Day 1: Arrive Yangon (Walking and Trishaw)                                                                                                                         (-/-/)

Upon arrival at Yangon airport, your guide and driver will welcome and transfer to the hotel. After checking in and rest for a while in the hotel, begin your sightseeing .

Departing from Hotel to downtown, begins sightseeing with a visit to Sule pagoda, then  photo stop at Mahabandoola Park, City Hall. From there, walking through  colonial buildings along Pansodan (Phyere St) , then  get into strand road for  historical buildings along the strand, then turn on Bo Aung Kyaw Road for oldest Christian Church, St. John the Baptist of Armenians, continue the walking to Secretariat building of the British colonial administration offices. Next,continue walking to St.Mary Cathedral-the biggest in Myanmar. Then continue to Sakura tower for panorama view of the whole Yangon city and lunch here.

After lunch, head to Botahtaung Pagoda-by car, which is a hollow type stupa. Local people across the country come to pay home mage and pray, to see the hair of Buddha in the casket display at the central hall. Continue observe different shrine in the compound.

From there take the trishaw ride along the strand road to oldest Chinese temple at Sin Oo Dan Street. Dropped off and visit into the temple. Next continue to Shwedagon Pagoda-by car, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. The pagoda is believed to contain four relics from four Buddhas of this world according to Buddhist believes.  Although the origins of the pagoda is unclear, local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago in the time of Gotama Buddha and renovated several times before taking its current shape in the 15th century. More than 80 thousand pieces of different gems studded in the spire  and 76.5 carat diamond on top. Besides, the octagonal shape central stupa is gilded with almost three tons of gold leaf, about 100 metre in height  and surrounded by 64 smaller stupas.

(Overnight in Yangon)

Distances and approximate journey time:

• Yangon Airport to Yangon city centre (20 km): 30 – 60 mins

Day 2: Yangon – Heho – Nyaung Shwe                                                                                                                                (B/ /-)

After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the 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 a collection of Buddha images. You may walk around the monastery for observing 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. Then check in the hotel.

Lunch at local restaurant in Nyaung Shwe (client own account).

After refreshment, begin a tour of the area by mountain bike. First, cycle to the western part of the lake toward the village of Khaung Daing for about 8 km.

Along the way, stop and visit farmer and observe their activities. Then catch a local ferry boat across the lake to Maing Tauk Village for around 20 minutes. The relaxing and crossing over the lake will grant some amazing photo opportunities.

From there, turn to the north at the lake’s eastern shores for around 10 kilometres gorgeous ride to Red Mountain Estate, passing many local farms and villages. Take a break to visit Red Mountain Winery, testing wine at your own disposal.

Then ride back to Nyaung Shwe, arriving in the late afternoon.

(Overnight in Nyaung Shwe)

Distances and approximate journey time:

• Heho Airport to Nyaung Shwe (28 km): 45 mins
• Nyaung Shwe Jetty to Hotel on Inle Lake (10 – 20 km): 30 – 60 mins take a bike trip to Maing Tauk, then back to the town

Day 3: Nyaung Shwe – Inle Lake – Indein (Boat)                                                                                                                  (B/-/-)

After breakfast, visit the lake’s 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 wares. Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf. (Note: the market is daily except on dark and full moon days)

Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone where you will see how the lotus fibre is produce, the black smith, the silver smith and a cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand.

From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of Indein. From there, walk and passing through the village, then continue exploring by foot, and wander through the stupas and temples of Alaung Sitthu.  From there, climb the covered stairway to the top of a hill which is covered with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below.

After enjoying the visit to Indein, return to the boat. Continue along the lake for additional sightseeing before returning to the hotel.

(Overnight in Nyaung Shwe)

Day 4: Nyaung Shwe – Heho – Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin                                                                                                  (B/-/-)

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Heho Airport for the flight to Mandalay.

Upon arrival at Mandalay Airport, drive to a scenic two-hour drive to the former British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin, formerly known as May Myo after the name of Captain May of the British army. Until today, many reminders of the colonial era are still present in Pyin Oo Lwin, including brick and timber houses with British names and Botanical Gardens to the south of town calls Kandawgyi Lake.

*** The rest of the whole afternoon at your own leisure. ***

Distance and approximate journey time:

• Mandalay Airport-Ptin Oo Lwin(86 Km):2 hrs

(Overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin)

Day 5: Pyin Oo Lwin – Nawng Peng Village – Mandalay (Train & Car)                                                                                 (B/-/-)

After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to the Pyin Oo Lwin Train Station and board the local train to Nawng Peng Village. The journey takes around 5 hours, passing through stunning scenery and the Gokhteik Viaduct. The second tallest in the world, build by Pensynivian and Maryland Bridge Construction Company of USA  in 1899 and officially open it on the very 1st day of twentieth century.

Arrive at Nawng Peng Village around midday. After sightseeing of the area, transfer back to Mandalay by car and enjoy the scenery along the way (around 4 hours).

