Grand Myanmar Discovery

Welcome upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, we will transfer to the hotel in Yangon. This evening, we will enjoy a Welcome dinner in Karaweik Palace, overlooking the Royal Lake and Shwedagon tower with fine Burmese food and an amazing cultural show. Overnight in Yangon.
Meal: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

After breakfast, we leave Yangon to enjoy a scenic journey to Kyaiktiyo, which is 190km to the east. One of Myanmar’s great pilgrimage sites is the Golden Rock at Kyaiktiyo, a huge boulder covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. The pagoda at the Golden Rock is said to hold the hair of the Buddha.

In the late morning, we will arrive at Kyaikhtiyo base camp and transfer to the transit junction with one of the small open trucks in a one-hour ride. After lunchtime, we will start an easy walk up to the Golden Rock and enjoy the sunset from this unforgettable site. Overnight in Kyaikhtiyo.
Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Kyaikhtiyo.

After breakfast, we will return to the base camp by open truck and head in the direction of Yangon for 110km to Bago, an ancient capital dating back to the 6th century.

Sightseeing in Bago includes the beautiful fifty-five meters long reclining Buddha called Shwethalyaung and the Mon-style Shwemawdaw Pagoda, one of the most venerated in Myanmar. Its spire stands 114m high and is taller even than the Shwedagon Pagoda. Also, visit the old Palace of Kambozathadi and the huge four-sitting Buddhas. We then transfer back to Yangon for overnight accommodation.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

After breakfast in the hotel, we will drive to the airport to board a noon flight to Heho. On arrival, we will be welcomed and transferred to Kalaw Hill station. The rest of the day will be free to relax in the mild weather. Overnight in Kalaw.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Kalaw

In the morning, we drive to the northwest and stop at junction A. From here take the footpath to the right. The road and trails go through beautiful scenery. After approximately one and a half hour, we will reach PANE HNE PIN (Palaung Tribal Village). They make their living from farming and hunting. They live in the longhouse and are shared with 4-5 families.

After lunch, we walk another half-hour to the viewpoint, the place where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the Kalaw area. Then return to PANE HNE PIN village. From there we walk another half an hour to reach Junction B, where the car is waiting for us to get back to Kalaw for overnight accommodation..
Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Kalaw

Today, we visit the Pindaya Caves. These caves are ensconced in a limestone ridge overlooking the lake. Inside the cavern, there are more than 8000 Buddha images – made from alabaster, teak, marble, brick, lacquer, and cement – and are arranged in such a way as to form a labyrinth throughout the various cave chambers. Shwe U Min Paya – this is a cluster of low stupas just below the ridge near the Pindaya Caves. Overnight in a hotel in Pindaya.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Pindaya

Today, we will leave Pindaya behind for Heho. Inle Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar is located 900 meters above sea level and is also the home of the Intha people, who are very famous for their one-leg rowing technique.

Upon arrival, we board a motorboat for a sightseeing tour to Phaungdawoo Pagoda, famed for its richly gilded five small Buddha images, which also believed the holiest in Inle Lake. Our next visit on this day tour is “Jumping Cat Pagoda” at Ngaphechaung Monastery. As we travel further to Nam Pan village the cotton and lotus weaving factory and cigar-making houses will impress us with a sense of traditional Intha life. Overnight in a hotel in Inle Lake.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Today, we will visit the “Five Day Market” which is held each day in a different village surrounding the lake. This is absolutely a magnificent place to enjoy the scene of local tribes in their colorful clothes and experience the exotic market atmosphere.

After lunchtime, the boat will take us to the beautiful temple of Indein, located on the hill overlooking the lake. It will definitely be relaxing to walk along the corridor and enjoy the giant columns which have been left to nature for centuries. We will then take a late afternoon flight to Mandalay where we spend the night.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

Being famous as the Buddhist center in Myanmar, Mandalay is a realm of stupas, monks, and monasteries. The most fascinating visit will be the time to behold the monks doing their worship and having meals. In the morning, we drive to Mandalay pier, embarking on a private boat upstream to visit Mingun, famed for its huge and incomplete Pahtodawgyi Pagoda and Mingun Bell, known as the 90 tons-ringing bell.

In the afternoon, we will visit Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery – noted for its exquisite wood carvings, gold leaf beating workshop, and Kuthodaw Pagoda – known as the world’s biggest book furthermore, we will finish up the day tour by visiting Mandalay Hill to watch the sun-set and the panoramic view of the city. Overnight in Mandalay.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

After breakfast, we will transfer from the city to Sagaing Hill, discover the monk education, and visit Budda Cave, Umin Thonze Pagoda, and Sunooponnyashin Pagoda. Behold the panoramic view of Mandalay.

