​​​The Best of Myanmar 14 Days

Include Vancouver / Myanmar International Round Trip Flight on Economy Class (Depart on April 22nd, 2019)
Tour Code: 0422MY19

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​Early Bird Discount of CAD100 per person (Before Nov30, 2018)

Cities Visited: Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay – Pindaya – Inle Lake

*Price per person in CAD$, based on twin-sharing double occupancy.

Single supplement will be charged for each passenger occupying a single room.​

*Accommodation will be provided in the above hotel or similar in case priority hotel is

unable to accommodate the booking

Day 1 (Apr22) Home City - Yangon
Board your transpacific flight to Yangon. Cross the international dateline and set your watch a day ahead. 

Day 2 (Apr23) Yangon
Arrival in Yangon Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you will be met by our guide who will be carrying a welcome sign which will note your name. Your guide will present you with a welcome packet including all necessary documentation and vouchers and all contact information of your guide and local offices.

Overnight in Yangon

Day 3 (Apr24) Yangon (B/D)
All morning at leisure
Visit Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset (1 hour)
The highlight of any trip to Yangon is a visit to the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda, which dates back about 2500 years and was built to house eight sacred hairs of the Buddha. Its bell-shaped superstructure, resting on a terraced base, is covered in about 60 tonnes of gold-leaf, which is constantly being replaced.

Transfer to local restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Yangon

Day 4 (Apr25) Yangon (B/D)
Sightseeing in Yangon (10 hours)
Experience Circular Train in Yangon (air conditioned) (45 minutes)
Embark on Yangon's circular train which weaves through Yangon's main townships and districts in a rough circle, this train is the lifeline for many of the working classes and offers an unparalleled insight into the lives of the Burmese. Observe the students and workers in their daily commute and the vendors and hawkers plying their trade.
Visit colonial heart of Yangon (30 minutes)
Start the day in the heart of Yangon which features an interesting selection of monuments and colonial buildings. Among others, you will see the Independent Monument, the High Court, the City Hall and the Sule Pagoda (view from the outside only).
Visit Botataung Pagoda (1 hour)
The Botataung Pagoda was named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted relics of the Buddha brought from India over 2000 years ago. This ancient monument was completely destroyed during Wwii. It was then rebuilt in a very similar style to its predecessor, however this particular iteration is hollow and one can walk through it.
Visit Bogyoke Aung San (Scott) Market (Close on Mondays and public holidays) (1 hour)
Explore the Bogyoke Aung San Market, also known as Scott Market, which contains over 2000 stalls and is the best place in Yangon to browse through the complete range of local handicrafts.
Transfer to/from Restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Yangon

Day 5 (Apr26) Yangon – Bagan (B/D)
Flight from Yangon to Bagan
Discover the Beauty of Bagan (9.5 hours)
Explore the vast and fascinating area of Bagan, and discover temples with unique stories, features and architecture. The spectacular plain of Bagan stretches away from the Ayeyarwaddy River and is dotted with over 2,000 temple structures dating back over 800 years.
Spend the day exploring the temples and hearing the fascinating history and stories behind these imposing structures. Have a chance to visit a lacquerware workshop to learn about the intricate process of lacquerware making and decoration. At the end of the tour enjoy a panoramic view of the sun setting over the plain of Bagan from one of the ancient pagodas.
A selection of temples will be visited including: Shwezigon Paya, a beautiful golden pagoda containing relics of Buddha. The site was started by Anawrahta but not completed until the reign of Kyanzittha between 1086 and1090. The pagoda's graceful bell shape served as a prototype for later stupas built throughout the country. Gubyaukhyi Temple at Wetkyi-Inn, an early 13th century temple with an Indian-style spire. The ceiling is covered with paintings depicting the previous life of Buddha.
Ananda Pahto, one of the largest, most beautiful and best preserved of the Bagan temples. It was built around 1105 by King Kyanzittha who was inspired by Indian architecture. During the 1975 earthquake Ananda suffered considerable damage but has been totally restored.
Gubyaukhyi Temple at Myinkaba, a 12th century Buddhist temple famous for its well-preserved frescoes, considered to be the oldest original paintings to be found in Bagan.
Manuha Temple, which was built, according to inscriptions, by the captive Mon King Manuha in 1067. It contains three seated Buddha images along with an image of Buddha entering Nirvana.
Shwesandaw Paya, a graceful white pyramid-style pagoda dating back to 1057. This 328-foot-high imposing structure is visible from far away rising from the plains of Bagan. Enjoy sunset at one of the sunset hills or from Bu Paya. (Shwesandaw Pagoda is not allowed to climb up until further notice due to some old bricks was fallen down)
Watch sunset over Bagan (45 minutes)
Enjoy a panoramic view of the sun setting over the plain of Bagan from one of the pagoda platforms.
Transfer to restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Bagan

