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PASSION OF MYANMAR
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Code: |
MYP 03 |
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Routes: |
Yangon -
Mandalay - Mingun - Amarapura - Sagaing
- Bagan - Mount Popa - Pindaya Cave -
Inle Lake. |
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Duration: |
8 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1 : ARRIVAL - YANGON
Day 2 : YANGON - MANDALAY - MINGUN
Day 3 : AMARAPURA - SAGAING - AVA -
BAGAN
Day 4 : BAGAN
Day 5 :
BAGAN - MOUNT POPA - BAGAN
Day 6 :
BAGAN - HEHO - PINDAYA - INLE LAKE
Day 7
: INLE LAKE - YANGON
Day 8 : YANGON -
DEPARTURE
This trip designed for individual traveller who
is keen to explore all aspects of Burma. Running from
bustling Yangon to tranquil Inle Lake, this exciting
itinerary will reveal some best sights of Myanmar and
also friendly people emerging from a history of
totalitarian domination that has not affected their
hospitality toward foreigners or their delight in making
friends.
Detail Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL - YANGON
Arrive at Yangon International Airport. Meet and
transfer to Hotel. After check-in hotel, lunch at a
restaurant. After lunch, start orientation tour of
Yangon City including visits to: Sule Pagoda - the heart
of the Yangon City surrounded by various colonial style
buildings, Botataung Pagoda - the land mark of Yangon's
river-front, Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha Image - a
colossal reclining Buddha Image, and end of the tour at
Shwedagon Pagoda - over 2500 years old the world famous
stupa. Dinner and your first night of stay in capital of
Myanmar.
DAY 2: YANGON - MANDALAY - MINGUN
The
following destination of our trip is Mandalay. After a
flight from Yangon we drive straight to the jetty for a
boat trip on the mighty Irrawaddy River. The lively
waterfront with working buffaloes offers a spectacular
backdrop as we cruise upriver to Mingun. We wander
around this site, seeing the unfinished huge pagoda, the
world’s largest bell of Mingun and the beautiful white
Hsinbyume Pagoda. Afterwards we return to Mandalay City.
Here is plenty to see, some of which are the Mahamuni
Pagoda, the fabulous Kuthodaw Pagoda often called "the
world's largest book" and the wooden monastery of
Shwenandaw Kyaung. This structure is still standing over
centuries, despite of all vicissitudes. We include these
in a half day city tour which ends with a walk up to
Mandalay hill for a beautiful sunset view of the
surrounding areas. O/N in Mandalay. (B)
DAY 3: AMARAPURA - SAGAING - AVA - BAGAN
The great cultural
city of Mandalay was a former capital of Burma; however
many outlaying towns could lay claim to the same title
at some stages in the past. Today we head out of the
town to one of these ancient cities, Amarapura. The
spectacular teak bridge of U Bein and the famous
Mahaganda Monastery are a highlight of our visit to
Amarapura. We then cross over the mighty Irrawaddy River
to the picturesque Sagaing Hill. This lush area is
covered in 600 white painted pagodas and monasteries,
and is therefore regarded as the religious centre of
Myanmar. After seeing Sagaing, we continue on to the
ruin of Ava and embark on a horse and carriage to
discover the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains
of the Royal Palace. In the late afternoon we take a
flight Bagan, our base for exploring the central region.
O/N in Bagan. (B)
DAY 4: BAGAN
An interesting way
of commencing our day is to walk around Bagan at dawn.
This enchanting town flourished from the 11th
till 13th century when religious fervors
launched a 200 year building of thousands huge stupas
and temples, many of which are still standing today on
the banks of the Irrawaddy River. We visit the vibrant
market of Nyaung U before taking a short drive to the
archeological zone. The sightseeing tour enables us to
explore many magnificent landmarks including Shwezigon,
Gubyaukgyi, Htilominlo, Ananda, Thatbyinnyu, Sulamani,
Dhammyangyi. These temples and pagodas bear statement to
a glorious past. The perfect way to round off the day is
watching the spectacular sunset from the upper terrace
of Myaukguni Temple. O/N in Bagan. (B)
DAY 5: BAGAN - MOUNT POPA - BAGAN
Today we enjoy a
half day tour of Bagan, seeing some temples scattered
around the tranquil village of Minnanthu. These
structures are Tayokepyay, Payathonezu and Namdamanya
which reveal some exquisite murals of the13th century.
