ESSENTIAL MYANMAR TOUR

ATTRACTIONS PAID:
Yangon city tour, Yangon Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, Yangon Shwedagon Pagoda, FLIGHT Yangon-Bagon, Bagon Shwezigon Pagoda,  Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, Bagon Htilominlo Temple, Ananda Temple, Ananda Okkyaung monastry, Bagon Thatbyinnyu Temple, horse carriage tour of Taungbi, Taungbi Sulamani Temple, Taungbi Dhammayangyi Temple, Bagan Nyaung Oo Market, Myinkaba village, Bagan Ayeyarwady River mini-cruise, Lawkananda Bupaya Temple from the river, FLIGHT Bagon-Mandalay, Mandalay city tour, Mandalay Mahamuni Pagoda, Mandalay Kuthodaw Pagoda, Mandalay Shwenandaw Monastery, Amarapura Mahagandayon monastery, horse carriage tour Bagaya Monastery, Sagaing Hill pagodas and monasteries, U Bein Bridge walk, FLIGHT Mandalay-Helo, Inle Lake boat cruise, Nyaung Shwe village, Inle Lake Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inle Lake Inpawkhone village, Inle Lake Jumping Cats Monastery, Inle Lake markets, FLIGHT Helo-Yangon

Saturday Day 1 YANGON
Arrive in Yangon (Burma) and transfer to your hotel. Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is still a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating and authentic capitals of South East Asia. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, a city tour includes downtown Yangon, Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda and its 70m long reclining Buddha, and Myanmar’s holiest monument – the Shwedagon Pagoda – for sunset with its golden stupa covered with 60 tons of pure gold leaf. Overnight in Yangon. (L)

Stay: Summit Hotel, Yangon – 1 night
350 Ahlone Road, Dagon Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: (95) 1 211888 Fax: (95) 1 227995
The first international hotel in Yangon, Summit Parkview Hotel continues to be the preferred choice among business and international travellers from all over the world. Located 25 minutes away from the Yangon International Airport, a short distance from the business district and major sightseeing places, Summit Parkview offers the convenience and comfort for its guests. The hotel has a total of 140 tastefully furnished guest rooms and apartments equipped with modern amenities to provide guests with quality comfort.

Sunday Day 2 YANGON, BAGAN
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo). Thousands of ancient stupas and temples in the area make Bagan one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia. From the 11th until the 13th century, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, the rulers constructed huge stupas and temples, many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. On arrival, enjoy a sightseeing tour including the Shwezigon Pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa, Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jatakas murals paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Ananda, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple. Ananda Okkyaung is one of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan period. From Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, depart on a horse and carriage tour among the temples passing through the traditional village of Taungbi, Sulamani Temple and the massive Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. Enjoy the sunset over the site from one of the open upper terraces in Bagan. Overnight in Bagan. (B/L)

Stay: Thazin Garden Hotel, Bagan – 2 nights
22 Thazin Road, New Bagan, Myanmar. Tel: (95) 61 60052
Providing all the modern facilities and conveniences, this property is an ideal place for a wonderful and enjoyable vacation. Located on Thazin Road, the Thazin Garden Hotel Bagan is on the high plain surrounded with ancient Pagodas and ruins. This property is 5 kilometres from the city centre and 20 kilometres from Nyaung Airport, while the Bagan Railway Station is 30 kilometres away. This property boasts 60 modern guestrooms that are equipped with all the essential amenities to ensure you utmost ease and luxury. Start off your day with a delicious breakfast served at the hotel. The on-site restaurant serves European, Asian and Myanmar cuisine for you to feast on. The cosy bar is an ideal place to chill out with an exotic drink after a busy day.

Monday Day 3 BAGAN
OPTION: Balloons over Bagan. Hot-air balloon flight over the temples of Bagan. Depart hotel at 6am. Pre-booking recommended for the high season. Flights from October to March only. After breakfast, visit the colourful Nyaung Oo Market, then proceed to Myinkaba village where we will stroll through the village to observe workshops producing traditional lacquer ware, a specialty of Bagan. Lunch at a local restaurant. Mid-afternoon, transfer to the riverside and embark on a local boat for a leisurely mini-cruise on the Ayeyarwady River to view the Bagan temples like Lawkananda, Bupaya and Shwezigon while the sun slowly sets. Overnight in Bagan. (B/L)

