^{6 Days / 5 Night}s

Itinerary (Yangon - Mandalay - Bagan - Yangon)

ANCIENT KINGDOMS 6 Days / 5 Nights (EMR/AK)

DAY 1 : Arrive Yangon
Arrive in Yangon and transfer to hotel. Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is still a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating and authentic capitals of South-East Asia. In the afternoon, a first look at the city takes you to the National Museum and Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda's 70m long reclining Buddha. At the end of the afternoon, we reach Myanmar’s holiest monument, the Shwedagon Pagoda with its golden stupa covered with 60 tons of pure gold leaf. Overnight in Yangon.

DAY 2 : Yangon-Mandalay (Breakfast)
Early morning transfer to Yangon's Mingaladon Airport for a flight to Mandalay. On arrival, visits start with the Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its venerable statue of Buddha covered with gold leaf. Mandalay has also long been known as a center 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 (the world’s biggest “book”) and Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite woodcarving. End the day with a view of the sunset from Mandalay Hill. Overnight in Mandalay.

DAY 3 : Mandalay-Amarapura-Ava-Sagaing-Mandalay (B)
After breakfast at the hotel depart for an excursion to the former capitals of Amarapura, Ava and Sagaing. We attend the daily meal of over thousand monks at the country’s largest monastery; Mahagandayon in Amarapura before visiting a silk weaving workshop. We continue to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries and visit by horse and carriage the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and fort. In the afternoon, we 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 center of Myanmar and is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers. Finish the day with a walk at sunset over the 200 year-old U Bein Bridge, constructed entirely from teak. Overnight in Mandalay.

DAY 4 : Mandalay-Bagan by boat (B)
After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the jetty for a boat trip to Bagan on the local public ferry. As it sails southwards, the riverboat passes many villages offering a glimpse into the way of life along the Irrawaddy River. Arrive in Bagan late in the afternoon. On the dry plain of central Myanmar by the banks of the Irrawaddy River stands Bagan, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia. The 230 years, from 11th to 13th century, in Bagan thousands of stupas and temples many of which are still standing today. If time allows we go to view the sunset at Shwesandaw temple.
NOTE: the long boat journey (8-12 hours) can be replaced by a road trip (6 hours) or a short flight (30 minutes + additional program in Mandalay or Bagan). Please request details.
Overnight in Bagan.

DAY 5 : Bagan (B)
OPTION: from October to March, early morning hot-air balloon flights over the plain of Bagan and its 3000 sites. An unforgettable and unique experience!
After breakfast, we head to the colorful Nyaung Oo Market before getting an introduction to Bagan’s history at the Shwezigon Pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa. Visit to nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jatakas murals paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. In the afternoon, we go for a walk through Myinkaba village and have the opportunity to observe the village’s sites as well as the production process of traditional lacquer ware, one of the best-known Myanmar handicrafts in one of the local workshops. Visit Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple with two original standing Buddha images showing changing facial expressions depending on the distance the statue is viewed from. End the day with a horse carriage tour among the temples starting at Ananda and passing Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, the massive Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork and Sulamani. Sunset over the site from one of the open upper terraces in Bagan. Overnight in Bagan.

DAY 6 : Bagan-Yangon-Departure (B)
Transfer to Nyaung Oo Airport for the flight back to Yangon. Transfer to town and stop at the Bogyoke Aung San Museum, located in the independence hero’s former house (closed on Monday). Go for a walk through downtown streets filled with faded colonial atmosphere and busy dealings in India town and Chinatown. Free time at the Bogyoke Market, formerly Scott Market (closed on full moon days and public holidays). Late afternoon transfer to Mingaladon Airport for your onward flight.

* B : Breakfast, L : Lunch, D : Dinner