Ancient pagodas and temples decorate the plains of Bagan
27 February – 11 March 2018
Places Available
This extraordinary journey discovers the rich cultural heritage of this diverse country and its peoples, beginning in the city of Yangon, formerly Rangoon, with its glorious array of architectural wonders including the famous Shwedagon Pagoda. Known today as Suvanabhomi, the Golden Land, Burma is a land of beauty and inspiration and the Burmese are a gentle and serene people with a deep-rooted belief in Buddhism and spirit worship, which is reflected in the thousands of beautiful pagodas in ancient Bagan and the monasteries of Mandalay, highlights of our trip. The tour finishes at the beautiful Inle Lake, famous for its floating villages and gardens and the leg-rowers of the Intha tribe.
GROUP TRIP
SYDER TRAVEL
12 Days / 11 Nights
Day 0: Fly London to Yangon
Day 1: Yangon, arrival
Day 2: Yangon
Day 3: Yangon – Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin
Day 4: Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay
Day 5: Mandalay
Day 6: Mandalay – Mingun-Mandalay
Day 7: Mandalay – Bagan
Day 8: Bagan
Day 9: Bagan – Heho – Inle
Day 10: Inle
Day 11: Inle – Yangon
Day 12: Yangon, departure
Day 1: Arrive Yangon (-/-/D)
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guide who will accompany you as you transfer to the hotel.
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual`l heritage makes it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia.
After lunch your guided tour goes to Kandawgyi Park, one of central Yangon’s greenest spots. Here you will see the glittering Karaweik barge, a replica of the royal barge, and the vast lake with views of Shwedagon in the background. Depending on the day of your visit Kandawgyi may be busy with local families who come here on the weekend to relax in the fresh air.
From here, continue to Shwedagon Pagoda the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, the local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago then renovated several times until taking its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas and your guide will show you around the massive complex, explaining why this temple is so revered. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point.
Special oil lamp lighting at Shwedagon
Welcome dinner at House of Memories
Overnight in Yangon.
Distances and journey time:
Yangon Airport to Yangon city centre (20 km): 30 – 60 mins
Day 2: Yangon (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we’ll visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. A visit to Kyaukhtatgyi provides a great overview of Buddhism with murals depicting the life of Buddha, the feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray.
After that proceed to Kalaywa Monastry ,which is home to one thousand monks. In his lifetime a Burmese male is expected to spend some of his life serving as a Monk to learn the ways of Buddhism. We will be able to observe the late morning procession to collect alms and learn about the monks’ way of life.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Afterwards, return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Relax after a day of sightseeing and enjoy the views of life on the water with a late afternoon cocktail cruise. Cruise along the Yangon River, passing fishermen, local ferry boats and riverside villages while enjoying beer, cocktails and snacks on board. (one soft drink or beer included; cocktails and additional drinks extra)
Dinner at Local restaurant
Overnight in Yangon
Day 3: Yangon – Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin (B/L/D)
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight from Yangon to Mandalay.
Leave Mandalay for a scenic two-hour drive to the former British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin (also known as Maymyo) located on a plateau 1,000m above sea level. Many reminders of the colonial era are still present in Pyin Oo Lwin, including brick and timber houses.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Pyin Oo Lwin is home for many ethnic tribes as well as a considerable numbers of Nepalese and Hindu who migrated during the British occupation, famous for its climate weather.
Enjoy a traditional horse cart and carriage ride through town. Stop at the Botanical Gardens, 432 acres of leafy gardens home to a diverse mix of botanical species from around the world. The Gardens were established by Sir Harcourt Butler, former Governor of Burma.
Continue to the local market to see the multicolor flowers and vegetables on sale.
Dinner at Club Terrace.
Overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin.
Day 4: Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay (B/L/D)
After breakfast at hotel, drive back to Mandalay.
Upon arrival to Mandalay, you’ll visit the Mingun Bell which weighs more than 87 tons and is more than 3.7 metres tall. This is the world’s largest uncracked bell. Just south of the bell you’ll also visit Mingun Pagoda, a giant brick structure built in the late 1700s and although it was unfinished due to economic troubles it is still an impressive site. Mingun’s other highlight is the Hisnbyume Pagoda, a white-washed temple built to resemble Mount Meru. Throughout Mingun there are small neighborhoods crafting traditional basketry and other artistic items and there is plenty of time to stop and interact with the craftsmen and friendly locals.
On the return boat journey an early lunch will be served.
After that , transfer to your hotel for check in.
The rest of day is at leisure.
In the evening, enjoy your dinner at A Littile Bit of Mandalay.
Overnight in Mandalay
Day 5: Mandalay –Ava-Amarapura-Mandalay (B/L/D)
After breakfast transfer to the Mandalay’s Jade Market. Wet, wild and wonderful, the market is an experience that brings history, culture and modern Myanmar to life. Rarely visited by tourist, making it one of the few markets in Southeast Asia where an authentic experience can still be found. The traders are here to conduct serious business and pay little attention to camera-toting foreigners. Myanmar’s jade trade dates back thousands of years.
Then continue south of the city to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries, where a short ferry ride will take us across the river to where our horse and carriage are waiting. Visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort. There are many small villages located amid Ava’s ruins and as you travel by horse and cart you’ll get a glimpse of local life in the Burmese countryside.
