Tour Code # NV-005

Day 1 – Arrive Yangon-Kyaikhtiyo by car

Arrive at Yangon from Bangkok. Proceed to Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) Pagoda, a huge boulder completely covered by gold leaf that is delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. Arrive at Kinpun base camp, from where you take a truck for one hour up a steep mountain road. Check in to your hotel and have lunch before hiking for an hour up steep paths to the Golden Rock. Once at the peak enjoy the breathtaking sight of the beautiful forests that cover the surrounding mountains – suddenly the strenuous hike will feel well worth it! Alternatively, instead of hiking, you can be carried up the mountain on a sedan chair at extra cost.
Overnight: Kyaikhtiyo

Day 2 – Kyaikhtiyo-Bago-Yangon by car

In the morning return to Kinpun base camp. Drive to Bago, an ancient Mon capital in the 15th century. Highlights include the four huge Buddha images at Kyaikpun Pagoda; the 55-metre-long Shwethalyaung reclining Buddha image; the more than 1000-year-old Shwemawdaw Pagoda, with a spire even taller than the Shwedagon; the Kanbawza Tharli Palace; and a cheroot factory, wood carving centre and pottery workshop. Lunch at a local restaurant and on the way back to Yangon visit the World War II Allied War Cemetery near Htaukkyant. Dinner at a local restaurant in Yangon.
Overnight: Yangon

Day 3 – Yangon-Bagan by morning flight

Have an early breakfast and transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Bagan, where a guide will meet you ahead of your full day sightseeing on the great plains of Bagan, one of the most prominent archaeological sites in Asia. Highlights include Shwezigone Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century; Nyaung Oo market; Gu Byauk Gyi temple, noted for its exquisite murals; and Htilominlo temple, with its exquisite wall plaster paintings. After lunch, head back to your hotel for a short rest. Your afternoon sightseeing begins with a stop at a lacquerware shop to watch skilled craftsmen fashioning ornate plates, trays, boxes, tables and more through a centuries-old process. Afterwards, visit Manuha temple and Ananda temple, with four huge standing Buddha images and numerous figures in niches around the galleried interior, before viewing sunset from the open upper terraces of Shwesandaw pagoda. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a traditional puppet show at Nanda restaurant.
Overnight: Bagan

Day 4 – Bagan-Mandalay-Amarapura-Inwa (Ava)-Sagaing-Mandalay by car

In the morning transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Mandalay, where our guide will meet you. Proceed to the ancient capital of Amarapura and visit the Mahagandayon monastery, where more than 100 monks live and study, and U Bein’s Bridge, which was built in 1782 and is the longest teak bridge in the world. The bridge is a hive of activity with people carrying all kinds of goods. Next, you’ll see traditional silk weaving and silver works. Eat lunch at a local restaurant and continue to Inwa (Ava), where you’ll sightsee by horse-drawn carriage, visiting the Nan Myint watchtower, also known as the Leaning Tower of Ava. The climb to the top offers lovely views over the river. Another attraction at Inwa is Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, a brick-and-stucco monastery better known as Mae Nu Ok Kyaung, and the Bargayar Monastery, famous for its intricate woodcarvings. If time permits we’ll also visit some homes to see local handicrafts, such as silk weaving, cane mats and alms bowls making, before continuing to the picturesque Sagaing Hill. The hillsides here are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries and the area is considered a retreat for Buddhist devotees. Watch the sunset from the hill.
Overnight: Mandalay

Day 5 – Mandalay-Mingun-Mandalay by boat

After breakfast transfer to jetty for boat trip on the Ayeyarwady River to Mingun, about 11 kilometres (one hour) upriver from Mandalay. The boat trip allows you to see all types of wooden boats and bamboo rafts carrying goods up and down the river as well as village life along the banks of the river, with women doing laundry and children playing. Arrive at Mingun and hop into a bullock cart, which will take you to the Mingun Bell, which at 90 tonnes is the largest uncracked bronze bell in the world. Other highlights include the massive Mingun Patodawgyi – an unfinished pagoda that might have been the tallest pagoda in the world – and the Myatheindan Zedi. Return to Mandalay for lunch at local restaurant followed by a city tour, with highlights including traditional gold-leaf making, marble works and tapestry embroidery works; the Mahamuni Pagoda, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Myanmar; the Golden Palace Monastery, famous for its intricate wood carvings; and the Kuthodaw Pagoda, with its 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. The slabs took eight years to complete and for a monk to recite the full scriptures it would take around two years! Enjoy magnificent views of sunset and the surrounding countryside, including the Royal Palace compound, from the 230-metre high Mandalay Hill
Overnight: Mandalay

Day 6 – Mandalay-Heho-Inle

After breakfast set out for Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist shrine in Shan State. If it’s a market day, you’ll have the chance to see colourful hill tribe people selling their wares. Enjoy shopping for souvenirs, or just browsing at the many stores built under the pagoda. Visit the famous Nge Phe Chaung monastery, better known as the Jumping Cats Monastery, famous not only for its magnificent teak building and exquisite antiques but also the dozens of cats that have been trained by the monks to jump through rings and hoops. Visit a weaving factory where you can observe the weaving of lotus threads into monk’s robes followed by an antique shop and restaurant. Enjoy lunch and dinner at local restaurants.
Overnight: Inle

Day 7 – Inle-Heho-Yangon

After arriving back in Yangon, your full day of sightseeing commences with the old colonial-style city centre and the 2000-year-old Sule Pagoda, often described as the heart of Yangon. View Yangon’s waterfront, including Botahtaung Pagoda and the legendary Strand Hotel. Have lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding to the sprawling Bogyoke Aung San Market, also known as Scott Market, with its abundance of shops selling gems and jewellery, lacquerware, wood carvings, silverware, paintings and other handicrafts. Return to your hotel and in the evening visit the glittering Shwedagon Pagoda (believed to be built 2600 years ago during the Buddha’s life time), with its amazing mix of pavilions, stupas, images and bells. This golden pagoda rises 98 metres above its base, is covered with 60 tonnes of pure gold and is one of the world’s most spectacular religious monuments. Enjoy a buffet dinner and cultural show at Karaweik, a royal barge on scenic Kandawgyi Lake.
Overnight: Yangon

Day 8 – Yangon depar

Day 8 – Yangon departure

After breakfast free time until transferring to Yangon airport for your international flight.