MYANMAR TOURS

Myanmar Classic Tour
9 Days- 8 Nights Private Tour

Day 1: Arrive in Yangon

Arrival at Yangon international airport. After custom and immigration procedures, welcomed by local English-speaking tour guide and then transfer to hotel for check-in. Orientation tour starts with drive through the colonial style buildings downtown, the Chinatown area and the Indian quarter. Visit Yangon's historic landmark, the Sule Zedi with its golden octagonal pagoda. Continue to Botataung pagoda, located close to Yangon River and said to contain Buddha relics. Stop alongside Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake to take photographs over the lake with Shwedagon in the backgrouond. Enjoy the sunset at Shwedagon pagoda, the famous stupa with gilded gold leaves, as it stands majestically  is the very heart of Buddhist Myanmar. The pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and and its massive structure is surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. There are always many Myanmar people praying and making offerings at Shwedagon, and it's a fascinating place to spend time watching the spectacle at this remarkable monument. Return to your hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Yangon.
 

Day 2: Yangon- Bagan by flight

Early morning transfer to Yangon airport for flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check-in. Full day guided Bagan sightseeing tour with a visit to the golden pagoda of Shwezigon, Pagan's most important reliquary shrine - look out for images of 37 "Nats" housed in a small hall. See 12th century frescoes adorning the corridors of Kyansitta "Cave" temple. Continue to Gubyaukgyi, another "cave" temple with fine frescoes of "jataka tales". Next stop is Htilominlo, the last Bamar style temple built in Bagan, with old murals and friezes. Pass through Tharaba Gateway into Old Bagan. In the afternoon, visit Ananda temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddhas, and the adjacent brick monastery from the early Bagan period with well-preserved murals. Marvel at the tallest temple measuring 61 meters - the Thatbuinnyu, known as the "temple of omniscience" and dating from 1091. Next, visit Dhamayangyi, a massive-looking temple dating from end of 12th century and famous for its interlocking mortar-less brickwork. Continue to Mingalarzedi, the last of the large pagodas built in the 13th century, representing the pinnacle of Bamar pagoda architecture. Then, visit local lacquer workshop to watch craftsmen skillfully making this most famous of Bagan's handicrafts. Short ride by horse cart at sunset time to climb to the top of Shwesandaw stupa to enjoy the magnificent views over Pagan's temples and the Ayeyarwady River. After sunset return to hotel for overnight.
 

Day 3: Bagan sightseeing

Breakfast at hotel. Full day sightseeing with early morning visit to Nyaung-U local market, then continue to Sulamani, one of Pagan's great two-storied Bamar style temples with 4 seated Buddha images. Next visit Lemethna temple, topped by an Indian-style spire similar to Ananda. From here proceed to the three shrines of Payathonzu which are connected by passages adorned with Mahayana Tantric mural paintings. Follow with a visit to the Nandamanya temple containing fine frescoes and erotic murals. Next take a break from temples and wander through the village of Minnanthu to see how the local people live. In the afternoon, visit Abeyardanar, a temple with frescoes representing Bodhisattvas and the gods of Indian mythology. Continue to Nanpaya temple, built in the Mon style with intricate stone carvings, and said once to have been Manuha's residence. See the four Buddha images in Manuha's pagoda and then, stop at Myazedi stupa to see Myanmar's "Rosetta Stone", bearing inscriptions written in four languages. Last, admire the fine stucco work at Gubyaukgyi (at Myinkaba village). Finally return to hotel and rest of the day at your own leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Bagan.

Day 4: Bagan- Mandalay by flight

Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to Bagan airport for flight to Mandalay. Full day sightseeing in Mandalay starting with the ancient city of Amarapura, where you will visit Mahagandayon Monastery, home to more than 800 monks and whom you may see having their morning meal. Continue to nearby U-Bein Bridge, over a kilometer long and made entirely of teak. Take a walk along the bridge to Kyauktawgyi Pagoda; inside note mural paintings from 19th century. Check-in at hotel in late morning. Continue sightseeing with gold leaf making work at  Mahamuni pagoda, home to Mandalay's holiest Buddha statue. Stop nearby to view stone carving. Then, visit Shwenandaw Monastery, an ancient wooden building with intricate carvings, which was once King Mindon's home. Continue to see "world's largest book", it being the Buddhist Scriptures inscribed on marble slabs at Kuthodaw pagoda. Visit Kyaukdawgyi pagoda to see a large Buddha statue carved out of a single block of local marble. Enjoy spectacular views at sunset from Mandalay Hill where there are interesting glass-studded temples. Return to your hotel for overnight stay in Mandalay.

Day 5: Mandalay- Mingun- Ava (Innwa) – Mandalay

This morning enjoy a boat trip to Mingun, the site of a brick pagoda towering 50 meters above the Ayeyarwady River, and home of the world's largest intact bell. The boat trip is interesting for all types of wooden boats and bamboo rafts, carrying goods up and down the river. Return back to Mandalay at noon. In the afternoon, continue sightseeing - after crossing small canal, visit town of Ava (Innwa) by horse-cart, located on an island between the Ayeyarwady and the Myitnge river. You will pass through its ancient city walls to visit a brick and stucco monastery called Mahaaungmye Bonzan (also known as Ok Kyaung). Continue to Nanmyin Watch Tower- the climb to the top offers lovely views over the river. See also the impressive wooden monastery of Bagaya Kyaung. Time permitting, visit homes in the village to admire local handicrafts, such as silk weaving, cane mats weaving, and manufacturing of alms bowls. Last enjoj spectacular sunset at U-Bein Bridge. Return to your hotel and overnight stay in Mandalay.

Day 6: Mandalay- Heho- Pindaya- Nyaung Shwe by flight and car

Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to Mandalay airport for fight to Heho, upon arrival, drive towards Pindaya, located on the mountain top of 1,300 meters above sea level; on the way visit at markets in Shan state. Upon arrival check into hotel, the visit the famous natural limestone caves with sacred Buddha images inside which are known as ShweOoMin pagoda. Next visit some local homes where families produce Shan paper and parasols. Also enjoy walking around the lake, under the colossal Banyan trees dating back over 300 years. Relax under cool ambiance of the hills, before going down to the valley of Nyaung Shwe on the edge of Inle Lake; on the way visit Shwe Yan Pyae pagoda, known for its beautiful mosaic decorations on inner walls.
Check-in at hotel in Nyaung Shwe on the banks of Inle Lake. Overnight stay at Hotel in Nyaung Shwe.

Day 7: Inle Lake by car and boat

Breakfast at hotel, then enjoy a boat trip on Inle Lake – a photographer's dream, its calm waters are dotted with floating
vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic high hills provide the perfect backdrop. Visit local "five-day" market where colorful hill tribes meet to socialize. See the lake's unique "leg rowers"- Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. Visit Phaung Daw Oo pagoda, the holiest religious site in Shan State. See traditional handicrafts – silk weaving on wooden handlooms and a blacksmith shop. In the afternoon, visit the hidden treasures of Indein pagodas, dating back to 17th century, much destroyed by time. Pass endless floating gardens, where fruits and vegetations are grown. Return to hotel at the moment of beautiful sunset. Overnight stay at hotel located on the lake.

Day 8: Inle Lake- Heho- Yangon by boat and flight

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, transfer to Heho airport by car. Fly back to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check-in. At your own leisure in the afternoon and for the rest of your time in Myanmar; stroll around Yangon, or rest. Overnight stay at hotel in Yangon.

Day 9: Yangon Departure

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Yangon airport for your flight to next destination.

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