CULTURAL TOURS

8-Day Mystical Myanmar

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Option.1 : Yangon-Inle Lake-Pindaya-Mandalay-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 - HEHO (BY FLIGHT) - INLE LAKE

After breakfast, transfer to airport for 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. Lunch will be served at local restaurant on the lake.
Overnight stay in Inle Lake.

DAY 03         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 04         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 05         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 06         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 07         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 08         BAGAN – YANGON (BY FLIGHT) – DEPART YANGON

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Bagan Airport for domestic flight to YANGON. The rest of the day is at your leisure for relaxing, shopping or sightseeing until the departure transfer to the airport.

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

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Option.2 : Yangon-Inle Lake-Mandalay-Bagan-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 - HEHO (BY FLIGHT) - INLE LAKE

After breakfast, transfer to airport for 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.
After Lunch at a local restaurant on the lake, sightseeing by boat on the lake will include sights of famous leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and magnificent scenery. 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 03         INLE LAKE – HEHO – MANDALAY (BY FLIGHT)

After breakfast commence for a half day excursion by boat. 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 good local restaurant, transfer by boat to Nyaung Shwe and continue by road (32 km – 1:20 hour) to HEHO airport for domestic flight to MANDALAY. Upon arrival, transfer directly to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Mandalay.

DAY 04         MANDALAY – MINGUN – MANDALAY

After breakfast, an excursion by boat on the AYEYARWADDY RIVER will take you 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 MINGUN BELL and HSINBYUME PAYA. Return to Mandalay.
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 05         MANDALAY - AMARAPURA – AVA – BAGAN (BY FLIGHT)

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 before transfer to Mandalay airport for flight to BAGAN. Upon arrival in Bagan, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Bagan.

DAY 06         BAGAN

After breakfast, stroll through a colorful local market and continue with a visit 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.
In the afternoon 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 07         BAGAN - MT. POPA – BAGAN – YANGON (BY FLIGHT)

After breakfast, a 45 km drive (1½ hour) will take you to Mt. POPA, an extinct volcano with spectacular views. Popa is popular pilgrimage destination for the 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 lunch, return to Bagan for a domestic flight to YANGON. Upon arrival to Yangon, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Yangon.

DAY 08         DEPART YANGON

Breakfast at hotel. At leisure until transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.

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

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Option.3 : Yangon-Bagan-Mt.Popa-Mandalay-Pindaya-Inle-Yangon

DAY 01         ARRIVE YANGON

Upon arrival at YANGON airport you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel.
Your journey begins with an afternoon tour through Yangon’s colonial-style city center. Visit SULE PAGODA, dating back 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, a compound of hundreds of food, garment, handicraft and gem 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, stroll through a colorful local market and continue with a visit 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, 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 – MT. POPA (BY LAND)

After breakfast, embark for visits to TAYOKEPYAY TEMPLE in Min Nan Thu Village; PHAYA THONE ZU and NANDAMANYA TEMPLES noted for their exquisite murals of 13th century and KYAT KAN CAVE monastery, a famous meditation retreat in Bagan. Farming villages around Bagan will give you insight into the lives of the local people.
After lunch at local restaurant in Bagan a 45 km drive (1½ hour) will take you to Mt. POPA, an extinct volcano with spectacular views. Popa is popular pilgrimage destination for the 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. Transfer to the Popa Mountain Resort.
Overnight stay in Mt.Popa.

Optional: Experience the magic of Bagan and a thousand years of history from the enchanting platform of a hot air balloon, for the first time ever. ‘Balloons over Bagan’ offers visitors exclusive sunrise champagne flights over the ancient pagodas of Bagan from late October to April. (Details see ‘Balloons over Bagan’)

DAY 04         MT. POPA – MANDALAY (BY ROAD)

After breakfast, the journey continues 255 km by road (6 hour) to MANDALAY through varied agricultural landscapes and villages.
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 05         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 06         MANDALAY – HEHO (BY FLIGHT) – PINDAYA – INLE LAKE

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

DAY 07         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 08         INLE LAKE – HEHO – YANGON (BY FLIGHT) – DEPART YANGON

After breakfast, you will be transferred to HEHO airport (32 km – 1:20 hour) for domestic flight to YANGON. Upon arrival, transfer to restaurant for lunch. 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.