Grand Myanmar Discovery – 20 Days

Day 1: Yangon Arrival – City tour
Mingalabar! Arrival at Yangon International Airport, you are greeted by our tour guide and driver.
Welcome to Myanmar, the country has just opened its doors to the world after 60 years of isolation and now waiting people to explore its unique heritage and culture.
Yangon is the former capital and remains the most developed city of Myanmar. The bustling city of Yangon is the best place to witness the country in transition, where century-old buildings from the British colonial period vie for space with the emerging modern skyline.
Now you have the trip downtown with a walking tour through the historic quarter. Along the way you visit the former City Hall and various other examples of 1940’s colonial British architecture. The hidden art galleries inside the small alley could also be the next stop on your tour. Continue to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses the sacred reclining Buddhas as well as the country’s largest one. Spend time at Bogyoke Market, formerly Scott Market (closed on Mondays and public holidays). Built in the 1920s under British rule, the side is listed a heritage of Yangon. It has more than 2,000 stalls dominated by large selections of antique Burmese handicraft, clothing and jewelry… Last but not least, you go to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist site of Myanmar and the oldest one in the world. The Pagoda contains a 99m high golden stupa and spires, adorned with 7,000 diamonds, sapphires and rubies and allegedly, hairs belonging to the Gautama Buddha. If you are fortunate, join a special oil lamp lighting ceremony with thousand oil lamps are lit around the gilded pagoda. This ancient and symbolic Buddhist ritual will be the truly awe-inspiring spiritual experience.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon
Day 2: Yangon – Kyaikhtiyo
After breakfast at hotel, you are leaving Yangon; enjoy a scenic journey to Kyaiktiyo, 190km to the east. One of Myanmar’s great pilgrimage sites is the Golden Rock, a huge boulder covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. The pagoda at the Golden Rock is said to hold a hair of the Buddha. Late morning, arrive at Kyaiktiyo base camp and transfer to the transit junction with one of the small open trucks in one-hour ride, followed by up to an hour challenging walk up to the hill top.
Here, you visit Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, built on the top of a huge gilded boulder and enjoy sunset from this unforgettable site.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Kyaikhtiyo
Day 3: Kyaikhtiyo – Bago – Yangon
After breakfast, return to the base-camp by open truck and head back to Yangon. Have a stop to explore Bago, an ancient capital dating back to the 6th century. Sightseeing in Bago includes the beautiful 55m long reclining Buddha called Shwethalyaung, the Mon style Shwemawdaw Pagoda – one of the most venerated in Myanmar. Its spire stands 114m high and is taller even than the Shwedagon Pagoda. Also visit the old Palace of Kambozathadi and the huge four sitting Buddhas. Transfer back to Yangon by late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Yangon
Day 4: Yangon – Fly to Bagan – Sightseeing
After breakfast at hotel, you are leaving Yangon for Bagan. Spend the whole day exploring Bagan where over 2,000 ancient temples blossom from the countryside. Our first temple visit is to Ananda Temple, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nanpaya Temple, Thatbinnyu… In the afternoon, you visit a traditional lacquerware workshop, try creating some products yourself and bring home some unique the handicrafts. Later on, from an elevated vantage point, you witness the panoramic view of the archaeological wonders in sunset. This is the most relaxing way to end a day in Bagan.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.
Day 5: Bagan rural sightseeing – Mt. Popa
Begin the sightseeing with a visit at the colorful Nyaung U market which remains very authentic with a wide range of local grown products. Next, you take an exotic horse cart ride around the ancient land, feel free to drop by any temples in Bagan and many other interesting sites nearby. Now you proceed to the typical Burmese villages, discover their agricultural lifestyle, such as Min Nan Thu Village and Shwe Hlaing village…
Continue your journey to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano standing 1518 metres high. It is the worshipper center of the pantheon of Burmese ‘Nat” spirits (which form an essential part of Buddhist beliefs in Myanmar).  Climb 829 steps with bare foot to reach the revered Popa Taungkalat Monastery perched dramatically on a large rocky outcrop. The adventurous is rewarded with sweeping views of Popa National Park.
In the afternoon, drive back to Bagan and stop en-route at the workshop making traditional palm sugar, cigar maker and peanut oil distillation. You cap the day with an unforgettable sunset from a boat on the Irrawaddy River.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.
