Burma - The Road to Mandalay

Day 1: Arrive in Rangoon (Yangon)

Upon arrival at Rangoon airport you will be met and transferred to our hotel. We meet for dinner and our orientation tonight. Overnight in Rangoon (Yangon).

Day 2: Explore Rangoon — Shwedagon Pagoda

After breakfast we begin our adventure with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda, a great cone-shaped Buddhist monument of brick that is covered in gold. After seeing this impressive stupa, we continue on to the National Museum to see the 8-meter high Golden Lion Throne as well as the Mandalay Royal Regalia.

This afternoon, we stop at Bogyoke (Scott’s) Market with hundreds of food, clothes, handicrafts and gems stores. Visit see Sule Pagoda, which is thought to be over two thousand years old. We drive through Rangoon’s colonialstyle city center and stop for photos at Karaweik Hall, a “hamsa-bird-shaped” floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake. Overnight in Rangoon (Yangon).

Day 3: Rangoon–Mandalay

After breakfast, morning at leisure until transfer to the airport for our flight to Mandalay. Our sightseeing in Mandalay includes one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the Mahamuni Pagoda. We pay a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda to see the world’s largest book made of marble. We also visit Golden Palace Monastery( Shwenandaw kyaung).

Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop as well as a Kalaga tapestries craftsmen’s shop before we go to Mandalay Hill for spectacular sunset viewing. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 4: Amarapura, Sagaing

After breakfast, depart for Amarapura outside of
Mandalay, to visit the Mahagandayon Monastery,
where more than a thousand monks live and study. Time permitting, we will have the opportunity to observe the monks having their last meal of the day in total silence. Continue to 200-year-old U Bein Teak Bridge, built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was the Royal capital. The Bagaya Monastery will fascinate you with an intriguing collection of Buddha statues.

After lunch embark on a short boat excursion to the former Royal Capital of INWA (AVA). A horse drawn carriage will await us for a ride to the Nanmyint watch tower, the remains of the palace building nicknamed "the leaning tower of Ava". Will continue the journey to Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, built of brick and stucco, Bargayar Monastery, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Continue on to Sagaing Hills, which is a retreat for Buddhist devotees, for a fantastic sunset. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 5: Mandalay, Irrawaddy River Cruise

After a leisurely start to the morning transfer to the Gawein jetty to embark on our river joureny for the next few days. Set sail upstream to Mingun where a visit to the Mingun Pagoda complex will be our first stop. The rest of the day relax as you watch life go by from the river. After dinner enjoy a Dance and Drama performance by the Mandalay Arts school on the sundeck. Overnight on board.

Note: Itinerary and stops dureing the cruise are subject to changes depending on river conditions and local circumstances.

Day 6: Cruising the Irrawaddy aboard The Pandaw 1947

After breakfast our journey continues to Sagaing for our first stop. The cruise continues past the
Chindwin River to Yandabo, a delightful village
without proper road access, that is a thriving
community of pottery makers. The people live a
simple lifestyle, making a variety of clay products, which they barter or trade for other commodities. We visit the village monastery that has existed on the same site for over 400 years.

In the late afternoon the boat docks in Thein Gone for the night. This is a typical farming village set on the western riverbank 10km South of Pakkoku. We will have an oppertunity to visit the monastery and school if all is open. Overnight on board.

Day 7: Irrawaddy River Cruise

Our river cruise ends in Bagan where we will get back on solid ground and see some of the beautiful sights of Bagan. Visit the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan, including Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; Ku Byanuk Gyi, a temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes: and finish with the Ananda Temple, with four standing Buddha images.

This afternoon we stop at a laquerware workshop to see how one of Myanmar’s most
treasured handicrafts is produced and visit Manahu Temple built in the Mon Style in 1059. Continue on to the Nanbaya Temple, a unique sandstone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha. Next explore the Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple, a temple noteworthy for its mural paintings under the protection of UNESCO.  We also pay a visit to
the Archeological Museum which is known for
its beautiful Buddha images of bronze, stone and
lacquer. End a busy day with a colourful sunset over the Irrawaddy river from great look out. Overnight in Bagan.

Day 8: Bagan

We begin our day with a visit to the Tayokepyay Temple in the Min Nan Thu Village. Continue to the Phaya Thone Zu and Nandamanya Temple, noted for exquisite murals of 13th century. We also see Kyat Kan Cave Monastery, a famous meditation retreat in Bagan. We will journey back to Bagan stopping at a few of the farming villages around this region to gain some insight into the lives of the local people.

