9-Day Mystical Myanmar

Home , Kuthodaw Pagoda, Shwenandaw Monastery, Thein Daw Gyi Pagoda

Downloaded on: 5 Oct 2021

Tour code: MMR9MYS Tour type

( Private )

Tour Level: Relaxed / Easy Tour Comfort: Standard Tour Period: 9 Days

Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake, Yangon highlights tour details

Tour around Mandalay its old kingdoms, artisans and Within 9 days, you will explore the magnificent culture and beautiful surroundings area natural heritages of Myanmar with Highlights of Myanmar. Your tour Visit Amarapura with 150-year-old U Bein teak bridge will begin with the very first stop, Mandalay with famous Taung Pyone Experience famous Taung Pyone Nat Festival Nat Festival and pass many other attractive sites of the country like Explore the pagodas and temples in Bagan Bagan - the plain of temples and stupas, Inle Lake - the most famous Beauty of the Salay ancient monastery and experience the village lake of Myanmar, and numerous Buddhist temple and unique lifestyle at Tamarind lake Buddha images, We are sure that you will have the most memorable Take a boat trip at Inle Lake through its floating gardens and tour. vibrant colors Visit to the mystic Phaung Daw Oo pagoda and a cheroot factory Departure: fixed date from 02 - 10 August 2017. renowned for its handmade Burmese cigars Explore the 5-day rotating markets Boat tour to Indaing for 18th century pagoda ruins of Nyaung Ohak Visit the main sites in Yangon, including the world famous Shwedagon Pagoda

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tour description

Day 1 : MANDALAY ARRIVAL- AVA - SAGAING - AMARAPURA - MANDALAY (-/L/-)

Arrival at Mandalay airport. From Mandalay, drive towards the former royal capital of Innwa (Ava) located on an island between the Ayeyarwady and the Myitnge Rivers. A local ferry carries you to the island where your horse cart and driver await you. Pass through the ancient city walls to visit the brick and stucco monastery of Maha Aungmye Bonzan (also known as Ok Kyaung) before continuing to the impressive wooden monastery of Bagaya Kyaung. If time permits, visit some village homes to see local handicrafts such as silk weaving, cane mats and alms bowls. Lunch at Small River Ava Restaurant. In the afternoon, visit picturesque Sagaing, perhaps the living centre of Buddhist faith in Myanmar today. The hills here are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Return across the Ayeyarwady River to the third former capital, Amarapura, via the Ava Bridge, built by British engineers. Take a sunset stroll on U Bein Bridge, which at over a kilometre is believed to be the longest teak bridge in the world. Return to your hotel in Mandalay. Accommodation at Eastern Palace Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar, Mandalay.

Day 2 : MANDALAY - TAUNG PYONE (B/L/-)

This morning, transfer to Taung Pyone village to enjoy the Nat festival. Taungbyone village situated at the north of Mandalay, about 13 miles (20 km) 01 hour drive from Mandalay on the way to Mataya road. At half way, we turn to left for 7 miles (11 km) inside along the narrow road to reach Taung-byone village, festival and main Nat's shrine hall. The small stupa stands in the village and the stream, Shwe Ta Chaung runs close to the west of village. The Nats are believed to be super natural powerful beings, stated between the gods and the spiritual beings. The Myanmar still worship them vigorously, and believe that the Nats can bring luck and prosperity to the worshippers and can also bring danger to those who do not respect them. The word "Nat" is unclear. It may be derive from the Hindu Natha which means lord, savior or protector. It lasts five days and every day has special programs. Festival where especially youngsters are merry and enjoy drinking and where people of all ages can join in the Nat dance. Ceremonies are mostly at night and it is very hard to get into the village. Taung-byone Nat festival is the ever biggest Nat worship in the whole country with thousands of pilgrims and revelers. it's regularly held in the month of August (Wagaung) according to our Myanmar calendar. Lunch at local restaurant. Transfer back to Mandalay. Accommodation at Eastern Palace Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar, Mandalay.

