Burmese Days

^{5 Days / 4 Night}s

Itinerary (Yangon - Bagan - Heho-Inle Lake - Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon)

BURMESE DAYS 5 Days / 4 Nights (EMR/BD)

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. Late afternoon, we visit 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-Bagan (B)
After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Yangon's Mingaladon Airport for the flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo). Thousands of ancient stupas and temples in this area make Bagan, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia. From the 11th till 13th century, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, the rulers of constructed huge stupas and temples, many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. On arrival, we head to Tayokye Pyay for a first overview over the plain of Bagan. Continue 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 3 : Bagan-Heho-Inle Lake (B)
In the morning transfer to Nyaung Oo Airport for a flight to Heho. From Heho a 1-hour scenic drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery on the way. Board a private local motorboat to head out onto Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. We pass villages built on stilts over the lake, which are mostly inhabited by Intha people, the leg-rowing fishermen of the lake and see the floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Stops for visits at the Nga Hpe Chaung (jumping cats) Monastery and its Shan Buddhas and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary. Other visits include the weaving village of Inpawkhone, a cheroot factory where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. If time allows we go for an improvised walk through one of the villages. Overnight on Inle Lake.

DAY 4 : Inle Lake-Heho-Yangon (B)
After breakfast, we head to the morning market on the lake. Rotating around villages on and near the lake in a 5 day rhythm, a colorful market visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes is held daily (except on new and full moon days). From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Paoh village of In Dein. After a walk around the village, passing a local school, take the covered stairway to the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area where ancient stupas are partly covered by vegetation. From here there is a magnificent view over the lake. Return to the lake and in the afternoon, transfer to Heho Airport for the flight back to Yangon. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Yangon.

DAY 5 : Depart Yangon (B)
After breakfast, interesting visit to Bogyoke Aung San Museum, located in the independence hero’s former house (closed on Monday), before exploring downtown Yangon with a walk through streets filled with faded colonial atmosphere and busy everyday life. In the afternoon, free time at the Bogyoke Market, formerly Scott Market (closed on full moon days and public holidays) before transferring to Mingaladon Airport for your onward flight.


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