Myanmar Golden & Ancient

DAY 1: Yangon – Arrival.

Arrival in Yangon. Our driver welcomes you at airport and transfer you to hotel. Rest of the day is your leisure time.

Overnight in Yangon.

DAY 2: Yangon – City tour (B,L)

Morning, enjoy breakfast at hotel. After breakfast, we start the tour by visiting the old colonial-style city center and the gilt Sule Pagoda. We then have a sightseeing along the strand road and visit Botataung Jetty.

Strand Road is a major road in downtown Yangon, Burma. It crosses the city in a west-east direction and runs parallel to the Yangon River. It contains many important government buildings, including the Ministry of Trade building, court and the British embassy. It also contains the 5-star hotel, Strand Hotel, built in 1901.

The next visit is Bogyoke Aung San Market, a major bazaar and the most popular market where you can buy luxury items, handicrafts, food stuff, clothing, jewelry, fashion and consumer goods. (The market closes on every Monday & Public holiday. So we will visit Botahtaung Pagoda as an alternative on this day.)

Afternoon, we visit Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda. Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple is the most well-known Buddhist temple in Bahan Township of Yangon. It houses one of the most revered reclining Buddha images in the country.

We then stop at the Royal lake. Take your time to see the Karaweik Hall Royal and have some photo shots. Finally, we visit the world famous Shwedagon Pagoda. Witness the golden dome light up sunshine at the sunset.

The Shwedagon Pagoda, officially named Shwedagon Zedi Daw and also known as the Great Dagon Pagoda and the Golden Pagoda. No visit to the Union of Myanmar is complete without a visit to the 2,500 years old Shwedagon Pagoda, which enshrines strands of Buddha’s hair and other holy relics. Located west of the Royal Lake on 114 -acre Singuttara Hill in Yangon, Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred and impressive Buddhist site for the people of the Union of Myanmar. From a humble beginning of 8.2 meters, the Shwedagon Pagoda today stands close to 110 meters. Shwedagon Pagoda is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top of the stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds; the largest of which is a 72 carat diamond. It is clearly one of the wonders of the religious world. Shwedagon Pagoda is a repository of the best in Myanmar heritage – architecture, sculpture and arts. The Shwedagon Pagoda consists hundreds colorful temples, stupas, and statues that reflects the architectural era spanning almost a 2,500 years.

This is the finish of our city tour. Our guide and driver take you back to hotel. Spend the night on your own.

Stay overnight at hotel in Yangon.

DAY 3: Yangon to Bagan – Explor the Old Bagan (B,L)

Early morning, transfer to the airport for flight to Bagan. Arrive in Bagan, transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Today, you will have a sightseeing at one of Asia’s most popular archeological destinations. We start the tour by visiting colorful Naung Oo Market. Continue the visit at some famous pagodas including Shwezigon Pagoda, Kyansittha Umin (Cave Temple) and Gupaukgyi Temple.

• Shwezigon Pagoda or Shwezigon Paya is a Buddhist temple located in Nyaung-U, a town near Bagan, in Myanmar. A prototype of Burmese stupas, it consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by smaller temples and shrines. Construction of the Shwezigon Pagoda began during the reign of King Anawrahta (r. 1044–77), who was the founder of the Pagan Dynasty, in 1059–1060 and was completed in 1102 AD, during the reign of his son King Kyansittha. Over the centuries the pagoda had been damaged by many earthquakes and other natural calamities, and has been refurbished several times. In recent renovations it has been covered by more than 30,000 copper plates. However, the lowest level terraces have remained as they were.
• Kyanzittha Umin means “the cave of Kyanzittha”. This cave is a lowe, unpretentious brick structure with long dark corridors. Located only a short distance west of Nyaung U village is the Kyanzittha Umin. This place is served as a temple for a place of lodging the monks. Kyanzittha U Min means tunnel. It is constructed partly above ground and partly underground. Facing north, it used to have a Dhamma Sala (preaching hall) at its entrance. On the south, there are traces of the site of another Dhamma Sala. The base built of stone still remains there.
• The Gubyaukgyi (alt. Kubyauk-gyi) temple, located just south of Bagan, Myanmar, in Myinkaba Village, is a Buddhist temple built in 1113 AD by Prince Yazakumar. The temple is notable for two reasons. First, it contains a large array of well-preserved frescoes on its interior walls, the oldest original paintings to be found in Bagan. All of the frescoes are accompanied by ink captions written in Old Mon, providing one of the earliest examples of the language’s use in Myanmar. Second, the temple is located just to the west of the Myazedi pagoda, at which was found two stone pillars with inscriptions written in four, ancient Southeast Asian languages: Pali, Old Mon, Old Burmese, and Pyu. The inscription on the pillar displayed by the Myazedi pagoda has been called the Burmese Rosetta Stone, given its significance both historically and linguistically, as a key to cracking the Pyu language.

