Explore the mysteries of Burma!
Trip Overviews: Travel Mystical Myanmar with us in a luxury private tour will satisfy your curiosity about the ancient cultures of Asia where you will be enchanted by the exotic scenery and gentle Burmese peopl. Discover the timeless beauty of Myanmar. Immerse yourself in Yangon colonial city streets. You can find the largest number of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia in this city. Witness the dawn in a hot air balloon breaking over the extensive temple complex at Bagan – the city of 4 millions pagodas. Cruise the stunning Inle Lake. Stroll in Mandalay – the second largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Do this trip with a local experienced guide to get as much as historical and cultural knowledge you want.
Route Map: Yangon – Inle Lake – Mandalay – Bagan – Mt.Popa – Yangon
Fishing at Inle Lake
TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1 – Yangon Arrival (D)
Upon arrival at the airport, our driver and English-speaking guide greet you and transfer you through wide boulevards to our hotel where we take time to refresh and relax. Surrounded by views of the city and giant gold pagodas rising amongst the collections of British colonial architecture buildings, we arrive in Myanmar’s former colonial capital, Yangon. A view of Yangon’s main attractions, including Myanmar’s largest reclining Buddha statue, Kyaukthatgyi and the bustling Scott Market are visible en route to the hotel. Have dinner in special local restaurant. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 2- Yangon – Heho – Inle Lake (B)
In the morning after breakfast at hotel, we visit Myanmar’s largest Buddhist statue, Shwemawdaw Paya before catching our flight to Heho. A scenic drive on the mountain side brings us to the town of Nyang Shwe. The market of Nyang Shwe and an introduction to Pa Daung, Pa O and Intha peoples offers us a unique view of the textures, colors and styles that define Burmese tribal identities. In the late afternoon, we enjoy the Inle Lake sunset, feasting our eyes on the azure blue waters and mercury-liquid skies. Overnight at the resort, Inle lake
Day 3- Inle Lake Excursion (B)
Inle Lake is located in the heart of the Shan Plateau. It is a beautiful highland lake, 900 meters above sea level. The lake is 22km long and 10km across, and inhabited by many different ethnic nationals of the area. The Intha people are the Lake dwellers who are unique for their leg rowing. Leg rowed traditional boats are the main ceremonial attractions of the Inlay Lake in addition to floating markets and prolific birdlife. In this exquisite wetland environment, whole villages and temples sit on floating islands on the Lake. Colorful hill tribes inhabit fertile valleys and forested mountaintops, and their own hand-woven silks are a specialty of the region. The best way to explore this distinctive environment is by boat, where we witness places such as the curious “jumping cat monastery” and cottage industries where age old methods of cheroot making, silk weaving and silversmiths can be seen. We will also visit the Indein Pagoda complex, which has close to a thousand pagodas built in the 17th and 18th centuries. These sites are reached by boat followed by a short hike past local farms. Overnight in Resort, Inle Lake
Day 4 – Inle Lake – Indein – Mandalay (B)
Before our afternoon departure for Mandalay, we will have time to relax and absorb our last hours at Inle Lake. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Mandalay, a city founded in 1857 as the capital by King Mindon. The Mandalay Palace boasts finely built regal walls and a beautiful moat surrounding her fortress. Mandalay is the principle center for Buddhism studies in Myanmar. Key places of interest in the city include various monasteries; Kuthodaw Pagoda (home of the world’s largest book) and a sunset visit to Mandalay Hill. The city is also a major handicraft center where stone and marble carvers, gold leaf pressing, tapestry workshops, cotton and silk textile weaving, silver smith workshops and bamboo fan factories are on display. Visit Mingun. Mingun is 11 km upriver from Mandalay on the western bank of the Ayeyarwady River. It is noted for the Mingun Paya, a huge unfinished pagoda, Myatheindan Pagoda and a gigantic 90-ton bell – the largest un-cracked ringing bell in the world. The 45 minute boat trip to Mingun is a very pleasant way to see the life along the Ayeyarwady River. Overnight in Resort, Mandalay
Day 5- Mandalay – Amarapura – Ava – Sagaing – Mandalay (B)
Discover AMARAPURA
Situated approximately 11 km south of Mandalay, Amarapura is the ancient capital of the Konbaung Dynasty. Places of interest include the Patodawgyi Pagoda, silk and cotton weaving workshops and the U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest Teakwood Bridge (1208 meters long). Another of Amarapura’s treasures is Maha Gandayon Monastery, which is currently home to more than 1000 monks. Rise early to witness monks in their morning pilgrimage, a sight that few westerners have been privileged to see.