Day 3 : MANDALAY (B/L/-)

Enjoy a comprehensive tour of Mandalay, a highlight of which is the Mahamuni Pagoda, home to a spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layers of gold leaves. Near the river lies visit Shwe-im-bin, a wooden monastery over 100 years old which is known for its lovely carving. Stop at local workshops to see Kalaga tapestries being made, gold leaf being beaten into paper-thin pieces. Lunch at Daung Lann Gyi Typical Myanmar Restaurant. Mid-afternoon, you'll take a trishaw ride to Kuthodaw Pagoda, where the Theravada Buddhist scriptures are inscribed on 729 marble slabs, giving rise to its nickname 'the world's largest book'. Next visit beautiful teak-carved Shwenandaw Monastery, the only Royal Palace building to survive World War II bombing. At Kyaukdawgyi Pagoda you'll see a large Buddha statue carved out of a single block of local marble. Atop Mandalay Hill lie glittering glass-studded temple walls which reflect the evening glow as you watch the sunset. Afterwards, visit Shwe Kyin Monastery to observe student monks start their evening prayers. Accommodation at Eastern Palace Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar, Mandalay.

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Day 4 : MANDALAY - BAGAN (B/L/-)

Transfer to Mandalay Airport for domestic flight to Bagan. Full day sightseeing tour, starting with the busy local market at Nyaung Oo. Continue with visits to a selection of the most important pagodas and temples such as Shwezigon, Bagan's most important reliquary shrine - look out for images of the 37 'nats' (spirits) housed in a small hall - and Gubyaukgyi (Wetkyi-Inn village), a 'cave' temple with fine frescoes of the 'Jataka Tales'. Next stop is Htilominlo, the last Bamar-style temple built in Bagan, which boasts old murals and friezes. Your visit continues to Ananda Temple, a masterpiece of Mon-style architecture with four huge standing Buddhas and an adjacent brick monastery with well-preserved 18th century murals. Stop for a photo of Bagan's tallest temple; 61 metre-high Thatbyinnyu, known as the 'temple of omniscience' and dating from 1144. Lunch at Sunset Garden Restaurant. Next visit Moe Moe Lacquer ware factory where you'll learn how this delicate art is made. Sightseeing continues with visits to Manuha Temple, built in the Mon style in 1059; Nanpaya Temple, a unique sandstone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha, and Gubyaukgyi (Myingaba) under the protection of UNESCO and noted for its ancient mural paintings. Enjoy sunset at one of the monuments along Ayeyarwady River. Accommodation at Areindmar Hotel (DeluxeRoom) or similar, Bagan.

Day 5 : BAGAN - SALAY - TAMARIND LAKE VILLAGE (B/L/-)

A full day to explore the countryside around Bagan (exact itinerary is subject to road conditions). Drive along the banks of the Ayeyarwady River through Chauk, where you will see old Burma Oil installations ('nodding donkeys'), and to Kyaukpadaung and visit local market. Continue to Salay. Visit Yokesone Monastery, which is the oldest surviving wooden monastery hall built on 154 teak posts with beautiful wood carvings decorating the outer walls. Continue to Payathonzu, a complex of three brick shrines with mural paintings from the Bagan period, and see Man Paya - a large lacquer Buddha image, said to date from the 13th century. Continue to drive to Mageekan Tamarind Lake village located near Salay, an ancient town. Visit around the village and enjoy the home cooked meal at the village house and experience the authentic local life. Afterwards, return to Bagan. In the late afternoon you are transferred from your hotel to the jetty where you board a private wooden boat. Travel 30 minutes upstream, turning to glide downriver while watching the sun lower towards the horizon and set peacefully over the Ayeyarwady River. A drinks and light snacks will be served on board. Accommodation at Areindmar Hotel (DeluxeRoom) or similar, Bagan.

Day 6 : BAGAN - HEHO - INLE LAKE (B/L/-)

Transfer to Bagan Airport for domestic flight to Heho. Transfer from Heho airport down into the valley to Nyaungshwe on the edge of Inle Lake and board your own local boat to take you to your hotel (Room might not be ready for check-in). Lunch at Golden Kite Indaing Restaurant. Continue from your hotel and travel by long-tailed boat across the lake to Indaing, at the western end of Inle, for one of the most scenic trips on the Lake. Passing through the busy village of Ywama, the largest on the Lake, with many channels and tall teak houses on stilts; enter a long, often tree-lined canal, either side of which farmers cultivate their land against the backdrop of the Shan Hills. Disembark at the jetty and walk for 15 minutes through Indaing village to reach the 14th - 18th century pagoda ruins of Nyaung Ohak. Many pagodas here remain charmingly unrenovated, with plants and even small trees growing out of them, making the area very atmospheric. A covered walkway popular with souvenir stallholders leads up to Shwe Inn Thein Paya, a complex of weather-beaten 17th - 18th century zedi; some newly reconstructed. Returning to the river and from here continue by boat downstream past Yethar village, watching local life on the banks and birds in the trees until rejoining the Lake near Phaung Daw Oo Paya. Accommodation at Mount Inle (Standard Room) or similar, Inle Lake.

