10D Best of Myanmar

Upon arrival in Yangon International Airport, meet with your guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in (morning arrival recommended).
*Note: Early check-in subject to hotel's availability at point of arrival.

Afterwards, embark on a city tour of the capital city, with streets filled with historical buildings, many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. Start at the Central Post Office, the Independence Monuent in Mahabandoola Garden, which was erected to commorate the Burmese Independence by the first President of the Union of Myanmar in 1950.

Continue to Chauk Htat Kyi Temple, home to a 70-meter-long reclining Buddha, with the statue's feet intricately carved with 108 auspicious symbols representing the Buddha's life and teachings. Make a photo stop at Karaweik Royal Barge, an entire palace building coated in gold - a sight to behold.

Finally, visit the Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist stupa in Myanmar and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sitting on Singuttara Hill with its glittering gold stupa, enjoy the amazing sunset from the pagoda while observing local pilgrims and monks offer their devotions.

Overnight in Yangon.
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Depart morning early this morning to catch your flight to Mandalay.

Upon arrival, get started on a tour of Mandalay, the last capital of royal Burma. Visit local artisan workshops for gold leaf-making, tapestries as well as wood and marble carving. Many of the techniques used to create these have remained unchanged from that used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court.

In the afternoon, stop by the beautiful Golden Palace Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace. This grand building is known for its exquisite teak woodcarving. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, famously known as "the world’s biggest book" because it houses the complete Buddhist scripture, carved onto 729 marble slabs.

Before sunset, visit U-Bein Bridge, a 200-year-old teak bridge, also the world’s longest teakwood bridge. With the sun's hues reflecting off the Taungthaman Lake, this is one of the most photogenic sights in Myanmar not to be missed.

Overnight in Mandalay.
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Breakfast in hotel and set off on an excursion to Amarapura, and visit Mahagandayon Monastery, one of the most significant and largest Buddhist teaching centers in Myanmar.

Proceed to Ava, a former imperial capital of Burmese kingdoms located on an artificial island, which was created by digging a canal to connect the Myitnge and Irrawaddy rivers. Ride a horse-drawn cart in to visit the Maha Aungmyaybonsan Monastery, which is particularly famous for being built of brick and stucco in an era when almost all Burmese monasteries were made of wood.

Proceed to Nanmyin Tower, also known as the 'Leaning Tower of Ava' due to its tilt after a massive earthquake in the past. Make a stop at Yadana Hsemee, a complex of pagodas famous for its weathered brick ruins and open-air Buddha statues.

Along the way, visit a silk-weaving workshop and observe how traditional Burmese fabric is made. Head back to Mandalay in the evening and make a stop at Mandalay Hill and admire the view of the surrounding city.

Return to hotel and overnight in Mandalay.
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After breakfast, set off for Bagan. Once a powerful kingdom from the 11th to the late 13th century, it is today a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's greatest archaeological wonders. [approx. 185km // 4-5hrs drive].

Enroute, make a stop at Mount Popa, a sacred extinct volcano with a dramatic volcanic plug rising 1500 meters high. On its crown sits a monastery dedicated to Myanmar's most powerful guardian spirits, or Nats.

Bagan is a landscape of monumental Buddhist architecture, covering almost 3,600 stupas, temples, monasteries and associated structures. Upon arrival, spend the remaining day visiting some of the most important pagodas and temples the town has to offer.

Overnight in Bagan.
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Today, continue your exploration of Bagan with a trip to a bustling local market, which also reflects the city's history, culture and local lifestyles. See what the day-to-day life is like for the average Burmese by visiting some nearby villages.

In the afternoon, learn about the production of one of Myanmar's best-known handicrafts at a traditional lacquerware workshop.

Proceed to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. Be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas from one of the elevated viewpoints..

Overnight in Bagan
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Breakfast in hotel and start your journey to Inle Lake [approx. 340km // 6hrs drive]. Stop by some local villages along the way.

Upon arrival to Inle Lake, check in to your hotel and rest.

Overnight at Inle Lake.
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Set off on a full-day tour of Inle Lake today, and explore the area by private boat.

Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest site in the southern Shan State. Visiting Inle Lake is not just about being on the water but also about discovering the Shan and Intha villages on the banks of the river. Pass the endless floating gardens, houses, monasteries built on stilts on the lake.

Proceed to Nampan Village, a quintessential stilt village with houses built entirely on high wooden poles to accommodate the fluctuating water levels. Stop by a local cheroot factory and see how Burmese cigars are skillfully hand-rolled. Take a peek into the local boat-building industry, as village is home to expert boat-builder who craft the long-tail teak boats used across the lake.

Return to hotel and overnight at Inle Lake.
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Begin the second day in Inle with a visit to the 5-day Rotating Market, where hill tribe people dressed in colorful, traditional outfits barter for goods and produce. The market rotates locations every five days, as its name suggests.

Continue your sightseeing of Inle Lake, maneuvering by boat though long, scenic channels to Indein Village best known for its numerous incredible atmospheric ruined pagodas. See also the 'long neck' women from the enthnic Kayan minority group, as well as weaving and craft villages perched on stilts.

Afterwards, see the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – a technique used by the Intha people to row their boats while standing on one leg and using a single oar to propel forward. It is a feast for the senses and a photographer’s dream.

Overnight at Inle Lake.
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Transfer to Heho and take a morning flight back to Yangon.

After arriving, head to Scott Market, a sprawling 90-year-old market selling everything from souvenirs to lacquerware and jewelry (closed on Monday and public holidays).

Drive through the city and observe the influences of other cultures in the region, such as the St Mary's Cathedral built in 1899 and the Buddhist landmarks of Sule Paya. Also visit the Rangoon Synagogue and have the opportunity to meet with the Trustee of the synagogue and learn about Jewish life in Myanmar.

Finally, make a stop at Little India and Chinatown – stop to greet the vendors and let them introduce you to their wares – some familiar, some exotic.

Return to hotel and overnight in Yangon
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Breakfast in hotel and spend the morning free at leisure until time for check-out and transfer to Yangon International Airport for your onward flight.

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End of itinerary.

• Early check-in and late check-out is subject to hotel's availability. 
• Itinerary sequence may be altered without prior notice in the event of weather disruption and/or other unforeseen circumstances.
• All prices indicated are valid at point of quotation, and are subject to change based on final travel dates, availability at point of booking, and any other add-ons or customisation to the base package. 
• Air and train tickets (where applicable) are subject to availability at point of tour confirmation, which may result in adjustments to the original itinerary.
• Proposed accommodation options are subject to availability based on actual travel dates. In case of non-availability, an alternative accommodation at a similar or superior hotel will be secured.
• Rate adjustments (if any) will be communicated and applied accoridingly.
  In case of any currency fluctuations or amendment in local government taxes / fuel hike, etc., tour fares may be revised accordingly. 
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