8 Days: Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay – Inle Lake

Tour Overview:

From visiting the colonial heart of Yangon to discovering temples with fascinating stories in Bagan as well as enjoying a boat ride in the serene Inle Lake, this tour combines the best that Myanmar has to offer.

Day 1 – Arrive Yangon

On arrival in Yangon you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 – Yangon

Sightseeing in Yangon
Yangon lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on the wide Yangon River. The city is filled with tree-shaded boulevards, while shimmering stupas float above the treetops. The city became the capital only in 1885, when the British completed the conquest of Upper Myanmar and Mandalay’s brief period as capital of the last Burmese kingdom ended.

Visit colonial heart of Yangon
Start the day in the heart of Yangon which features an interesting selection of monuments and colonial buildings. Among others, you will see the Independent Monument, the High Court, the City Hall and the Sule Pagoda (view from the outside only).

Visit Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake
Kandawgyi Lake, also known as the Royal Lake, is a natural body of water located in the city centre and a good place for strolling and picnics. The lake is attractive at sunset when the glittering Shwedagon pagoda is reflected in its calm waters.

Visit Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda
The reclining Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda in Yangon which is almost as large as the enormous figure of Shwethalyaung Buddha in Bago. It’s housed in a large metal-roofed shed on ShwegondaingLan, only a short distance north-east beyond the ShwedagonPaya. Surprisingly, this huge figure is little known and hardly publicised at all- if the chance to go to Bago to see the Shwethalyaung was missed, then don’t pass on this opportunity to witness this colossal image.

Visit Shwedagon Pagoda
The highlight of any visit to Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda dates back about 2500 years and was built to house eight sacred hairs of the Buddha. Its original shape has changed beyond all recognition over the centuries. Its bell-shaped superstructure, resting on a terraced base, is covered in about 60 tons of gold-leaf, which is continuously being replaced.
Overnight in Yangon.

Day 3 – Yangon – Bagan (Breakfast: Hotel )

Transfer
Flight from Yangon to Bagan
Transfer
Discover the Beauty of Bagan
Explore the vast and fascinating area of Bagan, and discover temples with unique stories, features and architecture. The spectacular plain of Bagan stretches away from the Ayeyarwaddy River and is dotted with over 2,000 temple structures dating back over 800 years. Spend the day exploring the temples and hearing the fascinating history and stories behind these imposing structures. Have a chance to visit a lacquerware workshop to learn about the intricate process of lacquerware making and decoration. At the end of the tour enjoy a panoramic view of the sun setting over the plain of Bagan from one of the ancient pagodas. A selection of temples will be visited including: ShwezigonPaya, a beautiful golden pagoda containing relics of Buddha. The site was started by Anawrahta but not completed until the reign of Kyanzittha between 1086 and1090. The pagoda’s graceful bell shape served as a prototype for later stupas built throughout the country. Gubyaukhyi Temple at Wetkyi-Inn, an early 13th century temple with an Indian-style spire. The ceiling is covered with paintings depicting the previous life of Buddha. AnandaPahto, one of the largest, most beautiful and best preserved of the Bagan temples. It was built around 1105 by King Kyanzittha who was inspired by Indian architecture. During the 1975 earthquake Ananda suffered considerable damage but has been totally restored. Gubyaukhyi Temple at Myinkaba, a 12th century Buddhist temple famous for its well-preserved frescoes, considered to be the oldest original paintings to be found in Bagan. Manuha Temple, which was built, according to inscriptions, by the captive Mon King Manuha in 1067. It contains three seated Buddha images along with an image of Buddha entering Nirvana. ShwesandawPaya, a graceful white pyramid-style pagoda dating back to 1057. This 328-foot-high imposing structure is visible from far away rising from the plains of Bagan.
(Shwesandaw Pagoda is not allowed to climb up until further notice due to some old bricks was fallen down)
Watch sunset over Bagan
Enjoy a panoramic view of the sun setting over the plain of Bagan from one of the pagoda platforms.
Overnight in Bagan.

Day 4 – Bagan – Mandalay (Breakfast: Hotel )

Transfer
Flight from Bagan to Mandalay
Transfer
Excursion to Amarapura and Sagaing
In the morning, head to Amarapura former royal capital, and the Mahagandayon Monastery to observe monks and novices as they line up to receive their daily offering of alms and food from faithful Buddhists. Afterwards, visit the nineteenth century PahtodawgyiPaya and the reconstructed BagayaKyaung, a close cousin to the monastery of the same name in Inwa (Ava). Pause to enjoy the atmosphere of U Bein Bridge, a picturesque teak bridge which extends over one kilometre across Taungthaman Lake, and the highlight of any visit to Amarapura.
Continue to Sagaing, another former royal capital and the spiritual centre of Myanmar. Hundreds of stupas, monasteries, temples and nunneries are to be found in Sagaing Hill, sometimes known as a living Bagan. Thousands of monks and nuns retreat here for meditation and contemplation. Stop at some of the most famous temples such as Sun U Ponya Shin Paya, U Min Thonseipaya and KaungHmuDawPaya.
Sightseeing in Mandalay
Visit Mandalay Palace (Myanansankyaw Golden Palace or Hmannandawgyi (Glass Palace))
Visit MahamuniPaya
MahamuniPaya was originally built by King Bodawpaya in 1784 when a road paved with bricks was constructed from his palace to the paya’s eastern gate. The centrepiece of the shrine is the highly venerated Mahamuni image that was transported to Myanmar from Mrauk U in Rakhaing in 1784.
Visit Shwe Inn Bin Monastery
Shwe Inn Bin Monastery: A Chinese merchant, U Set Shwin, married a local Burmese lady and with his newly acquired fortune built a monastery for his religious wife. It is built of teak, has Burmese carved doors and paintings depicting General Prendergast negotiating with court ministers prior to King Thibaw’s exile.
Visit Mandalay Hill at sunset
Visit Mandalay Hill and take an easy climb up sheltered steps to experience panoramic views over the palace, Mandalay and the paya-studded countryside. The famous hermit monk, U Khanti, is credited with inspiring the construction of many of the buildings on and around the hill in the years after the founding of the city.
Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 5 – Mandalay – Heho – Inle Lake (Breakfast: Hotel )

Transfer
Flight from Mandalay to Heho
By vehicle from Heho to Inle Lake
Transfer by boat
Excursion by boat on Inle Lake
Enjoy a boat ride on Inle Lake and discover its calm serenity, still waters and colourful brush strokes of floating vegetation and slow moving fishing canoes. Rolling high hills hug the lake on all sides, as the lake’s shore and islands host 17 villages on stilts, mostly inhabited by the Intha people. Enjoy the awe inspiring scenery and meditate on the one of a kind skill of the local fishermen who make use of their legs in a unique rowing technique to glide themselves gracefully around the lake. Visit the enchanting floating gardens, a teeming market and an Intha village around the lake. The day also includes a visit to the PhaungDawOo Pagoda, Inn Paw Khon Village (Lotus and silk weaving villages) and the NgaPheKyaung Monastery.
Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 6 – Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon (Breakfast: Hotel )

Transfer by boat
By vehicle from Inle Lake to Heho
Flight from Heho to Yangon
Transfer
Overnight in Yangon.

Day 7 – Yangon (Breakfast: Hotel )

Sightseeing in Yangon
Visit BogyokeAung San (Scott) Market (Close on Mondays and public holidays)
Explore the BogyokeAung San Market, also known as Scott Market, which contains over 2000 stalls and is the best place in Yangon to browse through the complete range of local handicrafts.
Afternoon at leisure

Day 8 – Depart Yangaon

You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

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