Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Yangon (Arrival)
Day 2: Yangon- Mandalay (by flight)
Day 3: Mingun- Mandalay S/s
Day 4: Mandalay- Pyin Oo Lwin-Mandalay
Day 5: Sagaing – Monywa
Day 6: Monywa-Bagan
Day 7: Bagan
Day 8: Bagan- Mt.Popa-Bagan
Day 9: Bagan- Heho (by flight)- Inle
Day 10: Inle- Heho- Thandwe (by flight)
Day 11: Ngapali
Day 12: Ngapali
Day 13: Ngapali
Day 14: Thandwe- Yangon (by flight)
Day 15: Yangon (departure)
Day 1: Yangon
Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide and driver. Your sightseeing tour of Yangon begins with a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar’s most sacred pagoda. Shwedagon was built more than 2500 years ago to enshrine 8 hair relics of the lord Buddha. The stupa is more than 99 metres in height and is covered with 60 tons of gold plate and is topped by a collection of precious stones such as diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Yangon
Day 2: Yangon- fly to Mandalay-Amarapura-Ava
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to fly to Mandalay with early domestic flight. Arrive at Mandalay International Airport, you will be transferred to Amarapura (formerly it was old capital of Myanmar kings’). Sightseeing starts at Mahagandaryone monastery where you will see over 1400 monks celebrating alms donation occasion and having lunch silently. In this very peaceful place, you can learn about Buddhism, monks’ life and activities, U Bein bridge, the world longest teak bridge, walk for minutes to observe local vendors’ and fishermen’ lives and feel fresh air with nice atmosphere.
Drive to small jetty to take ferry boat to Ava, located at confluence of Ayeyarwaddy and Dotehtawaddy River. Have fun horse-cart riding for sightseeing in Innwa (ancient capital of Myanmar Kings) and go to the Bagaya Monastery built with large teak woods and some carvings, “Yadanarsimi” Pagoda. Head to the Nanmyint watch-tower, only one still remaining thing from Inwa royal palace buildings. Your sightseeing will be finished at “Mahaaungmyaybonesan” brick-made monastery, the finest architectural religious monument of Inwa era.
Overnight in Mandalay
Day 3: Mingun- Mandalay
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the Mayanjan Jetty (the bustling trading port in upper country) to watch the loading and unloading, boatmen’ and squatters’ lives. Arrive at Mingun after 45 min upstream, start sightseeing to “Settawyar Pagoda” on the bank of the river which was moved from Amarapura to the present site by King Bodawpaya and the “Pahtotawgyi” massive unfinished pagoda, remaining look like. Observe Mingun Bell which is the largest functioning bronze-cast bell in the world, weighs 90 tons and Hsin Bye Me Pagoda, very beautiful and sublime white-washed pagoda with circular-round shaped square. Walk for minutes inside the village to see very local’s life, living style, and rural atmosphere.
- Afternoon city tour sightseeing will be with a visit to central Mandalay to explore at Mya Nan San Kyaw Golden Palace (last Capital of Myanmar Kings’). Wooden made Shwe Nan Daw Monastery is the only remaining structure from the Royal Palace and it boasts incredible intricate carvings, both inside and out. A short drive takes you to Kuthodaw Pagoda. This white-washed pagoda is often referred to as ‘The World’s Biggest Book’ since it contains 729 marble slabs engraved with teachings of theTri-pataka, Buddhist literature. Make a stop at the country’s second largest marble-carved Buddha image at Kyauktawgyi Pagoda before continuing to the top of Mandalay Hill. Watch the sun set over the city before returning to your hotel for the evening.
Overnight in Mandalay
Day 4: Mandalay- Pyin Oo Lwin- Mandalay
After breakfast, drive to Pyin Oo Lwin (former British Hill Station town) home of colonial-era buildings are located over 1200m above sea level. Explore at the local market selling fruits, vegetables, local foods and snacks. Visit to B.E Waterfall, one the best place touch with the natural beauty. You can see the beautiful waterfall coming from the forest and green environments. A lot of local pilgrims from different lands are coming here to recreate by taking photos and having foods at there. Pay homage to the “Maharanthtookanthar” wish-fulfilling pagoda located on a hill, can see towering beautiful scenes and learn spirituality and religious activities of Buddhists. National Kandawgyi Garden covering an area of 436 hectares in there you can see rare trees, various flowers, and scenes. After sightseeing, drive
back to Mandalay.
Overnight in Mandalay
Day 5: Sgg-Monywa
-After breakfast, drive to Sagaing (City of victory: religious land). When you arrive at the top of Saging Hill, you will see confluence of two rivers, panoramic of surroundings. Visit Soon-Oo-Pone-Nyar-Shin Pagoda and U Min-Thone-Sel pagoda (thirty-caved temples in there 45seated Buddha images are placed). Continue to Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda which was built as the model of Maharzedi from Sri Lanka. Continue driving to at Monywa, provincial city in central Myanmar, 136 km north-west of Mandalay. It serves as a major trading center for India and Burma through Kalay Myo road and Chindwin River.
-Visit to Thanboddhay Pagoda, its modern architecture is unique and the most revered pagoda among Buddhists. There are many different Buddha images, row upon row in ascending tiers in niches along the walls with an amazing total number of 582. 257! Most of the pagodas in Myanmar guarded by lions statues, unlikely this pagoda is guarded by statues of a pair of magnificent white elephants which are sacred and auspicious in Buddhist symbolism. Continue your visit to the nearby Bodhi Tataung (1000 Bodhi trees: under each tree one Seated-Buddha image is placed), the most impressive Standing Buddha Image (130 meters) which has been recognized as the world longest one.
Overnight in Monywa
Day 6: Monywa-Bagan
After breakfast at hotel, drive to the famous caves of Po Win Taung, 25 kilometers west of Monywa. Watch sandstone caves which contain carved Buddha images and well preserved mural paintings of Nyaungyan period in 16 centuries. Some caves have beautiful exterior decorations with mythical features such giant, angles and animals. It has to be popular pilgrimage site among the local visitors. Next visit to the 46 caves of Shwe Ba Taung cut vertically down into the sandstone are believed to have been cut out at the same time of Po Win Daung images. After sightseeing, continue driving to Bagan (the largest Buddhist Temples complex area in the world). You will watch the amazing sunset of Bagan on the hill.
Overnight in Bagan
Day 7: Bagan
-After breakfast at hotel, start temple exploration to Ananda Temple which remains as one of the finest and most beautiful of all Bagan’s architectural buildings, Htilominlo Temple is a big three story red brick temple in thereexquisite finely detailed plaster still remaining, Dhammayangyi Pahto is Bagan’s most massive and famous for its brick-working. Next visit to Upali Thein, in this ordination hall there are some brightly painted frescoes on the walls and ceilings, Mingalazedi built by King Narathihapati later known as “Tayokepyaymin” in Burmese history.
Continue visit to the Shwezigon Paya is prototype of late Myanmar stupas and its festival always held during the Burmese calendar month of Nadaw (November/December), Thatbinnyu Temple is the tallest building in Bagn high 61 meters, Gawdawpalin Temple (paying obeisance to the forefathers), Sulamani Temple (get big damage hit by strong earthquake happened in 2016). Your tour will end with the Royal Palace of Bagan which was reconstructed on the original palace compound.
Overnight in Bagan
Day 8: Bagn-Mt.Popa-Bagan
-After breakfast at hotel, you will drive to Mt.Popa (home of spirit), 50 kilometers far from Bagan. Mt.Popa looks like oasis located in the central tropical dry zone and it has registered as natural wildlife sanctuary filling with colorful flowers, rare birds, orchids and various trees. On your way to Mt.Popa, you will have a chance to learn about production of molasses, jaggery and palm-wine at the palm-climber’s house. Arrive at destination, climb with a covered staircase to reach the volcanic peak of Popa Taung Kalat.
