Mystical Myanmar - 10 Days

Day 1: Yangon Arrival.
Your tour guide and diver will welcome you at Yangon International Airport. On arrival, you will have free time to start soaking up the local culture or relax at your hotel.

Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon – Heho – Inle Lake.
Today you will take the short flight to Heho then spend a scenic drive on the mountainside to the town of Nyang Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which features beautiful carvings and a collection of Buddha images.

Upon reaching the edges of Inle Lake, board a private motorboat and head out to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. Pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by local Intha people. Observe the famous legrowing fishermen and see their floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf. Then go to the hotel for a good night’s rest.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake.

Day 3: Inle Lake Boat Tour.
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. 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. Return to the boat nd continue along the lake for additional sightseeing before coming back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake.

Day 4: Inle Lake – Heho – Mandalay.
Enjoy breakfast and a leisurely morning at the hotel. Around midday, transfer to Heho Airport for the flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, your local guide will be waiting for transfer to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay.

Day 5: Mandalay City Tour.

Known as the hub of Buddhism in Myanmar, Mandalay has realm of stupas, monks and monasteries. The most fascinating visit will be the time you witness monks during their worship and daily meals. Embarking on a private boat upstream to visit Mingun, famed for its huge and incomplete Pahtodawgyi Pagoda and Mingun Bell, the 90ton ringing bell. In the afternoon, visit Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery  noted for its exquisite woodcarvings, gold leaf beating workshop and Kuthodaw Pagoda  known for containing the world’s largest book and conclude the tour by visiting Mandalay Hill to watch the sunset and the panoramic view of the city.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay.

Day 6: Mandalay – Bagan.

Today you will take the morning flight to Bagan. Bagan is Myanmar’s archaeological wonderland where over 2,200 ancient temples blossom from the countryside. Start your tour with a trip to the bustling Nyang U Market in Old Bagan then explore the beautiful, gold leaf Shwezigon Pagoda and learn about Burmese Buddhist traditions. Continue your tour with a visit to Ananda Temple, stopping along the way on the Bagan plains to admire some of the surrounding temples. In the afternoon, take a tour of a local lacquer ware workshop and learn how this traditional piece of art is made.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.

Day 7: Discover Bagan Temples.
After breakfast, enjoy an exotic horse cart ride to one of the biggest temples in Bagan: Nan Paya Pagoda and many other interesting sites nearby. Continue with sightseeing to Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple, take note of the architectural difference in MyaZedi Pagoda before heading to Manuha Temple. The highlight of today is the panoramic sunset view over Bagan and the ShweSandaw Pagoda.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.

Day 8: Bagan – Mt. Popa.
After breakfast at the hotel, embark with on a drive through the plains to Mt. Popa. Mt. Popa is a place of great importance to the Burmese as they believe it is the home of 37 Nats, ancient Burmese animist spirits. The spirits predate the arrival of Buddhism in Myanmar. The shrine is located on a volcanic plug, Taung Kalat. Taking over 800 stairs to the top, learn about nats and nat worship while climbing past many shrines and see many local pilgrims. The hard work is rewarded as the view over the Myingyan Plain from the top of the volcanic peak is quite impressive.

After returning to the base of the shrine, begin the drive back to Bagan. En route, stop in Shwe Hlaing, where the local people make their living producing various items from toddy palm trees. Observe traditional production of toddy palm – from the collecting of the liquid to the creating of the drinks and sugars. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, then transfer back to Bagan.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.

Day 9: Bagan – Yangon.
Take the morning flight back to Yangon. Spend rest of the day exploring Yangon and its highlights from Sule Pagoda, in the heart of Yangon City; Chaukhtayi Pagoda and Kandawgyi Lake. Reach Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, where there is time to browse through the dozens of stalls and shops. This is Yangon’s best market for handicrafts and other goods, so be sure to pick up a souvenir or two while there! (Closes on Monday and some specific holidays) Save the best for last, discover the most outstanding pagoda in Yangon: Shwedagon Pagoda, known as the “Golden Pagoda”, a real must see while you are in Myanmar.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon.

Day 10: Yangon Departure.
Your Mystical Myanmar tour finishes today, with no more activities planned. You are free to depart at any time.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.