DAY 1: ARRIVE IN YANGON (-)
Arrive in Yangon and transfer
to hotel.
Yangon, formerly known as
Rangoon, is still a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial
and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating and authentic
places in South East Asia.
In the afternoon, we head to
the city center for a tour of the colonial buildings, past Sule Paya and on to
Bogyoke Market.
At the end of the afternoon,
we reach Myanmar’s holiest monument, the Shwedagon Pagoda with its golden stupa
covered with 60 tons of pure gold leaf.
Dinner this evening is at
leisure.
DAY 2 : YANGON - BAGAN (B/L)
This morning we wake up early
for the flight to Bagan (Nyaung U airport)
Thousands of ancient stupas
and temples in this area make Bagan, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites
in Asia. From the 11th till 13th century, when Bagan was the capital of
Myanmar, the rulers constructed huge stupas and temples, many of which are
still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.
On arrival, we head to
Tayokye Pyay for a first overview over the plain of Bagan.
We continue with the
Shwezigon Pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa, followed by Wetkyi-In
Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jatakas murals paintings and the
elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed
sandstone decorations.
Lunch at Local
Restaurant
In the afternoon, visit
Ananda, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple and Ananda
Okkyaung is one of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan
period.
End the day with a horse
carriage tour among the temples starting at Ananda and passing Thatbyinnyu, the
highest temple in Bagan, the massive Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its
remarkable brickwork and Sulamani.
Sunset over the site from one
of the open upper terraces in Bagan.
Dinner at
leisure.
DAY3: BAGAN – MT POPA – KALAW (Car) (B)
This morning we embark on a
long, but scenic drive to Kalaw stopping at Mt Popa en route. We’ll depart
around 7 AM, reaching Mt Popa an hour later where we will climb to the top of
the mountain to see the many nat shrines.
Kalaw is in the heart of the
Shan State. The drive takes around 6-7 hours and crosses through many local
villages and beautiful mountainous areas. We’ll stop for a basic, but tasty
lunch en route.
Arrive in Kalaw around 18.00
Overnight in Kalaw.
DAY 4 : KALAW – PINDAYA - NYAUNG SHWE – INLE
LAKE (B/L)
This morning after breakfast
visit the morning market in Kalaw then depart for the scenic drive to Nyaung
Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake.
Along the way we will stop in
Pindaya to visit the famed Pindaya Caves. This series of three cave chambers
contains hundreds of Buddha statues and offers sweeping views of the
surrounding hills and lakes.
We’ll also visit a local
workshop in Pindaya making traditional paper umbrellas. We’ll have lunch in
Pindaya at Memento restaurant, serving food from the area’s hilltribes.
Continue
by road to Nyaung Shwe to the boat jetty. We’ll take a longtail boat out to our
lakeside hotel, passing the Inthar fishermen and floating farms that the lake
is famous for and reach the hotel around 5pm.
Dinner
this evening is at your leisure on Inle Lake.
Overnight
on Inle Lake.
DAY 5: INLE LAKE – VILLAGES & BIKING & WINE TASTING - Nyaung Shwe (B, L)
After breakfast, we start
with a boat trip to Khaung Dine village on the northwest coast of the lake.
This village is famous for its traditional Shan tofu - fried tofu crackers and
folded, triangular tofu treats. We’ll be able to watch (and perhaps
participate!) as they sift the soy beans, boil them, mash them into balls then
form tofu cakes to dry in the sun. This is a fabulous taste of local life on
Inle Lake.
We’ll continue down to see some of the local crafts produced on the lake such as cheroots, lotus weaving and blacksmiths. Lunch will be served at a restaurant on the lake.
Around 3 pm we’ll reach Maing
Thauk village on the lake’s eastern shores where our bikes will be waiting.
We’ll pedal for 1.5 hours along flat roads, passing by sugar cane farms, bamboo
forests and many small temples and schools. Depending on the time of year there
may be a lot of activity in the fields, such as making molasses or harvesting
grains.
The last stretch of the ride
takes us uphill to Red Mountain winery where we can watch the sunset and enjoy
an optional
wine tasting.
Transfer back to your hotel
in Nyaung Shwe by car.
Dinner
at your own.
Overnight in Nyaung Shwe or Inle Lake
DAY 6: INLE LAKE – HEHO – YANGON by flight (B/D)
This morning we recommend
visiting the Nyaung Shwe morning market. Then transfer to the Heho airport for
the flight to Yangon.
This afternoon is at leisure
for last minute shopping.
Around 18.00 we’ll head down to Strand Road in
downtown were local trishaws will be waiting to take you on a short tour of
downtown. You’ll travel along Strand Road and stop near Sule Paya for photos of
the illuminated stupa before continuing on to 19th Street in the
heart of China Town. Chinatown is a lively place in the evening and we’ll take
a short walking tour along 19th Street and its environs. Dozens of
vendors set up satay stalls and other snack stalls here in the evening and it
is a popular spot for locals to gather, have a drink and chat with friends.
Sample some of the local treats as we walk through the bustling streets.
Around 19.30, we’ll transfer by car to local
restaurant for a farewell dinner.
Finally we take you to Mr Guitar for a
post-dinner drink. Mr Guitar is one of Yangon’s most iconic bars, established
years ago by Nay Myo Say, a famous Burmese musician and artist. The classy yet
casual bar features live music and draws a crowd of hip locals and expatriates
nightly.
Overnight in Yangon
DAY 7: Departure (B)
You will transfer to Yangon Railways station to take local circular train
for a journey to the outskirts of town (45 minutes ride). The slowly traveling
train gives you a unique opportunity to observe the lively and colorful life of
the rural Burmese people. Disembark to
visit Insein market where a variety of street vendors sell colorful wares. Enjoy exploring the market and meeting the
friendly locals.
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