Myanmar’s Scenic Splendour Highlighting Ayerwaddy
Destination: Myanmar ( Yangon – Mandalay – Bagan – Kalaw – Inle – Yangon )
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
For those looking to experience Myanmar’ classic destinations, along with Ayarwaddy River Trails, and off beaten track, Myanmar Scenic Splendor offers the perfect combine of culture, adventure and unique travel styles
DAY 01: Arrival Day ( Sight-seeing around Yangon)
DAY 02: Yangon – Amarapura – Mandalay
DAY 03: Free day in Mandalay
DAY 04: Mandalay – Bagan (By boat)
DAY 05: Full Day Sight-seeing in Bagan
DAY 06: Day Free in Bagan
DAY 07: Bagan – Popa – Kalaw
DAY 08: Free Day in Kalaw
DAY 09: Kalaw – Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake)
DAY 10: Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake)
DAY 11: Day Free in Inle Lake
Day 12: Heho – Yangon – Departure
Day 01: Arrival Day (sightseeing around Yangon) – Meal (None)
Meet with our guide who will greet you with a pack of welcome gift which includes a small souvenir, Myanmar Map and some stamped postcards of Myanmar’s sceneries. On the way to downtown, the first thing you will notice is the very clean and beautiful tree lined roads and the well-groomed Inya Lake. Then you will realize why Yangon deserves the name “ Garden City of The East “.
After check in and refreshing, we start our tours at the city center where you will see how people of different faiths and cultures live together in harmony and peace for centuries. From afar, you can spot a pagoda shinning with pure gold plates on, that is the 2000 year old Sule pagoda. Just beside it, you can see the beautiful Bengali Sunni Jameh Mosque and then on the other side is the Immanuel Buptist church which was built in 1885. Then two minutes away by walk, you will reach the Ganesha Hindu Temple. Last but not least, the 120 years old Musmeah Yeshua Jewish Synagogue is about 5 minute’s walk from Sula Pagoda.
By viewing Yangon City Hall, we can learn the mixture of Burmese and Western architecture, it is facing to the Independent Monument which stands gracefully in the Mahabandoola Park, where Yangoners gather for relaxation and festivals and events. Next, to the park, you can see the eyes catching Victorian style red building, the Supreme Court.
Continue exploring along the colonial area, there are many huge buildings by different architecture like Render House, Economic Bank, the office of Inland Water Transport, the Distract Court of Western Yangon, Myanmar Port Authority and the Custom House. The Strand Hotel and the General Post Office can be also seen along the Strand road. And then, on up north, you can see the oldest Armenian church from 1863, the Secretariat and St. Mary Cathedral of 1911.
After that, going to Kandawgyi lake, walking on the wooden bridge to see the panoramic view to the glittering Shwedagon and Karaweik hall reflection on the lake.
In the late afternoon, head to the Shwedagon Pagoda which is covered with tons of gold plates ( not gold leaf ) and thousands of diamonds and other precious stones. Visiting Shwedagon is not just to see the tradition, belief and custom but to enjoy the real life of locals like sellers of flowers and birds‘ food, fortune tellers, families and friends praying etc. We intentionally chose to be here in the late afternoon because the temperature is cool and after sunset, everything is illuminated by a magic land. After that, back to the hotel and overnight at hotel.
Note;( Bogyoke market is close on Monday and gazette holidays)
Day 02: Yangon – Amarapura – Mandalay – Meals (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to airport for flight to Mandalay( Tada-Oo International Airport). ( Mandalay was the last capital for Burmese kings, it is still an important city for trading with China and is well known for variety of handicrafts like stone carving, wood carving, bronze casting, embroidery, silk and weaving.)
Meet with our guide on arrival, and then proceed to U Bein’s bridge, it is the longest teak bridge in the world. Then a short visit to Gold foil making workshop. Later, transfer and check-in your hotel and relax for a short time.
Afternoon sight-seeing begins with Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the World’s Biggest Book for its stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures. And then continues to Mandalay Hill, a vantage point for a panoramic view of the city and a spectacular sunset view. Going up-hill by car ( by truck for groups ) and then escalator /elevator to a vantage point for a panoramic view of the city and spectacular sunset view. For the one who like walking, it is worth to have a stroll up the hill enjoying panoramic view from different angles.
Return to hotel and overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Free Day in Mandalay – Meal (B)
Today is a free day so you can explore Yangon with your own pace or you can just relax at the hotel to enjoy your holiday with full privacy.
Optional tours for Mandalay
We have some optional tours in case you want to use our services today. These tours are not inclusive in the price so please inform us in advance if you want to take one of them.
