Grand Tour Of Myanmar – 17 Days

More than Myanmar’s ‘big four” – Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake, there is so much more to discover in this mystical country. From colonial city of Yangon, travel first to Golden Rock and join the locals as they make a pilgrimage to this holy site. Continue to breathtaking plains of Bagan and historical Mandalay to the colonial hill station of Kalaw and finally arrival the tranquil waters of Inle Lake. Come and experience the beauty and intrigue of Burma with us.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Riding on famous Circle Train to the outskirts of Yangon’s town
• Admiring Yangon’s golden Shwedagon Paya
• Driving to countryside to Golden Rock, a pagoda perched on the huge
• Visit Bagan and get stunning with its spectacular massive ancient temples
• Visit ancient capitals – Ava, Amarapura and Sagaing
• Visit the Pindaya caves, containing thousands of Buddha images
• Cruising the tranquil waters of Inle Lake to see extraordinary floating gardens and ethnic minority villages

ITINERARY

Day 1:  Yangon Arrival, Sunset River Cruise, Night Market
Day 2:  Yangon Circle Train, Walking Tour
Day 3:  Yangon – Kyaikhtiyo Golden Rock
Day 4:  Kyaikhtiyo – Bago, Yangon
Day 5:  Yangon – Bagan Temple Tour
Day 6:  Bagan – Mount Popa – Bagan
Day 7:  Bagan – Mandalay
Day 8:  Mandalay – Mindun – Sagaing – Amarapura – Mandalay
Day 9:  Mandalay – Heho – Kalaw
Day 10: Kalaw – Green Hill Elephant Camp – Kalaw
Day 11: Kalaw – Pindaya
Day 12: Pindaya – Heho – Inle Lake
Day 13: Inle Lake
Day 14: Heho – Thandwe – Ngapali Beach
Day 15: Ngapali Beach
Day 16: Ngapali Beach
Day 17: Ngapali Beach – Thandwe – Yangon Departure

Day 1               Yangon Arrival, Sunset River Cruise, Night Market (D)

Upon arrival in Yangon, you will be met by local guide transferred to your hotel. Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a relatively quiet and charming city with an impressive colonial and spiritual heritage.
 
Having checked in to hotel, take time to refreshing up until late afternoon drive to Botahtaung Jetty, situated on the Yangon River’s northern bank. Here, aboard a little riverboat for a sunset cruise along Yangon’s waterways, experience the beauty of Yangon in the final hours of its sunset. Observe the little-known Lighthouse of the Twante Canal. Witness the Shwedagon Pagoda from a different perspective. And enjoy the amazing glow of lights along the river banks as the sun gently sinks below the horizon.
 
Back to land, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at the local restaurant. After dinner, you can take a stroll along 19^th street and Chinatown and explore the fascinating night market.
 
Overnight in Yangon.

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Day 2               Yangon Circle Train, City Tour (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer to the bustling streets of India Town to explore the lively morning market before experience the true essence of local life in Yangon by boarding the “circular railway” to Yangon’s Central Train Station.

In the afternoon, visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which is home to a 70 metre long reclining Buddha. From here, continue to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda, a 2,000 year old temple is one of the most significant religious sites in Myanmar, and undoubtedly the one most readily associated with the ‘Land of the Golden Spires’. Then continuing the Sule Pagoda, known as the ‘gathering point’ by the city’s residents, the pagoda is one of the city’s great landmarks, and has also played an important part in contemporary Burmese politics.

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Yangon.

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Day 3               Yangon – Kyaikhtiyo Golden Rock (B, L, D)

After breakfast, proceed by coach to Kyaikhtiyo, the Golden Rock, about 160 km from Yangon. En route stop at the Allied War Cemetery near Htaukkyant. The cemetery is the final resting place of some 27, 000 allied troops who lost their lives in Myanmar during World War II.
 
Continue on to Kyaikhtiyo, arriving at the ‘base camp’ of Kinpun in the late afternoon. From there we take an open truck to “Yathae Hill”, then about an hour uphill trek. The Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, also unsurprisingly known as Golden Rock, is one of Myanmar’s main pilgrimage sites. It is perched on top of precariously positioned golden granite boulder, covered by gold leaf which has been applied by pilgrims and visitors.
 
Overnight at Kyaikhtiyo.

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Day 4               Kyaikhtiyo – Bago, Yangon (B, L)

This morning those that wish can visit the Golden Rock again to see the rising sun casting its rays upon the rock. Return down to case camp by the same route on foot and by open-air truck. Continuing to Yangon, stopping en route at Bago, the former ancient capital of the Mon Kingdom and visiting the bustling local.
 
After lunch, drive back to Yangon. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
 
Overnight in Yangon.

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Day 5               Yangon – Bagan Temple Tour (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Bagan. On arrival, your journey begins with a visit an elevated temple from where you will have a panoramic view of the magnificent plains of Bagan. Continue with a visit to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction in to Bagan’s rich history. Then, visit to nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. 

This afternoon begin with a visit to a traditional lacquer ware workshop where you can observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. From here, travel by horse cart for a tour passing Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, massive Dhammayangyi Temple and Sulamani Temple.

Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the temples.

Overnight in Bagan.

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Day 6               Bagan – Mount Popa – Bagan (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel, a drive to Mt Popa, an extinct volcano with spectacular views and the birth place of the Myanmar ‘nats’ or spirits. Its shrine is dedicated to animist spirits known as ‘nats’ and you will have time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the peak.
 
