Day 01 Arrive Yangon
On arrival at Yangon International airport, you are met and transferred to your Hotel. After checking into your hotel, begin your day with the walking tour around the heart of Yangon where one can see mainly British style colonial buildings (City Hall, Sule pagoda which is believed to have been built about 2,200 years ago and the landmark of Yangon City Center). Proceed down the Strand road to wander around The STRAND HOTEL, over hundred years old hotel and next visit to the ChaukHtatGyi reclining Buddha(72 meters long, one of four longest reclining Buddhas in Myanmar). Finally, enjoy the amazing sunset over the world famous Shwedagon Pagoda which is believed to have been built about 2,500 years ago and the greatest pagoda of its kind in the world.Overnight in Yangon.
Day 02 Mandalay by flight – Ava – Sagaing – Amarapura
After breakfast, an awaiting car will take you to the airport for your flight to Mandalay, the former royal capital of Myanmar’s last dynasty. Tour starts to Inwa (Ava), and here you’ll be taken by a native horse cart for sightseeing around Inwa that would last hardly 3 hours. Visit will be made to Bargaya Monastery that is a fine example of Myanmar masonry art and architecture, Mainu Brick Monastery and old watchtower. Then, drive to Sagaing, considered by Myanmar Buddhists to be the holiest site in the country and visit to Sagaing Hill. We will end the day by watching a beautiful sunset of Taungthaman Lake from cocktail boat under U Bein bridge, the famous footbridge in Myanmar. Overnight at hotel in Mandalay.
Day 03 River Cruise Mingun – visit Mandalay
After breakfast, a boat trip along Ayeyarwaddy River (~1 hr) to visit Mingun village which is 11 km north of Mandalay. Tour highlights include : Mingun bell (90 tons), one of the world’s largest hanging bells was cast in 1808, Mingun Village, Hshinbyume Pagoda- built in 1816 and Mya Theindan Pagoda (1817) has unique architecture style which symbolized the Seven Seas if Buddhist cosmology.
Then back to Mandalay and visit to Mahamuni Buddha image casted in Buddha time (Bc623). Later visit to puppet wood carving, tapestry and gold-leave making centre. In the afternoon proceed to Mandalay Royal Palace built in 1857 by King Mindon (the second last king of Yadanarbon Kingdom). Then visit to Golden Palace monastery covered by gold-leave making center, Kuthodaw Pagoda (the world biggest book) acknowledged by UNESCO, next visit to Shwe Kyaung,a monastery once King’ Mindon’s royal palace apartment for meditation, Atumashi monastery then proceed to Mandalay Hill for sunset viewing. Overnight at Hotel in Mandalay.
Day 04 Mandalay – Monywa
In the morning, you will proceed to Monywa (140km, 03 hour drive). On the way enjoy the life of the rural area and visit the Mohnyin Than Boddhay temple- over 500,000 Buddha images are seated.Then continue to the visit of a religious sanctuary impressing Boddhi Tataung Temple- over sitting Buddha images under Bodhi tress (Ficus religiosa), one of the biggest lying Buddha (more than 100m of length) and excursion to Kyaukka lacquer ware village. Overnight at hotel in Monywa.
Day 05 Monywa – Bagan (via Pakokku)
After breakfast, visit of the underground cave and the Buddha carved in the rock sandstone of the site of Pho Win Taung caves, peaceful and interesting place. Then Drive to Bagan via Pakokku – 03 hrs(152.0 Km) in the afternoon. Arrived to Bagan, transfer to hotel and take a rest as your own. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 06 Bagan
After a leisurely breakfast, visit to a local market which is very authentic located in Nyaung U district. Bagan sightseeing tour including : one of the ancient Shwezigon Pagoda, believed to have been built in early Bagan period, Kyansitthar U Min, Wetkyi- in Gubyaukkyi Temple ( beautiful mural paintings of Jatarka), Sulamani Temple and the massive Dhamayangyi Temple. The tour carry on to Myinkaba village to experience Myanmar’s unique local handmade lacquer-ware and enjoy a beautiful sunset at a temple. Overnight at hotel in Bagan.
Day 07 Bagan
Breakfast at the hotel, the remainder of the say will be spent exploring some of Bagan’s oldest and most famous temples: including Thatbyinnyu Temple (known for its great height), the magnificent Ananda Temple, Ananda Oakkyaung, Myinkaba Gubyaukkyi Temple, Manuha Temple and continue to the village of Minnanthu to observe their daily lives. After that you will take Ayeyar jetty to cruise along Ayeryarwaddy River to see the sunset. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 08 Bagan – Heho by flight – Inle
Morning, transfer to airport for your flight to Heho. Upon arrival, drive to Nyaung Shwe (~1 hr), an ancient capital of Shan ethnic located at the entrance of Inle Lake and visit the small city. Then, continue to Nyaung Shwe jetty where boat will be waiting for you. Memorable Highlights visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda: one of the famous principal shrines in Myanmar, this pagoda houses five small Buddha images, Nga Hpe Kyaung (Jumping Cat Monastery) in Nga Phe village, the floating gardens and floating villages. The native people, In-Thars, grow vegetables on floating islands which are collection of floating weed and water hyacinth. Overnight at hotel in Inle Lake (or) Nyaung Shwe.
Day 09 InDein & Inle
After a leisurely breakfast, visit to the five day market then proceed to Shwe InDein pagoda complex which has the longest and the most massive covered approach way around Inle. On the way back, stop to visit at In Paw-Khong village, is the centre of the present day weaving industry in Inle Lake and well worth visiting to see both the traditional and modern looms then continue to Goldsmith and Blacksmith workshop. In Se-khong village, there is a blacksmith workshop which produces knives and farming tools. Overnight in Inle Lake.
Day 10 Inle – Sagar – Phekhone – Loikaw
After breakfast, boat trip to Sagar village for ruin of Pa-O ancient pagoda complex and Tharkhaung religious site. Along the way you can enjoy breathtaking and refreshing landscape. Then, continue to Phekhone where the car is waiting for you to drive to Loikaw (~1 hr). Overnight at hotel in Loikaw.
Day 11 Loikaw – Kayah Village
Breakfast at the hotel. After 1 hr driving to Kayah Village, welcome at community centre. Visit the Kayhtobo site and Hunting Shrine, to learn about local beliefs and spiritual life. Then continue to the scenic 7 lakes via Lotus Pond. After a short rest, visit a local musician’s house, listen to traditional instrument and try your hand playing them. And visit a traditional Kayah house and meet the house owner. Learn about traditional Kayah dress and try it on. Drive back to Loikaw and enjoy sunset at Taung-Gwe Hill (Broken Hill). Overnight at hotel in Loikaw.
Day 12 Loikaw – Kayah Village
Breakfast at the hotel. After 1 hr 45 driving arrive to Pemsong Village to enjoy a moderately challenging trek, through lush, shady forest. After a short climb (30–40mins), enjoy over 3 hours of continual, great view. En route, you will find various edible plants and herbal medicines which are used by community members in their “ jungle larder ” .
A highlight of the trip is arriving at the original settlement of Pan Pet, perched on a mountain top, where evidence habitation is visible. This is considered one of the first Kayah settlements of Kayah State. Enjoy a pack lunch. The trek ends in Rang Ku hamlet, where you can meet the famous Kayah people (popularly known as Long Neck Karan), who are a symbol of Kayah State. Enjoy leaning a few words of Kayan language and interacting with these fun-loving and artistic people. There are opportunities to buy local handicrafts. Drive back to Loikaw in the evening. Overnight at hotel in Loikaw.
Day 13 Loikaw –Yangon
After breakfast, an awaiting car will transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Yangon. Once checked in. you will visit Gem Museum or National Museum, as well as shopping at the Bogyoke Aung San (formerly known as Scott ) Market ( closed in every Monday & Public Holiday), which was built in 1920, wide choice of jewelries, jade, ruby, precious stone and clothes, paintings are on sale then the last stop at the China town. Your memorable tour comes to an end today. Overnight at hotel in Yangon
Day 14 Departure
In the morning, transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure or extend your stay in Myanmar.