Discovery of Authentic Culture in Myanmar

Day 1:  Arrival Yangon

Mingalarbar!

Upon your arrival at Yangon International Airport, our experienced guide with a wealth of knowledge on Myanmar will welcome you. On your very first day in Myanmar, begin exploring in the heart of Yangon, Sule Pagoda, which is one of the landmarks of Yangon, very close to Yangon City Hall and Immanuel Baptist Church. Sule Pagoda is also surrounded by colonial style buildings where you can also observe the daily activities of local people coming to worship before their busy schedules. After an hour, take a 30 min drive to Shwedagon Pagoda, a wonder of the religious world, noted for its size, height, artistry and colourful history. No visit to Myanmar is complete without a visit to the 2,500-year-old Shwedagon Pagoda, which enshrines strands of Buddha's hair and other holy relics. It forms the focus of religious as well as community activities with the bustles of devotees and monks performing rites, paying obeisance to Buddha, offering flowers and lighting, worshiping, and meditating. You can also hear the chanting and praying at Stupas by nuns and local communities. After completing trips to these places, your guide will take you to your hotel to check in and enjoy a full-night rest to regain energy for the morning flight to Mandalay.

Day 2:  Yangon-Mandalay (Flight) and Boat trip to Mingun  

After breakfast at your hotel, our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and drive to Yangon Domestic Airport to fly to Mandalay (approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes). On arrival, our stationed guide from Mandalay will welcome you at Tadar Oo Airport which is 45 min drive from Mandalay City. The day begins with Mahamuni Pagoda, one of the most sacred Buddha Images in Myanmar. To pay respect to the Buddha image, male devotees apply gold leaf to the image, which is called “Shwe Cha” in Burmese. As a result, the Mahamuni Buddha is covered with a thick layer of gold leaf of about 15 centimeters, which has transformed the shape and size of the image, becoming thicker in the body while the face remains unchanged. Several old photos of the image in the temple show the difference in the outline of the image between about a century ago and now. Transfer to hotel for checking in your luggage and our stationed guide will suggest a good place for lunch.

After lunch, go to a Jetty to take a boat to Mingun (approximately one hour each way). On arrival, explore the landmark of Mingun that is Mingun Bell which weighs more than 87 tons being the world’s largest intact bronze bell and Mingun Pagoda (Paya); two large earthquakes did considerable damage to it during the 1838 earthquake the heads of the giant Chinthes broke off and rolled into the Ayeyarwaddy River. Large cracks appeared in the Paya’s structure. Myatheindan Pagoda stands out from the rest with its stunning white hue and you may view the Interesting architecture and enjoy the view from the top. On the way back to Mandalay by boat, you can relax viewing the enchanting sunset while feeling fresh river breezes. On arrival at Mandalay jetty, our waiting vehicle will take you back to your hotel. Enjoy your night at a hotel in Mandalay.

Day 3:  A brief sightseeing in Mandalay and road trip to Ancient Bagan

Today, your tour will start at 08:00. After breakfast at your hotel, our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and we will firstly proceed to Kuthodaw Pagoda, situated at the base of southeast stairways of Mandalay Hill. This Pagoda was built by King Mindon while at the same time he was constructing the Golden Palace, Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung or Golden Palace Monastery; a great place to get an impression of what the Royal Palace must have looked like once and the 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures are said to be world’s largest books. As the Palace was destroyed by fire during the Second World War, the Shwenandaw Monastery is the only major original teak wooden building left of the original Mandalay Royal Palace. After lunch, enjoy travelling overland to appreciate the scenery of ancient Bagan (approximately 4 hours). During a four-hour land journey, you will be on your own, passing by small villages, Nahtogyi and Myingyan cities along the high way. However, our experienced driver with basic knowledge in English will assist you during the land journey. Upon your arrival in Bagan, check in at the hotel, have a leisurely time in the evening and enjoy your night in Bagan.

Day 4: Visit Bagan – a UNESCO World Heritage Site

There are optional hot-air Balloons rides in Bagan to watch the sunrise over many temples of Bagan. This is one of the major attractions for tourists to visit Bagan.

After breakfast at the hotel, our stationed guide from Bagan will meet you in the hotel lobby and begin your exploration by visiting a busy local market which sells food, vegetables, clothes, daily household things and local products. You will gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. Then, the highlights of historic Pagodas and temples dating back to 13th century, most patronized by legendary kings with colourful history; Shwezegon Pagoda - the prototype for later Myanmar pagodas built by King Anawratha,  Ananda temple - a masterpiece patronized by King Kyansittha,  Thatbyinnyu temple - the highest building in the Bagan plain, Dhamma Yangyi temple - an absolutely massive temple.

After lunch, you will learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan's most famous products: lacquer ware and wood crafts. Watch as the skilled craftsmen use techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items. In the evening, watch the sunset view at Nyaung Lett Phet view mount (or) Sulamani Kan View mount and you will no doubt be amazed by the beauty of Bagan while you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas.  We then transfer you to the hotel to enjoy your night in Bagan.

