Myanmar Discovery By Car

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Mandalay (the spiritual heart of Myanmar). Upon arrival, go to Amarapura- the “City of Immortals” and we visit the 200-year-old U BEIN Teak Bridge, built in 1782 and enjoy sunset. The rest of time is free at leisure.

Overnight in Mandalay.

After breakfast, visit to 150 year old Mahagandayon Monastery, a famous Buddhist learning centre. It is home to about thousand monks, who will form a procession as they go to take their noon and final meal of the day at 10:30. Drive to AVA for excursion; tour highlights include the twenty seven metre-high Masonry Watch Tower, the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, AVA Bagaya Monastery built with two hundred and seventy six teak pillars. Visit the Myanmar traditional alms bowls workshop.

Cross AVA Bridge, built by British engineers, to visit picturesque Sagaing Hill which is perhaps the living center of the Buddhist faith in Myanmar today. The hillsides are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Proceed to visit the Kaungmudaw Pagoda, with its huge spherical dome in the Ceylonese (Sri Lanka) style and nearby village (YWAHTAUNG) to visit a workshop of a goldsmith (silver). In the evening, enjoy the sunset from the Sagaing Hill. Drive back to Mandalay.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Breakfast at hotel.

Drive (80 km-2hrs) on a scenic route to the cool hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo). Visit downtown waterfalls, colonial-buildings and the Central market. Photoshoot stop at the classic place. Unique, brightly painted miniature stage coaches, drawn by lively teams of horses, are waiting to carry travellers to the National Kandawgyi Gardens, the beautiful botanical gardens of Pyin Oo Lwin.

Continue drive to Bagan, Upon Arrival, and transfer to Hotel.

Overnight in Bagan

Breakfast at hotel. Take the early morning flight to Bagan where you will spend time for exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing ancient town, living treasure house of Buddhist architectural beauties. Bagan, one of Asia’s most popular archaeological destinations and one out of two most pre-eminent religious old cities in South East Asia. The sightseeing starts with a visit to most distinctive pagodas such as Shwezigon Pagoda – the holiest one believed to be enshrined with Buddha tooth and hair; Htilominlo Temple- the largest temples of Bagan, Gubyaukgyi Temple (Wetkyiinn village) – the 13th century ‘cave temple’ with fine frescoes of scenes from Jakatas; Kyansittha Umin temple.

In the afternoon, Seinnyet NYIMA AHMA pagoda, Manuha, Nanbaya, Mingalazedi Pagoda, Myinkabar Gubyaukgyi Temple- well known for its wall painting depicting scenes from the Jataka. Stop at one of the many workshops of lacquers. Enjoy sunset over Bagan from Shwesandaw Pagoda.

Overnight in Bagan

After Breakfast, visit Nyaung U Market – a typical local market; followed by a carriage ride to visit the Reclining Buddha Shinpin Thalyaung, Dhamanyangyi Temple- built by King Narathu in the 12th century, which displayed the finest brickwork in Bagan, Thatbyinnyu Temple- the highest building on the Bagan plains, Ananda Temple - King Kyansittha’s masterpiece and the crowning achievement of the early style temple of architecture. In the afternoon, visit the village Minnanthu, Sulamani Temple and Gawdawpalin. We admire to take a boat ride along the Ayeyarwaddy river to discover the local life and view the sunset.

Overnight in Bagan.

Early breakfast at hotel, drive to Mount Popa, visit the great extinct volcano. Rising out of the shimmering heat, the solitary volcanic crag of Mt. Popa is home to Myanmar's most powerful "nats". Visit the Nat Museum with its life-sized statues of the 37 Nat Gods. Walk up the steps to the stupas and shrines that top the hill above the museum, seeing many pilgrims along the way.

Continue on, proceed driving to Inle Lake. Overnight in Inle Lake.

After breakfast, transfer by boat to see the floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Visit Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which houses dozens of Shan Buddha Images, but is more famous for its unique ‘jumping cats’ that jump through hoops in the air!  Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf. Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. We can also visit a local silk weaving ‘factory’ which sits on stilts on the lake and where they still use old style hand looms.

Stay overnight in Inle Lake.

After breakfast, we explore the southern part of the lake by boat sailing through small twisting and turning creeks to finally reach Indein village. This small village, located on the south-western bank of the lake, is famous for its ruined clusters of pagodas dated back to the 16th century. The tranquil peaceful atmosphere and the ruins, overgrown with bushes, will bring you centuries back in time.

Proceed to Ywa-Ma village, where we visit a gold and silversmiths’ workshop. In the evening, enjoy the sunset while visiting the Inle Lake by boat.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Early breakfast at Hotel.

Transfer to drive back to Yangon.

Overnight in Yangon.

After Breakfast, start excursion with Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda where the biggest reclining Buddha image in Myanmar (73m long) is situated. Proceed to city center, colonial style buildings and Sule Pagoda - a landmark in downtown Yangon. Continue visit Swedaw Pagoda (Buddha’s Tooth Relic), Kabar Aye (World Peace Pagoda), Buddhist Museum and Mahapasana Cave where the Buddhist Synods are held.

In the late afternoon, visit the Shwedagon Paya - described by Somerset Maugham: "The Shwedagon rose superb, glistening with its gold, like a sudden hope in the dark night of the soul of which the mystics write, glistening against the fog and smoke of the thriving city." This massive bell-shaped stupa rises nearly 100 meters above its hill-top surroundings. Wander through this magnificent structure and its courtyards, stupas, bells, temples, and Buddha images, and see religious and secular visitors from all parts of the globe. Shwedagon has become the symbol of Myanmar.

The rest of time is free for shopping at Bogyoke Market, used to be called Scott Market, the largest market in Yangon with time to browse among the hundreds of stalls for souvenir bargains, arts & crafts souvenir shopping centre.

Overnight in Yangon.