Day 1 – Yangon arrival
On arrival at Mingalardon International airport, meet and greet by your private English speaking guide. Transfer to your hotel for accommodation in Yangon.
Day 2 – Yangon City Tour
0830 hours pick up from your hotel and we transfer to starting point at Sule Pagoda, Mahabandolla Park. From here, we follow our signature Tour inclusive of: Independent Monument, Central Telegraph Office, High Court, Custom House, Strand Hotel. History of Yangon, learn about incredible history of Yangon, Ancient Kings and beautiful Pagodas, Colonisation, the rise of rubber, timber and rice trade and Myanmar in WWII. We will also have chance to understand the Architecture of Yangon, Ancient Burmese, Art Deco and Modern Myanmar. Next heading to Chinatown to experience the morning local fresh market around 18th Street, where you will see the sight and sound of local. Visiting a local fresh market in Yangon is one of the top things to do. You get to experience so much local life, and see what goes into the local food, which is a major part of life. The best spot about this market in Yangon is that, despite the busyness of the market and vendors selling in the middle of the road, small delivery vehicles will still pass through.Based on interesting, next visit to Synagogue (NOTE: SUNDAY is closed). It is open daily with 1time per day for visitors from 10:00 to 14:00. The temple stands nestled between Indian paint shop and Muslim traders near the city centre. Return back to hotel for lunch break and relax to avoid the heat. (Lunch is clients own account). 15:00 hours our guide picks up you from hotel and transfer to pier and local ferry to Dala about 15minutes. During on cruising, there will be local people who is selling the things (such as: soft drink, fruit, ciger etc..) on boat. Upon reaching Dala, travel by local trishaw through the town, visit the Market, and chit-chat with local people. The trip to Dala is shutterbug’s delighted as it is full of scenic spots and natural beauty. There is a wide gap between Yangon life and the life of the people at Dala. The most outstanding thing is that these charming people extend their hospitality with enormous smiles, return to your hotel.
Day 3 – Yangon - Bago
After breakfast, we drive to Bago. On the way to Bago, visit Khat Kyat Wyne monastery where you can explore the way the monks gather their daily meals if you arrive there around 1030 in the morning. Then, visit Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which has a stupa inlaid with diamonds and is Bago's golden landmark. See Shwethalyaung Buddha, which dates from 994 and is revered throughout Myanmar as the most beautiful reclining Buddha and explore weaving workshop there. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we walk around the vibrant and colorful Bago Market. After that, visit Kyaikpun Pagoda with four 30-meter high Buddha figures seated back to back and Kuan Yin Si Temple. Accommodation Bago.
Day 4 – Bagon – Golden Rock
After breakfast from Bago, drive through seemingly endless paddy fields to the small town of Kyaikto and on to the 'base camp' of Kinpun. Lunch at local restaurant in Kinpun. In the afternoon, take a truck up a bumpy track about half way up the mountain. From here, walk up the path which climbs steeply to the legendary 'Golden Rock'. (The climb takes around 1 hour and those unwilling, or not fit enough, to walk can hire four porters to carry them in a sedan chair). The climb offers magnificent views over the surrounding countryside and the opportunity to make friends with the many local people who make the pilgrimage to Kyaiktiyo. The incredible 'Golden Rock' sits precariously on top of the mountain, and is said to balance thanks to a precisely placed hair of Buddha. Weather permitting, sunset views from Mount Kyaiktiyo are amazing. Accommodation in Kyaikhtiyo.
Day 5 – Golden Rock to Yangon
After breakfast, early risers may enjoy returning to the Golden Rock for the sunrise and for taking a deep-breath of fresh air. Then, walk down from the mountain and return by open-air truck to the foot of the mountain. We will transfer to Yangon. On the way back, it is an optional visit to the British War Cemetery near Htauk Kyan. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation in Yangon.
Day 6 – Yangon - Pindaya - Kalaw
Transferring to the airport after breakfast, we take a morning flight to Heho, from where we continue by road across the Shan Plateau to Pindaya. Our journey takes us up into the hills and past a network of paddy fields as we make our way into the heartland of the Taung-yo people. Our destination is the magnificent complex of limestone caves that occupy the ridge overlooking Pindaya Lake. The Pindaya Caves are home to thousands of Buddhist images, made from alabaster, teak, marble, lacquer and even cement, which have been placed here over the centuries to create a labyrinth through the hills. We will have a chance to explore something of this fascinating setting, even taking the time to visit some local houses to watch traditional Shan paper making, before we then continue on to the old hill station of Kalaw some 40km away. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we head to Kalaw and on arrival in Kalaw, transfer to your hotel and enjoy your stay in Kalaw. Accommodation in Kalaw.
