Magical Myanmar Tour
Overview
Discover an ancient and mysterious Buddhist kingdom on our 10-day Myanmar Tour, traveling from Mandalay to Bagan, Inle Lake and ends in Yangon. Explore Myanmar for its gorgeous mountain vistas, thousands of mighty temples and pagodas, peaceful farmlands, authentic pastoral villages and unique traditions to a few lucky visitors. You will visit the highlight attractions of the country, take relaxing cruise for natural beauty, and also experience for every facet – the Buddhist culture, countryside life, local craftmanship of weaving, textile, cigar making, etc.
Duration: 13 days & 12 nights
Destinations: Mandalay - Bagan - Inle Lake - Yangon
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After breakfast at the hotel, we enjoy a walk through the lively Zegyo Market in the middle of the city to witness yourself authentic local life. The market will be ats peak during the morning hours. We continue to the Artisan Quarters, where some of Burma’s most ancient craftsmanship are showcased. Witness the process of pounding gold leaf, detailing teakwood carvings and embroidering Myanmar tapestry tracing back to the last dynasty of Myanmar. We also observe how bronze and marble Buddha statues are carved, cast and moulded with traditional skills. Next, we head for major highlights of the city: the holy Mahamuni Pagoda, home to one of the most significant Buddha images covered in several tons of gold leaf and the crown prize in wars between competing kingdoms; the Golden Palace Monastery, the last standing Royal Palace building in Mandalay, offering a glimpse of the original style and architecture of the Myanmar royals; Lastly but the least, the Kuthodaw Pagoda, a compound housing Buddha’s teachings carved in the sacred Pali script on stone tablets and considered as the world’s largest book in terms of surface area.
Enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views over city skyline on Mandalay Hill, the highest point of the city, and watch the sun set slowly to end of today.
Meal: B
Today it is time to explore the Ancient Kingdoms of Myanmar near Mandalay. We drive for 15km to Ava (Inwa), the ancient capital of Shan and Burmese kingdoms for over 400 years. Take a ferry crossing the Myit Nge River, the small roads of Ava are explored by horse-drawn carts. We visit the Bagaya Teak Monastery, built over three centuries ago, old yet well preserved and still in use by local monks; the Nanmyin Watch Tower, the only remaining structure of the Ava dynasty palace compound also called the “Leaning Tower of Ava”; and the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, a 300-year old architectural wonder with beautiful and graceful archways.
We continue to the Ancient Kingdom of Sagaing, situated on the magnificent Ayeyarwaddy River. From the Sagaing Hills, we take in nice views of the hillside dotted with numerous pagodas and then pay a special visit to a monastery to talk with Buddhist devotees about their beliefs and life. We visit another beautiful and magical ancient capital, Amarapura, known for its textile industries. There, step into a cottage industry workshop to learn how Myanmar longyis and traditional fabrics are woven.
Continue the trip visiting the famous Ubein Bridge, which is a simple yet remarkable teak structure that spans 1,2km over Taungtaman Lake. For your family fun, a boat trip can be arranged onto the calm waters. Watch the sun set at Ubein Bridge, which will be silhouetted by the gleamy light. It is a incredible experience and a photographer’s dream.
Meal: B
Depart from Mandala, board your flight to Bagan /Nyaugn U. Upon arrival, pay a visit to the Nyaugn U Market, the largest market in the Bagan area, to experience yourself the local life. You will also see how cottage industries like brick making are carried out with traditional methods. Then admire the gilded Shwezigon Stupa, purported to hold a holy tooth relic of the Buddha. Later visit Kyansitha Umin, a cave temple, with long dimly lit corridors beautifully decorated with murals, which some believed were painted by Tartar invaders during the Mongol occupation after 1287.
Next, we pay a visit to Gubyaukgyi (Wet-Kyi-Inn). this 13th-century ‘cave temple’ has an Indian-style spire like the Mahabodhi Paya in Bagan. Here you can find the fine frescoes of scenes from the Jatakas. Then go to Htilominlo Temple to learn the way to make Burmese sand paintings.
