SPUR OF
ESCAPES
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN YANGON (D)
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 capitals of South East Asia.
In the afternoon, a first look at the city takes you to the National
Museum and Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda's 70m long reclining Buddha.
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 at local Restaurant.
DAY 2
: YANGON – BAGAN by flight (B,L,D)
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Yangon's Mingaladon Airport for
the flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo). 1h 10 mins
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 Nanda Restaurant with its puppet show (or similar)
DAY 3
: BAGAN (B)
After breakfast,leisure or free visit with your own arrangement.
This afternoon start your half day sightseeing to the countryside
village of Minanthu, the least visited area in Bagan with temples such as
Payathonzu, with its unusual architecture and Tantric Buddhism influence,
Lemyethna and Nandamannya, before heading to the riverside near Nyaung U
Village where we board a local boat
for a slow cruise down the Ayeyarwaddy for sunset.
Supplement:
Come back to hotel after your sightseeing.
DAY 4
: BAGAN – MANDALAY by Flight (B,L,D)
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Nyaung Oo Airport for a flight
to Mandalay (25 min).
On arrival, visits start with the Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its
venerable statue of Buddha covered with gold leaf. Mandalay has long been known as a center of
skilled craftsmanship and in former times supplied the Royal Court. A tour of
traditional workshops includes crafts such as woodcarving, marble masonry,
Kalaga tapestry and gold leaf makoing.
In the afternoon visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble stone
slabs of Buddhist scriptures (the world’s biggest “book”) and Shwenandaw
Monastery, noted for its exquisite woodcarving.
End the day with a view of the sunset from Mandalay Hill.
Dinner at Local Restaurant.
DAY 5
: MANDALAY – MINGUN – SAGAING - AMARAPURA (B,L)
After breakfast, transfer to the jetty and board a private local boat
for a 1-hr cruise on the Irrawaddy River towards the site of Mingun.
Mingun, famous for its huge unfinished pagoda, is also home to the
Mingun Bell, considered as the world’s largest uncracked ringing bell. Also
visit the beautiful white Hsinbyume Pagoda.
Return to Mandalay.
Lunch at local Restaurant.
We continue south to Sagaing, one of the mains religious centers in
Myanmar nowadays. Visit Sagaing Hill dotted with hundreds of white stupas and
stop at one the silversmith’s workshops.
At the end of the day transfer to Amarapura, the 18th century capital
and visit the 200-year old U-Bein Bridge during sunset when the villagers are
crossing the bridge to return back home.
DAY 6
: MANDALAY – HEHO – INLE LAKE by
flight (B,L)
In the morning transfer (1hr) to Mandalay Airport for the flight to Heho
(25 mins)
From Heho, a
scenic drive leads down to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle
Lake.
We make a little side trip to Aythayar wine
estate near Taungyi where we stop to have a
look at the first Myanmar vineyard operating since 2004. Coffee/tea and
wine tasting break
Continue to Nyaung Shwe. Stop at the wooden
Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery on the way.
Lunch at View Point Restaurant(or Similar on
the lake)
Board a private motorboat (4 pax/boat) to head
out onto Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. We pass villages
built on stilts over the lake, which are mostly inhabited by Intha people, the
leg-rowing fishermen of the lake. See the
floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to
the bottom with bamboo poles.
Stops for visits at the Nga Hpe Chaung
(jumping cats) Monastery and its Shan Buddhas and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the
lake’s main sanctuary.
Transfer to your hotel on the lake.
DAY 7
: INLE LAKE – EXCURSION INDEIN (B,L)
After breakfast, we head to the morning market on the lake.
Rotating around villages on and near the lake in a 5 day rhythm, a
colorful market visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes is held
daily (except on new and full moon days).
From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the
Paoh village of In Dein. After a walk around the village, passing a local
school, take the covered stairway to the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area where
ancient stupas are partly covered by vegetation. From here there is a
magnificent view over the lake.
Return to the lake. Lunch at Nampan or InntharLay Restaurant or Similar
In the afternoon visits include the weaving
village of Inpawkhone, a cheroot factory where the typical Burmese cigars are
made by hand and a local boat-maker
If time allows (and if you prefer) walk
through some of villages on the eastern shore.
DAY 8
: INLE LAKE – HEHO – YANGON by flight (B,D)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Nyaung Shwe by boat then by
bus to Heho airport for your flight back to Yangon.
In the afternoon visit huge Bogyoke Market, formerly Scott Market,
offering a wide selection of Myanmar handicrafts and other goods. The market is
closed on Monday, public holidays and full moon days.
Possible options are: a walk through downtown
Yangon and/or busy Chinatown at the end of the afternoon.
Farewell dinner at Monsoon Restaurant or similar.
DAY 9
: YANGON – DEPARTURE in the morning (B)
Breakfast at the hotel
Leisure at hotel until transfer to Mingaladon Airport for your departure
flight.
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