8-day Myanmar exploration (Yangon - Bagan - Mandalay - Inle Lake)

Upon arrival at airport, welcome by our Guide and he will be held on placard with your name on it

transfer to Yangon Heritage Trust’s downtown office where their specially-trained guide will give a briefing about the progress, and challenges to come, of preserving the city’s buildings. Afterwards, begin a 2.5 hour walking tour through central Yangon. Starting at Yangon’s Heritage Trust Office on Lower Pansodan Road and Highlights include City Hall, the High Court and the former Burma Railways Company – one of Yangon’s oldest administrative buildings

continue to Shwedagon Pagoda the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, the local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago then renovated several times until taking its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas and your guide will show you around the massive complex, explaining why this temple is so revered. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point

Bagan is an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar.

Htilominlo Pagoda is one of the largest temples of Bagan and noted for its fine plaster carvings

Shwezigone Pagoda in which the Frontlet Relic of Buddha was enshrined

Gubyaukgyi Temple is the most famous temple for its wall paintings

Dhammayangyi Pagoda (extending approximately 255 feet on each of its four sides)

Thatbyinnyu Pagoda is the Bagan's tallest temple (almost 217 ft)

Late afternoon, you’ll enjoy the breathtaking sunset from Shwesandaw Pagoda, the most popular sunset-viewing spot in Bagan

Mt Popa, an extinct volcano standing 1518 metres high. Mount Popa has played an important role in Myanmar culture, religion and history since earliest times. Its shrine is dedicated to the worship of the 37 Nats, the Burmese ancient animist spirits. (Climb is optional!)

Mandalay is Myanmar's cultural capital. The nature focus of the city is an abrupt hill, rising above a vast moated and walled square

Mahamuni Pogada, 13ft-high sated Buddha image which is one of Myanmar's most famous

Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s Biggest Book’

Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace. This grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving

Head to the top of Mandalay Hill to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River.

we’ll drive to Amarapura, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’. First visit a silk weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products and then visit Mahagandayon monastery, when over one-thousand monks reside

U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest and 200 year-old teak bridge. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams.

visit Sagaing: Once a 4th century capital city, capital, Sagaing lies 21 km south- west of Mandalay, beside the Ayeyarwaddy River. The Sagaing Hills are dotted with pagodas and there are over 500 monasteries, a retreat for some 6000 monks and nuns. In one sense, the city is still a nexus, although of reverence and devoutness, not political power

Inwa (Ava) : In-wa, situated 20 km (1 hr drive) southwest of Mandalay, was founded as the nucleus of the Myanmar empire in 1364 after the fall of Bagan to the Mongol army of Kublai Khan. It remained the seat of Myanmar kings for almost four centuries. Its original walled boundary was not geometric but shaped like a seated lion, similar to those that guard the entrances of many pagodas. Only a small part of this wall remains the gated section where the ceremonial hair washing of the king took place. Stood as the The original name of In-Wa, Yadanarpura, meant City of Precious Gems.

drive to Inle Lake and enjoy a boat ride for the whole day. Your sightseeing will start with a visit to the Phaungdawoo Pagoda, which houses five small Buddha images. The temple is also home to an annual festival, usually held during the month of October and which is the biggest occasion held in the Inne Lake

Nag Phi Chaung Monastery, an attractive wooden monastery built on stilts over the lake at the end of the 1850s and where you can see the popular jumping cats leap through the hoops .You also have an the option to see the Padaung or “Copper Neck” hill tribe. Your tour will continue with a visit to local shops, specializing in silk, lotus, and traditional iron work. Time permitting; you can visit a Shan paper making facility, before an overnight stay at your hotel.

From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to Indein populated by ethnic Padaung (“long neck women”). You’ll walk on a covered alley lined on both sides with a thousand pagodas. Continue on foot by a long covered staircase to discover the magnificent complex of Alaung Sithu in a beautiful scenery of ancient stupas buried in vegetation with a panoramic view of the lake.

This afternoon is your leisure at hotel.

visit Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, which is famous for its huge image of a reclining Buddha and which was built in 1966 to replace the old image built in1907. You will also have the option to visit Kandawgyi Lake and surrounding areas, which offer numerous photo opportunities

you will go shopping at the Bogyoke market (formerly "Scott market") where you can get a wide range of Myanmar handicrafts, jewelry, fabrics and lacquer ware. Time permitting, your guide will bring you to the famous MK gems shop, where high quality gems are displayed in eight different decorated show room

you will transfer to Yangon International airport for your departure flight