Day 01: Yangon, Myanmar
Arrive Yangon and transfer to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon you will enjoy a Yangon city tour. Begin with a tour of downtown Yangon highlighting the most important historical and cultural sites. Yangon is home to some of the most splendidly kept colonial buildings meshed with ancient Pagoda’s; Yangon still encapsulates its colonial past. The historic Shwedagon pagoda towers almost 98 metres (326 feet) above the green cityscape of Yangon. One of the wonders of the religious world, the Shwedagon Pagoda is believed to have built more than 2500 years ago. Testament to the faith of the Burmese, the Shwedagon is covered with hundreds of gold plates; the top of the Stupa is encrusted with 4531 diamonds; the largest of which is a single 76 carat Diamond. Overnight in Yangon (L,D)
Day 02: Yangon - Mandalay - Amarapura
Transfer to the airport to board your flight to Mandalay. Upon arrive in Mandalay visit Amarapura including photo stop at U Bein Bridge, which made out of teak wood across Taungthamen Lake and Mahagandayone Monastery, home to over 1,000 monks. This afternoon, visit Mahamuni Pagoda, so named after the holy image, "Maha Muni" housed therein. Visit the second most sacred image in Myanmar next to the Shwedagon Pagoda is the Mahamuni Pagoda. The Image is said to have cast in the lifetime of the Gautama Buddha and that Buddha embraced it 7 times thereby bringing it to life. Consequently, devout Buddhists hold it to be alive and refer to it as the Maha Muni Sacred Living Image. Next visit Shwe Kyaung (Golden palace Monastery) famous for its intricate woodcarvings. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. See the best view of Mandalay from the top of Mandalay hill as the sun slowly sets. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight. Nestled on four acres of landscaped gardens, Sedona Hotel Mandalay is ideally located in the heart of the city and faces the majestic Royal Palace and Mandalay Hill - sights that are a pleasure to behold. Overnight in Mandalay (B,L,D)Day 03: Mandalay - Irrawaddy River (Monday or Thursday departures)
Transfer to the jetty to board the famous Pandaw Cruise to Bagan. Depart Mandalay in mid-morning and explore Yadabo Village on the way, this is a rare visited small village with no road access to the world. Dependent on riverside economy, this village is famous for the production of terrace pottery made from riverbank mud. You will be invited into people’s homes and have a chance to get into local monastery. Enjoy a full day exploration on the Irrawaddy River. Pandaw Cruise (B,L,D)Day 04: Irrawaddy River - Bagan
Arrive at Bagan mid-morning, and transfer to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon you will have a Bagan city tour. Known as the city of four million pagodas, Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. You will visit the Pagodas that are the most culturally significant and best-preserved including the Shwezigon, Gubyaukgyi, Htilo Minlo and the amazing Ananda temple. Also visit a local Lacquer-ware workshop where the process of making each piece can be seen and observe the art of Bagan Lacquer-ware which done! Finally, enjoy sunset in Bagan from the top of a Pagoda. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas. Overnight in Bagan (B,L,D)Day 05: Bagan
Today see the real way of life for most Myanmar people by visiting Phwar Saw Village. This village is a perfect example of how locals live, but most importantly you will be able to see the intimacy of the villagers toward one another, and any foreign guests. We will visit local home and observe their daily home cooking style. On the way to village, visit Nyaung Oo market to see the vast variety of fresh fruit and vegetables for sale and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. Late afternoon, you will explore Bagan from a different perspective as you explore the area by Pony cart. The cart can explore areas that cars are unable to enter giving a different feel of Bagan. This evening take a relaxing at Bupaya on the banks of the Irrawaddy to watch the life on the river as the sun slowly sets in the background. Myanmar Traditional puppet show during mealtime. Overnight in Bagan (B,L,D)Day 06: Bagan - Heho - Inle Lake
Transfer to Bagan Airport for yourflight to Heho. Arrive Heho and transfer to Inle Lake; the prime attraction of the Shan state, this vast, 22 km long and 10km wide with hosting islands. Inle Lake is famous for its Inthas (native lake-dwellers) with a unique way of rowing with their legs. At the northern end of the lake is a small town called Nyaung Shwe, gateway to Inle Lake. Continue to your hotel for check-in. After lunch, at local restaurant, enjoy a tour of Inle Lake. The five Buddha images of Phaung Daw U Pagoda are the holiest in Inle Lake. The images have been covered in so much gold they look like balls of solid gold. Next, visit a unique Monastery on the Lake where the local Monks have trained the cats to jump through hoops, it is now affectionately known as the jumping cat Monastery. Proceed to Nampan village and see local cigar [cheroot] making and canoe carving. Visit local homes and observe different life styles. Inle Princess Resort (B,L,D)Day 07: Inle Lake - Indein
Morning visit to a village where a 5-day market is held to witness Shan ethnic tribes who come to buy and sell a variety of goods. Also visit the beautiful temples of Indein and the village – situated through covered passage to the summit overlooking the lake – it is a peaceful and tranquil place. These temples are unusually similar to Khmer in style and date back to 17th & 18th century Shan Pagoda. This evening, enjoy a canoe ride to floating villages. Inle Princess Resort (B,L,D)Day 08: Inle Lake - Yangon
Enjoy the morning at leisure. Return to Nyaung Shwe and continue to Heho for the return flight to Yangon. Arrive Yangon, transfer to hotel for check-in. This afternoon, enjoy a visit Scott Market (Bogyoke Aung San Market) the sprawling 70-year-old Scott Market (Bog yoke Aung San Market.) At the market you will find a whole variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems & jewelry - bargain at the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere! Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at the finest French Indochine restaurant in Myanmar. Overnight in Yangon (B,L,D)Day 09: Yangon - Depart
Transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure. (B)
