Absolute Bagan Tours – 5 Days

Day 1: Bagan arrival – Sightseeing
Mingalabar! Upon arrival at Nyaung U Airport, our guide and driver will welcome you and proceed to the tour.
Spend the whole day exploring Bagan where over 3,000 ancient temples blossom from the countryside. Our first temple visit is to Shwezigon Pagoda, which is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. Continue to Htilominlo Temple, Ananda Temple (housing four standing Buddha) and then to Sulamani Temple. This afternoon, you explore one of the biggest temples in Bagan: Nan Paya pagoda and many other interesting sites nearby. Another highlight today is the panoramic sunset view over Bagan.
Meals: N/A
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan

Day 2: Bagan – Mt. Popa – Salay
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Salay, an old and small town about 15km south of Bagan. Along the way you pass by Chauk, explore the colorful morning market. This is a great place for local interaction and photos. Continue half an hour drive to Sale (Sa-lay), a sleepy town where various colonial buildings, monasteries and pagodas can be seen. While in the town, you visit Salay Youk Sone Monastery, a cultural heritage site and see its exquisite wooden carvings.
In the afternoon, you reach Mount Popa, an extinct volcano standing 1518 meters high. The site is believed to be home to the ancient Burmese animist spirits. After 829 steps (barefoot) to Popa Kalat Monastery at the top, you enjoy the panoramic view of Popa National Park.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan

Day 3: Bagan villages – Sightseeing
After breakfast, you head to Ayeyarwady River for a short boat ride to Kyun Thiri Island. Visit a typical farming village, interacting with the villagers and observing their way of life. Take tea with some monks then return to Bagan late morning. On this day, you enjoy the unique experience of horse-cart ride, head to Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple. The next stop is a local lacquer ware workshop where you learn how this traditional piece of art is made. End of the day, you enjoy the sunset boat over famous Irrawaddy River.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan

Day 4: Cooking class – Traditional show
Be immersed in Myanmar’s culinary scene with the Bagan cooking class.
Start the day with a visit to the Nyaung U market. Armed with a shopping list, wander through the colorful stalls to purchase fresh ingredients for lunch. Learn about the various items on sale- from exotic fruits to fiery chilies- and rub shoulders with the local shoppers who come every day to buy the best goods. With bags full of ingredients, you start cooking. Join the chef to prepare lunch, using traditional techniques such as mortar and pestle to grind, chop and pound the ingredients. Cook several dishes using recipes handed down from generation to generation. Throughout the course the chef will explain about the cuisine of Myanmar, its influences and the typical eating habits of the local people. After this insightful Bagan cooking class, it’s time to sit down and enjoy a feast of freshly prepared delights. Following your meal, say farewell to the chef and return to the hotel. Tonight you are picked up for the traditional puppet show with dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan

Day 5: Bagan departure
You are free to explore Bagan on your own or enjoy last minute shopping for souvenirs before getting transferred to the airport for departure. End services.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: N/A