Afternoon, we continue our tour at Htilominlo Temple which was built during the reign of King Htilominlo, 1211-1231. The temple is three stories tall, with a height of 46 metres, and built with red brick.

After that, we approach to Tharabar Gate way and get into Old Bagan. We then visit 3 famous temples including: Ananda Temple, Thetbyinnyu Temple and Dhammayangyi Temple.

• Ananda Temple one of Bagan’s best known and most beautiful temples. It was built in 1105 AD during the reign of King Kyanzittha of the Pagan Dynasty and was one of the first great temples to be build in Bagan and is well preserved. The temple is found near the Tharabar gate, the only gate remaining of the original 12 in the old Bagan city walls. It is one of four surviving temples in Bagan.
• Thetbyinnyu Temple was built in the mid-12th century during the reign of King Alaungsithu. It is adjacent to Ananda Temple. With a height of just over 60 meters, the Thatbyinnyu Pagoda is one of the highest monuments of Bagan. The majestic pagoda, towering above other nearby temples and pagodas is visible from much of the Bagan plains. After the single storey pagodas built during the early period like the Shwezigon pagoda, the Thatbyinnyu is one of the first two storey structures built in Bagan.
• Dhammayangyi Temple is the largest of all the temples in Bagan. The Dhammayan as it is popularly known was built during the reign of King Narathu. Visible from all parts of Bagan, this massive, walled, 12th-century temple (about 1600ft east of Shwesandaw) is infamous for its mysterious, bricked-up inner passageways and cruel history. It’s said that King Narathu built the temple to atone for his sins: he smothered his father and brother to death and executed one of his wives, an Indian princess, for practising Hindu rituals. The best preserved of Bagan’s temples, it features detailed mortar work in its upper levels.

Late afternoon, visit Shwesandaw Pagoda and enjoy a sunset senery on the top of the pagoda. A picture of thousand temple in yellow light is just in front of your eyes. Back to the town.

Stay overnight night at hotel in Bagan.

DAY 4: Bagan – A journey to Mount Popa (B,L)

After breakfast, take a scenic overland journey to Mount Popa which is 1518 meters (4981 feet) above sea level. It takes you 1.5 hour to reach the mount with a distance of 45km.

Mount Popa is an extinct volcano with spectacular views and the birth place of the Myanmar ‘nats’ or spirits. The Popa Taungkalat Shrine is home to 37 Mahagiri Nats, or spirits, Statues depicting the Nats are at the base of the shrine. You will have time to climb 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the peak. From the top of Taung Kalat, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the ancient city of Bagan.

Climb down and return to Bagan. On the way, we stop at a typical local village as well as a toddy palm plantation.

Afternoon, spend your leisure time in the city.

Overnight in Bagan.

DAY 5: A cruise from Bagan to Mandalay (B,L,D)

(By Malikha River Cruise – 0600:1730)

After breakfast, transfer to the Nayung U jetty to take a boat trip to Mandalay. On the way, you can enjoy and observe the way of local life along the Ayeyarwaddy River.

Late afternoon, arrive at Mandalay jetty, transfer to hotel.

Overnight in Mandalay.

DAY 6: Mandalay – See the best (B,L)

After breakfast at hotel, we visit Amarapura.

Myanmar’s penultimate royal capital, Amarapura means ‘City of Immortality’, though its period of prominence lasted less than 70 years (from 1783). In 1857 King Mindon began dismantling most of the palace buildings, shipping them 7 miles north to Mandalay, which was to become the new capital according to a Buddhist prophecy. These days leafy Amarapura is essentially a spread-out suburb of Mandalay, attractively set on a wide, shallow lake, named for an ogre who supposedly came looking for the Buddha here.

The first place to visit is Mahagandayon Monastery. It is a school for young monks and observe the lunch process in morning. we then visit U Bein Bridge which is more than two centuries old and at 1.2 km longest teakwood span in the world. On the way, we stop at a tradition hand-weaving silk workshop.