Day 6: Bagan – Fly to Mandalay – Sagaing – Inwa
Take the morning flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, meet our tour guide and head to Sagaing.
The destination is renowned as the religious center of not only Mandalay but also Myanmar. Here you will be impressed with the view of the countless white and gold pagodas dotting along the river and around the Sagaing Hill. Furthermore, it is also the home to more than 100 meditation centers and 3,000 monks. Here you will have the visit at Pagoda Cave, U Min Thonze Pagoda and U Ponya Pagoda. Continue the trip to Inwa. Once a royal capital, it is now a quiet rural oasis. Enjoy a horse cart ride around the peaceful countryside, visiting Bagaya Kyaung, a beautiful teak wood monastery, Maha Aungmyay Bonzan Kyaung, and Nan Myint tower.
End of the day, walk over Ubein Wooden Bridge, the longest teakwood of its type & enjoy great sunset view here.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay
Day 7: Mingun – Mandalay City
First, embark on a private boat upstream Irrawaddy River to visit Mingun. Upon arrival, the first site attracting your attention is Mingun Pahtodawgyi, the uncompleted yet the largest pagoda in Mandalay. Continue the sightseeing to Mingun Bell, the world’s largest ringing bell, which is said to weigh around 90 tons. Then take a walk to the incredibly-white Hsinphymae Pagoda with its special structure and history. A visit to Mingun is definitely the highlight of your journey in Mandalay. The next stop is the Shwenandaw Monastery, the famous construction with the exquisite wood carvings and stunning perfection in every detail. It is the sole surviving Royal Palace building in Mandalay, which offers a glimpse of the original style and traditional architecture of the Myanmar royals. In the afternoon, visit a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, well-known as the world’s largest book inscribed on 729 stone slabs. It’s time to learn about the story and scriptures with our experienced tour guide. If time permits, you head to Artisan quarters with some of the oldest craftsmanship are showcased dating back to the last kingdom of Myanmar. Here you visit the handicraft workshops,  observe the process of pounding gold leaf, detailing teakwood carvings and embroidering Myanmar tapestry. You also see how bronze and marble Buddha statues are carved, cast and molded. Wrap up the fruitful day trip with the drive to Mandalay Hill. From the highest point of the city, enjoy the sunset panoramic views of Mandalay, you can also see the square of the Royal Palace, some pagodas dotted surrounding, and the mighty Irrawaddy River.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay
Day 8: Mandalay – Fly to Heho – Pindaya cave
Leave Mandalay for a short flight to Heho. On arrival, meet our tour guide, enjoy a scenic drive to Pindaya with opportunities to stop and photograph the colourful farms and rolling hills. Upon arrival, you visit the limestone caves that house more than 8,000 Buddha well preserved statues of various sizes. Afterward, you proceed to the handicraft village and see how the locals make the Shan parasols and paper. Late afternoon, drive to Kalaw, located on the mild highland of Shan state, Kalaw exposes a green natural beauty, combining the exotic life of ethnic minorities and pine plantations. Check in your hotel; rest of the time is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Kalaw
Day 9: Kalaw trekking
Surrounded by pine tree covered hills on the rim of the Shan plateau, Kalaw is a former British holiday resort. Here you wander in the colonial districts and then hike to discover the beautiful countryside. The trek is soft enough to help you change the atmosphere and renew your energy. The route passes through beautiful plantation growing a large variety of vegetables, fruits, flowers, teas… From the starting point, you will hike to a village of Palaung, Danu, Pa-O, TaungYo ethnic group. Along the way, you meet the friendly villagers, know more about agricultural lifestyle and join their daily activities.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Kalaw
Day 10: Kalaw – Kakku – Inle Lake
This morning, leave Kalaw for Kakku on a 4-hour drive journey. Stop at Taunggyi for a short visit en-route then head into the rolling hills toward the east of the lake. The drive is spectacular, crossing over the railway line and through small villages inhabited to the Pa-Oh people. This area was closed to visitors for many years and even now only a few intrepid tourists make their way through here.
The first view of Kakku is breathtaking: there are more than 5200 individual stupas, some of which are 20 metres high, and several Buddha images scattered throughout. There are no clear facts about the history of the stupas but most date back to the 11th-13th century, the same period when Bagan was thriving. Wander throughout the temples, taking your time to enjoy the wonder and awe of this site and discover the intricate carvings and details on the structures.
