Best of Myanmar Group Tour (8 Days) - NEW

Yangon-Bagan. After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Yangon's Mingaladon Airport for the flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo). Thousands of ancient stupas and temples in this area make Bagan, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia. From the 11th till 13th century, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, the rulers constructed huge stupas and temples, many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.

On arrival, morning sightseeing features the Shwezigon Pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa, Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jatakas murals paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. Lunch at a local restaurant. Check-in at your hotel and rest.

In the afternoon, visit Ananda, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple and Ananda Okkyaung is one of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan period. From Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan with 61 meters, depart for a horse and carriage tour among the temples passing through the traditional village of Taungbi, Sulamani Temple and the massive Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork.

Enjoy the sunset over the site from one of the open upper terraces in Bagan. Overnight Bagan. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Bagan. After breakfast at the hotel, visit the colourful Nyaung Oo Market. Proceeding to Myinkaba village where we will stroll through the village to observe workshops producing traditional lacquer ware, a specialty of Bagan. Visit the monuments of Myinkaba village, Gubyaukkhi, an early period Pyu-style temple of Hindu influence with some of the oldest mural paintings in Bagan, as well as the Manuha and Nanpaya temples. Lunch at a local restaurant.Return to the hotel for a rest.

Mid-afternoon, transfer to the riverside and embark on a local boat for a leisurely mini-cruise on the Ayeyarwady River in view of the Bagan temples like Lawkananda, Bupaya and Shwezigon while the sun slowly sets. Overnight in Bagan. (Breakfast and lunch included)

OPTION:  It is possible to take hot air balloons over the temples of Bagan depending on the weather. The flight lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour as departs from the hotel at 0600am. Prebooking is recommended.

Bagan - Mandalay. After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Nyaung Oo Airport for the flight to Mandalay. On arrival, a sightseeing tour of Mandalay, Myanmar's cultural capital, starts with the Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its venerable statue of Buddha covered with gold leaf. Mandalay has also long been known as a centre of skilled craftsmanship and in former times supplied the Royal courts. A tour of traditional workshops includes crafts such as woodcarving, marble masonry, Kalaga tapestry and gold leaf making. Lunch at a local restaurant. Check-in at your hotel and rest.

In the afternoon, visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures (known as the world's biggest book) and Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite woodcarving. End the day by enjoying the sunset from Mandalay Hill. Overnight in Mandalay. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Mandalay. Excursion to Mingun, boat cruise to Ava, visit Amarapura After breakfast at the hotel depart for full day trip to the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. We begin with a visit to the 18th century capital, Amarapura where we attend the daily meal of over thousand monks at the country's largest monastery; Mahagandayon. Proceed to Ava, the capital from the 14th to the 18th century and visit by horse carriage the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and fort. Lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch cross the bridge over the Irrawaddy River and continue to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar and is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centres.
Finish the day with a walk over the 200 year-old U Bein bridge, constructed entirely from teak. Overnight in Mandalay. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Mandalay - Heho - Inle Lake. In the morning transfer to Mandalay Airport for the flight to Heho. From Heho, enjoy a scenic drive to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar best-known sights. The Intha people, a tribe of Mon descent, mostly inhabit the lakeshores and floating villages. On arrival at Nyaung Shwe village, transfer by boat to start a sightseeing tour of Inle Lake including a chance to see the leg-rowing fishermen and the floating gardens, built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles.
Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the weaving village of Inpawkhone and the jumping cats monastery. Check in at hotel in the afternoon. Overnight at Inle Lake. (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 7

Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon. After breakfast, visit the daily market on the lake, which rotates in a 5-day rhythm around villages on the lake itself and on the shores of the lake. After the market visit we return to the mainland and transfer to Heho Airport for the flight back to Yangon. Late lunch at a local restaurant (or packed lunch depending on flight schedule).

Rest of the afternoon free to explore the Bogyoke Market (former Scott Market) with its hundreds of stalls. (Open daily except public holidays and full moon days) Transfer to your hotel and check-in.
2000H Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.Overnight in Yangon. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Please note you will have to depart the UK, the day before the tour departs

12 January 2008        

9 February 2008

8 March 2008

5 April 2008

3 May 2008

7 June 2008

5 July 2008

2 August 2008

6 September 2008

1. Please note that credit cards and traveller cheques are not accepted in Myanmar and that visitors must be bring sufficient cash (best is US Dollars) to make any purchases and payments outside and in the hotels.

2. The schedules of domestic flights in Myanmar are provided as an indication only. Once a booking is confirmed we can provide more precise timings, but nevertheless these remain subject to change without notice by the airlines until travelling date. It might therefore in some cases be necessary to amend your program and itinerary due to such schedule changes. We thank you for your understanding.