Day 1: Arrival In Yangon (D)
Upon arrival at Yangon International
Airport, a red-carpet welcome awaits you. Our guide will greet you and assist
you through customs and baggage claim where our staff will present flowers
to you. Then, you will be transferred to the hotel.
Formerly known as Rangoon, Yangon is a
relatively quiet and charming city with an impressive colonial and spiritual
heritage. This afternoon, your journey in this fascinating city begins with a
sightseeing excursion around the colonial buildings in Yangon’s
downtown. Starting with the National
Museum, a tour of the
priceless works of art and historic memorabilia on display allows you to gain
insight into the country’s glorious history. Of particular interest
are the three halls on the ground floor that showcase the evolution of the
Burmese script, the Lion Throne Room and artifacts from the Yatanabon Period. Following your museum visit, continue to Kyaukhtatgyi
Pagoda, home to a 70-metre reclining Buddha statue. As the evening approaches,
head to Myanmar’s holiest monument - Shwedagon Pagoda, a towering stupa covered
with 60 tons of pure gold leaf.
Enjoy a delicious dinner this evening
in one of the city’s best restaurants.
Overnight in Yangon.
Day 2: Yangon
- Bagan (B, D)
After breakfast, transfer to the Yangon
airport for your flight to Bagan. Upon arrival in Bagan, transfer to the hotel
for a quick freshen-up. The exciting day of sightseeing starts with a trip to
the colorful Nyaung Oo Market followed by visits to the various renowned
temples in Bagan. Stops include Shwezigon Pagoda with its magnificent golden stupa,
Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi cave temple with its exquisite murals, and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster
carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.
This afternoon, visit Ananda Temple, an
architectural masterpiece of the early temple style that contains four
impressive standing Buddha images. Continue to the nearby Ananda Okkyaung, one
of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan period and Thatbyinnyu Temple, Bagan’s tallest temple at 61 meters. Embark on a
sunset horse carriage ride that takes you past dozens of temples - including
Sulamani and Dhammayangyi - and the traditional village of Taungbi.
As the sun sets, climb onto one of the upper terraces for panoramic overviews
of the Bagan plains.
Dinner at a
local restaurant with marionette puppet show.
Overnight in
Bagan.
Day 3: Bagan (B,D)
After breakfast, head to Ngat Pyit Taung Monastery and explore the
temple’s caves to learn about the local traditions and beliefs. Then, visit the
monastic primary school and observe local children studying in their
classrooms. Be greeted by the warm smiles of these friendly children as
you interact and play with them. Coming from underprivileged backgrounds, these
students will surely appreciate a small donation of cash or school supplies
from you.
Explore the town of Nyaung U and the
neighboring villages where you can learn about the traditional livelihoods in
this area. Discover the interesting process of creating Poneyay (pea
powder paste) and see how local plum jam is made and packed. In addition, visit
the workshops to witness the production of the region’s best known products:
handmade lacquer ware and wooden handicrafts. At the villages, find out how
cartwrights make the traditional bullock carts that are still used by farmers
and locals throughout the country. This afternoon makes a great opportunity for
hands-on activities as the local craftsmen often love to share their techniques
with visitors.
This evening
enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in
Bagan.
Day 4: Bagan
- Heho – Inle Lake (B,
L, D)
After
breakfast, transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Heho. From Heho, a
one-hour scenic drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake.
At Nyaung
Shew, board a private motorboat and head out to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s
most spectacular sights. Sailing past stilt villages inhabited by the local
Intha people,
observe the one-legged rowing techniques of the Intha fishermen and see their floating gardens unique to the area. Enjoy lunch at a
local restaurant.
After lunch, visit
Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery. The monastery
houses a collection of beautiful Shan Buddha statues and is known for its cats
who have been trained by the resident monks to jump through hoops! Continue to
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary and home to five revered Buddha
statues. Your sightseeing trip also encompasses a visit to the weaving village of Inpawkhone, a cheroot factory where
typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. If time permits, we will lead you on
an short walk through one of the lakeside villages.
Dinner at your hotel.
Overnight on Inle Lake.
Day 5: Inle
Lake - Indein - Inle Lake (B,
L, D)
After
breakfast, a 1-hour boat ride leads to the Pa-Oh village of Indein, one of the small villages situated on
the western bank of Inle Lake. Take a slow stroll around the village and the local school before ascending the
covered stairway to the top of the hill. At the summit, a Buddha image sits enshrined amid hundreds of ancient
stupa ruins and overgrown bushes. You will also be rewarded with mesmerizing
views of the surroundings from the peak.
Then,
embark on a 1-hour trek to “Se Ma” village. Along the way, enjoy the natural
beauty and panoramic vistas of the area while walking under the shade of bamboo
grooves. Upon arrival at the village, observe the daily lifestyles of the rural
inhabitants before enjoying a picnic lunch in the village. After lunch, transfer
back to Tharlay village on a canoe boat ride (1 hour) which provides views of
the picturesque Inle
Lake and up-close
interaction opportunities with the Intha people to learn about their
traditional one-legged rowing techniques. Then, transfer back to your hotel on
a private motorboat.
Dinner at your hotel.
Overnight on Inle Lake.
Day 6: Inle
Lake - Heho - Yangon - Departure (B)
After breakfast, spend a leisurely morning around
the Inle Lake before transferring to Heho
airport for a short flight back to Yangon.
Stroll through Bogyoke
Market, formerly known as Scott Market (closed on Monday and public holidays).
Later this afternoon,
transfer to Yangon’s Mingaladon Airport for your onward flight.
***End of services***
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