MYANMAR TOURS

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GBS Tour 11: Explore Myanmar Tour

Yangon – Bago – Kyaikhtiyo – Bagan – Mt. Popa – Mandalay – Amarapura – Sagaing – Mingun – Pyin Oo Lwin - Inle – Indein – Kyaing Tong – Yangon (14 days /13 nights)

This program brings you to Kyaing Tong - the historic centre for the state’s Khun Culture, Surrounded by Shan, Akha, Lahu and Wa villages. Tucked away in far eastern corner of the Shan State 456 km north-east of Taunggyi, 163 km north of the border town of Tachileik ( opposite Mae Sai, Thailand ) and 787m, above sea level. Built around a small lake, and dotted with ageing Buddhist Temples and Crumbling British Colonial architecture, Kyaing Tong is probably the most scenic town in the Shan State.

Day - 1: Arrival Yangon

Arrive at Yangon International Airport. Meet and greet our experienced guide. Transfer to hotel. After refreshment, sightseeing begins from Sule Pagoda – in the heart of the city. We'll explore the downtown area, where the ghost of the British Colonial influence still prevails From there we will visit the (64m)long massive reclining Buddha at Chaukhtagyi Paya. We've scheduled a late afternoon visit to most revered and most famous landmark, one of the World's wonder " Shwedagon Pagoda " at dusk, as the Sun begins to fall over the City. Overnight at hotel in Yangon.

Day – 2: Yangon- Bago – Kyaikhtiyo by car

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Kyaikhtiyo – known as Golden Rock. It is 200 km north east of Yangon, 5 hour drive. On the way visit Bago for its highlights: Kyaikpon Pagoda – 4 Buddha Images, Shwe Thalyaung Pagoda and Shwemawdaw Pagoda. Proceed to Kyaikhtyo. Arrive Kimpun based camp and from there take open truck to drive up to Yahte’ camp. And then take trekking about 1 hour to the summit. Along the way, you will pass through an array of village vendors. (there is sedan chair service available as surcharge US$ 20 per way per pax). The Panoramic view from the pagoda platform is magnificent over Sittaung Valley. Overnight at hotel.
 

Day – 3: Kyaikhtiyo – Yangon by car

After breakfast at hotel, drive down to the based camp and drive back to Yangon. On the way visit again Bago for its weaving village and cheroot making cottage. And on the way Yangon, visit Nats shrine, believed by the people of Myanmar as highway Guardian. And visit World War II Cemetery at Htaukyant. Overnight at Hotel.



 

Day – 4: Yangon – Bagan by flight

After breakfast, transfer to the Yangon Airport for the domestic flight to Bagan (schedule flight, 1 hr 20 min flying). Arrive Bagan and transfer to the hotel. After refreshment, start whole day sightseeing of Bagan’s most important temples and pagodas ranging from the temples with the earliest wall paintings to the prototype pagoda the influenced the designs of later Buddhist monuments. Starting Bagan full day sightseeing with Nyaung Oo Local market where you can observe ways of life among the colourful fresh vegetables. Then pay a visit to the golden Shwezigon Pagoda - built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine. And visit Thatbyinnyu Temple – the highest building on the Bagan plain. The next object of interest will be Kyansittha Umin ''Cave Temple''. Then we will proceed to Htilo Minlo Pagoda - the largest temple of Bagan – noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. From there to Lacquer ware cottage to see how the local craft men skillfully working stage by stage. After lunch we will pay a visit to the most famous Ananda Temple - King Kyansittha’s masterpiece and the crowning achievement of the early style temple of architecture. Just before sunset we will visit Shwesandaw Pagoda to enjoy the most magnificent views over the plain with hundreds of Bagan's temple. Overnight at hotel in Bagan.
 

Day – 5: Bagan _ Mt. Popa – Bagan by coach

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Mt. Popa – the oasis in the dry zone and the home of spirits. Climb up Mt. Popa and enjoy your view. (Popa is Sanskrit for flower) 737m from the flat. It was created from a violent volcanic eruption way back in 442 BC to become the dwelling place of the Spirits. Return back to Bagan. And enjoy the sunset while taking unforgettable boat trip along the Ayeyarwaddy River. Overnight at Hotel.

Day – 6: Bagan – Mandalay by flight – Amarapura – Sagaing

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Mandalay (schedule flight, 1 hr 30 min flying from Yangon, 30 min from Nyaung U) . The City of Mandalay took it name from the Mandalay Hill, which is situated at the north east corner of the town. Founded and built by King Mindon in ( AD 1856- 57 ). Arrive Tada U Airport and direct excursion to Amarapura – the ancient capital of Myanmar Kingdom. Visit Maha Gandha Yone, where there are ( 700 to 800 ) monks residing permanently. They're taught Dama, Buddhist Philosophy and U Bein Teak Bridge – 1.2 km long. Then drive to Sagaing and visit silver smith cottage, Rattan Work – shop, Kaungmudaw or the Pumkin Pagoda and Sagaing Hill. Drive to Mandalay and visit Maha Muni Pagoda (the great Pagoda). Overnight at hotel.

