Cultural Tour Program

Yangon - Bago - Kyaikhtyio - Bagan - Mandalay - Monywa - Maymyo -Pindaya - Inle - Yangon

Day 01

Welcome on arrival , evening flight, at Yangon Airport,  and transfer to hotel. Dinner at a reputable restaurant. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 02

After breakfast, drive via Bago to Kinpun 'base camp' <approx. 194km - g hrs>. From Kinpun, a steep and dirt 11km mountain road leads to the upper staging point, a journey made in open truck which is usually crowded. From that upper point, travelers must walk the final stage, approx. 4km, up steep paths to the Kyaikhtiyo <Golden Rock> Pagoda, a huge boulder completely covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. As an easier alternative to walking, travelers can be carried in sedan chairs by four porters. On arrival, watch the beauty of sunset at this important pilgrimage site. Dinner and overnight at Kyaikhto hotel <very simple and basic>.

Day 03

After breakfast, return to Bago <approx. 110km - three and a half hrs>. Sightseeing there includes the Shwe Mawdaw Pagoda, over 2,000 years old, its spire is taller than Shwedagon Pagoda and the 55 meter long reclining Shwe Thalyaung Buddha Image, which is among the country's most revered. After lunch in Bago, drive back to Yangon <approx. 84km - one and a half hrs>, en route, visit an Allied war Graves Cemetery near Htauk Kyant and a tree shrine dedicated to a legendary 'Nat' <spirit>. Dinner and overnight in Yangon.

Day 04

After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Bagan. On arrival, transfer to hotel and proceed for sightseeing. First visit to Nyaung Oo Market where various kinds of local products and local people can be seen. Then visit to Shwesigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as the first Buddhist building built in Myanmar style. Continue to the ancient city of Bagan, which had been the Capital of First Myanmar Empire during 11th - 13th century. Over 2000 well - preserved pagodas and another 1000 ruined pagodas are scattering in the city area of 42 sq km. Visit to Ananda Temple, which has four huge Buddha Images in standing position and relieves depicting the Buddha from his birth to his Enlightenment. Next visit is to Thatbyinnyu Temple, the highest white stucco building in Bagan.

After lunch, continues sightseeing the rest of Bagan. Visiting places include Dhamayangyi, Bagan's most massive temple; Shwesandaw Pagoda, with five terraces, built in 1057; Manuha Temple, from the 1059, in the Mon Style; and Nanpaya Temple, said to be the place of King Manuha's palace site. Also, visit the Lacquer ware workshops in Myinkaba village. Watch Sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River from Bupaya Pagoda on the riverbank or Mingala Zedi Stupa. Dinner and overnight in Bagan.

Day 05

After breakfast, visit the site of Tayoke Pyay Temple in Min Nan Thu village; Paya Thone Zu and Nandamanya Temples noted for exquisite murals of 13th century, Kyat kan cave Monastery, a famous meditation retreat in Bagan.

After lunch, excursion by boat on the Ayeyarwady River to Kyauk Gu Umin Temple, built into the side of a cliff and famous for sandstone reliefs. Dinner and overnight in Bagan.

Day 06

After breakfast, a 300km drive <8 hrs> by road to Mandalay. En route, visit Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano with its shrine dedicated to animist spirits, known as 'Nats'. For the energetic, time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top. Continue to Meikhtila for lunch stop.

Proceed to Mandalay, a scenic journey through varied agricultural landscapes and small villages. Upon late afternoon arrival in Mandalay, check-in at hotel. Dinner and overnight in Mandalay.

Day 07

After breakfast, transfer to Amarapura, 15km south from Mandalay. Visit Maha Gandayon, a famous Buddhist monastery where more than a thousand monks live and study, continue to over 200-year-old U Pein teak bridge, built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was Royal capital. Before returning to Mandalay, stopping at traditional hand-woven silk workshop en route.

