Extension From Mandalay

GTM-(16) YANGON-PYAY-BAGAN-MONYWA-MANDALAY
INLE LAKE-KALAW-TAUNGOO-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-Pyay

Breakfast. Depart from Yangon, early morning and set out for Pyi (Prome) (approx 5:30 hours), along one of the best roads in Myanmar. An optional visit is included at the British War Cemetery near Htauk Kyan. Just short of Pyi, visit Shwemyetmhan Pagoda which is home to a most unusual Buddha image-one who wears gold-rimmed spectacles. Arrive in Pyi in time for this afternoon; visit the busy central market, a cheroot making factory and Shwesandaw Pagoda. This 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 in Pyay.  

Day (03) Pyay-Bagan

Breakfast. Early morning depart for the long drive to Bagan (approx 9 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. Overnight in Bagan. 

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Day (04) 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 (05) Bagan-Monywa

Breakfast. Leave Bagan in the early morning and take a local ferry across the Ayeyarwady River. Once on the other side, drive to Pakkoku, and un-spolied small town famous as a tobacco trading centre and for its weaving shops. Continue from Pakkoku to Monywa (approx 3 hours). On the way you can visit a sandstone cave system in the Po Win Hills, named after a famous 'zawgyi' (alchemist) who once lived here. The Caves of Po Win Daug, numbering more than one hundred, is full of Buddhist statues and murals most exhibit the Innwa style but some may date from the 14^th Century. Nearby, visit Shwe Ba Daung, which features unique pavilions cut from the surrounding sandstone and filled with Buddha images. Continue from the caves to catch ferry across the Chindwin River to Monywa. Monywa is typical Myanmar town located on the bank of the Chindwin River. Overnight in Monywa. 

Day (06) Monywa sightseeing

After breakfast Monywa sightseeing start visit Thanbottay Pagoda, unique in all of Myanmar, beautifully decorated with the most beautiful stueeo work in the country. Thanbottay also is unique for it's more than 580,000 Buddha images covering every wall and archway and Boddhitataung Pagoda with a grove of banyan trees each with a Buddha at its foot. Continue visit cotton blanket weavers, and the traditional lacquer were workers at Kyaukka village. Sunset from Alantayar Pagoda, sight of the largest reclining Buddha image in all of South East Asia, over 600 feet in length. Overnight in Monywa. 

Day (07) Monywa-Sagaing-AVA-Mandalay

Breakfast. Early morning visit of the local market. Later, drive to Sagaing (approx 3:30 hours) visit picturesque Sagaing Hill, where hillsides are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. This is perhaps the living center of Buddhist faith in Myanmar today. Continue to Kaungmudaw Pagoda, which is painted white and has a huge egg-shaped dome in Ceylonese style. From Sagaing, drive across Ava Bridge (built by British engineers) to, take the local ferry to visit Innwa (Ava), located on and 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 Oak Kyaung). Continue to Nanmyint Watch Tower the climb to the top offers lovely views over the river. See also local handicrafts, such as silk weaving, cane maps and alms bowls. . On the way back to Mandalay, stop at U Bein Bridge (wooden teak bridge) and enjoy the sunset. Return to Mandalay in the early evening. Overnight in Mandalay. 

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Day (08) Mandalay-Mingun-Mandalay

Breakfast. Morning boat trip to Mingun, site of a brick pagoda towering 50 metres above the Ayeyarwdy River, and home to the world's largest intact bell. The boat trip is interesting because you see all types of wooden boats and bamboo rafts, carrying goods up and down the river. In the afternoon, Mandalay. Sightseeing tour with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, home to Mandalay's holiest Buddha statue. Stop to see stone carving and to see gold leaf being beaten into wafer thin pieces. 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 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. Accommodation at Mandalay. 

Day (09) Mandalay-Pindaya-Inle Lake

Breakfast. Early morning drive through from Mandalay to Pindaya (approx 5 hours) 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 4 hours). 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. Overnight in Inle Lake.

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Day (11) Inle Lake-Kalaw

Breakfast. Leave your hotel and then drive down the Kalaw (approx 1:30 hours), the road is very bumpy but the scenery is interesting either a packed. Late afternoon, arrive in Kalaw, which was formerly a British Hill Station. Overnight in Kalaw.

Day (12) Kalaw-Taungoo

Breakfast. Start your trip drive through main land in Myanmar to Taungoo (appose 8 hours). The road is very bumpy but the scenery is interesting – endless paddy fields in the morning and rolling hills in the afternoon, as the road climbs into the mountains of southern Shan State. Late afternoon, arrive at Taungoo. Overnight in Taungoo.

Day (13) Taungoo-Bago-Yangon

Breakfast. Early morning, drive out of Taungoo to the ancient capital of Bago (Pegu), about 5 hours. 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. Just outside Bago, visit Kyaikpun Pagoda with four 30-meter high Buddha figures seated back to back. From Bago, drive through seemingly endless paddy fields to the small town of Yangon (approx 1:30 hours). Late afternoon arrive at Yangon, overnight in there. 

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