11 Days – The Myanmar Classic Adventures
Highlights
- Visit the glorious Shwedagon Pagoda, the heart of Yangon
- Explore the history of the Bagan Kingdom, its ancient architectural sites and breathtaking sunset
- Experience a memorable time with ballooning over the 13th Century Myanmar Dynasty, Bagan
- Walk over the U Bein bridge, the world’s longest teak-wood bridge
- Enjoy Inle Lake, the ASEAN Heritage Lake, and its people’s unique lifestyles over water
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Itinerary
Discover in the land of glittering pagodas to experience the diverse ethnic groups’ culture and traditions for 11 days. This will be a great experience for those who are interested in the local way of life of various Myanmar ethnic groups. Ancient city ruins will definitely be one of the attractions of this memorable trip.
Your Myanmar Classic Adventure tour will start with exploring the Burmese and colonial architecture in downtown Yangon, including the splendid Shwedagon Pagoda. We then experience Myanmar train ride the whole night as we move to the historic town named Bagan where we will enjoy the archaeological sites which is home to thousands of Buddhist temples and pagodas.
We will also visit the center of Burmese culture, Mandalay, the capital of the last Myanmar Dynasty. Observe artists at a traditional arts and crafts workshop, and enjoy an amazing sunset at the world’s longest teakwood bridge (U Bein) and also from the hill of Mandalay.
Next is Shan State for boating in Inle Lake and cycling around the interesting town of Nyaung Shwe. We will even do some wine tasting at a local winery.
Day 1 : Yangon arrival and explore the city
We welcome you to the golden land of Myanmar to start your classic adventure. Our adventure starts exploring this biggest city of Myanmar Yangon including Chauk Htet Kyi Reclining Buddha, the third largest one in Myanmar and goes to walk around Kandawgyi Park, take pictures of Karaweik Hall and get an amazing distant view of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Next, we will go to BogyokeAung San Market where we can see 2,000 sprawling shops of clothes, gemstones, and jewelry, Myanmar traditional arts & crafts and souvenirs. Afterward, we will walk around the city and drink local tea to learn tea culture of Myanmar People at Local Tea Shop (Optional). Finally, here comes the time for the masterpiece of your first day in Myanmar so let’s go inside the Grand Shwedagon Pagoda in the evening for the most picturesque experience. Later in the evening, we return to our hotel.
Note: Bogyoke Aung San Market is closed on every Monday.
Day 2 : Yangon – Bago – Golden Rock
After breakfast at the hotel, start a drive to Golden Rock. On the way, visit World War 2 Cemetery for a photo stop and explore Myanmar handmade pot workshop. Then visit KyaKhat Wine Monastery where over 1000 monks are learning Buddha scripture and we can observe monastic lives. We will continue to a restaurant for lunch and drive directly to Kimpun base camp. On arrival at base camp, it would be our exciting time to take an open-air truck ride up to the mountain. After refreshment at the hotel, we will wander around Golden Rock and enjoy the sunset. Then we will stay overnight at Mountain Top hotel.
Day 3 : Golden Rock – Bago – Yangon (Overnight train to Bagan)
Enjoy sunrise if you like to. After breakfast at the hotel, we will take the truck down to base camp and drive back to Yangon. On the way, we will visit Shwemawdaw Pagoda (the soul of Bago) and Kanbawzathardi Palace which is the palace of the second Myanmar dynasty to explore more about the history of Myanmar Kings. Afterward, we will visit Shwetharlyaung (one of the biggest reclining Buddha images) and visit Four facing Buddha images, it is so-called Kyaik Pun Pagoda and then drives back to Yangon. Our driver will drop you off at the train station to take the overnight train to Bagan.
Day 4 : Arrival to Bagan and Bagan city explore
On arrival in Bagan, we will transfer to the hotel and take the refreshment. This afternoon, our Myanmar adventure begins with a visit to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece which is one of the Bagan’s most beautiful temples built in the early Mon-Myanmar style. Ananda contains two unique Buddha images and its expressions seem to change depending on the distance from which the statue is viewed. From here we will visit Thatbyinnyu Temple, the highest temple in Bagan. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from Nyaung Lat Phet Hill. Then we will stay overnight at the Hotel Sincere Smile in Bagan.
Day 5 : Explore Bagan and ancient history
Today we will visit the rural village of Minnanthu, one of the places where you can see cotton weaving and harvesting of the crops. This will be our starting point to explore Bagan’s famous temples such as the Laymyathnar Monastery Complex, Phayathonsu Temple, and Nandamannya with its mural paintings from the 13th century. We will bring you to one of the best local restaurants in Bagan for lunch and back to the hotel for a break of about 1-2 hours. Later this afternoon, we start with a visit to Myinkabar village where you can observe a traditional lacquerware workshop for the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicraft. Our journey continues to Manuha Temple with its huge Buddha images, Nanpaya Temple built with sandstone, and GubyaukGyi Temple (Myinkaba) where you can see colorful mural paintings. In the late afternoon, to catch the sunset, we will make our journey to the jetty for a slow boat cruise down the Ayeyarwaddy River. As we cruise downstream, we will see fishermen and riverside villages as well as a different view of Bagan’s temples. Later we return to the hotel for overnight.