After lunch, head out by road to Monywa <Approx. 150km - 4 hrs> with visit to charming rural village specializing in lacquer wares. Dinner and overnight at simple hotel with basic facilities in Monywa.

Day 08

After breakfast, early start to cross the Chindwin River by ferry boat and proceed by car 45km to Phowin Taung, a seldom visited complex of cave temples and shrines, some dating back to 15th century and containing about 450,000 images and some very fine mural paintings.

Return to Monywa. After lunch, visit the incredibly ornate Thambuddhe Temple, built from the dream designs of a noted monk. Drive back to Mandalay for dinner and overnight.

Day 09

After breakfast, proceed on a comprehensive sightseeing tour including panoramic view from Mandalay Hill; Maha Muni pagoda, with its spectacular Buddha Image covered in thick layers of gold leaf; Shwe Nandaw Monastery, a superb example of a traditional wooden building; Kuthodaw pagoda, known as the World's Biggest Book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the whole Buddhist scriptures. A visit is also extended to a jetty to observe daily life at the river and to a craftsmen workshop to see tapestries being created.

After lunch, excursion to the former Royal Capital of Inwa <Known as Ava to the west> reached by a short boat trip. Visit by horse-drawn carriage to Nanmyint Watch Tower, the remains of the palace building nicknamed "leaning tower of Ava"; Maha Aungmye Bonsan Monastery, built of brick and stucco; Bagayar Monastery, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Continue to Sagaing Hills, a retreat for Buddhist devotees for sunset. Return to Mandalay for dinner and overnight.

Day 10

After breakfast, boat trip on the Ayeyarwady River to Mingun about 11km <1 hr> upriver from Mandalay, with visit to the Mingun bell, weighing 90 tons and claimed as the world largest un-cracked ringing bell; Hsinpyume Paya and unfinished Pahtodawgyi Pagoda, built as one of the world's largest chedis by Bodaw Paya.

After lunch, drive <80km - 2 hrs> scenic route to cool hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin <Maymyo> with its lovely Lake, waterfalls, Kandawgyi National park <botanical garden> and colonial era buildings. Dinner and overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin.

Day 11

After breakfast, explore the local market by traditional horse-drawn carriage <if available>, and proceed to Peik Chin Myaung caves, a Buddhist shrine since ancient times.

After lunch, return to Mandalay for dinner and overnight.

Day 12

After breakfast, transfer to Mandalay International Airport for flight to Heho. Upon arrival, drive to Pindaya <Approx. 60km - one and a half hrs>.

After lunch, visit Pindaya Caves unique for the thousands of Buddha images placed by pilgrims over many centuries. Dinner and overnight in Pindaya or Kalaw.

Day 13

After breakfast, proceed by road to Lake Inle <90km - two and a half hrs>. An excursion by boat on the Lake will include sights of the famous leg-rowers, typical floating gardens, local method of fishing and village life. After lunch, visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the weaving village of Inpawkhon and other sights. Dinner and overnight at a hotel right on the Lake.

Day 14

After breakfast, excursion by boat to the western shore of the Lake to visit the Inn Dein ancient Pagoda complex, found after following a stair path lined up with magnificent columns.

After lunch, transfer to Heho airport <25km - 1 hr>, en route, visit a cheroot factory, for flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 15

After breakfast, visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, the landmark of Yangon and one of the world's most spectacular religious monuments. It is said to be built over 2000 years ago enshrining the hair relics of Buddha. Continue to Chauk Htat Gyi, to see the huge reclining Buddha Image and then to gilded Sule Pagoda, over 2000 years old, and still stands as the landmark of Yangon City Center. Proceed to Bogyoke (Scott) Market where hundreds of stalls of souvenirs and handicraft shops can be visited.

After Lunch, visit the National Museum to see the 8 meters high Golden Lion Throne and Mandalay Palace Royal Regalia, utensils, manuscripts, etc. In the evening, transfer back to Yangon Airport for Departure.