Historic Myanmar (14 D / 13 N)

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Sittwe. Upon arrival at Sittwe airport, drive to Mrauk U - the last royal capital of Rakhine Kingdom by car for 3 hours (148km)

It is very wonderful to visit Rakhine traditional weaving center and Mahamuni lord Buddha image on the way to Mrauk U. In evening arrive at Mrauk U and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Mrauk U.

After breakfast at hotel, meet with our guide to visit Mrauk U. Visit Mrauk-U local market to see ways of life and, visit Sakyamanaung Pagoda, Ratanamanaung pagoda, the 16th century temple of Koethaung temple known as 90000 Buddha images temple.

After Lunch walk through the maze like the Shithaung temple, known as 80000 Buddha images enshrined, built in 1535 with sand stone, looks like fortress with interior tunnel and stone carving relief, the adjacent Andaw Thein temple and proceed to Htukan Thein Temple and Lay Myat Hnar Pagoda.

Enjoy the sunset from a small hill near Radanabon Pagoda where you can see the very wonderful sunset and back to your hotel. Overnight in Mrauk-U.

After breakfast, meet with our guide and drive to jetty by car for 30 minutes. Then 2:00 hours sailing up by boat along up stream Lay Myo river to Pann Paung village. Visit around the village to discover very wonderful Chin ladies with tattooed faces with very beautiful exciting scorpion web Tattooed pattern and their simple ways of life.

In the afternoon, proceed to Kun Chaung village to discover some more Chin Tattooed ladies. There you will see an amazing beauty of river scene from the village. Return back along down-stream 2:00 hours to Poe Phyu Kyun village and drive back to your hotel.

Overnight in Mrauk U.

After breakfast, drive back to Sittwe for 3 hours. On arrival, check in at hotel and refreshment. Afternoon, visit to U Ray Kyaw Thu Monastery in Sittwe, Lawkarnanda Pagoda, Satkyamuni Buddha Image and enjoy sunset at View Point by the Bay of Bengal.

Then back to hotel and overnight in Sittwe.

Breakfast at hotel and visit local market and fish market in Sittwe.

Then transfer to airport and flight back to Yangon.

On arrival, transfer to hotel and rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Yangon.

Transfer to airport and fly to Bagan. On arrival, we start our journey begins at an elevated viewpoint with spectacular views over the surrounding plains. This is the perfect introduction of Bagan with grandeur and scope of Bagan’s architecture.

Next Visit Shwezigon Pagoda, the glorious golden stupa, Ananda Temple – the masterpiece of Bagan, proceed to Myingaba Gubyaukgyi Temple to observe the best mural paintings of 11th century, nearby visit to Manuha Temple – Huge Buddha Image and Nan Paya Temple- nice Buddha statues and stone work.

After lunch, visit to Dhamayangyi Temple - the biggest temple in Bagan, Sulamani Temple - the 12th century temple the lacquerware workshop – the most Bagan’s famous product. Watch as the skilled craftsmen use techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items. Then take a horse cart along the temples to the viewpoint to enjoy the sunset over the plains. Afterwards, return back to hotel and overnight in Bagan.

After breakfast at hotel, visit colourful local market Nyaung Oo. Then drive 45 minutes to Mt. Popa - an extinct volcano which is believed to be home to ‘Nats’, or ancient Burmese animist spirits.

On the way, observe the life of rural area on the way such as producing the palm sweets. We may stop at several places for making the photos and knowing the countryside. Stepping 777 steps to the top for stunning views of the surrounding countryside Enjoy the panoramic view of extinct volcano and the plain to Bagan and then drive back to Bagan.

Leisure at hotel and in the evening, transfer to jetty and take sunset cruise along mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. Back to hotel and overnight in Bagan.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport and flight to Mandalay. On arrival, drive to Amarapura - an ancient capital of Myanmar, where we can observe the life of over 1000 monks at Mahagandaryon Monastery & silk weaving factory.

The U Bein footbridge stretches almost three-quarters of a mile over Thaungthaman Lake, and is heavily utilized by the local monks in maroon robes who carry alms bowls back and forth to monasteries.

We 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, explore pagodas such as Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae.

