15 SOFT CULTURE QUEST TOUR (PHT-015C)

YANGON - PYAY - BAGAN - POPA - BAGAN - MANDALAY - MONYWA - MANDALAY - PINDAYA - INLE LAKE YANGON

Arrive Yangon International Airport in the afteroon. After passing through the immigration and custom controls, our English-speaking tour guide will welcome and escort you to your hotel. Rest of the afternoon is free to relax at hotel. Dinner with Myanmar Cultural Show at Karaweik Palace Restaurant. Accommodation at hotel, Yangon.

Meals included: Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. 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. Lunch at Green Elephant Restaurant.

Continue sightseeing to Yangon’s highlights, including Chauk Htat Gyi – a huge reclining Buddha and the picturesque Kandawgyi Lake. Photo stop at Karaweik Hall – a mystic floating barge. 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 and accommodation at hotel, Yangon.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, drive to Pyay (Prome), approx. 280 km – 6 hrs. Pyay is located on the bank of Ayeyarwaddy River and home to the revered Shwesandaw Pagoda. The 7th century ancient capital of Sri Kestra is situated near Pyay, where extensive archaeological excavations have taken place. Lunch at a local restaurant en route (or) in Pyay. After check-in to your hotel, proceed sightseeing of the town and local market. Today’s tour will be concluded with a visit of Shwesandaw Pagoda. The widely spread pagoda platform is a nice spot to enjoy the sunset with panoramic view over the town and Ayeyarwaddy River. Dinner and accommodation at hotel, pyay.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, drive out of Pyay to briefly visit the site of Sri Kestra – an ancient Pyu Kingdon with its tiny museum housing artifacts unearthed in the old city. Proceed driving to Bagan (approx. 350 km – 9 hrs). Lunch at a simple local restaurant en route (or) packed lunch. Arrive Bagan in the late afternoon. Check-into your hotel. Dinner and accommodation hotel, Bagan.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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. Lunch 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, Bagan.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, take a scenic drive (50 km – 1½ hours) to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano and an oasis of this dry central plain. Visit the Taung Kalat, a 737-metre volcanic peak with shrines dedicated to “Nats”, the animist spirit still worshiped by many locals. It is said that the mountain is their abode.
The energetic, after climbing 777 steps, will be rewarded with a greatly refreshing panorama. A Buddhist monastery on the summit can also be visited. Lunch at Popa Mountain Resort with scenic view of the canyon and lush forest.

In the afternoon, return to Bagan with a brief stop at palm plantation en route. We will take you directly back to your hotel, this afternoon is at leisure to pursue individual interest.

( OPTIONAL TOUR ): LATE AFTERNOON PROGRAM

Upon request, travel on the lanes of old Bagan villages in a horse cart (or) cruise on the Ayeyarwaddy River in a small local boat can be arranged, at prevailing cost.

Dinner with cultural show at Nandar Restaurant. Accommodation at hotel, Bagan.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, transfer to Nyaung U Airport for flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival at Mandalay Airport, proceed directly to Amarapura; an ancient royal capital founded before Mandalay. First, we take you to Mahagandayon, one of the most prominent monasteries where nearly a thousand monks live and study. It’s a chance to observe unique Myanmar monkshood. Then, proceed to U Bein Teak Bridge originally built in 1851. Take a leisurely walk over the bridge and enjoy the panoramic view of Taungthaman Lake and surrounding. If time permits, a brief stop is possible at traditional silk & cotton weaving. Lunch at Ko’s Kitchen Restaurant.

This afternoon, visit the Maha Myat Muni, the most revered Buddha statue in entire Myanmar. The whole image, except, the face is covered with thick layers of gold foils; a token of the devotees’ intense faith to Buddha. Continue to Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung (Golden Palace Monastery), a delicately carved wooden building and Kuthodaw Pagoda (the world’s largest book), consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. If time permits, you may visit one of the tapestry workshops. A visit to 230 meter high Mandalay Hill will conclude today’s tour. Up here, you find a scenic view of the city, the plains surrounding it, the Shan Mountain, as well as the Ayeyarwaddy River, especially great at sunset. Dinner at Green Elephant Restaurant in Mandalay. Afterwards, we take you to a marionette show of professional puppeteers. The performance is highly traditional and amusing. The show starts at 2000 hrs. Accommodation at hotel, Mandalay.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner