Description
Highlights of this safari:
- Visit the famous Pagoda in Yangon
- Gorgeous sunset from temples in Bagan
- Go back to the colonial era in Pyin Oo Lwin
- Experience the highlights of Mandalay
- Watch the fishermen on the beautiful Inle Lake
Short overview:
- Day 1: Yangon
- Day 2: Bagan
- Day 3: Bagan
- Day 4: Pyin Oo Lwin
- Day 5: Mandalay
- Day 6: Mandalay
- Day 7: Inle Lake
- Day 8: Yangon
- Day 9: Departure
Program & Route:
Day 1 – Yangon: Kandawgyi Palace Hotel
Arrival at Yangon International airport, meet and greet your guide and transfer to hotel.
Start the sightseeing in Yangon including the beautiful Kandawgyi Lake, Botataung Pagoda, which is hollow and through which you can walk and see many ancient relics and artifacts and Yangon downtown area and from there we walk along the Pansodan street which has many large colonial buildings which are still in use. It is also interesting to see the side walk markets including those selling old books and magazines dated from the 1960’s up to the present.
Afternoon sightseeing includes colossal reclining Buddha Chaukhtatkyi and finish the tour with a visit to the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda which towers over all of Yangon. It is perhaps the most beautiful pagoda complex in all of Asia and is one sight that no visitor to Myanmar should miss.
Day 2 – Bagan: Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort
After early breakfast at the hotel, departure to Yangon International airport and flight to Nyaung Oo airport. Our sightseeing tour includes a visit to one of Asia’s most popular archaeological destinations and the bustling Nyaung Oo Market; we will wonder around some of Bagan’s legendary pagodas by foot or bicycle. Among these spectacular pagoda’s are Shwezigon, a prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Wetkyi-in- Gubyaukgyi, a 13th century cave temple with fascinating fine frescoes; Ananda Pagoda, one of the finest, largest and best persevered pagoda’s in Older Bagan; We will visit Ananda Ok Kyaung, one of the few surviving brick monastery buildings from the Early Bagan period and Htilominlo Temple, known to be the last Myanmar Style temple built in Bagan. Lunch at a local eatery and return to the hotel for afternoon rest and overnight stay.
Day 3 – Bagan: Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort
After breakfast at hotel, we start visit local Market, where we can learn about the daily activities of local people, the Nathtaungkyaung Monastery: a monastery made of teak wood at the bank of the river, the Dhamayagyi Temple –the biggest and finest brickworks temple in Bagan, the Sula mani Temple – a 21 th century temple, which is proud for its colorful wall paintings and more. Finally, enjoy the sun set on top of a pagoda or temple. We return to the hotel for a rest before our afternoon visit to a lacquer ware factory and sunset from the top of the temple.
Please also ask us about the optional activity of doing a balloon flight over the temple sites, an absolute stunning experience.
Day 4 – Pyin Oo Lwin: Kandawgyi Hill Resort
Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to Nyaung U airport for your flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival at Mandalay airport our tour guide will welcome and meet you. Drive to Pyin Oo Lwin ( formally known as Maymyo), this takes about two hours, a former British Hill Station. On the way to Pyin Oo Lwin, stop at the view point 21-mile station to enjoy a panoramic view and take in some fresh air. Visit the local market and Mahar Ant Htoo Kanthar Buddha Statue (a huge Buddha).
In the afternoon visit National Kandawgyi Gardens (formally known as Botanical Garden). It was first established in 1915 as the Maymyo Botanical Gardens by Alex Roger, a Forest Officer. The garden is a dynamic and living monument in Myanmar, is 176.8 Hectare (436.9 Acres) with hard woods, bamboos, seasonal flowers, the beautiful fountain and lake and rare species of animals. Continue to explore downtown filled with colonial buildings by traveling with a historical horse carriage. If time permits, we will go and see the mud house and organic plantation.
Day 5 – Mandalay: Mandalay Hill Resort
After breakfast at the hotel, drive back to Mandalay and the city tour in Mandalay includes Maha Muni Buddha statue, marble stone carving, the Old Palace grounds; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world’s largest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha’s Doctrine; Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and visit many traditional handicraft workshops such as gold leaf beating, wood carving, bronze casting, tapestry making and finally enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill set of the Mandalay Hill.
Day 6 – Mandalay: Mandalay Hill Resort
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning cross a bridge on the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing, Sagaing which is situated 21 km to Mandalay and on the other bank of Ayeyarwaddy river. Sagaing hill offer famous religious retreat where over thousands of monks and nuns stay for study and meditation in over 600 monasteries. Hillsides are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Then continue south of city to Innwa (Ava), located on an island between the Ayeyarwaddy and the Myit Nge rivers. Enjoy a horse cart ride around peaceful countryside, pass through the ancient city walls to visit a brick and stucco monastery called Maha Aungmye Bonzan Kyaung (also known as Ok Kyaung) and Nan Myint Tower – the climb to the top offers lovely views over the river. Also see the impressive wooden monastery of Bagaya Kyaung. Return to the city and visit at Amarapura visit Mahagandayon Monastery , when over one hundred monks reside. Continue to U Bein Bridge across Lake Thaungthaman, a teak wooden bridge of over 100-years old. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and sunset at U Bein Bridge. Return to Mandalay.
Day 7 – Inle Lake: Golden Island Cottage
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport and fly to Heho and continue by car to Inle Lake and visit the Buddhist Youth Inle Watershed Development Project ( BYIDP) and see what they are doing in the Inle lake area. It is very successful one and it has been producing many local community leaders. Take some time for discussion and then do a boat excursion to the lake. We will see the floating gardens, leg rowing fishermen, Paung Daw Oo Pagoda which is the most important Buddhist Shrine in Shan State. Back to hotel and overnight at Inle Resort.
Day 8 – Inle Lake, Golden Island Cottage
After breakfast at the hotel, start the boat excursion to Indein, situated on the western shore of the lake. There is a cluster of pagodas dating back to 16 AD. Take pictures with the morning light and feel the silence while little trekking through the bamboo forest. You can also go to a local hand loom silk workshop and silver workshop before going back to the hotel. Relax and overnight stay at Inle Resort.
Day 9 – Yangon: departure
Breakfast at hotel. We plan to visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for some last shopping. Myanmar is very famous for natural stones such as ruby and sapphire. If the time permits, we will pass by Aung San Su Kyi Residence on the way back to airport. Transfer to international airport to connect your international departure flight in the evening back home.
