Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Rangoon (Yangon)

Upon arrival at Rangoon airport you will be met and transferred to our hotel. We meet for dinner and our orientation tonight. Overnight in Rangoon (Yangon).
 
Day 2: Rangoon, Mandalay

After breakfast, morning at leisure until transfer to the airport for our flight to Mandalay. Our sightseeing in Mandalay includes one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the Mahamuni Pagoda. We pay a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda to see the world’s largest book made of marble. We also visit Golden Palace Monastery (Shwenandaw Kyaung). Visit a traditional hand- woven silk workshop as well as a Kalaga tapestries craftsmen’s shop before we go to Mandalay Hill for spectacular sunset viewing. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 3: Amarapura, AVA, Sagaing

After breakfast, depart for Amarapura outside of Mandalay, to visit the Mahagandayon Monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study. Time permitting, we will have the opportunity to observe the monks having their last meal of the day in total silence. Continue to 200-year-old U Bein Teak Bridge, built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was the Royal capital. The Bagaya Monastery will fascinate you with an intriguing collection of Buddha statues.

After lunch embark on a short boat excursion to the former Royal Capital of Inwa (AVA). A horse drawn carriage will await us for a ride to the Nanmyint watch tower, the remains of the palace building nicknamed “the leaning tower of Ava”. We will continue the journey to Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, built of brick and stucco, as well as Bargayar Monastery, famous for its impressive ornate wood carvings and teak posts. Continue on to Sagaing Hills, which is a retreat for Buddhist devotees, and later enjoy a fantastic sunset. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 4: Irrawaddy River Cruise

After an early breakfast, transfer to jetty to Embark at Amara River Cruise. Set sail to Mingun where a visit to the Mingun Pagoda complex will be our first stop. Enjoy lunch and dinner with dance on board.

Day 5: Yandapo – Mt. Tantgyi

In the early morning, we continue on to Yandapo village, a small rural village that is well known for a treaty signed here between the British and Burmese in 1826. Now the village is famous for its handmade terracotta pots produced in traditional ways. After sightseeing, set sail to Mt. Tantgyi. In the afternoon we ascend Mt. Tantgyi either by foot or by car. From the Pagoda you enjoy the evening view to Bagan. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 6: Mt. Tantgyi - Bagan

In the early morning, sail to Bagan Jetty. Upon arrival in Bagan, transfer to your hotel. After a stroll through the colorful local market continue the day with visits to the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan which are, Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; Ku Byanuk Gyi, a temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes; Khay Min Ga Temple, noted for its panoramic view of the area’s numerous monuments and Ananda Temple, with four standing Buddha images.

After lunch, visit one of Myanmar’s most treasured handicrafts, a lacquerware craftsmen’s workshop in nearby Myinkaba village. You will continue to Manuha Temple, built in the mon style in 1059 and follow on to Nanbaya Temple, a unique sandstone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha. Next you will explore the Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple, a temple noteworthy for its mural paintings under the protection of UNESCO. We also visit the archaeological museum to view beautiful Buddha images of bronze, stone and lacquer. Proceed to Bupaya Pagoda to watch the sunset over the famous Ayeyarwaddy River. Overnight Bagan.

Day 7: Bagan

After breakfast, visit the site of Tayokepyay Temple in Min Nan Thu Village; Phaya Thone Zu and Nandamanya Temples noted for exquisite murals of 13th century; Kyat Kan Cave monastery, a famous meditation retreat in Bagan. Continue to farming villages around Bagan to gain insight into the lives of the local people.

We will have a late lunch and enjoy some further temple visits. Complete the day by watching the sunset over the majestic Ayeyarwaddy River from a temple top. Overnight Bagan.

Day 8: Bagan - Mt. Popa - Bagan

After breakfast, drive to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano with spectacular views. Its shrine is dedicated to animist spirits known as “Nats” and you will have time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the peak.

In the afternoon, we have a leisurely drive back to Bagan. Overnight Bagan.

Day 9: Bagan - Kalaw

After an early breakfast, we begin our drive to Kalaw with a stop enroute for lunch. Arrive in Kalaw in the late afternoon and proceed to the hotel for check-in. Overnight Kalaw.

Day 10: Kalaw

After breakfast, we start our sightseeing in Kalaw, a fresh and delightful hill station, on the rim of the Shan Plateau, which is a market center for hill-tribe folk from surrounding regions. On the way stop at a farming village where Pa-O and Shan people live. Nearby you will visit a small cave where Buddhist devotees set-up several Buddha statues. Return to the turn off to Kalaw for lunch and drive east to a farming village where Pa-O and Shan people live. In the late afternoon, a walking tour through this peaceful place with an atmosphere reminiscent of the colonial era. Nowadays the town is a market center for ethnic minorities from surrounding regions. Overnight Kalaw.

Day 11: Kalaw – Inle Lake

Morning drive to Nyaung Shwe for a short walk through the small town. Continue by boat to Nampan and the Golden Island Cottages. Each bungalow is made of local material and built on stilts up on the lake itself. Visit the Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, one of the main principle shrines in Myanmar and dating back to the 18th century. Continue on to the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, famous for its jumping cats trained by monks and finish with a visit to the weaving village of Inpawkhon. The afternoon is free to explore on your own or relax before dinner. Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 12: Inle Lake

A morning journey by boat to view life around the lake with the famous leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing and the magnificent scenery. After lunch, journey to the western shore of Inle Lake to the beginning of a stair path leading to the hidden and relatively unknown Inn Thein Pagoda complex. A large, covered passage which is supported by 804 pillars leads into the complex. The passage holds many small ancient stupas, carved with figures and floral designs. The passage ends at the Inn Thein Buddha Image, said to have been donated by the Emperor Asoka. Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 13: Inle Lake – Heho – Kyaing Tong

After breakfast, morning at leisure until we transfer to the Heho airport for our flight to Kyaing Tong. On the way to the airport, we visit a parasol workshop. After lunch at a local restaurant, we explore Kyaing Tong visiting One Tree Hill view point and the scenic Naung Tong Lake. Overnight in Kyaing Tong.

Day 14: Kyaing Tong

Start the day off exploring the colorful Kyaing Tong market and enjoy a full day excursion to the surrounding hill tribe villages. Visit an animist Palaung village whose tribe is amongst the oldest inhabitants of Myanmar. We will visit the Akha tribe to see their famous spectacular head dresses that jingle with silver and colored tassels. On the way we stop to meet the Lahu people whose origins date back to the Tibeto-Burman era. We will also meet the Khuns people known for their elegant embroidered silk longys and colorful turbans. A picnic lunch enroute to Kyaing Tong as we end our day with a pleasant drive passing through many picturesque forests and terraced rice fields. Overnight in Kyaing Tong.

Day 15: Kyaing Tong - Loi Mwe

After breakfast, drive to Loi Mwe located on a mountain plateau. En-route visit the Wa village of Naung Cho known as the birth place of one of the earliest ethnic tribes of Shan country. In Loi Moi visit the Old Catholic church built by the Italian mission early in the 19th century and see some of the colonial houses built as summer residences during the British colonial era.

Then drive back to Kyaing Tong and after lunch at local restaurant, visit the Lone Tree hill where a very tall Pterocarpus tree is said to have been planted by the visiting Burmese king from Kon Baung Dynasty 200 years ago to experience their more modern way of life. Overnight Kyaing Tong.

Day 16: Kyaing Tong to Rangoon (Yagon)

After early breakfast, drive to the eastern outskirt of the town to four villages of Ho Jing. Experience the unique and traditional way of life of the Akha tribal people also known for their individual religious beliefs. Lunch at simple local restaurant before transfer to airport for the domestic flight to Rangoon. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.

Day 17: Explore Rangoon (Yangon)

After breakfast we begin our adventure with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda, a great cone-shaped Buddhist monument of brick that is covered in gold. After seeing this impressive stupa, we continue on to the National Museum to see the 8-meter high Golden Lion Throne as well as the Mandalay Royal Regalia.
This afternoon, we stop at Bogyoke (Scott’s) Market with hundreds of local specialties including, clothes, handicrafts, gems stores and food vendors. Visit the Sule Pagoda, which is thought to be over two thousand years old. We drive through Rangoon’s colonial style city center and stop for photos at Karaweik Hall, a “hamsa-bird- shaped” floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake.

Enjoy your farewell dinner in Rangoon

Overnight in Rangoon (Yangon).

Day 18: Rangoon Exploration, Depart

After breakfast, we drive to the Nanthida jetty to cross the Yangan River on a local ferry. We visit Dalla Village, riding in rickshaws through the small village streets which provide an excellent opportunity to observe how the local people live. Return to Rangoon and visit the old colonial Strand Hotel, built in 1896 by Aviet and Tigran Sarkie, two of the Sarkie brothers. The hotel was used to quarter Japanese troops during World War II. After lunch, we drive to Rangoon Central Station and take a city circular train to Kyimynidaing Station. Then transfer to Rangoon Airport for your departure flight.

More information from ElderTreks:

• View trip on provider's website
  www.eldertreks.com/tour/ETTD000003…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips