14-Oct

(Tues)

Arrival in Yangon

Meeting assistance upon arrival in Yangon - Transfer

( Dinner: Karaweik Hall with show)   -  Overnight Traders hotel.

15-Oct

(Wed)

Yangon (Breakfast / Dinner: Local Restaurant)

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.

Start the day at the SULE PAGODA, a gleaming octagonal pagoda that stands squarely at the center point of the city. Afterwards, visit the NATIONAL MUSEUM to gain an insight into Myanmar . See the eight meter high Sihasana Lion Throne, used by the last Burmese king, and other fascinating artifacts from Burmese history and culture.  Enjoy a break at BOGYOKE (SCOTT) MARKET, a pleasant covered market containing crafts from all corners of Myanmar , gems, fabrics and more. (The market is closed on Mondays and public holidays).

In the afternoon, visit some of the more well known pagodas, including BOTATAUNG PAGODA, named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted relics of the Buddha from India over 2000 years ago, and NGADATKYI PAYA, with a giant seated Buddha image. Finally, continue to the SHWEDAGON PAGODA, the highlight of any visit to Yangon . Towering over the city, this pagoda is the most sacred spot in the country, built to house eight hair relics of the Buddha.   Transfer to/from restaurant -  Overnight in Traders Hotel.

16-Oct-

(Thurs)

Yangon -  Heho -   Inle Lake (Breakfast / Dinner: Inle Lake View Resort / Restaurant)

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

17-Oct

(Friday)

Inle Lake (Breakfast / Dinner: Inle Lake View Resort / Restaurant)

Excursion by boat on Inle Lake

INLE LAKE : Inle Lake , located in Shan State , is beautiful, with very calm waters dotted with patches of floating vegetation and fishing canoes. High hills rim the lake on all sides. The lake's shore and islands bear 17 villages on stilts, mostly inhabited by the Intha people. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and observe the skilled fisherman using their technique to propel themselves around the lake. Visit the floating gardens, a floating market and a Intha village around the lake (please note that no markets take place on full moon or new moon days). The day's sightseeing also includes a visit to the PHAUNG DAW OO PAGODA and the NGA PHE KYAUNG, or the MONASTERY OF JUMPING CATS.

Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Festival

Four Buddha images are ceremoniously tugged clockwise around the lake on the royal barge by leg-rowing boats. They return home on the third waning day. Leg rowing competitions are held throughout the event.

 Overnight in Inle Lake Resort

18-Oct

(Sat)

Inle Lake (Breakfast / Dinner: Inle Lake View Resort / Restaurant)

Excursion by canoe through the canals to visit various villages on the lake -  -  Overnight in Inle Lake Resort

19-Oct

(Sun)

Inle Lake -  Heho -   Bagan (Breakfast / Dinner: Local Restaurant

Transfer by boat - By vehicle from Inle Lake to Heho - Flight from Heho to Bagan. - Transfer - Sightseeing in Bagan

Bagan is a spectacular plain stretching away from the Ayeyarwaddy River , dotted with thousands of 800-year old temple ruins. Although human habitation at Bagan dates back almost to the beginning of the Christian era, Bagan only entered its golden period with the conquest of Thaton in 1057 AD.

SHWEZIGON PAYA: King Anawrahta started the construction of the Schwezigon Pagoda to enshrine some relicts of Buddha. The construction was finished by his successor, King Kyansittha between 1086 and1090. Originally the Shwezigon Pagoda marked the northern end of the city of Bagan . The stupa's graceful bell shape became a prototype for virtually all later stupas over Myanmar .

GUBYAUKHYI   TEMPLE at Wetkyi-Inn: This Temple was built in the early 13th Century and repaired in 1468. The great colorful painting about the previous life of Buddha and the distinguished architecture make this temple an interesting site for a visit. This temple is not to be confounded with the Gubyaukgyi Temple in Myinkabe.

ANANDA PAHTO: one of the finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples. Thought to have been built around 1105 by King Kyanzittha, this perfectly proportioned temple heralds the stylistic end of the Early Bagan period and the beginning of the Middle period.

GUBYAUKGYI TEMPLE at Myinkaba: Built in 1113 by Kyanzittha son Rajakumar, this temple is famous for its well-preserved Stuccos from the 12th century on the outside walls.  The magnificent paintings date from the original construction of the temple and are considered to be the oldest original paintings in Bagan.

MANUHA TEMPLE : The Manuha Temple was built in 1059 by King Manuha, the King of Thaton, who was brought captive to Bagan by King Anawrahta. It enshrines the unusual combination of 3 seated and one reclining image Buddha. It is said that this temple was built by Manuha to express his displeasure about his captivity in Bagan.

SHWESANDAW PAYA:  In 1057 King Anawrahta built this Pagoda following his conquest of Thaton. This is the first monument in Bagan, which features stairways leading up from the square bottom terraces to the round base of the Stupa. This Pagoda is ideal to watch Bagan's magnificent sunsets.

MYINKABA: this tiny village, only two kilometers from Bagan, is known for producing the finest lacquer ware in Myanmar .  Stop by one of the workshops and learn about the painstaking process of laquerware making and decoration.

Transfer to/from restaurant –

Overnight in Bagan at Thiripyitsaya Sakura hotel.

