A history's rich and enchanting culture and a fascinating history combined with the warmest and most welcoming people you will ever meet should make a Burma tour top of everyone's wish list. In this trip you will explore Myanmar from Rangoon, Bagan, Mandalay and Heho. Find a beguiling but crumbling city with its past and present clearly on display and in equal disarray. We will show you the sparkling Shwedagon Pagoda as well as a few of the teashops and lesser known temples. A flight north will bring you to ancient capital of Bagan, one of the most preeminent historical religious sites in Southeast Asia. Awe at the sheer majesty of Bagan with the thousands of pagodas and stupas sprawled across the wide expanse of plains and at dawn and dusk.
In Mandalay, you will explore numerous monasteries and pagodas. Witness the great display of spiritual reverence as locals pay homage to venerated Buddha statues. Explore the ancient capitals of Amarapur, Ava and Sagaing and trek across the longest teak bridge in the world at U Bein Bridge. Ending in Heho, we will bring you to Inle Lake, home to the Intha fishermen and their extraordinary one-legged boat rowing techniques.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Yangon. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your guide and taken to the Chatrium Hotel. In the afternoon, revel in the impressive spiritual and colonial heritage of Yangon (Rangoon), a city that has remained relatively unchanged over the past few decades. Proceed to the National Museum and the 70m long reclining Buddha at Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda before catching the magnificent sunset over the gilded dome of the holy Shwedagon Pagoda. Overnight at Chatrium Hotel Yangon in Yangon. Includes: (B).
Day 2: Bagan. Today, a flight northwards will bring you to Bagan (Nyuang Oo). A visit to Tayokye Pyay will offer you a stunning overview of the plain of Bagain. Discover the resplendence of Bagan's archaelogical treasures at the Shwezigon Pagoda with its impressive bell-shaped stupa, the Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi cave temple with its exquisite jatakas murals paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Templed famed for its fined plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.
You will visit Ananda Okkyaung, an architectural masterpiece and one of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan period. Ending in Ananda, a horse carriage tour among the temples will then lead you to Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan and the colossal Dhammayangyi Temple celebrated for its remarkable brickwork and Sulamani. Enjoy the panoramic view from the upper terraces in Bagan as the setting sun casts golden hues across this ancient site. Overnight at Tharabar Gate in Bagan. Includes: (B).
Day 3: Bagan. Option: From October to March, seek an unforgettable experience of flying in a hot-air balloon at sunrise and enjoy a bird's eye view of Bagan plains and its 3000 sites. Following breakfast, stroll through the lively Nyaung Oo Market. We will bring you to visit Myinkaba village that houses interesting local sites such as Dubyaukgi with old mural paintings, Manuha and Nanpaya and witness the traditional handicrafts of lacquer ware production in one of the local family workshops.
In the afternoon, head for Bagan's least frequented temple area at the countryside village of Minnanthu, where you can explore the unusual architecture at Payathonzu and discover Tantric Buddhism influences in Lemyethna and Nandamannya. Enjoy a slow cruise down the Ayeyarwaddy on a local boat as the sun sets. Overnight at Tharabar Gate in Bagan. Includes: (B).
Day 4: Bagan - Mandalay. Today, you will fly to Mandalay. Begin with Mandalay's iconic landmark at the holy Mahamuni Pagoda and pay homage to the highly revered state of Buddha covered with gold leaf. Visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda, noted for housing the world's largest book with the sacred Buddhist scriptures inscribed on its 729 marble stone slabs, as well as the Shwenandaw Monastery, a significant yet fragile teak architecture. In the evening, enjoy a commanding overview of the city from the Mandalay Hill. Overnight at Mandalay Hill Resort in Mandalay. Includes: (B).
Day 5: Mandalya - Amarapura - Ava - Sagaing - Mandalay. Experience the grandeur of Burmese history as you visit the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. In Amarapura, witness the long procession of monks and novices lining up for lunch at Mahagandayon, the largest monastery in Myanmar before visiting a silk weaving workshop. Moving on to Ava, the ancient capital from 14th to 18th centuries, discover the superb collection of Buddha statues at the wooden Bagaya Monastery and the crumbling Royal Palace on a horse carriage.
Crossing over the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing Hill, you will explore Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda, U Min Thone Sae' Pagoda and Shin Nan Gyaing Pagoda in a city widely regarded as the country's religious center. In the evening, enjoy the setting sun as you tread across the world's longest teak bridge at U Bein Bridge. Overnight at Mandalay Hill Resort in Mandalay. Includes: (B).
Day 6: Mandalay - Heho - Inle Lake. Upon arrival in Heho after your flight from Mandalay Airport, we will take you to the wooden Shew Yan Pyay Monastery en route the scenic drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. As you head out onto Inle Lake, one of Myanmar's most enduring destinations, behold the sight of the Intha fishermen and their unique one-legged rowing styles as you cruise past the local villages on a private motorboat.
Visit the Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, a simple wooden temple perched by the lake famous for their jumping cats before witnessing the production of traditional Intha silks and Burmese cigars in the cheroot factory at Inpawkhone weaving village. Overnight at Treasure Resort on Inle Lake. Includes: (B).
Day 7: Indein - Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon. After breakfast, experience the local lifestyle as you explore the bustling floating market, which rotates around the waterside villages in a 5-day rhythm. Sail along a small canal leading to the Paoh village of In Dein. A leisurely walk through the village will bring you to the beautiful Alaung Sitthou with its vegetation-covered stupas that overlooks the breathtaking Inle Lake. In the afternoon, transfer to Heho Airport for your flight back to Yangon. Overnight at Chatrium Hotel in Yangon. Includes: (B).
Day 8: Departure from Yangon. In the morning, walk through the streets and immerse in the faded colonial atmosphere and bustling everyday life in downtown Yangon. In the afternoon, hunt for interesting finds in the popular Bogyoke Market (formerly known as Scott Market), which is also famed for its colonial architecture and inner cobblestone streets before transferring to the airport for your onward departure flight. Includes: (B).
Notes:
* The price is a guideline and will vary according to travel dates and room availability.
* The price is based on two people traveling together and sharing a twin or double room.
* Please contact us to discuss your tailor-made travel requirements.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
* 7 nights accommodation on half-twin room basis with daily breakfast
* Services of an English speaking guide throughout the trip (from Yangon to Yangon)
* 4 domestic flights on Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways or Air Bagan including insurance surcharges and current fuel surcharge
* Horse cart tours in Bagan and Ava
* Porter fees at airports
* Private motorized boat in Inle Lake excursions
* Sunset boat in Bagan
* All transfers and excursions with private air-conditioned vehicles
* Entrance fees for the visits mentioned
Price Excludes:
* International ticket to/ from Yangon
* International airport departure tax at Yangon International Airport (US 10/ pax at present)
* Meals other than those mentioned above
* Visa arrangements for Myanmar
* Visits not mentioned in the program
* Drinks and personal expenses
* Tips and porters at the hotels
* Other services not clearly indicated in the Inclusion above
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Myanmar
Archeology/History
Sightseeing
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