Tuesday Day 4 BAGAN, MANDALAY
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Mandalay. On arrival enjoy a sightseeing tour of Mandalay, Myanmar’s cultural capital. Start at the Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its venerable statue of Buddha covered with gold leaf. Mandalay has also long been known as a centre of skilled craftsmanship and in former times supplied the Royal courts. A tour of traditional workshops includes crafts such as woodcarving, marble masonry, Kalaga tapestry and gold leaf making. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures (known as the world’s biggest book) and Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite woodcarving. Enjoy the sunset from Mandalay Hill to end the day. Overnight in Mandalay. (B/L)

Stay: Mandalay Swan Hotel, Mandalay – 2 nights
44B, 26th Road, Chan-Aye-Thar-San Tsp, Mandalay, Myanmarj. Tel: (95) 2 35691
The hotel is ideally located at the southwest edge of the Mandalay Fort, opposite the Mandalay Royal Palace and facing Mandalay Hill, about 5 minutes drive from downtown. Business and commercial district is 3 minutes away by car and the Mandalay airport is within 10 minutes drive. The hotel has 100 well-furnished rooms and suites for the comfort and convenience of the guests. Most of the standard rooms surround the swimming pool and have views of that and the gardens, forming a peaceful courtyard.

Wednesday Day 5 MANDALAY, YAMARAPURA, AVA, SAGAING, MANDALAY
After breakfast depart for full day trip to the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. We begin with a visit to the 18th century capital, Amarapura where we attend the daily meal of over thousand monks at the country’s largest – Mahagandayon. Proceed to Ava, the capital from the 14th to the 18th century and visit by horse and carriage the old wooden Bagaya Monastery, the remains of the Royal Palace and the fort. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch cross the bridge over the Irrawaddy River and continue to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, is widely regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar and is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centres. Finish the day with a walk over the 200 year-old, constructed entirely from teak. Overnight in Mandalay. (B/L)

Thursday Day 6 MANDALAY, HELO, INLE LAKE
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Heho. From Heho, enjoy a scenic drive to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar best-known sights. The Intha people, a tribe of Mon descent, mostly inhabit the lakeshores and floating villages. On arrival at Nyaung Shwe village, transfer by boat for a sightseeing tour of Inle Lake including a chance to see the legrowing fishermen and the floating gardens, built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the weaving village of Inpawkhone and the jumping cats monastery. Overnight at Inle Lake. (B/L)

Stay: Paradise Inle Hotel, Mine Thauk Village, Nyaung Shwe Township Southern Shan State, Myanmar. Tel: (95) 81 29586.
A resort located in the midst of the splendours of serene Inle Lake is awaiting you to experience the perfect leisure and relaxation. All 50 bungalows are on the stilts over the lake itself. Wooden walkways connect the rooms with the main reception building, restaurant and jetty. Although entirely made of local materials and local design, you won’t miss the comfort of a sitting area, terrace with a splendid view and bath with hot water. At the dinning room, you will discover a variety tastes of Myanmar, Chinese and traditional Shan cuisine.

Friday Day 7 INLE LAKE, HELO, YANGON
After breakfast, visit the daily market on the lake, which rotates in a 5-day cycle around villages on the lake itself and on the shores of the lake. After the market visit we return to the mainland and transfer to Heho Airport for your flight back to Yangon. Late lunch at a local restaurant (or packed lunch depending on flight schedule). Rest of the afternoon free to explore the Bo Gyoke Market (former Scott Market) with its hundreds of stalls. (Open daily except public holidays, every Monday and full moon days). Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Yangon. (B/L/D)

Stay: Summit Hotel, Yangon – 1night.
(Details as above)

Saturday Day 8 YANGON
After breakfast, free until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight or your beach extension. (B)

COST PER PERSON – Land Only

The prices of above tour are quoted on the basis of a minimum of 2 persons travelling together.

ESSENTIAL MYANMAR TOUR Tour includes:
• Accommodation in double/twin share with daily breakfast at first class hotels
• All domestic flights used in the itinerary including taxes (Yangon-Bagan-Mandalay-Heho-Yangon)
• Tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary
• Services of a driver and a private air-conditioned vehicles
• Services of an English speaking guide
• Entrance fees for all sights visited
• Lunch or dinner if mentioned in itinerary with (L/D)
• Domestic airport taxes for any domestic flights

Tour the tiny ancient country of Myanmar (Burma), starting with a Yangon city tour. Fly to Bagan for tours of many temples. An optional hot air balloon flight makes this tour so special. Visit Nyaung markets, and small villages. Enjoy two boat cruises and three internal flights. The Mandalay monastries and temples / pagodas of Sagaing are the country’s finest. Inle Lake also offers ancient treasures on this exotic destination tour.