MYANMAR'S SCENIC SPLENDOUR

Trip Code : TOUR04

Destination : Myanmar ( Yangon , Mandalay , Inle Lake , Pindaya , Kalaw , Popa )

Duration : 12 Days / 11 Nights

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival

Welcome to the Garden City Yangon.

If arriving by mid-day, transfer to hotel. Lunch (to own account) at outside local restaurant to be followed by sightseeing of some major highlights in Yangon. If arriving on evening flights, transfer will be provided directly to hotel. Dinner at outside local restaurant and overnight in Yangon.

Meal : -/L/D

Day 2 Yangon - Mandalay

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transfer to airport for flight to Mandalay. On arrival to Tada-Oo International Airport, you will be proceeding to famous Mahamuni Pagoda, one of the most sacret Buddha Image in Mandalay. Then a short visit to Gold foil making cottage industry. Check-in at hotel and followed by lunch at outside local restaurant.

After lunch you will be enjoying Mandalay afternoon sightseeing that 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. Tour continues to Mandalay Hill, a vantage point for a panoramic view of the city and a spectacular sunset view.

It is worthy to have a stroll up the hill enjoying panoramic views from different location. Return can be made by car as there is also a car track by the base of elevator just before the platform. Dinner at outside local restaurant.

Meal : B/L/D

Day 3 Mandalay - Amarapura - Inwa

After breakfast, visit to an ancient city of Amarapura, 11 km south of Mandalay highlighting Bagaya Monastery with a famous collection of Buddha images from different periods; Maha Gandayon Monastery; and 1.2 km long U Bein Wooden Bridge. Lunch at outside local restaurant.

Then, tour continues to Inwa ( Ava ), and here you'll be taken by a native horse cart for sightseeing around Inwa that would last hardly 3 hours.

Inwa is a historical capital founded by King Thado Minbya in 1364. Extended visit will be made to Bagaya Monastery that is a fine example of Myanmar masonry art and architecture, Mainu Brick Monastery and old watchtower. Dinner at outside local restaurants. Then return to hotel and overnight.

Meal : B/L/D

Day 4 Mandalay - Bagan

After early breakfast ( breakfast box is recommended ) transfer to Jetty for a whole day reverie cruise on the majestic Ayeyarwaddy River from Mandalay to Bagan.

Enjoy the extraordinary scenic and interesting sights along the picturesque Ayeyarwaddy River on Shwe Kein Nayee boat with the capacity of (200) passengers, air-conditioned hall provided with comfortable reclining seats. ( Shwe Kein Nayee boat operates daily except Sun. & Wed. On Sun. & Wed., an old boat which carries cargo and has no aircondition will operate) Lunch on board. Arrive at Bagan Jetty in the evening and transfer to hotel. Dinner at outside local restaurant and overnight in Bagan.

Meal : B/L/D

Day 5 Bagan

After breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer to airport for flight to Bagan. On arrival you'll be taken to Shwezigon Pagoda a prototype of later Myanmar stupa. Then to Wetkyi-in Gubyaukkyi Temple with fine mural pain-tings of Jataka scenes. After that, transfer to Hotel for check-in. Lunch at outside local restaurant.

Afternoon sightseeing tour continues with visits to lacquerware industry where you can study traditional Myanmar lacquerware making, 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. Although it has spots lights installed, it would be safer to bring your own touch as electricity supply can be shut-off from time to time.

In the evening you will be visiting the Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece resembling a Greek Cross. Dinner at outside local restaurants. Then return to hotel and overnight.

(In Bagan there are more than 2000 temples & stupas. Indeed it is difficult to cover all temples within 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 much temples as possible within your stay.)

Meal : B/L/D

Day 6 Bagan - Popa - Kalaw

After breakfast check-out and proceed for Kalaw via Mount Popa. It is an extinct volcano, and is generally known as the abode of legendary Nats or spirit gods for which the annual festival is held during the Myanmar month Nayon

( May / June ). On top of the mountain, there are monasteries, pagodas and shrines in different style. Then proceed by coach to Kalaw via Meik Htila. ( The total drive would take approximately 9 hours ) Lunch at one of the outside restaurant at Meik Htila town and dinner at outside local restaurants at Kalaw. Then return to hotel and overnight.

Meal : B/L/D

Day 7 Kalaw (Trekking to Palaung hills) - Pindaya

After breakfast, trekking to Palaung Hills in Kalaw surrounding area and visit the hill tribes' villages in their colorful costumes. Then, drive about 1 ? hour to the small quiet town Pindaya enjoying the great scenic beauty of the countryside along the road to Pindaya.

