MYANMAR OVERLAND

Day 1 : Yangon

Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and transfer to your hotel. Your afternoon tour through the former capital starts with a visit to the 2,000 year-old Sule Pagoda. 

We then head to the magnificent 66 metres-long reclining Buddha at Chauk Htat Gyi, followed by a photo stop at the ornate Karaweik Hall on Kandawgyi Royal Lake. We then stroll through Bogyoke (Scott’s) Market (closed on Monday and public holidays) which has abundant food, clothes, handicrafts and gems stores.We conclude our tour with an extended visit at Shwedagon Pagoda. 

Lunch and dinner are charged to your own account.

Overnightin Yangon. 

Day 2 : Yangon– Pyay (B / L / D)

After breakfast in the morning we pick you up from your hotel and drive (286 km – around 5 hours) to Pyay city. 

After lunch at a local restaurant en route we drive to Htombo village and embark on a boat trip on the Ayerwaddy River, passing ancient limestone cliffs with carvings. We also visit the Akaut Taung Pagoda and a small monastery atop a cliff before returning to Htombo and Pyay city. We then transfer to hotel where tonight dinner is served. 

Dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Pyay.

Day 3 : Pyay – Bagan (B / L / D)

Following early breakfast, we admire the ancient stupas of the Sri Ksetra Kingdom such as Bo Bo Gyi Pagoda and the archaeological site of Sri Ksetra, an ancient capital which flourished between the 5th and 9th centuries. Sri Ksetra was once South-East Asia’s largest walled city and we will guide you through these fascinating ruins. We then continue to Bagan (approximately 346 km – 9 hours), transfer to hotel.

Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 4 : Bagan (B / L / D)

After breakfast we visit a bustling local market and then explore some of Bagan’s most impressive temples, including Shwezigon Pagoda which dates back to the early 11th century. We then view Ku Byauk Gyi, which is noted for its superb murals. Then we head to Ananda Temple which is famed for its four magnificent upright Buddha images. 

The afternoon starts with a fascinating insight into Myanmar’s rich heritage of handicrafts with a visit to a lacquerware craftsman’s workshop in the famed creative enclave of Myinkaba. Next is Manuha Temple, a shrine built in the Mon style in 1059, followed by Nanbaya Temple, a unique sandstone shrine which was built by the ruler of the 11th century Thaton Kingdom. And stop the day with the sun set view over viewing hill. 

Lunch and dinner are at local restaurant. 

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 5 : Bagan (B / L / D)

After breakfast our journey back in time continues with visits to antiquities such as the site of Tayokepyay Temple in Min Nan Thu village, Phaya Thone Zu and Nandamanya temples and Kyat Kan Cave monastery, a famous meditation retreats in Bagan. 

In the afternoon a visit to farming communities around the locality will give you an insight into the peaceful rural life of the local people. Later in the afternoon, a colourfully decorated horse cart will take you to some of the more off-the-beaten-track temple sights, culminating with a view of the sunset in a sublime riverside setting. 

Lunch and dinner are at local restaurant. 

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 6 : Bagan – Popa (B / L / D)

After breakfast we set off towards Sale (approximately 56 km – 1.5 hours), a Bagan-era town where we explore Yoke Sone Monastery which was built in 1882 by the last monarch of Myanmarm, King Thipaw. This monastery is renowned for its exceptional woodcarvings on the exterior of the building. We then visit the 150-year-old Sarsana Yaungchi Teak Monastery where you can view ancient Buddha images and Myanmar paintings completed on silk. Adjoining the monastery is a monastic school for village children and this tour enables you to get an insight how they study in this revered building. 

After home cooked simple lunch served at Magyikan Village in Sale, we head out to Mount Popa (1.5-hour drive), where you will have time to climb the 777 steps to a shrine at the top of this extinct volcano, with stupendous views across the Myingyan Plain. We transfer you to the hotel for check in. 

Dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Popa.

Day 7 : Popa – Mandalay (B / L / D)

After breakfast, we drive through lush landscapes (approximately 230 km – 4 hours) to Mandalay. Some of the roads are in a poor condition, so please be prepared for a bumpy ride. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. 

Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is at hotel. 

