Unforgettable Myanmar 9 Days and 8 Nights
Unforgettable Myanmar 9 days BUR-001
DAY 1: Yangon (based on morning arrival)
Upon arrival in Yangon, our guide will meet you in the arrival hall. Today, Yangon sightseeing includes Botataung Pagoda, a famous Pagoda in downtown Yangon on the river and built around 2.500 years ago. The Pagoda is hollow giving us an opportunity to walk through and see many ancient relics and artifacts.
From here we proceed to the downtown area of Yangon and walk along the Pansodan street which has many large colonial buildings still in use today. In this area we also find the Independence Monument in Mahabandoola Garden, dedicated to Burma’s independence from Great Britain in 1948. It is interesting to see the sidewalk stalls including those selling old books and magazines dated from the 1960’s up to the present.
In the afternoon sightseeing includes the colossal reclining Buddha Chaukhtatgyi. This complex is known for its enormous 65 meter long and 16 meters high Reclining Buddha built around 1907. We finish our sightseeing with a visit to the awe inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda, perhaps the most beautiful pagoda complex in all of Asia. This most sacred, important and impressive Pagoda, and the most significant for the Myanmar people, enshrines some of the Buddha’s relics from around 2.500 years ago. The Pagoda stands 110 meters high covered with hundreds of gold plates. The top is encrusted with 4.531 diamonds, the largest of which is 72 carats. The Pagoda is a depository of the best in Myanmar heritage – architecture, sculpture and arts.
Overnight in Yangon.
DAY 2: Yangon to Bagan by air (B)
After breakfast our driver will meet you in the lobby of your hotel to begin our visit to one of Asia’s most stunning archeological destinations with its more than 2,000 pagodas dotting the plains along the legendary Ayerwaddy River. See the bustling Nyaung Oo local market and then some of Bagan’s most distinctive pagodas including Shwezigon, a prototype of later Myanmar Stupas and Wetkyi-in- Gubyaukgyi, a 13th century ‘cave temple’ with fine wall paintings.
One of the most outstanding Pagoda’s in the area is the magnificent Ananda Pagoda, one of the most revered pagodas in all Myanmar and containing four tall standing Buddhas. Afternoon sightseeing highlights; Sulamani Temple built by King Narapatisithu; Dhammayangyi Temple, a massive later period temple with the finest brickwork in Bagan, and Thatbyinnyu Temple which towers above other monuments of Bagan. We will also visit a Thanaka museum, dedicated to the tree bark and root of the Thanaka tree used in making a fragrant white colored paste which Myanmar women wear for skin beauty and protection from the sun. Visitors can learn how to make and apply the Thanaka paste. Everywhere in Myanmar you can find this paste, and the ingredients to make it. Perhaps a souvenir to take home?
As the sun goes down we will climb to the top of a temple especially selected by our guide, and witness the spectacular sunset over one of the most beautiful areas in the world.
Overnight in Bagan.
DAY 3: Bagan (Kyun Thiri Sightseeing) (B)
After breakfast our guide will meet you in the lobby of the hotel to take you to the boat pier for an unforgettable and enjoyable 30 minute boat ride to Kyun Thiri Island, situated in the middle of the Ayerwaddy river. We will visit a typical farming village, taking time to interact with the local people and observing their way of life which remains unchanged over the last centuries. We will visit a local monastery on the Island where we will be served tea and snacks.
Returning to our boat we make our way back to Bagan.
In the early afternoon take some free time to relax before we visit a small lacquer-ware craft shop in Phawsaw village where we will observe the production of this national treasure. If you are interested, you are invited to join in and try your hand at making these beautiful pieces. After our time here, we will continue via horse and buggy, enjoying beautiful Bagan, visiting monasteries and villages along the way.
We will finish our day by witnessing another spectacular sunset over Bagan.
Overnight in Bagan.
DAY 4: Bagan to Mandalay by air (B)
After breakfast our driver will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and take you to the Airport for your morning flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival in Mandalay, our guide will meet you in the arrival hall for your transfer to Mandalay, the last royal capital of the Burmese kingdom and a city rich in history and culture. On the way to the city, we will stop at the ancient royal capital of Amarapura (capital city during the Konbaung period), and enjoy a walk on U Bein Bridge which stretches 1.2 kilometers over Lake Taungtaman. Built around 1850, it is the oldest and longest teak-wood span in the world. As we stroll in the vicinity of U Bein Bridge we also observe traditional silk and cotton weaving for which Mandalay is famous.
