Myanmar Grand Tour – 18 Days

Day 01: Yangon arrival (D)
Arrival at Yangon International Airport. Welcome by our well-experienced English speaking tour guide. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Start excursion to city center, colonial style buildings and Sule Pagoda - a landmark in downtown Yangon. Proceed to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda - this massive bell-shaped stupa rises nearly 100 meters above its hill-top surroundings. Wander through this magnificent structure and its courtyards, stupas, bells, temples, and Buddha images, and see religious and secular visitors from all parts of the globe. Shwedagon has become the symbol of Myanmar.
Dinner will be served in Karaweik Palace Restaurant watching Myanmar Traditional Dances.
Overnight stay at hotel in Yangon.

Day 02: Yangon – Bagan (Flight) (B/ L)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for domestic flight to Bagan; one of Asia’s most popular archaeological destinations and one out of two most pre-eminent religious old cities in South East Asia. On arrival, transfer to hotel and proceed for sightseeing, starting with the busy Nyaung U Market – a typical local market; followed by visits to most distinctive pagodas such as Shwezigon Pagoda – the holiest one believed to be enshrined with Buddha tooth and hair; Gubyaukgyi Temple (Wetkyiinn village) – the 13th century ‘cave temple’ with fine frescoes of scenes from Jakatas; Ananda Temple – one of the masterpieces surviving and remaining in Bagan and considered to be in the Mon architecture style; Thatbyinnyu Temple- the highest building on the Bagan plain. A visit to the lacquer ware factory followed by a visit to local village. Take a boat ride along the Ayeyarwaddy River to discover the local life and view the sunset.
Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel in Bagan.

Shwedagon at night

Glittering Karaweik Hall, photo taken from the left side

Day 03: Hot air balloon - Bagan Sightseeing (B/ L)
Wake up early today; we will explore Bagan from the sky. A colorful balloon will slowly take you to anyplace in Bagan. The huge temples are reduced to a small model and the whole view of Bagan will be in your eyes.
Back to the hotel for breakfast; proceed to visit Myinkabar Gubyaukgyi Temple- well known for its wall painting depicting scenes from the Jataka, Kyansittha Umin, Ananda Oakkyaung, Manuha, Nanbaya, Dhamanyangyi Temple-built by King Narathu in 12th century which displayed the finest brickwork in Bagan. Enjoy sunset over bagan from Shwesandaw Pagoda.
Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel in Bagan.

Day 04: Bagan – Mt. Popa – Bagan (B/ L)
Early breakfast at hotel, drive to Mount Popa, visit the great extinct volcano. Rising out of the shimmering heat, the solitary volcanic crag of Mt. Popa is home to Myanmar's most powerful "nats". Visit the Nat Museum with its life-sized statues of the 37 Nat Gods. Walk up the steps to the stupas and shrines that top the hill above the museum, seeing many pilgrims along the way. The way by the roadside can see the locals climbing up the palm tree and making jaggery. Return to Bagan and upon arrival, visit Payathonezu and Dhamayarzika temples.
Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel in Bagan.

Day 05: Bagan – Mandalay (Cruise) (B/ L)
Breakfast at hotel. Continue your Tour with AURA MYANMAR RIVER CRUISE to Mandalay, the spiritual heart of Myanmar. Upon Arrival, transfer to Hotel.
Lunch on Cruise. Overnight stay at hotel in Mandalay.

Day 06: Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay (B/ L)
From the Mandalay Gawwein Jetty, we would take a short boat ride up river to reach Mingun, located at the other side of the Ayeyarwaddy river and north of Mandalay. The boat ride is always pleasant as one can learn the ways of local life along the river. Upon arrival, visit Pondaw Paya, a five metre high working model of the gigantic and half completed Mingun Pahtotawgyi Pagoda; Settaawya Paya, the vaulted shrine with a footprint of the Buddha; the Mingun Pahtotawgyi Paya, King Bodaw Phaya's ambitious but unsuccessful project to build one of the world's largest chedis; the world renowned ringing Mingun Bell weighing ninety tons; Hsinbyume Paya, a representation of the Sulamani Paya which stands atop Mt. Meru. Return to Mandalay.
Sightseeing in Mandalay, the last capital of Myanmar kingdom, includes Mahamuni Buddha Image – believed to be cast in bronze in front of Buddha himself and nowadays gilded with thick gold leaf; gold leaf hammering, marble carving, and tapestry making. Afternoon sightseeing includes Shwenandaw (Golden Palace) monastery – still existing masterpiece of last Myanmar kingdom’s architecture in teak and wood carving; Kuthodaw Pagoda – renowned as the world’s largest book; and Mandalay Hill – regarded a natural watch tower in the plain region of Mandalay – to view the sunset.
Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel in Mandalay.

Day 07: Mandalay – Amarapura – Ava – Sagaing – Mandalay (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Amarapura- the “City of Immortals” and visit the 150 year old Mahagandayon Monastery, a famous Buddhist learning center. It is home to a thousand monks, who will form a procession as they go to take their noon and final meal of the day at 10:30. Continue to 200 year-old U BEIN Teak Bridge built in 1782. Drive to AVA for excursion; tour highlights include the twenty seven metre-high Masonry Watch Tower, the Mai Nu's brick and stucco Monastery, AVA Bagaya Monastery built with two hundred and seventy six teak pillars. Visit the Myanmar traditional alms bowls workshop.
Cross AVA Bridge, built by British engineers, to visit picturesque Sagaing Hill which is perhaps the living center of the Buddhist faith in Myanmar today. The hillsides are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Proceed to visit the Kaungmudaw Pagoda, with its huge spherical dome in the Ceylonese (Sri Lanka) style. In the evening, enjoy the sunset from the Sagaing Hill. Proceed to Mandalay.
Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel in Mandalay.

