Day 1 Arrival Yangon. Yangon sightseeing and transfer to Nyaung U (Bagan) (Lunch/Dinner)

Meet and greet at Yangon international airport by our tour guide. Visit Kabar Aye meaning World Peace pagoda and Mahapasana Cave meaning “Great Cave of Stone” in which the Sixth Buddhist Synod was inaugurated. Visit Chauk-Hta-Gyi pagoda, famous for its huge image of Reclining Buddha.

Lunch at local restaurant. Next visit some major highlights like the National Museum where you can observe artifacts that testify to the ancient culture and civilization of the Myanmar people including thrones of ancient Myanmar kings and the magnificent Royal Lion Throne of our last monarch King Thibaw in all its original majesty.  (National Museum is close every Monday, Tuesday and gazette holidays)

In the evening Yangon City sightseeing to the famous Shwedagon Pagoda which is said to be covered with 60 tons of pure gold and known as one of the greatest wonders of the world. Buffet Dinner at Karaweik Palace restaurant while watching Myanmar culture show on board Karaweik Royal Barge at the Kandawgyi lake. Return to hotel. Sleep well to prepare for early morning flight to Bagan.

Overnight in Yangon.

For Budget Package travelers, overnight trip by Highway Express Bus to Bagan Nyaung   U.        (Overnight on Bus)

Day 2: Arrive Bagan (Nyaung U). Bagan (Nyaung U) sightseeing (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Start the tour in a private air-con coach to the colorful local market and then continue the day with visits to the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan such as, Shwezigon Pagoda, the holiest one believed to be enshrined with Buddha tooth and hair, Wetyi-In Gubyaukgyi Temple, where you can observe the most well preserved mural  paintings in Bagan, Htilominlo Temple, the of unique temple of all Asia, and visit to Upali Thein, which has beautiful frescoes from the            Konbaung Period. After lunch at the local restaurant, visit the lacquer ware workshop in the Myinkaba village. After that we will visit Thatbyinyu, the highest temple, Ananda Temple with four magnificent standing Buddha images, and Dhammayangyi, the most massive and significant temple with the finest           brickwork in Bagan. Proceed to Shwesandaw Pagoda where you can discover stone images of Buddha in the posture of Jhana mudra (state of intense concentration of mind) and later watch the sunset over the famous Ayeyarwaddy River.

Overnight in Bagan (Nyaung U).

Day 3: Balloon riding (Optional)/Salay and Mount Popa sightseeing (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

(Optional) Early in the morning, before sunrise, transfer to the launch site of Bagan Hot Air Balloons and fly over to get a panoramic view of the majestic 5000 pagodas and amazing landscapes of this ancient city in Myanmar. Return back to hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we shall start our journey in a private air-con coach towards the city of  Salay, a colorful old religious center in Central Myanmar, by taking a drive in a private coach along the banks of Ayeyarwaddy River. Visit the famous monastery “Yoke-Sone-Kyaung” which is a cultural heritage site in Salay, built in AD 1882  where there are very beautiful  artistic work woodcarvings around it and also ancient Buddha image, utensils of Yadanabon 19 century period, and the museum of Myanmar famous writer U Pone Nya. If time permits you might be able to visit nearby monastery school for village children and have a glimpse of how they study.

After lunch, take a one and a half hours drive to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano that is most popular among the locals for its religious and mystical interests which are still prevalent. Popa is popularly recognized as an abode of many “Nats” (spirits of ancient ancestors) who dwell in various parts of the mountain. In the days of old, it also used to be referred to as the “Mountain of Spirits”. You will have time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top and view the surrounding area. On the way back you shall visit a toddy palm plantation and might have a chance to witness and taste the makings of toddy palm jaggery, otherwise known as Burmese Chocolate. Return to your hotel in Bagan.

Overnight in Bagan (Nyaung U).

Day 4: Fly to Mandalay. Mandalay, Amarapura and Mingun sightseeing. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

After early morning breakfast and check out from hotel transfer to Nyaung U airport for flight to Mandalay.

On arrival in Mandalay we shall next take you to nearby town named Amarapura, also called ‘The city of Immortal’ by visiting Maha-gan-dha-yon where we can observe the life of over 1000 monks. Our experienced guide shall brief you about the daily routines of monks and the rules that monks need to maintain. We shall next take a short walk from monastery to U Bein Bridge (The longest teak bridge) that   was built across Taung-Tha-Man Lake. Continue back to Mandalay to visit the famous Mahamuni Pagoda, one of the most ancient and sacred Buddha Image, covered with thick layers of gold leaves.

