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Tour Program
Best of Myanmar (13 Days/12 Nights)
| DESTINATION
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Yangon – Kyaikhtiyo – Bgo – Inle – Kakku –
Pindaya – Mandalay – Saggaing – Inwa – Mingun –
Monywa – Phowintaung – Pakkoku – Bagan – Yangon |
| DURATION
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13 Days/12 Nights |
| TOUR CODE |
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FLMCT 09 |
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DAY 01: ARRIVAL YANGON
Upon arrival, our tour guide will meet and
transfer you to the hotel. Yangon is a relatively
quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and
spiritual heritage makes it one of the most
fascinating cities in Southeast Asia. This
afternoon, your journey begins with a visit around
the city and its highlights. Proceed to Mindama Hill
and visiting Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses a
70-meter reclining Buddha and three white elephants.
In the late afternoon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the
most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. The central
stupa is 90 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf.
As the sun begins to set enjoy the breathtaking
views of the Pagoda and surrounding skyline before
transferring back to your hotel. Overnight in
Yangon. |
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DAY 02: YANGON – KYAIKHTIYO
After breakfast drive to Kyaikhtiyo, the Golden Rock.
Upon arrive at Kinmon Base Camp, (approximately 5 hrs).
Travel by local, open-air truck along a winding road (45
minutes) where you be dropped off at the Ya The Taung
junction camp to travel the final distance to Golden Rock on
foot. The uphill trek is along a paved trekking path and
offers great views of the surrounding area. For the persons
who do not want to trek, four porters can carry you uphill
in a specially-made sedan chair allowing you to enjoy the
views. (the extra cost riding sedan chair is not included).
After about one hour of trekking, reach the Golden Rock. A
huge boulder covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on
the edge of a cliff, Golden Rock is one of Myanmar's main
pilgrimage sites. The pagoda here is said to hold a hair of
the Buddha and Buddhist from across the country come here to
pay homage. Overnight in Golden Rock.
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DAY 03: KYAIKHTIYO – BAGO - YANGON
After breakfast, return to the basecamp by open-air truck
and begin the return journey to Yangon. En route, stop in
Bago, the capital of the 6th century Mon kingdom. Your visit
in Bago begins at Shwethalyaung Temple which houses a
beautiful 55-meter long reclining Buddha. Continue to the
Mon-style Shwemawdaw Pagoda, one of the most venerated in
Myanmar and whose 114 meter spire is taller than the one at
Shwedagon Pagoda. Before departing Bago, visit the
well-restored former palace, Kanbozathadi, which was the
marvel of Asia when it was originally built in the 16th
century. Overnight in Yangon. |
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DAY 04: YANGON - HEHO - INLE LAKE
After early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the
airport for the flight to Heho.
From Heho, a scenic one-hour drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the
gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, stop at the
wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which features beautiful
carvings and a collection of Buddha images. Upon reaching
the edges of Inle Lake, board a private motorboat to head
out to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar's most spectacular sights.
Pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by
the local Intha people. Observe the leg-rowing fishermen and
see their floating gardens built up from strips of water
hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo
poles. Visit Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, which houses dozens
of Shan Buddha Images, but is more famous for its unique
'jumping cats' who jump through hoops in the air! Continue
to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake's main sanctuary, which
contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf.
Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the
weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where
the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. If time
permits, there may be time to enjoy a short walk through one
of the lakeside villages. Overnight on Inle Lake.
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DAY 05: INLE LAKE - KAKKU - INLE LAKE
Morning leave hotel by boat to Nyaung Shwe and two-hour
drive by car to Kakku, a hidden treasure 46km south of
Taunggyi with a magnificent collection of centuries old
Buddhist stupas. More than 2,000 stupas have been built here
in a small area of just one square km, surrounded by
mountains and trees. Until very recently this area, which is
inhabited by the colorful Pa-O tribes with their distinctive
habits, was closed to visitors. A Pa O guide leads a tour
around the area and introduces the customs and life of the
Pa O people in the villages. On the way back to Nyaung Shwe,
visit Taunggyi Market. Overnight on Lake Inle.
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DAY 06: INLE LAKE - PINDAYA - HEHO -
MANDALAY Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and morning around
the Inle Lake before transferring to the Heho Airport. After
half an hour flight to Mandalay, you will be transferred to
your hotel (approximately 1 hour drive). Mandalay is the
cultural center of Myanmar and its skilled craftsmen once
supplied the Royal Court. After relaxing and freshening up
at your hotel, drive to Mandalay Hill to watch the sun set
over the city and the Irrawaddy River. Overnight in
Mandalay. |
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DAY 07: MANDALAY – AMARAPURA - AVA -
SAGAING - MANDALAY
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for an excursion around
Mandalay to explore the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava
and Sagaing. Begin your morning attending a special ceremony
in Amarapura. Witness the alms collection at Mahagandayon
monastery, when over one-thousand monks gather to collect
their daily meal from the local Buddhists. After this
beautiful spectacle, continue to a nearby silk weaving
workshop which produces exquisite handmade products.
