Jewels of Myanmar – 9 Days

Day 1: Arrival & Sightseeing around Yangon (D)

Mingalar Bar! Welcome to Myanmar, you will be picked up by our local guide at the airport and quickly transfer to the hotel within 1 hour.
Our tour will start in the afternoon with a visit to Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda where you can see the giant reclining Buddha. The next destination is Kandawgyi Park, one of the greenest spot in Yangon. On the way, follow the agenda, we will stop at Karaweik Palace, a royal floating barge with impressing detail and structure. Surely, you can take a lot of beautiful pictures here.

Reclining Buddha in Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda

For the evening, you will have a chance to visit the famous golden stupa, Shwedagon Pagoda which is 98 meters high. The most interesting feature about this pagoda is that Shwedagon Pagoda itself incredibly contains 60 tons of pure gold. At the pagoda, you can observe local religious customs and offerings and gain some understanding of Buddhism. From the viewpoint of Shwedagon Pagoda, you are able to enjoy the stunning sunset over the golden decorative layer in every corner.
Overnight stay in Yangon.

Shwedagon Pagoda

Day 2: Yangon – Bagan (B, L)

Depart from Yangon in the early morning, we will be on the flight heading to Bagan. The popularity of Bagan comes from over 2,000 temples locating here with historical importance. All the sacred pagodas and nice temples together generate the ancient atmosphere, which increases the beauty of the surrounding scenery more than ever.

Thousands of temples of Bagan

After 1 hour on the airplane, we first head to the Nyaung U market to witness the daily life of locals and visit Shwezigon Pagoda which is believed to house Buddha’s bones and tooth. In order to get a panoramic view over Bagan and really feel Bagan, we will move to a higher temple in a few minutes.
Then we arrive at the hotel for check-in and continue visiting many other impressive temples such as Ananda, Htilominlo, Thatbyinnyu, Dhammayangyi, and Sulamani and also can’t leave out other beauty-hidden temples. In the evening, to get some insight into Myanmar’s traditional souvenir, we will go to a traditional lacquerware-making workshop.
Stay overnight in Bagan.

Ceramic products for sale in Nyaung U market

Day 3: Bagan – Mt Popa (B, L)

From Bagan, today we will reach out for Mount Popa, an inactive volcano with an amazing view and where is believed to be the birthplace of Myanmar Nats (Spirits). At the bottom of the mountain, there are Nat Shrines with 37 different figures and this place is also the main pilgrimage destination for locals.

Mount Popa

After visiting Mount Popa, on the way back, our car is going to pay a quick visit to a local palm tree plantation and a local village where tourists can observe daily life and understand Myanmar’s culture. Then, in the late afternoon, Irrawaddy River is waiting for you to explore by a pleasure cruise passing riverside village and temples. Sunset in Bagan is now so attractive and stunning more than ever.
Besides, you can choose to take part in some optional activities such as sunrise hot balloon flight, horse cart tour, etc.
Stay overnight in Bagan.

Nats worshiped in Mount Popa

Day 4: Bagan – Mandalay (B, L)

Our destination today will be Mandalay, the last former capital of Myanmar Kingdom. The first thing we will do is visit Amarapura, City of Immortality. Inside the City of Immorality, Mahagandaryone Monastery is where you can see the daily life of monks. Next, we will walk through U Bein Bridge which is the longest teakwood bridge in the world. The trip won’t be completed without a visit to Sagaing, the most religious area in the southwest of Mandalay.

Monks in the queue, morning ceremony in Mahagandaryone Monastery

Sagaing has over 600 Buddhist monasteries which are Buddhist schools. Besides monasteries, we will also go to pagodas such as Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae. On the way, we will stop at the local market, Silverware Cottage Industry, Clay pot making, and Nunnery. We will discover more about the daily life of Buddhist nuns. Finally, our car will return to Mandalay for you to be amazed at Mahamuni Buddha Image, a bronze Buddha which is stated to be built during the lifetime of Buddha.
Overnight stay in Mandalay.

Day 5: Mandalay & Migun (B, L)

A brand new day has come! And today just enjoy yourself on a pleasant boat ride up the river to Mingun for 1 hour. Once arrived in, the visitor will be impressed by the ruins of vast Mingun Pagoda, the wonderful Hsinbyume Paya, and Mingun Bell. Especially, Mingun Bell is 87 tons in weight and is regarded as the largest intact bronze bell in the world.

Monks in Hsinbyume Pagoda

Come back to Mandalay on a boat. The afternoon is time for Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery which is famous for its exclusive woodcarvings and gold leaf workshop. Moreover, there is also time for Kuthodaw Pagoda where contains the world’s largest book. The day will end with the sunset in Mandalay Hill to get a panoramic view of the city.
Overnight stay in Mandalay.

Shwenandaw Monastery

Day 6: Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya – Inle Lake (B, L)

Move from Mandalay by airplane, we will reach Heho and quickly proceed to Pindaya. The way to Pindaya goes through one of the most densely farmed areas in Myanmar with many fields and plantations, which creates an atmosphere as in central Europe or middle America.
On arrival in Pindaya Limestone Cave, tourists will surely be surprised by 9,000 Buddha images nearby pilgrims which have sat there for centuries.
A quick stop at 250-year-old Banyan trees and then be back to Nyaung Shwe, the entrance of Inle Lake and check-in hotel.
Stay overnight on the Lake.

Myriads of Buddha images inside Pindaya Limestone Cave

Day 7: Inle Lake & Indein (B, L)

Today will start with a joyful boat trip on Inle Lake which is known as one of the most beautiful and unique destinations in Asia and somehow is called “Venice of Asia”. You can find many stilt-housed villages, Buddhist temples, and floating gardens. Local life is right in your eyes: a fisherman is doing his job using a distinctive leg-rowing technique, silversmiths, weavers and cigar makers. Next, we head to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and Nga Phe Chuang Monastery which housed a lot of ancient Shan style Buddha images.

Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda

Enjoy your lunch and head to the west of Inle Lake, where we will visit Indein by a small canal. Indein is a Pa-Oh village which is wide-known for its stupa. In total, there are 1,054 stupas from 17th to the 18th century located in Pa-Oh village’s hill. Just take your time to explore Indein leisurely, wander around the village to see how the local school in Myanmar operate or have a hike to the top of the hill and enjoy the cool atmosphere in each corner. Back to your hotel and enjoy leisure time.
Stay overnight on Inle Lake.

Two Pa o ethnic women in the ruins of Indein Temple

Day 8: Inle – Yangon (B, L)

With an early start, we will head to the morning market around Inle Lake to see the diversity of local tribes. The morning market is opened every day except for dark moon day and full moon day. Say goodbye to Inle, we will be back to Heho on car and flight back to Yangon.

Leg-rowing fisherman in Inle Lake

The rest of the day is on your own for relaxing and follow your guide to do shopping at Bogyoke (Scott) Market (Note that the market is closed on Monday and public holidays). (Note: the market is closed on Mondays and gazette holiday).
Stay overnight in Yangon.

Souvenir shops in Bogyoke – Scott Market

Day 9: Departure (B)

The last morning is all for you to explore the city in your way. Then we will transfer to Yangon Airport and leave Myanmar. Have a safe flight and see you next time.