Duration: 14 Days/ 13 Nights
Tour Route: Mandalay-Bagan-Popa-Kalaw-Inle-Shwe Thaung Yan Beach-Chaung Tha Beach -Yangon
Starting from $ 1290 Per Pax in twin sharing room (Based on 6 Pax)
“Mingalabar” – “Welcome to The Golden Land!”
Upon your arrival, our staff welcomes you at the Mandalay International airport with your name board and transfer to hotel for check in and for the first day in Myanmar, introductory session with your guide, and then begins the tour at Shwenandaw Kyaung (Golden Palace Monastery), a delicately carved wooden building and next Kuthodaw Pagoda (the world’s largest book), consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures.
Finally, visit Mandalay Hill at Sunset – you find a scenic view of the city, the plains surrounding it, the Shan Mountain, as well as the Ayeyarwaddy River, especially great at sunset. Enjoy welcome dinner at Mandalay Hill Resort. Overnight in Mandalay.
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay
Meals: NIL
After breakfast at hotel, head to ancient capital of Amarapura, a royal capital founded before Mandalay. Firstly, visit Mahagandayon Monastery; every day at mid-morning, monks and novices line up to receive their daily offering of alms and food from faithful Buddhists. Next visit Weaving Industries, a traditional silk & cotton weaving. Then, continue to Iva (Inwa), once a royal capital for four times and visit Bagaya Monastery, Nanmyint Watch Tower and Maha Aungmye Bonzan Brick Monastery.
Afterwards, head to Sagaing, the spiritual center of Myanmar. Hundreds of stupas, monasteries, temples and nunneries are to be found in Sagaing Hill, sometimes known as a living Bagan. Thousands of monks and nuns retreat here for meditation and contemplation. Stop at some of the most famous temples, such as Swan Oo Pone Nya Shin Paya, Umin Thone Sal, Tupayon Paya and Hsinmyashin Paya.
Finally, proceed to two-century old Iconic U-Bein Teak Bridge on the Taungtaman Lake. Take a leisurely walk over the bridge and enjoy the panoramic view of Taungthaman Lake and surrounding and return to Mandalay. Overnight in Mandalay.
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to jetty and embark a private boat upstream Ayeyarwaddy River to visit Mingun, a former capital in 18th century. The sightseeing includes King Bodawpaya’s Unfinished Mingun Pagoda and the mighty Mingun Bell, considered to be the world’s largest un-damaged bell. Just a few steps from the riverbank, there appears the enchanting Hsinbyume Pagoda, with its crisp white wave-like roof set perfectly against the deep blue sky above. Afterwards, return to Mandalay.
In the afternoon, a 4-hour drive to Bagan, one of the finest collections of temples in South East Asia. On arrival, transfer to hotel and spend free time at leisure and overnight in Bagan.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan
Meals: Breakfast
Optional Oriental Ballooning (Premium – Scheduled flight 05:00 Am): This morning, we will be watching sunrise over Bagan. For those who don’t want the balloon ride, guess they can just watch balloons take off.
Up early for sunrise, an experience not to be missed by any photographer! I First start at Shwesandaw Pagoda and Lay Myet Hna Pagoda. Then, back to the hotel for breakfast.
Your 2nd day in Bagan, tour starts at colorful Nyaung U Market, and next Shwezigon pagoda, one of the four most significant buildings in Bagan, then Gawdawpalin temple and Seinnyet sister temples. Afterwards, you may go for lunch (guest’s own account).
Afternoon tour includes West Pwa-Saw village (Named for Queen Phwar Saw (C 1237 AD), who was famed for her wisdom, intelligence and devotion to Buddhism) is situated between Nyaung U and New Bagan. The village has 101 households. It has a Middle school and a small library. Most of the dwellers rely on agriculture and family-run small lacquer ware workshops. Then, travel to Minnanthu Village, to explore more about local life as well the less-visited Manuha temple. Finally, leave your car for a while and enjoy the temples of Bagan by a trinational horse cart at sunset. Overnight in Bagan.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at hotel, drive to Palin River View elephant camp (30 mins drive, 18 km) located on the bank of Irrawaddy River where you will observe the retired home for Myanmar’s timber elephants. You will learn about the daily routine and history of Elephants, and enjoy the elephant riding, and feeding food for rescued elephant at the riverside elephant camp. There are many elephant camps in Myanmar that focus on rescue and care retired elephants. Guest can take a short ride on elephant’s back along the lush valley river side, depends on the weather and health condition of elephants. Afterwards, return to Bagan.
