A Private Myanmar Tour – Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay

Day 1. Arrive Yangon
Upon arrival in Yangon, be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2. Yangon
Enjoy a full day tour of Yangon starting with the Sule Pagoda, a 48-meter high golden dome used by the British as the nucleus of their grid pattern for the city when it was rebuilt in the 1880s; the Scott Market, consists of over 2000 stalls and is the best place in Yangon to browse through the complete range of local handicrafts. After lunch, continue on to some of the more well-known pagodas, including Botataung Pagoda, named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted relics of the Buddha from India over 2000 years ago; Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, a reclining Buddha that is almost as large as the enormous figure of Shwethalyaung Buddha in Bago. Last but certainly not least, visit the impressive the Shwedagon Pagoda. Towering over the city, this pagoda is the most sacred spot in the country, built to house eight hair relics of the Buddha. The Shwedagon and surrounding shrines are at their most beautiful during the sunset hour, as the golden stupa reflects the changing colours of twilight. (B,L)

Day 3. Yangon / Bagan
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Bagan, a spectacular plain stretching away from the Ayeyarwaddy River, dotted with thousands of 800-year old temple ruins. Commence sightseeing of  Shwezigon Paya, a pagoda used to ensure relics of Buddha; Gubyaukhyi Temple, originally built in the early 13th Century that houses the colorful painting about the previous life of Buddha. Ananda Pahto, considered one of the finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples; and Manuha Temple, built in 1059 by King Manuha that enshrines several unusual Buddha images. Later in the afternoon, enjoy the fabulous sunset view over the Bagan Temples from Shwesandaw Pagoda. Includes lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight in Bagan. (B,L)

Day 4. Bagan
Today, Take a break from the rhythms of modern life and explore some neighboring temples by electric bike (optional). Visit Thatbyinnyu Pahto that rises up to 61 metres and is one of Bagan’s tallest monuments; Dhammayangyi Temple where the  brickwork here is said to rank as one of the finest in Bagan and Sulamani Temple, one of the best examples of the later, more sophisticated temple styles. Afterwards, proceed to Salay by vehicle to explore local life in this unspoiled Burmese town. Visit the Yoke Son Kyaung, the oldest surviving wooden monastery, with beautiful carvings of court life and scenes from the Ramayana.  Continue to wander around the town, visiting the market and the Thar Ta Na Yaung Chi monastery, which also serves as an orphanage before return to your resort. (B)

Day 5. Bagan / Inle Lake
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Heho. Upon arrival, enjoy a boat trip of beautiful Inle Lake. located in Shan State, the beautiful Inle Lake boasts calm waters dotted with patches of floating vegetation and fishing canoes and surrounded by high hills on all sides of the lake. The lake’s shore and islands bear 17 villages on stilts, mostly inhabited by the Intha people. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and observe the skilled fishermen using their leg-rowing technique to propel themselves around the lake. Visit the floating gardens, a market and a Intha village around the lake. The day sightseeing also includes a visit to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inn Paw Khon Village famous for Lotus and silk weaving. and the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to Mandalay. Overnight on Inle Lake with dinner served at your resort. (B,L,D)

 Day 6. Inle Lake (Indein Temple Ruins)
This morning, enjoy a boat trip to the western shore of Inle for a visit of the Indein Temple Complex. Located on the shore of the lake, this site consists of hundreds of crumbling and atmospheric groups of ancient pagodas hidden by overgrown trees and shrubs. Return to your resort and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure to relax and soak up the Inle’s stunning natural beauty. (B)

Day 7. Inle Lake / Mandalay
Transfer for your morning flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, enjoy a ferry crossing to Inwa (Ava), situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Once a royal capital, Inwa (Ava) is now a quiet rural oasis. Enjoy a leisurely horse cart ride around the peaceful countryside, briefly visiting Bagaya Kyaung, a beautiful teak wood monastery, Maha Aungmyay Bonzan Kyaung, and Nan Myint Tower. Continue to Amarapura, another former royal capital. Visit the nineteenth century Pahtodawgyi Paya and Bagaya Kyaung. Stop to enjoy the atmosphere at U Bein Bridge, a picturesque teak bridge which extends over one kilometre across Taungthaman Lake. At dusk, the bridge teems with monks and local people as they stroll home or linger to enjoy the colours of the sunset. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Afternoon transfer to your hotel for overnight. (B,L)

Day 8. Depart Mandalay 
Morning city tour of Mandalay, the last capital of royal Burma and a cultural and spiritual centre of today’s Myanmar. Visit Mahamuni Paya, the Mahamuni image enshrined here is perhaps the most venerated image in Myanmar, covered in over 15 cm of gold leaf. Head to Shwenandaw Kyaung, or the Golden Teak Monastery built entirely of golden teak that was once part of the Mandalay Palace. Time permiting visit Kyauktawgyi Paya and Kuthodaw Paya, known also as “the world’s biggest book”; and Shwe Kyin Old Monastery, an old monastery at the base of Mandalay Hill. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your departure flight onward. (B)

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.
• LS  (Low Season): May – September
• HS (High Season): October – April
• Price includes all domestic flights within Myanmar, entrance fees, hotel taxes & service charges
• Price excludes international airfares, personal expenses, beverages during included lunches & dinners, gratuities to guides and drivers
• A Visa is required to enter Myanmar. Not included in package.
• All flights, hotels and land services are subject to availability at time of reservation.