MYANMAR IN DEPTH 18 DAYS 17 NIGHTS

Day 01: Arrival in Yangon (D)

Upon arrival at the airport in Yangon, transfer to the hotel (Check-in time is from 2:00 p.m.). Accommodation in Yangon. Welcome dinner (Burmese menu set) at the local restaurant. Accommodation in Yangon.

Day 02: Yangon- City Tour (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, we explore the charm of Yangon city. Enjoy your visit in Yangon with a walk at Shwedagon Pagoda, Sule Pagoda, Botatung Pagoda, Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda which features the sacred pilgrimage sites with golden stupas, diamond spiers. We continue the visit to the colonial buildings, including the City Hall, the Emmanuel Church and the temple and Chinatown.

In the afternoon, we will go shopping at Scott Market, the largest market in Myanmar, famous for its gems, jewelry, crafts… Overnight in Yangon.

Day 03: Yangon – Kyaiktiyo (the Golden Rock) (B)

After breakfast, transfer by road to Kyaingtiyo to go to the Golden Rock (takes approx. 4 hrs.) Arrival at the pilgrim village where it is the starting point to the famous Golden Rock. From our hotel in Kyaikhtiyo, we first go by truck and then enjoy trekking to the Golden Rock, it takes about 1 hour to climb the hill for the magical sunset at the Golden Rock. The famous ‘Golden Rock’ is a massive, sacred rock covered in gold leaf and is balanced on the edge of the cliff near the summit of Mount Kyaingtiyo and is one of the most revered Buddhist shrines. Hotel accommodation.

Day 04: Golden Rock – Bago – Yangon (B)

At sunrise, we walk around some hill sites for an unforgettable Golden Rock experience and then return to the hotel for breakfast. We continued the journey back to Yangon by car. On the way, visit Bago, located just 80 km away, it was an ancient capital of the Mon Kingdom in the 15th century and enjoy an excursion to Bago including Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha (55 meters long), Shwemawdaw Pagoda, the local MyoMa market , the 28-meter-high Buddha statue of the Kyaikpun Pagoda, Kwanyin Chinese Temple and depending on your interest, you can visit the Kanbawzathardid King’s Bayinnaung Palace. Then return to Yangon. Accommodation in Yangon

Day 05: Yangon – Bagan (B) (Flight)

Board the morning flight to Bagan

We spent an amazing day inside the heritages of Bagan. You will learn about the more than 2,500 temples and their history, discovering the uniqueness of their relics. Htilomino temples, Gawdawpalin temples, Ananda temples… will be the main attractions of Bagan that we are going to visit

One of the best things you will enjoy in Bagan before returning to your hotel is the magical sunset at the highest part of Shweshandaw.

Day 06: Bagan-Mt. Popa- Bagan (D)

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we headed to Mount Popa located about 48 km south east of Bagan. Mount Popa is known as a collection of 37 magical spirits both feared and honored by some people of Myanmar and the Nat museum, which houses 37 life-size Nat statues sculpted from teak wood. We climbed 777 steps to the top of an exotic scene.

Lunch at the local restaurant at clients’ expense. Return to Bagan, on the way visit the cottage industry village to learn about regional products, as well as to see the collection of palm tree juice, and its conversion into jaggery. Accommodation in Bagan.

 

Day 07: Discover Bagan (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Color your Bagan experience with a visit to Nyaung U Market. Next, we visit Shwezigon Pagoda, the oldest gold pagoda in Bagan, located in Nyaung U town.

A horse-drawn carriage ride will take us to the local habitat of Manuha, Kaweyai villages. We continue the visit to the lacquerware factory in the afternoon. Enjoy the sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River. Accommodation in Bagan

Day 08: Bagan – Mandalay Royal Palace (B) (Flight)

A short flight will take you to the last capital of Myanmar, Mandalay City.

We begin the visit in Mandalay with a boat ride, upstream to Mingun, heading to the Pondaw Paya, Settawya Paya, Unfinished Wall (Pahtodawgyi paya). Next, we can see one of the jewels of Myanmar: the MyaThein Dan Pagoda (or Hsinvyume Paya) built in 1816 is of brilliant whiteness, with seven successive terraces surrounded by graceful walls, windows that represent the various mountain ranges that surround Mount Meru , mythical for Buddhists and the Mingun bell. Our local expert will be happy to show you the life of the people who live on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.