On the way back to Mandalay, stop at different farms to observe daily life of the locals and their products. Upon arrival at Mandalay, transfer to your hotel.

(Overnight in Mandalay)

Distances and approximately journey time:

• Nawng Peng-Mandalay (144 km): 4 hrs

Day 6: Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay (Boat & Car)                                                                                                           (B/-/-)

After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to the Mandalay Jetty and board a private local boat for an hour-long cruise along the Irrawaddy River to Mingun.

Begin the tour of Mingun’s incredible historical heritage with a visit to the famous Mingun Pahtodawgyi Stupa. This huge brick structure was left unfinished after an astrologer predicted the king would die should the temple be completed;otherwise might be the largest of it kind in the world. The small model can be seen before reaching to the massive temple. In the 1800s, an earthquake left several large cracks in the structure, giving it the iconic appearance it has today. Then, see the Mingun Bell which weighs 90-tons and was considered the world’s largest uncracked ringing bell.  Continue exploring with a visit to the beautiful white Hsinbyume Pagoda whose distinctive style is meant to resemble Sulamani pagoda resting on the mythical Mount Meru, the centre of the universe according to the Buddhists’ idea of cosmologo.

Return to Mandalay by boat the same way cruising down and relaxing. (Lunch at own account)

Next, sightseeing continues by car to Mahamuni Pagoda for a look at its iconic golden Buddha image. The image is considered as a living Buddha and regard as the second Myanmar’s most sacred Buddhist site. The worshippers have covered the image with so much gold leaf over and over again for years so that it has taken on a distinct ‘lumpy’ texture. From here continue to observe stone and wood carving factory, kalaga tapestries and gold leaf beating.  Next,return back to Mandalay to visit Kothudaw Pagoda, collection of 729 stone slabs on which the whole Buddhist scriptures was inscribed after convened of the Fifth Great Synod; honoured as the world largest book. Then continue to Shwe Nandaw Monastery-heavily gilt and adorn with glass mosaic and exquisite wooden carvings, especially the ten great Jataka scenes at prayer hall;the only remaining wooden building of Royal Palace.

From there, head to Mandalay Hill. The hill rises 240 metres above the city. From top of the hill, enjoy the panorama view of the surrounding countryside, the Irrawaddy River, and the city centre as the sun goes down behind Sagaing hill.

(Overnight in Mandalay)

Day 7: Mandalay – Sagaing – Ava – Amarapura – Mandalay (Boat & Car)                                                                        (B/-/-)

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for an excursion to the outskirts of Mandalay to explore the former capitals of Ava, Sagaing, and Amarapura.

Today the sightseeing  begin with Yadanapon Golden Palace of Konbaung dynasty,then cross over Ayeyarwaddy river using Ava bridge, head up to Sagaing hill stop at Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae. Then back from the hill, stop and observe skillfull craft work of pottery , silver smith and other handicraft centres.

Lunch at your own expense.

Then continue to Ava, Myanmar’s capital from 14th to 18th centuries. First cross over Myitnge river by boat, boarded on a waiting horse cart for a visit to the old wooden Bagaya Monastery, constructed with 267 teak posts and embellished with ornate carving in wood and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort. From there continue by horse cart for leaning watch tower, then to Myanmar’s first brick monastery with stucco carving known as Nanmadaw Me Nu Ok Kyaung.

On the way back to Mandalay, stop at Amarapura, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’. First visit a silk weaving workshop then to a 200 years old U Bein Bridge. The bridge was constructed from 984 teak posts that were once part of the disassembled Ava Palace and is 1.2 kilometers in length;making it the world’s longest teak wood construction.

Enjoy sunset on boat over the lake(optional). Back to Mandalay and transfer to your hotel.

(Overnight in Mandalay)

Distances and approximate journey time:

Mandalay-Amarapura (13 km): 30 mins

Mandalay-Sagaing(23 Km):1hr

Day 8: Mandalay – Bagan (Boat)                                                                                                                                           (B/-/-)

After early breakfast in the hotel, transfer to Mandalay jetty. You will embark for a boat to cruise down along Ayeyarwaddy River until you disaembark at Bagan jetty. Enjoy and relax on boat. Upon arrival at Bagan jetty, transfer to your hotel.(Approximate time:8-9 hrs)

The rest of the evening is your own leisure.

Bagan was the capital of Myanmar from the 11th to 13th century. During this period, there are 11 kings reigned and constructed thousands of huge stupas and temples, over 2000 monuments are still standing today.

(Overnight in Bagan)

Day 9: Bagan                                                                                                                                                                          (B/-/-)

After breakfast in the hotel, today’s sightseeing begins with a visit to the colorful Nyaung Oo Market where the locals come to buy and sell fresh produce and other goods.Then,continue to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda which is built of sand stone of river Irrawaddy. Then, visit Kyansitta Umin- meditation cell with wall painting, Wetkyi In Gubyaukgyi-a cave temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings, and end the morning tour with  a huge  elegant Htilominlo Temple- well-known for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.Afterwards, head to Myinkaba Village and Gubyaukgyi Temple, well-known for it’s inner wall mural and well-preserved plaster carvings on its exterior. Walk to nearby Mya Cedi compound to see the four in one stone inscription, known  as rosetta stone of Myanmar. Next, continue to Manuha Temple and Nan Paya Temple,built by the exile Mon king and his descendants.