After a late lunch we can rest or continue on with a few more temple visits ending our day with yet another stunning sunset. Overnight in Bagan (Pagan).

Day 9: Mount Popa, Bagan (Pagan)

After breakfast, a visit to Mount Popa; an extinct
volcano with spectacular views. Its shrine is dedicated to animist spirits known as “Nats”. Lunch at the unique Popa Mountain Resort and continue on to Bagan (Pagan). Overnight in Bagan (Pagan).

During our time in Bagan (Pagan), we may have the option to take a balloon safari for a bird’s eye view over the countryside (not included in the price of the trip).

Day 10: Kalaw

After an early breakfast, we depart for a full day
drive to Kalaw, lunch en route. We arrive late afternoon. Time to rest or explore on your own. Overnight in Kalaw.

Day 11: Kalaw

After breakfast, we start our sightseeing at a delightful hill station, on the rim of the Shan Plateau, which is a market center for hill tribe folk from surrounding regions. On the way we stop at a farming village to visit the Palaung people.

After lunch, there is the option to visit a nearby cave where Buddhist devotees have set-up several Buddha statues, or to explore the peaceful town of Kalaw on your own. Overnight in Kalaw.

Day 12: Kalaw, Inle Lake

Morning drive to Nyaung Shwe for a short walk through the small town. Continue by boat to Nampan and the Golden Island Cottages. Each bungalow is made of local material and built
on stilts up on the lake itself. Visit the Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, one of the main principle shrines in Myanmar and dating back to the 18th century. Continue on to the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, famous for its jumping cats trained by monks and finsih with a visit to the weaving village of Inpawkhon. The afternoon is free to explore on your own or relax before dinner. Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 13: Inle Lake Exploration

A morning journey by boat to view life around the lake with the famous leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing and the magnificent scenery. After lunch journey to the western shore of Inle Lake to the beginning of a stair path leading to the hidden and relatively unknown Inn Thein Pagoda complex. A large, covered passage which is supported by 804 pillars leads into the complex. The passage holds many small ancient stupas, carved with figures and floral designs. The passage ends at the Inn Thein Buddha Image, said to have been donated by the Emperor Asoka. Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 14: Inle Lake to Kyaing Tong

After breakfast, morning at leisure until we transfer to the Heho airport for our flight to Kyaing Tong. On the way to the Airport, we visit Parasol workshop.. After lunch at a simple local restaurant, we explore Kyaing Tong visiting One Tree Hill view point and the scenic Naung Tong Lake. Overnight in Kyaing Tong at a rustic hotel.

Day 15: Kyaing Tong Tribe

Start the day off exploring the colourful Kyaing Tong market and enjoy a full day excursion to the surrounding  hill tribe villages. Visit an animist Palaung village whose tribe is amongst the oldest inhabitants of Myanmar. A visit to an Akha tribe and see their famous spectacular head dresses that jingle with silver and colored tassels. On the way we stop to meet the Lahu people whose origins date back to the Tibeto-Burman era. We will also meet the Khuns peope known for their elegant embroidered
silk longys and colorful turbans.

A picnic lunch en route to Kyaing Tong as we end our day with a pleasant drive passing through many picturesque forests and terraced rice fields. Overnight in Kyaing Tong.

Day 16: Kyaing Tong to Rangoon (Yagon)

After breakfast, we drive to Loi-mwe, once a station of the British colonists. A century-old catholic church can be seen along the way. In the late afternoon transfer to the airport for our flight to Rangoon (Yangon). Upon arrival we check into the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own. Overnight in Rangoon (Yangon)

Day 17: Rangoon (Yangon) Exploration

After breakfast, we drive to the Nanthida jetty to
cross the Yangan River on a local ferry. We visit Dalla Village, riding in rickshaws through the small village streets which provides an excellent opportunity to observe how the local people live. Return to Rangoon and visit the old colonial Strand Hotel, built in 1896 by Aviet and Tigran Sarkie, two of the Sarkie brothers. The hotel was used to quarter Japanese troops during World War II.

After lunch, we drive to Rangoon Central Station and take a city circular train to Kyimynidaing Station. From there, we drive
back to the hotel and rest for a few hours before our farewell dinner. Overnight in Rangoon (Yangon).

Day 18: Depart Rangoon (Yangon)

After breakfast at hotel, the day is at leisure until departure transfer to Rangoon Airport for your departure flight.