GTM-(15) YANGON-GOLDEN ROCK-TAUNGOO-INLE LAKE-MANDALY-BAGAN-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. Accommodation at Yangon.

Day (02) Yangon-Bago-Golden Rock

Breakfast. Early morning, drive out of Yangon to the ancient capital of Bago (Pegu), about 2 hours drive north drive east of Yangon. Just outside Bago, visit Kyaikpun Pagoda with four 30-meter high Buddha figures seated back to back. On arrival Bago, 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. From Bago, drive through seemingly endless paddy fields to the small town of Kyaikto (approx 3 hours) and on to the 'base camp' of Kinpun. In the afternoon, take a truck up a bumpy track about half way up the mountain. From here, walk up the path which climbs steeply to the legendary 'Golden Rock'. (The climb takes around 1 hour and those unwilling, or not fit enough to walk can hire four porters to carry them in seadan chair). The climb offers magnificent views over the surrounding countryside and the opportunity to make friends with the many local people who make the pilgrimage to Kyaiktiyo. The incredible 'Golden Rock' sits precariously on top of the mountaing, and is said to balance thanks to a precisely placed hair of Buddha. Weather permitting, sunset views from Mount Kyaiktiyo are amazing. Overnight in Golden Rock.

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Day (03) Golden Rock-Taungoo

Breakfast. Early risers may enjoy returning to the Golden Rock; to watch the sunrise. After then, walk down the mountain and return by truck to your car or alternatively walk all the way down to the base camp at Kinpun. Drive continues to Taungoo (approx 8 hours) seeing the country sides. At the evening arrive at Taungoo, Overnight in Taungoo.

Day (04) Taungoo-Inle Lake

Breakfast. Start your trip drive through main land in Myanmar to Inle Lake (approx 10 hours). Drive up through pine-clad hills to Taunggyi, capitial of Southern Shan State and a former British hill station. Visit the small hill tribe museum, a cheroot factory and drive to the top of the hills for views over the city and surrounding countryside. Late afternoon, drive to Nyaungshwe on the edge of Inle Lake. Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day (05) Inle Lake 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 (06) Inle Lake – Pindaya – Mandalay

Breakfast. This morning, leave your hotel by boat and drive to Pindaya (approx 4 hours), an interesting drive up into the hills and across the Shan Plateau, through fields of mountain rice. Visit magnificent Pindaya Caves, [appose 3 hours] 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. And then continue drive up to main road of Myanmar to Mandalay (appoxe 6 hours). In the afternoon arriving at Mandalay, sightseeing tour with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, home to Mandalay's holiest Buddha statue. Visit Shwenandaw Monastery, and ancient wooden building with intricate carvings, which was once King Mindon's home. Continue to see the 'world's largest book', being the Buddhist Scriptures inscribed on marble slabs, at Kuthodaw Pagoda. Visit Kyaukdawgyi Pagoda to see a large Buddha a large Buddha statue carved out of a single block of local marble. Enjoy spectacular views at sunset from Mandalay Hill, where there are interesting glass-studded temples. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day (07) Mandalay-Amarapura-Sagaing-Ava-Mandalay (by coach)

Breakfast. This morning 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. Enjoy lunch at Local Restaurant. 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 (08) 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 seeing enjoy the sunset along the Ayeyarwaddy River on the boat. Late evening return to Mandalay, accommodation at Mandalay. 

Day (09) Mandalay-Mt. Popa-Bagan

Breakfast. Drive to Mt. Popa (approx 8 hours), 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.  Proceed 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 (10) Bagan sightseeing

Breakfast. Start your full day Bagan Sightseeing tour 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 12^th 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 the Archaelolgical Museum (if open). Continue to Dhammayangyi, a massive-looking temple dating from 1170 that is famous for its interlocking mortarless brickwork. Next, visit Mingalazedi, the last of the large Pagodas built in the 13^th Century, representing the pinnacle of Bamar pagoda architecture. Late afternoon, 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. Overnight in Bagan.

Day (11) Bagan sightseeing

Breakfast. This morning starts with a visit Sulamani, one of Bagan's great two-storied Bamar style temples, which has 4 seated Buddha images. Continue to Lemyethma Temple, topped by an Indian-style spire similar to Ananda. Then the three shrines of Payathonzu (if open), which are connected by passage adorned with Mahayanist or Tantric mural painting. Visit Nandamannya Temple with fine frescoes and an unexpectedly erotic mural. Take a break from temples and wander through the village of Minnanthu to see how the local people live. In the afternoon, visit Abeyadana Temple with frescoes representing bodhisattvas and the gods of Indian mythology. Continue to Nanpaya Temple, built in the Mon style with intricate stone carvings, and said once to have been Manuga's residence. See the four Buddha images im Manuha Pagoda and then stop at Myazedi Stupa to see Myanmar's "Rosetta Stone", bearing inscriptions written in four Languages. Lastly, admire the fine stuccowork at Gubyaukgyi Temple (Myinkaba village). In the late afternoon, take a boat on the Ayeyarwady River to see the sunset. Overnight in Bagan.

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Day (12) 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.Accommodation at Pyay. 

Day (13) 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 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. Accommodation at Yangon. 

Day (14) 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