Day 6 : Bagan to Mandalay by day cruise
Early morning, the driver will come to our hotel and transfer us to the jetty for one day cruise from Bagan to Mandalay (Up Stream). At around 5:30 am, start to cast off from Bagan. On the way, enjoy a comfortable and safe journey aboard our modern cruise with our hospitable crew, while enjoying the spectacular view of historic monuments, romantic scenery, and glimpses of local life along the river. When we will arrive at the jetty in Mandalay, our driver will be waiting for you and transfer you to the hotel. Stay overnight at The Link 78 Boutique Hotel in Mandalay.
Day 7 : Explore three ancient cities; Innwa, Sagaing and Amarapura
Today we head to the last Myanmar Kingdom’s city, Mandalay, to explore more ancient cities of Myanmar. We will take a public boat to travel to Ava (Innwa). Afterward, we will take the horse cart to visit some of the highlights including the 27-meter-high masonry watchtower, Nan Myint (aka the “Leaning Tower of Innwa”), the Bagaya Monastery built with 276 teakwood pillars, and also observe a Myanmar tradition alms bowls workshop. We may keep exploring the nearby area by horse cart. After lunch, we will visit the holy Sagaing Hill, the hub of Buddhism in Myanmar. We will drive to Amarapura for a romantic sunset at the famous U Bein Bridge, made of teak logs and planks over 200 years ago by Mayor U Bein. After that, we will get back to the hotel.
Day 8 : Boat trip to Mingun and continue Mandalay city explore
After breakfast, we drive to the Mandalay jetty for the boat trip to Mingun (just 12 km upstream from Mandalay on the west bank). Upon arrival, visit Pondaw Paya (a five-meter high structure) SettawyaPaya (the valued shrine with a footprint of the Buddha), and Mingun Pahtotawgyi, a massive incomplete monument stupa built by King BodawPaya. We will also see the Mingun Bell (the world-renowned bell weighing 90 tonnes), and Hsinbyume Paya (a representation of the Sulamani Paya which stands atop Mt. Meru). After visiting there, we will be back to Mandalay and have lunch at a local Myanmar food restaurant. After lunch, we will continue Mandalay city explore and visit the Shwenandaw Kyaung. Our adventure continues with a visit to Kuthodaw Paya, more commonly known as the “world’s biggest book”. The slabs of marble are inscribed with the entire Tipitaka Buddhist scriptures. We will go up to the top of Mandalay Hill from where we can enjoy a birds-eye view of Mandalay and hopefully a beautiful sunset. We again overnight in Mandalay.
Day 9 : Fly to Heho, excursion to Pindaya cave and overnight at Inle Lake
We will fly from Mandalay to Heho airport and on arrival proceed to Pindaya by car (about a 2-hr drive). On the way, we will see the beautiful Shan mountain ranges and many farms and villages. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the Pindaya Caves, a natural cave decorated with thousands of small Buddha images. We will visit a small family-run umbrella making a shop, cheroot-leaving making workshop and then continue to Nyaung Shwe near the shores of Inle Lake (about a 2:30 hr drive). Then we will overnight in Nyaung Shwe.
Day 10 : Inle Lake - Indein village explore by boat
We will start Inle Lake sightseeing including floating islands, Heya Ywama Village, Phaung Daw Oo Phaya, and the unique leg-rowers and their traditional style of fishing. We will also visit local family workshops which feature silversmiths, cheroot making, and weaving by the “long-neck” Padaung women. Lunch will be at a local restaurant serving Inthar cuisine. On the way to Indein Village, there will be many opportunities to photograph the activities on and around the lake. We will visit the areas around Indein Village and the ancient Shwe Indein Pagoda. And we will overnight in Nyaung Shwe or Inle Lake.
Day 11 : Fly back to Yangon and join departure flight
Today, we will fly back to Yangon and join departure fight.
Inclusion And Exclusion
Services Included
- 9 nights hotel accommodation in above-mentioned hotels with daily breakfast
- 1-way domestic flight to (Heho-Yangon)
- 1 overnight train (Yangon to Bagan)
- Good air conditioned cars with driver for sightseeing
- Truck up and down at Golden Rock
- All airport – hotels/ hotel – airport transfer in-out
- A standby Chief Memories Creator (Guide)
- Sunset boat in Bagan
- Bagan-Mandalay day cruise
- Horse cart in Innwa
- Public boat trip in Innwa
- Private boat trip in Mingun
- Private boat trip in Inle Lake
- Entrance fees and zone fees
- Water and refreshment towel on tour
- Toll fee and fuel charges for car
- Government tax and service charges
- Lots of love and smiles
Services Excluded
- Tourist visa
- Personal expenses
- Food and beverages (Except breakfast where mentioned)
- Travel insurance
- Items not mentioned in “services included”