Day One: Arrive Mandalay - Amarapura en route

Greetings day and welcome to Myanmar! Today you will arrive at 'Tadaoo' International Airport in Mandalay, the Royal Capital City of Myanmar Monarchs. On our way to Mandalay, we'll visit Amarapura, the Royal Seat of Power before Mandalay, to witness the daily life of the Buddhist monks at MAHA GANDARYON MONASTERY. Then have a stroll on famous U BEIN Wooden Bridge dating back over 200 years spanning the Taung Tha Mann Lake. Onwards to our hotel for the next two nights. Later this evening let's take a walk for Myanmar traditional dinner. (Hotel/Dinner)

Day Two: Touring Mandalay - Start with Sagaing Hills

This morning we'll drive to Sagaing Hills, which is considered to be Buddhist retreat, dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Here we also have the chance en route to see the silversmiths producing. By late afternoon we’ll take in the sights and sounds of Mandalay, visiting first to MAHA MUNI BUDDHA IMAGE which is the most revered and sacred site of Mandalay, some handicraft cottages such as stone carving, tapestry, and gold-paper making. Then we'll tour onward to SHWE NANDAW MONASTERY where you can marvel the superb example of Myanmar traditional woodcarving and KUTHODAW PAGODA known as World's Biggest Book for its 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. To top off the day, we'll drive up to MANDALAY HILL, 230 meters in elevation, for a panoramic view of the city and its surrounding areas at sunset. (Hotel/Breakfast)

Day Three: Train Ride to Myitkyina -  Phew … what a rocky night!

Morning at leisure for your own discoveries. Board a sleeper train at midday bound for Myitkyina. Even though you may find your berth very simple and basic, you'll feel something like stepping into another world all along the way. Overnight a rocky train will somehow recall your childhood days. (Breakfast)       

Day Four: Arrive Myitkyina - Reach the town of 'By the Big River'

After a spectacular long ride, we'll reach the town of Myitkyina around evening. Onwards to our hotel for the next two nights. Will you rest up? Yes, you'll need to. (Hotel)

Day Five: Excursion to Ayeyarwaddy Confluence

In the morning we'll visit the central market where you'll love to see many local hill tribe people haggling over produce and consumer goods. Then we'll head north (about 43km) to visit the confluence of the Mehka and Malihka rivers, forms the beginning of the Great Ayeyarwaddy River. (Hotel/Breakfast)

Day Six: Journey to Bhamo - Experience the LEDO Road!

Today will be the day of awesome scenery, great fun (if you're friendly enough with local people!) and soft adventure ride on part of Ledo-Bhamo-Burma Road, which construction was originally proposed by American General Joseph 'Vinegar Joe' Stilwell during World War II! Here you may have a chance to make new friends with local fellow passengers. (Hotel/Breakfast)

Day Seven: Board double-decker down to Mandalay - heading back to Mandalay

This morning we'll board quite simple Chinese-built vessel. No matter how simple of your ship the river route is always smooth and relax! Make sure your camera has enough films for the spectacular views along the Ayeyarwaddy River especially when you enter the Second and Third defiles. Among the small towns and villages you pass by, perhaps you'll remember the colonial town of 'Kathar' as the setting for George Orwell's Burmese Days! Maybe you can hear the local teenagers' blues and heart-broken songs when you make a night-stop en route. Why not you join them for the night... you'll be more than welcome!!! (Breakfast)

Day Eight: Arrive Mandalay - smooth road to Mandalay

On its second day, you'll certainly realize this voyage combines scenic views with a study of local life and culture. In fact, the Ayeyarwaddy River is named after the Hindu Eravati or 'Elephant River'. Like the Ganges to Indian, it is a spiritual entity; provider of the wherewithal for life and happiness, material and spiritual well being. Upon arrival at Gaw-wein Jetty of Mandalay around evening, we'll check-in at our hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. (Hotel)

Day Nine: Down River-cruise to Bagan - river civilization has hardly changed in hundreds of years 

Today we'll board different vessel but Chinese-built again for different voyage experience and sailing through the heart  of 'Middle Myanmar' with a varying landscape. Small towns and villages pass by all along the way are remote from the modern world today and offer a glimpse of a timeless. We'll reach the ancient city of Bagan in late afternoon. Onwards to our hotel for the next three nights. (Hotel/Breakfast)     

Day Ten: Touring Bagan - explore the 'First Myanmar Empire'

There is great sightseeing in Bagan. Highlights of our day include NYAUNG OO Local Market where you can take a walk along the market stalls offering a variety of fresh farm produce and a range of uniquely Local items and souvenirs to take back home, SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as the first Buddhist monument built in Myanmar style, ANANDA TEMPLE, which has four huge Buddha Images in standing position and reliefs depicting the Buddha from his birth to his Enlightenment, its adjacent brick monastery to see the well-preserved murals from the early Bagan era and THATBYINNYU TEMPLE, the highest white stucco building in Bagan. We'll drive back to our hotel just to avoid the intense noon heat. Later this afternoon we'll set out again to see some spectacular and important sites including MANUHA TEMPLE, built by the exile King Manuha of Thaton dating back to 1059, in the Mon Style, NANPAYA TEMPLE, said to be the place of King Manuha's palace site, and we'll stop at the LACQUER WEAR WORKSHOP to witness their whole process of lacquer ware products. To crown off our day, we'll climb on the perfectly situated temple to enjoy the breathtaking sunset over the mountain ranges in the distance. The land and scenery of this glorious region will make for an unforgettable experience. (Hotel/Breakfast)

Day Eleven: Bagan - you won't want to leave!

