8 DAYS, GLORY OF AYEYARWADDY

Itinerary

Itinerary in details:

DAY 1: ARRIVAL YANGON (L, D)

On your arrival at Yangon international air port, welcome and transfer to your hotel. After having a short rest, walk in the Yangon bustling streets, see the colossal Reclining Buddha Image (Chaukhtatgyi – Myanmar second largest) and visit one of the world’s wonder Shwedagon Pagoda.  
Lunch and Dinner at hotel. 
Overnight at your hotel in Yangon.

DAY 2: YANGON / MANDALAY (B, L, D)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Mandalay. On arrival transfer to your hotel in Mandalay. Then start your visit of the Myanmar’s last royal city:  Shwenandaw Monastery – to see masterpiece of 19th century royal woodcarving, and Kuthodaw Pagoda – which enshrined 729 marble slabs of Buddhist scriptures. Afternoon visit bustling market of Zegyo to see the commercial centre of this city, Mahamuni Buddha Image – the most revered Image in Myanmar covered in 2cm thick of gold leaf, Shwe Inn Bin monastery – fine teak wood carving, gold leaf making workshop, and other handicraft workshops such as marble carving, wood carving, bronze casting, puppet making, and embroidery (kalaka) making.  Sunset view from the Mandalay Hill.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at hotel. 
Overnight at your hotel.  

DAY 3: MANDALAY (B, L, D)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Amarapura an ancient capital of Myanmar Kings during 18th and early 19th century to have an extraordinary experience of Myanmar Theravada Buddhism in Mahagandayon Monastery where more than a thousand of monks live. Have a walk on the 200 years old U Bein Bridge built across the Taung Thaman lake with the support of hundreds of teak wood posts. Enjoy the local people picnic spot where tea shops are laid down under the shady big trees on the shore of the lake. Before proceed to Inwa visit a silk weaving workshop to see the weavers’ skilful fingers running among the looms. Cross the Myit Nge River by ferry, then take a local pony cart to stroll around this ancient capital of Myanmar kings since 15th century. Climb up the 19th century Nan Myint Tower to see the view of old city wall and mote, walk through the compound of Menu Okkyaung –  a 19th century fine masonry monastery,  see the huge teak posts of Bagaya Monastery – another 19th century wooden building but still serves as an active monastery with learning kids and teaching chef monk. 
Picnic lunch.
Dinner at hotel. 
Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 4: MANDALAY / RIVER CRUISE (B, L, D)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to the Sagain Hill, drive up to the Sunoo Ponya Shin Pagoda on the highest point of the hill to see the peaceful panoramic view of Ayeyarwaddy River and Shan Plateau at the far east.  Then visit the pottery making and silver smith workshops before embark on the R.V. Pandaw1947. The rest of the day cruise downstream to Bagan. Visit one typical village on the river bank. 
Lunch and dinner on board
Overnight on board.
 Note: The departure is only on Monday and Thursday.

DAY 5: RIVER CRUISE / BAGAN (B, L, D)
Breakfast on board. The cruise arrives Bagan in the mid morning. Disembark the boat to start the visit of this stunning 11th to 13th century archaeological zone: Ananda Temple – the most beautiful temple in Bagan, Ananda Okkyaung – 17th century mural painting, and the Saraba gate – 9th century masonry city gate. Then check in your hotel in Bagan. Afternoon visit Mingaba village,  Gubyaukgyi Temple – early type of Bagan temples with 12th century fine mural paintings, lacquer ware workshops, Manuha and Nan Phayar Temple – one of the two sand stone temples in Bagan, sunset view from a temple’s terrace or optional horse cart ride among the temples during sunset.  
Lunch at hotel.
Puppet show and Dinner at a local restaurant. 
Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 6: BAGAN (B, L, D)
Breakfast at hotel. Optional sunrise view from a temple terrace. Morning visit Nyaung Oo colorful local market, Shwezigon Pagoda – proto type of Myanmar stupa, Gubyauk Gyi Temple– 13th century finest mural paintings, Htilominlo Temple – later type of Bagan temple with the finest stucco carving, Shwegugyi Temple – famous for Bagan style Buddha Statue, and Nagayon Temple – late 11th century standing Buddha Image protecting by Dragons, proceed to New Bagan to have a lunch at a local restaurant on the Ayeyarwaddy River bank. Afternoon visit Dammayangi – the Bagan’s most massive temple, Dhamayarzaka – one of the few stupas with 5 entrances in Bagan, Minanthu village and its temples -  Phayar Thonezu and Nandamanya temple – 13th century finest mural paintings,  then have a sunset view from a temple terrace.
Lunch at a local restaurant 
Dinner at hotel. 
Overnight at your hotel.  

DAY 7: BAGAN  / YANGON (B, L, D)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Yangon. On arrival Yangon transfer to your hotel after a visit of Naga Glass factory where all the glass wares are made by hands.  Afternoon visit famous Bogyoke Aung San Market where one can find all kinds of everything from Myanmar exotic snack to precious Mogok Rubies, and enjoy yourself among the city people’s shopping.  Continue visit the spice market in Indian town, inter-connecting with the shop keepers who eager to show you their numerous kinds of goods. From there walk ten minutes to bustling China town to see the oldest Chinese temple in town, and stroll around the China town’s famous food streets. 
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner at hotel. 
Overnight at your hotel. 

DAY 8 YANGON DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Free  of leisure until transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.