GTM-(11) YANGON-MANDALAY-BAGAN-KALAW-INLE LAKE-YANGON

Day (01) Yangon Arrival

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport welcome by our local tour guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, drive through the colonial style buildings downtown, the Chinatown area and the Indian quarter. Visit Sule Pagoda with its golden chedi which makes a useful landmark in downtown Yangon. Continue to Botahtaung Pagoda, located close to Yangon River and said to contain Buddha relics. Stop alongside Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake to take photographs over the lake towards Shwedagon. Enjoy the sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda; famous world wide – its golden stupa is the ‘heart’ of Buddhist 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. There are always many Myanmar people praying and making offerings at Shwedagon, and it’s a fascinating place to spend time watching the go by. Overnight at Yangon.

Day (02) Yangon city tour (by coach)

Breakfast. This morning, visit Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda to see a huge reclining Buddha image. Continue to the newly renovated National Museum (if open) and see the Lion’s Throne. A stop at Bogyoke (Scott) Market (closed on Mondays and Public Holidays) gives you the opportunity to see Myanmar’s wide range of handicrafts. This afternoon, visit Yangon’s unique Glass Factory, which has changed very little over the years. See skilled craftsmen hand-blowing glass and creating original glassware which is sold to hotels and restaurants all over Myanmar. Drive through the colonial style buildings downtown, the Chinatown area and the Indian quarter. Later, take a walk along Yangon River to see the busy harbour area, from where ferries leave for Pathein in the Delta and for upcountry towns along the Ayeyarwady River. Accommodation at Yangon.

Day (03) Yangon-Mandalay (by flight)-Amarapura-Sagaing-Ava-Mandalay (by coach)

Breakfast. Transfer to Yangon Airport. Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways or Air Bagan flight from Yangon to Mandalay (approx 1:25 hours). Mandalay is the last kingdom as well as the center of the Myanmar cultural, tradition, arts and crafts. Upon arrival at Mandalay Airport proceed directly to Amarapura. Visit Mahagandayon, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study. A full day of sightseeing starts with a visit to the ancient city of Amarapura and to nearby U Bein Bridge, which is over a kilometer long and made entirely of teak. Continue across Ava Bridge, built by British engineers, to visit picturesque Sagaing Hill which is perhaps the living centre of Buddhist faith n Myanmar today. Hillsides are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. In the afternoon, visit Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, with its huge egg-shaped dome in Ceylonese style. Later, return across Ava Bridge to take the local ferry to visit Innwa (Ava), located on an island between the Ayeyarwaddy and the Myitnge Rivers. You will visit Innwa by horse carts and pass through the ancient city walls to visit a brick and stucco monastery called Maha Aungmye Bonzan (also known as Ok Kyaung). Continue to Nanmyin Watch Tower – the climb to the top offers lovely views over the river. See also the impressive wooden monastery of Bagaya Kyaung. Time permitting; visit some village homes to see local handicrafts, such as silk weaving, cane mats and alms bowls. Return to Mandalay in the early evening. Accommodation at Mandalay.

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Day (04) Mandalay-Mingun (by boat)-Mandalay

Breakfast. Boat excursion (one hour each way) up the Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun, site of the world’s largest intact bronze bell, 3.7 meters high and weighing 87 tons, Also visit the huge but unfinished Mingun Paya (built with the intention of being the world’s biggest pagoda) and the beautiful Hsinbyume Paya. After proceed on a comprehensive sightseeing tour of the city that includes Mahamuni Pagoda and its spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layers of gold leaves, Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung or Golden Palace Monastery), a superb example of a traditional wooden building and Kuthodaw Pagoda (known as the world’s largest book), consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. A visit is also made to a jetty to observe daily life along the river and to a craftsman’s workshop to see Kalaga tapestries being created. Enjoy spectacular views at sunset from Mandalay Hill, where there are interesting glass-studded temples. Accommodation at Mandalay.

Day (05) Mandalay-Pyin Oo Lwin-Mandalay (by coach)

Breakfast. Overland to Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo), 1905 meter above sea (approx 2 hours). Maymyo is famous for its climate weather, used to be a popular hill station of the British during colonial days in Myanmar. Maymyo impresses with its many churches, colonial styled buildings with English style gables, turrets and chimneys etc and horse-drawn royal carriages. Enjoy lunch at Local Restaurant. While you are in this unique hill station visit Botanical Garden of 432 acres (laid out by Sir Harcourt Butler, former Governor of Burma) to study a conservation of diverse botanical species around the world. Visit enchanting Maymyo Market with colorful ethnic minority with their multicolor flowers and vegetables. Late afternoon return to Mandalay and accommodation at Mandalay.

