10Days Beauty of Myanmar

Mingalabar and welcome to Myanmar! The former capital Yangon, also known as Rangoon, remains Myanmar largest city and continues to be the country's most important commercial hub and gateway for most of its international visitors. Its colonial background and religious legacy make it one of the most mesmerizing and genuine places in all of Southeast Asia.

No Myanmar expedition can be considered complete if it’s lacking a visit to the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda. The visual delights present there alone are worth the trip. You will start at the eastern staircase where small shops are lining up, all the way to the base of the temple, selling various religious items. Here you will find monks robes, alms bowls, offerings, incense and other unique Buddhist objects. As you browse the stalls, your guide will explain the tradition and rituals of Myanmar’s Buddhists. As you step on the platform, you will witness the colors transform on the 100-meter chedi, literally enclosed in over 40 tons of gold leaves. Shwedagon Pagoda is largely considered to be the most important religious site of Myanmar. Most visitors report the trip to be one of their best memory from the country.

Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight in Yangon.

The day will start off at Yangon’s Central Station where you will board on the local “Circular Train”, which runs from Yangon’s main railway station around town. This train travels at a deliberately slow pace which provides you with time to really enjoy your surroundings and get a clear overview of the city. Disembark at Kyee Myin Daine station, one of the most beautiful station buildings remaining in Yangon. From here you’ll take a short 10 minute trishaw ride through a local neighborhood. At this hour of the morning the neighborhood is a vibrant hive of activities with children heading off to school, folks grabbing a bowl of noodles on their way to work and nuns and monks collecting alms door to door. After walking around the local market, you will head to the peculiar banana market, in Yangon’s jetty. The river banks here are filled with coconuts, sugar cane and all kind of bananas, including red bananas. You will then reach the traditional metal craft market where you will get an overview of all pieces made for local pagodas. Finish off this day of immersion into local life by a delicious cup of tea and some traditional snacks at a tea shop.

You’ll start your tour on Mahanbandola Road where the Immanuel Baptist Church, originally built in 1830, is located. You will continue east passing a couple of alleyways crammed with food stalls and markets. Turn right onto Pansodan Street with its many colonial buildings. You’ll pass the High Court Building, the grand Inland Water Transport offices and even grander Myanma Port Authority building until you’ll reach Strand Road. Your next stop will be outside of the majestic Strand Hotel. You will continue on Strand Road with its impressive-looking colonnaded building before heading back north up to Sule Pagoda Road, where you can consult one of the many fortune tellers. Be sure to make a photo stop at Sule Pagoda, downtown’s symbol whose construction dates back to over 2,000 years ago and have a glimpse of Independence Monument and Mahabandoola Garden. After a complete rotation seeing the twice rebuilt City Hall, you will continue west through the chaotic Indian and Chinese quarters. You will have a look from outside at the Moseh Yeshua Synagogue and will finally reach Theingyi Zei market, a crowded market that exits onto Sri Kali, Yangon’s most colorful Hindu temple.

Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight in Yangon.

This morning, transfer to Yangon domestic airport with guide for flight to Bagan. Welcome to Bagan, known to be one of the greatest architectural sites in Asia. When Bagan was the centre of Myanmar from the 11^th to 13^th centuries, the monarchs built multitudes of massive stupas and pagodas, many of which are still present on the shores of the Irrawaddy River.

Your will first travel to an elevated location amid the temple plains to observe the field of pagodas and temples. From here you will have a look around Ananda Temple – one of the most recognizable of Bagan’s temples. Your guide will ensure you reach this point before the majority of visitors arrive, enabling you to enjoy the beautiful temple in relative tranquility. You will have time to go around the plain to observe a variety of architectural styles in the area, including some artistic wonders of the 9^th -14^th centuries. Traveling amid the temples, you will get a taste of rural Bagan life as you pass by several villages where farmers and families work amongst the monuments.

In the late afternoon, you will drive to the river and board a private wooden boat. Sitting either under the shade or on the open-deck you’ll be treated to a peaceful view cruising down the Irrawaddy River, passing several small villages, fishermen or local boats. After enjoying a refreshing cocktail and various traditional snacks while the sun begins to sink slowly from view, you will disembark and travel back to your hotel.

Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight in Bagan.

You will start with a visit of the renowned Shwezigon Pagoda, constructed by King Anawrahta in the early 11^th century. You will then travel on dusty lanes and tree shaded roads passing temples and monasteries to a small village where you can walk around and get a glimpse of the life of Bagan’s residents, followed by a visit to lesser-known temples in the area. According to your wishes, you will also have time to explore a series of smaller monuments which allows for a different perspective of Bagan.

After lunch, you will pay a visit to a traditional lacquer ware workshop and observe the manufacture of one of Myanmar’s most popular handicrafts. You exploration of Bagan will continue with Old Bagan and Ananda Temple, an architectural work of art and certainly one of Bagan’s most recognizable temples. From here you will continue your journey on a horse cart, passing through some of the tallest temples of the area like Dhammayangyi Temple, known for its peculiar brickwork. At the end of your trip, you will have time to relax and enjoy sunset over Bagan.

Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight in Bagan.

This morning, transfer to Nyaung U airport with guide for flight to Mandalay. Mingalaba and welcome to Myanmar. Upon arrival at Mandalay International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and you will directly drive to your hotel in downtown Mandalay to proceed to your check-in.

You will start at Mahamuni, the pagoda that houses one of the country’s most honored Buddha images, completely covered in gold leaf which is applied every day by male devotees. You will continue to Kuthodaw Pagoda, frequently dubbed as “The World’s Biggest Book” for its collection of 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings. Directly south of Mandalay Hill, stands Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, your next visit, also known as the pagoda of the Great Marble Image. At the end of your half day tour, you will visit Shwenandaw Monastery, the Golden Monastery and the only enduring structure from the Royal Palace of the 19^th century.

Late in the afternoon, you will reach the top of Mandalay Hill overlooking the city at 240 meters high. From the top, you will be rewarded with a full panoramic view consisting of the hazy blue outline of the Shan Hills to the east, the Mandalay Palace to the south and the Ayeyarwady River to the west. After watching the sunset you will go back to your hotel.

Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight in Mandalay.

Today you will begin with an expedition to the previous capitals of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing crossing the bridge over the Irrawaddy River into Sagaing. With 600 ivory colored pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is generally seen as the spiritual hub of Myanmar and claims residence to around 3,000 monks and nearly 100 meditation shrines. You’ll visit some of the most beautiful pagodas, a small local market and a pottery village which is recognized for manufacturing Myanmar’s ubiquitous water pots using traditional methods.

Then you will reach the Ancient Capital of Ava, crossing the small river by ferry and traveling in a traditional horse and carriage to the wooden monasteries and the remnants of the ancient palace.

At the end of the afternoon, you will walk around Amarapura, Myanmar’s penultimate royal capital and “City of Immortality”. First you will stop at a silk weaving workshop known for their exquisite merchandise, then at the Mahagandayon monastery, home to more than a thousand young monks and renowned as a centre for monastic study and strict religious discipline. As the sun is about to set, you will walk on the legendary U Bein Bridge, built in 1782, which is said to be the longest teakwood bridge in the world. Enjoy the very special atmosphere as the late afternoon sun casts long shadows and illuminates the local people heading home, before heading back to Mandalay for the night.

Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight in Mandalay.

This morning, transfer to Mandalay airport with guide for flight to Heho. From Heho, continue drive to Kalaw, founded as a hill station by the British civil servants fleeing the heat of the plains, Kalaw still feels like a holiday resort: clean air, calm atmosphere leafy and green streets and some of the best trekking characterize this unique settlement. You can expect to reach Kalaw in the afternoon, giving you enough time to look around and soak up the local atmosphere while you shake off the effects of the journey. The rest of the day is at leisure to do as you please.

Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight in Kalaw.

After enjoying your breakfast browse through the town market and check out the stalls selling dried fruit and liqueurs. Every five days, the market is swelled by traders from hill-tribe villages around Kalaw. Afterwards a 2 hour drive takes through the gorgeous Shan Hills take you to Nyaung Shwe, gateway to Inle lake.

You will reach the jetty where your traditional long tail boat is awaiting you. You will cruise on the canal that leads to the open lake. The quiet waters of Inle Lake are dotted with floating gardens, leg-rowing fishermen and stilt houses. The surrounding mountains contrast with the impressive lake and form the perfect backdrop for beautiful photos. You will visit Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery which is worth a visit for its beautiful collection of Buddha images. You will then discover the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main haven, which contains five sacred images of Buddha decorated in gold leaf. There are also many traditional crafts originating on Inle Lake and, should you wish, you will stop for a visit to one making incredible woven items from lotus silk, boat builders (depending on the time of year), a cigar making workshop, blacksmiths or even silver smiths. The program will come to a close with a return trip by boat back to your hotel.

Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight at Inle Lake.

After breakfast, you will board your private boat and begin heading out onto Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular and breathtaking sights. The quiet waters of Inle Lake are dotted with floating gardens, leg-rowing fishermen and stilt houses. You will take time this morning to walk around the 5-days market. The position of the market changes each day to another village and is visited every day by the locals of the lake, as well as ethnic minorities from the surrounding villages and mountain regions where their wares come from.

A one hour boat ride down a small canal will take you to the Pa-Oh village of Indein, positioned on the western shores of Inle Lake. You will take a leisurely stroll around the village before ascending the staircase leading to the pagoda. Once you’ve arrived at the summit, you will be greeted by an iconic Buddha image which sits enshrined among hundreds of stupa ruins and overgrown shrubbery. The Indein Pagoda complex is undoubtedly one of the most amazing sites around the shore of the lake and it consists of hundreds of small stupas which are overrun by moss and greenery. On your boat ride back, should time allow, you can stop at the Inthar Heritage House to learn more about the history and culture of the lake's indigenous people. As an exciting day comes to close, you will cruise back to your hotel for some well-deserved relaxation.

Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight at Inle Lake.