Returning to the base of the shrine, drive back to Bagan. En route visit Shwe Hlaing Village. This village makes its living by producing various items from the toddy palm trees. Here we will observe traditional production of palm toddy—from the collecting of the liquid to the creating of the drinks and sugars. Then enjoy the traditional Burmese lunch together under shade of Toddy Palm trees.

Transfer back to Bagan. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Bagan.

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Day 7               Bagan – Mandalay – City Tour (B, L)

Early this morning transfer to airport for your flight to Mandalay, the former capital of Myanmar’s last dynasty. Upon arrival, begin your sightseeing tour of Mandalay with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda. This pagoda is home to one of the country’s most revered Buddha images which, over the years, have been covered with gold leaf giving it an almost ‘lumpy’ texture. Afterwards, visit traditional workshops of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries, and gold foil workshop.
 
Afternoon, we visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the World’s Biggest Book because of its stone slabs consisting of Buddhist scriptures. Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19^th century Royal Palace.
 
End the day head to the top of Mandalay Hill as the sun begins to set to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River. 

Overnight in Mandalay.

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Day 8               Mandalay – Sagaing – Amarapura – Mandalay (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for an excursion around Mandalay to explore the former capitals of Sagaing, Ava and Amarapura.

Cross a bridge over the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing, the town which stretches along much of the Myanmar-India border. Its surrounding hills are covered in monasteries and pagodas, several of which can be visited on today’s trip.

Return toward the city and continue south of the city to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries, where a short ferry ride will take us across the river to where our horse and carriage are waiting. Visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort.

Finally visit Amarapura, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’. We’ll start visit U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge. Enjoy a stroll across the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams.

Overnight in Mandalay.

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Day 9               Mandalay – Heho – Kalaw (B, L, D)

Morning transfer to Mandalay Airport for your flight to Heho. From the airport you will be transferred to Kalaw, a former British hill station (approx.50 km). The scenic drive takes you into the heart of the Shan State, passing pine forests, rolling hills and small towns along the way.
 
Having checked in to hotel upon arrival, you may wish to enjoy a stroll around town or simply relax at your hotel.
  
Overnight in Kalaw.

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Day 10             Kalaw – Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp – Kalaw (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel. This morning we will drive from Kalaw to the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp (45 mins). Upon arrival, transfer to the main camp base. After receiving a briefing on the day’s activities as well as the background of the camp and the history of elephants in Myanmar we embark on a short walk to the river, passing through a reforestation project set up by the camp and villagers. Then experience a 30-45 minds elephant ride through the forest before return to the main camp for lunch.

In the late afternoon transfer back to Kalaw. This evening is free at leisure.

Overnight in Kalaw.

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Day 11             Kalaw – Pindaya (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel before driving to Pindaya. En route we stop in the junction town of Aung Ban where you will visit the ‘wholesale’ market. Here you will find piles and piles of regional produce such as ginger, onions, chilies, potatoes, cabbage and other seasonal vegetables. 
Take a break at the hotel to freshen up then head to the town’s famous Pindaya Caves. Nestled on a hillside, the cave consists of many chambers filled with hundreds of Buddha statues.

Overnight in Pindaya.

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Day 12             Pindaya – Nyaung Shwe – Inle Lake (B, L)

Continue your exploration of the Shan State this morning with a drive to Nyaung Shwe (2.30 hrs drive), the gateway town for Inle Lake.  

Upon arrival, embark a private long-tail boat for a half-day of sightseeing. Pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people. Observe the leg-rowing 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. 

Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. Upon arrival at your resort, the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Overnight on Inle Lake.

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Day 13             Inle Lake, In Dein (B, L)

After breakfast, cruising to In Dein and Ywama. You will then continue up a narrow canal, as far as a small Pa O minority tribal village. Disembark at the central marketplace and follow the old covered path that leads to a 13th century monastery, and the very impressive ruins of over a hundred ancient pagodas. Upon reaching the main stupa atop a hill, stop to enjoy sensational views of the surrounding mountains, and down the valley to Inle Lake in the distance.
 
Return to the lake and your resort. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
 
Overnight on Inle Lake.

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Day 14             Heho – Thandwe – Ngapali Beach (B)

Morning transfer back across the lake and on to Heho for your flight to Thandwe. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to Ngapali Beach. Check in your hotel. The rest day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Ngapali.

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Day 15             Ngapali Beach (B)

Your day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Ngapali.

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Day 16             Ngapali Beach (B)

Your day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Ngapali.

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Day 17             Ngapali Beach – Thandwe – Yangon Departure (B)

Free time until transfer to airport for your flight to Yangon and your onward flight to home.

SERVICE INCLUDED

• Shared accommodation in twin/double room with daily breakfast
• Tours as per itinerar with local speaking guide
• All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles
• All entrance fees as program
• Meals (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner) as indicated in the program
• A bottle of mineral water per day tour

SERVICE EXCLUDED 

• Drinks
• Mineral water beyond that supplied
• Tips
• Personal expenses and tips
• Visa to Myanmar
• Airfares (international and domestic)
• Meals (other than mentioned in the program)
• Airport taxes  
• Early check in or late check out
• Insurances
• Optional excursions and activities
• Additional transfer required due to any emergency situation
• Items of a personal nature (Phone calls, laundry, beverages…)
• Peak season surcharges if any
• All not mentioned above