Essential Myanmar - 8 Days

Day 1 : Yangon Arrival

Upon arrival in Yangon International Airport, met & greeted by 99destinations Travel Tour Guide and transfer to hotel (Checking- in time is 14h00). Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is still relatively quiet and charming city. Its aggressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating and authentic capitals of South-East Asia. After lunch, proceed for a city tour including the Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, which houses a 70m long reclining Buddha statue. Continue to Modern Tea shop for chance to experience an integral part of Burmese life; drinking tea! Next proceed to visit Kandawgyi Park, one of the central Yangon™s greenest spots. Here you will see the glittering Karaweil barge, a replica of the royal barge and the vast lake with views of Shwedagon in the background. As the evening comes to a close, watch a magnificent sunset over the gilded dome of the holy Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. The central Stupa is 99m tall and gilded with gold leaf. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point. Overnight in Yangon.
Meals: Indian Dinner
Distance:
Yangon International Airport -> Hotel: 19 kms (50 Mins)

Day 2 : Yangon Bagan By Flight (Excluded Airfare)

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the Airport for domestic flight to Bagan earlier capital of Myanmar. Arrive at Bagan. On arrival start your journey visiting Tayokye Pyay Temple, an elevated temple from where you will have a panoramic view of the magnificent plains of Bagan. Then proceed to visit Golden Stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda, Wetkyi in Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings and Htilominlo Temple noted for its glazed sandstone decorations. Afternoon visit to a traditional lacquer ware workshop, Ananda temple an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temple. This temple contains two Buddha images whose expressions seem to change depending on the distance from which the statue is viewed. Enjoy a horse carriage tour passing Thatbyinnyu - the highest temple in Bagan, Dhammayangyi Temple and Sulamani temple. Watch the sun set from the upper terrace of one of the pagodas. Overnight at Hotel in Bagan.
Meals: Breakfast, Local Lunch, Local Dinner
Distance::
Hotel -> Yangon Domestic Airport: 19 kms (50 Mins)
Bagan Domestic Airport -> Hotel: 9 kms (15 Mins)

Day 3 : Bagan

Start your morning with optional hot air balloon flight over the plains of Bagan. Enjoy the fabulous views as the sun rises over the stupas and Irrawaddy river (Available only from Oct to Mar). After breakfast, start this morning with a stroll through the lively Nyaung Oo Market before proceeding to Myinkaba village to view the local lifestyle and traditional lacquer ware workshops. Continue to Myinkaba village and take a short walking tour to explore the temples of Manuha and Nan Paya. This afternoon visit the countryside village of Minnanthu. Here you will explore temples such as Payathonzu, Lemyentha and Nandamannya before taking a sunset boat cruise on the Irrawaddy River at an optional cost. Overnight in Bagan.
OPTIONAL for BALLOON riding = US$ 320 /per pax
OPTIONAL for sunset boat = US$ 20/per pax

Meals: Breakfast, Local Lunch, Local Dinner
Distance:

Day 4 : Bagan Mandalay By Flight (Excluded Airfare)

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the Airport for your flight to Mandalay. Arrive at Mandalay and tour the cities major landmarks including the holy Mahamuni Pagoda, whose Buddha statue is covered with gold leaf giving it an almost lumpy texture. Afternoon, will continue tour of Mandalay with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to 729 marble stone slabs inscribed with Buddhist scripture 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 city and Irrawaddy river. Overnight at Hotel in Mandalay.
Meals: Breakfast, Local Lunch, Local Dinner
Distance:
Hotel -> Bagan Domestic Airport: 9 kms (15 Mins) Mandalay Domestic Airport -> Hotel: 32 kms (1 Hour & 20 Mins)

Day 5 : Mandalay Amarapura Ava Sagaing Mandalay

After breakfast, depart for an excursion around Mandalay to explore the former capitals of Ava, Sagaing and Amarapura. Proceed to Sagaing crossing a bridge over the Irrawaddy River. Covered with 600 whitepainted 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 Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae. We™ll also visit Sagaing™s local market, a typical Burmese market that few tourists visit. Here you will find a range of items for sale including locally made pottery, silver and other handicrafts. After that we will also stop at a small pottery village to see the process of making the ubiquitous water pots found throughout Myanmar. Then continue south of the city to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries, where a short ferry ride will take us across the river to where our horse and carriage are waiting. Visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort. There are many small villages located amid Avas ruins and as you travel by horse and cart you™ll get a glimpse of local life in the Burmese countryside. We™ll stop for lunch in Ava before returning to our car. Return toward the city and stop at Amarapura, a former capital whose name means City of Immortality. First visit a silk weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products and then visit Mahagandayon monastery, when over one-thousand monks reside. After touring this tranquil site, continue to U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge. The bridge was constructed of 984 teak posts that were once part of the deserted Inwa Palace and it is 1.2 kilometers in length making it the world™s longest teak span. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. Overnight at Hotel in Mandalay.
Meals: Breakfast, Local Lunch, Local Dinner
Distance:
Mandalay -> Sagaing: 20 kms (1 Hour)
Sagaing -> Ava: 15 kms (40 Mins)
Ava -> Amarapura:15 kms (40 Mins)
Amarapura -> Mandalay: 9 kms (20 Mins)

Day 6 : Mandalay Heho By Flight (Excluded Airfare) Inle Lake

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the Airport for your flight to the town of Heho where a short transfer will take you 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. We will also stop in Nyaung Shwe for a short walk around town and visit to the colorful market if it is being held that day. As you head out onto Inle Lake behold the sight of the Intha fishermen and their unique one-legged rowing styles as you cruise past the local villages on a private motorboat. Visit 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. Overnight at Hotel in Inle Lake.
Meals: Breakfast, Local Lunch, Local Dinner
Distance:
Hotel -> Mandalay Airport: 32 kms (1 Hour & 20 Mins)
Heho Airport -> Nyaung Shwe: 38 kms ( 1 Hour & 10 Mins)

Day 7 : Inle Lake In Dien Heho Yangon By Flight (Excluded Airfare)

After breakfast, experience the local lifestyle as you explore the bustling floating market, which rotates around the waterside villages in a 5-day rhythm. Sail along a small canal leading to the Paoh village of In Dein. A leisurely walk through the village will bring you to the beautiful Alaung Sitthou with its vegetation-covered stupas that overlooks the breathtaking Inle Lake. In the afternoon, transfer to Heho Airport for your flight back to Yangon. Arrive at Yangon and transfer to hotel and check in. Overnight at Hotel in Yangon.
Meals: Breakfast, Local Lunch, Local Dinner
Distance:
Nyaung Shwe -> Heho Airport: 38 kms ( 1 Hour & 10 Mins)
Yangon Airport -> Hotel: 19 kms (50 Mins)

Day 8 : Yangon Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Yangon railways station to take a unique ride on the citys circular train ride through the outskirts of town. Disembark at the Kyi Myin Daing market and interact with the friendly locals before returning to the city center. If time allows, browse the stalls at the popular Bogyoke Market before transferring to the airport for your onward departure / return flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance:
Hotel -> Yangon International Airport: 19 kms (50 Mins)