Myanmar Classic Tour

• Day 1:

  On arrival at Mandalay Airport, you will be met by your local Destination Asia guide for a half day of sightseeing: You will see the imposing Mahamuni pagoda, where pilgrims come from afar to make offerings and place gold on the Buddha image and to visit the bronze warrior statues. Next visit workshops that make the fame of Mandalay: the marble carving street where dozens of Buddha sculptors work covered in white dust, gold pounders rhythmically hammering gold until it is as thin as a sheet of paper, ladies weaving tapestry depicting the grandeur of Mandalay kings chatting away as they sow. Transfer to your hotel for check-in.

• Day 2:

  This morning you will have the chance to visit one of the religious nunneries in Sagaing. Have a tour around the grounds to learn more about the beliefs and lifestyles of the nuns. Sagaing is the national center for Buddhism in Myanmar and home to hundreds of monasteries, nunneries and meditation centers. Continue to visit Amarapura, Myanmar’s penultimate Royal Capital. Visit Kuthodaw pagoda, known as the biggest book with more than 700 stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures. Finally, drive to Mandalay Hill to watch the sunset over the city.

• Day 3:

  After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Bagan. Upon arrival in Bagan, transfer to Nyaung Oo market where you will see the variety of fresh produce for sale and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. Nearby, Shwezigone Pagoda was commenced by Anawrahta in the 12th century but completed by his son, King Kyansittha. It is a prototype for many later Myanmar pagodas. Proceed to amazing Ananda Temple which is one of the four main temples remaining in Bagan. Transfer for hotel check-in and free time to enjoy the facilities (spa and swimming pool) at midday’s hottest hour. Finally there is no better way to get a sense of the grandeur of Bagan than to observe sunset from higher ground offering a vantage point over the plain of 2000 temples and pagodas.

• Day 4:

  Begin the day with a 30-minute horse cart ride from Old Bagan to Phwar Saw Village, which affords the opportunity to witness rural Burmese life. Enjoy a one-hour stroll through the village where some families produce simple lacquerware. Transfer back to your hotel for free time to enjoy the facilities (spa and swimming pool). In the afternoon, proceed to visit a lacquerware workshop and learn about the ancestral technique of layering a mixture from a special tree sap and ashes over bamboo sculptures, then carving intricate colored designs. In the evening, the tour concludes with a sunset boat ride on the Irrawaddy River.

• Day 5:

  Enjoy your day at leisure.

• Day 6:

  This morning you will be transferred to Bagan airport in order to connect with your onward flight to Heho. Transfer by car from Heho to Nyaung Shwe (around one hour). After a brief visit to Shwe Yaung Pyae Kyaung Monastery, which is famed for its unique oval windows, transfer to your private boat and venture onto the lake to transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

• Day 7:

  Set off for the local 5-Day Market which rotates every 5 days between different towns in the Inle Lake region. The market is a great place to observe local life with many of the ethnic minorities attending to buy and sell their goods. Continue sightseeing with a visit to the temple at Nga Hpe Kyaung on the eastern side of the lake, which houses an impressive collection of ancient Buddha images. The rest of the day is at leisure.

• Day 8:

  This morning, take a boat transfer to visit the ruined stupas and temples at the lake-side village of Indein. Later, embark on a tranquil canoe ride to witness life in one of the floating villages that are scattered throughout the lake. The rest of the day is at leisure.

• Day 9:

  Morning will be leisure and then transfer to Heho airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to a train station. A ride on the slow-moving Yangon Circular Railway presents a fantastic opportunity to observe commuter life in Myanmar’s largest city. After the arrival downtown, there will also be time to explore Bogyoke Aung San Market, still commonly known by its old British name of Scott Market. Later visit the visit the huge reclining Buddha at Chauk Htat Kyi. End the day with a tour of Shwedagon Pagoda which towers almost 98 meters (326ft) above the green cityscape of Yangon.

• Day 10:

  After breakfast, transfer to Maha Bandoola park. We’ll have a pause in Maha Bandoola park where local families and lovers come to relax to admire the independence obelisk, the High Court and the City Hall designed by a famous Burmese architect, offering great photo opportunities. At the next stop you will have the opportunity to purchase beautiful souvenirs and contribute to a good cause at the same time. Hla Day is a fair trade marketplace for small Myanmar producers, opening opportunities for them to improve their social and economic situation. In the afternoon, car and guide will be at your disposal to visit places of interest or make the last errands before your departure.

• Day 11:

  You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

October 01 2019 – March 31, 2020

Per Person Sharing      $2,599

April 01 – September 30, 2020

Per person sharing $2,299

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Accommodation as per itinerary in twin share/double rooms with daily breakfast included
• Domestic flights in economy class
• Tours and transfers as specified including entry fees, on a private basis in an air-conditioned vehicle
• Service of a different English-speaking station guide in each destination (except on free days)
• Meals as specified in the itinerary (drinks are not included)
• Bottle water and cool towel provided on transfers and sightseeing
• Private boats for included excursions on Inle Lake

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• International airfares
• Hotel early check-in and late check-out
• Myanmar visa fee
• Meals other than specified as included
• Travel insurance or expenses of a personal nature (minibar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
• Hotel’s surcharges for compulsory holiday dinners (Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve)
• Tips or gratuities to guides/drivers/porters/hotel, restaurant or boat staff etc
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities