IN DEPTH OF MYANMAR [07 DAYS / 06 NIGHTS]
Yangon – Heho – Inle – Kalaw – Mandalay – Bagan – Mt. Pop – Yangon
Welcome at Yangon International Airport. Meet with our guide, head to hotel for check in and refreshment. [official check in time 14:00].
Yangon, formerly Rangoon - the Garden city of the east, quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage make it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia.
Afternoon visit to Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, a 70-meter-long reclining Buddha, the feet of the Buddha statue is curved with traditional symbols as its center piece to introduce Myanmar’s unique brand of Buddhism.
Then visit Kandawgyi Park and visit Local Tea Shop for a chance to experience a basic part of Burmese life: drinking tea! Enjoy a coffee or tea with variety of snacks while sitting amongst businessmen, friends and families who gather at the tea shop to socialize or conduct business.
Finally visit to Shwedagon Pagoda – one of the wonders of the world and the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. The local believe that it was built 2500 years ago. The 8-sided central stupa is 99-meters tall, gilded with gold leaf, and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. Visit around the massive complex and learn why this temple is so revered among locals.
Then back to hotel and overnight in Yangon.
After early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for the flight to Heho. From Heho, drive to Nyaung Shwe for 01hour, the gateway village to Inle Lake.
Along the way, stop at Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery - the wooden Shan Monastery with beautiful carvings and a collection of Buddha images. Arrival to the jetty of Inle Lake, 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 Inle lake.
After breakfast, drive to Kalaw. On arrival, visit to Kalaw local market and checking to the hotel and refreshment. Then visit a colonial town Kalaw with its hilly train station just south of the town centre, which might as well have been plucked straight out of an English village.
Then visit to the Christ the King Catholic Church and high school, one wall of which sports the curious motto: ‘The Only Way to Have a Thinking School is to be One’. This used to be the British army hospital and is as architecturally pleasing as the church.
Back to downtown and visit the town, have a dinner at local restaurant and back to hotel. Leisure and overnight at hotel in Kalaw.
After breakfast, depart Kalaw for a 4-hour drive to the Royal Mandalay. On arrival Mandalay, check in and refreshment at hotel. Then visit to gold-covered Mahamuni Pagoda, one of the most important pilgrim sites in Myanmar housing the most highly revered Buddha image in the country. After that, visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures (known as the world’s biggest book), Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite woodcarving and the impressive Kyauktawgyi Pagoda with its huge sitting Buddha.
Finish the day with a sunset view over town from Mandalay Hill. Back to hotel and leisure. Overnight in Mandalay.
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 to 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.
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport and fly back to Yangon.
On arrival, 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.
