Million Pagodas Myanmar 12 day tour

Destination: Yangon/Heho/Pindaya/Inle Lake/Mandalay/Mingun/Sagaing/Monywa/Pokkaku/Bagan/Mt. Popa

With traditions unchanged from time immemorial, a rich Buddhist culture, and diverse ethnic groups, Myanmar presents a singular travel experience. You’ll have a chance to see colonial Yangon, pastoral Inle Lake and Mandalay – the city of the last Myanmar Kings. We’ll take a local ferry across the river and continue drive into Bagan for sunset on a pagoda. It’s time to climb for 777 steps to the summit of 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.

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 (B, G)

After breakfast, depart the hotel for flight to Heho on the Shan plateau. (08.10/09.35) 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 3: Pindaya/Inle Lake (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 4: Inle Lake boat excursion (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 5: 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 6: 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 7: Mandalay/Sagaing/Monywa (B, G)

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Sagaing Hill, a complete retreat from the hurly-burly life or a corner for peace and silence. The hill is actually a home for hundreds of monasteries. It contributes a significant role in Myanmar religious belief. After visiting Sagain Hill continue drive to Monywa. Arrive Monywa and check into your hotel.

After lunch, proceed by road to Shwe Ba Hill and Phowin Taung caves to see the seldom visited 15th Phowin Taung temple complex where more than 450,000 sandstone Buddha’s were carved in the hillsides in caves and tiny niches. Return to Monywa and overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Monywa/Pokkaku/Bagan (B, G)

After breakfast, before heading to Pokkaku, make a town tour of Monywa which includes Thanboddhay Paya (with 500,000 of Buddha images) and Boddhi Tahtaung (one thousand of bo tree). Heading south out of Monywa we take a seldom-driven road through a rice growing region along the Chindwind River to Pokkaku. Here we take a local ferry across the river and continue drive into Bagan for sunset on a pagoda. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.

Day 9: Bagan (B, G)

After breakfast, 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 10: Excursion to Mt. Popa (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 11: 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 12: Yangon departure (B, G)

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