'Exclusive Travel Experience with Myanmar Tourism Services'

Tour Duration : 16 days / 15 nights
Route                : Yangon – Mandalay – Amarapura – Ava –
                              Mandalay – Mingun –  Mandalay – Sagaing –
                              Monywa –   Bagan   – Mt.Popa – Bagan – 
                              Heho– Pindaya – Inle – Heho – Thandwe –
                              Ngapali Beach -   Yangon
Vacation Type : Tour and Leisure

This program is specially designed for you to visit around Myanmar for its main tourist destinations. Start from Yangon – the garden city and the main gate way to Myanmar to Mandalay – the culture canter and its environs, Amarapura – city of immortality, Sagaing – the Best Place of Meditation and Mingun - home to the world biggest ringing bell. And Monywa – highly famous for its caves namely Po win Taung & Shwe Ba Taung and Bagan – the richest archeological sights in Asia. The villages near Bagan are really interesting and where you can find the making process of an old noodle cottage, betel shops, barber shop (if you wish to, you can try it) and way of local people daily life.

 Pindaya - a cozy town and famous for its Shan paper parasol and Inle – the tranquil lake of the leg rowers and Ngapali Beach - It is only conjectural that it is named after the Naples of Italy or a local fish. But one thing sure is that the beach is really beautiful with unspoiled setting, crystal and blue sea, snow-white sand and gradual slope, among other things. You will find the local peoples and landscape beyond your imagination.

Charter boat from Mandalay to Mingun and Pakokku – Bagan are made of wood and traditionally built. It is pleasant, interesting trip with plenty to see along the way – fishing villages, bullock carts, corn fields, market boats, and people doing their washing.

The majority of overland in Myanmar is bumpy and not so good. However, our skillful drivers and experienced guides will take you along the way not to inconvenience and we may stop in several places for shooting the photos or knowing the people.

Transportation between each destination by domestic flight on Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways or Air Bagan (F-100 or ATR-72/42) can be done throughout the year except to Ngapali which is operated from October to May.

Detailed Tour Program
 

Day 01: Arrival Yangon
Arrive Yangon international airport, welcome by tour guide. Transfer to the hotel for check in. Visit Chauk Htatt Kyi (the six storied in meaning but actually the huge reclining Buddha Image, Sule (the eight sided stupa located at the center of Yangon, the Independent Monument. Visit Shwedagon Pagoda, famous worldwide – its golden stupa is the ‘ Heart ’ of Buddhism 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. And overnight stay at hotel in Yangon.

Day 02: Yangon Mandalay Amarapura Inwa Mandalay (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Yangon International airport for flight to Mandalay. Mandalay, the commercial centre and cultural tourism site, was established in 1857 by King Mindon, Arrive at Tada Oo International airport and direct sightseeing to the ancient city of Amarapura. Visit to Mahagundayone Monastery to study the daily life of the monks observing Buddha scriptures, U Bein Wooden Bridge (1.2km long) across Taung Tha Man Lake. Proceed to Ava (Inwa). Sightseeing inclusive of Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery , the hand-made workshop industry producing lacquer alms for Monk. Then drive to Mandalay and check in at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Mandalay Mingun Mandalay (B)
After early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the jetty to take a boat trip to Mingun. Visit Mingun Unfinished Pagoda, Mingun Bell, one of the world largest hanging bronze bells and Myatheindan Pagoda. After sightseeing in Mingun, sail back to Mandalay. Afternoon visit Mahamuni Buddha Image, Zegyo Market and some of Mandalay’s cottage industries, such as weaving and tapestry making, Burmese candy making, Bamboo fan making near Eindaw Yar Pagoda, Atumahsi Monastery and Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery), Kuthodaw (Maha Lawkamarazein Pagoda) which is famous as the world largest book of many stone slabs on which is inscribed the whole Buddhist Literature.. Enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill. Overnight stay at hotel in Mandalay.

Day 04: Mandalay Sagaing Monywa (B)
After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to Monywa. On the way, a visit to Sagaing Hills (21km south-east of Mandalay) and western bank of the Ayeyarwaddy river, Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda which is the copy of Mahaceti Pagoda in Siri Lanka. Tour continues to Monywa located in the Valley of Chindwin River and a pleasant destination for the visitors. Sightseeing inclusive of Thanbode where a half million of Buddha images exits. Bode Tahtaung where a thousand of Bo trees or Banyan trees and a 300 foot long reclining Buddha image would be visited. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Monywa Powin Taung Monywa (B)
After breakfast at hotel, cross Chindwin River and drive to Hpo Win Taung and Shwe Ba Taung by local pick-up taxis. The caves contain Buddhist statues, wood carvings and murals dating to 17th and 18th centuries. Return to Monywa and overnight.