After that, we will come to Amarapura. Being famous for Mahagandaryone Monastery Amarapura is the best place to experience the monk life in Mandalay. Walk over U Bein Wooden Bridge, the longest teakwood bridge in the world. To fulfill the experience here, don’t miss your chance to embark on a boat trip and capture the most stunning photos from a far distance.
In the late afternoon, we drive to the airport to board the flight from Mandalay for Bagan. Welcome upon arrival and transfer to the hotel where we spend the night.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Today, we will visit the Shwezigon Pagoda, which is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha, followed by Ananda and Sulamani Temple.

In the afternoon, we visit Bagan’s archaeological museum and discover the traditional way the local people make Bagan’s famous lacquer wares. In the afternoon, we will have a beautiful sunset cruise on the Ayeyarwaddy River. Overnight in Bagan.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

After breakfast at the hotel, make your way to the lively Nyaung U Market to soak into the hustle and bustle of the village market. Then spend the whole day sightseeing around Bagan by an exotic horse cart ride. Your horse cart will take you slowly through the countless temples and stupas to one of the biggest temples in Bagan, Nan Paya and many other amazing attractions surrounded.

Continue sightseeing to Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple taking note of the architectural differences between MyaZedi Temple and Manuha Temple. The most highlighted experience of today is to b behold the panoramic sunset view from the breathtaking sunset hill. Overnight in Bagan.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

After breakfast, we will catch a flight from Nyaung U to Thandwe. It is time to immerse in the pristine waters of Ngapali Beach and the beautiful green coconut groves. Overnight will be in Ngapali.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ngapali

Time will be free to relax on the sandy beach of Ngapali. Overnight in Ngapali.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Ngapali

Time will be free to relax on the sandy beach of Ngapali. Overnight in Ngapali.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Ngapali

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Thandwe to board our noon flight to Sittwe. On arrival at Sittwe airport, we transfer to the jetty for a private boat trip along the Kaladan River to Mrauk-U for 5 to 7 hours upstream and enjoy the daily life of local people along the riverbanks. We spend the night in a hotel in Mrauk U.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Mrauk U

After breakfast, we will visit the ancient capital city of Rakhine Kingdom (15th century). First, we visit a city market to see the ways of life of local people. Then, we visit Pharaouk Pagoda, Mong-Khong- Shwe Du Stupa, Pesi Paya, Koe Thaung Temple (a shrine of 90000 Buddha images), Latt-Say Lake (artificial lake with a city wall and a gate) and Mahabandola Monastery like a museum and back to the hotel for lunch and break for a rest.

In the afternoon, we visit the massive Shit-Thaung Temple, a curiously remarkable temple with 80000 Buddha images and reliefs, Htaukkhan-Thein Temple like the fortress, Andaw temple, Ratanabon Stupa, Laymyathnar temple (four-sided temple), Laungbanprauk Pagoda locally known as “Plate Pagoda”, Pitakataik (a small library) and drive to Harritaung hill for Sun-set and back to the hotel and overnight. Overnight in Mrauk U.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Mrauk U

Today, we will visit Sakyamanaung Pagoda, Ratanamanaung pagoda, and ”Thet” village to see the women wearing the big ear-rings and different ethnic groups of Rakhine and their different lifestyle, Nann-Oo Buddha image and Mingalamanaung pagoda.

In the afternoon, we will visit the archaeological museum attached to the palace site, Latkaukzee monastery, Lawkananaung pagoda, and Parabaw Buddha image and drive to Shwe-Taung hill for sunset. Back to the hotel and overnight. Overnight in a hotel in Mrauk U.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Mrauk U

In the early morning, we check out at the hotel and take a drive to the jetty and return to Sittwe by boat. On arrival, we transfer to Sittwe airport for the departure flight to Yangon. Overnight in Yangon.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Yangon

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the famous Sule Pagoda, in the heart of the former capital Yangon, Chaukhtayi Pagoda, and Kandawgyi Lake. Discover the most outstanding pagoda in Yangon, Shwedagon Pagoda. This golden pagoda is really a must-see while you are in Myanmar.

Finally, finish up our day by enjoying some last-minute shopping at Scott Market (closed on Mondays) before heading to the airport for our flight back home. Tour ends. Thank you for making your 20-day tour of Myanmar with Go Myanmar Tours!.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in n/a