Myanmar Exploration

Proposed itinerary (Actual itinerary can be changed depending on the available flight time)

Day 01: Arrival Yangon by morning or midday flight  ( – / – / – )

Arrive at Yangon International Airport by morning or midday flight. You will be welcomed by your tour guide upon your arrival and then transferred to your check-in hotel. Have a rest at the hotel until the late afternoon sightseeing starts. Late afternoon, we will visit the Chaukhtatgyi – the colossal reclining Buddha; the Shwedagon Pagoda – an inspiring golden stupa and view the sunset from there. Overnight Yangon

Remark: Normal check in time is at 14:00. Early Check-in is not available and if early check-in requires, then it should leave on request and NO GUARANTEE for early check-in will be provided. Therefore, we will go sightseeing first in Yangon and transfer to hotel in the afternoon.

Day 02: Yangon – Bagan (flight) / Bagan Sightseeing( B / – / – )

If time permits, you will have breakfast at the hotel but if time is not permitting to have breakfast at the hotel, then you will bring breakfast box from your hotel. You will take transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Bagan, one of the Asia’s most popular archaeological destinations and one out of two most pre-eminent religious old cities in South East Asia. The sightseeing starts with a visit to Nyaung Oo Market – a typical local market; followed by visits to most distinctive pagodas such as Shwezigon Pagoda – the holiest one believed to be enshrined with Buddha tooth and hair; Gubyaukgyi Temple (Wetkyiinn village) – the 13^th century ‘cave temple’ with fine frescoes of scenes from Jakatas; Anada Temple – one of the masterpieces surviving and remaining in Bagan and considered to be in the Mon architecture style.

Afternoon, we will visit a Lacquer Ware Factory followed by a visit to Local Village. Before the sundown, we would take a Boat Ride along the Ayeyarwaddy River to view the sunset and relax. Overnight Bagan

Day 03: Bagan Sightseeing ( B / – / – )

Breakfast at the hotel. The second day sightseeing at Asia’s best kept archaeological destination includes a visit to Dhamayangyi Temple – the most massive and significant monument in Bagan with finest mortar-less brickwork; Sulamani Temple – close to the Dhamayangyi temple with more sophisticated style of later Bagan temple; another Gubyaukgyi Temple at Myinkaba village – believed to be built for Rajakumar on the death of his father, King Kyansitta, and famous nowadays for its well preserved wall paintings; Manuha Temple – built by detained Mon King Manuha; Ngagayon Temple – similar to the plan of Anada Temple and the main attraction is that the twice life size Buddha Image shelters under the hood of the naga or serpent inside the temple. Overnight Bagan

Day 04: Bagan – Mandalay (RV Shwekeinnery or other vessels) (B / – / – )

Early breakfast at the hotel or bring your breakfast box. Early transfer to the jetty to embark the RV Shwekeinnery (ETD 05:00) – the well maintained and renovated river vessel running vice versa between Mandalay and Bagan daily – would bring a relax trip on you on the mighty Ayeyarwaddy river to reach Mandalay. Depending on nautical condition, the trip takes 10 – 12 hours. Arrive Mandalay in the late evening and transfer to your hotel. Overnight Mandalay

Remark: If in case the RV Shwekeinnery is not operating, we have to choose other alternative means of transport. All the extra cost has to be paid by the clients.

Day 05: Mandalay – Amarapura Sightseeing ( B / – / – )

Breakfast at the hotel. First to view the city from Mandalay Hill – regarded a natural watch tower, Mandalay Palace – a well planned palace located at the heart of today’s Mandalay city. Afternoon lead to Mahamuni Buddha Image – believed to be cast in bronze in front of Buddha himself and nowadays gilded with thick gold leaf; gold leaf hammering, U Bein Bridge – the world’s longest teak wood bridge across the Taungthaman lake – an ideal place to view the sunset also; and Silk Weaving Factory. Overnight Mandalay

Day 06: Inwa (AVA) – Sagaing Vincinity ( B / – / – )

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Inwa, formerly known as AVA, a former Royal capital of Myanmar located at the confluence of the Ayeyarwaddy River and Myitnge River. After crossing the Myitnge River by small boat, taking a horse cart along the bumpy road to visit the ruins of the old royal capital includes The Watch Tower, the 27 meter tall leaning tower of old royal palace; Mahaaungmyebonzan Monastery, the impressive brick and stucco monastery; Bargaya Monastery, a splendid teak wood monastery with wood curving. Visit Sagaing, a former capital of Shan Kingdom and Myanmar Kingdom. Sagaing nowadays is renowned as the religious center of Myanmar because of over 400 monasteries spreading throughout the hillocks. After crossing the Inwa bridge (also called Sagaing Bridge), one can visit the Sagaing hill by trucks. The highlights include Soonooponyashin Pagoda, Uminthonese Pagoda, a thirty man made caves pagoda. Other highlights include Silver Smith and Kaunghmudaw Pagoda – the gigantic stupa represent paddy heap. Drive back to Mandalay and Overnight Mandalay

Day 07: Mandalay – Inle (flight) / Inle Lake Sightseeing          ( B / – / – )

After breakfast, you will take transfer to the airport to catch your domestic flight to Inle Lake, one of the magical lakes in Myanmar located 900 meters above sea level surrounded by beautiful mountains of Shan plateau, is the home land of the Inthar tribe. If by chance today coincides with the market day, we will visit the regional market which is held on a 5 days rotation basis in different areas of the Lake. We will visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda – famous for its richly gilded five small Buddha images; Ngaphechaung Monastery (also known as jumping cat monastery) was built more than one and a half century ago and features a number of interesting old Buddha Images. Other attractions include: unique leg-rowing style and fishing method of the Inthar, floating gardens used as vegetable plantations, silk and cotton weaving cottages and black smith. Overnight Inle Lake / Nyaung Shwe

Day 08: Visit Indein Village / Inle – Yangon (flight) ( B / – / – )

After breakfast, we will explore the southern part of the Lake by boat sailing through small twisting and turning creeks to reach Indein Village. This small village located on the southwestern bank of the lake is famous for its ruined clusters of pagodas dated back to 16^th century. The tranquil peaceful ambience and the ruins overgrown with bushes will bring you centuries back. Take the late afternoon flight back to Yangon and arrive Yangon. Transfer to your check-in hotel and Overnight Yangon

Day 09: Departure Yangon by morning or midday flight ( B / – / – )

Breakfast at the hotel and you will be free at leisure until you take transfer to the airport for your return home.

*** End of Itinerary ***