DISCOVER MYANMAR – SMALL GROUP TOUR

Day 1: Arrive Mandalay – City tour (-/-/-)

Upon arrival, a Spirit Journeys representative will greet you and take you to the hotel. (Early check in depends on availability as normal check in time is 2PM!)
In the afternoon, start your sightseeing tour of Mandalay. Mahamuni Pagoda, one of the most famous and important Buddhist pagodas in the country is first on your sightseeing list. You will also learn more about the city’s cottage industries and will have a chance to observe the production of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries, and gold-leaf. Then head to the top of Mandalay Hill as the sun begins to set and enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River. Overnight in Mandalay.

Distances and journey time:
Mandalay Airport to Mandalay city centre (41 km): 60 mins

Overnight Yadanabon Dynasty Hotel [Superior room with Breakfast]

Day 2: Mandalay – Exc Sagaing & Amarapura (B/-/-)

Optional Activity: Balloon Experience Over Mandalay

Note: available only from late- October to late-March; all flights weather permitting. Please contact us to add this onto your itinerary.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will explore the former capitals – Sagaing and Amarapura.
Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. It is home to near 600 pagodas and monasteries, 3000 monks and 100 meditation centers and you will visit pagodas such as Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae. You’ll also visit Sagaing’s local market, a typical Burmese market that few tourists visit. Here you can find a wide range of items including locally made pottery, silver and other handicrafts. You will also stop at a small pottery village to see the process of making the ubiquitous water pots found throughout Myanmar. Back to Mandalay and continue your afternoon tour of Mandalay with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda and Shwenandaw Monastery. At the end of the day, you’ll walk along 200 year-old U Bein Bridge at Amarapura and enjoy the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. Night will be spent in Mandalay.

Distances and journey time:
Mandalay-Amarapura (13 km): 30 mins
Mandalay-Sagaing (21 km): 50 mins

Overnight Yadanabon Dynasty Hotel [Superior room with breakfast]

Day 3: Mandalay – Bagan by local ferry boat (B/L/-)

After early breakfast you will go to the small ferry port of Mandalay. Today you can relax and enjoy one day cruise on the way to Bagan, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the whole of Southeast Asia. Lunch is served on board.

The schedule of the cruise 06:00 to 17:00:

6:00 am Cast off from Mandalay
6:15 am Briefing about safety, Dos and Don’ts
6:30 am Breakfast
10:00 am Visit a typical village on the Ayeyarwaddy River Bank
11:00 am Cast off from the village
12:00 pm Lunch
3:00 pm Demonstration and discussion on Myanmar Culture & Tradition
5:00 pm Arrival to Bagan
Overnight in Bagan

Remark : Green Season from April to September, cruise might not operate depending on water level or possibility of no schedule. In this case, we would arrange by domestic flight or by land route from Mandalay to Bagan

Overnight Bawga Theiddhi Hotel [Superior room with breakfast]

Day 4: Bagan (B/-/-)

Optional Activity: Balloon Experience Over Bagan – Start your morning with an incredible hot-air balloon flight over Bagan’s temple-studded plains. A truly unforgettable and unique experience. (Note: available only from late- October to late-March; all flights weather permitting. Please contact us to add this onto your itinerary.

After breakfast, you’ll visit the colourful Nyaung Oo Market and then continue to Myinkaba village and take a short walking tour to explore the temples of Manuha and Nan Paya. Afterwards, you’ll go to the elevated temple and enjoy a panoramic view of the magnificent plains of Bagan. Continue with a visit to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda, nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi – a cave temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. This afternoon begin with a visit to a traditional lacquer ware workshop where you can observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Later on, continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. Finally, you’ll travel by horse cart for a tour passing Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, massive Dhammayangyi Temple, noted for its remarkable brickwork, and Sulamani Temple. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the temples.

Overnight Bawga Theiddhi Hotel [Superior room with breakfast]

Day 5: Bagan – FREE DAY (B/-/-)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
Full day at leisure to enjoy and explore Bagan on your own.

Overnight Bawga Theiddhi Hotel [Superior room with breakfast]

Day 6: Bagan – Heho – Nyaung Shwe – Red Mountain – Inle Lake (B/-/-)

After breakfast, you’ll go to Airport for a flight to Heho.

From Heho, a scenic one-hour drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, you’ll stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which features beautiful carvings and a collection of Buddha images. Stop in Nyaung Shwe for a short walk around town. Afterwards head to Red Mountain Winery and let yourself to the tastes of exquisite red and white wines. Upon reaching the edges of Inle Lake, you’ll board a private motorboat to head out to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. Then, visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary and stroll around one of the lakeside villages.Overnight on Inle Lake.

Distances and journey time:
Heho Airport to Nyaung Shwe (28 km): 45 mins
Nyaung Shwe Jetty to Hotel on Inle Lake (10 – 20 km): 30 – 60 mins

Overnight Golden Island Cottagess ll [Superior room with breakfast]

Day 7: Inle Lake (B/-/-)

Following breakfast, our guide will take you to Inle Lake day trip. Board your private motorboat (on board are cushioned wooden chairs, lifejackets, umbrellas- for sun and wind protection, and blankets in the winter months) and enjoy the ride. First, you’ll go to the morning market, which attracts people from all over the lake’s shores who gather to buy and sell their wares – if you are lucky you may see Pa-Oh, Inthar and Shan people in their traditional outfits. After this, you’ll go to Khaung Daing village on the lake’s western shores. Here you’ll be able to watch (and perhaps participate!) the process of making the traditional Shan tofu. Later on, pay a visit to the village monastery for a tea break and snacks. Depending on the time of year, you will see traditional methods of boat building in various stages, from the initial framework all the way to the final coat of paint.

Then, return to Inle Lake and explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand.

Overnight Golden Island Cottagess ll [Superior room with breakfast]

Day 8: Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon (B/-/-)

This morning, you’ll go to the Airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, visit Bogyoke Market, Yangon’s best market for handicrafts and other goods.
Note: Market is closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Then, transfer to hotel for check in. After that, you’ll visit attractive Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. Next, your guided tour goes to Kandawgyi Park, one of central Yangon’s greenest spots. From here, continue to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar and enjoy breathtaking views on the local scenery.

Overnight Taw Win Garden Hotel [Deluxe room with breakfast]

Day 9: Depart Yagnon (B/-/-)

After breakfast, you’ll go to the International airport for your onward flight.

Remark: Optional tours depend on your departure flight.
Remark: Beach Extension and other short extension are available upon request! It is our pleasure to make special arrangements if requested.