We’ll stop for lunch at local restaurant in Ava before returning to our car.
Return toward the city and stop at Amarapura, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’. First visit a silk weaving workshop. After touring this tranquil site, continue to U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge. The bridge was constructed of 984 teak posts that were once part of the deserted Inwa Palace and it is 1.2 kilometers in length making it the world’s longest teak span. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams.
Dinner at Tom Yam Keong.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 6: Mandalay – Mingun –Mandalay (B/L/D)
This morning, embark on a boat trip up the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay to the riverside village of Mingun, enjoying the picturesque scenery of this river and the lifestyles of the local people who live and work on these waters. Unlike Ava and Amarapura, Mingun was not a royal capital yet has many interesting sites to see.
You’ll visit the Mingun Bell which weighs more than 87 tons and is more than 3.7 metres tall. This is the world’s largest uncracked bell. Just south of the bell you’ll also visit Mingun Pagoda, a giant brick structure built in the late 1700s and although it was unfinished due to economic troubles it is still an impressive site. Mingun’s other highlight is the Hsinbyume Pagoda, a white-washed temple built to resemble Mount Meru. Throughout Mingun there are small neighborhoods crafting traditional basketry and other artistic items and there is plenty of time to stop and interact with the craftsmen and friendly locals.
Have a lunch on board.
From the jetty transfer back to your hotel.
The rest of day is at leisure in Mandalay.
Dinner at your hotel.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 7: Mandalay – Bagan (B/L/D)
Early Morning, transfer to Mandalay airport flight to Bagan.
Upon arrival to Bagan, transfer directly to your hotel for check in. (early check-in subject to availability).
After check in, your journey begins with a visit an elevated temple from where you will have a panoramic view of the magnificent plains of Bagan. Continue with a visit to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction in to Bagan’s rich history. Then, visit to nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.
Lunch at local restaurant.
This afternoon begin with a visit to a traditional lacquer ware workshop where you can observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. Built in the early Mon-style, Ananda contains two unique Buddha images whose expressions seem to change depending on the distance from which the statue is viewed.
Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the temples.
Dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight in Bagan
Day 8: Bagan (B/L/D)
After breakfast, visit the colorful Nyaung Oo Market where villagers gather every day to buy and sell their produce and other goods. Continue to Myinkaba village and take a short walking tour to explore the temples of Manuha and Nan Paya.
Lunch at local restaurant.
After lunch, continue to the rural village of Minnanthu, one of Bagan’s least visited areas. Here you will explore temples such as Payathonzu, Lemyentha and Nandamannya before heading to the riverside pier.
From here, travel by horse cart for a tour passing Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, massive Dhammayangyi Temple, noted for its remarkable brickwork, and Sulamani Temple.
Dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight in Bagan.
Day 9: Bagan – Heho – Inle Lake (B/L/D)
After breakfast, transfer to Nyaung U Airport for a flight to Heho.
From Heho, a scenic one-hour drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which features beautiful carvings and a collection of Buddha images. We will also stop in Nyaung Shwe for a short walk around town and visit to the colorful market if it is being held that day.
Lunch at View Point Eco Lodge
Afterwards head to Red Mountain Winery for a tasting of locally produced reds and whites.
Upon reaching the edges of Inle Lake, board a private motorboat to head out to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. Pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people. Observe the leg-rowing fishermen and see their floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf.
Dinner at hotel
Overnight on Inle Lake.
Distances and journey time:
Heho Airport to Nyaung Shwe (28 km): 45 mins
Nyaung Shwe Jetty to Hotel on Inle Lake (10 – 20 km): 30 – 60 mins
Day 10: In Dien – Inle Lake (B/L/D)
After breakfast, visit the lake’s morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5 day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: market is daily except on dark moon day and full moon day).
From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of In Dein. Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand.
Afterwards take an afternoon walk through one of Inle’s lakeside villages.
Dinner at hotel
Overnight on Inle Lake
Day 11: Inle Lake- Heho – Yangon (B/L/D)
After breakfast, transfer to Heho airport for your onward flight to Yangon.
Upon arrival, head to your hotel to drop off your bags (early check-in subject to availability).
After check in, the 3 hour walking tour will cover 4-5 kilometres in the central districts of downtown. Many of the buildings visited are on the Yangon City Heritage List, a list of 188 man-made structures mainly consisting of religious landmarks and colonial-era buildings.
Highlights include City Hall, the old railway station and the former Minister’s office where General Aung San was assassinated. Interspersed in the guided walk are various religious sites such as the St Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1899, and the Buddhist landmarks of Sule Paya and Botataung Pagoda.
By walking through the streets you’ll also have a chance to witness the lifestyles of the locals- from the busy bus and boat stations to the tea shops and hidden street markets. There are plenty of chances to interact with Yangon residents and learn more about the Burmese culture.
Lunch at local restaurant.
After lunch, visit to Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, where there is time to browse through the dozens of stalls and shops. This is Yangon’s best market for handicrafts and other goods.
In the late afternoon, transfer back to your hotel and take a short rest.
Farewell dinner at Le Planteur.
Overnight in Yangon
Day 12: Depart Yangon (B/-/-)
Transfer to the airport for your international departure.
Syder Travel 