Day 5: Explore Salay and the day trip to Tamarind Lake Village 

After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and take a short trip approximately 1 hour out of Bagan to Ma Gyi Kan Village (Tamarind Lake Village Homes), as part of Community Based Tourism, located in Salay Town, Chauk Township. On arrival, be welcome by the local community guide and villagers. Delicious lunch cooked at a local family’s home will be served. After that you will have a chance to enjoy the agricultural sceneries (paddy, peanut and etc.), local traditional activities (riding bullock cart (oxen cart) around the village), other activities (e.g. traditional dance performed by local communities or cooking class as an optional, bicycle (FOC), learn the culture of the people of Ma Gyi Kan village and also taste local product food (Motte Pyar Tha Let which is Myanmar pancakes filled with chickpeas and coriander). You will certainly discover the idyllic life of Ma Gyi Kan villagers and have memorable experiences. Continue to visit Yokesone Monastery,which is 130-year-old and famous for its wooden monastery hall, built on 154 teak posts in Salay and then return to Bagan. Enjoy your night at a hotel in Bagan.

Day 6: Bagan – Heho (Flight) ,Inle Lake

After Breakfast at the hotel, our stationed guide will meet you at hotel lobby and drive to Bagan Airport to fly to Heho (approximately 30 min). Upon arrival, our stationed guide from Nyaung Shwe will meet you at Heho airport and drive to Nyaung Shwe (approximately one hour). An excursion by boat on Inle Lake will include sights of the famous leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing and village life. Visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda where the pagoda festival is held every year in Oct. In the pagoda festival, people place the four Buddha Images on the duplicate Barge = (catamaran??)which has been designed as a Hintha, a mythical bird. Three images are later taken on a tour around the lake to be revered with one image always left at the Pagoda. In 1960s, all five Buddha Images were placed on the Barge in order to be taken on a tour around Inle Lake when suddenly strong winds blew and enormous waves appeared. The Barge overturned as a result and the images dropped into the lake. Four images were recovered and one was lost but back at the pagoda, the missing one was sitting there miraculously at its place. So, it was taken as a sign of the image’s reluctance to go on a tour and, to avoid untoward events, nowadays, only four images were taken on a lake procession of boats and an image is always left at the pagoda. From the pagoda, we will proceed to the weaving village of Inpaw Khon, famous for its weaving workshops and products of multi-colored fabrics on looms made from bamboo poles lashed together with rope, Nampan village- famous for cheroot (traditional cigarette) factories and traditional blacksmith workshop which is located in Se-khong village, produces knives and farming tools. After visiting those places of interest, transfer to hotel for check-in and enjoy your night in Inle Lake.

 Day 7:  Explore Tofu House and enjoy sunset at Red Mountain Winery

After breakfast at the hotel, our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby. Today, you will have a wonderful experience of Tofu House by bike (3o minutes) which is located in Khaung Daing Village in Inle Lake. In Tofu house, you can learn how to make a Tofu (traditional food) which is one of the famous foods in Shan State. Then, explore Khaung Daing natural hot spring where you can enjoy a bath. Return to hotel for a short break. In the late afternoon, drive to Mine Thauk village which is famous for walks along its wooden bridge or taking a canoe along the lake to the village and Red Mountain Winery for wine tasting and enjoy the amazing sunset views from the mountain. Return to hotel and enjoy your night at the hotel on Inle Lake.

Note: The vehicle will be on standby if guests do not want to ride a bike to Khaung Daing Village. 

Day 8:  Heho – Thandwe ( Ngapali Beach)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and meet our guide in the hotel lobby to take a boat (around 15~30 min depending on the hotel location) to jetty. Then, drive to Heho airport to take a flight (about one hour) to Thandwe (Ngapali Beach). Upon arrival at Thandwe airport, the hotel staff will pick you up. Have a great time at Ngapali Beach. Enjoy your night at a hotel at Ngapali Beach.

Day 9:  Ngaplai Beach

Time to relax on Ngapali Beach. Enjoy your night at a hotel in Ngapali Beach.

Day 10: Ngapali Beach

Witness almost pristine conditions of Nagapali beach, with the azure sky and turquoise seawater meeting in the distant horizon. Relax under leafy palm fronds while relishing the refreshing taste of coconut milk and the soft coconut flesh.

Time to relax on Ngapali Beach. Enjoy your night at a hotel in Ngapali Beach.

Day 11: Ngapali - Yangon

After breakfast, the hotel will give you a ride to Thandwe airport and take a flight back to Yangon (approximately one hour). If time permits, visit Bogyoke market (except on Monday & public holidays), the finest place for shopping in Yangon due to is one-stop function for both locals and foreigners to get incredible bargains on myriad local products (Myanmar souvenirs, lacquer ware, tapestry, gems & jewelry among countless others.).  In the afternoon, you will proceed to Chinatown where you can try the taste of Myanmar Barbecue on 19th Street and nightlife of Chinatown and the atmosphere of Yangon. Enjoy your night at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 12: Yangon – Departure 

After breakfast, our guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and drive you to the Yangon International airport for your departure flight to your home sweet home.