Myanmar’s Best Temples, Pagodas & Luxury Cruise

Walk the streets of old Yangon to see leafy lanes and by-ways filled with enormous timber mansions, decorated in unique Myanmar style, where British captains of industry once lived. Tour the Chauk-htat-gyi Buddha. A 230-foot long reclining Buddha statue. Other tours in Yangon include the Sule Pagoda, Royal Lake to Karaweik Hall, and the Shwe Dago Pagoda. After your journey through Yangon, travel to Bagan which is one of the richest archaeological and historical sites in Asia. Bagan was the origin of Buddhism, as still practiced at present and was the seat of religious learning of clergy and laity. Some of the most beautiful temples and pagodas can be seen here. This includes Shwezigon Paya, Wetkyi-in Gubyaukgyi Temple, Htinlominlo Pahto, Ananda Pahto, Ananda Ok Kyuang, Manuha Paya, Nanpaya, and Lacquerware. Travel through market places with an excision to Mount Popa. Through this excursion you can have a glimpse of the Burmese people.

Cruise in luxury along the river beginning in Bagan and ending in Mandalay exploring on excursions with beautiful and historical architecture to be seen along with the beautiful culture of Myanmar. During your cruise you will have excursions in Yandabo, Ava and Mingun. Yandabo is unique for the famous art of their terracotta pottery which you will be able to see the process of making this pottery in different stages. Mandalay offers a variety of architecture to be seen with its numerous temples, pagodas, convents and monasteries.

Continue on to discover the beauty of Inle Lake before end of tour.

Highlights

Tours of Mynamar’s best Temples and Pagodas.
Luxury cruise on the Ayeyarwady River.
Excursions to Yandabo and Mingun exploring unique cultures.
Beautiful boat trip on Inle Lake.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Yangon

Met on arrival at Yangon International Airport by our local English speaking representative and transferred to your Hotel for overnight stay. Depending on flight timings, a short city tour could be arranged.

Day 2

Yangon

This morning you will be taken on a visit around Yangon. Visit the Chauk-htat-gyi Buddha, a 230-foot long reclining Buddha statue and its monastic compounds. Drive around the Sule pagoda which is the landmark of downtown Yangon and then by the colonial style buildings. In the afternoon drive around scenic Royal Lake to Karaweik Hall, a ship-like construction built in the shape of the mythological bird Karaweik; have a look at the lake with the world famous Shwe Dagon Pagoda in the background!

Day 3

Yangon – Bagan

Today take a 80-minute morning flight to Bagan, the first and most beautiful capital of the Burmese, founded in the eleventh century by a great king. Along with Angkor in Cambodia, this is the most important temple and pagoda complex in Asia. An all-day visit is planned – where you will see the most beautiful temples and pagodas.

These include the following:

Shwezigon Paya: one of the oldest stupas in the Bagan area built by the great two kings Anawrahta and Kyanzittha.
Wetkyi-in Gubyaukgyi Temple: a perfect Indian-style tmeple.
Htinlominlo Pahto: built by King Nantaungmya in 1218.

In the afternoon tour Ananda Pahto, whose interior seems almost Gothic and is considered to be the most beautiful among all the temples in Bagan. Facing outward from the center of the cube are four 31-foot standing Buddhas. Continue on to tour the following:

Ananda Ok Kyaung: the interior of the building is lined with well-preserved murals which depict everyday scenes from the Bagan period.
Manuha Paya: erected over a huge Buddha-image, was named after the Mon King from Thaton, who was held captive in Bagan by Anawrahta.
Nampaya: believed to be used as Manuha’s prison.
Lacquerware: visit a traditional manufacturer of unique Bagan laquerware.

Enjoy the sunset by horse-cart ride among the ruins of temples and pagodas.

Day 4

Bagan: Luxury Cruise

Transfer to cruise vessel in the Ayeyarwady River.