Lunch and back for Hotel to avoid the sun heat.

In the afternoon, begin a tour to traditional lacquerware workshop; observe the skillful and quality production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. The green glazed Jataka plaques in the exterior wall; the lighting system into the face of Buddha from above;the stone carving statue of the niches are most interesting feature of art work.

Late in the afternoon, take a relaxing horse cart ride through the temple area, passing many monuments, farms and traditional houses along the way, Finally, a visit to sunset hill from where you will have a panoramic view of the magnificent plains of Bagan. Afterwards, return back to the hotel.

(Overnight in Bagan)

Day 10: Bagan –  Yangon                                                                                                                                                        (B/-/-)

After breakfast in the morning, take a flight back to Yangon. On arrival, you will be transferred to Insein station for a unique ride on the city’s Circular Train for about 45 minutes to Bogyoke Market. Myanmar is one of the country that still use the narrow tract. You will experience on this slow-moving train such as lively activities of trading, colourful lifestyle of local peoples.

Bogyoke Market, formerly locomotive factory transformed into a market in 1926 known as Scott’s Market. This is Yangon’s best-known market for handicrafts and other goods for souvenirs.

(Note: closed at 5PM, Market is closed on Mondays and public holidays).

Lunch at typical Myanmar restaurant on your own account.

After lunch drive to Chaukhatgyi Pagoda where is home to a 70-metre long reclining Buddha and surrounded by monasteries. Therefore, a visit to Chaukhtatgyi provides a great overview of Buddhism, with murals depicting the life of Buddha. The soles of the statue are carved with traditional symbolic figures;and locals and internationals can often be seen gathering there to pay homage and pray. From there, continue to typical Myanmar tea house for taste of local activity then to Kandawgyi park for until the sun goes down behind the golden Shwedagon.

From there, transfer to your hotel

(Overnight in Yangon)

Day 11:  Yangon – Golden Rock                                                                                                                                            (B/-/-)

After breakfast in the hotel, depart from Yangon and drive to Golden Rock Pagoda.  Arrive at Kyaikhtiyo base camp around early afternoon. Boarded on the first available truck;ride uphill winding road to the top of the mountain for about 45 minutes and drop off. From there, walk about five minutes to hotel for check-in. (The truck will leave when all seats are sold out. Therefore you may need to wait for some times.)

After refresh up in a hotel for a while, walk another five minutes to reach the Golden Rock Pagoda. The Pagoda is believed to be contained hair of Buddha and the third holiest of Myanmar Buddhist devotees. Therefore,almost the whole year crowded with people to pay homage and pray.  A huge boulder covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on one foot square surface at the edge of a cliff.
(Note: to bring one night use clothes and personal item only, the rest of your belonging keep in the hotel)

(Overnight near Golden Rock)

Day 12:  Golden Rock – Bago – Yangon                                                                                                                                (B/-/-)

Early in the morning (about 5AM), there are options to observe unique cultural experience and photographic opportunity of both local and foreign pilgrims offerings to the Golden Rock Pagoda in the solitude of the morning, and also to see the rising sun casting its rays upon the rock if the weather permitted.

After breakfast in the hotel, return to base camp by truck, transfer to your private transport and begin the return journey back to Yangon. On the way, stop at Hanthawadddy Bago. Bago was the capital of the Mon Kingdom in the 15th century with history and myths. After the conquest  of  Hanthawaddy  in 1539 A.D, King Tabinshwehti moved his capital to Bago and became important trading sea port in Asia.

First stops at Shwemawdaw Pagoda, stand at 114 metres tall and recorded as the highest stupa in Myanmar;higher than Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda;and can be seen from around 10 kilometres outside of the city.Then visit the old palace of Kambozathadi, built by king Bayintnaung.After that, continue to the 55-metres long reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha. The local legend say that the reclining Buddha was erected in 994 A.D by Migadhipa of Mon king to commemorate his conversion to Buddhism.From there continue the tour and visit the four seated Buddha at Kyaikpun. The term “ Kyaik” means Pagoda, and “Pun” means four in Mon dialect. This unusual and impressive pagoda was built by King Dhammaceti in 1476 AD.

On the way back to Yangon, stop in Htaukkyan Township to visit the Allied War Cemetery. This beautifully-landscaped, peaceful area is the final resting place for more than 27,000 Allied soldiers who perished their life during the World War II campaign in Myanmar. The honouring and memorial service of fallen comrades is celebrated annually on Nov 11 at 11 hour.

From there,return to your hotel.

(Overnight in Yangon)

Day 13:  Yangon – Departure              (B/-/-)

Breakfast in the hotel. Your own leisure until transfer to airport for onward your International flight.