Myanmar Through The Lens

Welcome upon arrival at Mandalay International Airport, we drive to our hotel in the city center. Mandalay, is a city founded in 1857 as the capital by King Mindon and is the principal center for Buddhism studies in Myanmar. After a short rest, we visit the Mandalay Palace which boasts finely built regal walls and a beautiful moat surrounding her fortress. Overnight in Mandalay.
Meal: n/a

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. After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Mandalay pier and embark on a private boat upstream to visit Mingun, famed for its huge and incomplete Pahtodawgyi Pagoda and Mingun Bell – the 90-ton ringing bell.

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

Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay.

In the morning, we drive to Amarapura, which is famous for Mahagandaryone Monastery. Amarapura is the best place to experience monk life in Mandalay. Every day at mid-morning, monks and novices line up silently to receive their daily offering of alms and food from faithful Buddhists. Next, head to Sagaing, discover the monk education, visit Buddha cave, Umin Thonze pagoda, and Sunooponnyashin pagoda. Behold the panoramic view of Mandalay.

We then cross the river by ferry to Inwa (Ava), situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Once a royal capital, Inwa is now a quiet rural oasis. Enjoy a horse cart ride around the peaceful countryside, visiting BagayaKyaung, a beautiful teak wood monastery, MahaAungmyayBonzanKyaung, and Nan Myint tower.

End of the day, we walk over U Bein Wooden Bridge, the longest and oldest teak wooden bridge in the country. To fulfill the best experience here, let take a boat trip to slowly behold the panorama of the legendary bridge at sunset time.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight at Mandalay

On this day tour, we will take a day boat (the boat is not a comfortable cruise but bring us a good experience) to Bagan at 7.00 AM. It is time for us to enjoy the daily life of local people on the river. Upon arrival in Bagan, we will transfer to the hotel. We spend the night in Bagan.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Today we have an early morning and direct flight to Bagan. Bagan is Myanmar’s archaeological wonderland, where over 3,000 ancient temples blossom from the countryside. On arrival, we will visit the Nyaung U Market in Old Bagan and then explore the beautiful gold leaf Shwezigon Pagoda and discover Burmese Buddhist traditions. We continue our tour with a visit to Ananda Temple, stopping along the way on the Bagan plains to admire some of the surrounding temples.

In the afternoon, we will continue our day tour with an exotic horse cart ride to one of the biggest temples in Bagan: Nan Paya Pagoda and many other amazing attractions surrounded. Finally, highlight your trip at sunset hill where you can marvel at one of the best sunsets in the world over the magnificent sights. Sit back, relax and enjoy this amazing view. Overnight in Bagan.
Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at Bagan

After breakfast, we begin the drive to Mt Popa. It is time to join in pilgrims as they ascend Mt. Popa and admire the crazy statues that line the walkway, along with the monkeys that live on the mountain. Once at the peak, guests can relax and bask in the glorious views of Bagan. We then return to Bagan for a short cruise along the Irrawaddy River at sunset. We spend the night in Bagan.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in a Bagan.

On this day tour, we leave our ancient Bagan temples behind and take a flight to Heho. Arrive at Heho airport and drive to Nyaungshwe on the edge of Inle Lake, stopping on the way to visit Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery.

Upon arrival, board a motorboat for a sightseeing tour to Phaungdawoo Pagoda, famed for its richly gilded five small Buddha images and believed to be the holiest pagoda in Inle Lake. Our next stop is “Jumping Cat Pagoda” at Ngaphechaung Monastery. As we travel closer to Nam Pan Village, have a look at cotton and lotus weaving factories and cigar-making houses. These sites will give us a true sense of traditional Intha life. We spend the night in Inle Lake.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

This morning, we visit the unique “5 Day Market” which is held in different villages 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 lunch, the boat will take us to the beautiful temple of Indein, located on the hill overlooking the lake. Now, it’s time to enjoy our relaxing time while walking along the corridors and enjoying the giant columns that have been left to nature for centuries. Overnight in a hotel in Inle Lake.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

After breakfast, we leave for Kakku and take a short boat ride to Naung Shwe before getting on our private car for a 2-hour drive to Kakku. Stop at Taung Gyi for a short visit en route then head into the rolling hills toward the east of the lake. The drive is spectacular, crossing over the railway line and through small villages inhabited by the Pa-Oh people.

The view of Kakku is breathtaking: there are more than 5200 individual stupas, some of which are 20 meters high, and several Buddha images scattered throughout. There are no clear facts about the history of the stupas but most date back to the 11th-13th century, the same period when Bagan was thriving. Wander throughout the temples, taking our time to enjoy the wonder and awe of this site and discover the intricate carvings and details on the structures. In the late afternoon, we will drive to Heho for a flight to Yangon. Overnight accommodation will be in Yangon.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

After breakfast, we will take a 4-hour drive to Kyaikhtiyo to visit the Golden Rock. On the way, we visit Htaukkyant War Cemetery then proceed overland driving to Golden Rock. Arriving at pilgrim-village is a starting point to the famous Golden Rock. From our hotel in Kyaikhtiyo, we first take a truck and then enjoy the trekking to Golden Rock, it will take about 1 hour up the hill to enjoy the sunset at Golden Rock. The famous ‘Golden Rock’ is a sacred, massive gold-leafed boulder delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff near the top of Mt. Kyaikhtiyo and it is one of the most revered Buddhist shrines.

Note: The road uphill is very steep; we share the truck with locals to get almost to the top of this mountain in an hour. It will be an adventure plus the 45 minutes of trekking up the hill. There is a ride by local at the additional charge of about 5$/per person. Overnight in a hotel in Kyaikhtiyo.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Kyaikhtiyo

After enjoying the morning breakfast and coffee at the hotel restaurant and enjoying a great panorama view over the top of this mountain, we will check out and take the short trek down the hill and share the local truck with locals down to the foot of mountains where our private car is waiting for us.

Then, we drive back to Yangon. On the way, we visit Bago, located only 80 km, was the ancient capital of the Mon Kingdom in the 15th century, and enjoy the Bago sightseeing including Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha (55 meters long), Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Myo Ma Local Market, 28 meters high huge Buddha Image of Kyaikpun Pagoda, Chinese Kwan-yin Temple and upon if you wish, we can visit the Kanbawzathardi Palace of King Bayinnaung. After lunch at a local good restaurant, we drive back to Yangon city for overnight accommodation.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Yangon

In the morning, we spend a half-day exploring the most outstanding pagoda in Yangon: Shwedagon Pagoda. The “Golden Pagoda” is really a must-see while we are in Myanmar. Enjoy the last-minute shopping in the bustling Scott market before driving to the airport to catch our departure flight home. (Note: the market is closed on Mondays and the gazette holidays). Tour ends. We hope that you love the itinerary of this 12-day Myanmar adventure tours. Thank you for traveling with us!
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a