MYANMAR TOURS

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GBS Tour 12: Classic Myanmar Tour

Yangon – Bagan – Mt. Popa – Mandalay – Amarapura – Sagaing – Mingun – Pindaya - Inle – Yangon – Sittwe – Mrauk U – Ngapali Beach - Yangon (18 days /17 nights)

This program leads you to the ancient Rakhine Dynasty. Sittwe is the capital of Rakhine State. It is situated at south West of Myanmar at Rakhine Coast. It has a long coasting bordering on the Bay of Bengal. It is a town originally built by the British in 1826. There is a view point to be enjoyed along the coast. Culture and traditional heritage and colourful Rakhine races are filled in Sittwe. The town’s popular sites are Payagyi Pagoda, the Buddhist Museum, and Payamya Monastery. It is also the gate way to Mauk U, an ancient city of Rakhine Kings.
It was founded in 1430 AD and flourished till 1785 as recorded in its history. Known as the Golden City by foreign travelers of the era it was a focus of trade due to its strategic location on the coastal region of Bay of Bengal. It is 80 km North of Sittwe on the river bank of Kispanadi (Kalandan).

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 – 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 colorful 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 – 3: 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 – 4: 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 – 5: 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 6: Mandalay – Heho by flight – Pindaya by coach

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Heho (schedule flight, 30 min flying). Then drive to Pindaya (± 1 ½ hour driving). Sightseeing inclusive of Pindaya Cave with thousands of Buddha Images placed there by pilgrims over many centuries and Umbrella workshop which is made from pulp, stroll underneath the old Banyan trees which are said over 200 years. Take fresh breath and photos. Overnight at hotel.
 

Day – 7: Pindaya – Inle by coach

After breakfast at hotel. Visit local market where you can see colorful tribes sell local products. 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 – 8: 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 – 9: Inle – Heho by car – Yangon by domestic flight

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the Heho Airport for the flight back to Yangon (Domestic schedule flight,1 hr 20 min flying). Arrive at Yangon Airport. On the way to the hotel, visit the Lawka Chantha Abayalabha Muni Image carved out of (500) tons Marble Rock. Then check in to the hotel. The afternoon is devoted exclusively to shopping in the vast and sprawling Scott Market, today known as Bogyoke Aung San Market. The market is fill with Myanmar Souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems and jewelry ( which are available at extremely discounted prices ). Stroll along the China Town area and experience first hand its rustic market. Overnight at hotel in Yangon.
 

Day – 10: Yangon – Sittwe by flight – Mrauk U by boat

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Sittwe (domestic schedule flight, 1 hour 15 minute flying). Arrive Sittwe and transfer to jetty to embark on a private boat to go to Mrauk-U. Arrive Mrauk-U in the evening and check-in at hotel. (Boat trip is about 5 or 6 hours depending on tide). Overnight at hotel.
 

Day – 11: Mrauk U

After breakfast, full day excursion in Mrauk-U. Highlights include Shit Thoung Temple, built by King MinBar Gyi in AD1535.The next object of interest will be Htokekant Theim Temple, built by King Min Phalong in 1571 AD. Then to Antaw- Theim Temple, built by King Min Bar gyi. Afternoon sightseeing will begin from Koe-Thoung Phato Taw Gyi, built by King Min Teik Khar in AD1553. After that a visit to Mrauk-U archaeological Museum. The Museum consists of five main exhibition rooms, such as stone inscription, Buddha images, art objects, glazed ware and ceramic exhibition and model of Mrauk-U ancient city exhibition room. Overnight athotel.
 

Day – 12: Mrauk U

After breakfast, day return trip to Wethali, just under 10 km north of Mrauk-U are the remains as the Wethali or vesali. (Waithali in the local parlance), Kingdom. According to Rakhaing chronicles, Wethali was founded in(327) AD by King Mahataing Chandra. Archaeologists believe that tins Kingdom lasted until the 8th century. Other object of interest will be Magamuni Paya. This was the original site for Mandalay's famous Mahamuni Buddha. Overnight at hotel.
 

Day – 13: Mrauk U – Sittwe by boat

After breakfast, transfer to jetty, embark on a private boat to Sail back to Sittwe. Picnic lunch on the boat. Arrive Sittwe in the afternoon, transfer to hotel. Afternoon, light excursion around Sittwe City. A visit to view Point. Overnight at one of the hotel in Sittwe.

Day – 14: Sittwe – Ngapali by flight

After breakfast, drive to the main market to mingle with the locals and to see what the locals are produces in Sittwe. Then drive back to hotel, pack your belongings, take shower and drive to Sittwe Airport for your afternoon flight to Thandwe (domestic flight, 40 minute flying). Arrive Mazin Airport and transfer to the hotel by shuttle bus. Ngapali is said to have been named after the Naples of Italy by a homesick Italian. It is famous for its natural and unspotted beauty, stretches about 3 km long with soft white sand fringed by coconut palms. Fresh breeze through the blue sea while taking sun bath on the white sand invites you to release your stresses. Overnight at hotel.
 

Day – 15 & Day - 16: Ngapali

Enjoy your stay at Ngapali Beach. You also can visit the near by fishing villages, where you can find the fishermen begin setting and drawing drift nets before dawn and continue into the late morning, when they load their catches in baskets. Overnight at Hotel.



 

Day – 17: Ngapali – Thandwe – Yangon by flight

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport for the flight back to Yangon (domestic schedule flight, 1 hour flying). Transfer to the hotel and ocvernight.

Day – 18: Departure Yangon

Breakfast at hotel and leisure till the flight time. Then transfer to the airport for the departure flight to conclude this happy trip.