Fascinating Myanmar

breakfast and lunch

In the morning, you will take a flight to Mandalay with the assistance of your private guide. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and take you to take a half day city tour.

First, pay a visit to Mahamuni Paya. There you will see local people stick the gold paper on Buddha and pray for a blessing. Besides, you can also make your own wish by sticking the gold paper on the statue (donation needed and only man allowed to do the job). You will also visit the Shwenaandaw Monastery, which has the meaning "Golden Palace Monastery" and was built in the 1900s. This exquisite monastery used to be a part of the royal palace and a textbook example of royal teak wood architecture.

Next, visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda, the one with the largest Buddhist books in the world. Last but not least, end the day at the top of Mandalay Hill to enjoy wonderful sunset.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Mahamuni Pagoda

Kuthodaw Pagoda

breakfast and lunch

After breakfast in hotel, we will set out to Amarapura. On the way, you will see monks collecting alms around the villages, which contributes their daily austerities and food. Driving out of Mandalay, you will be in time to visit Mahagandayon Monastery when thousands of monks are waiting in line for daily meals. What's more, you will have a chance to offer alms to those young monks at the back of the line.

Afterwards, head for Mingun, an ancient riverside town in Sagaing region. Your first stop is the unfinished Pahtodawgyi Pagoda, the world’s largest unfinished pagoda. King Bodawpaya died before it was completed. In 1838, the huge tower collapsed in an earthquake, and only a huge tower base left. Then, head to Mingun Bell which has a weight of 90 tons, and is believed to be the largest uncracked bell in the world. Next, walk a few minutes towards the north, you will visit Hsinbyume Pagoda, a beautiful white compound like a big cream cake, which was made to commemorate a queen.

Getting back to Amarapura, you will take a boat trip under the longest teakwood bridge in the world - U Bein Bridge for breathtaking sunset view.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Hsinbyume Pagoda

breakfast and lunch

Today, you will take the Irrawaddy Cruise to Bagan. At about 6:00 am, your guide will pick you up to pier. Board your cruise and enjoy breakfast on upper deck with the sunlight and gentle breeze.

Your day will be started with a wonderful sunrise from the upper deck. On the deck, you will enjoy the scenery along the banks of the Irrawaddy. Along Irrawaddy River, you will see the Inwa Bridge and countless pagodas on Sagaing Hill. Villages scatter on both banks where you will have a chance to observe the local's daily life and fishing activities.

Have lunch on board. As an additional service, crew team will give you a dancing performance with traditional Myanmar Longyi(traditional Myanmar garment). In the late afternoon, enjoy the gorgeous sunset and you will arrive at Mandalay. Later, meet your guide and transfer to hotel for check-in and relaxation.

Overnight in Bagan.

Irrawaddy River Cruise

breakfast and lunch

In the morning, you will explore the World Heritage Site - Bagan Archaeological Zone, which is amazing with its over 2,200 ruins scattering on the vast plain of Bagan. Some are large and tall while others are hidden among the jungles and hard to spot out. Take a horse cart, and you will follow your guide to visit some best of them, including Ananda Pagoda, Mahabodhi Paya, Gawdawpalin Temple, Thatbyinnyu temple, Dhammayangyi Temple and Shwesandaw Pagoda, etc. End the day by enjoying the breathtaking sunset in the plain.

 (*Optional; Hot air balloon flight can be reserved during October to next March)

Bagan

breakfast and lunch

Today, we will continue to explore charming Bagan. First, experience the local life in Nyaung Oo Market where local people buy food in daily life. Then, visit Shwezigon Pagoda, which is the first Burmese style pagoda. All pagodas all over Myanmar are built according to its magnificent style. It was built in 1060 and is still the most worshiped shrine in Bagan. You will also visit Htilominlo Temple which contains four Buddha images facing four directions on its first floor.

In the afternoon, drive to Minnanthu Village, a peaceful village where people make a living by traditional handcrafts like lacquer ware and weaving. Take a stroll in the village and you will witness the real local life and culture.

Overnight in Bagan.

Minanthu Village

breakfast

In the morning, you will transfer to airport to take a flight to Heho, a small airport town on Inle Lake. On arrival, your guide will wait for you and transfer you to Kalaw. Located at an elevation of 1320 metres, the former British hill station Kalaw enjoys cool climate and beautiful natural landscape. After check-in, you can relax at hotel or walk around in this peaceful town.

Overnight in Kalaw.

breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, start your day with an exhilarating trek up and down the Kalaw hilly routes through beautiful plantation with a variety of vegetables, fruits and teas, etc. It is also a good chance for you to closely touch with friendly villagers from Danu, Pa-O, Taung Yo and Palaung ethnic groups.

After reaching the hilltop, stop at a guest house for a cup of local tea and enjoying lunch. You are also warmly invited to have a house tour and get to know more about daily activities and practices here. Later, we trek down to initial starting point and transfer to Nyaung Shwe by car.

Overnight in Nyaung Shwe.

Kalaw

breakfast and lunch

In the morning, start with a boat trip to Inle Lake. Your guide will take you to the local market in the lakeside village. After a 5-day rotation, the trade fair is called the "5-day market" and will be held in some major villages near the lake shore. You may see the long-necked tribe women in the village. 

During the journey, you will get an opportunity to observe the legendary one-legged fisherman rowing. They want to show off their skills by posing for your camera. As the speed of the boat decreases, you will explore the floating garden. You can hardly believe it was built-up from strips of mud and water hyacinth. You will have a simple lunch at a floating restaurant overlooking the busy lake traffic.

Next stop is Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, which is the most worshipped shrine of the lake and houses five gilded Buddha images. Then, enter the narrow river bank, and you will reach the Shwe Indein Pagoda, which is an Indian Pagoda Complex. You will visit the biggest highlight of Indein village. Most ruined stupas have been covered with moss and weeds. But you can still discover its glory dating back to 16th century.

Finally, relax and enjoy spectacular sunset views over Inle Lake before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Nyaung Shwe.

Inle Lake

breakfast

Today, you will transfer to Heho airport with the assistance of your guide and take a flight to Thandwe airport. Upon arrival, join in the hotel shuttle bus and transfer to Ngapali beach. After check-in, free at leisure for the rest of today.

breakfast

Enjoy your free day on Ngapali Beach!

Ngapali Beach

breakfast

Enjoy your free day on Ngapali Beach!

Ngapali Beach

breakfast

Today, you will check out and take a flight to Yangon to catch up your departure flight home.