After lunch, transfer to Mandalay jetty to embark on a boat ride on the Irrawaddy River to Mingun. Visit the remaining ruins of Mingun Pahtodawgyi, an unfinished structure of a massive construction project begun by King Bodawpaya in 1790, and is still the largest brick base in the world. Next visit Pondawphaya, Settawya & the Legendary Mingun Bell that weighs 55555 viss, and is the world’s biggest ringing bell. Arrive back at Mandalay jetty and disembark. Then proceed to Shwenandaw   Monastery, meaning ‘Golden Palace Monastery’, noted for its exquisite wood carvings, and remains the sole major survivor of the former wooden Royal Palace built by King Mindon in the mid-nineteenth century.

Overnight in Mandalay

Day 5: Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

After early morning breakfast, you will be transfer by air-con coach to ‘The National Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens’ which is a 177 hectare botanical garden located in the Alpine town of Pyin Oo Lwin, situated at an elevation of 1000 metres and 69 km by road from Mandalay. Next, we will visit Pwe Kout Waterfall, a very pleasant picnic spot in Pyin Oo Lwin where many Myanmar families come for a picnic. A Pwe Kauk or B.E waterfall is also known as Hampshire Falls in British times.

After lunch, we will return to Mandalay to continue our half-day sightseeing by visiting the Royal Palace of the last Konbaung Dynasty to observe the artistic workmanship and  handicrafts depicting the glory of the golden age.  Next visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as  the World’s Biggest Book for its stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures. After that, climb up Mandalay hill for a panoramic view of the city before having dinner.

Overnight in Mandalay

For Budget Package travelers, overnight trip by Highway Express Bus to Nyaung   Shwe    (Inle). (Overnight on Bus)

Day 6: Arrive Nyaung Shwe (Inle) Inle – Indein Sightseeing (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

  Inle – Indein Sightseeing                                                                            (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Reception at Heho Airport. Transfer to Nyaung Shwe (Inle)

(For Budget Package travelers reception would be at Nyaung Shwe Highway Express Bus Station).

Check in hotel, near Inle Lake, one of the magical lakes in Myanmar located 900 meters above sea level  surrounded by beautiful mountains of Shan plateau, is the home land of the Inthar tribe. If by chance your arrival day coincides with the market day, we will visit the regional market which is held on a 5 days rotation basis in different areas of the Lake. We will visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda famous for its richly gilded five  small Buddha images, situated in Inle Lake, one of the most      dazzling and magical places in Asia; and the Ngaphechaung monastery, an ancient monastery built more than one and a half century ago on huge pieces of teak wood with traditional architecture, and features a number of interesting old Buddha   Images. Other attractions include: unique leg-rowing style and fishing method of the Inthar, floating gardens used as vegetable plantations, silk and cotton weaving cottages and black smith.
If time permits, we shall next continue sightseeing to Indein village which is located at the southwest part of the Lake. Next visit Indein Pagoda complex, built by Pa-O tribes which is one of the most amazing historical sights of Shan state consisting of hundreds of small stupas overgrown by moss and vegetation. You can explore the area on foot, and feel picturesque stupas and provides magnificent views of the lake.

Overnight at Inle/Nyaung Shwe.

Day 7: Visit Kaku -Taunggyi - Hta Sam (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

After having early breakfast we shall proceed to Taunggyi the capital of Shan State, which is 1,436 m above sea level, and continue our journey towards Kakku; located about 33 miles or 3   hours drive by car from south of Taunggyi. Kakku, a religious center of Pa-O people, itself covers an area of one square kilometer and contains more   than 2,500 stupas, which represent the Buddha’s footprint. Most of these pagodas are thought to date back to the 16th century. On our way back we shall visit Taunggyi Central Market where traditional foods and gifts are available. If time permits we might be able to visit Hta Sam caves before having dinner and returning to Nyaung Shwe (Inle).

