IMPRESSIVE MYANMAR FAMILY VACATION – 9 DAYS

* Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival – Yangon Sightseeing Tour at Museums & Pagodas
Day 2: Yangon Discovery Tour at National Races Village
Day 3: Yangon Boat Trip to Twantay – Sightseeing Tour at Pottery-making Village
Day 4: Yangon – Flight to Bagan – Bagan Sightseeing Tour
Day 5: Bagan Sightseeing Tour at Ngat Pyit Taung Monastery – Optional Balloon Riding
Day 6: Bagan – Flight to Heho – Inle Lake Sightseeing Tour at floating houses & gardens
Day 7: Inle Lake Sightseeing Tour at Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery
Day 8: Inle Lake – Flight from Heho to Yangon
Day 9: Yangon – Departure

Day 1: Myanmar Family Vacation from Yangon to Bagan and Inle Lake: Arrive – Yangon Sightseeing Tours at Pagodas  ( -/L/ D )

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, you will be welcome by our our Guide and transferred to hotel.  Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes it one of the most fascinating cities in South East Asia. Lunch at Padonmar Restaurant. 

This afternoon, your journey begins with sightseeing around the city and its’ colonial buildings. Continue to the National Museum where a tour of the priceless ancient artifacts, works of art and historic memorabilia will help you gain insight in to the country’s history. Of particular note are the three halls on the ground floor, which hold exhibits on the evolution the Myanmar alphabet, the Lion Throne Room, and artifacts from the Yatanabon Period. Following your Museum visit, continue to the Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a 70metre long reclining Buddha. 

As the evening approaches, we arrive at Myanmar’s holiest monument, the Shwedagon Pagoda. A towering stupa covered with 60 tons of pure gold leaf. 
Dinner and Overnight in Yangon. 

Optional Visit: The Thiripyitsaya Sky Bistro is perched on the 20th floor of Sakura Tower, overlooking panoramic views of metropolis. From here, one can get the scenic view of Yangon River and the environs. It is fascinating place to visit; one can share the freshness of unforgettable days in Myanmar with their family and friends at home. 

Price: 15 Dollars per person

Day 2: Myanmar Family Vacation from Yangon to Bagan and Inle Lake: Yangon Sightseeing Tours to National Races Village( B/ L/ D )

After breakfast, set-off on a walking tour of downtown Yangon where you will experience the bustle of every day life, local vendors selling their wares, and the faded colonial atmosphere of the city. 
Feast on fresh, delicious local cuisine at Monsoon restaurant’ This afternoon, visit to ‘National Races Village’ at Thaketa Township.

Here you will have an opportunity to learn about the culture, traditions, and living style of the ethnic minorities of Myanmar. A very diverse country, much of the population belongs to the Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine and Shan people. Children and adults will enjoy learning about the lifestyles of these people and the colourful traditional outfits that they wear. Traditional houses are on display to explore the living quarters found throughout the country, each with unique symbols and building styles particular to the people.

Photos opportunities abound, as children are invited to try on the traditional dresses at each village. Additionally, the ‘National Races Village’ contains 7.5 acres of mangrove forests within the 117-acre village site which are being preserved for educational activities. 
Transfer back to Yangon and rest of your day at leisure at your hotel. 

Dinner and Overnight in Yangon.

Day 3: Myanmar Family Vacation from Yangon to Bagan and Inle Lake: Yangon Sightseeing Tours to Twantay (Pottery Making Village) – Yangon ( By boat ) ( B /L/ D )

After breakfast, transfer to jetty for boat trip to Twantay, a peaceful town on the bank of the Twantay Canal. It is located 14 ½ miles (23.2 km) away from Yangon and the boat trip takes approximately 2 hours. Along the way, observe life upon the river- from the fishermen casting their nets to the villages set upon the banks on the outskirts of Yangon. 
Lunch onboard. 

Up on arrival to Twantay, travel by local trishaw through the village. Stop at the local market and Shwesandaw Zedi. Your final visit is to a pottery village. Twantay is known for creating fantastic pottery and here you can watch the locals demonstrating the traditional techniques for creating earthen wares. Transfer back to Yangon and rest of your day at leisure at your hotel. 
Dinner and Overnight in Yangon.