Late afternoon, transferred to your resort in Inle Lake. Check in and rest of the time is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 11: Inle Lake discovery
Journey by boat to the most outstanding sites, including: Phaungdawoo Pagoda, the holiest one of Inle Lake with five 800-year-old golden Buddha images. In the afternoon, you continue to Ngaphechaung monastery, the biggest and oldest one over Inle Lake. Here you observe the unique architecture, remarkable collection of Buddha images (But it’s best known for the ‘jumping cats’. In the past, they were trained to jump through hoops in the air). From here, you proceed to Nam Pan village; cigar house, cotton and lotus weaving factory of Intha people.
If time permits, stop for some moments at Inthar Heritage House on the way back. The restaurant reflects the style and elegance of the Inthar. It’s also a hotel and catering school, a gallery and a Cat Sanctuary for nearly extinct Burmese cats. Wrap up the fruitful day trip with fantastic sunset over the beautiful lake
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 12: Local market – Indein boat trip
Boarding on boat again and sail toward Indein. En-route, you visit local 5-day market which is rotating between 5 different lakeside villages over 5-day period. The market is a unique culture; people all around the lake and mountains come here to exchange not only their daily products but also the indigenous cultures. Finally, you reach Indein village. Take an easy walk through verdant bamboo groves to the hilltop of more than 1000 ruined stupas embracing the Shwe Indein pagoda in the middle. All were constructed during the 17th and 18th centuries. You then visit small communities that live along the lake.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 13: Heho – Fly to Thandwe – Ngapali beach
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Heho airport and take morning flight to Thandwe – gateway airport to Ngapali beach. Upon your arrival, join in hotel shuttle bus and transfer to Ngapali beach beach. Free relaxation and have a good night on the beach then.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Ngapali
Day 14: Ngapali beach
You are free at leisure, relax on beach and enjoy variety beach activities on your own.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Ngapali
Day 15: Ngapali beach
You are free at leisure, relax on beach and enjoy variety beach activities on your own.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Ngapali
Day 16: Ngapali – fly to Sittwe – Mrauk U
Take a short flight to Sittwe. Meet our tour guide and driver for a transfer to the jetty for a private boat trip along the Kaladan River to Mrauk-u about 5 – 6 hours upstream & enjoying river life. Arrive at Mrauk U in the late afternoon. Check in at hotel and relax.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Mrauk U
Day 17: Mrauk U sightseeing
After breakfast, start sight-seeing in Mrauk-u, the ancient capital city of Rakhine Kingdom (15th century). First, visit to city market to see the ways of life of local people. Then, followed by visit to Pharaouk Pagoda, Mong-Khong- Shwe Du Stupa, Pesi paya, Koe Thaung Temple (a shrine of 90000 Buddha images), Latt-Say Lake (artificial lake with city wall and a gate) an Mahabandola Monastery like a museum and back to hotel for lunch and break for a rest.
In the afternoon, visit to the massive Shit-Thaung Temple, a curiously remarkable temple
with 80000 Buddha images and reliefs, Htaukkhan-Thein Temple likes the fortress, Andaw temple, Ratanabon Stupa, Laymyathanar temple (four sided temple), Laungbanprauk Pagoda locally known as “Plate Pagoda” and Pitakataik (a small library).
Late evening, drive to Harritaung hill for Sunset and back to hotel and overnight.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mrauk U
Day 18: Mrauk U – Chin Tattoo Village – Mrauk U
After breakfast at hotel, morning depart for Nann Kyar Village and Jetty by car (half an hour drive) and then 3 hours sailing up by boat along very fantastic scenery up stream Lay Myo river to Kone Chaung Village. Visit around the village to see very wonderful Chin ladies with tattoed faces with very different exciting tattooed pattern and their very simple ways of life. Visit Kyung Chaung , Sinkechin tribe villages which all are located at the lay Myo river bank. Lunch-box is needed to bring. Return back along downstream 2 and half hours. Then drive back to hotel.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Mrauk U
Day 19: Mrauk U – Sittwe. Fly to Yangon
Drive to Sittwe with a visit on the way to Mahamuni Pagoda then take the afternoon flight to Yangon. Get picked up on arrival, rest of the time is at leisure.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon
Day 20: Yangon departure
Breakfast at hotel. Today is your free day and we arrange you the airport transfer.
Get ready for the International flights. Thank you for your time with us!
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: N/A