Day (06) Mandalay-Bagan (by river boat)

Breakfast. You will have a day cruise along the Myanmar life span majestic Ayeyarwady River to Bagan (approx 13 hours).  Bagan, the 10th century archaeological site is considered one of the richest and most amazing site in Asia, comparable to the sites of worldwide importance such as Jerusalem, and Rome, Bagan remain virtually un-known. Among Bagan’s more than 13,000 temples once stood there are some 2,200 remain today. Some were destroyed by invaders, others by earth quake and decay but internationally funded restoration is under way and major temples are in excellent condition. If time permit you will have an enjoyable sunset in the archaeological ruin, otherwise just transfer to your hotel. Accommodation at Bagan.

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Day (07) Bagan archaeological tour (by coach)

Breakfast. Start your full day Bagan Sightseeing tour includes a visit to Nyaung-U Market with a visit to see the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda, which is Bagan’s most important reliquary shrine – look out for images of the 37 ‘nats’ housed in a small hall. See 12th Century frescoes adorning the corridors of Kyansittha ‘Cave’ Temple. Next stop is Htilominlo, the last Bamar style temple built in Bagan, with old murals and friezes. Pass through Tharaba Gateway into Old Bagan. Continue to Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddhas, and the adjacent brick monastery from the Early Bagan era with well-preserved murals. Make photo stop at the tallest temple measuring 61 metres – Thatbyinnyu known as ‘temple of omniscience’ and dating from 1144. Check into your hotel late morning. In the afternoon, visit Mingalazedi, the last of the large Pagodas built in the 13th Century, representing the pinnacle of Bamar pagoda architecture. Continue to the Myinkaba area and Gubyaukgyi Temple, with its fine stucco work. Visit Nanpaya Temple, built in the Mon style with intricate stone carvings, and said once to have been Manuha’s residence. See the four Buddha images in Manuha Pagoda and then stop at Myazedi Stuppa to see Myanmar’s “Rosetta Stone”, bearing inscriptions written in four languages. Stop at Lacquer ware factory to watch craftsmen skillfully making this most famous of Bagan handicrafts. At sunset, climb to the top of one of the monuments to enjoy magnificent views over Bagan’s temples and the Ayeyarwady River. Accommodation at Bagan

Day (08) Bagan-Mt. Popa-Kalaw (by coach)

Breakfast. Drive to Mt. Popa (approx 2hours), an extinct volcano with its shrine dedicated to animist spirits, known as “Nats”. For the energetic, time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the hill. For less energetic may blend your self with local pilgrimage with their festivities at the bottom. Leisurely drive to Kalaw (approx 6 hours) through twisting and turning hilly drive through Shan plateau. Kalaw is formers British hills station town, cool, spring-like weather, pine forests, tea plantations and colorfully clad hill tribes make this town to a natural magnet for tourists.  Accommodation at Kalaw.

Day (09) Kalaw-Pindaya-Inle Lake (by coach/boat)

Breakfast. Observe Kalaw ethnic market. Drive to Pindaya (approx 1:30hours) an interesting drive up into the hills and across the Shan Plateau, through fields of mountain rice. Visit magnificent Pindaya Caves, set in a limestone ridge overlooking a picturesque lake, where thousands of different types of Buddha images are on display in the various cave chambers. Visit some local houses where families produce Shan paper and parasols. You may have opportunity for a social interaction with ethnic farmers along the way. Proceed to Inle Lake (approx 4hours). If time permits you may visit Joss house of ruling Shan Sawbwa who was the first president at Myanmar independent. Accommodation at Inle Lake.

Day (10) Inle Lake private excursion (by boat)

Breakfast. Full day boat trip on Inle Lake – a photographer’s dream, its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic high hills provide the perfect backdrop. See the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. You will see the floating gardens, growing vegetables and flowers. Continue by boat to visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, famous for its “jumping cats”. Stop to see silk weaving on wooden handlooms. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State. Stop at a blacksmith shop and other places as time allows this afternoon, we enjoy another boat tour to Indaing, at the western end of the Lake. The boat takes you through a long channel where you watch the farmers cultivate their produce. This ride is one of the most scenic boat tours on Lake Inle. Accommodation at Inle Lake.

Day (11) Inle Lake-Heho-Yangon (by flight)

Breakfast. This morning, leave your hotel by boat and drive down to Heho Airport. Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways or Air Bagan flight from Heho to Yangon. Arriving at Yangon Airport and transfer to hotel. Afternoon car & guide at disposal to further explore Yangon. Accommodation at Yangon.

Day (12) Yangon Departure

Breakfast. Travelers having arrived mid-day on Day 1 will transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure. For those having arrived in the afternoon, a morning of sightseeing will include city highlight as shown on Day 1 of the itinerary, then transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure.

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~~~ Sightseeing ~~~
 

Yangon
 

Mandalay
 

Bagan

Inle Lake

Taunggyi
 

Mrauk U

Kyaikhityo