Continue to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries and visit by horse carts to Maenu Okkyaung Monastery – built by the chief queen in 1818, Nan Myint Tower – 27-meter high, Bargayar Monastery – well known for its wood carving with 267 teak pillars.

Return toward the city and stop at Amarapura, another former capital. Enjoy the sunset by crossing over U Bein bridge, 200-year-old teak bridge. Back to hotel and leisure. Overnight in Mandalay.

After breakfast, meet with our guide at 08:00 to visit Mingun. Transfer to Jetty and embark on a boat trip up the Ayeyarwaddy River, enjoying the picturesque scenery of this river and the lifestyles of the local people who live and work on these waters.

Visit Mingun Bell which weighs of 90 tons and is more than 3.7 metres tall, the world largest un-cracked bell and unfinished Mingun Pagoda. Walking along the village, crafting traditional basketry and other artistic items and there is plenty of time to stop and interact with the craftsmen and friendly locals and then visit Hsinbyume Pagoda, a white-washed temple built to resemble Mount Meru, one of the main attractions of Mingun.

Then back to Mandalay and visit over to Mahamuni Buddha Temple - the most ancient Buddha image casted in bronze in Myanmar, visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s Biggest Book’. Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace, grand teak building known for its exquisite woodcarving.

After that enjoying the sunset from the Mandalay Hill, enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River. Back to hotel and overnight Mandalay.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport and flight to Heho. Upon arrival Heho airport, drive to Pindaya by enjoying the marvellous landscapes of hilly region with vegetables plantation, terrace landing cultivation, etc. On the way to Pindaya, stop in the junction town of Aung Ban and visit the ‘Wholesale Market.’ – selling the regional produce such as ginger, onions, chilies, potatoes, cabbage and other seasonal vegetables piled high into giant mounds and watch as locals buzz about trading goods.

Upon arrival, visit to the Pindaya Market, a typical rural market selling an array of food and dry goods.

After that, visit to Pindaya Caves to explore this incredible complex, houses of 8094 Buddha Images

Then, transfer to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake, and on to the hotel for a good night’s rest. Overnight in Nyaung Shwe or Inle Lake.

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a private motorboat and head out to Inle Lake by passing villages built over the lake, inhabited by local Intha people.

Observe the famous leg-rowing fishermen and floating gardens, visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda which contains five sacred Buddha images and the lake’s main sanctuary. After lunch, visit to Inpawkhone Village to see the hand weaving loom and a cheroot factory, where traditional Burmese cigars are made by hand. Then transfer to hotel, check in and leisure. Overnight in Nyaung Shwe or Inle Lake.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

Lunch at Inthar House Prepare lunch with a local family. Join a local Inthar family for cooking local dishes, interesting way to learn the traditional flavours and preparation techniques of Burmese cuisine. Then sit on the floor at a round table and have a lunch in local way. Minimum - 2 persons

After breakfast, we will start our tour around 08:00 am. Visit the bustling morning five-day market (the market rotates its location every day in 5-day cycles, daily except on full moon and dark moon days) to explore the local cultural. Villagers from surrounding village tribes come to the market to sell and trade and so, you can see the various tribes in one place.

Then we will forward to the Indein along a small canal. Walking along to explore through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Claim the stairway to the top of the hill to visit picturesque ancient stupas, magnificent views of the lake below from this vantage point.

After enjoying the visit to Indein, back to the boat and continue along the lake for additional sightseeing before returning to the hotel in the afternoon. Then back to hotel, leisure and overnight in Nyaung Shwe or Inle Lake.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport and flight back to Yangon. Transfer to Yangon Railway Station to take the local Circular Train journey to the outskirts of town (20-30 minutes ride), to observe the lively and colorful life of the rural Burmese people.

Disembark to visit Kyi Myin Daing Market where a variety of street vendors sell colorful wares. Enjoy exploring the market and meeting friendly locals before returning by road to Yangon.

After that visit to Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott’s Market) – the major bazaar of Yangon. It is well known for its colonial architecture and inner cobblestone streets, dominated by antique, Burmese handicraft and jewellery shops, art galleries, and clothing stores. (Note: the market is closed on Mondays and public holidays).

Then transfer to International Airport for departure. End of the trip.