Day 08: Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive (80 km-2hrs) on a scenic route to the cool hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo). Visit downtown Waterfalls, colonial-buildings and the Central market. Photo stop at the classic place. Unique, brightly painted miniature stage coaches, drawn by lively teams of horses, are waiting to carry travelers to the National Kandawgyi Gardens, the beautiful botanical gardens of Pyin Oo Lwin. The journey by stagecoach takes approximately twenty five minutes. Proceed to Peik Chin Myaung Caves, a Buddhist shrine since ancient times. Stop at a winemaking shop before returning by road to Mandalay.
Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel in Mandalay.

Day 09: Mandalay – Heho (Flight) – Pindaya – Kalaw (B/L)
Early breakfast at Hotel. Transfer to Airport and take Domestic flight to Heho. Upon Arrival, continue excursion by road to Pindaya – a small quiet town, famous for its thousands of Buddha Images deposited inside the caves centuries of years ago. Visit Pindaya Caves, traditional Shan paper making, pottery and umbrella making villages.
In the afternoon, proceed driving to Kalaw, British colonial hill station (45 km-1hr). Sightseeing in Kalaw includes pine trees and orange groves and Tudor style houses and English gardens of colonial days remain.
Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel in Kalaw.

Day 10: Kalaw – Nyaung Shwe – Inle (B/ L)
After breakfast, proceed to Nyaung Shwe – a small town located at the entrance of Lake Inle. After a scenic drive and a stop at the Nyaung Shwe village’s market, you will arrive at the dock to find a private motorboat waiting for you. And then, exciting boat trip to see floating gardens and stilt-house villages, visit the Nga Phe Chaung Monastery- one of the oldest monasteries on the lake and well known for its jumping cats.
Proceed to famous wish-fulfilling Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Innpawkhone Village - famous for its silk weaving handloom and a cheroot factory where the local Burmese cigars are made by hand, black smith, silversmith workshops and long neck Padaung women.
Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight at floating hotel in Inle Lake.

Day 11: Inle – Indein – Inle (B/L)
After breakfast, we explore the southern part of the Lake by boat sailing through small twisting and turning creeks to reach INDEIN village. This small village located on the south-western bank of the lake is famous for its ruined clusters of pagodas dated back to 16th century. The tranquil peaceful ambience and the ruins overgrown with bushes will bring you centuries back. Proceed to Ywa-Ma village, gold and silversmiths workshop. In the evening, enjoy the sunset while visiting the Inle Lake by boat.
Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight at floating hotel in Inle Lake.

Day 12: Inle – Saga – Inle (B/ L)
After breakfast, you will have a boat trip to visit Saga (3 hours), the ancient capital of Shan located at the south of the lake. Visit the ruins of the site Thar-Gaung, Pa-Oh and Intha minorities’ villages, as well as lotus fiber weaving factory, pottery and rice wine distillation.
Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight at floating hotel in Inle Lake.

Day 13: Inle – Heho – Thandwe – Ngapali Beach (Flight) (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Heho Airport for your domestic flight to Thandwe near Ngapali. Arrive Thandwe Airport and drive to Ngapali Beach, named after Naples in Italy. Check into the hotel. Entire day free at leisure.
Overnight Stay at Resort Hotel in Ngapali Beach.

Day 14: Ngapali beach (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Leisure with your own activities.
Overnight Stay at Resort Hotel in Ngapali Beach.

Day 15: Ngapali beach (B)
Breakfast at hotel.
Leisure with your own activities.
Overnight Stay at Resort Hotel in Ngapali Beach.

Day 16: Ngapali beach (B)
Breakfast at hotel.
Leisure with your own activities.
Overnight Stay at Resort Hotel in Ngapali Beach.

Day 17: Ngapali – Thandwe – Yangon (Flight) (B)
Breakfast at Hotel. Transfer to Airport for flight back to Yangon. Upon Arrival, visit Swedaw Pagoda (Buddha’s Tooth Relic), Kabar Aye (World Peace Pagoda), Buddhist Museum and Mahapasana Cave where the Buddhist Synods are held and finally visit to China Town in the late afternoon.
Overnight stay at hotel in Yangon.

Day 18: Yangon Departure (B)
After Breakfast, visit Bogyoke Market used to be called Scott Market, the largest market in Yangon with time to browse among the hundreds of stalls for souvenir bargains, arts & crafts souvenir shopping center.
Leisure on your own time before transfer to the airport for departure flight out.

What's included ?

• Accommodation in Double/Twin bedded rooms with daily breakfast
• Meals: “B”=Breakfast + 10 “L”=Lunch & 1 Welcome “D”=Dinner as listed in the above itinerary
• Domestic Airfares: Yangon – Bagan, Mandalay – Heho, Heho – Thandwe, Thandwe – Yangon included tax (subject to change without prior notice).
• All entrance fees and boat trip
• Transfers and tours with Local English Speaking Guide
• Transportation by air-conditioned cars

What's Excluded ?

• Early check in and late check-out from hotel
• Meals: “L”=Lunch & “D”=Dinner as not listed above
• Visa Fees
• Tips
• Travel insurance
• International Airfares
• Expenditure of personal nature, such as porter charges, camera fees, drinks, souvenirs, laundry etc.
• International airport tax in Yangon (US$10.- per person)
• Services not listed in above inclusions