From Yangon to Inle Lake 13 days

Today you will discover the colonial city of Yangon with its many faded colonial buildings, busy street markets, and glittering temples:

• Visit Little India and Chinatown
• Reach Bogyoke Market
• Visit Chautatkh gyi pagoda, famed for the biggest reclining Buddha statue in Myanmar.
• Drive to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha.
• Continue to Kandawgyi Park, one of central Yangon’s greenest spots.
• End the tour at the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar.

We will enjoy the colourful sunset reflections off the pagoda’s golden rooftops before returning to hotel.
Highlight experience: Praying at Shwedagon Pagoda

Settle into a morning flight from Yangon to Mandalay.
Arrive and be welcomed by our guide and be transferred to Amarapura, Myanmar penultimate royal capital

• Stop at a silk weaving workshop known for their exquisite merchandise
• Stroll along the legendary U Bein Bridge and enjoy special atmosphere as the late afternoon sun casts long shadows and illuminates the local people heading home

Overnight in Mandalay
Highlight experience: Silk weaving workshop

The city of Mandalay, the second largest city in the country, known as the “Golden City”, and also the cultural and religious center of Buddhism in Myanmar.

Depart for a visit the Jade Market then board a boat to go up the Irrawaddy River towards Mingun

• Disembark in front of the Satowya Pagoda
• See a model of the Mingun Pagoda, and receive an explanation of same, unfinished Mingun Pagoda, started in the reign of King Bodowpaya
• See the Mingun Bell that weighs over 90 tons, the largest bell in the world to ring.
• Visit the Hsinbyume pagoda

Continue the day around the hills of Sagaing approximately 20 kms south of Mandalay, cross the metal bridge at Ava to sightsee Sagaing and its impressive panorama of pagodas that dot the surrounding countryside.
Stroll along the legendary U Bein Bridge and enjoy special atmosphere as the late afternoon sun casts long shadows and illuminates the local people heading home.
Highlight experience: Irrawaddy dolphins watching.
 

Cruise downstream to Yandabo Village for sightseeing.

• Dependant on the base economy is famous for the production of terracotta from the riverbank clay. See the pottery making process at various stages.
• Yandabo, historically recognized for the signing of the Yandabo Treaty which took place under a tree on the riverbank in 1826 between the British and Royal Burmese Household of Ava. Shore excursion time is 1 hour.

Overnight on board
Highlight experience: Yadabo sightseeing tour

• In the morning, continue sailing downstream and arrive to Bagan around 9:30 am.
• Travel to Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano over 1500m high, about 48 km southeast of Bagan to visit the Nat worship shrines, stupas and monasteries at the summit.
• Transfer back to Bagan, the largest archaeological site in Myanmar and it covers around 40 square kilometres and is a testament to the populations’ Buddhist beliefs.

Overnight in Bagan
Highlight experience: Visit the volcanic mountain Popa

• A quick walk in the morning to the colourful and lively market of Nyaung Oo.
• Visit Shwezigon Pagoda and admire its magnificent golden Burmese stupa: the elegant shape of the stupa bell has become the primary model for all other stupa bells in Myanmar.
• Explore Kyansitha Uman and the Temple of Gyu Byauk Kyi in the village of Wetkyi
• Travel through the plains filled with red buildings by either bike or carriage. After crossing the Tharaba gate, a remnant from the 9th century, admire the view of the old city from the top of temple Thatbyinnyu.
• Discover the famous temple of Ananda, one of the most revered ones in the South.
• Bagan dinner and a puppet show

Overnight in Bagan.
Highlight experience:Nyaung Oo morning market.

Boat down to the Southwest of Inle Lake through a long narrow canal to Indein village, known for its market and two groups of ancient pagodas.
Visit lake’s morning market (the market is open every day apart from dark moon and full moon calendar days). The market’s location rotates between the lake’s villages in a 5 day schedule and is also visited daily by the lake’s inhabitants as well as the surrounding natives who also come to sell and trade their wares.
Head to Pa-Oh village of Indein, located on the western shores of Inle Lake on an hour boat ride down a small canal

• Stroll around the village and ascend to the summit for mesmerizing views of the placid surroundings
• Visit Indein Pagoda complex which is undoubtedly one of the most amazing sites around the shore of the lake and it consists of hundreds of small overrun stupas
• Embark on a gentle trek to Sae Ma village, observe the daily lifestyles of the rural inhabitants
• Learn more about history and culture of the lake’s indigenous people and taste a delicious coffee and cake at Inthar Heritage House

Overnight in Inle
Highlight experience: Obsserve local life in Indein Village

Depart for an Inle Lake adventure with the starting point from Inle Lake to Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State and to Kakku, 30km south ò Taunggyi:

• Visit more than 2000 stupas in a site closely packed together in ranks covering an area of approximately a square kilometer apparently unknown to outside world
• Explore Kakku, a hidden treasure an unusual, magnificent collections of Buddhist Stupas unheard of by historians and unlisted in guidebooks lies in the deepest Pa-oh territory

Overnight in Inle
Highlight experience: Kakku Pagoda complex discovery

Enjoy the last boat ride to Nyaung Shwe then be transferred to Heho airport to settle into a morning flight to Yangon. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide and be transferred to the center to explore the capital city of Myanmar.

• Visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda to see a 70m long reclining Buddha statue around the size of a blue whale
• Catch a view of Karaweik Hall, a reproduction of a royal barge and enjoy a spectacular view of the Golden Shwedagon Pagoda
• Visit legendary Shwedagon Pagoda, the most important religious site for the Burmese, witness colors transform on the 100m chedi which is literally enclosed in over 40 tons of gold leaf
• Check out the dragons and incense of the colorful Khen Hock Keong Chinese temple
• Explore the vibrant street stalls where vendors sell all kinds of fruit, vegetable and other goods or simply just walk around and soak in the atmosphere of this little China in Yangon.

Overnight in Yangon
Highlight experience: Yangon Chinatown.

Free time until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.