Grand Myanmar tour 16 days

Day 1: Yangon ( G )

Arrive in Yangon where you will be welcomed by our local Myanmar tours guide and transferred to your hotel to drop off you luggage. If you arrived by mid day flight, we may proceed for lunch. After lunch, a walk through “downtown” Yangon, a diverse mix of faded colonial architecture from the British times, and high-rises built by more recent investors; Sule Pagoda, built in the early 3rd century is a landmark in the city centre. late afternoon visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds and rubies, sapphires and topaz – a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to begin our trip in this “Golden Land”. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 2: Yangon/Golden Rock by car ( B, G )

Early morning drive to Kyaikhtiyo, passing the World War II War Cemetery, dedicated to the 27,000 Commonwealth Forces who died in Burma. Upon arrival at the base camp, transfer to a special open truck for uphill toward the second base camp and take a light trekking to the Golden Rock along the twisting footpath through bamboo forest. At the summit is a small Pagoda insignificant in size but unique for its position. The rock is completely covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edged of the cliff. Marvel the sunset on hilltop and watch the evening activities at the shrine of the local pilgrimages before descent trek to the Golden Rock Hotel for overnight.

Day 3: Golden Rock/Yangon by car   ( B, G )

After breakfast, leave your hotel to take a downhill ride by special open truck to the base camp where your private car is awaiting for you. Drive back to Yangon via Bago. On the way, visit the cashew nut, rubber plantation and the nearby an orphanage house. Make a short visit of Bago town tour including local market; Shwetharlyaung, 55 meters long reclining Buddha Image and Shwemawdaw Pagoda, its spire is even taller than the great Shwedagon Pagoda. Return to Yangon through rural landscape of rice fields and small villages. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 4: Yangon/Bagan by flight   ( B, G )

This morning we head for the airport to get the early morning flight to Bagan. Check into the hotel and depart for a sightseeing excursion around the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area. A comprehensive exploration of Bagan includes Nyaung Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Kyansittha Umin; Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite mural painting of 13th century and Htilominlo Temple. In the afternoon, after a visit to lacquer ware workshops; continue to Manuha Temple built by exile King Manuha; Nanphaya, said to have been the residence of King Manuha; Ananda Temple, architectural masterpiece and Oak-Kyaung monastery decorated with multi colour mural paintings. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset from one of the temple of Bagan. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.

Day 5: Bagan/Mt. Popa /Bagan  ( B, G )

This morning, we will be watching sunrise over Bagan (optional) and back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast at hotel, we head to Mt. Popa about 48 km south east of Bagan. Mt. Popa, known as the abode of Nats (spirits) – a collection of 37 magical spirits both feared and honoured by some Myanmar people and the nat museum, which houses 37 life-size nat statues sculpted from teak. It’s time to climb for 777 steps to the summit. Proceed to Popa Mountain Resort ( 1hr drive ) for our lunch. The restaurant offer a great view to the Popa summit that stands straight from the central plain. After lunch, return drive back to Bagan. On the way back, enroute stop at village cottage industry to learn the regional product as well as to watch the collection of juice from the palm trees, and its conversion to brown sugar. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.

Day 6: Bagan/Mandalay by flight  ( B, G )

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Nyaun U airport for flight to Mandalay. When you arrive at Mandalay airport, drive to ancient capital of Amarapura, the city of Immortality for a visit to Bagaya Monastery with a famous collection of Buddha images; weaving industries, two-century old U-Bein teak bridge on the Taungtaman Lake and observe the lunch process of thousand of monks who take their last meal of the day at 10:00 am in total silence. Proceed to Mandalay and check in at the hotel. After refreshment, you will take a sightseeing tour of Mandalay which includes Mahanumi, a life like Buddha image. Mandalay is the last capital of Myanmar and that make her to be the best place to see all the traditional arts and crafts. Start visiting gold leaf making work-place and see how the gold leaf is being made by hand in a traditional way. Continue visit the Old Palace grounds; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world’s largest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha’s Doctrine; Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Mandalay/Mingun/Inwa(Ava)/Mandalay   ( B, G )

After breakfast, you will be transferred for Jetty for a private boat across the river Ayeywarwaddy to visit Mingun. The dedications of King Bodawpaya such as the unfinished Pathodawgyi Pagoda a brick counterpart of pyramid in Egypt and the Mingun Bell, the second largest bell in the world are the most prominent religious heritages. Then visiting the Myatheintan Pagoda, the best representation of the Universe, will refresh your tiredness and fatigue. Return to Mandalay After lunch, drive to Ava, 30-minute to the south of Mandalay, was known in the west as the Kingdom of Ava. Stop by a tributary and cross it with a ferry. Travel by pony-cart around Ava to Nanmyint leaning tower which gives a birds’ eye view of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River; Bagaya wooden monastery; Aungmyaybonza Monastery made of brick and stucco. Though the Royal Palace has gone, the Pagodas, Temples and Monasteries still remain. Return drive to Mandalay and see the silversmith work place on our way back to hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.

