Days: 18 / Difficulty: 1 of 5 (Easy)
The best of Myanmar Tour 18 Days.
The best of Myanmar Tour is one of amazing trip which offers different cultural and beach activities of huge hidden land of Myanmar. The Best of Myanmar Tour gives you an opportunity of exploring different magnificent cities, towering old pagodas stupas including glistening golden stupa that towers over the capital and one of the wonders of the world. The Best Of Myanmar Tour offers to visit different beautiful villages, boating on rivers with ferry boats and visiting to Pa Hto Daw Gyi: the world's largest unfinished pagoda.
Day 1: Yangon arrival.
Welcome our representative on arrival at Yangon international airport and transfer to the hotel. After a brief fresh up at hotel, begins the orientation tour of Yangon.Explore the commercial capital city Yangon, the biggest city in Myanmar with a population of 5 millions. Its tree lined wide avenues, its shady green parks, and the beautiful huge lakes give Yangon the reputation of one of the most charming and lively cities in Asia. The orientation tour of Yangon includes Sule Pagoda (landmark in city centre) —is unusual in that its octagonal shape extends right up to the bell and inverted bowl, the City Hall & Colonial buildings. Then drive back to hotel. Overnight: Yangon
Day 2: Yangon sightseeing by car.
After breakfast at the hotel, visit to Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda — which includes an enormous reclining Buddha, Botataung Pagoda, photo stop at Karaweik Hall & Royal Barge on the Kandawgyi Royal Lake and Scott Market. At sunset, visit the marvelous Shwedagon Pagoda, the glistening golden stupa that towers over the capital and one of the wonders of the world, is the spiritual centre of the country. Overnight: Yangon
Day 3: Yangon / Mandalay (by flight) — Amarapura (by car)
This morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Yangon airport for the flight to Mandalay, the second largest city boasting its rich cultural heritage, represents a Buddhist city of conservative culture and traditional art. Mandalay was the last capital (1860—1885) of the last independent Burmese Kingdom before annexation by the British after the Third Anglo-Burmese War in 1885. On the way to Mandalay city you may wander through famous Mahagandayon monastery at Amarapura, may be the largest Buddhist University in the country where you can witness thousands of monks studying together. In the late afternoon, visit Golden Palace Monastery, the most well known wooden monastery in the country, famous for its intricate carvings. It is the only original building from Mandalay Palace having miraculously survived the bombings of WWII. Kuthodaw Pagoda known as the biggest book in the world with hundreds of marble slabs inscribed with the entire Buddhist Canon. Overnight: Mandalay
Day 4: Mandalay — Ava — Sagaing (by car)
This morning after breakfast, visit to Ava. After the fall of Bagan, Inwa was the capital of Myanmar Kingdom for 400 years from 1364 until the shift was made to Amarapura in 1841. Places of interest are Nanmyint- where 27m high masonry is, Maha Aungmye Bonzan and Bagaya Kyaung where one can witness the art and architecture of Myanmar.Then proceed to Sagaing.Sagaing is famous for Buddhism in Myanmar. It is the capital of Sagaing Division and has numerous meditation centers on the hill. Once an ancient capital, Sagaing lies 21 km a little south of Mandalay, beside the Ayeyarwaddy River. The Sagaing Hills are dotted with Pagodas and there are over 500 monasteries, a retreat for some 6000 monks and nuns. Monywa, Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, Kaung Hmudaw Pagoda and Ywahtaung Village are places worth visiting. Near Sagaing is a village named Ywahtaung which is the center of silversmith craftsmen. They are well-known for their engraving of beautiful figures and scenes and for their silversmith skills. Sagiang with its hills and pagodas is well worth visiting to see both the beauty of nature and human religious endeavors. Overnight: in Mandalay.
