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MYANMAR IN
STYLE |
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As it is named, a
comprehensive explorations of
Myanmar includes Yangon with a
mix of faded colonial
architecture and recent high
rise buildings, archaeological
treasures of Bagan, former royal
capital and an extended visit to
Pindaya cave and Inle Lake
before returning to Yangon. |
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BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 01: Yangon arrival
Day 02: Yangon / Bagan (by flight)
Day 03: Bagan
Day 04: Bagan / Mandalay (by flight)
Day 05: Mandalay / Mingun / Mandalay
Day 06: Mandalay / Heho / Pindaya (by flight)
Day 07: Pindaya / Inle Lake
Day 08: Inle Lake
Day 09: Inle Lake ( Heho ) / Yangon (by flight)
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 - Bagan by flight
This morning we head for the airport to get the
early morning flight to Bagan. Check into the hotel
and depart for a sightseeing excursion around the
Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area. A
comprehensive exploration of Bagan includes Nyaung
Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later
Myanmar stupas; Kyansittha Umin; Wet-kyi-inn
Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite mural painting of
13th century and Htilominlo Temple.
In the afternoon, after a visit to lacquer ware
workshops; continue to Manuha Temple built by exile
King Manuha; Nanphaya, said to have been the
residence of King Manuha; Ananda Temple,
architectural masterpiece and Oak-Kyaung monastery
decorated with multi colour mural paintings. Enjoy
the breathtaking sunset from one of the temple of
Bagan. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.
Day 3. 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 4. Bagan - Mandalay by flight
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Nyaun U
airport for flight to Mandalay. When you arrive at
Mandalay airport, drive to ancient capital of
Amarapura, the city of Immortality for a visit to
Bagaya Monastery with a famous collection of Buddha
images; weaving industries, two-century old U-Bein
teak bridge on the Taungtaman Lake and observe the
lunch process of thousand of monks who take their
last meal of the day at 10:00 am in total silence.
Proceed to Mandalay and check in at the hotel.
After refreshment, you will take a sightseeing tour
of Mandalay which includes Mahanumi, 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. Continue 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.
Day 5. Mandalay - Mingun - Inwa(Ava) - 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. After lunch, drive to Ava,
30-minute to the south of Mandalay, was known in the
west as the Kingdom of Ava. Stop by a tributary and
cross it with a ferry. Travel by pony-cart around
Ava to Nanmyint leaning tower which gives a birds'
eye view of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River; Bagaya
wooden monastery; Aungmyaybonza Monastery made of
brick and stucco. Though the Royal Palace has gone,
the Pagodas, Temples and Monasteries still remain.
Return drive to Mandalay and see the silversmith
work place on our way back to hotel. Overnight at
the hotel in Mandalay.
Day 6. Mandalay - Heho - Pindaya by flight & car
After breakfast, depart the hotel for flight to Heho
on the Shan plateau. Upon arrival, transfer by road
to Pindaya (60km) about 90 minutes drive. After
check in at hotel, make an excursion to the caves
which houses over 8,000 Buddha Images of various
sizes, made from teak, lacquer, marble, alabaster
and cement. In the afternoon, explore the district
for it's famous traditional paper & umbrella making
home base cottage industry. Overnight at the hotel
in Pindaya.
Day 7. Pindaya - Inle Lake
After breakfast at hotel, we are transferring by
road to Inle Lake. We have a leisurely morning to
make our way down into the Inle basin and by
"long-tail" boat out across the lake to our Hotel
right on the Inle Lake. In the afternoon, 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 8. 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. Continue our excursion by motorized boat
to Indein pagoda complex, in the south-west of the
lake. The boat leaves the lake and enters a narrow
canal with a beautiful natural environment to
continue to a small Pa O tribe village. From the
village, follow an old covered path to a 13th
century monastery and the very impressive ruins of
hundreds of ancient pagodas, some hidden in the
vegetation. The main stupa-area on the top of the
hill offers breathtaking views over the surrounding
mountains and down to the valley and the lake in the
far distance. Return to your hotel and overnight at
the hotel.
Day 9. Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon by flight
We are heading back down country today to return to
the airport at Heho for our flight to Yangon. Our
route takes us back to Heho and down the escarpment
to Nyaung-Shwe for a busy local market. Check in at
airport and fly back to Yangon. Upon arrival, check
in at hotel. In the afternoon, we plan to visit 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
visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for
souvenir shopping. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.
Day 10. Departure Yangon
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) all 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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