You will get opportunity to study spiritual belief and activities of Nat worshippers and see towering panoramic views of surroundings including misty huge Mt.Popa. The 37 seven Nats or spirits of natures are presented as figures in a shrine in the pilgrim village. After lunch, return to Bagan and visit a lacquer ware workshop. Bagan is also famous for its fine lacquer handicraft tradition. You will discover the process and see the refined motifs on the lacquers. End the day by visiting to some other historic pagodas.
Overnight in Bagan
Day 9: Bagan fly to Heho-Inle
-After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Nyaung U airport to fly to Heho with domestic flight. After 50 minutes long, arrive at Heho airport and then drive to Inle. Start will be in the lake by private boat to see traditional silk weaving looms, the silversmith, the unique lifestyle of Inn Thar people (the leg rowers), floating gardens, stilt houses, hand-weaving of long-necked women. During your tour, you will enjoy seeing beautiful environment, mountains, local’s daily life and activities. Stroll inside the historic shwe-inn-dain ruined-pagodas complex with Shan Style. You will see the Lotus weaving and traditional cheroot-making process in the lake You will observe monastic life, education at the ancient monastery called Ngaphechaung which is famous for its Shan Buddha images and region’s most revered pagoda known as “Phaungdawoo” five gold-gilded Buddha images.
Overnight in Nyaung Shwe or Inle
Day 10: Inle-Heho fly to Thandwe- Ngapali Beach
- After breakfast at hotel, drive to Heho airport to take domestic flight to Thandwe in Southern Rakkhine State. After about 1 hour boarding the air-plain, arrive at Thandwe airport, transfer to hotel into the town or near beach hotel for check-in. The beach stretches for 3 km (2 mi) and overlooks the Indian Ocean. The name "Ngapali", has no meaning in Burmese, but comes from the Italian "Napoli" (the city of Naples). Ngapali offers a large range of accommodations at all price brackets from simple bungalows to luxury spa resorts to fulfill visitor’s all expectations and choice. See the beautiful blue sea, white sand, undestroyed environment; feel fresh air, nice atmosphere; relax freely at “Ngapali” best beach in Myanmar.
Overnight in Ngapali
Day 11: Ngapali
After breakfast at hotel, you can walk along the beach; do sun-bathing. The long golden beaches along the Arakhine coastline are said as ones of the most beautiful in the world. The idyllic dream of palm-fringed beaches with warm and crystal waters merge with reality in opposition with crowded beaches of neighboring countries. Except rainy season, other season especially in October or November, the sky is cloudless and definitely blue and clean. You will feel perfect for seeing sunset taste at the beach.
Overnight at Ngapali
Day 12: Ngapali
After breakfast at hotel, explore along the beach. You need to take care of swimming at the rocky place. In some place of Beach, there have been rocks. At the Southern end of the beach, there is a little fishing village when you can see the fishermen activities, mostly at mornings and evenings time. Oxcarts of local people can still be seen along the beach giving a popular photo opportunity, especially at sunset. Spend your day for physical and mental recovery and memorable leisure.
Overnight at Ngapali
Day 13: Ngapali
After breakfast at hotel, enjoy your recreation and relaxation. You can try with good, tasty and fresh sea-foods abundantly. You can do snorkeling to discover the rich and colorful sea life or biking around the beach surroundings are possible activities. A boat can be also rent for the day to explore the close islands or even for a barbecue lunch on a secluded beach. You will get the opportunity to play golf as there has also a golf course nearby.
Overnight at Ngapali
Day 14: Thandwe-Yangon
-After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport to fly to Yangon. Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport and go the hotel for check-in. After take a short rest at hotel, start walking tour among old colonial buildings along Strand Road and Pasodan Street in the city centre to see the variety of architecture styles and living style of city-dwellers. Explore to the china town market with fresh fruits, vegetables, local foods, snacks and stalls. Proceed visit to National Museum displays various antique Myanmar’s arts, manuscripts, handicrafts, thrones, royal regalia and archeological edifices and artifacts of the whole country. Transfer to hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Yangon
Day 15: After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport to take international flight for departure.