Day 1                     Arrive Yangon                                                                                               

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guide who will accompany you as you transfer to your hotel.

Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia.

Afternoon, visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a 70-metre long reclining Buddha. A visit to Kyaukhtatgyi provides a great overview of Buddhism, with murals depicting the life of Buddha. The feet of the statue are carved with traditional symbols, and locals can often be seen gathering here to pay homage and pray.

Continue to a local tea shop for a chance to experience an integral part of Burmese life: drinking tea! Select from an array of snacks and enjoy a coffee or tea while sitting amongst businessmen, friends and families who gather at the tea shop to socialize or conduct business.

Next the guided tour goes to Kandawgyi Park, one of central Yangon’s greenest spots. Here, see the glittering Karaweik Barge, a replica of the Royal Barge, with the vast lake and views of Shwedagon in the background. Depending on the day of visit, Kandawgyi may be busy with local families who come on the weekend to relax in the fresh air.

From here, continue to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, local legend states that the original structure was built 2,500 years ago then renovated several times before taking its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 metres tall, gilded with gold leaf and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. Follow the guide’s lead around this massive complex and learn why this temple is so revered.

Overnight in Yangon.

Distances and journey time:

Yangon Airport to Yangon city centre (20 km): 30 – 60 mins

Day 2                     Yangon                                                                                                              Today your tour will start at 09:00.

Meet with the guide and driver at the hotel and venture downtown to explore the city centre and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. Start at the Post Office – a lovely historic building- and walk to Sule Paya in the middle of downtown. Along the way, pass by Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument. Then visit Little India and Chinatown, a colourful cacophony of restaurants, temples and markets.

Reach Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, where there is time to browse through dozens of stalls and shops. This is Yangon’s best market for handicrafts and other goods, so be sure to pick up some souvenirs (Note: Market is closed on Mondays and public holidays).

Afternoon transfer back to your hotel for some free time.

In the evening, optionally get a taste of local life in the big city with a fabulous Yangon evening tour. Take a short walk through this lively neighbourhood. Pass by Chinese temples and street stalls on the way to 19^th Street where dozens of vendors set up barbeque stalls. This is a popular spot for locals to gather, have a drink and chat with friends.

Overnight in Yangon

Day 3                     Yangon – Bagan                                                                                     After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for a flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo) (ETD/ETA: 0700h/0820h)

From the 11th to 13th centuries, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, rulers constructed thousands of huge stupas and temples, many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.

On arrival, the journey begins with views of the magnificent plains of Bagan on the way to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction into Bagan’s rich history. Then, visit nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings, and the elegant Htilominlo Temple, noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to a traditional lacquerware workshop and observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples.  Built in the early Mon-style, Ananda contains two unique Buddha images whose expressions seem to change depending on the distances from which they are viewed.

From here, travel by horse cart for a tour passing Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, Dhammayangyi Temple, a massive temple noted for its remarkable brickwork, and Sulamani Temple.

Continue to an elevated viewpoint to watch an unforgettable sunset over the plains before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Bagan.

Distances and journey time:

Nyaung U Airport to Old Bagan (9 km): 20 mins

Nyaung U Airport to New Bagan (12 km): 20 mins

 Day 4                     Bagan                                                                                                       Visit the colourful Nyaung Oo Market where villagers gather every day to buy and sell their produce and other goods. Continue to Myinkaba Village and take a short walking tour to explore the temples of Manuha and NanPaya.

Explore more temples in the area, visit more craft shops or return to the hotel for a break to relax from the midday heat.

In the afternoon, continue to the rural village of Minnanthu, one of Bagan’s least-visited areas.  Here, explore temples such as Payathonzu, Lemyentha and Nandamannya before heading to the riverside pier.  Board a local boat for a slow cruise down the Irrawaddy River.  While cruising, observe the lifestyle of fishermen and riverside villagers and take in the unique perspective of Bagan’s temples.

Return to the hotel in the evening.

Overnight in Bagan.

 Day 5                     Bagan – Heho – Inle Lake                                                                After breakfast, transfer to Nyaung -U Airport for a flight to Heho (ETD/ETA: 0820h/0925h via Mandalay)

From Heho, a scenic one-hour drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which features beautiful carvings and a collection of Buddha images. We will also stop in Nyaung Shwe for a short walk around town and visit to the colourful market if it is being held that day.

Upon reaching the edges of Inle Lake, board a private motorboat to head out to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. Pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people.  Observe the famous leg-rowing fishermen and see their floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf.

Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where traditional Burmese cigars are made by hand.

If time permits, there may be time to enjoy a short walk through one of the lakeside villages.

Overnight on Inle Lake.

Distances and journey time:

Heho Airport to Nyaung Shwe (28 km): 45 mins

Nyaung Shwe Jetty to Hotel on Inle Lake (10 – 20 km): 30 – 60 mins

 Day 6                     Inle Lake – excursion Indein                                                                Today the sightseeing starts at 08:00 with a visit to the lake’s morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5-day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: market is daily except on dark-moon day and full-moon day).

From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of Indein.  Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village and wandering through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below.

Overnight on Inle Lake.

Day 7                     Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon                                                             Relaxed breakfast at your hotel

Free at leisure to enjoy the resort OR extend your visits on the lake with your private boat and guide at your disposal until to your transfer to Heho airport for your flight back to Yangon.

On arrival Yangon, transfer to your hotel

Overnight in Yangon

Day 8                     Yangon – departure                                                                              Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Free at leisure until to your transfer to Yangon’s Mingalardon airport for your onwards departure flight.

***End of services***

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