Essence of Myanmar Tour – 8 Days

Arrival at Mandalay International Airport by international flight, where you will be met and welcomed by our experienced English speaking guide. Transfer to the hotel in Mandalay, the last city of the Burmese Kingdom (1 hour). Overnight in Mandalay.

Morning breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we will head to Amarapura (45 minutes drive) and visit the 200 years old U Bein Teak Bridge and the Mahagandayone Monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study. Time permitting, we will have the opportunity to observe the monks having their last meal of the day in total silence. Drive back to Mandalay. In the afternoon, we will visit the famous Mahamuni Pagoda and stop to see stone carving and gold leaf being beaten into wafer thin pieces. Next, we will continue visiting Kuthodaw Pagoda, the world’s largest book made of marble and the Shwe Kyaung Monastery, an excellent example of a traditional wooden building. Finally, we will end the day enjoying the sunset at Mandalay Hill. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Mandalay.

After having breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport and departure to Bagan by flight. Once in Nyaung-U airport, first we will visit the Nyaung-U morning market to see people’s ways of life. We will continue the day with visits to the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan, including the Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th as a religious shrine; the Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddhas, and the adjacent brick monastery with the beautiful well-preserved 18th century murals; the Thatbinnyu Temple, also known as the “temple of omniscience” and dating from 1144; and the Sulamani temple. Transfer to the hotel and leisure. In the afternoon, we will visit one of the most treasured handicrafts in Myanmar, a lacquer ware home workshop near Myingabar village. The next stop will be the massive Damayangyi Temple, before experiencing a local horse-cart ride while enjoying the sunset. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Bagan.

Morning breakfast at the hotel. Then drive directly to Mt. Popa for 1 hour. On the way to Mt. Popa, we can observe toddy farmers’ life and process of jiggery making. Mt. Popa is believed to be the sacred home of the Nats, being now a national park. On top of a rocky crag is a picturesque complex of monasteries, pagodas and shrines, which can be climbed to via a winding, covered walkway. Drive back to Bagan and on the way visit to some villages near Bagan. In the evening we will get aboard a local river boat to enjoy the sunset. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Bagan.

Morning breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Nyaung-U airport and departure to Heho by flight (approx. 40 minutes flying). After arriving in Heho, we will drive to Nyaung Shwe jetty, located on the edge of Inle Lake, famous for its unique leg rowers (1.5 h drive). From Nyaung Shwe, we will proceed to Inle lake by local boat and do the check-in at the hotel. Next we will get on an excursion by boat around Inle Lake, heading to the middle of the lake to find Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in Southern Shan State. On the way we will come across some of lake’s floating villages and gardens, where fruits and vegetables are grown just floating over the lake. We will also visit some traditional handicrafts workshops, such as silk weaving on wooden handlooms and a blacksmith shop. The last stop will be at Ngaphechaung Monastery, the most famous and ancient monestry in Inle Lake. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Inle lake

Morning breakfast at the hotel. In today’s excursion by boat on Inle lake we will enjoy sights of the famous leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and, of course, the magnificent sceneries. On market days, we can even visit one of the local markets of the Inle lake region. The excursion will take us to the western shore of the lake, where a stair path will lead us to the hidden and unknown Inn Dein Pagoda complex. Return back to hotel to enjoy the sunset. Overnight in Inle lake

Morning breakfast at hotel. Then, transfer to Heho airport to take a flight to Yangon (approx. 1 hour 20 min flying). Once in Yangon we will start the city tour heading to Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda to see a huge reclining Buddha image. The next visit will be to the Karaweik Royal Barge, a royal floating barge on a lake with a fantastic photo view. Check-in to your hotel. In the afternoon there will be time for some free shopping at the Bogyoke Market (Scott market), with hundreds of food, clothes, handicrafts and gems stores. In the evening, we will finish our trip by doing a walking tour around Yangon’s colonial style city center. Transfer to the hotel. Important notice: The famous Scott market will close every Monday and Gazette Holidays. Overnight in Yangon

Morning breakfast at hotel. At the departure time, transfer to Yangon International Airport and departure for next destination. End of services!