Day 4: Myanmar Family Vacation from Yangon to Bagan and Inle Lake: Yangon – Flight to Bagan – Bagan Sightseeing Tours at Pagodas with Stupas and Markets ( B/ L/ D )

This morning, transfer to the Yangon airport for the flight to Bagan. Transfer to the hotel and have a chance to freshen up before beginning your day of sight-seeing. Start with a trip to the colorful Nyaung Oo Market, before visiting some of the temples of Bagan. Stops include the Shwezigon Pagoda with its magnificent golden stupa, Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi cave temple with exquisite murals paintings, and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. 
Lunch at Local restaurant. 

This afternoon visit Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple containing four impressive standing Buddha images. Continue to the nearby Ananda Okkyaung, one of the few surviving brick monastery from the early Bagan period. Visit the highest temple (61metres) in Bagan, before embarking on a horse carriage ride!

The ride will take you past dozens of temples, including Sulamani and Dhammayangyi, and pass through the traditional village of Taungbi. As the sun begins to set, climb to one of the upper terraces for views over the plains of Bagan. 
Dinner at local restaurant with marionette show. 

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 5: Myanmar Family Vacation from Yangon to Bagan and Inle Lake: Bagan Sightseeing Tours at Monastery – Optional Balloon Riding Tours ( B/ L/ D )

OPTION: from October to March, early morning hot-air balloon flights over the plain of Bagan and its 3000 sites. An unforgettable and unique experience! 
Price: 315 USD per person 

After breakfast, transfer to Ngat Pyit Taung Monastery and explore the temple’s caves to observe about local tradition and belief. Then, visit the Monastic Primary School where you can visit with the local children who are studying their lessons. Be greeted by their warm smiles and enjoy playing with and meeting the students. Although friendly and welcoming, the children come from a very underprivileged area and a small donation of cash or school supplies will ensure a brighter future for these students. 
Lunch at local restaurant. 

This afternoon, explore the town of Nyaung U and neighboring villages where you will learn about their traditional livelihood. Learn the interesting process of creating “Poneyay” (pea powder paste) and see how local plum jam is made and packed. In addition, visit workshops of two of the region’s best known products: handmade lacquer ware and wooden handicrafts.

In addition, you will visit the villages and observe about how Cartwrights make a traditional bullock carts, still used by farmers and locals throughout the country. A great afternoon for hands-on activities, as the craftsmen love to share their techniques with visitors. 

Dinner and overnight in Bagan.

Day 6: Myanmar Family Vacation from Yangon to Bagan and Inle Lake: Bagan – Flight to Heho – Inle Lake Sightseeing Tours  at Floating Houses and Gardens ( B/L/ D )

This morning is at your leisure for more sightseeing around Bagan. Lunch at local restaurant. 
After lunch, transfer to the airport for domestic flight to Heho. From Heho a 1-hour scenic drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Board a private motorboat to head out to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights.

We 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. 

Your hotel is situated upon the lake, with sweeping views of the tranquil waters. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to relax and soak in the views. 
Dinner and overnight on Inle Lake. 

Day 7: Myanmar Family Vacation from Yangon to Bagan and Inle Lake: Inle Lake Sightseeing Tours to Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda ( By Boat ) ( B/L/ D )

Today a private boat and guide will take you on a sightseeing tour of Inle Lake. Start with a visit to the Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which houses dozens of Shan Buddha Images, but is more famous for its unique ‘jumping cats’ who jump through hoops in the air! Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf. 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. 

Lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to your hotel. This afternoon is sure to be a memorable experience. Travel by local leg-rowed canoe to an Intha family’s house where you will help the family prepare a traditional dinner. Learn about the ingredients and techniques used as your friendly hosts cook a delicious meal. When the meal is ready, sit down with the family and enjoy a delightful dinner before returning to your hotel. 
Overnight on Inle Lake.

Day 8: Myanmar Family Vacation from Yangon to Bagan and Inle Lake: Inle Lake – Flight from Heho to Yangon ( B/ L )

This morning is at your leisure.  Lunch at hotel. 
After lunch, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Yangon where there is time for last minute sight-seeing or shopping. 
Overnight in Yangon. 

Day 9: Myanmar Family Vacation from Yangon to Bagan and Inle Lake: Yangon – Departure( B/-/- )

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Yangon International airport for your onward flight.