Continue to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries,
and travel by traditional horse and carriage to visit the
old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the town's
Royal Palace and fort. This afternoon, cross the bridge over
the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing. Covered with 600
white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is
widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar and is
home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers. Visit Swan
Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda, U Min Thone Sae' Pagoda and Shin Pin
Nan Gyaing Pagoda. As the sun begins to set, walk along U
Bein Bridge for fabulous views. This 200 year-old bridge is
constructed entirely from teak and spans over 2 kilometers
in length. Overnight in Mandalay. |
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DAY 08: MANDALAY – MINGUN - MANDALAY
After breakfast, transfer to the Mandalay jetty and board a
private local boat for a 1-hr cruise on the Irrawaddy River
to Mingun.
Visit the main sites of Mingun beginning with the famous
Mingun Pahtodawqyi. This huge brick structure was left
unfinished after an astrologer predicted the King's would
die should the temple be completed. In the 1800s, an
earthquake left several large cracks in the structure.
Continue your visit at the beautiful white Hsinbyume Pagoda
whose distinctive style is meant to resemble the mythical
Mount Meru. Then, see the Mingun Bell which weighs 90 tons
and is considered the world's largest un-cracked ringing
bell. Return to Mandalay and visit Mahamuni Pagoda. This
pagoda is home to one of the country's most revered Buddha
images which, over the years, has been covered with gold
leaf giving it an almost 'lumpy' texture. Mandalay is well
known for its skilled craftsmen and as you tour traditional
workshops, you will learn more about the city's cottage
industries. Observe the production of wood carvings, kalaga
tapestries, and gold-leaf where the techniques remained
unchanged from those used centuries ago to craft items for
the Royal Court. Continue your tour of Mandalay with a visit
to Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist
scriptures have earned it the title 'World's Biggest Book'.
Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining
building from the 19th century Royal Palace. This grand teak
building is known for its exquisite woodcarving. Overnight
in Mandalay. |
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DAY 09: MANDALAY - MONYWA - PHO WIN DAUNG -
MONYWA
After breakfast leave Mandalay for a 3-hour drive to Monywa,
a typical Burmese town on the banks of the Chindwin River.
On the way, visit Thanboddhay Pagoda, a huge Buddhist temple
covered with more than 500,000 Buddha images. Also stop at
Boditahtaung Pagoda which houses the largest reclining
Buddha image in Myanmar, at 100m long and 27m high. This
afternoon, cross the Chindwin River by ferry and proceed to
Po Win Taung by local open-air jeeps. This extraordinary
complex consists of 947 sandstone caves dug out of the hills
and contains what is considered by archaeologists to be the
richest collection of mural paintings and Buddhist statues
in Southeast Asia. After visiting Po Win Taung, continue a
few hundred meters away to Shwe Ba Taung. Spend time
exploring this interesting site where monasteries and
temples are carved out rocky narrow cliffs.
Overnight in Monywa. |
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DAY 10: MONYWA - PAKKOKU - BAGAN
After breakfast leave Monywa and travel along the quiet
eastern river bank. The road less traveled' takes you passed
traditional villages where you may see farmers climbing palm
trees to extract juice from which they will produce palm
tree sugar. Stop at Ma U Ma Le village for an opportunity to
learn more about the lifestyle and culture of the
countryside residents. Just 20 kilometers south of Pakokku,
stop at the small village of Myitchay. This town has a rich
craftwork tradition and produces handmade goods such as
colorful woven blankets, papier-mache toys and traditional
sandals. Enjoy a short rickshaw ride through town before
continuing to the port at Pakkoku. This afternoon we board a
local boat in Pakkoku for a leisurely, two hour cruise
downriver to Bagan. Upon reaching the shores of Bagan,
transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Bagan. |
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DAY 11: BAGAN After breakfast explore the
wonders of Bagan with a full-day tour. From the 11th to 13th
centuries, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, the rulers
of constructed thousands of huge stupas and temples many of
which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy
River. Your journey begins with a visit to the golden stupa
of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction in to Bagan's rich
history. Then, visit to nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave
temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings and the elegant
Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and
glazed sandstone decorations.
This afternoon begin with a visit to Ananda Temple, an
architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan's most beautiful
temples. Built in the early Mon-style, Ananda contains two
unique Buddha images whose expressions seem to change
depending on the distance from which the statue is viewed.
Neighboring Ananda Okkyaung is one of the few surviving
brick monasteries from the early Bagan period and is filled
with intricate paintings.
From here, travel by horse cart for a tour passing
Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, massive
Dhammayangyi Temple, noted for its remarkable brickwork, and
Sulamani Temple. If time allows, enjoy an unforgettable
sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the
temples.
Overnight in Bagan. |
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DAY 12: BAGAN - YANGON
Early morning ride a hot-air balloon flight over the plains
of Bagan. Enjoy the fabulous views as the sun rises over the
stupas and Irrawaddy River. This is truly an unforgettable
and unique experience! (Note:
available only from October to March). After
breakfast, transfer to Ngat Pyit Taung Monastery and explore
the temple's caves to observe about local tradition and
spiritual beliefs of the Burmese. Then, visit the Monastic
Primary School where you can visit with the local children
who are studying their lessons. Be greeted by their warm
smiles and enjoy playing with and meeting the students.
Although friendly and welcoming, the children come from a
very underprivileged area and a small donation of cash or
school supplies will ensure a brighter future for these
students. This afternoon, continue to the rural village of
Minnanthu, one of Bagan's least visited areas. Late this
afternoon, transfer to the Nyaung Oo airport for the flight
to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in
Yangon. |
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DAY 13: YANGON DEPARTURE Free at leisure
until transfer to Yangon International Airport for your
departure flight. |
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