Afternoon, we continue our tour at Mahamuni Pagoda. Kuthodaw Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa that contains the world’s largest book. It lies at the foot of Mandalay Hill and was built during the reign of King Mindon.

Surrounding the pagoda are 729 shrines each containing a single marble slab inscribed in both sides in Burmese script. Together, the 729 slabs are called “the world’s largest book”, each stone slab representing one of its pages. The slabs are inscribed with texts of the Sutta Pitaka, the Vinaya Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka, the three parts that make up the Tripitaka, the teachings of the Buddha written in ancient Pali language.

Proceed our visit at Shwenandaw Monastery. The Shwenandaw monastery is the most significant of Mandalay’s historic buildings, since this ‘Golden Palace Monastery’ remains the sole major survivor of the former wooden Royal Palace built by King Mindon in the mid-nineteenth century. It observes the finest Myanmar wooden architecture.

Our next visit is at Atumashi Monastery. The Atumashi Monastery was previously known as Maha Atulawaiyan Kyaungdawgyi. This Buddhist monastery was built by King Mindon in 1857 after Mandalay was chosen as the capital city. The construction of the monastery cost as much as 500,000 rupees (~7800 USD) in those days.

Enjoy sunset senery at Mandalay Hill. It is definitely one of the best spots in town, and the Sutaungpyei Pagoda at its top is a beautiful place of peace at sunset.

Stay overnight at hotel in Mandalay.

DAY 7: Mandalay – Mingun – Ava – Sagaing – Mandalay (B,L,D)

After breakfast, transfer to jetty to take a private chartered boat for a cruise over the Ayeyarwaddy River, towards the former capital of Mingun. After a 45-minute cruise, arrive in Mingun which is famous for its huge unfinished pagoda and also is home to the Mingun Bell. The bell is considered as the world’s largest uncracked ringing bell.

The first to visit is the beautiful white Hsinbyume Pagoda. The Hsinbyume Pagoda is a beautiful all white structure on the banks of the Irrawaddy river just North of Mandalay. The pagoda that is also known as the Mya Theindan Pagoda is located in the Northern part of Mingun town a few hundred meters from the massive Mingun Pagoda.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon, boat trip to visit Inwa (formerly Ava), it is located on an island between Ayeyarwaddy and Myitnge Rivers. Along with Mandalay, Inwa (or Ava as it was previously known) is perhaps Myanmar’s most famous old capital, and is situated 20 kilometres south of Mandalay. The heart of government and royal poweron five separate occasions from the 14th to the 19th centuries, Inwa was finally abandoned in 1839 after a series of devastating earthquakes.

After that, a horse cart takes you to visit these famous places in Inwa:

• Nanmyint Watch Tower, a square campanile of fine masonary. This is the only monument of palace buildings at ancient Inn-wa. The top most of that tower could be accessed through the three steps of stair. It is, still, the major visiting site.
• Maha Aung Mye Bonzan monastery, well known as Me Nu Oak-Kyaung (Brick Monastery). The Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery is a fine example of Burmese monastery architecture during the Konbaung dynasty. The monastery, also known as the Brick Monastery is a well preserved building in ochre color. The very ornate structure is decorated with intricate stuccoed sculptures.
• Bagaya Monastery, built during the reign of King Hsinbyushin from 1763-1776. Also known as the Maha Waiyan Bontha Bagaya Monastery, the Bagaya Monastery serves as the one of the main tourist attractions in Myanmar. Maha Thiri Zeya Thinkhaya who was the town officer of Magwe built it during King Hsinbyushin’s reign in the monastic establishment and had dedicated the same to Shin Dhammabhinanda.
• Yadana Hsimi Pagoda – A group of small stupas in ruins (from the 1839 earthquakes)
• Inwa Bridge spanning the Ayeyarwaddy River. Inwa bridge is the longest bridge of Myanmar.

We then proceed to Sagaing, the hilltops, each crested with a pagoda, the banners proclaiming the Buddha’s teaching, the refuge from all ills and tribulations where over 600 monasteries for monks and nuns are located for Buddhist studies and mediation.

A crest of green hills studded with white and gold pagodas marks the ‘skyline’ of Saigang, a religious pilgrimage centre that resembles Bagan with elevation. This pretty, friendly town is a major monastic centre and a somewhat serene escape from Mandalay’s constant thrum. No individual pagoda stands out as a particular must-see, but taken together the whole scene is enthralling. A highlight is walking the sometimes-steep covered stairways that lead past monasteries and nunneries to viewpoints from which you can survey the river and an undulating landscape of emerald hills and stupas.