Lunch and dinner at outside local restaurants. Then return to hotel and overnight.

[ Trekking can normally be started early in the morning so it is necessary for an overnight stay in Kalaw before trekking. And closest tribal village would take at least 2 hours to and fro apart from visiting hours in the village]

Meal : B/L/D

Day 8 Pindaya - Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake)

After breakfast at hotel visit to Pindaya Caves, well known for its Buddha statues carved out of limestone. Then a short stop at over 250 years old Banyan trees. Mulberry papermaking factory, Bamboo hat making factory and lunch at outside local restaurant. After lunch drive to Nyaung Shwe where Inle Lake is situated. Check-in at hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Meal : B/L/D

Day 9 Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake)

Your morning excursion in Inle Lake ( by boat ) visiting to the following places like unique leg-rowers and scenic beauty, fishing canoes using special methods for fishing and collecting seaweed, lakebed mud etc to make floating gardens. Then you will visit well known Nga Pe Chaung ( Jumping Cat ) monastery and Silver smith factory. Lunch at outside local restaurant.

After lunch visit to Cheroot making factory, Boat making carpentry workshop, Silk weaving factory. In the late afternoon, visit the most famous Paungdaw Oo Pagoda. On the way back to Nyaung Shwe you will pass through some villages to enjoy life on the lake. Dinner at outside local restaurants. Overnight in Nyaung Shwe.

Meal : B/L/D

Day 10 Heho - Yangon

After breakfast, you will be transfer to Heho airport for flight to Yangon. Your afternoon tour featuring Kaba Aye ( World Peace ) Pagoda. Drive along the beautiful tree-lined U Wisara Road viewing Shwedagon Pagoda from the west.

Then proceed to Botataung Pagoda, a famous landmark on Yangon's waterfront; and Nanthida Jetty and you will see people coming and going for work on either side of the Yangon River. Lunch and dinner at outside local restaurants. Then return to hotel and overnight.

Meal : B/L/D

Day 11 Yangon

Your morning sightseeing tour of Yangon features Shwedagon Pagoda, the world famous glittering gold stupa towering over the city with a great spire to the height of 326 feet; Chaukhtatkyi; a colossal reclining Buddha.

Afternoon sightseeing tour includes visits to National Museum; Mahabandoola Park with Independence Monument; and Bogyoke ( Scott ) Market, a famous shopping centre of Yangon. Lunch and dinner at outside local restaurants. Then return to hotel and overnight.

Meal : B/L/D

Day 12 Departure

For morning departure, after breakfast, transfer to airport for departure.

For evening departure, after breakfast, sightseeing in Yangon includes visits to some major highlights like Gaba Aye ( World Peace ) pagoda and Mahapasana Cave. Lunch at outside local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to airport for international departure. Bon Voyage

Meal : B/L/-

Cost includes:

-Full-board :Lunch & Dinner at local restaurants

-Mineral water bottles throughout the trip on coach / car

-Accommodation with full breakfast(twin sharing basis)

-All airport transfer & sightseeing (with A/C coach or car)

-English speaking through out guide fees

- Entrance fees

- Domestic Airfare

Cost excludes:

-Visa Fee

-Beverages

-International airport tax

-Personal expenses such as Camera fees,tpis etc.

Note

1.1 F.O.C for every 16 paying guests

2.Standard hotel used are(**) or (** +) category,YUZANA Hotel (Yangon), Athawka Hotel (Bagan), Silver Star Hotel (Mandalay), Hupin Hotel (Inle-Nyaung Shwe), Pine Hill (Kalaw), Conqueror (Pindaya)

3. First class hotel used are (***) or (****) or (*****) category, Sedona Hotel (Yangon), Hotel Tharabar Gate (Bangan), Sedona Hotel (Mandalay), Lake View Resort (Inle-Nyaung Shwe), Pine Hill Resort (Kalaw), Conqueror (Pindaya)

4. Surcharges at Hotel Tharabar Gate for 24.12.08 Christmas Eve Dinner in Usd 45 per pax

-- Surcharges at Hotel Tharabar Gate for 31.12.08 New Year Eve Dinner in Usd 70 per pax

-- Surcharge at Sedona & Lake View Resort for 24.12.08 & 31.12.08 - TBA

5. If you wish to use other hotels. Please refer to our hotel rate sheet or just contact us for quotation.

6. For hotel information. Please refer to our website www.travelmyanmar.com

'Accommodation in Myanmar' section

7. Validity :Up to 30 April 2009