MARVELOUS MYANMAR TOUR OF PEOPLE AND HERITAGES – 9 DAYS

* BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival – Yangon Sightseeing Tour
Day 2: Yangon – Flight to Mandalay – Mandalay Sightseeing Tour
Day 3: Mandalay Optional Tour to the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing
Day 4: Mandalay Overland Sightseeing Tour to Bagan – Excursion in Bagan
Day 5: Bagan Sightseeing Tour at Ancient Temples and Relics (Optional Balloon Riding)
Day 6: Bagan OPTIONAL Sightseeing Tour to Villages
Day 7: Bagan – Flight to Heho – Inle Lake Sightseeing Tour
Day 8: Inle Lake Sightseeing Tour – Flight from Heho to Yangon 
Day 9: Yangon City Tour – Departure

Day 1: Myanmar Tour of People & Heritages to Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake: Arrival – Yangon Sightseeing Tours at Temples and Relics

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our 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 heritage makes it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia.

This afternoon, your journey begins with a visit around the city and its highlights. Stop at 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.

Continue to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses a 70-meter reclining Buddha. Late this afternoon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. The central stupa is 90 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf. As the sun begins to set enjoy the breathtaking views of the Pagoda and surrounding skyline before transferring back to your hotel. 
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. 15 USD per person 

Day 2:  Yangon – Flight to Mandalay – Mandalay Sightseeing Tours( B /-/- )

After an early breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Yangon’s Mingaladon Airport for the flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, begin your sightseeing tour of Mandalay with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda. This pagoda is home to one of the country’s most revered Buddha images which, over the years, has been covered with gold leaf giving it an almost ‘lumpy’ texture.

Mandalay is well known for its skilled craftsmen and as you tour traditional workshops, you will learn more about the city’s cottage industries. Observe the production of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries, and gold-leaf where the techniques remained unchanged from those used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court.

This afternoon, continue your tour of Mandalay with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s Biggest Book’. Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace. This grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving. Head to the top of Mandalay Hill as the sun begins to set to enjoy magnificent views of the the city and Irrawaddy River. 
Overnight in Mandalay. 

Day 3: Mandalay – FREE ( B/-/- )

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be free on your own otherwise you can engage our following trip

* OPTIONAL Mandalay to The Former Capital of Amarapura – Ava – Sagaing:

depart for an excursion around Mandalay to explore the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. Begin your tour in Amarapura, where you will attend a special ceremony. Witness the alms collection at Mahagandayon monastery, when over one-thousand monks gather to collect their daily meal from the local Buddhists.

After this beautiful spectacle, continue to U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge. The bridge spans over 2 kilometers in length and offers fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. Before leaving Amarapura, stop at a silk weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products. Continue to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries and travel by horse and carriage through the area stopping to visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort.

This afternoon, cross a bridge over the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. It is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers and you will visit pagodas such as Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin, U Min Thone Sae, and Shin Pin Nan Gyaing. 
Overnight in Mandalay. 

Day 4: Mandalay Overland Sightseeing Tours to Bagan – Exploration Tours in Bagan ( By Car ) ( B/-/- ) 

After breakfast at the hotel, scenic drive to Bagan begins. Along the way, you will have an opportunity to visit local villages in order to learn about Myanmar culture, tradition and lifestyle of local people. Arrive in Bagan late in the afternoon. From the 11th to 13th centuries, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, the rulers of constructed thousands of huge stupas and temples many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.
Overnight in Bagan.

Day 5: Bagan Sightseeing Tours – Optional Balloon Riding Tours ( B/-/- )

OPTION: Start your morning with a hot-air balloon flight over the plains of Bagan. Enjoy the fabulous views as the sun rises over the stupas and Irrawaddy River. This is truly an unforgettable and unique experience! (Note: available only from October to March) USD 315 per person

After breakfast, begin your visit with a stop at the colorful Nyaung Oo Market where every day the locals come to buy and sell fresh produce and other goods. Continue to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction in to Bagan’s rich history. 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. 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. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the temples. 
Overnight in Bagan. 

Day 6:  Bagan – Free ( B/-/- )

After breakfast, you’ll be free on your own otherwise you can engage our following trip

* Optional Bagan Adventure Sightseeing Tour to nearby Villages:

In this morning, we travel to Myinkaba village and take a short walking tour to explore Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jataka murals and the temples of Manuha and Nan Paya. Also visit a workshop where you can observe the detailed production of lacquer ware, one of Myanmar’s best known and most traditional handicrafts.

This afternoon, 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 as well as observing the farmer’s way of life. Enjoy spectacular views from the top of Tayoke Pyay temple as the sun sets over the plains. 
Overnight in Bagan. 

Day 7: Bagan – Flight to Heho – Heho overland Sightseeing Tours to Nyaung Shwe – Inle Lake Sightseeing Tours ( B/-/- )

After breakfast, transfer to Nyaung Oo 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. 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 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. If time permits, there may be time to enjoy a short walk through one of the lakeside villages. 
Overnight on Inle Lake. 

Day 8: Inle Lake Sightseeing Tours to In Dein – Flight from Heho to Yangon ( B/-/- )

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, visiting a local school, and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Climb the covered stair way to the top which is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below. After today’s tour, drive to the Heho Airport for the flight to Yangon and upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. 
Overnight in Yangon. 

Day 9:  Yangon City Tours – Departure ( B/-/- )

Depending on flight time, you can be free to do some following optional activities such as taking a ride on Yangon’s Circle Train in the morning. This morning transfer to Yangon Railways station to take a unique ride on the city’s circular train ride through the outskirts of town (45 minutes ride). This slowly traveling train gives you unique opportunity to observe the lively, colorful lifestyle of the local people.

Disembark at the Insein market where you can peruse the various stalls and interact with the friendly vendors before transferring back to Yagnon. This afternoon, visit Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, where you can browse through the wide selection of Myanmar handicrafts and other goods before transferring to Yangon International Airport for your onward flight. (Note: Market is closed on Mondays and public holidays) 

***** End of services *****

=> Please take a note that we are now in a process of updating the cost for this tour & this work will be completed soon after a time. If you need further details on our updated quotes, kindly email us at sales@dnqtravel.com or dnqtravel@gmail.com directly

Our services include:

• 8 nights accommodation on half-twin room basis with daily breakfast
• English-speaking guide throughout the trip (from Yangon to Yangon) except for 1 pax (station guides – different guide at each place)
• Porter fees at airport
• All transfers and excursions with private air-conditioned vehicles with drivers
• Private boat in Inle Lake
• Entrance fees for the visits mentioned in the program
• All domestic flights as mentioned on tour
•  Meals as indicated (B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

Our services do not include:

• International ticket to/from Yangon
• Visa arrangements for Myanmar 
• Visits not mentioned in the program 
•  Drinks and personal expenses
• Tips and porters at the hotels
• International departure Airport Tax Yangon (USD 10/pax at present)
• Any other items not mentioned