Next, we will discover the royal vestiges and relics of Mandalay, including the Imperial Palace, Golden Monastery Palace, Mahamuni Pagoda, Kuthodaw also known as the largest book in the world, Sandamuni Pagoda and KyaukTawGyi Temple where you will find a large marble buddha image.

The highlight of this day is the sunset panorama from the top of Mandalay Hill. Accommodation in Mandalay.

 

Day 09: Excursion in Mandalay (B)

Today we leave for Amarapura, known as the ancient kingdom of Inwa. It is time to see the monks queuing for lunch and studying at the MaharGandarYone monastery. We continue the visit with a walk across the Ubein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in Myanmar. Enjoy a rowing boat ride on MahaGanayonKyaung Lake.

In the afternoon, we will visit Sagaing Hill with its best sites such as: Buhhda University, KaungMhuDaw Pagoda, Buddha Cave (U Min Thonze) and the observation point on Sagaing Hill where you can enjoy the panoramic view of Mandalay.

Next, we go to NanMyint watchtower and Bagaya monastery

Free time to visit the Mandalay night market. Accommodation in Mandalay

 

Day 10: Mandalay – PyinOoLwin (B)

After breakfast, transfer two hours by car to the former British hill station of Maymyo, now called PyinOoLwin. Many memories of the colonial era are still present in PyinOoLwin, including brick and wooden houses. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city and we walk through the beautiful, newly renovated Botanical Gardens. Visit of the local market in the city center, which is near the clock tower. Our guide will tell you about the history and culture of this city. Accommodation in PyinOoLwin

 

Day 11: PyinOoLwin – Hsibaw (by train) (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the train station with a guide to go to Hsibaw crossing the mighty Gokteik Viaduct which was built in 1901 by the builders of the Pennsylvania Steel company and was once the second highest railway bridge in the world. The train will also pass through spectacular mountain scenery and small villages where vendors will enter the train to sell local drinks and snacks. Arrival in Hsibaw in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel by car and accommodation.

 

Day 12: Hsibaw (by boat & on foot) (B)

After a simple breakfast at the hotel, we board a boat along the Dokthawaddy River to enjoy the incredible mountain landscapes, orange plantations and rural life. We will disembark from the boat and walk for an hour to an almost 150-year-old Shan monastery located in the forest. On the way back to Hsipaw, we visited a charming traditional Shan village to learn more about their culture. In the afternoon, stroll through a panoramic landscape of rice fields and other seasonal crops. Passing small streams, Shan villages, local schools, the tomb of the first prince of Hsibaw, a local nunnery, as well as a wooden monastery. You will learn about the life of the Shan people around Hsibaw and observe some local crafts such as cigar making or bamboo basket making. We will understand why each Shan village has a spiritual house built at the entrance of the village.

 

Day 13: Hsibaw – Mandalay (B)

Simple breakfast at the hotel. You will take a scenic 6-hour guided car transfer to Mandalay with stops along the way. Arrival in Mandalay and accommodation.

 

Day 14: Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya – NyaungShwe (B) (Flight)

Today we are going to take a flight to Heho, transfer to Pindaya. This mountainous area is famous for its caves, which house more than 8,000 Buddha images of different sizes, made of teak wood, lacquer, marble, alabaster and cement. As you delve deeper into Shan, you will encounter different minority ethnicities. You will take a stunning drive to visit the local villages and experience the local people’s way of planting tea, rice, flowers. Visit the district where paper umbrellas are made. Return to Nyaung Shwe in the afternoon and overnight at Inle Lake.

Day 15: Inle Lake Excursion (B)

After breakfast, embark for an excursion on Inle Lake from the silk weaving, blacksmithing and boat building villages on stilts.

Then we go to the Phaungdawoo Pagoda where it houses the five most revered Buddha images in southern Shan State. The excursion includes cultural interaction with local people and enjoying the sunset over the lake. Inle Lake Accommodation

 

Day 16: Inle Lake – Indein Market (B)

Indein shift market which takes place in different villages on different day attracts many local habitats who are hill tribes. The market is one of the most colorful appointments where you find Padaung, Intha, Pa O in their traditional costumes doing their business. We continue exploring the Indein complex.

The rest of the day is for exploration with our guide to the village of the Pa-O people and the lakeside town. Accommodation at Inle Lake.

 

Day 17: Inle Lake –Heho –fly to Yangon (B) (Flight)

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Nyaung Shwe Market and ShweYanPyay Monastery before transfer to the airport for your flight back to Yangon. Free time in Yangon.

 

Day 18: Yangon-Departure (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time to discover Yangon. Transfer to the airport to take the international flight.