Welcome on our luxury cruise in Bagan! Enjoy the amenities of the Anawrahta vessel, including its spectacular top deck with pool. Relax and unwind before the days ahead. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner while admiring a traditional puppet show. Moor at Bagan.

Day 5

Bagan – Yandabo: Luxury Cruise

Greet the day with a Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck while we cruise upstream toward the confluence of the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers. After breakfast, enjoy a presentation of making Thanaka, the distinctive feature of Burmese women and girls’ make up. Early afternoon visit to Yandabo. The village has no road access to the world. It is famous for the production of terracotta pottery made from river bank mud and you can view the pottery making process at various stages. Yandabo is also famous in Burmese history as the place where the Treaty of Yandabo was signed in 1855 between the Burmese king and the British. In the evening, enjoy a presentation of our Exotic Chindwin and Far North Gorges voyages. Moor at Ngazun.

Bagan – Yandabo: 48 miles
Yandabo – Ngazun: 49 miles

Day 6

Ava – Mingun: Luxury Cruise

In the morning we arrive at Ava, the ancient city founded in 1364 by King Thado Minbya. Take a horse cart to visit the magnificent teak monastery Bagaya Kyaung, Menu Okkyaung. In the afternoon we visit Mingun to see the largest working bell in the world and the unfinished pagoda that is the largest single mass of brick building in the world. We also visit the Mingun Old People’s Home originally established with the assistance of the Ayeyarwady Flotilla Company in the 1930’s. This evening you will see a Burmese costume show by our on board staff. Moor at Mandalay.

Ngazun – Ava: 22 miles
Ava – Mandalay: 11 miles

Day 7

Mandalay: Luxury Cruise

In the morning a coach will take you to Sagaing, a place central to Buddhism in Myanmar with its numerous temples, pagodas, convents and monasteries. The true delight of Sagaing lies in its 1,000 hermitages and sanctuaries, rick in woodcarving and religious art. In the afternoon we tour central Mandalay visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and Shwe-imbin teak carved monastery. We see tapestry making and other traditional crafts. See the famous U Bein Bridge at sunset before coming back on board. In the evening indulge yourselves with a farewell party while enjoying a great Burmese Acrobat performance on board. Moor at Mandalay.

Day 8

Mandalay: Disembark Cruise – Heo – Inle Lake

Bid farewell to the crew and disembark in Mandalay. To the hill station…this morning drive to the airport for a 30 minute flight to Heo and a one hour drive to Nyaung Shwe – the biggest village and formal capital of local Shan kings at Inle Lake. Board your local boat transfer to the hotel for your check in. Rest of the day at expedition in the lake. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on Inle Lake – a photographer’s dream, its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation adn fishing canoes, to which scenic high hills provide the perfect backdrop. Visit the great Phaung Daw Oo pagoda with five holy Buddha images, floating villages with its garden, Nge Phe Chaung monastery with its Buddha images, etc.

Day 9

Inle Lake – Inn Dein

Excursion to Inle Lake, the land of the Intha people. These people are known as leg-rowers and as architects of floating villages and gardens. The life of the Intha, who originally came from the south of Burma, revolves completely around the lake. See the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar.

See traditional handicrafts, silk weaving on wooden hand looms and a blacksmith shop. In Inn Dein continue visit to Pao village of Inn Dein where thousands of stupa are located.

Day 10

Inle Lake – Heo – Yangon

Boat transfer to jetty and then transfer to airport for flight back to Yangon, the Golden City. Transfer to Hotel.

Take a walking tour on the busiest street of Yangon downtown Pansodan Street to Nanthida jetty where you can see the bustling people.

Visit Botataung Pagoda located close to Yangon River – said to contain the two hairs relic of Gawdama Buddha.

Day 11

Yangon: Departure

The end of your tour as you transfer to airport for your international departure flight.

Inclusions

Meet and greet on arrival at Airport.
Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner).
Entrance fees where applicable.
Tours as indicated in the itinerary.
Professional English-speaking guide/driver guide.
Transfers
Travel Protection is offered on all packages at an additional cost.