Essential Myanmar

10 days visiting

• Yangon
• Bagan
• Mandalay
• Pindaya
• Inle Lake

From $2325 AUD pp (2 pax)

Day 1 Yangon
Arrival in Yangon
Transfer
– Overnight in Yangon

Day 2 Yangon – Bagan (Breakfast: Hotel )
Sightseeing in Yangon
Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar, lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on the wide Yangon River. The city is filled with tree-shaded boulevards, while shimmering stupas float above the treetops. The city became the capital in 1885, when the British completed the conquest of Upper Myanmar
ending Mandalay’s brief period as capital of the last Burmese kingdom. It served as the capital until 2006.
Visit colonial heart of Yangon
Start the day in the heart of Yangon which features an interesting selection of monuments and colonial buildings. Among others, you will see the Independent Monument, the High Court, the City Hall and the Sule Pagoda (view from the outside only).
Visit Shwedagon Pagoda
The highlight of any visit to Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda dates back about 2500 years and was built to house eight sacred hairs of the Buddha. Its original shape has changed beyond all recognition over the centuries. Its bell-shaped superstructure, resting on a terraced base, is covered in about 60 tons of gold-leaf, which is continuously being replaced.
Visit Bogyoke Aung San (Scott) Market (Close on Mondays and public holidays)
Explore the Bogyoke Aung San Market, also known as Scott Market, which contains over 2000 stalls and is the best place in Yangon to browse through the complete range of local handicrafts.
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Flight from Yangon to Bagan
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
– Overnight in Bagan

Day 3 Bagan (Breakfast: Hotel )
Discover the Beauty of Bagan
Bagan is a true bucket-list destination! Thousands of crumbling temples, pagodas and stupas rise from the ancient desert plain. These beautiful, other-worldly structures were built by the kings of Bagan in the 11th and 12th centuries. Words don’t do this incredible landscape justice so let’s get out there and see them for ourselves. We’ll visit renowned temples, and also discover some of the lesser known, but equally impressive pagodas. Each temple has its own story to tell so we’ll never tire of seeing more. And in the evening
we’ll watch the sun setting over this land of pagodas. Today’s Highlights: Shwezigon Paya, Gubyaukhyi Temple at Wetkyi-Inn, Ananda Pahto, Gubyaukhyi Temple at Myinkaba, Manuha Temple, Shwesandaw Paya, sunset
Watch sunset over Bagan
Enjoy a panoramic view of the sun setting over the plain of Bagan from one of the sunset view hills. – Overnight in Bagan

Day 4 Bagan – Mandalay (Breakfast: Hotel )
By vehicle from Bagan to Mandalay
– Overnight in Mandalay

Day 5 Mandalay (Breakfast: Hotel )
Sightseeing in Mandalay
Mandalay – the name alone evokes the romance of old colonial Burma. We’ll visit Mahamuni Paya, famous for its seated Buddha covered in gold leaf. Every morning at 4am its gleaming face is washed by the monks in a unique ceremony. We’ll wander into a workshop to see muscled workers hand-beating gold leaf with enormous hammers. At Shwenandaw Kyaung, made entirely out of teak (even though it’s also known as the Golden Teak Monastery), we can see the beautifully intricate carvings. There’s a lot more to be enjoyed here, including other ornate temples and wooden monasteries as well as panoramic views from Mandalay Hill. Today’s Highlights: Mahamuni Paya, Shwenandaw Kyaung, Kuthodaw Paya, Kyauktawgyi Paya, Shwe Kyin Old Monastery and craft workshop – Overnight in Mandalay

Day 6 Mandalay (Breakfast: Hotel )
Excursion to Amarapura, Sagaing, and Inwa (Ava)
Just outside Mandalay, are not one, but three ancient royal capitals! Sagaing is said to be the spiritual centre of Myanmar. Also known as a -‘living Bagan’, it is home to hundreds of stupas, monasteries, temples and nunneries. Inwa (Ava) is a rural riverside oasis of crumbling monasteries and artisan workshops, and is best explored by horse and cart. And then there’s Amarapura, where, every morning, you can see devout monks lining up for their daily alms. At sunset we’ll take a walk alongside the monks across the picturesque U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world. We’ll see loads of incredible sights and learn tonnes of history about the old kings of Myanmar. Today’s Highlights: Amarapura (Mahagandayon Monastery, U Bein Bridge), Sagaing (temples on Sagaing Hill), Inwa (horsecart ride to Bagaya Kyaung, Maha Aungmyay Bonzan Kyaung, Nan Myint Tower – Overnight in Mandalay

Day 7 Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya (Breakfast: Hotel )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Flight from Mandalay to Heho
By vehicle from Heho to Pindaya
Visit Pindaya Caves
Pindaya Caves are ensconced in a limestone ridge overlooking the lake. Inside the cavern there are more than 8000 Buddha images made from alabaster, teak, marble, brick, lacquer and cement, and they are arranged in such a way as to form a labyrinth throughout the various cave chambers. See the Shwe U Min Paya, a cluster of low stupas just below the ridge near the Pindaya Caves. Beginning on the full moon of Tabaung (February/March), Pindaya hosts a colourful pagoda festival at Shwe U Min – Overnight in Pindaya

Day 8 Pindaya – Inle Lake (Breakfast: Hotel )
By vehicle from Pindaya to Inle Lake
Transfer by boat
Excursion by boat on Inle Lake to Indein
Thousands of mysterious temples and stupas await at the end of a boat ride along a narrow creek cloaked in foliage. The indein complex is a collection of over 1,000 densely packed Shan-style stupas in varying states of decay. Part of its charm is that it has escaped restoration and the air of neglect just adds to the ethereal atmosphere. Don’t forget your camera as this place is otherwordly. Today’s Highlights: Boat to Indei – Overnight in Inle Lake

Day 9 Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon (Breakfast: Hotel )
Excursion by boat on Inle Lake
Today we get to see the famous one-legged rowers on Inle Lake! This is no ordinary lake though. Inle is an enchanting world of villages on stilts and gardens that float on the surface of the lake (seriously!). One of the most photographed sights is the skilled Intha fishermen who balance on one leg, while using the other to manoeuvre the oar. We’ll take a relaxing boat ride across Inle Lake, stopping to see these sights along with some pagodas and lakeside villages. Today’s Highlights: Boat trip on Inle Lake, local market, villages, Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery
Transfer by boat
By vehicle from Inle Lake to Heho
Flight from Heho to Yangon
Transfer
– Overnight in Yangon

Day 10 Yangon (Breakfast: Hotel )
Transfer