8 Days From Mandalay – Bagan – Inle Lake – Yangon

Itinerary

Day 1: MANDALAY ARRIVAL

Stop At: Mandalay, Mandalay, Mandalay Region
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).
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Mandalay

Day 2: MANDALAY – SAGAING – AMARAPURA

Stop At: Mandalay, Mandalay, Mandalay Region
Mandalay, the royal capital of Myanmar's culture, is a relatively young city lined with a mountain of the same name. We will visit the most famous Mandalay Mahamuni Pagoda (Mahamuni). The Buddha statue preserved here is believed to have been created while Buddha was alive. Later, we will travel to the nearby Sagaing town, famous for its abundance of Buddhist temples. We will visit the Kaungmudawa Pagoda (Kaunghmudaw), an egg-shaped dome that differs from the rest in Myanmar style. We will also visit the Sun U Ponja Shin (Swan Oo Ponnya Shin) on Mount Frogs. After that we will go to the Umin Thonze Pagoda (Umin Thonse) on Mount Sagaing. There are 34 columns of Buddha statues lined up here. Later we will drive to the former capital of the country, Amarapura, which today becomes part of Mandalay City. We will pass through the Maha Gandayon Monastery in Amarapura, which is home to the monks following the philosophy of the oldest Buddhist school, Theravada. We'll end the day with a spectacular sunset view from the boat at U Bein Bridge. Overnight at a hotel in Mandalay.


Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Mandalay

Day 3: MANDALAY – FLIGHT TO BAGAN – TEMPLE VISIT

Stop At: Bagan, Bagan, Mandalay Region
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.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Bagan

Day 4: BAGAN – MT. POPA – BAGAN

Stop At: Mount Popa, Kyauk Padaung Road, Popa Myanmar
Today you will journey to Salay, 60km from Bagan. Once there you will visit Yok Sone Kyaung monastery, a oldest surviving wooden monastery hall, was built on 154 teak posts, and features beautiful woodcarving decorating the outer walls. Here, our guide will lead you to HneePhaya, as well as a local market in Salay.
We continue to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano with a height of 1518 m. Mount Popa has played an important role in Myanmar culture, religion and history since earliest times. Its shrine is dedicated to the worship of the 37 Nats, the Burmese ancient animist spirits. Learn about nats and nat worship as you climb the stairs to the top with your local guide. The view over the Myingyan Plain from the top of the volcanic peak is impressive (and the climb is optional!).From the top of the mountain you will be able to view the beautiful green environment of Popa Oasis, which will create a 360-degree panorama around you. On your return to Bagan later that evening, you will make a short break at a toddy palm plantation.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Bagan

Day 5: BAGAN – FLIGHT TO HEHO – INLE BOAT TOUR

Stop At: Inle Lake, Nyaungshwe Myanmar
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.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Inle Lake

Day 6: INLE LAKE – INDEIN – INLE LAKE

Stop At: Indein Village, Inthein, Taunggyi Myanmar
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.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Inle Lake

Day 7: INLE LAKE – HEHO – YANGON CITY TOUR

Stop At: Yangon (Rangoon), Yangon (Rangoon), Yangon Region
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.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Bagan

Day 8: YANGON DEPARTURE

Stop At: Yangon (Rangoon), Yangon (Rangoon), Yangon Region
Morning breakfast at hotel. At the departure time, transfer to Yangon International Airport and departure for next destination.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.