Uncover the Hidden Burma!
Trip Overviews: Explore this incredible Country in our Myanmar Discovery package tour 10 days. Enjoy the unspoiled natural landscape with intriguing ancient wonders. Myanmar discovery tour is great way to experience the country of Buddha image and temples. Travel through Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake, visiting some incredible, surreal sights along the way, including countless pagodas and the Golden Rock.
TOUR BRIEF:
Day 1: Yangon arrival
Day 2: Yangon – Bagan
Day 3: Bagan
Day 4: Bagan – Mandalay
Day 5:Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay
Day 6: Mandalay – Heho –Inle Lake
Day 7: Inle Lake discovery
Day 8: Inle Lake- Kakku- Inle Lake
Day 9: Inle lake- Yangon
Day 10: Yangon Departure
TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1. Yangon Arrival – City Orientation Tour
Upon arrival at Yangon airport, our local tour guide and driver will welcome you outside the baggage claim area and transfer to your hotel to drop off you luggage. Depending on time of arrival, we may proceed for lunch. After lunch, a walk through “downtown” Yangon, a diverse mix of faded colonial architecture from the British times, and high-rises built by more recent investors; Sule Pagoda, built in the early 3rd century is a landmark in the city centre. Late afternoon visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds and rubies, sapphires and topaz – a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to begin our trip in this “Golden Land”. Stay overnight in the Hotel.
Day 2. Yangon – Bagan
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to get the early morning flight to Bagan. Check into the hotel and depart for a sightseeing excursion around the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage site. A comprehensive exploration of Bagan including Nyaung Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Kyansittha Umin; Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite mural painting of 13th century and Htilominlo Temple. In the afternoon, after a visit to lacquer ware workshops; continue to Manuha Temple built by exile King Manuha; Nanphaya, said to have been the residence of King Manuha; Ananda Temple, architectural masterpiece and Oak-Kyaung monastery decorated with multi colour mural paintings. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset from one of the temple of Bagan. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.
Day 3. Bagan- Popa – Bagan
This morning, we will be watching sunrise over Bagan (optional) and back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast at hotel, we head to Mt. Popa about 48 km south east of Bagan. Mt. Popa, known as the abode of Nats (spirits) – a collection of 37 magical spirits both feared and honoured by some Myanmar people and the nat museum, which houses 37 life-size nat statues sculpted from teak. It’s time to climb for 777 steps to the summit. Proceed to Popa Mountain Resort ( 1hr drive ) for our lunch. The restaurant offer a great view to the Popa summit that stands straight from the central plain. After lunch, return drive back to Bagan. On the way back, enroute stop at village cottage industry to learn the regional product as well as to watch the collection of juice from the palm trees, and its conversion to brown sugar. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.
Day 4. Bagan – Mandalay
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Nyaun U airport for flight to Mandalay. When you arrive at Mandalay airport, drive to ancient capital of Amarapura, the city of Immortality for a visit to Bagaya Monastery with a famous collection of Buddha images; weaving industries, two-century old U-Bein teak bridge on the Taungtaman Lake and observe the lunch process of thousand of monks who take their last meal of the day at 10:00 am in total silence. Proceed to Mandalay and check in at the hotel. After refreshment, you will take a sightseeing tour of Mandalay which includes Mahanumi, a life like Buddha image. Mandalay is the last capital of Myanmar and that make her to be the best place to see all the traditional arts and crafts. Start visiting gold leaf making work-place and see how the gold leaf is being made by hand in a traditional way. Continue visit the Old Palace grounds; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world’s largest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha’s Doctrine; Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill. Overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.
Day 5. Mandalay- Mingun- Mandalay
After breakfast, you will be transferred for Jetty for a private boat across the river Ayeywarwaddy to visit Mingun. The dedications of King Bodawpaya such as the unfinished Pathodawgyi Pagoda a brick counterpart of pyramid in Egypt and the Mingun Bell, the second largest bell in the world are the most prominent religious heritages. Then visiting the Myatheintan Pagoda, the best representation of the Universe, will refresh your tiredness and fatigue. Return to Mandalay. After lunch, drive to Ava, 30-minute to the south of Mandalay, was known in the west as the Kingdom of Ava. Stop by a tributary and cross it with a ferry. Travel by pony-cart around Ava to Nanmyint leaning tower which gives a birds’ eye view of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River; Bagaya wooden monastery; Aungmyaybonza Monastery made of brick and stucco. Though the Royal Palace has gone, the Pagodas, Temples and Monasteries still remain. Return drive to Mandalay and see the silversmith work place on our way back to hotel. Overnight at the Hotel in Mandalay.
Day 6. Mandalay- Heho- Pindaya – Inle Lake
After breakfast, depart the hotel for flight to Heho on the Shan plateau. Upon arrival,
Bagan Temples
transfer by road to Pindaya (60km) about 90 minutes drive. After check in at hotel, make an excursion to the caves which houses over 8,000 Buddha Images of various sizes, made from teak, lacquer, marble, alabaster and cement. In the afternoon, explore the district for it’s famous traditional paper & umbrella making home base cottage industry. Drive to inle. Overnight In Inle.
Day 7. Inle Lake
We plan to spend the day visiting villages and sampling the spectacular array of traditional handicrafts. You will see the unique method locals use to row their boats, fishermen with their own style of fishing, floating farms and gardens and a handloom weaving cottage with its own showroom. You will visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda which houses the five most revered Buddha Images in the southern Shan State. Continue our excursion by motorized boat to Indein pagoda complex, in the south-west of the lake. The boat leaves the lake and enters a narrow canal with a beautiful natural environment to continue to a small Pa O tribe village. From the village, follow an old covered path to a 13th century monastery and the very impressive ruins of hundreds of ancient pagodas, some hidden in the vegetation. The main stupa-area on the top of the hill offers breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains and down to the valley and the lake in the far distance. Return to your hotel and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8. Inle Lake – Kakku – Inle Lake
This morning, leave your hotel by boat and drive up through pine-clad hills to Taunggyi, capital of Southern Shan State and a former British hill station. Visit the local market where minority people sell their produce and a cheroot factory. Just a couple of hours from Taunggyi, discover the “long lost” ruins of Kak Ku in countryside inhabited by the Pa O people. Situated in the rolling Shan Hills, Kak Ku pagoda is very unusual and little is known about its origins. The Pa O people believe that the original pagoda was built on the site some 2,000 years ago. Dozens of small stupas surround the main pagoda in a huge circle. You can wander through the stupas which are decorated with fine stucco work and Buddha images. Unfortunately Kak Ku is in bad need of renovation but this is part of its charm. Lunch at Hlaing Khone Restaurant.
Visit one of the many Pa O villages near Kak Ku and see a huge monastery on the way back to Taunggyi. Transfer back to Nyaung Shwe where you will board your boat return to your hotel.
Day 9. Inle Lake – Yangon
We are heading back down country today to return to the airport at Heho for our flight to Yangon. Our route takes us back to Heho and down the escarpment to Nyaung-Shwe for a busy local market. Check in at airport and fly back to Yangon. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon, we plan to visit by car to Karaweik, a royal barge for fantastic photo shot along the “pilgrims” causeway across the Royal Lake with stunning views of Schwedagon Pagoda and visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for souvenir shopping. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.
Day 10. Yangon Departure
After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Yangon International airport for your return international departure flight.
Is this suggested itinerary is proper for your vacation or you want to customize this trip, don’t hesitate to contact our local tour experts to assist you through all steps to plan your trip that best suit your travel interests.