In the afternoon, begins the temple tour at Sulamani Temple, then Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple with four impressive standing Buddha images, next Thabinnyu Temple, the highest temple in Bagan, Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork and where puppets hanging from trees. Finish your day and turn back to hotel for leisure. Overnight in Bagan.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan
Meals: Breakfast
Wake up early to emerge yourself in Bagan climate in its purest season of the year. This day starts from your hotel with our tour guide’s waiting at the lobby by 8:00 AM. Transfer from Bagan to Hill station Kalaw by road.
En-route stop at Mt. Popa national park where Mt. Popa is located. We will climb up to Papa Kalat pagoda, the most sacred place for meditation in Myanmar, and also 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.
Afterward, continue drive to Kalaw is a small old British hill town in the Shan State of Central Myanmar. On arrival, transfer to hotel and spend free time at leisure and overnight in Kalaw.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kalaw
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at hotel, we walk through our last leg of the forest and arrive to the farm land where local grow various kind of vegetable. From here we cross the farm and get to the other side of the ridge and follow along the challenging, yet interesting path along the pipeline to the wider part of the farmland where we have opportunity to interact with farmers along our way.
Finally, we arrive Nanthe (Nepalese) village where we explore the village and stop over at a home where we observe industry making plum wine process. Here we enjoy local brew wine and Nepalese traditional lunch. After a good rest we travel back to lodge across vast paddy fields to complete this unique experience.
Check out hotel and then, drive to the Pinmagon monastery housing famous Hnee Paya (Bamboo Buddha Image) which was estimated to be built during Ava Period over 500 years ago. The Image is eight feet four inches high and noted for its longevity, its prevention of fire, and wish granting powers. Afterward, continue drive to Inle Lake and spend free time at leisure and overnight in Inle.
Total distance: 2.8Km
Total walking hour: 2 hours (approx.)
Total ascend: 180meter / descend: 240meter
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast at hotel, visit at one of the 5 Days Rotation Markets (only on market day), the market rotates its location on a 5-day basis and attracts vendors from around the lake and its surroundings.
Afterwards, visit Indein, at the western end of the Lake. The boat takes you through a long channel where you can watch the farms cultivate their produce and then leading to the hidden INDEIN temple complex. Located on the shore of the lake, this site consists of hundreds of small stupas overgrown by moss and greens. The population density in Indein is very little and the villagers earn their living with agriculture and you will see their traditional lifestyle.
In the afternoon, visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda which houses the five most revered Buddha Images in the southern Shan State and the weaving village of Inpawkhon. Next, take a boat ride toward Nam Pan village. You will have overview the whole village with traditional stilt houses over water. The Oldest pagoda in Inle Lake, Alodaw Pauk Pagoda, is situated in Nampan. This pagoda enshrines a gem-encrusted Shan style Buddha stupa. Continuing your discovery with Cheroot Producers, it will be more interesting to try a rolling a cigarette by yourself and enjoy it in Burmese traditional style. Finally, photo shoot at Nam Pan village for floating gardens. Overnight in Inle.
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, we meet you at your hotel and transfer to Mingalar market in Nyaung Shwe or five days market to buy ingredients and you will have a chance to meet the locals and learn how to bargain as you walk through the stalls with your professional instructor.
Then transfer by boat about 15-20 mins to stilt floating house where we will cook a selection of authentic tradition cuisine from local areas and, enjoy the delicious lunch and get a recipes book, later we offer you a relaxing canoe trip around the floating garden and village.
In the afternoon, visit to the village of Long Neck people for portrait photograph. Finally, transfer to Mine Thauk floating village. Take a walk along wooden bridge @ a little U Bein and a canoe ride around Mine Thauk village among floating gardens and Intha houses. Also witness the local life of Inle Lake people. From Maingthauk bridge return to your hotel by boat. Overnight in Inle Lake.