The following sight is Kyat Kan Cave Monastery, a famous
meditation retreat in Bagan. Heading out of the town, we
make our way to the imposing Mount Popa. This extinct
volcano boasts the region’s highest peak, but the main
attraction in this place is the smaller one, Popa
Taungkalar, dedicated to the local legendary "nat"
spirits. After a scenic drive, we arrive at this site
and ascend the Popa Taungkalar for a beautiful panoramic
view over the surrounding areas. There are 777 steps
which wind around the outcrop, leading to the gilded
stupa and monastery at the summit. O/N in Bagan. (B)
DAY 6: BAGAN - HEHO - PINDAYA - INLE LAKE
An early morning
transfer to airport for a short flight to Heho. On
arrival we meet up with our vehicle and drive for
few hours into the Shan Plateau, passing through the
picturesque countryside and the rolling hills towards
Pindaya. This magnificent cave in a tranquil setting of
limestone outcrops and scenic lakes, houses thousand
Buddha images of various shapes and sizes, all brought
there by devoted pilgrims. On arrival in Pandaya we
enjoy a walk exploring this sacred cave and seeing the
traditional production of Shan paper and parasols at a
nearby village. The journey continues on to Inle Lake, a
famous wonder of Myanmar. O/N in Inle Lake. (B)
DAY 7: INLE LAKE - YANGON
The picturesque
scenery blending with the sky and floating gardens
rising from the clear water of the lake is nothing short
of spectacular. After breakfast we board our boat for a
leisurely trip on Inle Lake to explore some gardens and
catch a glimpse of the local Intha fishmen famous for
their rowing technique. These people power their narrow
boats by twisting their legs
around their oars, a remarkable feat of agility and
control. Along the way, we also anchor to visit the
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the Jumping Cat Monastery with a
beautiful collection of antique Buddha statues and the
rotating rural market. This colourful congregation is
held in different villages every five days, and attracts
numerous ethnic minorities who converge from the
surrounding villages to trade their goods. Afterwards we
take a flight back to the capital city. O/N in Yangon.
(B)
DAY 8: YANGON - DEPARTURE
The sightseeing
tour of today is all depending on your departure flight.
If time permits, we visit the colossal reclining Buddha
of Chaukhtatgyi in a quiet, open air pavilion and the
National Museum with a lovely collection of artefacts
reflecting the richness of Burmese culture. The reminder
of the day is free for your own exploration and
strolling around Bogyoke Market, formerly Scott’s Market
. The trip ends after transfer to Mingaladon airport for
departure. (B)
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HOTELS USED ON THIS TRIP |
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CITY/ AREA
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Standard Class
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First Class
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Superior Class
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Yangon
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Panorama hotel, Yuzana Garden hotel or
similar one
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Summit Park View hotel or similar one
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Grand Plaza Park Royal
, Kandawgyi Palace or Nikko hotel
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Bagan
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Thirimarlar hotel or similar one
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Thazin Garden hotel or similar one
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Bagan Golf Resort , Bagan hotel
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Mandalayy
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Wood Land Hotel or similar one
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Swan hotel or similar one
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Mandalay Hill Resort, Sedona hotel
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Inle Lake
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Paradise Ny. Shwe hotel, Royal Orchid hotel
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Shweinntha hotel or similar one
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Paradise Inle Resort, Golden Island Cottages
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HOTEL NOTES
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+ The higher hotel category in Yangon, Bagan
, Madanlay and Inle Lake can be
arranged upon request.
+ The hotels in Inle Lake and Bagan do not
match tour classification since some of them
may be simple but remember that Myanmar is a
developing country.
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