Day 7 – Kalaw – Inle Lake Located over 1300 metres above sea level, amongst the rolling hills of the Shan Plateau, Kalaw lies at the centre of some of the best trekking country in Burma. Surrounded by Palaung, Danu and Pao villages, it is the ideal starting point for today’s hike to the Palaung village of Pein Ne Bin. We begin after breakfast, trekking down to Hlwan Zedi first, from where we follow the trail through dense pine forest and past orange farms to a path that leads up to our first rest camp. After a chance to take a break we then continue on to the village at Pein Ne Bin, where we can experience a little of the life of the Silver Palaung: watching some traditional hand weaving and enjoying the panoramic views from the villages hilltop pagoda. Picnic Lunch is served. This afternoon we will then trek back down to the main road to meet up with our transport and continue by road on to the village of Nyaung Shwe, our gateway onto the tranquil waters of Lake Inle. Boarding a private boat we make the last stage of our journey by water, heading for our hotel on the shores of the famous lake. Accommodation on Lake Inle.
Day 8 – Lake Inle
After breakfast you’ll board a private boat for a full day exploring Lake Inle. The second largest lake in the country and one of its highest, Lake Inle covers some 116 square kilometres of the picturesque Shan Hills. Home to a number of ethnic minorities, including Intha, Shan, Taungyo and Danu, the lake provides a wonderfully scenic backdrop to today’s activities. You will head out by boat to enjoy the calm waters and floating gardens of the lake, formed from a combination of silt and weed, which over time forms a thick layer of rich humus upon which gardens of fruit and vegetables can be grown and tended. The Inthas tend these gardens from long, banana-shaped boats, the same boats that they use to fish the waters of the lake for Inle carp. The locals have a somewhat distinctive way of rowing these sturdy craft, standing at the stern of the boat and wrapping a leg around the oar. It is a posture that affords them an unrestricted view across the floating reeds and leaves them two free hands with which to handle their nets. You will also visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery and the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, site of the holiest shrine in southern Shan. This afternoon you proceed to In Paw Khone to observe some traditional silk weaving and visit a local blacksmith, before returning to your hotel for the night.
Day 9 – Lake Inle
After breakfast you will visit a local market offering another aspect of the colour and spectacle of life on the lake. You will then continue to the small village of Indein, located on the lake’s western shore. Passing by the monastery of Phe Chaung, our boat turns into a narrow creek, taking us past a patchwork of rural farmland and ancient ruined pagodas. After a chance to take a short walk around Pa-Oh village, we return to the main tributary and the expansive waters of Lake Inle. In the afternoon, return to Lake Inle and enjoy more sightseeing. Accommodation at your hotel.
Day 10 – Heho - Bagan
After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the Heho airport for a flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for refreshment. And then, take a boat out across the Irrawaddy to the island of Kyun Thiri where we will enjoy a morning visiting the local monastery. Tradition dictates that all Buddhist males must at some time in their lives become monks – if only for a few days. During our visit we will make a donation to the monastery to assist some of the poor or orphaned boys in undertaking their vows. We will then spend the rest of the morning with the people of the island, learning about their unique agricultural way of life. Later this afternoon we will make the return journey to Bagan, stopping along the way to take a look at the production of some traditional palm sugar, known as “jaggery". later, we return to your hotel. Accommodation in Bagan.
Day 11 – Temple visit by an option with Bicycle
After breakfast, we begin cycling from hotel to explore the temples in Old Bagan area and New Bagan area. Shwezigon Temple, Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi Temple, Htilominlo Temple, Ananda Temple , Ananda Oakkyaung, Bu Paya, Gawdawpalin Temple, Shwegugyi Temple, Thatbyinnyu Temple andDhammayangyi Temple. In the afternoon, we ride to Myinkaba village where you can visit Manuha Temple and Nan Temple. Continue your ride to Dhammayazika Zedi and Minnanthu village which is famous for its mural paintings and make a stop at lacquer ware factory to watch craftsmen skillfully making this most famous of Bagan handicrafts. Enjoy your magnificent sunset from one of the open terraces of temples. Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation in Bagan.
