Essence Of Myanmar - 12 Days

Day 1: Mandalay Arrival.
Mingalabar! Arrive at Mandalay International Airport, your guide and driver will welcome you. Head to Mandalay pier, embarking on a private boat upstream to Mingun. Visit the incomplete Pahtodawgyi Pagoda. Continue to Mingun Bell, 90ton bell, which is the world 2nd largest one, and still in good condition. Don’t forget to ring it! In the afternoon, visit Mandalay Palace – the last royal palace of the last Burmese monarchy and Shwenandaw Monastery, the single remaining major original structure of the original Royal Palace today. Proceed to Kuthodaw Pagoda, a Buddhist stupa that contains the world's largest book. If time permits, have a visit to the gold leaf beating workshop. Finish the tour by visiting Mandalay Hill to watch the sunset and panoramic view of the city.
Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay.

Day 2: Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo).
This morning, take a 2-hour scenic drive uphill to Pyin Oo Lwin, formerly Maymyo – a British Hill Station located on a plateau 1,070m above sea level. Visit the colorful local market near the Purcell Clock Tower. Take a horse drawn carriage through the streets to see the unique brick and timber British colonial houses. In the afternoon, visit the National Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens – 177 hectares with flower galore, forestland, and a lake. Take a relax walk through the gardens and enjoy the beauty of nature. Visit the Candacraig Hotel, built in the style of an English country house in 1905. There is time for an optional coffee or tea break and opportunity to take photos of this classical place.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Pyin Oo Lwin.

Day 3: Pyin Oo Lwin – Train to Gokteik – Kyaukme.
Today, experience the morning train to Nawngpeng through Gokteik. This train used to be an infamous blackmarket train transporting goods to and from China. Cross the famous 700 meter long Gokteik Viaduct, built in 1900 by the American Pennsylvania Steel Co. The impressive height from the bridge to the bottom of the valley is nearly 300 meters. Crossing the bridge, the train stops at a small station and you will get the chance to have a better look at the bridge. Please take note that you may be not permitted to photograph/video as the Burmese consider the bridge to be of strategic importance. Arrival at Kyauk Me in the afternoon & take a stroll around this charming trading town amid the Shan Hills. Late afternoon, transfer back to your hotel in Pyin Oo Lwin.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Pyin Oo Lwin.

Day 4: Pyin Oo Lwin – Amarapura – Sagaing – U Bein Bridge.
After breakfast, drive all the way back to Mandalay. Upon arrival, take a short way more to Amarapura. The Mahagandaryone Monastery of Amarapura is one of the most famous monasteries throughout the country. Here you can experience the monks’ life. Continue the trip to Sagaing Hill with its highlights from Budda Cave, Uminthonze Pagoda, Sunooponnyashin Pagoda. We then cross the river by ferry to Inwa (Ava), situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Once a royal capital, Inwa is now a quiet rural oasis. Enjoy a horse cart ride around the peaceful countryside, visiting Bagaya Kyaung, a beautiful teak wood monastery, Maha Aungmyay Bonzan Kyaung, and Nan Myint tower. Afterward, come back to Amarapura for the nearby U Bein Wooden Bridge. In the sunset, walk over the longest teakwood of its type to Mahamuni Image – a bronze Buddha image castled during the lifetime of Buddha himself.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay.

Day 5: Mandalay – Monywa.
After an early breakfast, journey to Monywa, along the banks of the Chindwin River. Visit the Thanbodday Zedi temple complex and the Boditataung Pagoda, both known for their extensive Buddha statuary, and the Shwe Thar Lyaung Reclining Buddha Image on Pho Khaung Hill, the largest reclining Buddha image in Burma. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, then cross the Chindwin and driver to Powin Taung stopping along the way to admire the stonecut pavilions of Shwe Ba Taung. Known as the “Hill of the Alchemists”, Powin Taung Hill boasts several Buddhist cave sites from as early as the 16th century. Numerous Buddha images were carved along the stone walls of these caves, creating a gallery of different images. Throughout the centuries, mural paintings were added, which creates the richest mural painting collection in Southeast Asia. Overnight in Monywa.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Monywa.

Day 6: Monywa – Pakkoku – Bagan.
Depart for Pakkoku, one of the more famous towns in Central Myanmar. En route, visit Mau Ale Village, a fascinating ruined pagoda built in the 17th century. You can also observe the workshops of local incense makers and bamboo scale producers. On arrival in Pakkoku, visit the workshops of local blanket weavers (handwoven!) and a marketplace specializing in “Thanakha” (a traditional Burmese cosmetic made from tree bark). Afterwards, head to Bagan. Checkin to your hotel and enjoy your time at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.

Day 7: Bagan Discovery.
After breakfast, start the day at Nyaung U Market where you have great chance to meet and talk with the friendly locals. Explore the beautiful Shwezigon Pagoda with the interesting knowledge of Burmese Buddhism.  Follow up with a visit to Ananda Temple, one of the finest, largest and best preserved in Old Bagan. Enjoy the unique experience of a horsecart ride. Continue to your day to the famous Nan Paya Pagoda. The last stop today is at a local lacquer ware workshop and learn how this traditional piece of art is made.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.

Day 8: Bagan – Mt. Popa – Bagan.
Today you will visit Mount Popa, an extinct volcano standing 1518 metres high. The site is believed to be home to the ancient Burmese animist spirits. After 777 steps with bare feet to Popa Kalat Monastery at the top, we enjoy the panoramic view of Popa National Park. In the afternoon, come back to Bagan. Along the way, stop at some local workshops of traditional palm, cigar maker and peanut oil distillation.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.

Day 9: Bagan – Fly to Heho – Inle Lake.
Today you will take the flight from Naung U to Heho. Upon arrival, take a nice drive to Pindaya through the picturesque countryside of the Shan State. Visit Pindaya’s limestone cave with its maze of chambers displaying more than 8,000 Buddha statues and local handicraft workshops producing Shan paper made from mulberry bark. They also make traditional umbrellas made from the same paper that used by monks all around the country. Then drive to the pier on Inle Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar is located 900 meters above sea level and is home to a unique oneleg rowing technique of the Intha people for a motorboat to your hotel, check in and relax.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake.

Day 10: Explore Inle Lake.
This morning, visit the “5-Day Market” which is held in different villages surrounding the lake. This is definitely a fascinating place to enjoy the scene of local tribes in their colorful clothes and exotic market atmosphere. After lunch, the boat will take you to the beautiful temple of Indein, located on the hill overlooking the lake. It is relaxing to walk along the corridors and enjoy the giant columns that have been left to the nature for centuries.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake.

Day 11: Inle Lake – Fly to Yangon.
Have breakfast at the hotel, then take a boat to the northern bank of the lake where the car and driver is await for a transfer to Pindaya. Along the way, enjoy the picturesque countryside of Shan State. This mountainous area is famous for its cave, which is full of more than 8,000 Buddha images. Visit the local handicraft workshops producing Shan mulberry paper and traditional umbrellas. Then transfer to Heho Airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, your guide will take you to your hotel in the city center. Rest of the day is at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon.

Day 12: Yangon City Tour – Departure.
Spend a halfday exploring Yangon and its highlights from Sule Pagoda, an important Yangon landmark centrally at the bustling area. The next stop is Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhism place in Yangon. If time permits, you will stop at Bogyoke Market (formerly Scott’s market), one of the biggest markets in Yangon. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.