10 Day One night cruise down stream from Mandalay to Bagan

Destination: Yangon/Heho/Pindaya/Inle Lake/Mandalay/Bagan

Highlights: The ancient capitals flourished along the River Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) stretching from far north to the southern delta and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy exists as an important means of transport throughout Myanmar history. One night on cruise will be one of the main highlights in your trip beside Inle Lake – one of the hightest lakes of Myanmar with leg rowed traditional boats, the unique culture of Mandalay city and the glorious city of Bagan with its 3,000 temples and pagodass

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: Yangon arrival (G)
Arrive in Yangon where you will be welcomed by your local tour 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 in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon/Heho/Pindaya/Inle Lake (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll depart the hotel for flight to Heho on the Shan plateau. (08.10/09.35) Transfer by road to Pindaya (60km), a quiet town about 90 minutes drive. Pindaya is the site of the historic thousand Buddha image caves. We can make an excursion to the caves and exploring the district for it’s famous traditional paper & umbrella making home base cottage industry. Late afternoon, drive to Inle Lake and transfer by “long-tail” boat out across the lake to our Hotel right on the Inle Lake. Overnight at the hotel on Inle Lake.

Day 3: Inle Lake boat excursions (B, L, G)

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll visit floating market which is a 5day rotation market most fascinating to watch the daily life of the minorities and their activities. 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 4: Inle Lake/Heho/Mandalay (B, G)

After breakfast, we are heading back down country today to return to the airport at Heho for our flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, proceed to Mandalay and check in at hotel. Afternoon, 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 in Mandalay.

Day 5: Mandalay/Mingun/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. In the afternoon, you will be taken a sightseeing tour of Mandalay which includes Mahamuni, 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. Drive along to the south and see more industries such as bronze casting artisans, wood carvers, tapestry making ladies, and stone carvers, etc. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Mandalay on board RV Pandaw (B, L, D, G)

Mid morning, you will be transfer to jetty to board on RV Pandaw for your one night cruise down to ancient Bagan. At 1200 depart Mandalay and lunch on board. Cruise all day and overnight on board.

Day 7: Bagan arrival (B, L, G)

After breakfast, explore Thein Gone village. Thein Gone is a typical river community in which all people are cared for within the community. There is a pleasant Buddhist monastery with 5 monks and over 25 monastery boys, borders from the outlying areas receiving free education and care from the monks. In addition there is a state-run village school with 4 teachers, but they commute from nearby Pakokku. The Thein Gone people are very friendly and welcoming. Mid morning, arrive Bagan and transfer to Hotel in Bagan. In the afternoon, we will visit the most impressive temples of Bagan browsing among the lot. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.

Day 8: 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 9: Bagan/Yangon (B, G)

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Nyaung U airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival check in to your hotel to drop off your luggage. We will continue by car to Karaweik, a royal barge for fantastic photo shot along the “pilgrims” causeway across the Royal Lake with stunning views of Schwedagon Pagoda and Chaukhtutgyi pagoda, a huge reclining Buddha image. After lunch, we plan to visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for souvenir shopping. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 10: Yangon departure (B, G)

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