Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay – Inle Lake – Yangon

Day 1:YANGON ( B/ -/ -)

Upon arrival at YANGON international airport, meet our uniformed representative and transfer to the hotel.
After check in, the journey begins with a tour through the colonial-style city center of Yangon.
First visit the golden SULE PAGODA built over 2,000 years ago. And see the impressive city hall of Yangon. Proceed then to the magnificent reclining Buddha at CHAUK HTAT GYI and the KARAWEIK HALL to marvel at the uniquely decorated “hamsa-bird-shaped” floating barge on KANDAWGYI (ROYAL) LAKE. Visit through the BOGYOKE (SCOTT’S) MARKET where hundreds of gemstone, clothes, handicrafts, arts, clothes and food stores are busy daily with colorful products.

Complete the day with an extended visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, one of the wonders of the world the SHWEDAGON PAGODA. . Return to the hotel .
Overnight stay in Yangon.

Day 2:YANGON – BAGAN ( B/ -/ -)

After early breakfast, transfer to the airport for domestic flight to BAGAN. Upon arrival begin the day with visits to the most selected and significant pagodas and temples of Bagan including SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; see the 13th Century frescoes adorning the corridors of Kyansittha ‘Cave’ Temple. Continue to GU BYAUK GYI at Wetkyi Inn village, another ‘cave’ temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes. The next stop will be HTILOMINLO, the last Bamar style temple built in Bagan, with old murals and friezes, the ANANDA TEMPLE, masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddha images. Visit next to THABYINNYU TEMPLE, the highest in the area of Bagan .Visit DHAMMAYANGYI TEMPLE widest temple in Bagan which construction was never completed. In the afternoon, visit one of Myanmar’s most treasured handicrafts, a lacquerware craftsmen’s workshop in nearby MYINKABA village. The tour continues to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in the Mon style in 1059 and follow on to NANBAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha. Proceed to SHWE SAN DAW to watch the panoramic view of sunset over the famous Ayeyarwaddy River. Early evening return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Bagan.

Day 3: BAGAN ( B/ -/ -)

Breakfast at your hotel. Begin the day in Bagan by strolling through the busy and colorful local market. Visit the site of TAYOKEPYAY TEMPLE in Min Nan Thu Village; PHAYA THONE ZU and NANDAMANYA TEMPLES noted for its exquisite murals of 13th century and KYAT KAN CAVE monastery, a famous meditation retreat in Bagan.
Visit the farming villages around Bagan which are an insight into the rural life of the local people.
Late afternoon take a colorfully decorated ox-cart through some of the more off the beaten track temple sights. This is the traditional way of transportation used by people in the Myanmar’s countryside. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Bagan.

Day 4: BAGAN – MANDALAY ( B/ -/ -)

After breakfast transfer to airport for the domestic flight to MANDALAY.

Upon arrival start by exploring the former capital of SAGAING which is located on the west side of the Ayeyarwaddy River. SAGAING HILL is home of 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, and is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar.

From the SAGAING HILLS, enjoy magnificent views overlooking the river and hill side covered with countless pagodas. While here make sure to visit SWAN OO PON NYA SHIN PAGODA and U MIN THONE SAE PAGODA.

Continue the tour by visiting the local market and also stop at a small pottery village to see the process of making water pots found throughout Myanmar. Continue to well-known SILVERSMITH VILLAGE near Sagaing

After proceed to the former royal capital of INWA (AVA), reached by a short ferry ride across the Myint Nge River. Visit it by horse-drawn carriage and pass through the ancient ruin city walls. Visit also MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN (also known as Ok Kyaung), built by a brick and stucco and the old wooden BAGAYA MONASTERY, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts and still in use by local monks.
Continue to NANMYINT WATCH TOWER, the last remains of the Ava dynasty palace and also known as “the leaning tower of Ava“. In amid AVA, there still remain many small villages which can traveled through by horse cart to truly experience the local life in the Burmese countryside.

After proceed to AMARAPURA, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’.

The city is well famous for its weaving and textile industries. While here visit a silk weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products and its workshop where to learn how Myanmar longyis and traditional fabrics are created.

Before returning to the hotel after a full day of touring , there is one more magical experience to view in Myanmar and with its beautiful sunset is the 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge built in a simple but yet strong teak structure that spans 1,2km over Taungtaman Lake in 1782

Early evening return back to Mandalay and Overnight ..

Day 5: MANDALAY ( B/ -/ -)

After breakfast, transfer to the jetty for an excursion by boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River to MINGUN located about 11 km upriver (1 hour) from Mandalay.

Enjoy a picturesque scenery and the daily lifestyles of the local people. See types of wooden boats and bamboo rafts, floating up and down the river.

Once arrived visit the MINGUN BELL, world’s largest ringing bell weighing 55555 viss which calculated equal to 90 tons, and the beautiful white-washed temple of HSINBYUME PAYA. Continue to visit the impressive and unfinished MINGUN PAYA, built as a colossal brick monument with the intention of being the world’s biggest stupa by King Bodaw Paya.

Late morning return back to Mandalay by boat.

In the afternoon experience a comprehensive sightseeing of Mandalay by visiting one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the MAHAMUNI PAGODA, with its spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layers of gold leaves. Mandalay is well known for handmade arts and craft and its skilled craftsmen and traditional workshops. While here visit the process of pounding gold-leaf and also visit how the bronze and marble Buddha statues are carved, cast and molded, the production of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries and much more..

Continue the visit to the SHWE INBIN MONASTERY. This monastery is over 100 years old and can here it is possible to see the beautiful wood curving. Visit the GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb ancient wooden building with intricate carvings, the KUTHODAW PAGODA, home to the world’s largest book made of 729 marble slabs, inscribed with Buddhist teachings and Kayuk Taw Gyi Pagoda a huge marble Buddha.
While here observe the process of pounding gold leaf, detailing teakwood carvings and embroidering Myanmar tapestry and view how the bronze and marble Buddha statues are carved, cast and molded.
Enjoy spectacular views at sunset from Mandalay Hill, with its great views of the surrounding countryside, the Irrawaddy River and city centre.

Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Mandalay.

Day 6: MANDALAY – HEHO –INLE LAKE ( B/ -/ -)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to HEHO. Upon arrival, scenic drive to Nyaung Shwe (32km, 1hour) gateway to Inle Lake. Along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery with its red-painted teak building and unique oval shaped windows which feature beautiful carvings.

Enjoy an excursion by private long-tailed boat on INLE LAKE and pass along villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people. See the typical floating gardens, and observe local methods of the leg-rowing fishermen’s fishing, and its magnificent scenery. Observe and see the floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Visit PHAUNGDAW OO PAGODA, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains most five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf by devout pilgrimages. Continue to visit the NGA PHE KYAUNG MONASTERY, and explore a collection of Buddha statues and famous for its jumping cats trained by monks. Visit to the weaving village of INPAWKHON, famous for traditional silk-weaving, Se Gaung Village, famous for the blacksmith work and Nan Pan Village where to observe how Burmese cigars, or “cheroots,” are traditionally packed and rolled by hand.
End the day on the lake with a pleasant view of the sunset surrounded by mountains
Return to the hotel and overnight stay at hotel Nyaung Shwe or on the Inle Lake

Day 7: INLE LAKE – HEHO – YANGON –HOME ( B/ -/ -)

Breakfast at hotel. After transfer by boat to Nyaung Shwe and drive to (32km – 1hour) to Heho for domestic flight to YANGON. Upon arrival the car, driver & guide will be at the entire disposal until transfer time to the international airport for the departure flight

– END TOUR –

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