This exciting program gives the traveler fascinating access into highlights of the country's ancient history and more recent colonial past. Spend one night in Yangon and travel to Bagan, one of Asia's best-preserved ancient cities and visit the magnificent ruins of 5,000 temples and pagodas. Continue on to Mandalay, Burma's capital before the British arrival and still an important cultural center, and the jumping-off point for visits to the nearby ancient cities of Amarapura, Sagaing and Mingun. Next visit the Inle Lake region, a delightful expanse of calm waters and floating gardens inhabited by the Intha people and other ethnic minorities.
Highlights
Discovering the world famous golden Shwedagon Pagoda
Sightseeing in Mandalay, Myanmar’s cultural capital and the centre of skilled craftsmanship
Visiting Bagan and getting stunning with its spectacular massive ancient stupas and temples
Discover the floating gardens and villages of Inle Lake and visiting ethnic minority villages.
Day 1: Yangon
After arriving Yangon Airport, you will be welcomed by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy a full day private tour to explore the colonial heritage of one of Southeast Asia’s most impressive capitals, basking in its unique spiritual atmosphere. We will drive through the city and stop at China town and India quarter to take a stroll to get a sense of the city - not just its wide boulevards and British colonial architecture - but the small alleys and byways lined with shops and stalls. Stop to greet the vendors and let them introduce you to their wares - some familiar, some exotic. The tour continues to Chauk Htat Kyi, a huge reclining Buddha image, followed by a photo stop at the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge. Nothing will prepare you for Shwedagon Pagoda, with its glittering gold stupa that Rudyard Kipling called "a golden mystery...a beautiful twinkling wonder." At the pagoda we observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at Shwedagon pagoda.
Day 2: Yangon - Mandalay – Amarapura
Transfer to the airport for your flight to legendary Mandalay, a city of great cultural importance. It was the last Burmese capital before the British took over and moved the capital to Yangon. Upon arrive in Mandalay visit a 200-year-old teak bridge and famous Buddhist monastery, home to over 1000 monks. This afternoon visit the second most sacred image in Myanmar next to the Shwedagon Pagoda is the Mahamuni Pagoda. Next visit Golden palace Monastery famous for its intricate woodcarvings. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. Then climb up to the Mandalay Hill and see the best view of Mandalay from the top of Mandalay hill as the sun slowly sets.
Day 3: Mandalay - The Irrawaddy – Mingun
You cannot leave this enchanting country without getting to know its heart and soul - the magical Irrawaddy River. Boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun is about 11 km (one hour each way) upriver from Mandalay. Visit the Mingun Bell, weighing 87 tons and being the world's largest intact bronze bell, the unfinished Mingun Paya (built with the intention of being the world's biggest pagoda). After lunch, back to Mandalay.
Day 4: Bagan
After breakfast, fly to Bagan considered one of the greatest sights of Asia! Located on the lush delta plain, Bagan was once a great royal city with over 13,000 temples. Although the majority of the temples have been destroyed, ancient temples still dot the landscape as far as the eye can see. Hundreds of temples and pagodas, from simple to magnificent, spread over 40 square kilometers. Begin our exploration of Bagan by visiting a busy local market to see the vast variety of fresh fruit and vegetables for sale and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan and continuing with visits to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples such as Ananda Temple, one of the largest, best preserved, and most revered temples in Bagan. Also visit a local lacquerware workshop, where we watch men and women ply their craft using traditional methods. Mid-afternoon enjoy lunch by the pool before venturing out again for our afternoon walk. We end our walk by climbing to the top of the Temple for sunset views. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas.
Day 5: Bagan - Heho - Inle Lake
After breakfast, fly to Heho, our gateway to Inle Lake. Known as the most beautiful lake in Myanmar, Inle Lake's calm waters are surrounded by high hills and dotted with floating gardens and stilted villages. Upon arrival proceed to by road to Pindaya and visit Pinday Caves, a unique site housing thousand of Buddha images places there by pilgrims and devotes over the centuries. Then drive to NyaungShwe and transfer to your hotel for check in.
Day 6: Inle Lake
After breakfast you will tour around the lake with private boat. Enjoy a tour of Inle Lake. The five Buddha images of Phaung Daw U Pagoda are the holiest in Inle Lake. The images have been covered in so much gold they look like balls of solid gold. Next, visit a unique Monastery on the Lake where the local Monks have trained the cats to jump through hoops, it is now affectionately known as the jumping cat Monastery. Proceed to Nampan village and see local cigar [cheroot] making and canoe carving.
Day 7: Inle Lake – Yangon
Morning flight to Yangon. Upon arrival visit the over 100 year old beautiful Rangoon Synagogue. In there you will have the opportunity to meet with Trustee of the Synagogue to hear the brief history of Burmese Jewish Community and some interesting stories. Other amazing features of this incredible synagogue are the 120 years two old Torah from Baghdad, Iraq. Souvenir shop where you can see Burmese handmade Jewish items and historical photos of the Synagogue and community.
In the late afternoon enjoy a visit to Scott Market (Bogyoke Aung San Market) the sprawling 70-year-old Market. At the market you will find a whole variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems & jewelry - bargain at the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere!
Day 8: Yangon - Departure
After breakfast, day at leisure until transfer to airport for International departure flight.
* The itinerary above is designed to give you a flavor of what is possible and can be tailor-made to suit your preferences. This is simply a suggested itinerary, and can easily be customized to suit your schedule, budget, and interests.