After our lunch break we visit the nearby small island of Inwa. It was founded in 1364 and lasted nearly 400 years as a royal capital. Inwa is accessible by a short ferry transfer and there are no cars on the island. We travel by pony cart down tree-lined paths to see old palace walls; a watch tower now called the’ Leaning Tower of Ava’; the Maha Aungmye Bonzan, which is a beautiful brick-and-stucco monastery; and the elegant teak-wood monastery Bagaya Kyaung, one of the few surviving teak-wood monasteries in Myanmar and where young monks still study. Return from Inwa and transfer into Mandalay city.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 5: Mingun – Mandalay (B)
After breakfast we transfer to a boat jetty and board a boat for a comfortable river cruise to reach Mingun, located on the other side of the Ayeyarwaddy River and north of Mandalay. The boat cruise is always interesting as we can observe the ways of local life all along the river.
Sightseeing highlights includes Pathodawgyi – one of the most famous in the world, also known as the largest unfinished Pagoda. Building started in 1791, it was intentionally left unfinished at 49 meters high. Had it been finished it would have towered 150 meters. The Pagoda was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1839. We will stop to see the Mingun bell – said to be world’s biggest intact ringing bell weighing in at 90,718 kilograms (199,999 pounds)and Myatheindan pagoda representing Buddhist cosmology built in 1816 representing the Sulamani Pagoda which, according to the Buddhist plan of the Cosmos, stands atop Mount Meru.
Drive back to Mandalay.
Time permitting, we will visit Mandalay Hill for a spectacular view of Mandalay City.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 6: Mandalay to Heho by air (B)
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Mandalay airport where we will fly to Heho. After arrival at Heho airport we drive to magical Inle Lake. Situated 900 meters above sea level and 22 km long by 11 km wide, this large shallow lake is in an idyllic setting surrounded by mountains and is home to the Intha people, renowned for their floating gardens and the unique one-legged rowing style of their fishermen. We travel by small private boat on the lake, visiting the famous Paung Daw Oo pagoda, with its five famous Buddha images (four of which are carried in great ceremony around the lake during the Paung Daw Oo festival) and also nearby Inpawkhone Village where, in houses on stilts, we see traditional silk weaving with hand looms and the processing of lotus blossoms as they are made into beautiful fabric.
After our lunch time break on the lake, our next visit will take in traditional crafts-making such as blacksmithing, cheroot (local cigar) rolling, and boat making. Then enjoy a boat ride through the Kaylar village observing the many houses on stilts and the ways of life. We will see the floating gardens up close, then on to the ‘Ngaphae Chaung Monastery’, known as the jumping cat monastery, which is an interesting old traditional monastery on the lake.
Overnight on Inle.
Day 7: Indein (B)
Enjoy our Inle Lake sightseeing with a visit to Indain and its enchanting 17th century pagodas. To reach Indain and the nearby village we will take a boat ride up a small scenic creek that runs into Inle lake. After lunch we will visit the silk and lotus weaving industry, cheroot making and Shan Traditional Paper making. If we are lucky we have a chance to see the Long Neck ladies which we call Padaung women.
Return to hotel and time for relaxation and leisure.
Overnight in Inle
DAY 8: Heho – Yangon by air (B)
After breakfast our guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel to transfer to the airport of Heho for your flight back to Yangon.
Upon arrival in Yangon, our guide will meet you in the arrival hall. From here we will visit the beautiful Kandawgyi Lake with the huge mythical birds of the Karaweik Barge in prominent view. This barge was built based on the royal barge design of previous kingdoms. From here we will visit the National Museum and shopping at the famous Scott market, a sprawling complex built in 1926 and noted for its variety of handicrafts and other items which provides an excellent opportunity for browsing and shopping.
In the evening we may go to Wahdan jetty on the Yangon River to see the hustle and bustle of local life as goods and people transfer on and off the ships.
Overnight in Yangon
Day 9: Yangon – Departure (based on morning departure) (B)
After breakfast there is time for relaxation and leisure until our driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure back to Bangkok.
Services Included
- Domestic flight tickets with economy class
- Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
- Entrance fees and zone fees for the visits
- Boat trip at Inle lake
- All transfers, sightseeing and excursion by private air-con vehicle with drivers as per proposal
- Service of an English speaking Station Guides
Services Excluded
- International air tickets to/from Myanmar
- Visa Arrangement to Myanmar
- International airport departure tax (currently at US$ 10 per person),
- Early check in and late check out
- Drinks
- Meals not other than above mentioned
- Compulsory dinner
- Visa Fees (US 30 per person)
- Insurance and
- Any other services not mentioned above
B=Breakfast
Remark: There may be few changes in offered prices depending on the increases in fuel cost, domestic airfares and USD exchange rates and festive season surcharge.