Myanmar Discovery

You are warmly welcome to Myanmar, Golden Land! Upon arrival at the Yangon International Airport, you will be greeted by our Panoramic Myanmar representative, guide and transferred to your hotel On arrival you will be met by your driver and guide and transferred to your accommodation for check-in. Evening at your own leisure.

Today after breakfast, meet up with your local English Speaking Guide in Hotel Lobby at 07:30 for group orientation and briefing about excursion around Myanmar. At 08:00 , We are to start exploring the most highlights of Yangon.

Firstly we are to visit Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world’s most spectacular religious monuments, and the golden dome Pagoda is the place to see the local ways of life and belief then If the time permits, you can drop in at the Kalaywa Tawya Monastery where more than 1000 monks and nuns studying Buddhist scriptures and also operate a modern academic studies. After that proceed to Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda ( the huge reclining Buddha Statue in length of 72 meters long ) and then taking a lunch break at Authentic Local Restaurant to introduce typical local foods to you . after lunch , drive back to hotel to take a short break till afternoon sightseeing begin.

After noon sightseeing begin around 15:30 or 15:45 depending on location of your hotel to down town  area. This afternoon , We are hanging around the heart of Yangon City to see unique colonial buildings built in late 19^th Century and early 20^th Century . Firstly you will be brought to our starting point which is located beside Historic Sule Pagoda and in front of City Hall.  We start walking from starting point to see colonial buildings . meet up with your driver at end point which is Nanthida Jetty ( Yangon River Side ). Then continue our sightseeing to Botahtaung Pagoda and enjoy the sunset from river side near by Botahtaung Pagoda. Then drive back to hotel and overnight stay in Yangon.

After breakfast at your hotel, start the road trip to the “Golden Rock”. After 1½ hour, you will get to Bago and upon arrival to Bago, you are to visit the studies of Buddha’s teachings with the monks of Kyakhatwaing monastery where over 1000 Buddhist monks reside. Then, take another 2 hours drive to get to Mountain view restaurant for lunch break nearby Kin Pun base Camp; the first There, you will have to get on the open truck to be transferred to “Yathetaung Camp” for other vehicles are not allowed to driving up the steep way. Start your light trekking to the famous “Golden Rock Pagoda” This miracle Pagoda is situated in Mon State, regarded as one of the most sacred pagodas along with Shwedagon from Yangon and Maha Muni from Mandalay. It is also believed the hair relic of the Buddha was enshrined in the huge rock which is hanging and balancing on the edge of the cliff.. Enjoy and overlook the magnificence view of the surrounding area and over night stay in Kyaikhtiyo .

After early breakfast, proceed to Mawlamyine (170 Km – 4 hours). Upon arrival in Mawlamyine, check in at hotel on Strand Road among historic buildings from colonial era. Afternoon sightseeing includes Mahamuni Pagoda, Kyaik Thanlan Pagoda, a major temple site in Myanmar; Seindon Mibaya Kyaung. where King Mindon’s queen sought refuge, and the Zyegyi Market. Overnight stay in Mawlamyine.

Start visit to the fish market and proceed to Bilu Island (Oreg Island) where many local handicrafts workshop is located. We will visit around Bamboo hats, rubber hand making, dun hill tobacco pipes, cheroots, and walking sticks making workshops. And then smile and say goodbye to smiling local people, head back to the mainland with the small boat along the beautiful river.

After Lunch continues to the tour highlights include Kyaikthanlan Pagoda, A famous Meditation center Shampoo Island (Kaung Se Kyun), Khawnute Monastery. Have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit Win Sein Taw Ya World Biggest Reclining Buddha image. In the evening take a walk around to see the river view.

n the morning we will drive to a viewpoint of the small islands in the Than Lwin River delta. Afterwards we go to the jetty at the Than Lwin River to take a boat ride to Hpa-An. The Than Lwin River is the second largest in Myanmar, and is known for having sparkling blue-green water.  The five to six-hourboat ride for will pass serene scenery along the river banks. Once we arrive in Hpa-An, we transfer to our hotel for overnight. Please note that if the ferry boat is not available on our departure day to Hpa-An, a car will be arranged for the journey. If we drive, we will visit Kadoe Village where we will learn about the colorful little figures which explain the Buddhist stories, and we will see the beautiful teak wood carvings on the teak plants.

Continue your journey from Hpa An to Rangoon where you will spend the night.

