Myanmar Exploration

Upon arrival at airport, welcome by our Guide and he will be held on placard with your name on it. And then transfer to hotel for check-in. Afterwards, begin a 2.5 hour walking tour through central Yangon. Starting at Yangon’s Heritage Trust Office on Lower Pansodan Road and Highlights include City Hall, the High Court and the former Burma Railways Company – one of Yangon’s oldest administrative buildings. From here, continue to Shwedagon Pagoda the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight at hotel in Yangon

After breakfast, you will head to Bagan and upon arrival begin sightseeing at Nyaung Oo Market. Next will be Shwezigone Pagoda (in which the Frontlet Relic of Buddha was enshrined), Gubyaukgyi Temple (noted for its wall paintings), Htilominlo Pagoda (one of the largest temples of Bagan and noted for its fine plaster carvings), Ananda Okkyaung (a brick monastery with 18th Century mural paintings) and Dhammayangyi Pagoda (extending approximately 255 feet on each of its four sides). After lunch, you will visit a local family workshop to watch the production process of lacquer ware, one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Then you will continue on to Thatbyinnyu Pagoda (Bagan's tallest temple at almost 217 ft) and Nanpaya temple (a unique sandstone monument). Then you’ll enjoy the breathtaking sunset from Shwesandaw Pagoda, the most popular sunset-viewing spot in Bagan. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Bagan

After breakfast, we’ll take a break from temple touring in Bagan to visit Mount Popa and Salay. Start with a drive to Chauk to visit the fabulous morning market, filled with locals buying and selling their goods. Continue on to the village of Salay, an important Buddhist centre, and visit its famed wooden monastery with intricate carvings. (Note: Salay monastery museum closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and public holidays). This afternoon we’ll arrive at Mt Popa, an extinct volcano standing 1518 metres high. Mount Popa has played an important role in Myanmar culture, religion and history since earliest times. Its shrine is dedicated to the worship of the 37 Nats, the Burmese ancient animist spirits (climb is optional!). In the late afternoon, we’ll drive back to Bagan and transfer to your hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Bagan

This morning fly to Mandalay. Head to the top of Mandalay Hill to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Amarapura, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’. First visit a silk weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products and then visit Mahagandayon monastery, when over one-thousand monks reside. After touring this tranquil site, continue to U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest and 200 year-old teak bridge. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight at hotel in Mandalay

After morning breakfast, you will start to visit Sagaing. Today In-wa is a small town and it would be easy to overlook its power and prominence in past centuries. Other local sights include the Nanmyint Watch Tower, the MahaAungmyeBonzan monastery and In-wa Bridge, spanning the Ayeyarwaddy River. Sightseeing is done by horse-cart due to the road condition, but this is a fascinating way to cover In-wa. Then, transfer to back to Mandalay. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight at hotel in Mandalay

After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Heho. On arrival at Heho airport, you will drive to Inle Lake and enjoy a boat ride for the whole day. Your sightseeing will start with a visit to the Phaungdawoo Pagoda, which houses five small Buddha images. The temple is also home to an annual festival, usually held during the month of October and which is the biggest occasion held in the Inlet Lake .The next must see stop is Nag Phi Chaung Monastery, an attractive wooden monastery built on stilts over the lake at the end of the 1850s and where you can see the popular jumping cats leap through the hoops .You also have an the option to see the Padaung or “Copper Neck” hill tribe. Your tour will continue with a visit to local shops, specializing in silk, lotus, and traditional iron work. Time permitting; you can visit a Shan paper making facility, before an overnight stay at your hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

After breakfast, visit the lake’s morning market (Note: market opens daily except on dark moon day and full moon day). From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to Indein populated by ethnic Padaung (“long neck women”). You’ll walk on a covered alley lined on both sides with a thousand pagodas. Continue on foot by a long covered staircase to discover the magnificent complex of Alaung Sithu in a beautiful scenery of ancient stupas buried in vegetation with a panoramic view of the lake. This afternoon is your leisure at hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight at hotel in Inle Lake

After morning breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Yangon. On arrival at Yangon airport, you will proceed to visit Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda. Breakfast included.