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle
Meals: Breakfast
Early morning breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Heho Airport for a domestic flight to Yangon (09:25-10:25). On arrival, transfer to hotel for check in.
In the afternoon, you will drive through Yangon’s busy roads and take a glimpse of the hustle downtown, Mahabandoola Park, Town Hall. See the magnificent colonial buildings of Victorian & Edwardian era architecture. This introductory drive will end with a stop near Sule Pagoda – dating back over 2,000 years ago, for brief photo taking. And then, photography at ChaukHtat Kyi Pagoda, then transfer to Shwedagon Pagoda, the finest of Yangon and perhaps the most stunning religious edifice in the world.
As the sun sets, the reddish golden rays of Shwedagon reflect on everything around and turning into a magical area. Great photo time & a moment to take away with you. Overnight in Yangon.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at hotel, overland transfer from Yangon to Shwe Thaung Yan beach (6 hours’ drive, 261 km), is one of the untouched beaches in the Ayeyarwaddy Division of Myanmar.
Upon arrival, check in Mangrove View Resort, Sea and Lake Garden. Your family can enjoy the quiet, peaceful and beautiful environment. It is recommended to tour around in the 350 Acre park by bike or walk along the mangrove bridge, Jade Museum, and wood museum which is full of real size sculptures of animals like Tigers, Lions, Elephant, Red Bull and other masterpieces. Overnight at Mangrove view resort.
Accommodation: Hotel in Shwe Thaung Yan Beach
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Chaung Tha Beach which is only 15 minutes’ drive away from Shwe Thaung Yan Beach. Enjoy sea, sand, sound and sun at the beach. Overnight in Chaung Tha Beach.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chaung Tha Beach
Meals: Breakfast
After your breakfast, our driver will be waiting at hotel lobby, ready for an overland drive from Chaung Tha Beach to Yangon. Overnight in Yangon.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at hotel, enjoy a walking tour around the colonial area which is filled various historical building. A popular place to start is central post office where you will start your walking tour and walk along the Strand Road, and historical Strand Hotel, a landmark dating to the British period, the jetty to observe the ways of life of the people on Yangon River. Then walk in the Pansoedan Street, famous for the most impressive colonial buildings to be found in Yangon. And then to Sule Pagoda, near City Hall are the High Court building and the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Mahabandola Park.
Stop for a drink at one of the local teashops, a great place to soak in the local cultural and lifestyle. As today comes to a close, take a walk around colorful Chinatown and you can simply walk there (or) as a quick alternative, you can hop on a local bus; get off at the next stop and walk towards the market. These markets are part of Yangon’s life, offering nothing for the tourists, all for the locals.
Afterwards, transfer back to hotel for refreshment and check out. And then, transfer to Yangon International Airport and say goodbye to Myanmar!
Accommodation: NIL
Meals: Breakfast
(Day 01): Arrival Mandalay- half day sightseeing in Mandalay. Welcome dinner (By car)
(Day 02): Excursion to ancient Capitals: Amarapura -Iva-Sagaing- Sunset at U Bein Bridge (By car)
(Day 03): Excursion to Mingun by boat-overland drive to Bagan (By boat & car)
(Day 04): Bagan full day temple and local life discovery tour and sunset at horse cart (By car)
(Day 05): Excursion to Palin River View Elephant Camp and continue discovery in Bagan (By car)
(Day 06): Overland drive from Bagan to Kalaw with visit Mt Popa on the way (By car)
(Day 07): Soft trek to community trail Nanthe village and then overnight in Inle (By car)
(Day 08): Visit Indein Pagoda Complex and boat trip on the Inle Lake (By boat)
(Day 09): Cooking class-visit floating garden & Mine Thauk floating village
(Day 10): Inle-Heho-Yangon city heritage tour (By car & flight)
(Day 11): Drive to Shwe Thaung Yan beach via Chaung Tha Beach
(Day 12): Join activities in Shwe thaung yan-drive to Chaung Tha beach
(Day 13): Drive back to Yangon
(Day 14): Walking tour in the morning and departure transfer to airport
Plese feel free to contact us.