The Best of Mandalay and Bagan

Mingalaba! Welcome to Myanmar! Your 8-day tour starts in Mandalay – the second largest city of Myanmar and the religious center of Burmese culture. Today, meet and be greeted by our tour guide at Mandalay Airport, then the driver will transfer you to the ship for lunch. After that, check-in at the hotel and enjoy your own free time for the rest of the day. Overnight in Mandalay.

Note*: The hotel room will be available at 2:00pm, and in case that you would like to secure an early-check in, an additional charge will be applied.

Meal: Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

Wake up to the sound of the light swaying wind this morning and be ready for a boat trip down the Irrawaddy River to Mingun, the sleeping town that will enchant you with numerous interesting destinations. Along your way, our local guide will be pleased to introduce you to the daily life of Burmese people along the Irrawaddy River.

Upon arrival at Mingun, we will start our first visit to Mingun Bell, the second-largest ringing bell in the world which plays a significant role in religious affairs. From here, proceed to the unfinished Mingun Paya, a magnificent ruin built by King Bodawpaya of Amarapura in 1970 intended to be the largest religious pagoda in the world. Then we also make a visit to the Hsinbyume Temple to admire a white-washed temple built in the shape of Mt Meru.

In the afternoon, we proceed to Sagaing – a beautiful religious center of Myanmar that is far-famed for a great number of monasteries and stupas. A highlight of the visit to Sagaing today is climbing up to the top of the hill to Soon U Pon Nya Shin Pagoda, one of the oldest and reachest pagodas in the Sagaing region. Overnight in Sagaing.
Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Sagaing.

Today is a full day of sightseeing in Yandabo, a tranquil village that lies on the bank of the Irrawaddy River. After breakfast at the hotel, our guide will take you to the village that is well-known for traditional pottery making. There are thirty in 400 households in the village making pottery.

Once visiting a local pottery workshop, you will be astonished by the way women create a perfect pot by hand completely. Spending time to chat with the local villagers about their traditional way of making a pot try your hand at making one on your own! Overnight in Mandalay.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

After breakfast at the hotel, ready for a scenic drive to Bagan – the charming temple town of Myanmar that possesses over 2000 ancient temples, ruins, and pagodas. Upon arrival, Today is a fantastic day to unlock the hidden charm of Bagan. This early morning, make your first visit to the local Nyaung U Market to gaze out at the daily trading of Burmese people.

Then get first-hand experience in a local lacquerware workshop where people create many beautiful items every day. Take this opportunity to interact with the local artisans before continuing your visit to the Shwe San Daw Pagoda, the first monument in Bagan featuring the architecture of stairways.

We then head to the Shwezigon Pagoda to visit the most impressive gold-plated pagoda in Bagan which experienced a long historical journey. Continue your sightseeing in Bagan as you take a visit to That Byin Nyu, Dhammayan Gyi, and Gubyauk Gyi Pagoda. There, listen to your guide about its distinctive architecture as well as the history of the construction to gain a deep understanding of Bagan.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Rise before dawn this morning to capture the gorgeous sunrise of Bagan. We promise this would be one of the best sunrises in the world. As the sun flickers across the sky, marvel at its magical beauty which is dotted with the colorful hot air balloon in the sky. After that, return to the hotel and enjoy your breakfast. Then join in an exotic horse cart ride to Nanpaya Temple, a unique sandstone cave temple in Bagan, which is said to be the residence of the captivated Mon King.

Continue sightseeing at Minkaba Gubyau Gyi Temple, a temple of everlasting ancientness; Myazedi Pagoda, the oldest surviving stone inscription of the Burmese. Keep following your guide to Manuha Temple, a Buddhist temple enshrining 4 large Buddha images of Bagan. Finally, head to Ananda Temple, one of the most impressive and finest temples in Bagan built by the third King of the Bagan dynasty in the 12th century. Afterward, transfer to the hotel and enjoy your own time for the rest of the day. Overnight in Bagan.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

This morning take a scenic drive to Tant Chi Taung Mountain where you will gain a panoramic view over Bagan and visit the hilltop stupa. Afterward, enjoy an exhilarating elephant dance performance by the villagers before sailing to Salay. If you have ever wondered about the change of time, Salay is the one that gives you the most vivid picture. Upon arrival at Salay, join a walking tour to Yoke Sone Kyaung to admire one of the most intricated teak-carved monasteries in Myanmar.

After that, take a 45-minute drive to Mt Popa, an extinct volcano that is one of the most important religious sites in Myanmar. To reach the top of the mountain where the fabulous Taung Kalat Monastery is perched, you will have to hike up to 777 steps. The way leads up to the top ensures to provide you many scenic views and interesting meet with the monkeys. Inside the monastery is where you will learn about the Nats (natural spirits) of Burmese. Keep listening to your guide to know more about that! Overnight in Bagan.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Today is a full day for you to discover the rural life of Bagan in the surrounding villages. After breakfast, head to Minanthu village, a small tranquil village that provides you with an authentic taste of the villagers. It’s where you will have a chance to learn about traditional cotton weaving and silversmiths.

Then your guide also takes you to Myinkaba village to discover the traditional lacquerware, the most famous item in Bagan. In the afternoon, transfer to one of the sunset hills in the region where you will have a seat to marvel at one of the best sunsets in the world. Overnight in Bagan.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Enjoy your last day in Bagan until the driver comes to pick you up for a drive to Mandalay to take a departure flight. Trip ends. We hope you will love the itinerary for this 8-day Myanmar tour package we offer.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a