15 SOFT ADVENTURE TOURS (PHT-015S)

YANGON – MANDLAY – PYIN OO LWIN – MANDALAY – BAGAN - KALAW – INLE LAKE – YANGON – KYAIKHTIYO – YANGON

Arrive Yangon International Airport in the morning. After passing through the immigration and custom controls, one of our English-speaking representatives (or) tour guide will welcome and escort you to your hotel. 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: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. Today, you will visit further highlights in Yangon, including Chauk Htat Gyi – a huge reclining Buddha and the picturesque Kandawgyi Lake. Photo stop at Karaweik Hall – a mystic floating barge. Continue to Kaba Aye (World Peace) Pagoda and Mahapasana Guha Cave, where the Sixth Buddhist Council took place. Lunch at Green Elephant Restaurant.

This afternoon, you have some free time until we transfer you to the highway bus terminal. There, you will board the Express Bus to Mandalay. This is an overnight trip; the bus does not stop except for dinner time and midnight coffee break time. Dinner at very simple local restaurant. Overnight on board.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Notes:

• The food & service could be very basic and might not be up to your standard especially for hygiene factor. Your guide will bring some dry provision and purified drinking water. Packed dinner can be arranged on request basis. Advance notice required

Breakfast at local restaurant. Check-in to your hotel. This morning is free for you to relax at hotel. But, we provide the car and guide at disposal, so that the tour can be started any time at your/your groups’ convenience. Lunch at Ko’s Kitchen Restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit one of the highlights of Mandalay is 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. If time permits, you may visit one of the tapestry workshops. Other significant monuments are Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung (Golden Palace Monastery), a delicately carved wooden building, Kuthodaw Pagoda (the world’s largest book), consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures, and a photo stop at North Eastern corner of Royal Palace Moat. 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. Accommodation at hotel, Mandalay.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, drive (15 km – 30 mins.) to Amarapura, a royal capital founded before Mandalay. Firstly, 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 and B.B.B Restaurant.

Afterwards, continue to Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo), a cool scenic hill station, over 1,000 m. above sea level, reached within two hours drive (80 km) from Mandalay. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and check-in. Start the tour of Pyin Oo Lwin in a unique, brightly painted miniature stagecoach, drawn by lively horse, towards the Kandawgyi National Park, home to diverse species of birds, insects, orchids and trees, attracts many visitors, both local and foreign travelers. Dinner at local restaurant. Accommodation at hotel, Pyin Oo Lwin.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, check-out hotel and transfer to train station at 08.00 hrs. Board the local train towards Naung Pain Village, via the famed Gokhteik Railway Viaduct. It was originally built by the British Pennsylvania Steel Co. in 1901, spanning a 300-meter deep Gohteik Gorge, and was recorded that time as the 2nd highest in the world. A marvel of engineering in its day! The best view of the bridge is from the train. As for the train, it is far too basic to meet international standard. However, an insight understanding of local life and the beautiful scenery worth the venture. Upon arrival at Naung Pain Village, tour around this typical Shan village before returning to Mandalay. A packed lunch is provided.

In the afternoon, return via Gok Twin Valley Road by car to Mandalay. Upon arrival at Mandalay, transfer directly to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and accommodation at hotel, Mandalay

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, you will drive out of Mandalay, to visit Innwa (Ava), on the confluence of Myit-Nge River and Ayeyarwaddy River, reached after a short ferry ride. You will visit the area with horse cart; some part of the trip could be a little bumpy and dusty. The visit is, however, interesting as you are traveling through grass covered shady lanes, to see the monuments that scattered in & around the ancient wall. Major sights are Nanmyint Watch Tower also known as the leaning tower; Bagayar wooden monastery with large teak poles; and the beautiful Mei Nu Okkyaung built in brick. If time permits, you may visit the alms bowl making village. Lunch is served at a simple local restaurant (or) packed lunch.

After lunch, continue to Sagaing Hills, where hillsides are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. You may stop at the silver craft workshop and a prominent monastery to discuss about the life of Buddhist Monks etc. Sagaing Hills is a perfect place to enjoy sunset with a widespread backdrops of the mountains, temples and the Ayeyarwaddy River. Drive back to Mandalay. Dinner and accommodation at hotel, Mandalay.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner