Tastes of Myanmar

On arrival in Yangon, transfer to your hotel to check in. The rest day is free at leisure !

Your journey today starts 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 the

Buddha’s sacred hairs. Overnight in Yangon

This morning, after breakfast at your hotel, we will take five hour journey to the well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site in Mon State – Golden Rock. It is built on the top of a granite boulder covered with gold leaves pasted on by devotees. 

En route visit Kyakhat Wine Monastery where many monks live while studying Buddha's literature. This is a great chance for you to learn more about monastic life of young monks.

When reach the base camp, we travel by local open-air truck to the junction camp and then to Golden Rock or and spend 45 minutes walking to the Golden Rock. If you would love to use sedan chair, you should pay by your own account. 

Overnight stay in Kyaikhtiyo 

Important Notes for visits to Golden Rock

What to pack

• Sturdy shoes as the way up to Golden Rock is very steep.

• A pullover, light weight jacket and/or scarf as it gets quite cold in the evening.

• Backpack: Leave your main luggage in Yangon and just bring a backpack or small overnight back.

Enjoy brekfast at hotel and head back to Yangon. We move to the base camp by open truck, then drive to Yangon. On the way, don’t miss the chance to make a stop at Bago (or Pegu) to explore Shwemawdaw pagoda - the tallest pagoda in Myanmar. It always amazes anyone with its stunning architecture and great scale. Take time to visit Kanbawzathardi palace-a reconstruction of the original Royal palace from the second half of the 16th century and Shwethalyaung- one of the largest Buddha images in Burma; and Kyaik Pun pagoda which is known for its four towering images of the Buddha visible from far away; as well as the town market and a Mon neighborhood where the locals once produced woven textiles

Before reach Yangon, spend some time to visit World War 2 Cemetery and a workshop producing hand-made pots.

Morning, fly to Bagan, known to be one of the greatest architectural sites in Asia with more than 2,000 Pagodas & Temples dating back more than 1500 years of history. This is also an ideal place for beautiful local Art, such as Lacquerware, bamboo works & wonderful local made cloth.

we visit Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple with four impressive standing Buddha images. Continue to various other temples dotted around the temple plains to experience a variety of architectural styles in the area as well as the artistic wonder of the 9-14th centuries. Traveling amid the temples you will get a taste of rural Bagan life in this ‘living museum’ setting where farmers and families work amongst the monuments.

Next on the agenda is your chance to learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan’s most famous products - lacquer ware and wood crafts. Watch in amazement as the skilled craftsmen use traditional techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items.

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide and driver will pick you up to start your Bagan excursion. It’s off to the vibrant Nyaung Oo 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. Travel over dusty lanes and tree shaded roads past temples and monasteries to a small village. At one of the monasteries you will participate in a special traditional Buddhist ceremony. 

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. Take pleasure in an extraordinary sunset from the upper terrace of one of the surrounding temples. 

This morning we take a short flight to Mandalay. 

Arrive Mandalay and drive to Amarapura, Myanmar’s penultimate royal capital. You will start Mahagandayon monastery, home to more than a thousand young monks and renowned as a centre for monastic study and strict religious discipline. 

Next, we visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, known as the pagoda of the Great Marble Image. Kuthodaw Pagoda, frequently dubbed as “The World’s Biggest Book” for its collection of 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings. Then it’s off to the Shwenandaw Monastery, the Golden Monastery which is the only enduring structure from the Royal Palace of the 19th century. This impressive structure is celebrated for its remarkable woodcarvings.

Late afternoon, we move to the legendary U Bein Bridge, which was built in 1782 when Amarapura was the Royal center of attention. It spans 1.2 km across the shallow Taungthaman Lake and is said to be the longest teakwood bridge worldwide. Enjoy this very special atmosphere as the late afternoon sun casts long shadows and illuminates the local people heading home. Sunset in U Bein Bridge.

Head off to Mandalay jetty and embark on a private boat for a relaxed 1 hour journey on the Irrawaddy River to Mingun. Experience the sights and sounds of Mingun, starting with the celebrated MingunPaya, which would have been the world’s largest. From the flat top you have a fine view of the HsinbyumePaya, Mingun village and the river. Carry on to the gorgeous alabaster Hsinbyume Pagoda, an unusual stupa with a couple of stories behind it. It’s supposedly a representation of the SulamaniPaya which according to the Buddhist plan of the cosmos, stands atop Mount Meru (the mountain that stands at the centre of the universe). Afterwards hop on over to the Mingun Bell that weighs 90 tons and is claimed to be the world’s largest hung, uncracked bell still capable of ringing. Before returning to Mandalay by boat there’ll be enough time to explore the small neighbourhoods throughout Mingun crafting traditional basketry and mingle with the friendly craftsmen and vendors.

Next, you will across the Irrawaddy River in to Sagaing. With 600 ivory colored pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is generally seen as the spiritual hub of Myanmar and claims residence to around 3,000 monks and nearly 100 meditation shrines. You’ll visit pagodas such as Swan Oo PonNya Shin, U Min ThoneSae and Shin Pin Nan Gyaing. Continue to Sagaing’s local market, a less visited tourist site. We’ll head over to a small pottery village which is recognized for manufacturing ubiquitous water pots to observe the tradesmen here applying their traditional methods for producing their goods.

Move to Ava which was the standing capital from the 14th through the 18th centuries. Cross the small river by ferry and travel in a traditional horse and carriage to the wooden Bagaya Monastery renowned for its extraordinarily elaborate woodcarvings. Be sure to check out the Nanmyint Watch Tower - also called “the leaning tower of Ava“ - which is what’s left from the remnants of the ancient palace and MahaAungmyeBonzan Monastery.

Morning, fly to Heho, in the heart of the Shan State. Upon arrival at the Heho airport, you will proceed to Nyaung Shwe village. Along the way, you will have an opportunity to visit rural workshops that specialize in traditional Shan paper and unique handcrafted umbrellas. Also, be sure to stop in at the teak monastery of Shweyanpyay to witness the intricate wood carving artwork and craftsmanship of the monks there.

Then you will board a private motorboat and begin heading out onto Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular and breathtaking sights. 

You will also visit Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which houses loads of early Shan Buddha Images. Proceed to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main haven, which contains five sacred images of Buddha decorated in gold leaf. There are also many traditional crafts originating on Inle Lake and, should you wish, we can stop for a visit to one making incredible woven items from lotus silk, boat builders (depending on the time of year), a cigar making workshop, blacksmiths or even silver smiths. The day will come to a close with a return trip 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). The market’s location rotates between the lake’s villages in a 5 day schedule and is also visited daily by the lake’s inhabitants as well as the surrounding natives who also come to sell and trade their wares. 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 the moss-covered stairway 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. 

This morning is your free time until check out hotel and transfer to Heho Airport to take flight back Yangon. Arrive Yangon and transfer to hotel for check-in and relax. 

Free until transfer to Yangon International Airport to take your departure flight home. Tour ends.