Essence of Myanmar Culture 6days

Upon arrival of Yangon International Airport (a.m arrival), start the trip with a visit to the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, a magnificent reclining Buddha Image and Sule Pagoda, said to be as old as 2000 years, standing at the heart of the city as the central reference point from where all the major streets of Yangon radiate. The sightseeing includes Kandawgyi (Royal Lake), an oasis in the middle of the bustling city, where floats a large structure known as the Karaweik, modelled after a royal barge used by Burmese kings. The lake itself is a unique place for taking scenic pictures with Shwedagon Pagoda in the background. Complete a day tour in Yangon with an extended visit to one of the sacred landmarks of Myanmar, Shwedagon Pagoda. You will have a chance to walk round in 360 degree the golden stupa enshrining theBuddha’s sacred hairs. Overnight in Yangon.

Check out hotel and transfer to the airport for domestic flight to Bagan (1 hr. 20 minutes flying). Arrive Nyaung – U airport, welcome by our tour guide and driver then transfer to the hotel. An all-day visit to this huge area - a day full of culture. But we will avoid hectic tourism and will show you the most beautiful temples and pagodas, leisurely but in detail.

Ananda Pahto: whose interior seems almost Gothic and is considered to be the most beautiful among all the temples of Bagan. Facing outward from the centre of the cube are four 9.5m standing Buddhas. 

Visit Payarthonezu Temple Complex, Min Nan Thu Village. Continue on, visit Gubyaukgyi Temple admiring the fine stuccowork, Nanpaya temple, built in the Mon style with intricate stone carvings, and said once to have been Manuha's residence.

Htinlominlo Pahto: built by King Nantaungmya in 1218. Inside the 46m-high temple, there are four Buddhas on the lower and upper floors. Traces of old murals are also still visible. 

Lacquer ware: visit traditional manufacture of unique Bagan lacquer ware. 

Overnight: Bagan

OPTIONAL: HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE OVER BAGAN– USD285/PAX FOR STANDARD SERVICE; USD360/PAX FOR PREMIUM SERVICE

The morning will start off with an exciting hot-air balloon ride above the Bagan countryside. You will observe one-of-a-kind views when the sun begins to rise over the Irrawaddy River and various stupas in the region. You’re simply not going to find many other opportunities like this on Earth. (Only available from October/November through March)

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide and driver will pick you up to start your Bagan excursion. It’s off to the vibrant NyaungOo Market, where the locals come to trade fresh produce and other goods daily. From here you will have a look around the Old Bagan starting with a visit of the renowned Shwezigon Pagoda, constructed by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious memorial.

Continue to more lesser-known monuments, selected based on your interest, in the area for the remainder of the morning. If you wish, a short walk can be arranged through a series of smaller monuments which allows for a unique perspective of Bagan.

From here you will journey on by horse cart for an excursion that passes Thatbyinnyu, the tallest temple in Bagan, gigantic Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork, and of course, Sulamani Temple. Take pleasure in an extraordinary sunset from the upper terrace of one of the surrounding temples. 

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport (1 hour) for your domestic flight to Heho. From Heho, you will experience a lovely scenic one-hour drive (32km – 1 hour) which leads to NyaungShwe, gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, you will have an opportunity to visit rural workshops that specialize in traditional Shan paper and unique handcrafted umbrellas. Upon arrival, take a short orientation tour of NyaungShwe, a small town of narrow streets dotted with temples, monasteries, tea shops and local houses. 

Next, you will board a private motorboat and begin heading out onto Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular and breathtaking sights. Its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic hills provide the perfect backdrop. 

Continue to visit NgaHpeChaung Monastery, which houses loads of early Shan Buddha Images. The PhaungDawOo Pagoda, the lake’s main haven, which contains five sacred images of Buddha decorated in gold leaf. 

End of the trip, return by boat back to your hotel.

After breakfast, you’ll pay a visit to the lake’s morning market (the market is open every day apart from dark moon and full moon calendar days). 

A 1-hour boat ride down a small canal will take you to the Pa-Oh village of Indein, positioned on the western shores of Inle Lake. Take a leisurely stroll around the village before ascending a rural road to the top of a hill. Once you’ve arrived at the summit, you will be greeted buy an iconic Buddha image which sits enshrined among hundreds of stupa ruins and overgrown shrubbery. Here, from the peak, you will also be rewarded with mesmerizing views of the placid surroundings. The Indein Pagoda complex is undoubtedly one of the most amazing sites around the shore of the lake and it consists of hundreds of small stupas which are overrun by moss and greenery. On your boat ride back, if the time permit, you'll stop at the Inthar Heritage House to learn more about the history and culture of the lake's indigenous people and enjoy a delicious coffee and cake (snack break not included).

Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight stay in Inle Lake.

Breakfast will be served at your hotel before driving by a combination of boat and car to the Heho Airport (1-1.5 hour) for a short flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival at Yangon airport move to the International Airport for your international connection.

Lunch and dinner own account. End of tour services.