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 – Amarapura – Sagaing – Ava
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 Amarapura, an ancient capital of Myanmar, where we can visit to the Silk and Cotton Weaving Industry, and Maha Gandaryon Monastery. Then drive to Sagaing, a former capital of Shan Kingdom and Myanmar Kingdom but nowadays is renowned as the religious center of Myanmar because of over 400 monasteries spreading throughout the hillocks. And continue to Inwa, formerly known as Ava, also a former royal capital of Myanmar, you’ll be taken by a native horse cart for sightseeing around the bumpy road to visit the ruins of the old royal capital includes the watch tower- the 27 meter tall leaning tower of old royal palace: Maha Aungmyebonzan monastery- the impressive brick and stucco monastery; Bargaya monastery- a splendid teak wood monastery with wood curving. Then, We will end the day by watching a beautiful sunset of Taungthaman Lake from 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 (BC 623). Later visit to puppet wood carving, tapestry and gold-leave making center.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 (incomparable) monastery then proceed to Mandalay Hill for sunset viewing. Overnight at hotel in Mandalay.
Day 04 Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin
After breakfast, drive to Pyin Oo Lwin from Mandalay it will take about one and half hour. First visit into the town’s major colonial attractions with the help of horse-dawn carriage, the central local market for its attractive seasonal fruits and flowers. After lunch visit to Kandawgyi National Garden (May Myo Botanical Garden), Pwe Kauk waterfall and Maha Ant Htoo Kann Tha : it enshrines an enormous 17-ton white marble Buddha statue. Overnight at hotel in Pyin Oo Lwin.
Day 05 Pyin Oo Lwin– Gok Teik Viaduct
Morning, transfer to train station. Taking the train to Naung Pain village (04 hours) passing over the famous Gok Teik viaduct, about 34 miles northeast of Pyin Oo Lwin by contractors from the Pennsylvania steel Company it bridges the Gok Teik Gorge. It was the second highest railway bridge in the world when it was constructed, and remains Myanmar’s longest. Getting off from the train in Naung Pain station and continue drive by car to Hsipaw, the former royal capital of Northern Shan State. Afternoon visit to Bawgyo Pagoda before check-in at hotel. Then make a stroll through some typical Shan villages surrounded by paddy fields. Overnight at hotel in Hsipaw.
Day 06 Hsipaw
Morning, visit to the Hsipaw local market. Then start your boat trip along Dohtawaddy River to observe the scenery of Shan plateau, orange and orchard plantation along the up-river just to confluent. On the way back, stop at a Shan village to admire the country side and study their daily life in traditional way. Afternoon drive back to Hsipaw, and continue visit to some interesting places such as making Shan rice noodle; Ton-Sint Nat shrine, spirit guardian of the town; ruined small pagodas near old wooden monastery which houses bamboo Buddha image, etc… End the day, enjoy the sunset at a hillock; Thein- Taung with panoramic view over the town. Overnight at hotel in Hsipaw.
Day 07 Hsipaw – Mandalay by car
After breakfast, visit the city, then depart by car from Hsipaw to Mandalay (210 km/ ~ 5 hrs). Proceed to Mandalay in the afternoon and Leisure on your own. Overnight at hotel in Mandalay.
Day 08 Mandalay – Heho – 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 Flight back to 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 11 Departure
In the morning, transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure or extend your stay in Myanmar.