Day 5: Mandalay - Mingun - Mandalay (by boat)
This morning after breakfast, we embark on a journey to Mingun. Mingun is a village on the westernbank of the river Ayeyawaddy, approximately 7 miles north of Mandalay. It is reached by ferry boats across the river and takes 1 hour for up-river and 40 minutes for down-river. It is famous for many Buddhist shrines, monasteries, meditation centre and monuments of historical and cultural importance. Highlights in Mingun are Pa Hto Daw Gyi (The world's largest unfinished pagoda), the Great Mingun Belland Mya Thein Dan Pagoda. Then drive back to Mandalay, enjoy the sunset from Mandalay Hill and enjoy the panoramic view of the plain.Overnight: Mandalay
Day 6: Mandalay -Bagan (by boat)
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Shwe Kyat Yett jetty for taking cruise to Mandalay. You will reach to Bagan around 4 pm; our driver will fetch at the jetty and drop you at hotel.Overnight: Bagan
Day 7: Bagan sightseeing.
After breakfast at the hotel, start visiting in Bagan. The Bagan Archaeological site is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia and it is the main tourist attraction in Myanmar and considered as one of Asia’s holiest cities along with Varanasi and Jerusalem by archaeologists, historians and photographers thanks to the greatest collection of Buddhist sculptures, lavishly decorated with mural paintings and plaster carvings from the 11th to 13th centuries. During its golden age in the 12th century, Bagan was known as “the city of four million pagodas”. While Kublai Khan and several massive earthquakes have reduced that inflated number drastically, what remains is quite incredible. Over the next day’s we’ll visit several small villages, the museum and the principal pagodas, including: Shwezigon Pagoda, the first monument built in Myanmar Style, the prototype for later pagodas is one of the oldest and loveliest temples and remains an important place of devotion for the Burmese; Ananda Temple, the masterpiece of the early style temple architecture Built in 1066, the gilded and whitewashed Ananda is among the most elegant temples, with delicate decorations in glazed tiles along its base and terraces; Gubyaukgyi Temple, displays a strong influence of Indian culture; Shwesandaw pagoda- displays a strong influence of Mon influence with a steep stairway directed to the terraces for a superb view from the upper level. Late this afternoon, climb on top of one of the tall temples and watch the sun drop into distant hills and experience peaceful, tranquil moment and indescribable magical power of Bagan. Overnight: Bagan
Day 8: Bagan — Popa — Sale.
After breakfast visit Mt. Popa which is located near the main extinct volcano. The Mt. Popa stands in a perpendicular rock formation with almost vertical sides. It is a legendary home of the “Nats” or spirits. The Mt. Popa area has also been designated as a National Park, one of the popular ecotourism destinations in Myanmar. Mt. Popa is located about 50 km southeast of Bagan ad 651 km north of Yangon. Mt. Popa hosts two major Natpwe (spirit festival), one in the May/June and other in November December. Spirit possession and overall drunken ecstasy are still part of the celebration. Then proceed to Salay. It is a small town about 15km south of Bagan down the Ayeyarwaddy River. U Pone Nya Musum, formerly the Yoke Sone Monastery, exhibits antique lacquer wares, wooden relief and a large standing gilded Buddha image. The figures carved outside the front of the building are worth seeing. Another place worth visiting is Tha-ta- na Kyaung (Keyther monastery) w here Tipitaka texts are housed in a large red lacquered cabinet.Overnight: Bagan
Day 9: Bagan - Heho (by flight) — Loikaw.
Breakfast at the Hotel, transfer to Nyaung U Airport for flight to Heho. Upon arrival at Heho airport, drive to Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State, is bisected by the Belu Stream that flows from Inle Lake, and by that route it enjoys trade with the Shan State. Loikaw is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges, lakes and waterfalls, where locals believe that the Keinara half-human half-bird creatures live. The Keinara, representing eternal fidelity, is the State symbol. The town is pleasant and in the suburbs are large wooden houses set in lush, green compounds. Balu Chaung is scenic beauty of Kayah State, which has a generally hilly topography.Overnight: Loikaw
Day 10: Loikaw sightseeing.
