CULTURAL TOURS

5-Day Myanmar Highlights

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Option.1 : Yangon-Mandalay-Mt.Popa-Bagan-Yangon

DAY 01         ARRIVE YANGON

Upon arrival to YANGON airport you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Your Myanmar journey begins with an afternoon tour through 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 first day in Myanmar with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the SHWEDAGON PAGODA.
Overnight stay in Yangon.

DAY 02         YANGON – MANDALAY (BY FLIGHT)

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for domestic flight to MANDALAY.
Upon arrival, excursion to Amarapura, 15 km from Mandalay to visit MAHAGANDAYON, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study; continue to 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782 during the era when Amarapura was the Royal capital. Already from the early days the city was known for its silk- and cotton weaving. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop before proceeding to BAGAYA MONASTERY, a compound with a superb collection of Buddha statues. Then check-in at your hotel.
After lunch at a good local restaurant, you will 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. Mandalay is also a major arts and crafts center. A visit to Kalaga tapestry craftsmen’s shop before proceeding to MANDALAY HILL for sunset viewing.
Overnight stay in Mandalay.

DAY 03         MANDALAY – MT. POPA – BAGAN (BY LAND)

After early breakfast, a 300 km drive (8 hours) by road through varied agricultural landscapes will take you to BAGAN.
After lunch at a local restaurant en-route, the journey continues to MT. POPA, an extinct volcano with spectacular views. Mt. Popa is a popular pilgrimage destination for Myanmar’s. The local people travel here from far away to worship various animist spirits known as “nats”. 777 steps lead up to the shrine placed on top of the steep Popa peak. After a scenic drive and a stop at one of the local villages, arrive to Bagan in time to watch the sunset from BUPAYA PAGODA over the famous AYEYARWADDY RIVER and the magnificent plain of pagodas and temples.
Overnight stay in Bagan.

DAY 04         BAGAN

Your day will begin early with a nostalgic horse cart ride (if available) to the YWA HAUNG GYI TEMPLE to witness the rise of dawn. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, stroll through a 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; 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 good local restaurant, learn of manufacturing Myanmar’s most treasured handicrafts and visit a lacquer ware craftsmen’s workshop in nearby MYINKABA village. Later continue to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in Mon style in 1059 and explore the NANBAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument which according to legends used to be palace site of the 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 05         BAGAN – YANGON (BY FLIGHT) – DEPART YANGON

After breakfast, transfer to Bagan Airport for domestic flight to YANGON. The rest of the day is at your leisure for relaxing, shopping or sightseeing in Yangon until departure transfer to the airport for your international departure flight to BANGKOK.

Itinerary is subject to changes depending on flights, road conditions and availability of rooms.

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Option.2 : Yangon-Bagan-Mandalay-Yangon

DAY 01         ARRIVE YANGON

Upon arrival to YANGON airport you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Your Myanmar journey begins with an afternoon tour through 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 first day in Myanmar with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the SHWEDAGON PAGODA.
Overnight stay in Yangon.

DAY 02         YANGON – BAGAN (BY FLIGHT)

After early breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for a domestic flight to BAGAN. Upon arrival, start your day with visiting the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan: including SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; 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 good local restaurant, learn of manufacturing Myanmar’s most treasured handicrafts and visit a lacquer ware craftsmen’s workshop in nearby MYINKABA village. Later continue to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in Mon style in 1059 and explore the NANBAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument which according to legends used to be palace site of the 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 03         BAGAN – MANDALAY (BY FLIGHT)

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for domestic flight to MANDALAY. Upon arrival to Mandalay airport drive to jetty and proceed for a boat trip 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 to Mandalay for check-in at your hotel.
After lunch at a local restaurant, 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. Mandalay is also a major arts and crafts center. A visit to Kalaga tapestry craftsmen’s shop before proceeding to MANDALAY HILL for sunset viewing.
Overnight stay in Mandalay.

DAY 04         MANDALAY - AMARAPURA - AVA – SAGAING – MANDALAY

After breakfast, excursion to Amarapura, 15 km from Mandalay. Visit MAHAGANDAYON, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study; continue to 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782 during the era when Amarapura was the Royal capital. Already from the early days the city was known for its silk- and cotton weaving. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop before proceeding to BAGAYA MONASTERY, a compound with a superb collection of Buddha statues.
After lunch at a local restaurant, embark for a short boat ride over a river and start exploring 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 SAGAING HILLS, a retreat for Buddhist devotees, for sunset viewing.
Overnight stay in Mandalay.

DAY 05         MANDALAY – YANGON (BY FLIGHT) – DEPART YANGON

After breakfast, transfer to Mandalay Airport for domestic flight to YANGON. The rest of the day is at your leisure for relaxing, shopping or sightseeing until transfer to the airport for your International departure flight to BANGKOK.

Itinerary is subject to changes depending on flights, road conditions and availability of rooms.