Day 06: Monywa Pakokku Bagan (B)
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Pakokku – famous for cotton blanket. Visit local market, weaving industry, peanut snacks making cottage. And then transfer to the jetty cruise by charter private to Bagan situated in Central Myanmar, on the east bank of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. Arrive at Bagan in the evening. Overnight stay at hotel in Bagan.

Day 07: Bagan   (B)
Option: Balloon Over Bagan (BOB)
It is a unique opportunity to see the Bagan with ‘BALLOONS OVER BAGAN’. You get a magnificent birds-eye view of thousand year-old pagodas, temples and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River as it has never been seen before. The balloon is guided by gentle winds not exceeding 24 km/h. Eight/Six passengers plus a pilot fit into the balloon’s basket. The champagne flights at sunrise last just under an hour and take off daily from October through March. Price is US $ 250 / pax. Due to the limited capacity, advance bookings at an early stage are highly recommended.

After breakfast, start whole day sightseeing of Bagan’s most important temples and pagodas ranging from the temples with the earliest wall paintings to the prototype pagada the influenced the designs of later Buddhist monuments. Tour highlights include colorful Nyaung Oo Market, and Shwezigon Pagoda – built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine, then go to Ananda Temple – King Kyansittha’s masterpiece and the crowning achievement of the early style temple of architecture, next is Thatbyinnyu Temple – the highest building on the Bagan plain, after that visit to Htilominlo Temple – the largest temple of Bagn – noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. In the afternoon observe the process of traditional lacquer ware, one of Myanmar’s best known handicrafts and a specialty of Bagan. Then visit Manuha Temple, Myingabar Gubyaugyi Temple – an early period Pyu-style temple of Hindu influence with some of the oldest mutual paintings in Bagan and Dhamanyangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. Lastly watch sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River from Buphaya or Shwesandaw Pagoda. Overnight at hotel in Bagan.

Day 08: Bagan    Salay    Mt. Popa  Bagan (B)
After breakfast, drive to Salay (famous for its ancient monastery). Then drive to Mt. Popa where a house for Myanmar spirits. On the way you can observe toddy farm and ways of making Toddy Candy. Return to Bagan. Afternoon visit Bagan for the rests of the famous pagoda. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Bagan Heho   Pindaya Inle (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to leave for Heho. Arrive at Heho Airport and drive to Pindaya (65 km). Sightseeing inclusive of Pindaya Cave with thousands of Buddha Images placed there by pilgrims over many centuries and Umbrella workshop which is made from pulp, stroll underneath the old Banyan trees which are said over 200 years. Take fresh breath and photos. Drive to Nyaung Shwe and transfer to hotel by boat to Inle Lake. Being located at the 900 meters above sea level, Inle Lake is the second largest natural lake in Myanmar with hazy blue mountains as backdrop. Overnight stay at hotel in Inle.

Day 10: Inle Indein Inle(B)
After breakfast at the hotel, sightseeing by foot around the Botaloke Lake and local market. After lunch, visit Indein Village, located at the western side of the lake. Passing Nyaung Ohak Monastery and follow a stair path lined up with many hundreds o wooden columns, you finally will reach the impressive Shwe Indein Pagoda Complex. From the hillside you have great view over the lake area. On the way back to the boat, walk through a romantic bamboo forest at the riverside, where you may observe local people having a bath. Overnight in Inle lake region.

Day 11: Inle (B)
In the early morning, breakfast at hotel and visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, the most famous pagoda of the Shan State. Ywa-Ma village, gold and sliver smiths’ workshop. After lunch, visit Jumping Cat Monastery and floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and the famous leg rowers. In the evening, enjoy the sunset while visiting the Inle Lake by boat. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Inle Heho Thandwe Ngapali (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the Heho Airport and flight to Thandwe. Transfer to the beach by shuttle bus. Leisure at beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 & Day 14: Ngapali Beach (B)
Breakfast at hotel. You can visit the near by fishing villages, where you can find the fishermen begin setting and drawing drift nets before dawn and continue into the late morning, when they load their catches in baskets. Women carry the baskets of fish on foot, and then return with lunch for the men. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15: Ngapali Thandwe Yangon (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport by shuttle bus and flight back to Yangon. On the way to the hotel, visit Kabar Aye (the World Peace pagoda) and Maha Pasana (the great cave for Buddhist synod) and check in at the hotel. After lunch shopping at Bogyoke Market (Scott’s Market) of hundreds of shops where you can find local products such as Gems & Jewelry , slippers, cloth, and so on. Evening stroll along the China Town and study the ways of living of Yangon citizens (which can observe the tradition and modern costume). Overnight stay at hotel in Yangon.

Day 16: Departure Yangon (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Leisure till the flight time. Transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight to conclude this unique experience.