Classic Myanmar Tour (12 Days)

BAGAN
Continuation of tour of Bagan to include the Nyaugng Oo Market, the Shwezigon Pagoda, a cave temple and the elegant Htilominlo Temple. The day ends with a sunset boat cruise on the Irrawaddy River.

BAGAN TO MT. POPA AND MANDALAY
Transfer to Mt Popa by car and visit the shrine dedicated to the worship of the 37 Nats. Continue by road to Mandalay. Arrive Mandalay and transfer to hotel for 3 nights.

MANDALAY
Full day tour of Myanmar's cultural capital, begins with a visit to 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. 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.

MANDALAY
Full day trip to the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. Visit the 18th century capital, Amarapura where you can 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. In the afternoon 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.

MANDALAY TO INLE LAKE
Morning transfer to airport for 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. Arrive Nyaung Shwe village and transfer by boat to start a sightseeing tour of Inle Lake including an opportunity to see the leg-rowing fishermen and the floating gardens. Transfer to hotel for 2 nights.

Day 8

INLE LAKE
Visit market at Nampan then transfer to In Dein, an off-the-beaten-track site on the south of the lake. From Ywama, the boat leaves the lake and enters a narrow canal to continue to a small Pa O tribe village. From the market place of the village, follow an old covered path to a 13th century monastery and the very impressive ruins of hundreds of ancient pagodas, some hidden in the vegetation. The main stupa-area on the top of the hill offers breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains and down to the valley and the lake in the far distance.

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. Passengers should NOT change money at the exchange booth at the airport just after immigration, as the market rate in town is MUCH better. Please bring new US Dollar bills ("big heads" instead of "small heads") and with series numbers not starting with CB as these are not accepted in Myanmar due to rumours these series are counterfeit.

3. A surcharge might apply for peak season dates (Water Festival 12-18 April)

4. Travellers to Myanmar are required to have a travel insurance covering the cost of repatriation to your own country.

5. 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.