Day 8: Mandalay/Heho/Pindaya by flight & car & boat  ( B, G )

After breakfast, depart the hotel for flight to Heho on the Shan plateau. Upon arrival, transfer by road to Pindaya (60km) about 90 minutes drive. After check in at hotel, make an excursion to the caves which houses over 8,000 Buddha Images of various sizes, made from teak, lacquer, marble, alabaster and cement. In the afternoon, explore the district for it’s famous traditional paper & umbrella making home base cottage industry. Overnight at the hotel in Pindaya.

Day 9: Pindaya/Inle Lake by car  ( B, G )

After breakfast at hotel, we are transferring by road to Inle Lake. We have a leisurely morning to make our way down into the Inle basin and by “long-tail” boat out across the lake to our Hotel right on the Inle Lake. In the afternoon, we plan to spend the day visiting villages and sampling the spectacular array of traditional handicrafts. You will see the unique method locals use to row their boats, fishermen with their own style of fishing, floating farms and gardens and a handloom weaving cottage with its own showroom. You will visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda which houses the five most revered Buddha Images in the southern Shan State. Overnight at the hotel on Inle Lake.

Day 10: Inle Lake boat excursions  ( B, G )

After breakfast at the hotel, visit floating market which is a 5day rotation market most fascinating to watch the daily life of the minorities and their activities. Continue our excursion by motorized boat to Indein pagoda complex, in the south-west of the lake. The boat leaves the lake and enters a narrow canal with a beautiful natural environment to continue to a small Pa O tribe village. From the village, follow an old covered path to a 13th century monastery and the very impressive ruins of hundreds of ancient pagodas, some hidden in the vegetation. The main stupa-area on the top of the hill offers breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains and down to the valley and the lake in the far distance. Return to your hotel and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Inle Lake/Heho/Sittwe/Mrauk U (via Thandwe or Yangon)  ( B, G )

We are heading back down country today to return to the airport at Heho for our flight to Sittwe via Yangon. Upon arrival at Yangon, connect your flight to Sittwe. When you arrive at Sittwe, transfer to jetty to board a simple boat for 70 km (6 hours) up-river cruise to the ancient capital of Mrauk U with the view of sunset. Upon arrival in Mrauk U, transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Mrauk U.

Day 12: Mrauk U  ( B, G )

After breakfast at hotel, sightseeing of ancient city includes remains of walls, gateways and the unusual 16th century temples such as the maze-like Shittaung Pagoda, Andaw Thein and Htukkan Thein Temples. Afternoon visit roofing sheet making cottage with leaf of “Ra Own” tree, Toddy palm juice producing shop and Rakhine traditional bronze Buddha Statue casting and stone carving workshop. Enjoy sunset at Shwe Taung hill with overview of the Mrauk U city. Overnight at the hotel in Mrauk U.

Day 13: Mrauk U  ( B, G )

Head out by road to Sin Oh village through colorful paddy field. Villages in this region are hidden under the trees of lemon, mango, lychee, etc. Farm of corn, peanut, watermelon are fully grown on the fertilized soil of the river bank. A boat trip to Kritchaung with the view of sunrise and breakfast on the boat may be an unforgettable experience. Visit to a tattooed woman house and observe the way she works, getting a basket of rice from paddy. Proceed to Sin Gay, a bamboo-producing village. En route, you can experience the meandering river like a snake, 90 degree vertical up right standing mountains, flying birds, crystal clear water with pebbles and fishes. Picnic lunch in a bamboo house in Sin Gay village and back to Mrauk U with the sunset on the river. Overnight in Mrauk U.

Day 14: Mrauk U – Sittwe – Yangon ( by flight )  ( B, G )

Early morning, depart Mrauk U by your private boat and enjoy down river journey to Sittwe. Upon arrival, transfer to Sittwe airport for your return flight to Yangon. Arrive Yangon and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 15: Yangon   ( B, G )

After breakfast at the hotel, continue exploring Yangon cityscape. Tour highlights include Karaweik, a royal barge for fantastic photo shot along the “pilgrims” causeway across the Royal Lake with stunning views of Schwedagon Pagoda; ; Chaukhtutgyi, a huge reclining Buddha image and National Museum where precious collections are displayed. After lunch, visit to non-touristic site of local glass making factory and we plan to visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for souvenir shopping. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 16: Yangon Departure   ( B, G )

After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Yangon International airport for your return international departure flight.