Day 7 : INLE LAKE (B/L/-)

Explore a 5-day rotating market (if your visit coincides with the schedule) which offers an insight into the life of the ethnic Pa-O, Danu

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and Intha people who come to these markets to sell and buy goods. Enjoy a full day boat trip on Inle Lake - a photographer's dream. Its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic hills provide the perfect backdrop. See the lake's unique 'leg rowers' - Intha fishermen who row standing up with one leg wrapped around a single oar, leaving their hands free to manipulate the conical fishing net. Stop at Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State. Lunch at Mr. Toe's Restaurant. Visit Mya Set Kyar traditional silk-weaving workshop which uses wooden handlooms, and a blacksmith's forge. Pass endless floating gardens, where Intha lake dwellers grow fruit and vegetables. Continue by boat to visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, one of the oldest on the lake, where you can see exquisite Buddha statues which are more than 200 years old. Return to your hotel by boat as the sun lowers and the light softens over the lake. Accommodation at Mount Inle (Standard Room) or similar, Inle Lake.

Day 8 : INLE LAKE - HEHO - YANGON (B/L/-)

In the morning, transfer to Heho airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival at Yangon, start your sightseeing with a drive to the famous Strand Road and visit the bustling Yangon harbour, where ferries leave for Pathein in the Delta and upcountry towns along the Ayeyarwady River. You then drive through the colonial-historical district, Chinatown, and the Indian quarter. Make a photo stop at the gilded Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2,000 years, and a landmark in central Yangon. Lunch at Pansuriya Restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda to see a huge reclining Buddha image. Stop alongside Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake to take photographs over the lake towards Karaweik Hall and Shwedagon. Enjoy the sunset at Shwedagon Pagoda, famous worldwide - its golden stupa is the 'heart' of Buddhist Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa in surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. It is always full of people praying and making offerings, and is a fascinating place to spend time watching the world go by. Return to your hotel. Accommodation at IBIS Styles Yangon Stadium Hotel (Superior Room) or similar, Yangon.

Day 9 : YANGON DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Day at leisure until departure to the airport. Transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight. includes excludes

Our tour prices are included of: Not Included are:

All sightseeing tour and transfer services with private air Domestic airfare (Mandalay-Bagan-Heho-Yangon) conditioned car/coach as detailed in our itinerary Myanmar visa fee Meals as specified in the itinerary (B= Breakfast and L= Lunch) Surcharges for throughout guides (English and other languages) All entrance fees for the places as mentioned in the programme Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, Transfers and tours with English-speaking locally-stationed camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc. guides Meals and services other than mentioned in the programme Boat trips in Inle Lake as specified Drinks with meals Service charges, room tax and baggage handling Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in Accommodation at hotels as above mentioned or similar the programme Filtered drinking water and wet towels during the tour

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notes

Notes:

Hotel prices for packages are quoted bases on hotels as mentioned below. Higher or lower categories can be requested and the price will be adjusted. The hotels featured in the package tour are subject to availabilities at the time of booking. Meals at respective hotels are also included in the hotel prices if the itineraries mention lunch or dinner at hotel. Additional charges during Christmas, New Year and the Water festival period may apply. Supplements for compulsory Gala Dinners will be advised at the time of booking. All hotels have special booking and deposit conditions and will be indicated at the time of booking. Nonrefundable deposits may be required. Domestic airfares are quoted separately and subject to change in case of increases imposed by the airlines (ie. taxes, fuel costs, etc.). There are 8 different airlines operating on the domestic route in Myanmar. Each company has slight different airfares and this pricelist is based on average airfare. Diethelm Travel will book the most convenient and direct routing. The final price can be confirmed once the tickets are booked and issued depending on available booking class and seat availability.

Contact [email protected] www.diethelmtravel.com