11 Days – The Myanmar Classic Adventures

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.

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. Upon arrival in Yangon, we will transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will fly to Bagan in the early morning. On arrival, your journey begins with a visit to a local colorful market where villagers gather every day to buy and sell their product and other goods. Then, continue with a visit to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction to Bagan’s rich history, Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite Jataka mural paintings, the elegant Htilominlo temple, noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. Enjoy Lunch at the restaurant and transfer to our hotel to reload.This afternoon began 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. And then enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the Nyaung La Phet Hill and back to your hotel.

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.

Following a delectable breakfast at the hotel, we will embark on a picturesque drive to the captivating city of Mandalay. Upon our arrival, we will proceed towards Maha Muni Pagoda, famous for its life like Buddha image; Marble Sculpture; Tapestry Workshop. After that continue sightseeing with Ku Tho Daw Pagoda, known as the world’s biggest book; Golden Monastery, famous for its wood carving; Silk Weaving center and Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda, with a huge image of Buddha carved out of a single marble boulder. Enjoy the panoramic view of Mandalay from Mandalay Hill and then stay overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.

Enjoy your breakfast the hotel. Today we head to the last Myanmar Kingdom’s city, Mandalay, to explore more ancient cities of Myanmar. We will proceed to Ava (Innwa) for a tour of its highlights. These include the 27-meter-high Masonry Watchtower, the Nan Myint (also known as the “Leaning Tower of Innwa”), and the Bagaya Monastery built with 276 teak pillars. We will also visit the Mae Nu Stucco Monastery, built in 1822 AD. Later, we will drive to Amarapura to marvel at the sunset over the U Bein Bridge, which was constructed over 200 years ago using teak logs and planks by then Mayor U Bein. Finally, we will drive back to the hotel and spend the night in Mandalay.

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). After visiting there, we will transfer to the hotel for overnight stay. 

After indulging in a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we will embark on a drive to Nyaung Shwe. Along the way, we will immerse ourselves in the serene countryside landscape adorned with bamboo and banana plants. Our first stop will be the Red Mountain Winery where we will indulge in a wine-tasting experience amidst the splendid natural surroundings. The winery boasts an idyllic location nestled between the picturesque red hills, with a steep hill ascending to the winery itself. The sight of the winery and the panoramic view of NyaungShwe and Inle Lake from the estate are truly stunning. After this exhilarating experience, we will make our way back to the hotel and spend the night in Inle Lake.

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.