Today’s temple tour continues with a visit to the wonderfully symmetric and majestic Ananda Temple. Inside the temple there are four standing Buddha images that seem to gaze at the visitor with fixed serenity wherever the visitor stands. Then we visit Dhamayangyi Temple, the biggest temple of Bagan with the thickest walls and the Sulamani Temple. In the end, proceed to Bupaya to watch the sun set over the serene Ayeyarwaddy River.
Meal: B
This morning we visit the Dhamayazeka Zedi, offering a full picture of the temple dotted in the plains of Bagan. It is worth a visit around for bamboo and wood dwelling houses built long ago. Laymyetnat Temple and Payathonzu with Minnanthu Village are constructed during a later period than those in Central Bagan. Payathonzu meaning “Three Temples” is a magnificent complex of three temples linked together by narrow, vaulted passages.The temples are of the same style. Two of the temples contain beautiful wall paintings but temple on the west is entirely empty, suggesting that the Payathonzu was left unfinished.
Nanda-Man-Nya Temple is a single-chambered temple that has features fine murals and a ruined, seated Buddha image. Tayok Pye Paya is a big temple, built by Narathihapate (1256-1287) who is considered as the king who escaped from the Mongolian invasion, thus ‘Tayok Pye’ in Myanmar.
In the late afternoon, a Bullock or Horse Cart Ride around the temples offers incomparable photo opportunities of one of the richest archeological treasures in Southeast Asia as the sun falls behind the temple ruins (weather permitting).
Meal: B
Leave Bagan, transfer to the airport to board domestic flight to Heho, a peaceful transit town in the beautiful hills of Shan State, northeast of Yangon. On the way to Inle Lake, we stop at a Local Family Work Shop to see how Shan umbrellas and paper are made in the traditional way by using old skills and the fibres of the mulberry tree.
Next, we take a 1-hour drive to Inle Lake that descends through the valley offering breathking views of Shan Mountains and endless rice paddy fields. After settling into your hotel, visit Phaungdaw oo Pagoda, housing some of Myanmar’s most sacred Buddha statues blanketed in gold leaf. It will also an interesting experience visiting Inpawkhon Weaving Village to observe and learn how local silks, linens and lotus fabrics are handmade and crafted.
Meal: B
Enjoy a delightful morning with a journey out by boat, following the calm currents of a small river to reach the Inndein Pagoda Complex, a site that makes us feel as if we’ve passed through a forgotten portal in time. To go into the complex, we walk through bamboo groves that open up to a field covered with the ancient pagodas built over a millennium ago.
We boat back to Inle Lake and visit to Nampan Village, local artisan show us how Burmese cigars, or called “cheroots”, are packed and rolled in the traditional method.
Meal: B
After breakfast, drive to Nyaung Shwe by boat and then we continue to Heho airport, flying to Yangon. Upon arrival, we visit from colonial-style city center and one of the landmarks, Sule Paya stupa – traced back over 2,000 years ago and the focal point of lots of historical events in the city – Chauk Htat Gyi pagoda to view its majestic reclining Buddha. Later visit Karaweik Hall to marvel at the uniquely decorated “hamsa-bird-shaped” on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake. Contine the trip of Yangon and visit Bogyoke (Scotts) Market, where all kinds of gemstone, handicrafts, art, clothes and food stores are tucked in a plethora of color. We end the day with a visit to one of the world’s most remarkble monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda, a gold covered bell dome structure that reign over the city’s skyline. It is said that strands of sacred Buddha’s hair are kept and enshrined here. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of Myanmar, a must-see sight for your Myanmar tour.
Important Notes:
- The market is closed on Mondays and on public Burmese holidays.
Meal: B
After breakfast, we visit the quaint Yangon Old Qarters, formed during the British colonial times. Many charming historical architectures are standing still here. During our brisk walk through bustling Market Streets filled with merchants and food stalls, we drop by a local pharmacy and learn about traditional Burmese medicine. Stop to sip local tea and taste snacks in the fashion of locals, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Yangon. We visit the River Art Gallery, where there are some of the most famous and skilled Burmese artists’ works are on display. In the afternoon, we visit Botataung Pagoda situated beside the Yangon River and breathe fresh air.
Meal: B
Enjoy your last minute sightseeing in Yangon, until transfer to Yangon airport for your international flight back home. Have a safe and happy air journey. End of your 10 days magical Myanmar tour.
Meal: B
