This 9 Nights Myanmar tour includes the most popular attractions in the country. From the most sacred Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon to the UNESCO Bagan ancient city, from Mandalay’s Buddhist monastic Mahagandhayon to the picturesque Inle Lake famous for its floating villages and markets, this tour will give you the opportunity to fully experience the best of what Myanmar has to offer, the cultures, landscapes, and local lifestyles.
On arrival in Yangon you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon enjoy Yangon city tour. Visit Sule Pagoda which is a 2200– year– old temple; visit Maha bandoola Park where Independent Monument exists. Time permitting visit Bogyoke Market, for handicrafts and other goods (Note: closed on Mondays and public holidays), conclude the tour visiting Shwedagon Pagoda well– known pagoda in Yangon. Overnight in Yangon
This morning journey by road to Kyaikhtiyo, the Golden Rock. Visit Htauk Kyan Allied War Cemetery, explore the main market and a typical local monastery in Bago then continue the highly venerated Shwemawdaw Paya, which has housed hair relics of the Buddha for well over 1000 years. Continue to Shwethalyaung Buddha, a huge reclining Buddha with a sign on the platform in front of the image giving the measurements of each body part. Visit the Golden Rock – one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Myanmar, the shrine at the top of Mt. Kyaikto seems to defy gravity. Perched on the edge of a sheer cliff is a giant golden boulder topped with a gleaming stupa. Overnight near Golden Rock
Transfer by vehicle from Kyaikhto to Yangon. Enroute visit the Hintha Gon Paya. This shrine has nice views over Bago from the roofed platform on the hilltop. Continue to Kyaik Pun Paya, built in 1476 by King Dhammazedi, it consists of four 30m–high sitting Buddhas placed back–to–back around a huge, square pillar and Mahazedi Paya. Stairways lead up the outside of the stupa, and from the top there are fine views over the surrounding area. Overnight in Yangon
This morning, transfer to the airport for the flight to Bagon (flight cost not included). On arrival, visit Nyaung Oo local Market, Shwezigon Pagoda, Gubyaukgyi temple. Next visit to a traditional lacquerware workshop, Myanmar’s best– known handicrafts. Continue to Ananda Okkyaung, Thatbyinnyu Pahto, Dhammayangyi Temple & Sulamani Temple. Overnight in Bagon
Today visit Mount Popa and Salay. Drive to Chauk local market, continue on to the village of Salay, an important Buddhist centre, and visit its famed wooden monastery with intricate carvings. (Note: Salay monastery museum closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and public holidays). This afternoon we’ll arrive at Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano standing 1518 metres high. Mt. Popa has played an important role in Myanmar culture, religion and history. In the late afternoon, we’ll drive back to Bagan and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Bagan.
Early morning, transfer to airport for a flight to Mandalay (flight cost not included). Upon arrival, excursion to Amarapura. Visit Mahaganthayon monastery the largest teaching monastery in Myanmar. Daily at around 10:30 a.m. about 700 monks queue up for their last meal on this day. Then enjoy the great serenity of U Bein wooden Bridge constructed in 1849 is about three quarter of a mile with 1086 posts and Taung – ta – man lake that will give you an enchanting experience. Later visit Mahar Myat Muni Buddha Image the most ancient Buddha image. Conclude the tour by visiting Mandalay Hill, the natural watch– tower to watch sunrise or sunset over the city plains. Overnight in Mandalay
Begin your day with a visit to Shweinpin teak– wood monastery. Drive over 1 km long bridge across the Ayeyarwady River to Sagaing Hills – “Buddhists studies and a meditation centre of Myanmar”, with numerous pagodas and over 600 monasteries and nunneries dotted along the Hills. See the U– Min Thounzeh (30 caves) which has 45 Buddha images in a crescent– shaped colonnade and the impressive 30 mts– high Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, built in 1312 and home to large bronze frogs on wheels. Later, proceed to the nearby village of Ywahtaung, famous for its silverware. Drive back to Mandalay. Overnight in Mandalay
Inle Lake: This morning transfer to airport for fly to Heho (flight cost not included). Upon arrival, drive to Pindaya. Travel along the uphill and winding road over the Shan Plateau. Visit Pindaya cave, a huge cavern where hundreds and thousands of Buddha images in various size and shape are installed since the 11th century. Later, drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gate way of famous Inle Lake. Overnight in Inle Lake
Today, enjoy a boat ride on Inle Lake. Visit the Phaungdawoo Pagoda, which houses five small Buddha images. The next must see stop is Nag Phi Chaung Monastery, an attractive wooden monastery built on stilts over the lake at the end of the 1850s and where you can see the popular jumping cats leap through the hoops .You also have an option to see “Padaung” or “Long– neck Karen hill tribe”. Conclude your tour with a visit to local silverware workshop. Overnight in Inle Lake
This morning drive to the Heho Airport for your flight back home.
