No doubt that Myanmar (Burma) is Asia’s hidden gem only recently re-opened to visitors. In many ways the country has changed little since Rudyard Kipling described it some 100 years ago. Our journey begins in the former British colonial city of Yangon and its magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, the cultural heart of the nation. Then it continues to the North exploring this unique and majestic country. It is possible to extend this holiday with a stay at Ngwe Saung Beach, on the shores of the Indian Ocean.
Tour highlights:
♦ Shwedagon pagoda – the 98 m high stupa in the center of Yangon is the most sacred pagoda in Myanmar
♦ Bagan – the capital of the ancient Burmese kingdom, where in the middle ages more than 4000 temples were built
♦ Inle Lake – with its floating gardens and stilted villages, the only place in the world, where boatmen row with their legs
♦ Mindalay -cruise on Irrawaddy River and visit nearby U-Bein Bridge
♦ Mt. Kyaiktiyo – with its gilded Golden Rock
Itinerary:
Day 1. Yangon
Arrive Yangon. Transfer to hotel for check-in. Visit Shwedagon Pagoda in the afternoon. This great golden dome rises 99 meters above its base and is covered with 60 tons of pure gold. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 2. Yangon
After breakfast, our exploration of Yangon will begin in the morning with a look at the Kyaukhtagyi Pagoda which houses a 70-meter reclining Buddha statue, followed by a visit to the old colonial style city centre with the glittering 2000-year-old Sule Pagoda. A short train journey to the outskirts of town observing the lively and colorful life of the rural Burmese people, visiting Insein market. Free time for shopping on Bogoyke Aung san market, best known for its colonial architecture and inner cobblestone streets. Visit to the vibrant China Town night market. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 3. Yangon - Kyaiktiyo Pagoda over the Golden Rock
Depart from Yangon early morning heading to Kyaikhtiyo (a 4-to 5-hour drive). Along the way, stop at Bago, the 6th century capital of the Mon Kingdom where we visit the Bago market, the huge 55-meter long Shwethalung reclining Buddha image and the Mon style 376ft-high Shwemawdaw Pagoda. Travel to base camp Kunpin. Hike to Golden Rock. Overnight in Kyaikhtiyo.
Day 4. Kyaikhtiyo - Bago - Yangon
Early in the morning, visit Golden Rock for sunrise on your own. Back to Yangon. On the way we visit a cashew nut plantation and a rubber tree plantation. Stop at the Htaukkyant War Cemetery. The Cemetery contains with the graves of 6374 allied soldiers who died in the Burma and Assam campaigns of WWII. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 5. Flight Yangon - Heho. Pindaya and Inle Lake.
Early transfer to the airport for a flight to Heho. Drive 1, 5 hours to the small quiet town of Pindaya perched on the banks of the placid Botoloke Lake where we will visit Shwe U Min Cave, this complex of natural caves and tunnels is filled with more than 8,000 Buddha statues. Visit to Shan Paper and umbrella-making workshop. Continue to Inle Lake. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6. Inle - Indein - Inle
Boat trip on the lake. Visit Pa-Oh village of In Dein on the western bank of the lake and the local school. Continue to Phaung Daw Oo pagoda and its 5 holy Buddha images. Visit to the many local workshops and artisans in the Nampan floating villages and the Inn Paw Khone weaving village. Finally, a visit to Nga Phe Chaung Monastery. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7. Flight Heho - Mandalay. Mandalay.
On the way to Heho airport we visit the Red Mountain Winery Estate Vineyards & Winery, the collaboration between local Pa-Oh and a French winemaker. Visit the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery with its unique oval windows in the ancient teak thein ( ordination Hall ). Flight to Mandalay in the afternoon. We visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, one of Myanmar’s most revered Buddha images, a 4-meter-high statue covered with a thick layer of gold leaf applied by generations of pilgrims. End the day on Mandalay Hill – an ideal place to watch the sunset. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 8. Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava - Sagaing - Mandalay
A full day trip to the ancient cities of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. Visit Maha Ganyon Kyaung monastery, home to several thousand young monks, renowned as a centre for monastic study. Ferry boat ride cross Myintge River (Myintge canal) to Ava. Then we continue by a native horse cart to the ancient sites surrounded by village life passing the old wooden Bagaya Monastery (the Me Nu Ok Kyaung), the ruined remains of the 90ft-high masonry watchtower Nanmyint, the brick-and-stucco monastery Maha Aung Mye Bonzan, the Royal Palace, old fort walls and several faded white pagodas. Afterward, return to jetty to take the ferry back to car.
Continue on to Sagaing famous for its 600 monasteries and nunneries dotted along the hills. Visit the impressive 29.3 m high Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda and the U-Min Thounzeh (30 caves) which has 45 Buddha images and stop at a small pottery village. At sunset a walk along the teak-pole U Bein pedestrian footbridge. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 9. Mandalay - Mingun - Mandalay
Boat trip Mandalay to Mingun visiting the unfinished temple (i.e. Pahtodawgyi , the World’s largest pile of bricks), followed by visits to Mingun Bell, the world’s second largest un-cracked ringing bell of 90 tons of bronze standing 4m high and over 5m across at the lip and Hsinbuyme pagoda (Myantheindan). After returning to Mandalay visit Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings, the Kuthodaw Pagoda, where Buddhist scripture are carved on 729 marble tablets, billed as the “biggest book” in the world, the Mandalay Palace and Fort. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 10. Flight Mandalay - Bagan
After arriving in Bagan we visit the colourful Nyaung OO market, the Shwezigon Pagoda and the elegant Htilominlo Temple. In the afternoon, we continue to Myinkaba village with its huge stacks of bamboo. The is also famous for its traditional Mon-style lacquerware. Tour continues to explore Ananda, an architectural master piece reflecting the early-style of Bagan temple construction and containing four 9.5m standing images. From Ananda, embark on a short horse cart ride amongst the ancient stupa ruins.At sunset we visit Bagan’s most famous ‘Shwesandaw Pagoda’ and climbing the steps up to one of the high terraces for a great view out over the plains. It is the perfect location to watch the sun set over Old Bagan and the Irrawaddy river to the west. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 11. Bagan - Mt. Popa - Bagan
A 1,5 hour drive to Mt Popa which is the sacred home of Myanmar’s 37 Nats (spirits) and it is the centre of Nat (Spirit) worship in Myanmar. A 25-minute climb up its 777 steps via a winding, covered walk ways to the top of the mountain will give you an impressive view of surrounding plains. Visit the Minnanthu village. Spend time exploring and strolling around the village to observe women rolling cigars. Last sunset in Bagan will be on Tayoke Pyay Temple. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 12. Bagan - Yangon. Departure.
After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival, head to the International check in counter for your departure flight home.
Visa: ►Please check whether you need a visa to Myanmar before departure. Citizens of 100 countries from all over the world can get a visa to Myanmar through e-visa, which can be obtained earliest 90 days before departure (Penguin will send relevant information upon booking the tour. The cost for the visa is ~50 USD, the stamp can be received at Yangon International Airport.
Practical information: ►The most used currency for exchange and shopping is USD. Credit cards cannot be widely used in Myanmar so please bring enough cash ►Surcharges for peak season and compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons (f.ex. Christmas, New Year) may apply
Recommended travel period of the year: October - April
11 nights in guest houses and family run hotels in rooms with private facilities
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