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Bagan Airport for domestic flight (approx: 08:10/08:40 – direct) from Bagan to Mandalay. Upon arrival to Mandalay, drive up into the hills from Mandalay to Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo), a former British Hill Station (approx. 67 km – 2 hours). The road winds steeply through flower, fruit and vegetable gardens. Visit the local market. Drive through Maymyo on a horse drawn “stage coach”, giving you the chance to admire the brick and timber houses, complete with English style gables, turrets and chimneys. Lunch a good local Restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the National Kandawgyi Gardens, which were laid out by Sir Harcourt Butler, the former governor of Burma – flower beds are similar to those you would find in an English country garden! The garden has recently been renovated and is now called “Kandawgyi National Botanical Garden”. Take a short “jungle” walk on a wooden path leading through rain forest trees. Then proceed to the Candacraig Hotel, built in 1905 in the style of an English country home. .Accommodation at Hotel, in Maymyo.

Breakfast and depart for Peik Chin Myaung cave, used to be the sacred site of devotee of Lord Shiva, later developed and maintain with many Buddha Images and replica of sacred monuments such as Shwedagon and Kyaikhtiyo etc along with 600-meter path. It is interesting to explore the local herbal medicine stalls along the site. Proceed to Hsipaw twisting and turning drive through Shan mountains. Hsipaw was once the center of a small Shan state of its own with cool climate, friendly people and relaxed atmosphere. Upon arrival at Hsipaw transfer to local guesthouse. Overnight stay in Hispaw. Meals: On your own account

Breakfast and visit morning market with Shan and other tribal people from nearby villages usually come to trade. A beautiful boat ride along the Dottawadi river to tribal village along the river. Afternoon bike Shan Buddhist monastery , leave the bike here and walk through paddy field towards Shan mountain and a short and deep hike we get to this waterfall. The fall is quite high, water is clean, and good spot for diving and swimming. Return to hotel. Overnight stay in Hispaw. Meal: On your own account.

Early in the morning transfer to train station for your Pyin Oo Lwin bound train <132 Down 0915/1540>. A leisurely train rides through mountains, valley, exciting tunnels and bridges. Train ride in this route can be very much entertainment as it stops every small station where people load and unload their farm products. Above all crossing through Goke Hteik viaduct will get you a thrilled experience. The unusual railway viaduct was considered one of the greatest railway viaducts in the world at the time but still stands as the second-highest railway bridge in the world. Built by Pennsylvania Steel Co and was the only American-built span in the British Raj. Upon arrival at Pyin Oo Lwin transfer by coach and proceed to Mandalay to conclude this unique experience. Overnight stay in Mandalay.

Around Mingun areas including Mingun pagoda, Unfinished Religious Monument in height of 50 meter. And the world’s largest bell in weight of 90 tons and Hsinbyume Pagoda which is archeologically unique among religious monuments in Myanmar. And then stream down to Mandalay and lunch at local restaurant.. After lunch visit to Shwe Inn Bin monastery which was build of teak wood completely in early 20 century and stop b Shwe Kyatyat to take a photo of Sagaing hill and then drive straight to Sagaing where about 5oo monasteries and 200 nunneries as a retreat for Buddhist devotees are built all over Sagaing hill. Viewing from Sagaing hill over the Ayerwaddy river. Then continue to 200-year-old U Bein bridge, built in 1782 . and U Bein bridge is one of the interesting spot for mystical sunset. Enjoy sunset from U Bein Bridge. Then drive back to hotel.

Drive to the west of Mandalay is Monywa (150km, 4hrs). Upon arrival to Monywa . take a lunch  break and check in hotel first and then departure for the splendid temple-caves of PoWinTaung , a Buddhist cave complex, located on the western bank of the Chindwin River, approximately 25 kilometers west of Monywa. The name of the complex means Mountain of Isolated Solitary Meditation. The complex contains 947 small and large richly decorated caves. firstly you will be transferred to jetty to cross Chindwin river by small ferry boat and take a car for 40 minutes to get to Mystery Poe Win Taung Cave (some dating back to the 15th century) that contain an abundance of Buddha images and some fine mural paintings. After your visit around the cave and  Return to Monywa .

After breakfast, check out from hotel and we are to move to Bagan enroute Pakkoku ( approximately 130  km and 3 hours drive ). Firstly we are to visit the remaining highlights in Monywa including the famous Thamboddhay temple (Known as half million Buddha images) and Bawdi tahtaung, reclining and standing Buddha at site Then proceed to Pakkoku and on the way stop by one of the authentic village called “ Ma Ahu Ale Ywa ” known as a little Bagan where you can observe cluster of ancient pagodas dating back to 1000 years ago and visit Incense Stick Making Factory in the village  then proceed ot Pakkoku and take a lunch break at good local restaurant in Pakkoku.

