DEPART NORTH AMERICA

Board your flight for your first segment of your Magnificent Myanmar Tour.

ARRIVE YANGON

Arrive in Yangon, capital of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Meeting assistance and transfer to Hotel of your choice. Rest of the day is at leisure. At sunset visit to Shwedagan Pagoda and photograph the temple in fading lights of setting sun. HOTEL

YANGON

Your tour of Yangon includes visiting the Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, National Museum, Glass factory still using the age old techniques of hand blowing. Continue to the Kandawgyi Lake, as excellent place to take pictures of Shwedagon pagoda. The Botathaung Pagoda houses Buddha’s relics, walk along the Yangon River to see the harbor area..

DAY AT LEISURE

Relax and enjoy a day at leisure to explore the city on own, shop or take an optional tour.

YANGON / BAGAN

Fly to Bagan, a world heritage site of golden land. Spend your day visiting Bagan's stunning monuments. Shwezigon Pagoda, the most important reliquary shrine, the 12th century frescoes adorning the corridors of Kyansittha Cave Temple. Pass through Tharaba Gateway into old Bagan and to Ananda Temple a masterpiece of Mon architecture. After lunch visit the 13th century Pagoda Mingalazedi & Gubyaukgyi Temple with its fine stuccowork. Also visit a lacquer ware workshop for insight into the workmanship. HOTEL

BAGAN – Day at leisure

Day free for independent activities or Optional tours:
1. Mt. Popa Excursion- Visit the Nyaung U local market before driving along the banks of the Ayeyarwady River. Arrive at Mt. Popa, home to Myanmar's intriguing 'nats' (spirits). Visit Abeyadana Temple with frescoes representing Bodhisattavas and gods of Indian mythology; Nanpaya Temple with intricate stone carvings; Manuha Pagoda with four Buddha images & Myazedi Stupa to see Myanmar's 'Rosetta stone' bearing inscriptions written in four languages.

2. Hot air balloon ride over pagodas & town

BAGAN / MANDALAY- MINGUN & CITY TOUR

Fly to Mandalay. On arrival take a boat trip to Mingun, site of a brick pagoda towering 50 meters and home to world's largest intact bell. The boat ride offers an interesting opportunity to witness and photograph the rural life and trade along the river. Return to Mandalay, check in at Hotel and later tour the Mahamuni Pagoda, home to Mandalay's holiest Buddha statue. Stop to see stone carving, thereafter see the art of gold leaves being beaten into wafer thin pieces; the Shwenandaw Monastery, an ancient wooden building with intricate carvings. See the world's largest book, which are the Buddhist scriptures inscribed on marble slabs, the Kuthodaw Pagoda and tour the Kyaukdawgyi Pagoda. Enjoy a spectacular sunset from Mandalay Hill before returning to your Hotel.

AMARAPURA & SAGAING EXCURSION

Full day sightseeing tour of the ancient city of Amarapura today. Begin with visitibng the Bugaya Monastery, U Bein's Bridge made entirely of teakwood and Thabyedan Fort. Continue across Ava Bridge to visit picturesque Sagaing Hill, the living center of Buddhist faith. Visit Mahamuni Pagoda, home to Myanmar's holiest Buddha statue. This evening enjoy a fabulous sunset along the river.

MANDALAY – day at leisure

Breakfast at Hotel and rest of the day is free for independent activities.

MANDALAY / HEHO / PINDAYA

Fly to Heho. An interesting drive up into the hills, across the Shan Plateau brings you to Pindaya. Visit the magnificent Pindaya Caves, set in a limestone ridge overlooking a picturesque lake, where thousands of Buddha images are on display in the various chambers of the cave. Visit some local houses where families produce Shan paper and parasols.

PINDAYA / INLE LAKE

Drive down into the valley to Nyaungshwe, located on the edge of the Inle Lake, on your boat trip on Inle Lake (a photographer's dream); you'll see the lake's unique "leg rowers". Continue on to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda; witness silk weaving on wooden handlooms and stop at a blacksmith shop. On return drive you will pass the endless floating gardens, where fruit and vegetables are grown.

Day free to relax and enjoy magnificent scenery or take optional tours.

1. INDEIN EXCURSION- Travel to Indein by boat to be part of hidden treasure of Pao tribes people. Visit Local handicrafts workshops & Indein pagoda. Return to Inle to visit Nga Phe Kyuang Monastery, silver & goldsmiths, cheerot making, cotton & silk weaving industry.

2. SOFT HIKE- Travel by boat to Tha Le Oa & Maing Thauk. Hike thru the village and other scenic spots visiting Pao Village and Inn Nee etc. Picnic lunch provided

YANGON & DEPART

After breakfast, fly to Yangon where you will connect with your international flight. Your spectacular journey through Magnificent Myanmar comes to an end taking with you fond memories, momentous of the sights, sounds of ancient Burma.