Myanmar Hill Tribes 12 days tour

Destination: Yangon/Bagan Mt. Popa/Mandalay/Mingun/Kyaing Tong/Heho/Inle Lake

Highlights: This thrilling tour begins in Yangon and then take you to the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda, temple city of Bagan, former royal capital Mandalay, Mt. Popa Mountain,Kyaing Tong, Mingun Pagoda and the tribal traditions of Inle Lake. The highlight of the tour is visiting traditional villages along the way. We’ll bring you to the best destinations in Myanamar, however, you can also add special events, personal visits with artisans, seasonal festivals and more to your tour.

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.

In the afternoon, you’ll have 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 in Yangon.

Day 2: 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 3: Bagan/Mt. Popa/Bagan (B, L, 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 offers 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 4: Bagan/Mandalay by flight (B, G)

After breakfast at hotel, you’ll 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 in Mandalay..

Day 5: Mandalay/Mingun/Mandalay (B, L, 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 6: Mandalay/Kyaing Tong by flight (B, G)

This morning, you will be transfer to Mandalay airport for your flight to Kyaing Tong. Before checking in at the airport, you might have a light lunch at the airport coffee shop as our flight to Kyaing Tong will be mid-day flight. Arrive Kyaing Tong airport and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon visit Wan-Pauk village to see the red clothed Palaung still dressing traditional style with silver and lacquered waist-bands. Overnight at the hotel in Kyaing Tong.

Day 7: Kyaing Tong (B, L, G)

After simple breakfast at hotel, start the day with a visit to Pin Tauk village about 2 hr drive from Kyaing Tong. Hike up to the villages on the higher slopes to visit Akha and Ann Tribes where they possess distinctively different costumes and beliefs from the other tribes particularly interest with their black teeth. The Picnic lunch will be served at Pin-Tauk water fall. After lunch return drive back to Kyaing Tong. En route, visit Wan Kan village to study the traditional process of making Rice wine and Wan Lau village to see the hand made Shan paper works. Arrive Kyaing Tong for accommodation. Overnight at the hotel in Kyaing Tong.

Day 8: Kyaing Tong (B, L, G)

This morning, we will be visiting Hokyin mountain area approximately an hour drive from Kyaing Tong. After drop of from the bus, hike up about 1 and half hour to visit Akha villages where Lahu and Akha tribes living together with different beliefs. An ideal picnic lunch will be provided. (included service) After visiting Hokyin village, return drive back to Kyaing Tong. Overnight at the hotel in Kyaing Tong.

Day 9: Kyaing Tong/Heho/Inle Lake (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll check out from hotel and visit some of the Akhe’s Wan Sai village and Ann’s Ho Lung village on the route to airport. After lunch, fly to Heho on the Shan plateau. Transfer by road to Inle Lake and transfer to our hotel by long tail boat across the lake. Upon arrival, you’ll check in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Inle Lake.

Day 10: Boat excursion on Inle Lake (B, L, G)

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll visit floating market which is a 5 day 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 11: Inle Lake/Heho/Yangon by flight (B, L, G)

We are heading back down country today to return to the airport at Heho for our flight to Yangon. Our route takes us back to Heho and down the escarpment to Nyaung-Shwe for a busy local market. Check in at airport and fly back to Yangon. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon, we plan to visit 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 visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for souvenir shopping. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 12: Yangon departure (B, G)

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