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MYANMAR
EXPERIENCE |
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The ancient capitals
flourished along the River
Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy)
stretching from far north to the
southern delta and the mighty
Ayeyarwaddy exists as an
important means of transport
throughout Myanmar history.
Adopting the old cultural and
natural setting, today there has
been a number of cruises are
available and we recommend the
journey between the two ancient
capital Bagan and Mandalay.
Cruises are on your choice,
taste and budget. |
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BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 01: Yangon arrival
Day 02: Yangon - Heho - Pindaya - Inle Lake
Day 03: Inle Lake boat excursion
Day 04: Inle Lake - Heho - Mandalay
Day 05: Mandalay / Mingun / Mandalay
Day 06: On board
Day 07: Bagan arrival and sightseeing
Day 08: Excursion to Mt. Popa
Day 09: Bagan - Yangon
Day 10: Yangon departure
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DETAILED ITINERARY:
Day 1. Arrive Yangon
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.
Day 2. Yangon - Heho - Pindaya - Inle Lake (
flight + car + boat )
After breakfast, depart the hotel for flight to Heho
on the Shan plateau. (08.10/09.35) Transfer by road
to Pindaya (60km), a quiet town about 90 minutes
drive. Pindaya is the site of the historic thousand
Buddha image caves. We can make an excursion to the
caves and exploring the district for it's famous
traditional paper & umbrella making home base
cottage industry. Late afternoon, drive to Inle Lake
and transfer by "long-tail" boat out across the lake
to our Hotel right on the Inle Lake. Overnight at
the hotel on Inle Lake.
Day 3. Inle Lake boat excursions
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. 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 - Heho - Mandalay (flight)
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 5. Mandalay - Mingun - Mandalay
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 6. Mandalay - on board RV Pandaw
Mid morning, you will be transfer to jetty to board
on RV Pandaw for your one night cruise down to
ancient Bagan. At 1200 depart Mandalay and lunch on
board. Cruise all day and overnight on board.
Day 7. Bagan arrival
After breakfast, explore Thein Gone village. Thein
Gone is a typical river community in which all
people are cared for within the community. There is
a pleasant Buddhist monastery with 5 monks and over
25 monastery boys, borders from the outlying areas
receiving free education and care from the monks. In
addition there is a state-run village school with 4
teachers, but they commute from nearby Pakokku. The
Thein Gone people are very friendly and welcoming.
Mid morning, arrive Bagan and transfer to Hotel in
Bagan. In the afternoon, we will visit the most
impressive temples of Bagan browsing among the lot.
Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.
Day 8. Bagan - Mt. Popa - Bagan
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 9. Bagan - Yangon by flight
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 10. Yangon departure
After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to
Yangon International airport for your return
international departure flight.
INCLUSION:
(1) 9 night accommodations with daily
breakfast
(2) 4 domestic flights
(3) sightseeing with local tour guides
(4) all entry and zone fees
(5) ground transports ( car / boat )
(6) porter charges at airport and jetty |
EXCLUSION:
(1) visa fees
(2) international flights
(3) Personal expenses (
drinks/laundry/souvenirs)
(4) tipping at hotels and guides
(5) airport departure tax (USD 10 per
person)
(6) meals (lunch & dinner) |
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATIONS:
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Highlights:
Yangon, Inle Lake,