Visit SAGAING
“Behind the town with its mat and wooden houses was a cluster of yellow hills on top of each a golden pagoda with monasteries in profusion. There bathed in sunshine, secret and still, was Buddhist Burma.” Said the writer Maurice Collis when standing on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady and gazed across at Sagaing prior to taking up his post as its Deputy Commissioner. Today there are said to be no fewer than 554 monasteries, home to some 6,000 monks and nuns. Overnight in Resort, Mandalay.
Day 6: Mandalay – Bagan (B)
Upon arrival at the airport, pick up and transfer by private vehicle to Bagan. You enjoy the rest of the day visiting hundreds of temples, stupas and pagodas strewn across the plains of Bagan are the most impressive relics of Old Burmese Days from the 11th and 13th century. Situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan covers more than 42 square kilometers and is known as the “city of four million pagodas.” Tended by local farmers who plant rice between these architectural marvels, the temples are open to visitors for exploration, photography and spiritual reflection. Their beauty, of course, is made altogether more magical by their notable solitude. While there are a few temples that have a substantial tourist presence, the overwhelming majority boasts no visitors. This town is also famed for its unique lacquer ware and travelers can visit the workshops to watch and rates as one of the must-see sites in the world. Overnight in resort, Bagan.
Day 7: Bagan Discovery – A Mystical Myanmar City(B)
We begin our day with a visit to Shewzigon Pagoda, which is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha, followed by the Ananda and Sulamani Temples. In the afternoon, we visit the Bagan archaeological center and discover the traditional way that local people make the lacquer ware. The highlight of today is the panoramic sunset view from the second highest pagoda of Bagan the Shwe Sandaw Pagoda. Overnight in Resort, Bagan
Day 8: Bagan – Mt. Popa – Bagan (B)
Only an hour’s drive from Bagan, Mount Popa is so attractive mountain. The mountain rises 1500 metres above sea-level and immediately adjacent to Popa Mountain is Popa Taungkalat, a rather odd looking volcanic plug. Sitting on top of this plug is a monastic shrine, home to the 37 Nat-spirits, which are the focus of Myanmar’s pre-Buddhist animist religion. To reach the summit you must climb the 777 steps, though ascending in the shade: the view from the top is worth it. Pilgrims have been visiting the shrine for over 700 years and in our opinion it is one of the most fascinating places in the country. Overnight in resort, Bagan
Day 9: Bagan – Yangon City tour (B)
In the morning, enjoy your free time until we leave this city for the flight to Yangon. On arrival visit the city’s largest gold plated pagoda Shwedagon and enjoy the farewell dinner at Karaweik Hall. Overnight hotel in Yangon
Day 10: Yangon departure (B)
After breakfast, you are free until your departure time. You will be driven to Yangon International Airport for the flight home.
Is this suggested itinerary ideal for your vacation or you want to customize this trip as per your travel interests and schedule? Don’t hesitate to contact Andy Tourist’s local tour experts to assist plan a perfect trip for you!
Tour Includes:
+ Domestic flights
+ Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
+ Private tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary
+ Private driver and air-conditioned vehicles
+ Private English speaking guides in every location
+ Entrance fees and sightseeing tickets
+ Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
Tour Excludes:
– International flights
– Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
– Early check-in and late check-out at hotels.
– Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
– Tips for guides and drivers
– Personal travel insurance
– Myanmar Visa fees (contact us for further information)