Tour 1: Day return trip or 2 days one night trip to see the fishing village Myin zun ( Here we will look out for the Ayarwaddy Dolphins and learn how they work together with local fishermen and share the catch with each other )
Tour 2: Day return trip to the beautiful hill station of former British administrative, Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) to see colonial buildings and Kandawgyi Botanical Garden.
Tour 3: Day return trip to Hsithe village to see the lifestyle of villagers and fishermen. If you want us to arrange it please let us know through with our escort to contact you.
Day 04: Mandalay – Bagan (By boat) – Meal (B/L)
After early breakfast at the hotel ( if not, please request breakfast box at the hotel ), transfer to Jetty for a whole day river cruise on the majestic Ayeyarwaddy River from Mandalay to Bagan to explore the Bagan. Ayarwaddy, with the great length of 2,100 Km is one of the very few rivers in the world with this length which is not an international river. It’s the national river of Myanmar because it starts from the far north of Myanmar and ends in Myanmar into the Indian ocean. It is not only a very relaxing trip to enjoy the peaceful scenery but also to see the very interesting daily activities of the people living in the river side towns and villages.
Your lunch will be serviced on the boat. Meet with our guide at Nyaung-U jetty in the evening and drive to the hotel, check in and overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Full Day sight-seeing in Bagan – Meal (B)
After breakfast, meet with our guide and then drive to archaeological zone to see the incredible panoramic view of Bagan, after that, going to the morning market to see local activities. Later to Shwezigon Pagoda a prototype of later Myanmar stupa by sand stone and you can learn how the people of Bagan changed from Animist to Buddhist since in 11th century. Then going to Wet-gyi-in village to see Gubyaukkyi Temple with fine mural paintings of Jataka scenes.
Afternoon sightseeing tour continues with visits to lacquerware industry where you get to appreciate the real meaning of “ Hand Made”. All the small details are drawn free hand and it takes months to finish a small item but years for a large one. You won’t really appreciate the workmanship until you see how they do it! We proceed to Manuha Temple with gigantic Buddha images, a captive king’s impression of life in prison; Nanpaya, an Early-style temple with the finest stone carvings.
In the evening, visiting the Ananda Temple, which is famous for the smile of 11th century standing Buddha and architectural masterpiece resembling a Greek Cross and then going to a nice place for sunset. Return to hotel and overnight at hotel.
Note;( Although it has spots lights installed in the temples, it is advisable to bring your own torchlight to see mural paintings and stone carvings in details..)
(In Bagan there are more than 2000 temples & stupas. Indeed it is difficult to cover all temples within the limited time. Therefore we have carefully selected only some major temples for you in order to avoid hectic tourism. But if you want to see more temples, just let your guide or driver knows. They can show you as many temples as possible within your stay.)
Day 06: Day Free in Bagan – Meal (B)
Bagan is a perfect place to do your own exploration. So we leave you to be on your own today. Take a Bike or Horse cart or simply just walk. Bagan is always amazing!
Optional tours for Bagan
Of cause, we are always at your service in case you want to use our services today. These tours are not inclusive of the price so please inform us in advance if you want to take one of them.
Tour 1: Sunrise Champagne Balloons flights over century old Pagodas.
Tour 2: Visiting local villages, Phwa Saw village to see how the village is benefiting from to its community-based Tourism activities.
Tour 3: Photo tours with our expert photo guide. Just after the rainy season, October and November are the best time to take the photo in Bagan and surrounding.
Tour 4: Day return trip to Salay- Popa trip. Salay is famous for Yoke Sone Kyaung because of its thousands of detailed carvings telling the history of Buddha’s life.
Tour 5: Cooking class and lunch with a local family.
Tour 6: Day return trip to Pakhokeku for sightseeing and sunset boat ride in Ayerwaddy river
Day 07: Bagan – Popa – Kalaw – Meal (B)
After breakfast check-out from hotel and proceed to Kalaw via Mount Popa (48 km ), which is the abode of Nats ( Spirits ). On the way, stop at toddy palm farmer’s cottage to learn how the palm juice is collected and consume as refreshment drink when it is fresh and as local beer when it gets fermented afternoon. This toddy juice is also the main source of local sugar called Jaggery. Here you can also see how peanut oil is produced with the ox-drawn grinder. You can try local snack here ( and even the toddy beer if you are adventurous enough ! )
On top of the mountain, there are monasteries, pagodas and shrines in the different style. On the way up, you can enjoy the view of the countryside like villagers carry things by ox-cart, nature of children , fields of peanuts and sesame, etc. Stop for a while for photo shoot the main mountain and fruits market before proceeding by car to Kalaw, a peaceful hill station of Shan State. ( The total drive would take approximately 8hours ) Check-in and overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Free Day in Kalaw – Meal(B)
Today is a free day so you can explore the surrounding of Kalaw at your own pace or you can just relax at the hotel to enjoy your holiday with full privacy.
