Essence of Myanmar Culture

Upon arrival, you will be met outside the baggage claim area by your guide who will escort you to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to downtown with a brief introduction en route. Your guide will be holding a welcome signboard with the ASIA TOUR ADVISOR LOGO & your name. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Yagon.

Located in the fertile delta region of central Burma (Myanmar), the former capital and waterfront city of Yangon with its crumbling British colonial mansions and ancient stupas, thriving restaurants and lively bars, is a melting pot of old and new. Home to over four million inhabitants, it's a sprawling city, the streets interspersed with parks and lakes, much of its allure stemming from the colourful street life. Marvel at the glittering Shwedagon Pagoda, wander the cobblestone streets of Bogyoke Market or simply watch the rickshaw drivers in their striped longyis (sarongs) peddle lazily through the streets as you sip on a cup of tea at a roadside tea stall.

Accompanied by your guide explore the sights of Yangon. Begin with a visit to the octagonal Sule Pagoda. Originally an Indian structure but now Burmese, it is thought to be over 2,000 years old and said to enshrine a hair of the Buddha. Stroll through downtown Yangon with its faded colonial buildings and leafy boulevards and visit the beautiful colonial style Post Office. Watch the locals going about their daily business as you pass Mahabandoola Park, named after General Maha Bandula who fought against the British in the First Anglo-Burmese War. The park includes the Independence Monument, an obelisk which commemorates Burmese independence gained from the British in 1948. Next visit Chaukhtatgyi and the Reclining Buddha which measures 70 metres (230 feet) in length.

In the afternoon you visit the National Museum, the principle museum of Burmese art, history and culture. The museum was founded in 1952 and houses an extensive collection of ancient artefacts, ornaments, art works, inscriptions and historic memorabilia, related to history, culture and the civilisation of the Burmese people.

Next stop is Bogyoke Market, one of the oldest markets in Yangon, with colonial architecture and cobbled streets. It offers Burmese handicrafts and gemstones but also has traditional Burmese and Chinese food stalls. After the market, head to the Indian Quarter for a very different view of the city. Here you will find Hindu Temples and street stalls selling Indian food. End the day with a visit to the breathtaking Shwedagon Pagoda, or Golden Pagoda, its stupa dominating the city’s skyline. This is one of the holiest places in Burma, and one reason why Burma is known as the "Land of Golden Pagodas". The pagoda itself is 99 metres (326 feet) high, studded with solid gold plates and decorated with diamonds and other precious jewels.

After breakfast, depart the hotel for flight to Heho on the Shan plateau. Transfer by road to Inle Lake and transfer to our hotel by long tail boat across the lake. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon, we plan to spend the day visiting villages and sampling the spectacular array of traditional handicrafts. You will see the unique method locals use to row their boats, fishermen with their own style of fishing, floating farms and gardens and a handloom weaving cottage with its own showroom. You will visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda which houses the five most revered Buddha Images in the southern Shan State.

At an altitude of 880 metres (2,900 feet) the freshwater lake of Inle is not only one of the highest lakes in the country but is one of the biggest. The lake is home to the Intha people who have lived, worked and survived off the lake for generations. They live in wooden and woven bamboo stilt houses surrounded by floating gardens. Inle’s constant source of moisture and its climate permits the Inthas to grow crops throughout the year. The most distinctive part of the Intha culture is the unique way they row their small wooden boats using their legs.

After breakfast at hotel, visit the Indein Pagoda is located near the Indein creek; it is narrow and has many twist and turns. Paddy fields around the creek receive water from the creek. Here our beat start venturing into a small canal and pass through the beautiful scenery on the way to Pa O Hill tribe village. After visiting the local market, we enjoy walk to the very impressive ruins containing hundred ancient pagodas, some of which are hidden in the lush vegetation and overnight at hotel in Inle.

After breakfast, we are heading back down country today to return to the airport at Heho for our flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, proceed to Mandalay and check in at hotel. Afternoon, visit the Old Palace grounds; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world's largest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha's Doctrine; Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill. Overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.

The trishaw was invented in 1930 in Mandalay and became the most popular form of public transportation. Burmese trishaws are unique in that they have two passenger seats on one side of the paddler and are the ideal vehicle for travelling along the narrow laneways of Burmese towns.

After breakfast, you will be transferred for Jetty for a private boat across the river Ayeywarwaddy to visit Mingun. The dedications of King Bodawpaya such as the unfinished Pathodawgyi Pagoda a brick counterpart of pyramid in Egypt and the Mingun Bell, the second largest bell in the world are the most prominent religious heritages. Then visiting the Myatheintan Pagoda, the best representation of the Universe, will refresh your tiredness and fatigue. Return to Mandalay. In the afternoon, you will be taken a sightseeing tour of Mandalay which includes Mahamuni, a life like Buddha image. Mandalay is the last capital of Myanmar and that make her to be the best place to see all the traditional arts and crafts. Start visiting gold leaf making work-place and see how the gold leaf is being made by hand in a traditional way. Drive along to the south and see more industries such as bronze casting artisans, wood carvers, tapestry making ladies, and stone carvers, etc.

After breakfast, we will check out from the hotel and continue to airport for your flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, check in to hotel and depart for a sightseeing excursion around the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area. A comprehensive exploration of Bagan includes Nyaung Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Kyansittha Umin; Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite mural painting of 13th century and Htilominlo Temple. In the afternoon, after a visit to lacquer ware workshops; continue to Manuha Temple built by exile King Manuha; Nanphaya, said to have been the residence of King Manuha; Ananda Temple, architectural masterpiece and Oak-Kyaung monastery decorated with multi colour mural paintings. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset from one of the temple of Bagan.

The ancient city of Bagan was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan from the 9th to 13th centuries and built over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries on the Bagan plains alone. Today around 2,200 of the original temples and pagodas remaining standing.

This morning, we will be watching sunrise over Bagan (optional) and back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast at hotel, we head to Mt. Popa about 48 km south east of Bagan. Mt. Popa, known as the abode of Nats (spirits) - a collection of 37 magical spirits both feared and honoured by some Myanmar people and the nat museum, which houses 37 life-size nat statues sculpted from teak. It's time to climb for 777 steps to the summit. Proceed to Popa Mountain Resort ( 1hr drive ) for our lunch. The restaurant offer a great view to the Popa summit that stands straight from the central plain. After lunch, return drive back to Bagan. On the way back, enroute stop at village cottage industry to learn the regional product as well as to watch the collection of juice from the palm trees, and its conversion to brown sugar. Check in at at Nyaung U airport and fly back to Yangon. Arrive Yangon and transfer to your hotel.

The ancient city of Bagan was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan from the 9th to 13th centuries and built over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries on the Bagan plains alone. Today around 2,200 of the original temples and pagodas remaining standing.

Breakfast at your hotel. Free time for visiting city or shopping until pick you up and transfer you to airport for your departure flight.

Finish unforgettable Essence of Myanmar Tour with Asia Tour Advisor Co.,. Good bye & see you in the next time! AsiaTourAdvisor can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.