BORDER PASS TOURS

11-Day Myanmar Trip Entered from Tachileik

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DAY 01          MAE SAI – THACHILEIK – KYAING TONG (KENGTUNG) (BY LAND)

Welcomed by our guide at the Mae Sai-Tachileik Check Point. After customs formality clearance, proceed overland (163 km, 3 / 4 hour) to Kyaing Tong.
Overnight stay in Kyaing Tong.

DAY 02          KYAING TONG (KENG TUNG)

After breakfast, excursion to the sights include MAHA MYAT MUNI PAGODA (WAT PHA JAO LUNG) the most glorious temple of Kyaing Tong; the Khun Shan monastery of WAT ZOM KHAM, the most impressive among all the Shan temples in the city with the interior walls filled up with gold leaves on lacquer Jatakas. Then visit a lacquer ware workshop where the unique Shan lacquer wares are produced in a very delicate way.
Overnight stay in Kyaing Tong.

DAY 03          KYAING TONG (KENG TUNG) – LOI MWE – KYAING TONG

After breakfast, a 1½ hour bumpy drive on a narrow road will take you to LOI MWE located on a mountain plateau. En-route visit the Wa village of NAUNG CHO known as the birth place of one of the earliest ethnic tribes of Shan country. In Loi Moi visit the old Catholic church built by the Italian mission early in the 19th century and see some of the colonial houses built as summer residences during the British colonial era.
Picnic style packed lunch. After lunch, trek mostly down hill for 3 to 5 hour to the four Akha villages near HO JING. Experience the unique and traditional way of life of the Akhas also known for their individual religious beliefs.
Return to Kyaing Tong.
Overnight stay in Kyaing Tong.

DAY 04          KYAING TONG - HEHO (BY FLIGHT) - INLE LAKE

After breakfast venture into town to explore the colorful Kyaing Tong market. See a mixture of different local folks including ethnic minorities from the surrounding regions dressed in colorful traditional clothes. Visit the Lone Tree hill where a very tall Pterocarpus tree is said to have been planted by the visiting Burmese king from Kon Baung Dynasty 200 years ago. Take a leisurely stroll around the charming NONG TONG LAKE located amidst the town, where you can visit one of the local houses in the vicinity to experience their more modern way of life.
Then, transfer to Kyaing Tong airport for a domestic flight to HEHO.
Upon arrival at HEHO airport, proceed by road to NYAUNG SHWE (32 km – 1:20 hour) and continue by boat to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight stay in Inle Lake.

DAY 05          INLE LAKE

After breakfast, a full day excursion by boat on the Inle Lake will include sights of the famous leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and magnificent scenery. The visit begins with the local market in the Inle Lake region (Remark : on market days only) and proceed to the Western Shore of Inle Lake, where you will find the beginning of a stair path leading to the well hidden INN THEIN PAGODA complex.
After Lunch at a local restaurant on the lake, you will visit the PHAUNGDAW OO PAGODA, one of the most sacred shrines in Myanmar, dating back to the 18th century; the NGA PHE KYAUNG MONASTERY, famous for its jumping cats trained by monks and the weaving village of INPAWKHON.
Overnight stay in Inle Lake.

DAY 06          INLE LAKE – PINDAYA - HEHO – MANDALAY (BY FLIGHT)

After breakfast, return by boat to NYAUNG SHWE and proceed by road to PINDAYA (90 km – 4 hour) for a visit to PINDAYA CAVES, a unique site housing thousands of Buddha images placed there by pilgrims and devotees over the centuries. After lunch, drive to HEHO airport (60 km – 2½ hour) for domestic flight to MANDALAY. Upon arrival, transfer directly to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Mandalay.

