6 Days Timeless Charms of Myanmar — Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake

Day 1 | D

Arrive Yangon

Arrive Yangon. Transfer by private vehicle to the hotel and check in if room is available. A mix of colonial architecture, modern high-rises and gilded Buddhist pagodas define its skyline.

After lunch, enjoy the water front of busy Yangon River brief public ferry ride and after a stroll at the Maha Bandoola Park to see colonial-style high court and city hall, head to the lively Indian Town and Chinatown. Explore Bogyoke (Scott) Market to see Myanmar’s wide range of handicrafts and exotic souvenirs.

In the evening, enjoy the sunset to the Great Shwedagone Pagoda built the most prominent monument in Yangon which dominates the sky with golden flash, giant spires and holy relics. Enjoy a Burmese meal for your Welcome Dinner.

Day 2 | D

Yangon — Bagan (By Flight)

Today, we leave from hotel about 4.30am for flight to Bagan. Bagan (Nyaung U) is the seat of the 1st Myanmar Empire founded by King Anawrahta in mid-11 century A.D. Although legends say that there were supposed to be more than four hundred thousand pagodas at Bagan there are now approximately 2000 pagodas situated in an area about 16 miles square and under the care of the Archaeological Department. Many of the pagodas are in ruins but inside these structures beautiful wall paintings are still very much fresh as if painted only yesterday.

Visit Nyaung U Farmer Market and a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples, such as Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; the Wetkyiin Gu Byauk Gyi Temple, as well as the elegant Htilominlo temple, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scenes; the Ananda Temple, with four huge standing Buddha images and Ananda Okkyaung, a small red brick monastery, one of the few received plants is next door from the time of the early Bagan. At the inner walls are designs from that 18. Continue to famous Dhammayangyi Temple, largest of all the temples and the widest temple in Bagan.

In the afternoon, short take a rest at hotel and in the afternoon visit Myinkaba, two km south of Bagan. This village is well known for its lacquerware workshops and has also a number of interesting temples, as Nanphaya Temple, said to have once been the residence of King Manuha and Gu Byauk Gyi Temple, which has very nice frescoes inside. Enjoy your soothing sunset at Shwesandaw Pagoda.

Day 3 | B, L, D

Bagan — Mandalay

Mandalay can always give Myanmar tours’ fans a hint of how the imperial era was like back to the 19th century. In the morning we will fly over Myanmar’s golden land to Mandalay. Morning excursion to Amarapura;11km from Mandalay to visit Mahagandayon Monastery where more than a thousand monks live and study the Buddha scripture. If time permits, you will have the opportunity to observe the monks having their last meal of the day in total silence. Then enjoy walk along and around the world’s longest teak bridge at U Bein Bridge.

In the afternoon, come back to Mandalay and we will visit Shwenandaw Kyaung, a traditional modern monastery with carved panels telling the past-life stories of the Buddha. The friendly monks in the monastery will leave you a lifetime memory for your surprise-full Myanmar tours.

Continue our trip to the world-known Kuthodaw Pagoda, holding the world’s largest book carved Buddhism scriptures on 729 marble slabs. After lunch, we will take a short break and then continue the tour visiting the Mandalay Palace & Fort, which best portrays the golden days of Mandalay Kingdom.

Our last stop will be the Mandalay Hill. Atop the hill, Buddha once prophesied that a grand city, that is Mandalay of present day, would rise in the 2400th year of his faith. Taking in a panoramic view of the whole city, you might find yes sometimes prophecy does come true.

Day 4 | B, L, D

Mandalay — Heho — Pindaya — Inle Lake

After breakfast, morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Heho. Arrival at Heho airport the weather is little cold in order to 3858feet higher of sea level. Our representative will wait you with name board first at the arrival lodge. Our guide and driver will wait at the outside of airport as policy of Heho airport.

Then we drive to Pindaya, which is located 40 km north of Aungban and noted for its extensive limestone caves and picturesque lake. We will be passing through the pa-o and Danu villages of Pwehla endless fields of dry cultivated mountain rice and potato.

After lunch, visit Pindaya Cave thousands of Buddha image placed there by pilgrimages over many centuries and paper making and umbrella making home cottage workshops.

In Pindaya, sightseeing, shopping and you will see the Shan people who own fair and soft skin. After that, proceed to Nyaung Shwe the gate way of Inle Lake about 2 hours. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel by private boat and check-in.

Day 5 | B, L, D

Inle Sightseeing

Inle Lake is often called the “Venice of the East.” Take some time to see the floating gardens and observe the lifestyle of the local people. Watch carefully and you can see boatmen paddle their craft with an oar using their foot. This morning visit a traditional 5 day market. The 5 day market rotates around the villages and towns of Shan State, where several tribal people in their colorful costume come from the nearby villages to sell their indigenous agricultural products. Next sightseeing by charter boat on Inle Lake floating village of Heya Ywama and weaving, Padaung tribes (long neck women) silk weaving village which the highlights are the unique and famous leg– rowering, typical floating hundred colorful market; floating garden and fishing method; Visits to Phaung–daw-Oo pagoda there have houses five small gilded images of Buddha, which have been covered in gold leaf to the point that their original forms cannot be seen; Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, one of the most impressive of the many monasteries on the lake with its 150-200 pillars with elaborate wooden carvings.

After lunch, we continue visit to Inpawkhon weaving village, own fish farm, fisherman net and cheroot making at Pauk Par village. Return to hotel on the way we pass through the Floating gardens of Hydroponic system (especially tomato, others vegetables. Then back to hotel.

Day 6 | B, L, D

Inle Lake — Heho — Yangon

This morning, transfer to Heho for a 1.25hrs flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, visit Chauk Htat Gyi Reclining Buddha is the most well-known Buddhist temple and 66m (217 ft) long and go to downtown and enjoy the walking tour around the area of rich of colonial buildings. Then enjoy your free time until flight out of Myanmar.

Package Includes:

• All accommodation as per itinerary with breakfast
• All meals as per itinerary
• All activities and sightseeing expenses
• Private vehicle with driver
• Domestic flights as per itinerary
• English speaking guide
• Entrance fees

Package Excludes:

• International airfare with taxes and fuel charges
• All beverages
• All personal expenses
• Travel Insurance
• Tips for guide and driver