TRAILS OF MYANMAR

Day 1 : Mandalay (- / - / D)

Upon arrival Mandalay Airport you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

In the afternoon, you will experience the best of Mandalay including some of its most revered religious monuments Mahamuni Pagoda; the ShweInbin Monastery; the Golden Palace Monastery, a superb example of a traditional wooden building; and Kuthodaw Pagoda which contains the world’s largest book made from 729 slabs of marble inscribed with Buddhist scripts. Mandalay is also a major arts and crafts centre and we visit a Kalaga tapestries craftsman’s shop before heading to Mandalay Hill to view the sublime sunset.

Lunch is charged to your own account.

Tonight dinner is at a local restaurant. 

Overnight in Mandalay. 

Day 2 : Mandalay (B / L / D)

After breakfast we head to Amarapura, a former royal capital near Mandalay. First stop is Mahagandayon, a famous Buddhist monastery that is home to over 1,000 monks. Then we head to the ancient U Bein teak bridge. Next is a traditional hand-woven silk workshop, followed by Bagaya Monastery with its superb collection of Buddha statues. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, we reach the former royal capital of Inwa by car. Then a horse-drawn carriage will convey us to Nanmyint Watch Tower, known as ‘the leaning tower of Ava’ and MahaAungmyeBonzan Monastery which is built of brick and stucco. Our varied tour proceeds to Bargayar Monastery, which is famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak pillars. Continue to Sagaing Hill to enjoy a magnificent view of the hill and the Irrawaddy River. 

In the evening, experience the performances of traditional Myanmar dance and music in a contemporary setting from 8:00- 9:00pm at The Mintha Theatre.

Dinner is at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Mandalay. 

Day 3 : 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 PeikKhyinMyaung Caves and then head to PweKyauk 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 4 : Pyin Oo Lwin – Bagan (B / L / D) 

After breakfast, we drive approximately (5 hours) to Bagan. Visit to the most significant pagodas and temples in this historical wonderland including Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century and Ananda Temple with its four magnificent standing Buddha statues. This includes That Byinnyu pagoda built by King Alaung Si Thu in the 12th century. 

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

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 5 : Bagan  (B / L / D)

After breakfast, we stroll through to a colourful local market and continue the day’s exploration with visits to some of Bagan’s most impressive temples, including GuByaukGyi, which is noted for its superb murals. We head to Htilominlo Temple and Ananda Temple which is famed for its four magnificent upright Buddha images. 

After lunch at Sanon restaurant, our journey back in time continues with visits to antiquities such as the site of Tayokepyay Temple in Min Nan Thu village, PhayaThoneZu and Nandamanya temples and Kyat Kan Cave monastery, a famous meditation retreats in Bagan. In the evening a colourfully decorated horse cart will take you to some of the more off-the-beaten-track temple sights and enjoy the sunset over the temples ruins during the ride. 

Dinner is at a local restaurant with puppet show.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 6 : Bagan (B / L / D) 

After breakfast we depart the hotel and set off on bikes along dusty lanes and tree-shaded roads past ornate temples and monasteries to Myinkabar village, situated between Old Bagan and New Bagan to a famous temple called Manuha. We then stroll through the local morning market to take in this lively daily activity. 

Bagan is not just temples and shrines and we get the opportunity to explore its alternative side with visits to sleepy villages scattered over the surrounding plains, including visits to a farmer’s house, a barber’s shop and exploration of traditional family businesses such as lacquerware and bamboo factories. We also watch rice being pounded in the traditional Burmese way. 

We continue to the village monastery and then proceed to GuByaukGyi Temple which contains superb mural paintings and Nanbaya Temple, a unique sandstone monument which used to be palace of famed Mon ruler King Manuha.

In the afternoon, enjoy sunset over the plains and mountains of Bagan while cruising on the Ayeyarwaddy River.

Dinner is at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 7 : Bagan – Kalaw (B / L / D)

After breakfast we continue our drive (approximately 300 km – 8 hours), through varied agricultural landscapes and villages to Kalaw. En-route we visit Mount Popa, an extinct volcano 1,518 metres above sea level which has spectacular views of the sprawling plains. This is a popular pilgrimage destination for devotees who worship various animist spirits known as nats. A total of 777 steps lead up to the shrine placed atop the steep Popa peak.

After lunch at en route local restaurant, 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 regions and wonderful handicrafts can be purchased at the colourful markets. 

Dinner is at hotel. 

Overnight in Kalaw.

Day 8 : Kalaw (B / L / D)

After breakfast set out from your hotel for the adventure which includes a six-hour trek to the ethnic Palaung village of Tar Yaw. The animist Palaung are among the earliest inhabitants in Myanmar and they have maintained their ancient cultural traditions. We take a walk through their plantations before returning to Kalaw. Packed lunch is provided during the trek.

Tonight dinner is at the hotel.

Overnight in Kalaw.

Day 9 : Kalaw – Inle Lake (B / L / D)

After breakfast we set off on a 62 km (60 minutes) drive to NyaungShwe for a full-day exploration by boat of Inle Lake. We will witness the famous one-leg rowers, floating gardens and an insight into village life, plus stupendous views of the magnificent local scenery. Highlights include visits to PhaungdawOo Pagoda, one of the most sacred shrines in Myanmar that dates back to the 18th century; NgaPhaeKyaung Monastery, famous for its beautiful collection of ancient Buddha statues; the weaving village of Inpawkhon; and a traditional local market (on market days only). 

Lunch is at Inntha Heritage Restaurant.

Dinner is at hotel. 

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 10 : Inle Lake (B / L / D)

After breakfast it is time to board a boat and head to the western shore of Inle Lake to the beginning of a stairway that leads to the amazing Indein Pagoda complex, one of the most amazing sites on the shoreline. This consists of hundreds of small stupas overgrown with moss and greenery. After the return to the hotel by boat, we then continue on foot to the village of Sae Ma to get an insight into local life. 

Then we head to the weaving village of Tha Le where a traditional home-cooked Shan lunch will be served in a local Intha home enjoying local eating ways with low table on the floor. In the afternoon we interact with villagers in their lakeside communities and then travel to a monastery to observe holy rituals and monastery life. We return to the hotel by boat. 

Dinner is at the hotel. 

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 11 : Inle Lake – Yangon (B / - / -)

After breakfast we fly to Yangon. 

Upon arrival if we have time, we visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, Shwedagon Pagoda. Afterwards we transfer to Yangon Airport for your international departure. 

Lunch is charged to your own account.

End of our services.