THE VERY PASSIONATE OF
MYANMAR
Day 1: Arrive Yangon
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your Guide who will accompany you as you transfer to the hotel.
Yangon, formerly known as
Rangoon, is a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and
spiritual heritage makes it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast
Asia.
This afternoon, your journey
begins with a visit around the city and its highlights.
First we’ll visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to
a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. A visit to Kyaukhtatgyi provides a great
overview of Buddhism with murals depicting the life of Buddha, the feet of the
statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay
homage and pray.
Continue to Modern Tea Shop for a chance to
experience an integral part of Burmese life: drinking tea! Select from an array
of snacks and enjoy a coffee or tea as you sit amid businessmen, friends and
families who gather at the tea shop to socialize or conduct business. The tea
shop is also unique in the way they prepare the tea, so be sure to have your
camera ready.
Next your guided tour goes to Kandawagyi Park,
one of central Yangon’s greenest spots. Here you will see the glittering
Karaweik barge, a replica of the royal barge, and the vast lake with views of
Shwedagon in the background. Depending on the day of your visit Kandawgyi may
be busy with local families who come here on the weekend to relax in the fresh
air.
Late this afternoon, visit
Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. The central stupa is 90 meters tall and gilded
with gold leaf. As the sun begins to set
enjoy the breathtaking views of the Pagoda and surrounding skyline before
transferring back to your hotel.
Overnight in Yangon.
Day 2:
Yangon - Bagan (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for the flight to
Bagan (Nyaung Oo).
From the 11th to 13th centuries, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar,
the rulers constructed thousands of huge stupas and temples many of which are
still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.
On arrival, your journey begins with a visit to Tayokye Pyay, an elevated
temple from where you will have a panoramic view of the magnificent plains of
Bagan. Continue to the colorful Nyaung Oo Market where every day the locals
come to buy and sell fresh produce and other goods before visiting the golden
stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction in to Bagan’s rich history. Then,
visit to nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jataka
mural paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster
carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.
This afternoon begin with a visit to a traditional lacquer ware workshop
where you can observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known
handicrafts. Continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of
Bagan’s most beautiful temples. Built in
the early Mon-style, Ananda contains two unique Buddha images whose expressions
seem to change depending on the distance from which the statue is viewed.
From here, travel by horse cart for a tour passing Thatbyinnyu, the
highest temple in Bagan, massive Dhammayangyi Temple, noted for its remarkable
brickwork, and Sulamani Temple.
Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of
one of the temples.
Overnight in Bagan.
Day 3:
Bagan (B)
OPTION: Start your
morning with a hot-air balloon flight over the plains of Bagan. Enjoy the fabulous views as the sun rises
over the stupas and Irrawaddy River.
This is truly an unforgettable and unique experience! (Note: available
only from October to March)
After breakfast, visit the colorful Nyaung Oo Market where villagers
gather every day to buy and sell their produce and other goods. Continue to Myinkaba village and take a short
walking tour to explore the temples of Manuha and Nan Paya.
This afternoon, continue to the rural village of Minnanthu, one of
Bagan’s least visited areas. Here you
will explore temples such as Payathonzu, Lemyentha and Nandamannya before
heading to the riverside pier. Board a
local boat for a slow cruise down the Irrawaddy River. As you cruise the waters, observe the
lifestyle of the fishermen and riverside villagers as well as enjoying the
unique perspective of Bagan’s temples.
Return to your hotel this evening.
OPTION: Enjoy a
sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River to watch the sun set over the planes. A cocktail will be served on a sandbank in
the middle of the River- a magical way to end the day (minimum 2 people)
Overnight in Bagan.
Day 4:
Bagan - Mandalay (B)
Early this morning transfer to
the airport for the flight to Mandalay.
Upon arrival, begin your sightseeing tour of Mandalay with a visit to
Mahamuni Pagoda. This pagoda is home to
one of the country’s most revered Buddha images which, over the years, has been
covered with gold leaf giving it an almost ‘lumpy’ texture. Mandalay is well
known for its skilled craftsmen and as you tour traditional workshops, you will
learn more about the city’s cottage industries. Observe the production of wood
carvings, kalaga tapestries, and gold-leaf where the techniques remain unchanged from
those used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court.
This afternoon,
continue your tour of Mandalay with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729
marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s
Biggest Book’. Continue to Shwenandaw
Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal
Palace. This grand teak building is
known for its exquisite woodcarving.
Head to the top of Mandalay
Hill as the sun begins to set to enjoy magnificent views of the the city and
Irrawaddy River.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 5: Mandalay – Amarapura –
Ava – Sagaing - Mandalay (B)
After breakfast at the hotel,
depart for an excursion around Mandalay to explore the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava and
Sagaing.
Begin your tour in Amarapura,
where you will attend a special ceremony.
Witness the alms collection at Mahagandayon monastery, when over
one-thousand monks gather to collect their daily meal from the local Buddhists. After this beautiful spectacle, continue to U
Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge. The bridge spans over 2 kilometers in length
and offers fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. Before leaving Amarapura, stop at a silk
weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products.
Continue to Ava, the capital
from 14th to 18th centuries and travel by horse and carriage through the area
stopping to visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal
Palace and Fort.
This afternoon, cross a bridge
over the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and
monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of
Myanmar. It is home to 3,000 monks and
100 meditation centers and you will visit pagodas such as Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin,
U Min Thone Sae, and Shin Pin Nan Gyaing.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 6: Mandalay
– Heho – Inle Lake (B)
After breakfast, transfer to
Mandalay Airport for a flight to Heho.
From Heho, a scenic one-hour
drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way,
stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which features beautiful carvings
and a collection of Buddha images.
Upon reaching the edges of Inle
Lake, board a private motorboat to head out to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most
spectacular sights. Pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by
the local Intha people. Observe the
leg-rowing fishermen and see their
floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to
the bottom with bamboo poles. Visit Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which
houses dozens of Shan Buddha Images, but is more famous for its unique ‘jumping
cats’ who jump through hoops in the air!
Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which
contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf.
Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the
weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where the typical
Burmese cigars are made by hand.
If time permits, there may be
time to enjoy a short walk through one of the lakeside villages.
Overnight on Inle Lake.
Day 7: In Dien
– Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon (B)
After breakfast, visit the lake’s morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5 day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: market is daily except on dark moon day and full moon day).
From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the
Pa-oh village of In Dein. Explore the
area on foot, strolling around the village, visiting a local school, and wander
through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area.
Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has
magnificent views of the lake below.
After today’s tour, drive to the Heho Airport for the flight to Yangon
and upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Yangon.
Day 8: Depart
Yangon (B)
Depending on flight time, there is an option to take a ride on Yangon’s
Circle Train in the morning.
This morning transfer to Yangon Railways station to take a unique ride on
the city’s circular train ride through the outskirts of town (45 minutes ride).
This slowly traveling train gives you unique opportunity to observe the lively,
colorful lifestyle of the local people.
Disembark at the Insein market where you can peruse the various stalls
and interact with the friendly vendors before transferring back to Yangon.
This afternoon, visit Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market,
where you can browse through the wide selection of Myanmar handicrafts and
other goods before transferring to Yangon International Airport for your onward
flight. (Note: Market is closed on Mondays and public holidays)
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