DAY 1: Yangon arrival
Dinner
On arrival you will be welcomed by VietmarkDMC tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Drive through downtown to explore the city center and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia.
You’ll start at the post office – a lovely historic building – and to Sule Paya in the middle of downtown, passing by Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument along the way.
Then visit Little India and Chinatown – stop to greet the vendors and let them introduce you to their wares – some familiar, some exotic. Photo stop at the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge.Nothing will prepare you for Shwedagon Pagoda, with its glittering gold stupa. At the pagoda observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at Shwedagon pagoda.
DAY 2: Yangon-Bagan
Breakfast
Early morning flight to Bagan.
Begin our exploration of Bagan by visiting a busy local market and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan.
You will spend the day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town by visit to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples. Also visit a local lacquer ware workshop and watch men and women ply their craft using traditional methods. In the late afternoon climbing to the top of the Temple for sunset views. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas.
DAY 3: Bagan - Mt. Popa - Villages
Breakfast
You may continue sightseeing Temples & Pagodas and villages in the morning or take excursion trip to Mount Popa (45 km drive), an extinct volcano with spectacular views, 4981 feet above sea level.
777 steps lead up to the Buddhist shrine place on the top of the Popa peak. On the top of mountain there are monasteries, pagoda and shrines indifferent styles. In the mid afternoon back to Bagan and you will explore Bagan from a different perspective as you explore the area by Pony cart. The cart can explore areas that cars are unable to enter giving a different feel of Bagan.
DAY 4: Bagan - Mandalay - Amarapura
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your flight to legendary Mandalay, a city of great cultural importance. This afternoon visit the second most sacred image in Myanmar next to the Shwedagon Pagoda is the Mahamuni Pagoda.
Next visit Golden palace Monastery famous for its intricate woodcarvings. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. Before sunset visit a 200-year-old teak bridge, the most photographic site in Myanmar.
DAY 5: Mandalay - The Irrawaddy - Mingun
Breakfast
After breakfast you’ll board a private local boat for a trip up the Irrawaddy to Mingun. Visit the Mingun Bell, weighing 87 tons and being the world’s largest intact bronze bell, the unfinished Mingun Paya (built with the intention of being the world’s biggest pagoda).
After returning to Mandalay in the afternoon continue sightseeing and visit workshop where colorful silks are woven, and the ruined remains of the Royal Palace.
DAY 6: Mandalay - Heho - Inle Lake
Breakfast
After breakfast, fly to Heho, gateway to Inle Lake. Known as the most beautiful lake in Myanmar, Inle Lake’s calm waters are surrounded by high hills and dotted with floating gardens and stilted villages. Then drive to NyaungSh- pick up boat & transfer to your hotel for check in. Enjoy the full day tour by boat in Inle lake. The five Buddha images of Hpaung Daw U Pagoda are the holiest in Inle Lake.
Next, visit a unique Monastery on the Lake Nga Phe Kyaung, near Ywama village where the local Monks have trained the cats to jump through hoops, it is now affectionately known as the jumping cat Monastery. Proceed to Nampan village and see local cigar [cheroot] making and canoe carving.
DAY 7: Inle Lake - Indein
Breakfast
Continue sightseeing in Inle Lake, maneuvering by boat though long, scenic channels where you can watch the farmers cultivate their produce in “floating gardens”. You will visit the fascinating village of Indein, with it’s complex of ancient shrines and stupas and walk though exotic colonnades of stairways and shop stalls.
You’ll visit the “long neck” tribal women, and weaving and craft villages perched on stilts. See the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. It is a feast for the senses and a photographer’s dream.
DAY 8: Inle Lake - Yangon
Breakfast
Morning flight to Yangon.
Then enjoy a visit to Scott Market, the sprawling 75-year-old Market. At the market you will find a whole variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems & jewelry – bargain at the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere! Visit the over 100 year old beautiful Rangoon Synagogue.
In there you will have the opportunity to meet with Trustee of the Synagogue to learn the Jewish Life in the Pagoda Land. Drive through the city and observe the influences of other cultures in the region. Visit the Jade Buddha temple with marble statue weighs 500 tons and the largest in the world.
DAY 9: Yangon - Departure
Breakfast
After breakfast, day at leisure until transfer to airport for International departure flight.
