady
river to Bagan. <Shwekennery usually departs Mandalay
at 06:00 and arrives Bagan between 14:00 and 17:00 depends
on the water level in the river. Bagan, the 10th century
archaeological site is considered one of the most
remarkable sites in Asia. The 230 years when Bagan was the
capital of Myanmar, was marked by a religious fervor and
building frenzy resulting in the thousands of Stupas and
temples many of which are still standing today. Some were
destroyed by invaders, others by earth quake and decay but
many of them are in excellent condition. Upon arrival
transfer to hotel. Overnight in Bagan.
Day
07: Bagan <coach / horse cart>
Breakfast at hotel and tour in the Asia richest
archaeological zone. Tour highlight: Gawdawpalin, one of
the largest and most imposing Monument in Bagan, Anandar
Temple, the best preserved masterpieces of Mon
architecture and near by brick monastery, one of the few
survived from Bagan period, Thabyinnyu, the highest
monument of universal science, Natlyaunhkyaung , the only
surviving of Hindu temple in Bagan where kind Anawratha
used to trap the Nat Idols in attempt to change the
country from animism in to Buddhism, Dhammyangyi, the
temple of evil king for the unique of double Image of
Buddha and Shwesandaw temple for panoramic view of entire
ruin of Bagan. Afternoon visit traditional Lacquer-ware
workshop to observe the process of making unique Myanmar
souvenir. Continue to Mylnkaba Gubyaukkyi, an early period
Pyu style temple with Hindu influence old mural paintings,
Manhua temple where captive king Manuha was imprisonment.
Enjoy sunset view from one of the ruins. Overnight in
Bagan.
Day
08: Bagan - Mt. Popa - Salay - Bagan <coach>
If you are enthusiastic enough you may enjoy the fantastic
sunrise view from one of the ruin. Breakfast at hotel and
visit Htilominlo, temple where frescoes representing 28
Buddha of the future, Wetkyi Inn Gubyaukgyi temple to
observe original 12 century Mural paintings, frescoes and
base-relief works depicting the entire life of the Buddha
and his disciples and Shwezigon Pagoda, prototype of later
Myanmar stupas. After a visit of enchanting Nyaung Oo
market continue to Mt. Popa <approx 1½ hour> an
extinct volcano with its shrine dedicated to animist
spirits, known as ""Nats"". On the way
observe local daily life activities such as toddy palm
juice extracting, sweet ball <brown sugar> making
process and hand drill edible oil production etc. For the
energetic it is time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine
at the top of the hill. Less energetic may blend your self
with local pilgrimage with their festivities at the
bottom. Proceed to Salay <approx 1 hour> along the
Ayeyarwady river bank. Observe spectacular 18th century
wood carving works at museum like Yoke Son monastery and
near by unique 13th century lacquer-ware Buddha Image.
Continue visit a number of other old monasteries and
splendid colonial-style houses. Return to Bagan and
continue visit excavating sites of the royal palace of
Anaratha and Kyansittyha kings. Enjoy the sunset from one
of the ruins. Overnight in Bagan.
Day
09: Bagan - Kalaw <coach>
Breakfast at hotel. Leisurely drive to Kalaw <approx 8
hour> through the mainland observing the dry zone of
Myanmar as well as twisting and turning hilly drive
through Shan plateau. Kalaw is former British hills
station town, cool, spring-like weather, pine forests, tea
plantations and colorfully clad hill tribes make this town
to a natural magnet. Overnight in Kalaw.
During your stay at this region you will come across one
of the enchanting regional 5 day market rotates among the
villages. On these particular days the market usually
crowded with ethnic minorities such as Shan, Palaung, Pa
O, Dahnu etc trading their local product in to other daily
necessities.
Day
10: Kalaw - Pindaya - Inle Lake <coach>
Breakfast at hotel and depart for Pindaya cave, known to
the world as the home of the countless Buddha Images. The
road to Pindaya winds over the rolling hills of the Shan
plateau through colorful mustard and whet field. Explore
around wonder of the mystery cave and near by Po O
traditional paper umbrella making process. Proceed to Inle
Lake <approx 2 hour>. Inle Lake, home to many
migratory birds as well as home to the Inthas <sons of
the lakes>. Arrive at the sleepy village of Nyaungshwe.
the old palace of the last Shan Sawbwa, who was Myanmar's
first president, will bring you back to the times of the
old Burma. Overnight in Nyaungshwe.Overnight at Inle Lake.
Day
11: Inle Lake private excursion <boat>
Traveling on the lake is an exhilarating experience for
nature lovers and a chance to observe the unique
traditions of the Intha people. Breakfast at hotel
and board on a traditional long and tall motorized boat
for a sightseeing tour of the lake. Wonder unique leg
rowing fishermen distinguished strange way propel their
boats using their leg as a fulcrum for the oar, their
homes and monasteries built on piles, crops floating on
the surface of the water and fishing boats gliding
effortlessly to certain catch. Visit one of the local
market scheduled to be held here either in the lake or
around the shore of the lake to day. Continue visit lake's
downtown the floating village of Ywama, where the floating
market is crowed with a small flotilla of boats selling
vegetables, flowers and the occasional handicraft,
Phaungdaw Oo pagoda with five miniature Buddhas, hidden
under gold leaf plastering from pilgrims, the weaving
village of Inpawkhon and the Ngaphechaung, a museum like
monastery where old belongings of many monasteries are
restored. Overnight in Inle Lake.
Day
12: Inle - Heho - Yangon <coach / flight>
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Heho for Yangon bound
flight. Upon arrival continue visit National museum to
observe display of lion throne of King Thibaw, the last
king of Myanmar monarch together with other historical
importance such jewelry, photos of royal palace and opium
weights and inscribed tablets, ornamented court costumes,
royal furniture etc. There is also display of some
extraordinarily intricate example of 19th century wood
carvings. On up stairs you will find archaeological
findings traditional musical instruments and costumes of
ethnic minorities. Continue visit Bogyoke market, a famous
shopping center to enjoy display of Myanmar superlative
handicrafts artifacts. Overnight in Yangon.
Day
13: Departure
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for your onward
departure to conclude this unique experience. |