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 8 : Mandalay (B / L / D)

After breakfast, a car will convey you 15 km to the former royal capital of Amarapura. Highlight attractions include Mahagandayon, a famous Buddhist monastery which is home to over one thousand monks. Then we visit U Bein teak bridge which was built in 1782 when Amarapura was the royal capital. 

After having lunch served at local restaurant, we visit the Mahamuni Pagoda; the Shwe Inbin Monastery; the Golden Palace Monastery; and Kuthodaw Pagoda which contains the world’s largest book made from 729 slabs of marble inscribed with the entire teachings of the Theravada Buddhist Pali Canon. This city is famed for its silk and cotton weaving and we visit a traditional hand-woven silk centre to view this skilled craft, as well as a Kalaga tapestries craftsmen's shop. We then head to Mandalay Hill to view an inspiring sunset. 

Dinner isat local restaurant. 

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 9 : Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin (B / L / D)

After breakfast, we set off on a scenic 80 km (2 hour) drive to the former British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin. This is a delightful small town of colonial-style buildings, markets and a botanical garden.  
 
We venture out to visit the Peik Khyin Myaung Caves and then head to Pwe Kyauk Falls, a delightful picnic spot. We make a stop at a lakeside restaurant for sunset drinks before heading back to the hotel where dinner is served. 
 
Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is at hotel. 
 
Overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin. 

Day 10 : Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay (B / L / D)

After breakfast, we visit the local market by horse and cart before return back to Mandalay.

After lunch served at local restaurant, we cruise on the Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun (11 km – 1 hour upriver from Mandalay). Highlights include the 90-ton Mingun Bell – the world's largest, intact bell. After some great photo opportunities, we proceed to the stunning all-white Hsinbyume Paya Pagoda and Mingun Paya, partly built to be one of the world’s largest stupas. We return by boat to Mandalay.

Lunch is at a local restaurant and Dinner is at hotel. 

Overnight inMandalay.

Day 11 : Mandalay - Kalaw (B / L / D)

After breakfast we continue our drive through varied agricultural landscapes and villages to Kalaw (approximately 275 km – 7 hours). 

After lunch at a simple local restaurant en-route, the journey continues on a narrow, winding and bumpy road through the Shan Hills. 

In the late afternoon we reach Kalaw, a delightful hill station on the rim of the Shan Plateau. This destination is a market centre for ethnic minorities from surrounding. We proceed to hotel where tonight dinner is served. 

Dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Kalaw.

Day 12 : Kalaw – Inle Lake (B / L / D)

After breakfast followed by a stroll through local market (on market days only), we drive to Nyaung Shwe (approximately 62 km – 1 hour) for a full day exploration of Inle Lake takes in the famous Inthar one-leg rowers, floating gardens, village life and magnificent mountain scenery. 

We will visit the Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, one of the most sacred shrines in Myanmar that dates back to the 18th century; the Nga Phae Kyaung Monastery with its superb collection of antique Buddha statues; the weaving village of Inpawkhon; and a colourful local market (on market days only). We check in to your hotel at the end of the day. 

Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 13 : Inle Lake (B / L / D)

After breakfast we board a boat to the western shore of Inle Lake where you will find the beginning of a stair path to the well-hidden Indein Pagoda complex. This is one of the most amazing historical sights on the shoreline and consists of hundreds of small stupas overgrown with moss and greenery. 

We continue on foot through beautiful agricultural land, past rustic communities to the village of Sae Ma and onward to the weaving village of Tha Le where a traditional home-cooked Shan lunch will be served in a local Inthar house, enjoy eating in local way with lower table on the floors. In the afternoon we meet villagers and travel to a monastery to observe monastic rituals. We return by boat to the hotel where dinner is served. 

Dinner is at hotel.

Overnight in Inle Lake

Day 14 : Inle Lake – Yangon (B / - / -)

Following breakfast, we transfer by boat to Nyaung Shwe and from there by car to Heho Airport for a domestic flight to Yangon.

Upon arrival, your car will be waiting for further sightseeing, shopping or lunch. A visit to the Kaba Aye Pagoda gives a good initial insight into the magnificent attractions in this cultural city. Proceed to the Yangon’s oldest Chinese temple and the riverside to see Botahtaung Pagoda. Then it is time for the transfer back to the airport for your international departure flight. 

Lunch is charged to your own account.

End of our services.