Day 12 – Mt. Popa Excursion
After breakfast at hotel, A morning visit to the Nyaung U Market affords a chance for some great photo opportunities, as well as the prospect of bartering for some local wares before continuing on to the Mingalazedi Pagoda. Built during the reign of King Narathihapate in 1284, this represents for many the pinnacle of Bamar pagoda architecture. And then ,depart Bagan for a visit to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano situated 1518-meter above sea level and located in the central Burma about 50 km southwest of Bagan. Mount Popa is well-known for the nearby stunningly picturesque Popa Taungkalat Shrine which is home to 37 Mahagira Nats or Spirits. Statues depicting the Nats are at the base of the Shrine and from Taungkalat pedestal hill maintained the stairway of 777 steps to the summit, you will see the magnificent scenic view of Ayeyarwaddy River and the surroundings. (Note: it is an optional climb to the mountain.) Return to Bagan and transfer to your hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation in Bagan
Day 13 – Bagan - Monywa
After breakfast, drive to Pakkoku located on the other bank of Bagan about 42 km and visit Pakangyi monastery, one of the largest monasteries and the monastery with 254 pillars. On the way to Pakkoku, we stop a village to see the simple and decent lifestyle of people and their way of lifestyles. Continue drive to Monywa. Proceed to Po Win Taung by local jeep. This extraordinary complex consists of 947 sandstone caves dug out of the hills and contains what is considered by archaeologists to be the richest collection of mural paintings and Buddhist statues in South East Asia. Continue your visit to Shwe Ba Taung, a very interesting site where monasteries and temples are carved out rocky narrow cliffs. And then transfer to your hotel. Accommodation in Monywa.
Day 14 – Monywa - Mandalay
After breakfast at hotel, we visit local market and surrounding, then we visit Mohnyin Thanboddhay Pagoda with more than 500,000 Buddha images covered every wall and archway of this huge Buddhist temple. Also visit Boditahtaung Pagoda and the largest reclining Buddha image in Myanmar, 100m long and 27m high. Visit one of the weaving industries as Monywa is famous for rough cotton blankets before continuing to Mandalay. On arrival at Mandalay, transfer to your hotel. Accommodation in Mandalay.
Day 15 – Mandalay - Amarapura
After breakfast at hotel, visit to Sagaing, one of the most important religious and monastic centres in the country. The hillsides that lead up from the river are crowded with numerous monasteries and pagodas and we will visit a few, taking in the U Min Thoneze Pagoda (Thirty Caves), the central pagoda of Soon U Pon Nya Shin and Kaungmudaw. In the afternoon, drive to Amarapura. On arrival in Amarapura, boarding a local ferry to sail down to Ava. The country’s former capital, which for nearly 500 years lay at the heart of Burmese power and culture, Ava was founded by King Thamdominbya in 1364 on an artificial island at the confluence of the Irrawaddy and Myitnge Rivers. On arrival we will visit the Buddhist Maha Aungmyae Bonzan Monastery, built in 1818 by the wife of King Bodawpaya, before taking a relaxing horse cart ride around the sights of the old city. After that, take a local ferry back to Amarapura . And then, enjoy the sunset from the 140-year-old teak-stilted U Bein Bridge, which spans Lake Thaungthaman. Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation in Mandalay.
Day 16 – Mandalay – Mingun - Mandalay
After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit to Shwenandaw Monastery, an ancient wooden building with intricate carvings, which was once King Mindon's home. Then, visit the 'world’s largest book', being the Buddhist Scriptures inscribed on marble slabs, at Kuthodaw Pagoda and Kyaukdawgyi Pagoda to see a large Buddha statue carved out of a single block of local marble. In the afternoon, your visit begins with Mahamuni Pagoda, home to Mandalay's holiest Buddha statue. Stop to see stone carving and explore the making of gold leaf being beaten into wafer thin pieces. The afternoon then sees us taking a gentle boat ride up to Mingun, following the course of the river to visit the monumental ruins of the Mingun Pahtodawgyi. Started by King Bodawpaya in 1790, the 150 metre structure was never completed, due in no small part to the king’s astrologer informing his employer of his imminent death upon completion of the stupa. We’ll also visit the Mingun Bell, a 90 ton monster that is one of the largest of its kind in the world, as well as the beautiful Hsimphyumae Pagoda, built by Bodawpaya’s grandson in 1816, before taking a sunset cruise back to Mandalay. Accommodation in Mandalay.
Day 17 – Mandalay - departure
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport for your outward flight.