9D ENCHANTING MYANMAR

Mingalabar – Warm welcome to Myanmar!

Arrival to Mandalay International Airport, where in arrivals hall Discovery DMC guide with a signboard and your name on it will welcome you. Transfer for 40 km (approx. 1 hr) to Mandalay city for check-in and rest.

After freshening we will visit the city’s highlights, the sacred Mahamuni Pagoda covered in several tons of gold leaf. It was the ultimate war bounty won from rival kingdom in Arakan. Next we visit the golden palace monastery the only surviving Royal Palace building in Mandalay offering a glimpse of the original style and the architecture of the Myanmar Royals; lastly, we visit Kuthodaw Pagoda a compound housing Buddha’s teaching carved in the sacred Burmese script on stone slabs and regarded as the largest book in terms of surface area. We end our day with the sunset panoramic view over city skyline on Mandalay Hill, the highest point of the city.

After breakfast we take a morning stroll through main market of Mandalay and visit locals’ favourite salad shop to see how national dish tea leaf salad is made, next we’ll head to monks’ accessories Street and a “thanaka” make up store and a traditional medicine dispensary if open.  At nearby jade market you will have the opportunity to witness local and Chinese merchants buying and selling all sized and colour jade pieces.

We then embark on a 1-hour boat journey across the Ayeyarwaddy River (Irrawaddy) to the rural village of Mingun, known for a massive unfinished pagoda dramatically cracked in half by an earthquake in the 1800s; Mingun’s bronze bell, believed to be largest uncracked one in the world and the unusual Myatheindan pagoda which represents Mt. Meru and the abode of celestial beings.

We continue with a drive through friendly villages over rolling hills to site of Ancient Kingdom of Sagaing. From the Sagaing Hills, we enjoy a panoramic view of the hillside dotted with countless pagodas and the Irrawaddy River in the background. We continue to another beautiful ancient capital, Amarapura, famous for its textile industries. There, we visit a cottage industry workshop to learn how Myanmar longyis and traditional fabrics are woven and complete the day with spectacular sunset by Ubein Bridge, a simple yet remarkable teak structure that spans 1,2km over Taungtaman Lake, before last lap back to Mandalay.

Leaving behind Mandalay we drive 24km to Paleik village to explore a cool snake temple and old crumbling pagoda ruins dating back to reign of Ava kingdom. The great thing about Paleik is that we usually have the whole place for ourselves. Villages around Paleik are known for their cottage industries and producing Myanmar longyis. If you haven’t got one yet. This is where you can get it directly from the source. On the way to Pakokku we say hello to endangered Star tortoise at the Minsontaung Wildlife sanctuary and meet the conservation team to learn more about these endemic creatures. In riverside town Pakokku, time permitting, we can visit cottage industries making Burmese slippers and cheroots, Myanmar cigars. We then board a private river boat for a leisurely downstream journey to Bagan. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride and sunset by a sandbank island sipping cocktails accompanied by snacks. Arrive to Bagan just before dark and transfer to your hotel.

Over the five centuries of Bagan empire more than 4000 brick temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed on dry plateau by the Irrawaddy River. Despite wars and earthquakes much of this wonder and world heritage has survived to modern day and is now open for visits. Get ready for an inspiring experience with this Bagan full day tour. Explore the best of Bagan’s history, culture and landscapes with experienced local guide. We start with panoramic view of Bagan’s archaeological wonders from an elevated vantage point and continue with exploring some of the most iconic and amazing temples of Bagan;  Ananda, Swezigon, Thatbinnyu, Dhammayangyi and Shwesandaw to name a few.  You guide will be happy to share his/her favourites and bring you to more off the beaten trails temples with less visitors.
We cap the day with a horse or ox carriage ride to witness a magical sunset by a pagoda or view point.

Enjoy a dinner with cultural show at local restaurant.

Remark: It’s all flexible.  Our tours are tailored to your individual preferences. It is common that some people want more temples and in depth insights while others like emphasis more on the contemporary local  life and some exploring Bagan on foot, bicycles or by e-bikes. 

Morning pick up from your hotel and 1.5hrs 50km drive from Bagan will bring you to Mount Popa, the Burmese spiritual epicenter for those who worship the pantheon of nat spirits and martyrs. On the way we visit toddy collectors hut to observe the process of making the rich and caramel-like toddy candies from the sap of the toddy palms.   By the Taung Ka Latt mountain after paying respects to the Nat’s Shrine at the foot of Mount Popa, we climb nearly 800 steps to the pagoda on top of the gigantic volcanic plug for panoramic views over the surrounding plains and farm lands.

After lunch break with a view at the scenic Popa Mountain Resort (lunch to your own account) and we continue the long drive (approx 6.5 hrs) to Kalaw passing through Meikhtila and Thazi cities and finally climbing up to Shan highlands and hill station town of Kalaw.

After breakfast, a morning walk to explore Kalaw which has many colonial buildings, golf course and tennis courts left as heritage from the British who spend their summers here escaping the hot summer heat of low lands. Join in the ubiquitous tea culture of Myanmar people at a local tea shop where fresh spanish churro type pastries are  cooked every morning.  Then drive to Inle Lake gives us 1.5 leisurely hours to observe the countryside. After checking into the hotel, we embark on afternoon explorations of Inle Lake populated with floating islands and garden made from the naturally tangled roots of water hyacinth plants and reeds. Enjoy lunch with local family.  Delight in the picturesque sights of fisherman who balance and row with one leg, a technique indigenous to the Inn Thar minority group who do this only on Inle Lake.

After breakfast at hotel, we journey out by boat following the currents of a small river to reach Inn Thein Pagoda complex, a site that make us feel as if we’ve stepped through a forgotten portal in time. To access the complex we walk through verdant bamboo groves that open up to a field covered with ancient pagodas constructed over 1,000 years ago. We boat back to the lake and visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda the home of some of country’s most sacred Buddha statues covered in gold leaf by devout followers. We also make a visit to Inpawkhon weaving village to learn how local silks, linens, and lotus fabrics are handmade and crafted. . We end our day with magnificent sunset canoe ride with boatmen who gracefully navigate and row perched on one leg.

Transfer to Heho airport for a morning flight to Yangon.  Meet your Yangon guide and transfer to your hotel. Starting in quaint old quarter of Yangon with its colonial buildings and heritage our guide will share interesting insights to key events and architecture of the city’s landmarks. If you are interested in arts there are several galleries showcasing local artists works.  After walking in the heat of the day cool down with a signature cocktail at the nostalgic Strand Hotel which was built century ago by Armenian Sarkies brothers like her sister property, the Raffles in Singapore. Next marvel at Yangon’s old post office and take a trishaw (bicycle taxi) ride along Yangon’s riverfront. Immerse in rich culture and traditions of the communities in Chinatown and Indian quarter and explore life along hidden back streets, temples and bazaars. Explore the bustling Bogyoke (Scotts) market, where hundreds of gemstone, handicrafts, art, clothes and food stores are tucked in a maze of colour. We complete the day with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda, a gold covered bell dome structure that dominates the city’s skyline. Legends state that the sacred hairs of the Buddha are enshrined here. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed.

Breakfast and transfer to Yangon airport for your onward flight.