15 DAYS - GRAND TOUR OF MYANMAR CIRCUIT

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Yangon

  "Mingalarbar!" Welcome to Yangon! At the airport, our guide and driver will warmly welcome you, then transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Yangon, formerly known as "Rangoon", is a charming and peaceful city. The impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes this city one of the most fascinating places in Southeast Asia. Although Yangon is no longer the official capital of the country, it remains one of the most dynamic cities in the country. In the late afternoon, visit the Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring traditional Burmese dishes in an excellent local restaurant. Overnight in Yangon. Meals: Dinner

• day 2

  YANGON - KYAIKHTIYO - GOLDEN ROCK

  Let's leave Yangon for a journey to the former capital Bago, about 2 hours' drive north of Yangon. From Bago, travel through endless rice fields to the small town of Kyaikhtiyo and the "base camp" of Kinpun. In the afternoon, take a truck or a local bus up a bumpy track halfway up the mountain. (Private trucks are available for an additional fee – please ask your guide for more information.) From there, take the steeply ascending path to the legendary "Golden Rock." This is a huge rock covered in gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. According to tradition, the rock was placed there by two "Nats" (spirits) 2,500 years ago; it is said to be held in place by a single thread, one of the Buddha's hairs. The Golden Rock is one of Myanmar's main pilgrimage sites, and many Buddhists from across the country come here to pay homage. (The ascent takes about 1 hour, and those who do not wish to walk, or are not physically able, can rent a sedan chair.) The climb offers a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside and the opportunity to make new friends with the many local people making the pilgrimage to Kyaikhtiyo. If the weather permits, sunsets from Mount Kyaikhtiyo are amazing. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast

• day 3

  KYAIKHTIYO - BAGO - YANGON

  We advise early risers to return to the Golden Rock to admire the sunrise. After breakfast, walk in the mountain and return by truck to your car, or take a walk along the path to the base camp at Kinpun. Return by car to Bago and visit the Shwemawdaw Pagoda. Visit the Shwethalyaung Buddha, which dates from 994 and is considered the most beautiful reclining Buddha in all of Myanmar. In the afternoon, visit the Kyaikpun Pagoda, with four 30-meter-high Buddhas sitting back to back. An optional visit is included on the way back to Yangon, at the British military cemetery near Htauk Kyan. Arrival in Yangon in the evening and transfer to your hotel. Meals: Breakfast

• day 4

  YANGON - BAGAN BY FLIGHT

  Today, very early flight to Bagan. Bagan is the archaeological wonder of Myanmar, where more than 2,000 ancient temples still flourish across the plains. Start your visit with a stop at the very lively Nyaung U market in old Bagan, then explore the magnificent Shwezigon pagoda covered in gold leaf, and learn more about Burmese Buddhist traditions. We continue our visit with the discovery of the magnificent Ananda temple, then a stop along the way on the plains of Bagan to admire some of the surrounding temples. In the afternoon, visit a local lacquerware workshop and discover how these particularly refined traditional objects are created. Meals: Breakfast

• day 5

  BAGAN - MT POPA - BAGAN

  Breakfast at the hotel, then drive to Mount Popa. A large extinct volcano, the volcanic rock of the solitary Mount Popa is the home of the "Nats" (guardian spirits) of Myanmar. Visit the Nat Museum with its life-size statues of the 37 Nat deities. Climb the steps to the stupas and shrines at the top of the hill, above the museum, to see many pilgrims along the way. On the way back, at the foot of the sanctuary, begin the return journey to Bagan. On the way, we will stop in the village of Shwe Hlaing. This village's main resource is the production of various items from palm trees. You will be able to observe the traditional production of palm, from collecting the liquid to creating drinks and sugars. You will conclude your beautiful day with a sublime sunset from the second highest pagoda in Bagan, the Shwe Sandaw Pagoda. An incredible panorama! Meals: Breakfast

• day 6

  BAGAN - MANDALAY - SAGAING - AMARAPURA

  Meet at the airport for a flight to Mandalay. You will leave the city for Sagaing Hill to learn more about a monk's education. Visit the Buddha Cave, the U Min Thonze Pagoda, then the Oo Ponya Shin Pagoda. Enjoy the panoramic view of Mandalay. Take the road for 30 minutes to Amarapura, famous for the Mahagandaryone Monastery. Amarapura is the best place to understand how monks live in Mandalay. Walk across the famous U Bein wooden bridge, made of teak, the longest and oldest of its kind. Next, we will visit the "Mahamuni image" – a bronze representation of Buddha sculpted during his lifetime, richly adorned with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Meals: Breakfast