DAY 07          MANDALAY – MINGUN – AVA – AMARAPURA - MANDALAY

After breakfast, an excursion by boat on the Ayeyarwaddy River to MINGUN, about 11 km (1 hour) upriver from Mandalay. Visit the unfinished MINGUN PAYA, which was meant to become the largest stupa in Myanmar constructed by King Bodaw Paya one of the world’s largest bells; the 90 ton weighing MINGUN BELL and HSINBYUME PAYA. Return back to Mandalay.
After lunch at a good local restaurant, embark for a short boat ride over a river and explore the former Royal Capital INWA (AVA) by horse cart. Visit NANMYINT WATCH TOWER, the remains of the ancient palace building, also know as “the leaning tower of Ava“; MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN MONASTERY, built of brick and stucco; BARGAYAR MONASTERY, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Continue to 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782 during the era when Amarapura was the Royal capital for sunset viewing.
Overnight stay in Mandalay.

DAY 08          MANDALAY – BAGAN (BY FLIGHT)

After breakfast, experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay including some of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, MAHAMUNI PAGODA; SHWE INBIN MONASTERY; GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb example of a traditional wood work and KUTHODAW PAGODA the world’s largest book, made of marble.
After lunch at a good local restaurant, visit a hand woven silk shop and Kalaga tapestry craftsmen’s shop before proceeding to airport for flight to BAGAN. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Bagan.

DAY 09          BAGAN

After breakfast, a stroll through the colorful local market and continue the day with visits to the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan including SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; GU BYANUK GYI, a temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes; KHAY MIN GA TEMPLE, noted for its panoramic view of the area’s numerous monuments and ANANDA TEMPLE, with four standing Buddha images.
After lunch at a local restaurant, visit one of Myanmar’s and Bagan’s most famous lacquer ware workshops, and see craftsmen, in MYINKABA village. You will continue to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in Mon style in 1059; NANBAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument and according to legends a former palace site of King Manuha. Next you will explore the UNESCO protected MYINGABA GU BYAUKGYI TEMPLE, a temple known for its mural paintings. Complete the day by watching sunset over the majestic Ayeyarwaddy River from a temple top.
Overnight stay in Bagan.

DAY 10          BAGAN – YANGON (BY FLIGHT)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Bagan Airport for domestic flight to YANGON.
Upon arrival to YANGON airport, begin the visits with Yangon’s colonial-style city center. Visit SULE PAGODA, built over 2,000 years ago; the magnificent reclining Buddha CHAUK HTAT GYI and after a photo stop at the KARAWEIK HALL, a 'hamsa-bird-shaped' floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake; stroll through the BOGYOKE (SCOTTS) MARKET, of hundreds of food, clothes, handicrafts and gems stores. Complete your day in Myanmar with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the SHWEDAGON PAGODA.
Overnight stay in Yangon.

DAY 11          DEPART YANGON

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Yangon airport for your departure flight.

Itinerary is subject to changes depending on flights, road conditions and availability of rooms. Flight days are correct at time of printing, but subject to changes without prior notice.

Important notes :

• We reserve the right to change and reroute the itinerary without prior notice, due to unforeseen circumstances that may occur and arise.

• In addition to Myanmar visa, a special permit is required for all nationalities in order to be allowed to pass the border between Thailand and Myanmar. Asian Tour will obtain such permits at the discretion of Myanmar governments. We require all client passport details as well as occupation latest 30 days prior to arrival.

• Kyaing Tong Trip is intended for guests who are well aware of bumpy driving stretches and of simple infrastructure in accommodation and meal quality. We endeavour to provide your guests with the best possible quality at each destination, but hope for their understanding in shortcomings beyond our control. A good physical condition is necessary for the daily treks. The walking times specified in the itinerary are average walking times and depend on the physical condition of the participants. Many of the treks have a different starting and ending point, guests who feel that the trekking period and elevation is too tiresome for their physical condition should inform the guide prior to starting the trek in order to arrange an alternative itinerary. We reserve the right to change the visit of villages in order to avoid sending crowds of tourists to the same villages. Travel insurance is excluded from our arrangements and Asian Tour will deny all claims arising from a lack of insurance by the passenger.