After lunch , start cruising  down  to Bagan ( approximately 2 hrs and 30 minutes by boat ), the occasion to discover the life of the banks of the river with its market gardening’s and its traditional villages of another time.  Enjoy the sunset from boat .Upon arrival to Bagan , you will be transferred to hotel and overnight stay at hotel in Bagan

After breakfast at hotel ,today we will be  devoted to discover of Bagan “the mystic” extraordinary archaeological site that do not have anything to envy that of Angkor with its 3000 temples and starting a sightseeing tour with a visit to Nyaung Oo Colorful Market in Nyaung Oo region and  a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples such  as Shwezigon Pagoa, a prototype of later Myanmar stupas, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century, Wetkyi Inn Gubyaukgyi, fine mural paintings of Jataka scenes; and Htilominlo Pagoda, noted for its plaster curving, Ananda Temple, the best preserved masterpieces of Mon architecture and the Tharaba gate. Then take a lunch break at good local restaurant and then transfer back to hotel for refreshing and relaxing till afternoon sightseeing begin.

Later in the afternoon, visit lacquerware workshop and then visit Dhammayangyi, a missive temple from 12^th century with it’s own architecture and temple liked Pyramid is outstanding among the other structures. Continue to Sularmuni Temple, , dating from 12^th century and it is a nice place for photo stop. After that, travel on dirt roads by horse carriage which gives you to pass through areas not easily accessed by car or bus (car or bus will be stand by if you are not taking horse carriage). Enjoy Sunset from Pyathat Gyi Temple and see the magnificent view to enjoy your visit in Bagan. Then drive back to hotel and overnight stay at Bagan .

fter breakfast at hotel, transfer to Yangon airport for the flight to Heho airport. Arrive Heho and direct drive to Pindaya Caves, these caves are ensconced in a limestone ridge overlooking the lake. Inside the cavern there are more than 8000 Buddha Images-made from alabaster, teak, marble, brick, lacquer and cement and are arrange in such a way as to from a labyrinth throughout the various cave chambers. Lunch at the local restaurant.Then proceed to Shwe U Min Paya. This is a cluster of low stupas just below the ridge near the Pindaya Caves. You can also explore the district for famous traditional paper and its umbrella making home base cottage industry.

After that drive to Kalaw ( known as Pine City ), 1320m above sea level. A peaceful summer resort with fragrant pines and misty blue mountain ranges. Famous for its unique trekking area in Myanmar, where our ethnic groups Palaung, Pa-o, Danu, Taung Yoe exist with their own traditional culture. Kalaw stands high on the western edge of the Shan Plateau. This was a popular hill station in the British days and it is still a peaceful and quiet place and you will find reminders of British colonial times. Overnight at the hotel in Kalaw.

Early in the morning at around 8:00, you will be picked up by the trekking guide and walk to the Palaung (one of the ethnic minorities of Myanmar) village of Tar Yaw, Ywa Thit kone (3 hrs) through the residential area of Kalaw and forest around Kalaw. Visit Tar Yaw to see the life style of the people. Picnic style lunch will be served on the way. Proceed to Ywa Pu and the surrounding villages through the forested mountain of the region (2 ½ hrs.). Traditional style dinner and over night stay at the local family house or the monastery of the village.

After a simple breakfast start walking for the village of La Mine Kone Hla and you will enjoy to see the ways of life of Danu and Pa O people (ethnic minority of the region). Lunch will be served on the way at one of the local family house. After lunch continue walking to the village of Hti Thein and you will see the beautiful landscape of the region, working people on their vegetables fields. Dinner and over night stay at the monastery of the village.

After breakfast at the monastery start walking through the hilly and forested area of the region, visit several villages on the way and finally you will reach to the village of Inntein located on the western shore of the lake where you will see the beautiful pagoda complex dating back to 18th to 20th century which are in ruins. After visiting Inntein pagoda you will be transferred to your hotel by boat.

                       After breakfast, transfer to jetty and take a boat ride for full day sightseeing in Inle lake. you can start your lake exploration to one of the local five-day markets ( if market day is coincided with your stay in Inle lake , and the highlights include Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda which enshrines the famous five Buddha statues who are totally covered by gold and lost their shapes, the unique leg rowers and floating gardens, silk weaving village ( Inpaw Khone Village ) and then lunch break at good local restaurant in Inle lake.

After lunch . We are to continue excursion to Hand rolled ciger making factory , Black smith factory and Nga Phae Chaung monastery; well known for its ancient Buddha images made of teak, bamboo and lacquer and its nickname is “Jumping Cats Monastery” for its trained cats by monks to jump into the hoop. You are  also to visit the stilt houses to observe the life style of the water dweller and floating gardens corner of Inle lake .then return to your hotel  and Overnight stay at Myanmar Treasure Resort  , Inle lake.