GTM-(19) YANGON-BAGO-TAUNGOO-INLE LAKE-KYAINGTONG-MANDALAY-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. Overnight at Yangon.

Day (02) Yangon-Bago-Taungoo                                                                   

Breakfast. Early morning, drive out of Yangon to the Ancient Capital of Mon Kingdom, Bago (Pegu), about 80 kilometres northeast of Yangon. On arrival in 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 Shwethalyaung 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 Ordanation Hall. Visit also Mahazedi Pagoda with its impressive bell-shaped stupa. 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 Taungoo (approx 5 hours). Accommodation at Taungoo. 

Day (03) Taungoo-Kalaw-Inle Lake                                                               

Breakfast at hotel, 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 way. If time permits you may visit Joss house of ruling Shan Sawbwa who was the first president at Myanmar independent. Then you can take a boat transfer to Inle Lake. Overnight in Inle Lake. 

^^ 
Top

Day (04) Inle Lake S/S                                                                                  

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.

Day(05)InleLake-Heho-KyaingTong(By flight)   

                                                               
Breakfast at hotel. You can transfer to by boat from Inle Lake to Heho Airport (approx 1:30 hours). Board our morning flight to Kyaingtong (approx 1:15 hours). Arriving at Kyaingtong, airport and transfer to hotel. A short drive through Kyaingtong takes you to Lake Tong, the center of the city. The terrace at the boulevard around the lake is a good place to soak up the atmosphere of Kyaingtong. Accommodation at Kyaingtong. 

Day (06) Kyaing Tong & surroundings                                                                    

 Breakfast. A full day in the countryside at Kyaing Tong. Start with a visit to the Kat Tauk area and visit on Aklha village. The Akha originate from Yunnam ais southern China and live in south-east Shan State, on the borderlands of China, Laos and Thailand. Many Akha are found nera Kyaing Tong where they live in the high mountains, cultivating maize, tobacco and sugar cane. The Akha are famous for their women's striking headdresses which resemble heavy silve helmets. They consist of rows of heavy silver baubles, interspersed with beads, shish are sewn on bamboo cap. Akha embroidery is extremely intricate and includes panels of diamond and geometric saps. The path leads through the village and, although initially steep, changes into a nice walk in the hills (total 1hours walk). Pass through on Ann village The Ann people live their life in relative isolation in quite simple circumstances. Most wear their traditional black costume and paint their teeth black. Continue to another Akha village, where every housewife still wears traditional clothing. Visit one of the typical Akha houses. From here, it is possible to descend a steep path to Pin Tauk Waterfall (approx. 10 minutes - also called the "young men's route') or enjoy a leisurely walk down the hill (approx. 30 minutes). Return down hill and drive to the pin Tauk Lahu village. The village is picturesque but few people wear traditional dress. Drive again in the direction of Kyaing Tong and stop on the way to see him traditional production of Shan rice wine (if in season). Continue to visit Wan Pauk Palaung village which is traditional but very poor. The Palaung originate from Mon-Khmer stock. They mainly live in the mountains northern Shan State and are famous for cultivating tea. Most Palaung are Buddhist. The dress is one of the most colorful of all the hill tribes. Ladies wear dark jackets over dark red and black striped longyis, with heavy silver torques and lacquered waistbands. Also visit a Shan village. The Shan are believed to originate from the Tai peoples and have descended from Yunana (China) to the area now known as Shan State (North East Myanmar, along the Thai border). Other groups descended into the Menam Valley and are now referred to as Thai or Siamese. Even today, the Shan and Thai languages are very similar. Return to Kyaing Tong. Overnight in Kyaing Tong. 

Day (07) Kyaing Tong & surroundings                                                                       

Breakfast. An active day in the hills. The Akha are the largest minority in the Kyaing Tong area and surely the sort colorful. Today's trip starts with a drive outside of Kyaing Tong in the direction of Tackilek (approx. 1 hour). Then drive high into the hills, to the top of Hokyin Mountain. On this mountain are 4 Akha villages, one Bhuddist, oneAnimist, one Katholic and one Christian. Between every village are a valley and the path leads down (approx. 10 minutes) and approx. 15 minutes up the hill. See the animist shrine at the entry of the village. Also see the production of Akha spirit made from corn. The akha are very hospitable and enjoy welcoming you to their house for a chat around the stove. After the 4th village, you can return by car, or enjoy another walk down the hill for approx. 1 hour. The path leads through farms with beautiful views of the surrounding hills. Return in the direction of Kyaing Tong and visit a WA village, where you can still see handmade guns. Return to Kyaing Tong and visit a U Mulein Da's unique Shan lacquer ware shop. This lacquer ware is distinctively different from Bagan lacquer ware is; it is not engraved, but the relief's are glued on. Drive to the top of Lone Tree Hill for views over surrounding countryside and Kyaing Tong. Return to hotel.  Overnight in Kyaingtong.

Day (08) Kyaing Tong - Mandalay (By flight)

Breakfast. A morning to enjoy Kyaing Tong market a fascinating place to soak up some local atmosphere. Many minority people come into town to shop and most wear traditional dress. Of specific interest are the silver shops where a wide variety of silver coins are sold, the "Akha" shops where the Akha women buy the decoration for their headdresses and the various shops with tea and tobacco. Other stops can be made at Wat In - a Khun-style temple and the more" Myanmar" style Maha-Myat Muni temple. Also visit a pottery village and the blacksmith shop. Return at hotel and check out. Transfer from hotel to airport. Fly with Air Mandalat, Air Bagan or Yangon airways to Mandalay (approx 45 minutes), the former capital of Myanmar before the British era. We then transfer to our hotel for a 3 nights stay. Accommodation at Mandalay.

Day (09) Mandalay-Mingun-Mandalay                   

Breakfast. Morning boat trip to Mingun, site of a brick pagoda towering 50 meters above the Ayeyarwaddy River, and home to the word's largest intact bell. The boat trip is interesting because you see all types of wooden boat and bamboo rafts, carrying goods up and down the river. At in the afternoon, you can visit city tour sightseeing with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, home to Mandalay's holiest Buddha statue. Stop to see stone carving and, later, to see gold leaf being beaten into water thin pieces. And then visit to 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.

^^ 
Top

Day(10)Mandalay-Amarapura-Sagaing-Ava-Mandalay

Breakfast. 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 Myanmar today. Hillsides are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Enjoy lunch at Happy 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. 

Day (11) Mandalay-Mt. Popa-Bagan                                                              

Breakfast. This morning along 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.  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. Overnight in Bagan. 

Day (12) Bagan Sightseeing          

After breakfast, Morning sightseeing includes a visit to Nyaung-U Market; 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 Buddha's, and the adjacent brick monastery from the Early Bagan era with well-preserved murals. Make photo stop at the tallest temple measuring 61 meters – 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 13^th 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. In the late afternoon, take a boat on the Ayeyarwady River to see the sunset (or) 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 (13) Bagan-Pyay                                                                                   

Breakfast. Depart your hotel early morning for the long drive to Pyay (approx 9 hours). 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 in Pyay. 

Day(14)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. Overnight in Yangon. 

Day (15) Yagon 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.

^^ 
Top

~~~ Sightseeing ~~~
 

Yangon
 

Mandalay
 

Bagan

Inle Lake

Taunggyi
 

Mrauk U

Kyaikhityo