09 DAYS, YANGON, BAGAN, MANDALAY & INLE LAKE

Itinerary

Itinerary in brief:

DAY 01: ARRVIAL YANGON
Fly  Bangkok /Yangoon              PG701 1110 1150   -daily
Fly Singapore/Yangon                MI 516              1025/1150 - daily
Upon arrival, you would be met and transferred to hotel.
This afternoon, tour of Yangon including the old colonial city, Kandawyi Lake and of course Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most outstanding religious monuments in Southeast Asia. Enjoy sunset here.

DAY 02: YANGON/BAGAN (B,L,D)
You would be transferred to the airport for flight.
Fly Yangon/Pagan 6T 401 0630/0750 
Upon arrival, you would be met and transferred to hotel. 
Pagan is the most amazing sight in Myanmar if not Southeast Asia. Across 40 sq km of the country, there are literally thousands of stupas & temples. In every direction, you will see ruins of all sizes, some soaring into the sky and others standing quaintly at a corner. The meandering Irrawady completes the scene.
Our exploration of this amazing archaeological site starts from the golden stupa of Shwezigon. Then, we continue to Kubyauk Gyi with exquisite mural and Ananda, rated by many as the most beautiful in Pagan.
In the afternoon, we continue with Nanpaya, for its Mon style architecture and Manuha for its four Buddha images. Then, we climb up Shweshandaw Pagoda for the beautiful sunset over Pagan….. 

DAY 03: BAGAN (B,L,D)
Optional Hot Air Ballooning (USD 275/- per person extra). At sunrise, you will glide over the Irrawady Plain over the thousands of temples and then over rustic rural scenery. Due to popular demand and limited seats, advance booking is strongly recommended. (operates from Oct through Mar)
This morning, we make an excursion to Mt. Popa which rose from the ground in a massive earthquake in 442 BC. Mt. Popa is famous as the abode of the Nats (Spirit Gods) and for its panoramic view of the local tropical region. On the way to Mt. Popa we can visit a toddy palm juice production plant. 
In the afternoon, we shall visit a lacquer-ware factory. We will also take a horse cart ride through the temples to riverside. As the day wanes we will be at Bupaya, a Pyu-style stupa which is located right on the banks of the Ayeyawady river and from where we begin a scenic boat ride ending at Lawkananda Pagoda, a riverside stupa rich in history and where the sunset views are excellent.

DAY 04: PAGAN/MANDALAY (B,L,D)
You would be transferred to the airport for flight.
Fly Pagan/Mandalay HK 005 0825/0855
Upon arrival, you would be met and transferred to hotel. 
In the afternoon, visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, gold leaf hammering, Shwe Inbin Monastery Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and Zegyo Market. We also visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, renowned as the world’s largest book for its marble stone slabs of the entire Buddhist scriptures; and sunset on Mandalay Hill.

DAY 05: MANDALAY (B,L,D)
This morning, we will go to Mandalay jetty where we take a short and pleasant ride upriver to Mingun, the site of what would have been the world’s largest zedi had not King Bodawpaya died in 1819 thus halting all further work. Later an earthquake in 1838 split the monument and reduced it to partial rubble. Nonetheless, it is still a very impressive sight as we approach from the river. Nearby we can also visit the Mingun Bell, moved from the zedi after the earthquake and now hung in a new shrine building. It is said to be the largest hung uncracked bell in the world.
In the afternoon visit to the former royal capital of Amarapura and U Bein bridge. The bridge is more than two centuries old and at 1.2 km long, it is the longest teakwood span in the world. Continue visit to Sagaing, a former capital of the Shan kingdom in the 14th century, is slightly down river from Mandalay and has many interesting stupas scattered over Sagaing Hill. Today it’s mostly known as a religious center. The highlights include Thabyedan Fort, Tupayon Paya, Aungmyelawka Paya, Onhmin Thonze, Soon U Ponya Shin Paya, and Hsinmyashin Paya.

DAY 06: MANDALAY/INLE LAKE (B,L,D)
This morning, you would be transferred to the airport for flight
Fly Mandalay/Heho HK 005 0915/0945
Arrive at Heho and drive about 1 hour to Nyangshwe, the gateway to the unique and magical Inle Lake, which is located 1,328 meters above sea level and is 22 km long and 11 km wide. 
From Nyangshwe, we take a boat for about 1 hour to your resort. Enjoy beautiful view of sunrise and sunset from your cottage.

DAY 07: INLE LAKE( B)
Enjoy a full day boating around the lake.
Highlights include the famous Intha fisherman rowing in the one-legged style characteristic of Inle Lake and their floating strips of ‘land’ for growing vegetables. Besides the enjoyment of the scenery there is a visit to the ‘jumping cats’ monastery, Phaungdaw U Pagoda and weaving factories.

DAY 08: INLE LAKE/YANGON ( B)
Rise early this morning. We shall boat back to Nyangshwe and drive to Heho airport for flight to Yangon.
Fly Heho/Yangon HK 006 1005/1115
Upon arrival, you would be met and transferred to hotel. 
You have the afternoon at leisure. Bogyoke Market is a delight to explore and Golden Valley offers many excellent Art Galleries.

DAY 09: YANGON -DEPARTURE (B)
Transfer to the airport for flight.
Fly  Yangon/ Bangkok PG 702, 1310 1500 - Daily
Fly Yangon/ Singapore MI 515 1245/1710 – Daily