Proceed to U Min Thonze which pagoda has many Buddha images in a shaped colonnade. U Min Thonze Pagoda is one of the most distinctive complexes on the main hill top of Sagaing. “U Min” means “caves” and “Thonze” means “thirty”.

The last pagoda we visit to day is the Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda. It lies atop Nga-pha Hill. one of the 37 hilltops of Sagaing Hills. The hill resembles a frog and hence it was known as Nga-Pha Hill. It was built in 674 by a Sage U Ponnya of Pintaya Tazeeshin Thihathu. It enshrined Buddha relics revered by successive kings.

Before ending the tour, enjoy sunset scenery form Sagaing Hill. You will have a panoramic sight of numerous Pagodas and Monasteries. Return to Mandalay for dinner and stay.

Stay overnight at hotel in Mandalay.

DAY 8: Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya (B,L,D)

After breakfast at hotel, we transfer you to Mandalay airport for flight to Heho. Upon arrival at Heho, our driver transfers you straight to Pindaya.

Pindaya is famous for its limestone caves, its attractive lakeside setting, and the traditional Shan paper umbrellas that are manufactured here. Set deep in the hillsides, the caves (some of which serve as meditation chambers) contain some 8000 Buddhas of various sizes, which are made of white marble, bronze or plaster, and coated with gold leaf. At the entrance to the caves sits the 15 metre tall Shwe Oo Min Pagoda.

Enjoy lunch and take a refresh, we start visiting Shwe Oo Min Natural Cave Pagoda which is cramped with over 8,000 of Buddha images. During the course of several centuries thousands of Buddha images have been put inside the cave. Many statues bear the name of the person who donated it. The number of images is constantly growing since people are still adding more, by now there about 9,000.

Late afternoon, drive by road to Nyaung Shwe jetty to take a boat trip to hotel (lying on the lake) for check in.

Stay overnight at hotel in Inle Lake.

DAY 9: Inle Lake – Boat trip for sightseeing (B,L,D)

After breakfast, the tour sightseeing for magical Inle Lake, which is located 1328 meters above sea level and 22 km long and 11 km wide.

A traditional long boat (motorized) will take you to Inle Lake, the vast, beautiful and picturesque nature lake, 900 meters above sea-level, 22 km long and 10 km across, is one of the main tourist attractions in Myanmar. It offers an unforgettable pastiche of unique experience and is famous for its scenic beauty, the unique one-leg rowers, floating gardens, attractive villages, colorful markets and prolific birdlife. A boat trip on the lake is very enjoyable and exhilarating with a cool breeze, warm sun and seagulls flying overhead.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, visit the Nga Hpe Kyaung (Jumping Cat Monastery) and have a sightseeing at Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda which is famous for 800 years old Five Buddha statues which are enshrined in the center of the building. The boat trip takes you to Inn Paw Khon village, well-known for silk weaving workshops and the technique and creation of the fascinating design of the silk products. Proceed to Nam Pan Village with cheroot.

Return to hotel.

Stay overnight at hotel in Inle Lake.

DAY 10: Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon (B)

After breakfast, enjoy a little time at leisure until a boats take you back to jetty. Car transfer to airport for flight to Yangon.

Arival in Yangon, transfer to hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is your leisure time to explore the city on your own.

Stay overnight at hotel in Yangon.

DAY 11: Yangon – Countryside in Twante – Yangon (B,L)

Breakfast at the hotel, we start overland drive to Twante (1:30 hrs driving, Coach as an option).

Agriculture and Fisheries are the main business for local people. Local products such as bamboo, rattans, bamboo-trays, sieves, and bamboo-chairs are also produced there. As pottery is one of their traditional industries, you can see many potters’ workshops. Then visit to home industry of looms, as weaving.

After that, we continue our visit at Shwe Sandaw pagoda, Baung Daw Gyoke Pagoda. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we visit to local market and observing at the fruit and vegetables lay out in baskets on the ground, dried fish, and tethered poultry. We drive back to Yangon .

Stay overnight at hotel in Yangon.

DAY 12: Yangon – Departure flight (B)

Morning, breakfast at hotel. Spend your leisure time in the city until we transfer you to airport for your departure flight home.