• day 7

  MANDALAY - MINGUN - MANDALAY HILL

  Known as the nerve center of Buddhism in Myanmar, Mandalay is the kingdom of stupas, monks, and their monasteries. The most fascinating visit will be the time spent observing the monks during worship and their daily meals. Route to the Mandalay Pier docks, then boarding a private boat upstream to visit Mingun, famous for its immense and unfinished Pahtodawgyi pagoda (due to ominous prophecies) and the Mingun Bell, a colossal 90-ton bell. In the afternoon, visit the Mandalay Palace, the Shwenandaw Monastery, known for its exquisite wood carvings, gold leaf, the Kuthodaw Pagoda, erected in 1857. (This pagoda is very famous for housing what can be considered the largest book in the world. For in itself, the pagoda and its 729 small pagodas are actually a gigantic book!) Then, conclude the excursion by visiting Mandalay Hill to admire the Burmese sunset and the splendid panorama over the city. Meals: Breakfast

• day 8

  MANDALAY - FLIGHT TO HEHO - PINDAYA - INLE

  In the early morning, we will take a flight to Heho. Upon arrival, we will head towards the Pindaya caves, which house around 8,000 representations of Buddha. Next, we will make our way to Inle Lake, considered the "Venice of Myanmar." Inle Lake is calm and peaceful, bordered by lush, green hills. Here, the natural landscape is truly refreshing, with this blue, calm, and mystical lake, and the sunset is particularly splendid. Above all, the simple and friendly life of its inhabitants will leave a mark on visitors eager to learn about the history and culture of this ancient lake-dwelling people. Meals: Breakfast

• day 9

  Touristic Inle Lake

  Breakfast at the hotel, then you take a boat to visit Inle Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar, located 900 meters above sea level. Inle Lake is home to the Intha people, famous for their one-legged rowing technique. Your first visit starts at the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, famous for its five small richly gilded representations of the Buddha and considered the most sacred pagoda on Inle Lake. Our next stop is the Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, once known as the "Jumping Cat Pagoda." As you approach the village of Nam Pan, observe the cotton and lotus weaving workshops, as well as traditional cigars. These sites offer you a true insight into the traditional life of the Intha. Meals: Breakfast

• day 10

  INLE LAKE - INDEIN - INLE LAKE

  This morning, discover the authentic life of the people of Inle with a morning stroll at the "5-day rotating market". The market moves every day to different locations to ensure that all the lake's residents have access to fresh and dry local products. It is a fascinating experience to enjoy scenes of life from local tribes in their sometimes very colorful traditional clothing, and to feel the unique atmosphere of an exotic market. After lunch, the boat will take you to the Indein stupa complex, located on the hill overlooking the lake. It is relaxing to walk along the stupas and enjoy these giant columns that have been left to nature for centuries. Meals: Breakfast

• day 11

  INLE - THANDWE - NGAPALI BEACH

  After breakfast, transfer to Heho airport for the flight to Thandwe (50 minutes). Arrival at Thandwe airport and transfer to the hotel in Ngapali Beach. Free time for leisure. Meals: Breakfast

• day 12

  NGAPALI BEACH

  Breakfast at the hotel. Free time and leisure to relax on the beautiful beach or visit the fishing village. Meals: Breakfast

• day 13

  Ngapali Beach

  Breakfast at the hotel. Free time and leisure to relax on the beautiful beach or visit the fishing village. Meals: Breakfast

• day 14

  NGAPALI - FLIGHT TO YANGON - TOUR IN YANGON

  Free time until transfer to the airport for the return flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, you will be transferred by the driver and guide to your hotel. You will continue your city tour by exploring Yangon and its main sites. Visit the famous Sule Pagoda, located in the heart of Yangon, the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, and Kandawgyi Lake. Finally, end your day by enjoying some last-minute shopping at the Bogyoke Market (formerly Scott Market), a remarkable colonial building where you can stroll among the shops and stalls offering gemstones, antiques, silverware, as well as lacquerware, puppets, clothing, and all kinds of trinkets from Myanmar or neighboring countries. (NB: the market is closed every Monday) Meals: Breakfast

• day 15

  YANGON DEPARTURE

  Breakfast at the hotel. Free time until transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Meals: Breakfast