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the main destination of loikaw such Taung Kwel Pagoda, Haw Nann Monastery, Myat Kalatt Pagoda (view point), traditional silk weaving factory, Demoesoe Market and Htee Pwint Lake. Overnight: Loikaw
Day 11: Loikaw — Phekhone — Nyaung Shwe (by car) - Inle (by boat).
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Nyaung Shwe, via Phekhone by car. Arrival at Nyaung Shwe jetty and private boat trip to Inle lake, Inle Lake — the natural and unpolluted, famous for its scenic beauty and the unique leg-rowing of the Inthas; the native lake dwellers, the world’s hidden spot of scenic beauty. You have an exploration of the lake and environs today by long tail boat. View the traditional inhabitants of the area, the Intha, who are best known for their unique leg-rowing technique and cultivation of floating gardens. Other highlights today, in addition to the beautiful mountain scenery that surrounds you, will include visits to the venerable Phaung Daw U Kyaung. Of all the places you visit in Myanmar, wonder around the scenic lake by boat, witness the unique leg-rowing of the Inthas and their unique fishing method, floating gardens, the floating villages the friendly hill tribe people, ancient pagodas, and its colorful festivals will give you a life time memories. Overnight: Inle Lake
Day 12: Inle - Indein - Inle (by boat).
This morning, spend a full day aboard a boat exploring the breathtaking lake, which is surrounded on both sides by high hills. You will have an opportunity to visit the market, which is held once in every five days. It is the best opportunity to see hill tribes coming down to sell and buy their products. Indein Temple is a complex which travelers express as Mini- Angkor. After a short distance walk through the bamboo forest , the exciting vie Indein Temple complex is situated in the western shore of the lake and most of the internal wall of the ruins of 1054 shrines make you say “wow”. In the afternoon, visit Impawkhone silk weaving village, a blacksmith, Cheroot making and surrounding villages. Return to the hotel in the evening Overnight: Inle Lake
Day 14: Inle — Heho - Thandwe (by flight) — Ngapali Beach (by car).
Breakfast at the Hotel; enjoy the beauty of the Lake until the time you will be transferred back to Heho airport for your flight to Thandwe. Arrive Thandwe, proceed to Ngapali beach by car in 10 minutes driving. Overnight: Ngapali Beach
Day 15: Ngapali Beach Free day.
Day 16: Ngapali Beach Free day.
Day 17: Ngapali Beach — Thandwe - Yangon (by flight).
Breakfast at the Hotel; enjoy the beauty of the beach and you will be transferred back to airport .Overnight: Yangon
Day 18: Yangon departure.
Breakfast at the Hotel, enjoy a leisurely morning. You will be transferred back to the airport in time for your flight back home.
Our Trip Package Cost Include;
- Accommodation on double or twin room with daily breakfast (3*** hotels)
- Boat riding excursion for Mandalay ~ Bagan, in Mingun and in Inle
- Domestic flights (as per itinerary)
- English stationed peaking guide (except at beach)
- All transfer, transportation, sightseeing & excursion by private car
- Entrance fees as per program
- Baggage handling of maximum 20kg for person
Our Trip Package Cost doesn't Include;
- Meals (lunch & dinner)
- Personal expenses including Beverages & Tipping
- Porterage fees and excess baggage handling fees (more than 20kg for person)
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Airport departure tax currently at US$ 10 & International Flight Fare
- Other services not listed in above
Tipping is expected but it is not mandatory.
Customize Your Trip: This is a general itinerary, which can always individually be “tailormade”. The trek package can be redesigned or redeveloped as per your taste, For more information please e-mail us at snftnepal@yahoo.de
Note: In case of emergency during the trip, Helicopter will be arranged by Swiss Family Treks & Expedition (P) Ltd. The charges must be paid by the clients themselves.