Continued..... (Hotel/Breakfast)

Day Twelve: Journey to Mt. Popa - Oasis in dry zone

This morning after we enjoy a breakfast, we’ll set out for a scenic journey through toddy palm countryside. We’ll stop at the JAGGERY<palm sugar> making cottages and toddy-palm grooves to sample a piece of jaggery or a sip of palm juice or spirit. We continue on to Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano of 1500 meters at the highest point. Mount Popa and its environs are the only lush green place amidst the desert area of Middle Myanmar. We'll climb up the 730 meters high conic flattop (Named as Popa Taung Kalat) by 777 steep steps. It's the sacred home of what is known as NATS - spirits. We'll enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes atop Popa Taung Kalat. We'll get a chance to visit the POPA NATIONAL PARK, with dense Sandalwood forests and rare species of birds and butterflies before heading back to Bagan. (Hotel/Breakfast)

Day Thirteen: Fly to Heho - Pindaya caves and Pineland night

This morning we depart for the airport and board your flight to Heho, gateway to explore southern Shan State including Lake INLE. On arrival, we'll drive to PINDAYA to see its natural limestone caves filled with over 8,000 Buddha statutes. Here in Pindaya you'll have the chance to see some of the town's people cottage industries - making Shan paper and umbrella. After a spectacular drive, we'll reach the lovely hill station of KALAW, which was a popular hill station in the British days, and it's still a peaceful and quiet place surrounded by pine trees. Your room is generally ready for immediate check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure for your own discovery. (Hotel/Breakfast)

Day Fourteen: Trek to Palaung Hill-tribe & Drive to Lake Inle - Unique Leg-rower

The day of activity starts after your breakfast. An expert local guide will escort you through the Shan plateau to visit the villages of Palaung hill-tribe. A chance here to meet Palaung natives and discover how they live in this remote area from your local guide. For the return journey, your guide may choose to take another path. By late afternoon we'll drive to NYAUNGSHWE and transfer by boat direct to your hotel located right on the lake for overnight. (Hotel/Breakfast)

Day Fifteen: Inle at leisure - Venice of the East

Today we'll discover INLE Lake that highlights the natural wonder of this magnificent vast waterway, exploring its amazing PHAUNG DAW OO PAGODA which is the most revered sacred site in southern Shan State. Some other highlights around the lake are local fishermen using their unique fishing method, leg-rowers, weaving cottage, silvery shops, floating garden and NGA PHE CHAUNG MONASTERY also know as jumping cat Monastery. Enjoy lunch on the broad terrace at your hotel while enjoying the passer-by boats across the lake. Late afternoon excursion to the ancient stupas complex of INN-DEIN. This mysterious place is at the end of the marvelous INN-DEIN creek, which connected with Inle Lake just after the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. The creek is narrow with many twist and turns. A chance here to see the farmers plowing and harrowing by water buffaloes in paddy fields on its both side. (Hotel/Breakfast)

Day Sixteen: Fly to Yangon -  Marvel the Amazing SHWE DAGON

This morning we depart for the airport and our flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival in this capital city, we transfer to our hotel for the next two nights. This evening we'll make a special visit to Great SHWEDAGON PAGODA, one of the most spectacular religious on earth. Witness the Golden Dome, covered with 60 tons of pure gold, glistening as the sun sets. (Hotel/Breakfast)

Day Seventeen: Touring Yangon - What a ‘capital’ city!

We're off for a day of great sightseeing in Yangon, including the historic DOWNTOWN district and Yangon HARBOR. We'll enjoy the activities of Yangon harbor and colorful streetscapes and elegantly restored COLONIAL-STYLE buildings. Extended visit to the gilded SULE Pagoda dating back over 2,000 years. We'll continue to KYAUKHTATGYI, a huge reclining Buddha Image and also have the opportunity to experience a hand-made glass demonstration at private owned NAGA GLASS FACTORY. The rest of the day is at leisure for your own discovery and exploration. Tonight we’ll enjoy the variety of cultural show as we dine at Lakeview Theatre Restaurant adjacent to Kandawgyi Palace Hotel. (Hotel/Breakfast/Dinner)  

Day Eighteen: Depart Yangon - Farewell Myanmar

Your final day in Myanmar! Perhaps you'll realize that this is one of the most unique destinations left on the planet. You won't want to leave! Here you have a chance to do some last minute shopping at more than 70-year-old BOGYOKE (Scott) market. Later this evening, you'll be transferred to Yangon international airport to connect with your return flight home and reminisce about the wonderful time you have had in the ‘Golden Land of Myanmar'.  (Breakfast)

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