"Magical Myanmar"
16 Days / 15 Nights from £1,510 per person.
Day 1 - UK Departure
Depart the UK for international flight to Yangon.
Day 2 - Welcome to Yangon, Myanmar (D)
You will be met on arrival at Yangon International Airport and transferred to hotel. Time allowing, we will visit Myanmar’s holiest monument the Shwedagon Pagoda with its golden Stupa covered with 60 tons of pure gold. Welcome dinner to conclude our first day.
Day 3 - Yangon (B)
Today we discover the colourful capital of Myanmar. Start from the National Museum, the Sule pagoda, the Mahabandoola Park, the colonial courthouse and the city hall. Hop on a rickshaw and drive around the colonial area with a stop at a local teashop to enjoy Burmese tea. Continue along the famous Strand Road and visit the bustling Yangon harbour. In the afternoon continue to Yanogn’s China town and admire the beautiful Chinese temple Kheng Hock Keong. Stroll the colourful Theingyi Market and Bogyoke Aung San Market (formerly Scott’s market) for shopping and free time.
Note: Bogyoke Scott Market is closed every Monday.
Day 4 - Yangon – Kyaiktiyo (B)
This morning we journey on a scenic road to Kyaiktiyo, 190 km east of Yangon. Late morning arrival at Kyaiktiyo camp base and continue by a small open truck for around one more hour. Off the truck we will start an easy one-hour walk up to the Golden Rock and enjoy a sunset from this mind-boggling site. The Golden Rock at Kyaiktiyo, a huge boulder covered by gold leaf and precariously balanced on the edge of a cliff, is one of Myanmar's most sacred pilgrimage sites. The pagoda on the Golden Rock is said to hold a hair of the Buddha.
Day 5 - Kyaiktiyo – Bago - Yangon (B)
We drive 110km to Bago, 80km to the north west of Yangon. Bago is an ancient capital of the Mon kingdom dating back to the 6th century. In Bago we’ll see the beautiful 55 meter long reclining Buddha of Shwethalyaung and the Mon-styled Shwemawdaw Pagoda, one of the most venerated in Myanmar. The pagoda spires up 114 m, even higher than the Shwedagon. End the tour of Bago with a walk around the colourful Bago Market. On the way back to Yangon we visit the Allied War Cemetery near Htaukkyan, the final resting place for over 27,000 allied soldiers, and also visit a local woven bamboo factory. Return to Yangon at the end of the day.
Day 6 - Yangon - Bagan (B)
Transfer to Yangon airport for a morning flight to the ancient city of Bagan in upper Myanmar. We tour the city’s most important pagodas and temples such as Shwezigon, Ku Byauk Gyi, Khay Min Ga, Ananda, the Mon-styled Manuha, Nanbaya, Gu Byaukgyi, the city’s central market and a lacquerware village in Myinkaba.
Day 7 - Bagan - Mt.Popa - Bagan (B)
We journey to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano, to challenge ourselves with climbing the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the volcanic plug to the animistic shrine called by the locals as “Nats”.
Day 8 - Mandalay – Amarapura – Mandalay (B)
This morning we fly to Mandalay and proceed by road to Amarapura to visit Mahagandayon, a famous Buddhist monastery, home to over one thousand monks. Continue to the 200-year-old U Bein Teak Bridge, then Bagaya Monastery with a superb collection of Buddha statues. In the afternoon we visit the spectacular Buddha image covered in thick layers of gold leaves at the Mahamuni pagoda, Shwe Inbin monastery, Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung as the Golden Palace Monastery, a superb example of a traditional wooden building. Tour Kuthodaw pagoda, known for the huge book of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. Conclude the day watching the magnificent sunset from the famed Mandalay Hill.
Day 9 - Mandalay - Ava - Sagaing - Mandalay (B)
Today we have an excursion to the former royal capital of Ava (Inwa), starting with a short boat trip. Next we enjoy a horse cart ride to Nanmyint Watch Tower, the remains of the palace building nicknamed "Leaning tower of Ava", Maha Awingmye Bonzan and Bargayar Monasteries, one famous for its structure of brick and stucco and the other impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts.
Day 10 - Mandalay – Mingun - Mandalay (B)
Today transfer to the jetty to take a private boat across the Irrawaddy River towards the former capital of Mingun. Mingun is famous for its huge unfinished pagoda housing Mingun Bell, the world's largest uncracked ringing bell. We also visit the beautiful white pagoda Hsinbyume and the unfinished Mingun Paya, one of the world’s largest chedis by King Bodaw Paya.
Day 11 - Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya (B)
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Heho. Upon arrival we enjoy a drive to Pindaya through the picturesque countryside of Shan State. Visit Pindaya’s limestone cave with its maze of chambers displaying more than 8,000 Buddha statues and local handicraft workshops producing Shan paper made from mulberry bark and traditional umbrellas made from the same paper that are used by monks all around the country.
Day 12 - Pindaya - Inle Lake (B)
This morning we transfer 120km overland to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar's best known sights. This region is home to the Intha people, a tribe of Mon descent. The Intha mostly inhabit the lakeshores and floating villages. Enjoy an excursion by boat on Inle Lake to experience local life in this secluded corner of the world, seeing leg-rowers, floating gardens and villages etc. We also visit Phaungdawoo pagoda and the weaving village of Inpawkhon.
Day 13 - Inle Lake – Inn Dein – Inle Lake (B)
After breakfast we travel by boat the middle of the lake then continue down a small canal to the village of In Dein. The village is just recently accessible to tourists. After a walk around the village, we take the covered stairway to the beautiful Alaung Sitthou where ancient stupas are partly covered by vegetation. Alaung Sitthou offers a magnificent view over the lake. Return to hotel early afternoon and enjoy rest of the day at rest.
Day 14 - Inle Lake – Heho - Yangon (B)
Visit a colourful local market in the Inle Lake region, then transfer to Heho Airport. Afternoon flight to Yangon and transfer to hotel. Balance of the day at leisure to pursue individual interests.
Day 15 - Yangon-Departure (B)
Free till transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure.
Day 16 - London Heathrow arrival
Arrival at London Heathrow.
16 Days Package Price from just £1,510 per person (based on double occupancy)
Price includes:
- Hotel accommodation (on twin share basis);
- Meals: daily breakfast at hotel and others as mentioned in itinerary;
- Sightseeing excursions with English speaking guides;
- All road transportation in private air-con car or minibus;
- Entrance fees;
- Domestic flights;
- Boat trip as mentioned in sights;
- Government tax and service charge;
- Luggage handling and drinking water.
Price excludes:
- International flights (due to high fluctuation of prices at different times of year - Emperor Tours will discuss best options and prices at time of booking to include in your package);
- Visa fee;
- Departure tax;
- Personal expense such as laundry or drink during meals etc.;
- Optional visits;
- Travel insurance (can be arranged, please ask for details);
- Tips to guides and drivers.
