Yandabo Home [18 Days / 17 Nights]

Meet the guide at 8:00 and depart for an excursion around Mandalay to explore the former capitals of Ava, Sagaing and Amarapura. 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 boat back to Mandalay, visit Mahamuni Buddha Image- one of the most sacred Buddha Images in Myanmar. Then visit marble workshop and wood carving, visit to the Shwe Nandaw Kyaung- or Golden Palace Monastery- which is noted for its intricate wood carvings and Kyauktawgyi Pagoda to view the huge marble Buddha. Enjoy the sunset on top of Mandalay Hill and enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River. Back to hotel and overnight Mandalay.

After breakfast, we will start our tours at 08:00, heading to Monywa, a typical Burmese town on the banks of the Chindwin River which is 3-hour drive from Mandalay. On arrival at Monywa, check in at hotel and refreshment.

Afternoon, visit to Thanboddhay Pagoda, a huge Buddhist temple covered with more than 500,000 Buddha images. Visit to Boditahtaung Pagoda, which houses the largest reclining Buddha image in Myanmar -100m in length. Then back to hotels, leisure on your own and overnight in Monywa.

This morning the journey continues at 08:00. First, we will proceed to Po Win Taung (approximately 1-hour drive). Visit Po Win Taung Cave - an extraordinary complex consists of 947 sandstone caves dug out of the hills and contains what is considered by archaeologists to be the richest collection of mural paintings and Buddhist statues in Southeast Asia.

TThen visit nearby Shwe Ba Taung to explore interesting site where monasteries and temples are carved out of rocky narrow cliffs. Back to Monywa, refreshment and overnight in Monywa.

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Myinmu (about 1 hour drive) and take express boat to Yandabo Village.

Upon arrival of the village, transfer to the Yandabo Home and refreshment.

Yandabo Home is located in the small pottery village of Yandabo, this hotel offers clients the chance to experience local life up close, yet still stay in comfortable accommodation. Stroll in the authentic typical village and walking among the villages’ houses and chat with the villagers then sit on the river’s shore and be charmed by the colors of sunset. Overnight at Yandabo Home in Yandabo village.

Breakfast at Yandabo Village. Ttravelling by normal small boat to the unique village of Pan Nyo that can be reached in about 15 minutes.

The highlight of Pan Myo village is the presence of what are estimated to be 4,000 buffaloes, and it would be magnificent view of bathing buffaloes, sunrise are walked by their farmers to the fields where they cultivate the greatest variety of vegetables. After visit to the village, back to Yandabo Home, take express boat to Bagan. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel and free. Overnight in Bagan.

Breakfast at hotel. 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.

Visit Shwezigon Pagoda, the glorious golden stupa, visit to Ananda Temple – the masterpiece of Bagan, proceed to Myingaba Gubyaukgyi Temple to observe the best mural paintings of 11th century, nearby visit to Then visit to nearby 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 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.

After breakfast, we will star 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.

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. Visit Ngaphechaung Monastery [which is also known as Jumping Cats Monastery even though the cats are not allowed to jump anymore], 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 at hotel, transfer to airport and flight to Yangon. On arrival, we will start our trip to Golden Rock - one of Myanmar's most important pilgrimage sites.

Drive to Kyaikhto (around 5 hours) and we will take a public open-air truck (for 45 minutes) to the top of Golden Rock. Check in at hotel and refreshment.

After lunch at hotel (on own account), we will visit to Golden Rock, a huge boulder covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. It is. Visit surrounding and leisure on your own. Overnight at hotel in Golden Rock.

After breakfast at hotel, take public truck and back to the base camp. Drive to Hpa An. En-route stop in Thaton and also Bayint Nyi Cave and hot spring lake exist in that cave and Kawgun Cave on the way before reach to Hpa-an.

Kawgun cave is located near Kawgun village, which is two miles distance from Hpa An township. It is a natural lime stone cave and measures 200 fts height and 300 fts length. The rock surface is profusely decorated with different kinds of clay Buddha images and votive tablets. It is a rare cave in the lower Myanmar. According to the style of the Buddha images it can be datable to 15th century A.D. Hanthawaddy period. Upon arrival Hpa-an, check in at hotel. Enjoy the sunset at Shweyinhmyaw pagoda. Overnight in Hpa-an.

Morning transfer to jetty and take private local boat from Hpa-an to Mawlamyine. Thanlwin river is one of the famous rivers in Myanmar and enjoy its beauty.

On the way stop at Kawhnat Kadow Village. Upon arrival jetty, take tuktuk to U Nar Oak Monastery where you will see the best Glass Mosaic decorations and Teak Wooden Buddha Images. The monastery is donated by a Myanmar Well-Known Teak Merchant, U Na Oak because of his patriotic battle in terms of inland water transport business against the then Irrawaddy Floatilla Company in the British times. Walk around the monastery complex, take the pictures of the amazing wood-carvings decorated on the inner walls of the monastic buildings. Sometimes, you will see the European pillar pedestals at some of the buildings. Back to the boat and continue sailing to Mawlamyine. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Mawlamyine.

Drive to Bilu Islands and our first stop will be the slate industry. School kids even nowadays will have an old-fashioned slate board for the first grade to learn the writing of the Burmese Alphabet. Further down the road is a local blacksmith who is sharping the sickle for the rice farmers. The wooden houses are in great shape and an eye catcher. We will reach Ywa Loot Village, which is known for making smoking pipes. Watch the workers manufacturing their pipes in their local homes.

Lunch will be in a clean local restaurant. Other small industries we are going to visit are the rubber band making from leftovers of the rubber industry, the cigar rolling shop and rice paddy cultivation (seasonal).

Then back to Mawlamyine and visit Win Sein Taw Ya forest and we can see the biggest sleeping Buddha in the world, namely, Zinathuka Yan Aung Chantha and visit Kyauktalone Pagoda and to enjoy panoramic view of the city and to enjoy the sunset from Kyaik Thanlan Pagoda. Overnight in Mawlamyine.

Breakfast at hotel. Drive back to Yangon and on the way enjoying landscape along the way. On arrival, transfer to hotel and free. Overnight in Yangon.

Breakfast at hotel and meet with our guide around 08:00. Yangon, formerly Rangoon - the Garden city of the east, quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes 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. After that visit to Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott’s Market) – the major bazaar of Yangon, close on every Monday and public holidays.

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.

Breakfast at hotel and free until departure. Transfer to airport for International Departure. END of the trip.