Day – 7: Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the jetty to take a boat trip about 45minute up from Mandalay to Mingun. Visit Mingun unfinished pagoda, Mingun Bell weighing ( 90.52 ) tons, Mya Thein Dan Pagoda and the home for the aged. Return back to Mandalay. Afternoon visit stone carving and wood carving, Kuthodaw Pagoda and Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden palace). Then watch lovely sunset from Mandalay Hill with Ayeyarwaddy background view. Overnight at hotel in Mandalay.

 

Day – 8: Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay by coach

Then drive straight to Maymyo, now Pyin Oo Lwin, 67 km northeast of Mandalay lies the hill station of Maymyo. situated at around ( 1.100 in ) above sea level. Then your excursion for the morning begins from Maymyo Colourful market. After that, a visit to Chinese Temple and lunch at one of the local eatery. Then in the afternoon, we will all visit to Botanical Garden, laid out by Sir Harcourt Butler, governor of Burma, established in 1914 and located just south of town. Drive back to Mandalay. Overnight at hotel in Madnalay.
 

Day – 9: Mandalay – Heho by flight – Inle by coach

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Heho (schedule flight, 30 min Flying) Then drive to Nyaung Shwe where Inle Lake is located. Proceed to the hotel by boat. After refreshment, your full day excursion on lake proper. Highlights include. Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. Silk weaving, cheroot factory, Black smith cottage. Canoe work – shop, Silver Smith workshop and Floating Gardens. Photo stop at Padaung Women-known as 'long – neck women '. Overnight at hotel on the lake.
 

Day – 10: Inle – Indein – Inle by boat

Breakfast at hotel. Visit floating market which is held on every fifth day in this region alternatively. Visit Indein Village, located at the western side of the lake. Passing Nyaung Ohak Monastery and follow a stair path lined up with many hundreds o wooden columns, you finally will reach the impressive Shwe Indein Pagoda Complex. From the hillside you have great view over the lake area. On the way back to the boat, walk through a romantic bamboo forest at the riverside, where you may observe local people having a bath.
 

Day – 11: Inle – Heho – Kyaing Tong by flight

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport for the flight to Kyaing Tong (domestic schedules flight via Tachileik, 1 hour 30 minute flying). Arrival late afternoon at Kyaing Tong airport and transfer to hotel and chek-in. Sight seeing in Kyaing Tong starts with Maha Myat Muni Pagoda, housing Mandalay Style Buddha image. Proceed to Shan lacquer ware cottage. Then visit Standing Buddha Image (about one thousand years ago), Hot Spa, Akha centre village and R.C.M church. Visit to the One Tree Hill where a lone, 245 years old Kanyin-byu (Diptero carpus Spp) tree stands. The tree was planted by Alaungmintaya, the founder of Third Myanmar Empire. Overnight at hotel
 

Day – 12: Kyaing Tong

Breakfast at the hotel. Fully - day excursion to Lwe tribe villages. Drive to Mailar-a border town at the Chinese Border. Arrive there and start hiking for half an hour to Wan Nyunt Village, one of the Loi tribe village. The Loi prefer to live in huge long houses, including at least 5 families. Visit an old monastery, a very beautiful one and very different from the others. One hour from there is another Loi village called Wan Seng Village. Enjoy picnic lunch box. This hiking is not so hard and it is worth for its beautiful scenery. Return to Kyaing Tong. Overnight at Hotel.
 

Day – 13: Kyaing Tong- Yangon

Morning Breakfast at hotel. Upon flight time permitting, visit to the colorful local Market is the site for gathering of the different clans, each in their colorful costumes: any given morning you would see Ahku, Ahka, Palaung, Enn or Lahu races. Check out hotel and will be transferred to Kyaing Tong Airport and depart for domestic flight to Yangon by Schedule Flight. Arrive Yangon and transfer to the hotel. Evening stroll along the China Town area and experience first hand its rustic market. Overnight at hotel.
 

Day – 14: Departure Yangon

Breakfast at hotel. This morning is devoted exclusively to shopping in the vast and sprawling Scott Market, today known as Bogyoke Aung San Market. The market is filled with Myanmar Souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems and jewelry (which are available at extremely discounted prices). Then check out from the hotel land transfer to the airport for the departure flight to conclude this happy journey.