Untouched Myanmar A group familiarization trip by Trails of Indochina Flight times and the daily order of sightseeing is subject to change Transfer times are approximate and are subject to local conditions at the time of travel ITINERARY SUMMARY Date Location Accommodation 01 May – 03 May 2015 Yangon Belmond Governor's Residence 03 May – 05 May 2015 Mandalay Mandalay Hill Resort 05 May – 08 May 2015 Bagan Aureum Palace Hotel 08 May – 10 May 2015 Inle Lake - Heho Inle Princess Resort 10 May 2015 Depart Yangon ITINERARY DETAIL Day 1 – Friday 01 May 2015: Yangon arrival (Own tickets, flight info to be advised) Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. *The regular check-in time is at 02.00pm; early check-in is subject to availability and may incur an additional charge. Meals: None Accommodation: Belmond Governor's Residence/ Deluxe Address: 35 Taw Win Road, Dagon Township Tel: (95-1) 229 860. Fax: (95-1) 228 260 www.belmond.com/governors-residence-yangon Day 2 – Saturday 02 May 2015: Yangon Full Day Highlight Tour/ Oil Lamp Ceremony At Shwedagon Pagoda Although the city of Yangon has grown to accommodate over seven million people, it has retained its former charm. Start the day with a visit to the Sule Pagoda. Originally an Indian structure, according to legend it is over 2,500 years old. Observe the locals going about their daily lives when we pass by Mahabandoola Park. Stroll through downtown Yangon with its faded colonial atmosphere and visit the beautiful post office before visiting the Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, known for the reclining Buddha that measures 70 meters in length. 11.30AM: Hotel site inspection at The Strand Hotel Lunch is served at Padonmar Restaurant 01.30PM: Hotel site inspection at Sule Shangri-La Hotel Afterward, we will continue to the National Museum, which is home to priceless ancient artifacts. Visit the Bogyoke Market, then head to the Indian quarter for a different view of the city by car. Then visit to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, where many local and Buddhists come to worship. When a Buddhist visits a pagoda, he has two purposes: to gain merit by doing good deeds and to ward off impending misfortune by performing certain mysterious rituals. People offer flowers, incense and count beads, meditate, feed birds, donate money and finally strike a bell to share the merit. The people in Myanmar gives far more to charity in proportion to their wealth than any other people. By doing some or all of these things, they gain confidence that they are sure to bring good luck to their lives. End the day at the most important sight and the landmark of Yangon, the awe-inspiring golden Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most beautiful pagoda complexes in all of Asia. *A private function of 1500 oil-lamps offering on Shwedagon with a brief religious chant at Dusk. Tonight, transfer to enjoy your welcome dinner at Le Planteur Restaurant - this award-winning restaurant serves excellent French food – the menu is regularly updated – with a beautiful setting to match in a colonial building with a lush garden. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Belmond Governor's Residence/ Deluxe Day 3 - Sunday 03 May 2015: Yangon – Mandalay by air (Economy class, TOI Burma books, flight time to be advised)/ Mandalay City Highlights Tour This morning, transfer to the airport for the flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to visit Mahamuni Temple – one of the most famous temples in Myanmar. Built in 1784 by King Bodawpaya, the temple also exhibits some influence from Hindu and Khmer (Cambodian) style. Then continue to Atumashi Monastery built in 1857 by King Mindon. Next, we’ll head to the Mya Nan San Kyaw Palace. 11.30AM: Hotel site inspection at Sedona Hotel Lunch is served at Unique Myanmar Restaurant In the afternoon, make a visit to Shwenandaw Monastery, originally part of the royal palace complex of King Mindon and made entirely of teak wood. Later, stop at Kuthodaw Temple, right at the foot of Mandalay Hill. Kuthodaw is world renowned for having the world’s largest book – a collection of 729 stone slabs documenting the teaching of The Buddha. To end the tour, drive up Mandalay Hill to visit the serene standing Buddha at Shweyattaw Temple which is said to have pointed the way to the former capital. Enjoy the view from the top of the hill and return to town. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Mandalay Hill Resort/ Superior Address: 9 Kwin 416B, 10th st., At the foot of Mandalay Hill Tel: (95-2) 35 638. Fax: (95-2) 35 639 http://www.mandalayhillresorthotel.com Day 4 – Monday 04 May 2015: Mandalay Full Day Ancient Capitals Amarapura, Ava (Inwa) and Sagaing are all former capitals of the old kingdom of Myanmar. Start with a transfer to Amarapura, the 18th century capital where the country’s largest monastery is located: Maha Ghandayon. Continue to visit to another ancient capital, Ava, which was the capital of Myanmar before Amarapura. Board a horse carriage and ride to the wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace. Lunch is served at one of Small River Restaurant Cross the Ayeyarwaddy River and head for the picturesque Sagaing Hill. The area houses an incredible amount of pagodas and monasteries, all painted white. It is regarded to as a religious center in Myanmar and is home to over 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers. End the day with a visit to the magnificent teak bridge of U Bein to see the sunset, which is over 200 years old. It is the longest teak bridge in the world. Return to Mandalay in the late afternoon. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Mandalay Hill Resort/ Superior Day 5 – Tuesday 05 May 2015: Mandalay – Bagan by air (Economy class, TOI Burma books, flight time to be advised)/ Bagany City Highlights Tour This morning, transfer to the airport for the flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, meet and transfer downtown. The ancient city of Bagan in central Myanmar is reminiscent of other great ancient cities such as Angkor in Cambodia. Bagan, formerly known as Pagan, was the capital of several ancient Burmese Kingdoms. Approximately 2,200 of the originally 4,400 temples remain standing in Bagan. Start visiting to Shwezigon Pagoda, one of the four most significant buildings in Bagan which served as the center of reflection and prayer. Then, continue to Ananda Temple with its four huge standing Buddha images and numerous seated figures arranged around the interior gallery. Make a short excursion at Anauk Pwa Saw Village to see the cotton weaving work as well as Minanthu Village which produces cooking oil from peanuts. Lunch is served at Green Elephant (Nandawun) Restaurant 01.30PM: Hotel site inspection at The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate Hotel 02.30PM: Hotel site inspection at Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Hotel 03.30PM: Hotel site inspection at Bagan Lodge Myanmar In the late afternoon, visit Dhammayangyi Pagoda, Bagan’s largest temple. The temple is a large square, single story, pyramidal temple with six monumental ascending exterior terraces. Afterwards, return to your hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel/ Deluxe Address: Near Bagan Viewing Tower, Min Nanthu Village, Nyaung Oo Tel: 95 61 60046. Fax: http://www.aureumpalacehotel.com/ Day 6 – Wednesday 06 May 2015: Inside Bagan’s Community Life/ Bagan Sunset Cocktail Cruise On Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) After breakfast, depart for the Ngat Pyit Taung Monastery. The temple is home to some caves that are spiritually important to the local people. Observe the local traditions before visiting the monastic primary school. Most of the children studying here are from underprivileged areas and a donation in the form of school supplies is most welcome. Learn how the educational system works in Myanmar and continue to the town of Nyaung U. Lunch is served at Amata Boutique House. The surroundings of Nyaung U are great to soak up local rural life and to learn more about the daily activities of the Burmese people. Observe how local soy bean paste is made and packed and visit workshops of two products that the region is famous for: handmade lacquer and wooden handicrafts. Also, discover how the wooden carts are made that are still used by farmers throughout the country. Don’t be shy to try your hand at some of these activities, the craftsmen are happy help you learn some new skills. End the day with a charming sunset cruise on the Ayeyarwaddy River, coming to life in beautiful warm evening hues at dusk. Observe the local life along the river in the evening. While sailing, enjoy a cocktail or cool drink and watch the scenic view of the sun setting over mountains on the far bank of the river. It is an awesome experience to listen to the natural sounds of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy when the captain switches off the engine for a while. After sunset, cruise back to land and return to your hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Aureum Palace Hotel/ Deluxe Day 7 – Thursday 07 May 2015: Full Day Mount Popa And Salay Rising 1,518 meters from the surrounding plains of Bagan, Mount Popa is considered the sacred home of the spirits and is about a 1.5 hour drive from Bagan. Visit a palm village along the way to gain an insight into how palm sugar (jaggery) is produced. Continue to Mount Popa and pass by Taung Kalat, the temple which sits atop a small mountain in front of Popa like a plug in the volcano and holds significance in Myanmar’s history and religion. The monastery is home to the 37 nats (spirits) of Myanmar, which are displayed at the base of the mountain.