The Best of Myanmar

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.

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive for 4 hours, through seemingly endless paddy fields to the small town of Kyaikto and on to the "base camp" of Kinpun, where take a truck up a bumpy track about half way up the mountain. Check into hotel. From here, walk up the path which climbs to the legendary "Golden Rock". (The climb takes around 1 hour and those unwilling, or not fit enough, to walk can hire four porters to carry them in a sedan chair). The climb offers magnificent views over the surrounding countryside and the opportunity to make friends with many local people who make the pilgrimage to Kyaikhtiyo. The incredible "Golden Rock" sits precariously on top of the mountain, and is said to balance thanks to a precisely placed hair relics of Buddha. Weather permitting, sunset views from Mount Kyaikhtiyo are amazing.

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is also known as Golden Rock is a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site in Mon State, Myanmar. It is a small pagoda (7.3 metres (24 ft)) built on the top of a granite boulder covered with gold leaves pasted on by devotees. According to legend, the Golden Rock itself is precariously perched on a strand of the Buddha's hair. The balancing rock seems to defy gravity, as it perpetually appears to be on the verge of rolling down the hill. The rock and the pagoda are at the top of Mt. Kyaiktiyo. It is the third most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Burma after the Shwedagon Pagoda and the Mahamuni Pagoda. A glimpse of the "gravity defying" Golden Rock is believed to be enough of an inspiration for any person to turn to Buddhism.

After breakfast, head back toward Yangon. Along the way, stop at Bago, the 6th century capital of the Mon kingdom where you'll visit gilded Mon style pagodas and a graceful reclining Buddha. Return to Yangon in the evening after a stop at the Allied War Cemetery.
Accommodation: Hotel in Golden Rock
Includes: English speaking guide – Car transfer – 01 lunch – entrance fees

After a flight from Yangon to Heho, you'll be driven to Nyaung Shwe, your gateway to the captivating Inle Lake. You'll pass among the leg-rowing fisherman as your private motorboat takes you to lakeside monasteries and pagodas. Your visit will also include a special tour of the Inpawkhone weaving village, and a factory were the local cheroot cigars are rolled.

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.

This morning you'll browse among stalls at the lake market, where residents of the region's Shan hill tribes come to shop and show their wares. Afterward, you'll visit the village of In Dein, where you'll be guided to see ancient stupas at Alaung Sitthou.

The morning is yours to enjoy the pastoral pace of the lake or opt for a cycling excursion to a nearby vineyard. After a flight to Mandalay in the afternoon, you'll be transferred to your hotel. Explore the town at leisure, and enjoy the view of the sun fading over the countryside from on top of Mandalay Hill.

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.

Set out from Mandalay to discover three of Myanmar's ancient capitals: Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. Your journey into the kingdom's regal history will take you to the country's largest monastery, a workshop where colorful silks are woven, and the ruined remains of the Royal Palace. Crossing the Irrawaddy in the afternoon, you'll be transported to Sagaing, a city with more than 600 ivory-hued pagodas, before ending the day at the U Bein teak bridge.

After breakfast you'll board a private local boat for a trip up the Irrawaddy to Mingun, site of the beautiful Hsinbyume Pagoda. After returning to Mandalay in the afternoon, you'll be taken to Mahamuni Pagoda, where you can gaze at the venerated statue of Buddha covered in delicate gold leaf. Before ending the day, you'll also visit the Shwenandaw Manastery and Kuthodaw and Kyaiktawgyi Pagodas.

A drive from Mandalay will carry you to Monywa, a charming Burmese town set on the Chindwin River. Visit Thanboddhay Pagoda, a huge temple that houses over 500,000 Buddha images. Also stop at Boditahtaung Pagoda which houses the largest reclining Buddha image in Myanmar and witness the largest standing Buddha nearby. Head to the river banks to enjoy the sunset and the calming conclusion to the day.

Head to Powintaung, home to 947 sandstone caves, believed to hold some of Southeast Asia's richest collection of mural paintings and Buddha statues. Nearby is Shwe Ba Taung, where monasteries and temples are carved out rocky narrow cliffs. Travel through the countryside for a stop at Kyet Su Kin village, with time to experience the lifestyle and culture of rural Burma. Next up is Pakokku, known for its traditional Burmese leather slipper making. Proceed to the jetty and board a private local boat in Pakkoku for a leisurely, two hour cruise downriver to 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.

The thousands of pagodas and temples you'll encounter in Bagan will make it one of the most unforgettable cities in Asia. Your time in this magnificent town will take you from the glittering golden stupa of the Shwezigon Pagon, to the murals of the Wetkyi-Gubyaukgyi cave shrine, to the elegant plaster carvings of Htilominto Temple. This afternoon, catch a horse carriage from under the shadow of graceful Ananada Temple for a ride among the beautiful ruins of the town.

Today you have a choice of excursions in the Bagan area. Follow in the steps of a famous legend by jeep and boat, explore the unusual nat worshipping culture with a trip to Mt Popa and Salay or bike through temples and rural villages for a different perspective of Bagan life.

Return to Yangon this morning by plane. Spend an afternoon walking among the faded pastel shutters of colonial buildings in downtown Yangon as your guide shows you the hidden corners and main sites of the atmospheric city centre.

Today is at your leisure to explore on your own or for those with a bit more time, we encourage you to take one of our insider tours. Then pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

Finish unforgettable 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.