Magnificent Shwedagon pagoda, one of the world’s wonders, is the most famous Myanmar’s pagoda. Legend says that the relics of the four Buddha are enshrined in the pagoda which makes Shwedagon one of the most revered Buddhist temples in the world. Its stupa, 99 m high, is covered with millions of tiny gold leafs, and the spire of the pagoda is incrusted with precious stones including diamonds, rubies and sapphires.
Your guide will reveal you the secrets of the pagoda and you will enjoy an unforgettable view of the splendid Shwedagon in the shafts of sunlight of the parting day.
Overnight in Yangon.
Former capital of Myanmar, Yangon is still keeping the status of the financial, economic and cultural center of the country. Thanks to its remarkable colonial architecture, colorful Chinese and Indian quarters, evergreen parks and picturesque lakes, Yangon has the reputation of one of the most attractive and charming cities in Asia.
You will stroll in the downtown area admiring impressive colonial-era buildings, and will visit the Chauk Htet Gyi Reclining Buddha image, one of the biggest in the world. You will also visit the most popular country’s market Bogyoke where you will see traditional Myanmar handicrafts, and will relax, in the late afternoon, in the picturesque Kandawgyi park.
Evening transfer to the bus station. Night bus to Mandalay (approximate time 9 pm – 6 am).
Mandalay is the last capital of Myanmar kings and the second largest city in the country, world-famous for its rich cultural, religious and historical heritage.
In the morning your guide will lead you to Amarapura, ancient capital of one of the successive Burmese Kingdoms of the past. In Amarapura you will witness the daily life of the Buddhist monks at Maha Gandaryon Monastery, an important center of study of the Theravada Buddhism and known for its strict code of conduct set up for the monks. You will also walk along the famous U Bein Bridge built 150 years ago and which is now believed to be the oldest and the longest teakwood bridge in the world.
In the afternoon you will come back to Mandalay and will visit the most sacred and prominent Mandalay’s landmarks among which are the Kuthodaw pagoda, often called “the biggest world’s book”; the Shwenandaw monastery, the only authentic part of the Ancient Royal Palace remaining until nowadays and famous for its astonishing wood-carvings; the Maha Muni pagoda housing the huge Lord Buddha image, one of the most revered by the Myanmar Buddhists. You will also admire the sunset over the Irrawaddy river and surrounding valleys from the viewing point on the Mandalay Hill.
Free evening and overnight in Mandalay.
Thanks to its cool climate and picturesque scenery, Pwin Oo Lwin was one of the most popular resort stations in the country during colonial times. Today, this small town, located at about 1000 m above the sea level, is surrounded by mountains covered with pine forests, and is a place of peace, relaxation and well-being. Often called “The City of Flowers”, Pwin Oo Lwin is slowly gaining popularity among both local and foreign visitors.
You will spend a pleasant day visiting the most interesting landmarks of the area such as The Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens, huge caves Peik Chin Myaung housing thousands of Buddha images of different sizes and forms, and the beautiful waterfall Pwe Kauk.
Return to Mandalay. Free evening and overnight in Mandalay.
Arrival to Bagan in the late afternoon. Free evening and overnight in Bagan.
Bagan is one of the world’s three major Buddhist sites, a candidate to inscription into the UNESCO World Heritage list and one of the main symbols of the country, often called “The heart of Myanmar”. Once the capital of the legendary Pagan Kingdom, Bagan concentrates more than 2000 stupas and temples dated back as early as the 9th century. Thousands of people visit the city every year to admire its extraordinary beauty.
You will start your day with the visit to the Shwezigon pagoda, built as an important reliquary shrine in Bagan, and will continue to the unique Ananda temple, those look combines features of both traditional Indian and ancient Mon styles and which houses four huge Standing Buddha images oriented strictly to the four cardinal points. You will also make a stop in Anauk Pwa Saw village where you will learn about traditional cotton weaving, and Minanthu village, one of the few remaining centers of the traditional peanut oil production.
In the afternoon you will continue to explore the mythical Bagan visiting, among others, the biggest pagoda Dhammayangyi, and you will enjoy an amazing sunset view from one of the most scenic spots of the town.
Free evening and overnight in Bagan.
Mountain Popa, one of the emblematic sites of the country, is an extinct volcano. On the top of one of its rocks is located the sacred monastery Taung Kalat which is considered home for 37 Burmese spirits (or nats). The staircase of 777 steps is leading to the monastery, and once the top of the rock reached, you will be awarded with the breathtaking panorama of the surrounding valleys.
We would be also glad to offer you a choice: instead of climbing up to the monastery, you could make a pleasant walk in the nearby Mountain Popa National Park.
Arrival to the Inle lake (town of Nyaung Shwe) in the late afternoon.
Free evening and overnight in the hotel in Nyaung Shwe.
Inle Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar, is situated in the picturesque mountain area in the north-east of the country. Wonderful landscapes, exotic floating gardens and markets and the unique one-leg rowing style of the local people from the Intha tribe make the lake notorious all over the world.
You will have a full day boat tour around the lake visiting its most prominent landmarks, observing local life, visiting the workshops of the traditional handicrafts and admiring lake’s peaceful landscapes of the rare beauty.
Free evening and overnight in the hotel in Nyaung Shwe.
Arrival to Yangon airport.
End of the program.
