MYANMAR INTENSIVE (12 DAYS/11 NIGHTS)

Yangon, Bagan, Mt. Popa, Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin, Mingun, Sagaing, Pindaya, Kalaw, Inlay Lake

DAY 01: ARRIVAL YANGON

Arrival at Yangon airport in the late afternoon. Transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight in Yangon.

DAY 02: YANGON - BAGAN

After breakfast transfer to airport for domestic flight to Bagan. Full day sightseeing to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples. Included are- Shwezigon Pagoda built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine, Kubyauk Gyi temple, Kyansittha Umin ( the famous meditation centre of Bagan period ). Tour proceeds to Htilominlo Temple and Shwegugyi Temple.

After lunch, visit Archaeological Museum and proceed to Dhammanyangyi-a massive looking temple. Later proceed to a lacquer craftsmen's workshop in the nearby Myinkaba village. Proceed to Bupaya Pagoda or Mingala Zedi stupa to watch sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River. Dinner and overnight in Bagan.

DAY 03: BAGAN

After breakfast, full day sightseeing starting with the busy Nyaung Oo market and continuing with visit to Sulamuni; one of the Bagan's greatest temples which has four seated Buddha images. Continue sightseeing to more of the interesting temples.

After lunch, visit Manuha Temple, built in Mon Style in 1059; Mya Zedi Pagoda and Myinkaba Kubyauk Kyi Temple noted for its mural paintings. Climb to one of the monuments to enjoy the sunset and the magnificent views of Bagan. Dinner and overnight in Bagan.

DAY 04: BAGAN - MT.POPA

After breakfast, excursion to Mt.Popa by car; a slight trip from Bagan experiencing amid lovely hill and forest sceneries and it is a steep-sided volcanic peak dedicated to the legendary "Nat" spirits of Myanmar and just 48 kilometers from Bagan. Visit proceeds to Kyauk Padaung and associated areas to see village life and return to Bagan for sunset at Lawkananda Pagoda. Dinner and overnight in Bagan.

DAY 05: BAGAN - MANDALAY

After breakfast transfer to airport for domestic flight to Mandalay. On arrival, transfer to Hotel. Full day sightseeing including Mahamuni Pagoda with its spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layers of gold leaves; Shwe Inbin, one of the most outstanding monasteries in the country; Shwenandaw Kyaung, a superb example of traditional wooden building and Kuthodaw pagoda known as the world's largest book consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures.

After lunch, continue to 200-year old U Bein teak bridge built in 1782, at the time when Amarapura was the royal capital. Visit Bagaya Monastery with a superb collection of Buddha statues and stop at a traditional hand-woven silk workshop and return back to Mandalay. A visit is also made to a jetty to observe daily life at the Ayeyarwaddy River and to a craftsmen's workshop to see Kalaga tapestries being made. View the sunset from Mandalay Hill. Dinner and overnight in Mandalay.

DAY 06: MANDALAY - PYIN OO LWIN (MAYMYO)

After breakfast, excursion to Pyin Oo Lwin ( Maymyo ) by car. Sightseeing in Pyin Oo Lwin with its lovely lake and Pwe Kauk waterfalls, Peik Chin Mhaung cave, Botanical garden and visit continues to colonial era buildings. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Mandalay. Dinner and overnight in Mandalay.

DAY 07: MANDALAY

After breakfast, excursion to Mingun by boat about 1 hour up the beautiful Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun, site of the world's largest intact bronze bell, 3.7 m high and weighing nearly 90 tons. Also visit unfinished temple Pahtotaw Kyi Pagoda known as the world's largest brickwork and Myatheintan Pagoda to see the whole Mingun and Mandalay area. Return to Mandalay.

After lunch, tour continues to Sagaing Kaungmudaw Pagoda and silver weaving industry in Ywa Htaung village. Sunset at Sagaing Hill beside Ayeyarwaddy River. Drive back to Mandalay. Dinner and overnight in Mandalay. 

DAY 08: MANDALAY - PINDAYA - KALAW

After breakfast, transfer to airport for domestic flight to Heho. Proceed by road to Pindaya (60 km). After lunch visit Pindaya caves, unique for the thousands of Buddha images placed there by pilgrims over many centuries. Drive to Kalaw, the former British Hill Station. Dinner and overnight in Kalaw.

DAY 09: KALAW - INLAY LAKE

After breakfast, tour around Kalaw, the beautiful recreational centre. After lunch, drive to Nyaung Shwe (90 km). Visit Pawritha Monastery, one of the most famous Shan style wooden monasteries and continue by boat to the hotel in the Inlay Lake. Sunset in Inlay Lake. Dinner and overnight in Inlay Lake.

DAY 10: INLAY LAKE

After breakfast, explore the scenic lake by boat including the sights of Unique leg-Rowers, floating gardens and local fishermen. See the handloom weaving industry and also visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, ShweIndine Pagoda and Ngaphechaung Monastery with many collections of ancient stupas. Watch sunset in Inlay Lake. Dinner with Shan traditional dance. Overnight in Inlay Lake.

DAY 11: HEHO - YANGON

After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Yangon. Half-day sightseeing include a visit to 70m long reclining Buddha image; Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, photo stop at the gilded Sule Pagoda in the heart of Yangon city and the old colonial-style city centre.After lunch, visit Karaweik Hall, a royal floating berge, an excellentphoto stop. Sunset on Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world's most spectacular religious monuments that is believed to be over 2500 years old. Dinner with cultural show and overnight in Yangon.

DAY 12:DEPARTURE DAY

Half-day sightseeing in Yangon. Shopping at Bogyoke(Scott) Market. After lunch, visit National Museum or visit Gems Museum. Transfer to airport for departure.