20-Oct

(Mon)

Bagan (Breakfast / Dinner: Local Restaurant

Excursion to Mount Popa

MOUNT POPA :  A curiously cylindrical hill rising sharply from the surrounding plain, Mount Popa is considered to be the home of Myanmar ’s most important nats (spirits). Visitors ascend up a winding covered staircase encircling the mountain, observed by the curious monkeys that populate the area. At the top is a monastery and temple complex, with shrines to the 37 nats and a spectacular view over the region.

Afternoon at leisure - Transfer to/from restaurant -  Overnight in Bagan

21-Oct

(Tues)

Bagan -   cabin / onboard (Breakfast at hotel, lunch/dinner on boat)

   RV Pandaw 1947

Transfer - Cruise aboard the RV Pandaw 1947 or RV Paukan from Bagan to Mandalay , day 1 of 3

Embark on the historic RV Pandaw 1947, a colonial-era river steamer operated by Ayravata Cruises, now a boutique floating hotel. After check-in at 11.30, guests enjoy welcome cocktails in the saloon before casting off and enjoying lunch on board.  Cruise upstream on the vast Irrawaddy River , stopping in the late afternoon to explore one of the typical villages along the river. Overnight on board.

 Overnight in cabin / onboard (Upper Deck)

22-Oct

(Wed)

cabin / onboard (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner: RV Pandaw 1947)

Cruise aboard the RV Pandaw 1947 or RV Paukan from Bagan to Mandalay , day 2 of 3

Continue steaming up the Irrawaddy River , enjoying the river scenery, passing pagodas, villages and jungle. In the morning, visit either Myaidaw or Yandabo villages, which specialize in pottery making. Overnight on board.

 Overnight in cabin / onboard  (Upper Deck)

23-Oct

(Thur)

cabin / onboard - Mandalay (B’fast on boat/Dinner: Local Restaurant)

Cruise aboard the RV Pandaw 1947 or RV Paukan from Bagan to Mandalay , day 3 of 3. After an early breakfast, passengers disembark in Mandalay in the mid-morning.  Transfer - Sightseeing in Mandalay

The last capital of royal Burma , Mandalay is still one of the largest cities in Myanmar , and a cultural and spiritual center.  Neighboring Sagaing is home to over sixty percent of the country's monks, while the artisans of Mandalay continue to turn out the finest crafts in Myanmar . Begin your tour at MAHAMUNI PAYA. The Mahamuni image enshrined here is perhaps the most venerated image in Myanmar , covered in over 15 cm of gold leaf. Worshippers flock daily to the shrine at four in the morning to observe the unique face-washing ceremony. Afterwards, head to SHWENANDAW KYAUNG, or the Golden Teak Monastery. Built entirely of golden teak, this intricately carved wooden monastery was once part of the Mandalay Palace , used as private apartments by King Mindon and his chief queen. Continue to KYAUKAWGYI PAYA, famous for its monumental seated Buddha, carved from a single block of marble, and the elegant SANDAMANI PAYA.  Finally, visit KUTHODAW PAYA, known also as 'the world's biggest book'. Around the central stupa are miniature pavilions, each housing a slab of marble. Numbering altogether 729, these slabs are inscribed with the entire Tripitkata, or Buddhist scriptures.

Transfer to/from restaurant -  Overnight in Mandalay at Sedona Hotel.

24-Oct

(Fri)

Mandalay (Breakfast / Dinner: Local Restaurant)

Excursion to Amarapura, Sagaing, and Inwa (Ava)

This day's tour visits three former royal capitals, each with its own unique atmosphere.  In the morning, drive to AMARAPURA, and visit MAHAGANDAYON MONASTERY; every day at mid-morning, monks and novices line up to receive their daily offering of alms and food from faithful Buddhists. Next, head to SAGAING, the spiritual center 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 TUPAYON PAYA and HSINMYASHIN PAYA (the Pagoda of Many Elephants).

Cross the river by ferry to INWA, situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River . Once a royal capital, Inwa is now a quiet rural oasis. Enjoy a leisurely HORSECART RIDE around the peaceful countryside, briefly visiting BAGAYA KYAUNG, a beautiful teak wood monastery, MAHA AUNGME BOZAN KYANG, and NAN MYINT TOWER . On the way, stop and observe how local artisans make the famous alms bowls out of iron.  Finally, return to AMARAPURA, to end the day at U BEIN’S BRIDGE, a picturesque teak bridge which extends over one kilometer across Taungthaman Lake .  At dusk, the bridge teems with monks and local people as they stroll home or linger to enjoy the colors of the sunset.

Transfer to/from restaurant -  Overnight in Mandalay at Sedona Hotel.

25-Oct

(Sat)

Mandalay -   Yangon (Breakfast / Dinner: Traders Hotel / Tategoto Restaurant)

Transfer - Flight from Mandalay to Yangon . - Transfer - - Overnight in Yangon at Traders Hotel.

26-Oct

(Sun)

Yangon   (Breakfast ) – Singapore – USA .

Transfer to airport for your departure flight on Silk Air SQ 5011 departing at 10.10am to Singapore with onward connection on SQ 28 at 5.05pm , arriving in LAX at 8.20pm (same day).