Myanmar Explorer’s Adventure

• Day 1:

  On arrival at Mandalay Airport, you will be met by your local Destination Asia guide and transfer 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. On the way to Mandalay, you will see the street of marble sculptors, an ancestral tradition now modernized with machines. Statues carved on the street, of all shapes and sizes are exported all over Myanmar and even to China. If time permits, you will visit Kuthodaw pagoda, known as the biggest book with more than 700 stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures. This site was recently included in the Memory of the world register of UNESCO. Finally, drive to Mandalay Hill to watch the sunset over the city.

• Day 2:

  Today, you will be picked up at your hotel (no need for breakfast before you leave) and set out in search of food. You will take a classic Mandalay rickshaw to explore the best snacks that Mandalay has to offer. From the famous morning noodle dish mohinga, to Myanmar pancake, samosa, Mandalay salad, Shan noodles and numerous sweet snacks that will leave you with a firm understanding of why Myanmar people walk around with a smile on their face all day. Around 2:30 PM, we’ll hop on the bikes for a warm up ride. Just outside of the city centre lies miles of rice paddies and farms. We’ll bike around 10 kilometers, getting a chance to test out our bikes but also to learn about local lifestyles in the countryside. Then you will transfer by car/van to a nearby monastery where the monks teach free English classes to neighborhood residents before returning to your hotel.

• Day 3:

  Today you will meet with your guide around 8:00 AM and ride out of the city. There are many ships moored here; all kinds of shapes and sizes and both old and new. You’ll have a chance to visit Mingun’s famous sites on foot before heading to Sagaing. Sagaing is the national centre for Buddhism in Myanmar and home to hundreds of monasteries, nunneries and meditation centre. In the afternoon we will explore the ancient capital of Ava set amid banana plantations before heading to Amarapura and the famous U Bein Bridge.

• Day 4:

  After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the jetty for cruise check in. Upon arrival in Bagan in the early evening, you will be transferred to your hotel.

• Day 5:

  The first visit today will be the interesting market at Nyaung Oo where you will see the variety of fresh produce for sale and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. Your next stop will be the well-preserved Shwezigone Pagoda. Proceed to amazing Ananda Temple which is one of the four main temples remaining in Bagan. Finish the day joining the Bagan Sunset Bike tour. The tour concludes with a sunset boat ride on the Irrawaddy River. Board the boat in the early evening and cruise out to the middle of the water where a panorama of temples comes to view.

• 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. 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:

  The local 5-Day Market rotates between 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. A covered walkway leads to the main Shwe Inn Thein Paya, from where (weather permitting) there are great views across the lake. 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. There will also be time to explore Bogyoke Aung San Market, still commonly known by its old British name of Scott Market. At the next stop, you will have the opportunity to purchase beautiful souvenirs and contribute to a good cause at the same time. Later visit the historic Shwedagon Pagoda which towers almost 98 meters (326ft) above the green cityscape of Yangon.

• Day 10:

  A ride on the slow-moving Yangon Circular Railway presents a fantastic opportunity to observe commuter life in Myanmar’s largest city. Disembark at Insein and explore the interesting market in this little visited township before driving back to the city centre.

• Day 11:

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

April 01 2019 – September 30, 2019

$2,999 per person

October 01 2019 – March 31, 2020

$3,299 per person

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Accommodation as per above 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 Guides in each destination (except on free days)
• Meals as specified in the above 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 (see below)
• Meals other than specified as included
• Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (minibar, phone call, laundry, etc.)
• 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