GTM-(12) YANGON-TAUNGOO-ELEPHANT CAMP-KALAW-TAUNGGYI-INLE LAKE-MT. POPA-BAGAN-MT. VICTORIA-PYAY-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.

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Day (02) Yangon-Bago-Taungoo

Early morning, drive out of Yangon to the ancient capital of Bago (Pegu), about 2 hours drive north east of Yangon. On arrival Bago, first visit the local market and then go to see Shwemawdaw Pagoda which has a stupa inlaid with diamonds and is Bago's golden landmark. Continue to Shwethalyanung Buddha, which dates from 994 and is revered throughout Myanmar as the most beautiful Reclining Buddha. Take a look at wood carving, and then see Kalyani Sima Ordination Hall. Visit Kyaikpun Pagoda with four 30 metre high Buddha figures seated back to back. An optional visit is included on the way continue to Taungoo (approx 5 hours) through main land in Myanmar. Overnight at Taungoo.

Day (03) Taungoo-Elephant Camp-Taungoo

Breakfast. After depart from Elephant Camp and full day nature study sightseeing. Watch oozies (elephant riders) bathing the elephants in the creek before seting a day's work. You can see treeing in the rain forest following the elephant foot paths. Then oberve the exceptionally strong beasts dragging heavy timbers logs and witness timber cutters felling trees. Afternooon trekking in the forest and watch birds and butteflies and study the forest and its ecosystem. Afterafternon, return to Taungoo. Overnight at the Taungoo.

Day (04) Taungoo-Kalaw

After Breakfast continue drive to Kalaw (approx 7 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. You may have opportunity for a social interaction with ethnic farmers along the wayTravel by car through the Shan State to Kalaw, located within the mountain ranges.  Arrive in the charming small town of Kalaw in the evening. Overnight at Kalaw.

Day (05)   Kalaw-Taunggyi-Inle Lake                     

Breakfast. This morning drive to Taunggyi (approx 3:30 hours). Arrive at Taunggyi, your Taunggyi sightseeing and Taunggyi Market. After conutinue drive down into the valley to Nyaung Shwe on the edge of the famous Inle Lake (approx 3 hourss), the residence of the Intha people and a kind of water world. Then you can take a boat transfer to Inle Lake. Overnight at Inle Lake.

Day (06)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. Overnight at Inle Lake.

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Day (07) Inle Lake-Mt. Popa-Bagan

Breakfast. Along drive to Mt. Popa (approx 8:30 hourss), 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.  After then prossed to Bagan (approx 2 hours), 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.

Day (08) Bagan-Kampalat

Early morning depart by Jeep to kampalat (approx 8 hours) thorugh rough and dirt road pasisng through Chauk, Seikbyu and Saw. You will feel cool and comfortable when reach the 4600 ft high old British administrative town.  Overnight at Kampalat.

Day (09) Kampalat-Mt. Vitoria (Nat Ma Taung)-Base Camp

Continue drive to the base of Mt. Victora (Nat Ma Taung) (approx 2 hours) at elevation of 9800 ft. If desire you may scale to the sumbit at 10,500ft (approx 8 hours). This beautiful park covers a large area with derse jungle, kpine trees at highter levels and oak trees. The national park is an area of great bio-diversity with many rare forms of flora and fauna. Mt. Victoria offers superb views of the surrounding area from the top. Overnight at base camp.

Day (10)    Base camp-Kampalat-Bagan   

Return by Jeep to Kampalat and contunue drive to Oak Foe Chin village (approx 10 min). Continue hike to Machauk Aa village (approx 30 min) to observe many tattoo faced women and sacrifical posts etc. Continue drives depat for Bagan (approx 8 hours). Late afternoon, arrive at Bagan; check in at the hotel upon arrival. Leisure and overnight in Bagan.

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Day (11)    Bagan-Pyay 

Breakfast. Depart your hotel early morning for the long drive to Pyay (approx 9 hours). Late Afternoon, arrive in Pyay. After then busy market, a cheroot making factory and Shwesandaw pagoda. This pagoda is similar in design to Shwezigon in Bagan, and is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage spots in Myanmar. An enormous seated Buddha figure rises up from the tree line adjacent to Shwesandaw. Overnight at Pyay.

Day (12)    Pyay-Yangon

Breakfast. Depart Pyay early morning and set out for Yangon (approx 5:30 hours), along one of the best roads in Myanmar. On the way, this afternoon visit the Shwemyetmhan Pagoda which is home to most unusual Buddha image-one who wears gold-rimmed spectacles.An optional visit is included at the British War Cemetry near Ktauk Kyan.Late afternoon arrive at Yangon. Walk through the colonial style buildings downtown. Visit Sule Pagoda with its golden chedi, which makes a useful landmark in downtown Yangon. Leisure and overnight at Yangon.

Day (13)    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