Arrive Yangon International Airport by … at … hrs. After passing through the immigration and custom controls, one of our English-speaking representatives (or) tour guides will welcome and escort you to your hotel. Enjoy lunch at hotel.
In the afternoon, start an orientation tour of downtown Yangon. You will drive through Yangon’s busy roads and take a glimpse of the hustle downtown, Indian and China towns. See the magnificent colonial buildings of Victorian & Edwardian era architecture. This introductory drive will end with a stop near Sule Pagoda – the centre mark of Yangon, for brief photo taking. Today’s Yangon tour will be ending with a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, the finest of Yangon and perhaps the most stunning religious edifice in the world. Take your time to enjoy seeing this impressive feature and watching local people. Stroll on its platform surrounded by set of smaller temples, shrines and pavilions, and observe numerous shops along the stairways selling various colorful items, flowers and books. As the sun sets, the reddish golden rays of Shwedagon reflect on everything around and turning into a magical arena. Great photo time & a moment to take away with you. Dinner with Myanmar Cultural Show at Karaweik Palace Restaurant. Accommodation at hotel, Yangon.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
DAY
(02) YANGON - BAGAN
Breakfast at hotel. Today, take a break from normal highlights; you are seeing Yangon’s uncommon areas of common
life. You will be traveling on a circular train that runs across city’s outskirts. Hop on the train at a local station and ride for about 45 minutes. From the window, scene changes from urban arena to humble local houses & serene rural part, as interesting as abundant view of local life on board. You will get off the train at a station near Insein Market and take a trishaw to your car. Lunch at Padonmar Restaurant.
This afternoon visit is highlighting the “real” sights & sounds of Yangon. Your starting point is Bogyoke (Scott’s) Market. Here, your individual visit around the lines of shop can easily take an hour. You find various items of souvenir in this market. Then, after 45-mins coffee break at Zawgyi House, take a walking tour in Yangon’s busiest area. Late in the afternoons, pavement on both sides of the roads turns into night bazaar with all kinds of street shops - food, accessory, fruit & flower shops, etc. You may also visit the wet market on 38th Street. You can simply walk there (or) as a quick alternative, you can hop on a local bus; get off at the next stop and walk towards the market. These markets are part of Yangon’s life, offering nothing for the tourists, all for the locals. Dinner at Green Elephant Restaurant. Accommodation at hotel, Yangon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY (03) YANGON - BAGAN
Breakfast at hotel. Today, you will start before dawn, departing hotel around 0530 hrs for domestic flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, we will escort you to your hotel first. After checking-in, take your time to freshen up and rest for a while. Bagan morning tour starts with Nyaung U Market and continues with visit to significant pagodas and temples. First, you will visit Shwezigon Pagoda built by the great King Anawrahta in 11th century. It serves as a prototype of later Myanmar pagodas. Then, continue to Ananda Temple known for its finest artistic value and is perhaps the most beautiful monuments in Bagan. A brief stop is made for photo at Tharabar Gate. Enjoy Myanmar Cuisine at River View Restaurant.
This afternoon, we take you to Manuha Temple built by a captive Mon King. Here, one sees a huge sitting Buddha image housed in a relatively small chamber. As gloom and odd one would discern seeing as it is widely said that the captive king explained his despair through this image; it surely serves its purpose. Take a break from the temples and observe intricate steps of crafting Bagan’s famous lacquer ware and to stroll in a typical Myanmarfarming village. Then, proceed to enjoy the enchanting sunset over Bagan’s plain as the conclusion of today’s tour. Dinner and accommodation at hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY (04) BAGAN
(OPTION TOUR) : EARLY RISER PROGRAM (available only from Oct to March)
Just before the day totally breaks… as a faint light beginning to appear in the far eastern horizon…, Bagan stands still and awaits the early riser to reward with its magical vista. Imagine! You are the one watching Bagan plain with its endless temples and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River in the rising sun, floating over it, as the gentle wind guides you… and enjoying the champagne served on board…
With Balloons Over Bagan, we are offering this unique experience, from October through March. The flight takes approximately 30 - 45 minutes depending on weather condition. A balloon has space for eight passengers with one pilot only. Due to limited capacity, we highly recommend advance booking at early stage.
Breakfast at hotel. This morning is free at hotel to follow individual interest. For those who wish to take a bicycle tour in Bagan will gather at lobby at 9 a.m. Each participant will be provided with locally-available bicycles and a map showing the routes, monuments etc. Depending on one’s preference, the routes taken may not be the same. Enjoy the ride and the visits. We recommend you return back to hotel before it gets too hot. Lunch at hotel.
This afternoon, we take you with horse carts to Myingaba
Gubyaukgyi Temple, noted for its mural paintings (under the protection of UNESCO). Continue to Damayasaka Temple, a complex pentagonal shape zedi, a contemporary structure at the time. Afterwards, visit the temples near Minnanthu Village, including Leimyethna, a temple with well-preserved frescoes, Payathonzu Complex (if open), the three interconnected shrines with Tantric mural paintings and Nandamannya Temple with fine frescoes and an unexpectedly erotic mural. The horse carts will then take you to Bupaya – to enjoy sunset over Ayeyarwaddy River. Dinner with cultural show at Nanda Restaurant. Accommodation at hotel, Bagan.