Optional tours for Kalaw
We have some optional tours in case you want to use our services today. These tours are not inclusive of the price so please inform us in advance if you want to take one of them.
Tour 1: Day return trekking Taryaw village or overnight trekking through Kalaw – Inle (3D/2N or 2D/1N)
Tour 2: Day return trip to Pindaya
Tour 3: Day return trip to Green Hill Valley Elephants Camp
Tour 4: 2 days /one night trip to Sin Taung village community tourism project.
Day 09: Kalaw – Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake) – Meal (B)
After breakfast, visit Thein Daung monastery to see the panoramic view of the colonial hill station, Kalaw, and then explore the colourful Kalaw market to see the tribal people like Pa-O, Palaung, etc… and local products like soya, wild orchids and tea leaves.And then going to a historical old train station of Kalaw to see how local using their transport, after that, going to the famous Lacquerware Buddha, and visiting Shwe U Min Cave. And then, drive to Nyaung Shwe, to discover Inle Lake. Along the way from the jetty to the hotel, you can see floating villages, floating gardens, fishermen and leg-rowers.
Check in your hotel and overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake)
After breakfast, morning visiting around Inle Lake by boat. Inle Lake locates 875 meters above the sea level and is only place you can see unique leg-rowers and floating gardens which are made from lake weeds and mud. During the lake tour, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake, fishing canoes using special methods for fishing and collecting seaweed, lakebed mud to make floating gardens. We will also see a lot of floating gardens on the way to the visit of Nga Phe Chaung monastery ( also known as Jumping Cat monastery ).
After that, going to He ya ywa ma village to see the famous floating market (if the scheduled market day falls on) and then proceed to visit the Cheroot making place and carpenter’s workshop to see how they built a boat. Silk weaving and making lotus fabric of Inle of Inpawkhone village is so popular that you should not miss to see them. In the late afternoon, visit the most famous Paungdaw Oo Pagoda. Return to the hotel and overnight at hotel.
(if you are interested to see local market, Please check with our guide or hotel staff for the schedule of market days )
Day 11: Free Day in Inle Lake- Meal (B)
Today is a free day so you can explore the surrounding of Inle lake with your own pace or you can just relax at the hotel to enjoy your holiday with full privacy.
Optional tours for Inle Lake
We have some optional tours in case you want to use our services today. These tours are not inclusive of the price so please inform us in advance if you want to take one of them.
Tour 1: Morning balloon ride to see the sunrise and the panoramic view of Inle Lake
Tour 2: Day return trip to Indein, the hidden treasure of Pa-O ethnic tribes to be amazed by a complex containing more than 1,500 ruin pagodas in the forest and on the way back to visit Khaung Daing Village to see making of Tofu, crackers, candies, roasted peas, etc
Tour 3: Three days/ two nights trip to Loikaw( Kayah State), to see the colourful tribes. The boat from Inle lake will bring you to another beautiful lake called Phekhone lake and then proceed by car to Loikaw so you will have the chance to enjoy the picturesque views of both the lakes and mountains.
Tour 4: Day return trip to Taung Gyi and Kakku
Tour 5: Cooking Class and lunch at Viewpoint Lodge
Day 12: Heho – Yangon – Departure – Meal (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Heho for your flight to Yangon.
Arrive Yangon at terminal 3. Your international flights will be at terminal 1 or 2. If you still have enough time, you can go somewhere nearby. If not, just taking relax at the coffee shop or doing last minutes shopping at the airport, but please don’t forget to change back your local money. Money changers in other countries do not handle Myanmar money.
Have a nice trip!
Selected hotels:
Deluxe class hotel
Superior Class hotel
Standard Class hotels
Service Includes
- Accommodation with Breakfast at Twin/Double room
- Domestic airfares
- Transfer & Sightseeing with Private A/C coach or car
- Entrance fees
- English speaking station guide fees
- Express boat from Mandalay – Bagan
- Boat fees
- Airport pre check in for international flight.
Service Excludes
- Visa fees for Myanmar
- Meals (Lunch & Dinner)
- International flights
- Beverages
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
- Any other item not mentioned in service includes
Low Season (From 1st May 2015 to 30th September 2015)
| No. of Guests | 2 Guest | 3-4 Guest | 5-6 Guest | 7-14 Guest | 15 Guest+1FOC |
| Price per person in USD |
High Season (From 1st October2015 to 31st March 2016)
| No. of Guests | 2 Guest | 3-4 Guest | 5-6 Guest | 7-14 Guest | 15 Guest+1FOC |
| Price per person in USD |
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