Day 1: Arrive Yangon        (-/-/-)

Upon arrival, receive a warm greeting from the guide;depend on arrival time: -transfer to the hotel or continue sightseeing.

Yangon, former capital of Myanmar and known as Rangoon, planned and built by the British after the second Anglo-Burmese war in mid-19 century. Therefore city is full of impressive colonial and different spiritual heritages make it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia. Today Yangon is still remaining as commercial city although the authority moved administration capital to Nay Pyi Taw in 2006.

Your tour begins with a venture downtown to explore the city centre for historical buildings and city life of Yangonites. First photo stop in front of the city hall, Maha bandoola garden and Independence Monument, then walk to Sule Pagoda in the middle of  the city which is believe to be zero point of Yangon, after ward continue your walking tour passing through many faded colonial and historic  buildings. Then visit Little India and Chinatown, a colorful cacophony of restaurants, temples and markets. Finally end the walking tour at Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, the old locomotive factory until it was transformed into market in 1926.Variety of local products and imported goods are available at your choice.

(Note: Market is closed on Mondays and public holidays). 

After the market, continue the tour to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Most Buddhist devotees believe that it was built in the time of Lord Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago, although the origin of the pagoda is unclear. The Pagoda has been renovated several times before taking its current shape in the 15th century. The 76.5 carets diamond on top, More than 80 thousand pieces of different gems studded spire and central stupa,more than three tons of gold leaf gilded,is about 100 metres tall;surrounded by 64 smaller stupas at the upper platform.

(Overnight in Yangon)

Day 2: Yangon – Bagan          (B/-/-)

After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Yangon’s Mingaladon Airport for a flight to Bagan (Nyaung U).
Bagan was the capital of Myanmar from the 11th to 13th century. During this period, there were 11 kings who reigned and constructed thousands of stupas and temples,over 2000 of monuments are still standing today.

This morning, your journey begins with a visit tothe colorful Nyaung U Market where the locals come to buy and sell fresh produce and other personal goods.

Afterwards, visit Gubyaukgyi Temple in Myin Kabar village, noted for one of the most beautiful mural paintings of life of Buddha on its inner walls and well-preserved plaster carvings on its exterior wall. Then walk to nearby temples, Manuha Templeand Nan Paya Temple for stone work on both interior and exterior wall.

Continue the tour to traditional lacquerware workshop; observe the skillful and quality production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Then continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples.

Lunch (own account) and back to hotel for avoiding the heat of the day for a while. In the afternoon, board a private river boat and set off up river toward Kyaukgu Umin. Throughout your Irrawaddy river cruise you will be treated to fabulous scenes of life on the water: fishermen, local ferry boats, riverside villages and views of the Bagan temples.

Continue by boat to Kyaukgu Umin, from the jetty to Umin(cave)  is about 10 minutes’ walk. At the exterior wall of Kyaukgu Umin is decorated with beautiful stone carvings depicting religious figures and flowers on the door. Inside the cave, although there are a lighting system into the cave from above, you may need torch light or candles for more light and observe the interior structure of several small niches where hewn from the cliff wall for individual practice of meditation.

After your exploration of Kyaukgu Umin, return to the boat for a relaxing cruise down to Bagan, and enjoy sunset. Upon arrival at jetty transfer back to your hotel.

(Overnight in Bagan)

Day 3: Bagan – Heho – Inle Lake       (B/-/-)

After breakfast, transfer to Nyaung U Airport for a flight to Heho.

From Heho airport, a scenic one-hour slightly downhill drive leads to Shwe Nyaung , then to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery of the 19th century which features beautiful carvings and collection of Buddha images.

You may look arround the monastery to observe monastics life. Continue the tour and stop in Nyaung Shwe for a short walk around town and visit to the colourful market, depending on the arrival time and if it is on the 5 day market rotation date.

Continue by local trishaw down to the bustling canal where farmers by boats from the lake come in for loading or unloading tomatoes and other vegetables for distribution to the markets around the country, from boats to trucks and bikes. Then visit the ‘tomato house’, a warehouse-like structure where tomatoes are sorted and priced for sale. Then, continue pass some of the many monasteries and nunneries in the town, stopping for photos as you go.

At the canal, board on a private open motorboat to explore Inle Lake. The inhabitants in the lake are known Intha, one of the 135 peoples of Myanmar. Sail and pass through villages built on stilts over the lake, observe the famous leg-rowing fishermen and see their floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main holiest sanctuary, home to five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf.

Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone, where you may see the lotus fibre weaving, Ikat pattern weaving, blacksmith, silversmith and a cheroot factory, where traditional Burmese cheroot and cigars are made by hand.

If time permits, there may be time to enjoy a short walk through one of the lakeside villages.Then return to hotel for your overnight stay. It is best to end the tour before 5PM.

(Overnight on Inle Lake)

Day 4: Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon           (B/-/-)

After breakfast, visit the lake’s 5 day morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5-day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their products. (Note: market closed on dark-moon day and full-moon day).

From the market, continue through a small canal leading up to the Pa-oh village of Indein.  Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village and wandering through the beautiful ancient stupas and temples of Alaung Sitthu of Bagan era. From here, magnificent views of the lake below are unforgettable.

After the tour in Indein, sail the same canal then pass through the main lake to Nyaung Shwe. Transfer to Heho

Airport for the flight to Yangon. Upon arrival at Yangon airport, transfer to the hotel.

(Overnight in Yangon.)

Day 5: Yangon – Departure      (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your flight time, options are available at your disposal. Transfer to the Yangon International Airport for your departure flight.