Overnight at Inle/Nyaung Shwe

Day 8: Fly back to Yangon to continue trip to Bago-Golden Rock Bago Sightseeing (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

After early breakfast, you’ll head to the airport in Heho for your onward flight to Yangon where you will meet your next local guide at the airport who will transfer you to board a    private air-con coach for a trip to Golden Rock (Kyaik-Hti-Yo)

Your visit to Kyaik-Hti-Yo pagoda will start by driving to Bago which was once the ancient Mon Kingdom at 16^th century. Arriving at Bago, your first visit will be to the famous Shwe Maw Daw pagoda and then continue visiting the huge reclining Buddha named ShweThalyaung pagoda and the replica royal palace of King BayintNaung, who is the founder of 2^nd Myanmar Empire. Continue journey from Bago to the Kin Mon base camp of Golden Rock (Kyaik-Hti-Yo). When we reached the based camp we shall take a 45 minute ride in a special open-truck to the ‘hermit hill’ or ‘Ya-Thay-Taung’ located at the mid-way point from the mountain top. At this mid-way point we have the option to continue riding the same open-truck for the rest of the way up or take a one hour trek to reach the mountain top. Once you are at the top you can find out why Golden Rock “Kyaikhtiyo” pagoda is famous for its “gravity defying” Golden Rock that hangs over the edge of the cliff. Enjoy the panoramic views of surrounding areas.

Overnight at Golden Rock.

Day 9: Golden Rock- Hpa An. Hpa An sight-seeing (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

For the next day of your adventure, we would like to advise you to wake up early morning to have the wonderful experience of seeing the beautiful sunrise and as well as to feel the atmosphere of devotion, in the surroundings of Kyaik-hti-yo pagoda, where local pilgrims’ chants reverberate in the precincts of the shrine, while lighting of candles, meditation and offerings to the Buddha continues throughout the day. Then return back to the hotel for taking breakfast and continue your visit to nearby vicinity before returning back to base camp by truck.

Continue drive to Hpa An the capital city of Kayin state. On your way you will visit Ba-yint-nyi Cave located in north of Hpa-An where you can find many pagodas and images of Buddhas. After lunch at local restaurant, you will be taken to Kawgun Cave located near Kawgun village, which is two miles distance from Hpa An township. It is a natural lime stone cave and measures 200 fts height and 300 fts length. The rock surfaces are profusely decorated with different kinds of clay Buddha images and votive tablets. It is a rare cave in the lower Myanmar. According to the style of the Buddha images it can be datable to 15th century A.D. Hanthawaddy period.

Next to Kawgon Cave is the Ya Thae Pyan Cave, also known as Hermit Cave. The cave is in the hill, and the entrance chamber contains many Buddhas Statues and the Statue of Hermit. Behind the reclining Buddha Statue is a natural Pool of “Holy” water.

We shall next visit Kyauk Kalap Pagoda, located on top of a tall and thin limestone rock formation in the middle of a small, artificial lake. The rock offers great views of the surrounding countryside and nearby Mt Zwegabin, and is allegedly the best place to see the sunset over this mountain. (Mt. Zwekaban located above 2374 feet of sea level in the south of “Hpa-an” capital of “Kayin” state. It is far from Hpa-an township and long 20 mile by laying north from south. The bottom of Mt. Zwekabin, “ Lumbini Garden” has been situated until now like a pleasant place). The next attractive place to visit is Shwe Yin Myaw World Peace Pagoda.

Overnight in Hpa An

Day 10: Hpa An – Return to Yangon Hpa An sightseeing (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

After early morning breakfast and check out from hotel, you will continue sightseeing by a visit to Saddan cave, meaning Royal Elephant cave marked by 2 stone elephants at the base of the stairway leading up to the cave. The entrance chamber has a large reclining Buddha as well as other statues and gold tablets on the walls. From here steps lead up into the main cave passage which is more or less a single passage with a short side passage almost half way through the most spectacular cave in Myanmar. Also visit the Kaw-Ka-Thaung Cave where Buddha figures are carved out of the wall of the cave. Surrounding Hpa-an is actually like an artful painting- with lush green fields, growing mountains covered trees, streams and bamboo hut villages.

After having lunch, drive back to Yangon and on route visit Allied War Memorial Cemetery located at Htauk-kyant. The Allied War Memorial was built as the memories of Allied soldiers who died in World War II. The compound of war memories has 27,000 stone graves with beautiful plants and flowers.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 11: Sight-seeing and departure from Yangon (Breakfast)

Check out of hotel. Visit Botataung Pagoda, a famous landmark on Yangon’s waterfront, a harbor area around the Pagoda where the boats leave for the nearby towns/villages. Next, enjoy a short sightseeing of Yangon city by having a bus tour     along the Old Secretariat, City Hall, High Court and around the Maha Bandoola park, to view some of the colonial style buildings built by British during the colonial days. Next a short visit to Bogyoke Aung San market, a popular tourist shopping center in Yangon city (Open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm except on Mondays and gazette holidays). Transfer to airport for international departure.

Departure from Yangon city. Bon Voyage!