Day 6 (Apr27) Bagan (B/D)
Excursion to Mount Popa (3 hours)
Visit Mount Popa, a cylindrical hill that rises sharply from the surrounding plain, and is considered to be the home of Myanmar's most important nats (spirits). Ascend the mountain via a winding covered staircase watched by the curious monkeys that populate the area. At the top is a monastery and temple complex with shrines to the 37 nats, along with spectacular views.
Burmese Style Afternoon Tea at Shwe Hlaing Village (30-45 minutes)
Setting along the way to Mount Popa and Salay, a family business in Shwe Hlaing Village offers local tea leaf salad and tea shop. Stop to explore how locals climb Palm tree and making products such as palm sugar and liquor.

Continue sightseeing from previous day (4 hours)
Transfer to restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Bagan

Day 7 (Apr28) Bagan (B)
All day at leisure. Overnight in Bagan

Day 8 (Apr29) Bagan - Mandalay (B/D)
Flight from Bagan to Mandalay
Sightseeing in Mandalay
Visit Mahamuni Paya (30 minutes)
Mahamuni Paya was originally built by King Bodawpaya in 1784 when a road paved with bricks was constructed from his palace to the paya's eastern gate. The centrepiece of the shrine is the highly venerated Mahamuni image that was transported to Myanmar from Mrauk U in Rakhaing in 1784.
Visit Shwenandaw Kyaung (30 minutes)
Shwenandaw Kyaung is a monastery of great interest, not only as a fine example of a traditional Burmese wooden monastery, but as a fragile reminder of the old Mandalay Fort. At one time this building was part of the palace complex, and was used as an apartment by King Mindon and his chief queen, and it was here that he died. After Mindon's death, King Thibaw Min had the building dismantled and reassembled on its present site in 1880 as a monastery.
Visit Kuthodaw Paya (30 minutes)
The central stupa of the Kuthodaw Paya was modelled on the Shwezigon Paya at Nyaung U near Bagan. Building commenced in 1857, at the same time as the royal palace. The paya has been dubbed 'the world's biggest book', for standing around the central stupa are 729 marble slabs on which are inscribed the entire Tripitaka.
Visit Mandalay Hill (45 minutes)
Visit Mandalay Hill and take an easy climb up the sheltered steps to see panoramic views over the palace, Mandalay and the paya-studded countryside. The famous hermit monk, U Khanti, is credited with inspiring the construction of many of the buildings on and around the hill in the years after the founding of the city.
Transfer to restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Mandalay

Day 9 (Apr30) Mandalay (B/D)
Excursion to Amarapura, Sagaing, and Inwa (Ava) (7 hours)
This day tour visits three former royal capitals, each with its own unique atmosphere. In the morning, drive to Amarapura, and visit Mahagandayon Monastery; every day at mid-morning, monks and novices line up to receive their daily offering of alms and food from faithful Buddhists.
Next, pay a visit to Sagaing, the spiritual centre of Myanmar. Hundreds of stupas, monasteries, temples and nunneries are to be found in Sagaing Hill, sometimes known as a living Bagan. Thousands of monks and nuns retreat here for meditation and contemplation. Stop at some of the most famous temples, such as Sun U Ponya Shin Paya, U Min Thonsei Paya and Kaung Hmu Daw Paya.
Cross the river by ferry to Inwa (Ava), situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Once a royal capital, Inwa (Ava) is now a quiet rural oasis. Enjoy a leisurely Horsecart Ride around the peaceful countryside, briefly visiting Bagaya Kyaung, a beautiful teak wood monastery, Maha Aungmyay Bonzan Kyaung, and Nan Myint Tower. On the way, stop and observe how local artisans make theit famous alms bowls out of iron.
Finally, return to Amarapura, to end the day At U Bein's Bridge, a picturesque teak bridge which extends over one kilometre across Taungthaman Lake. At dusk, the bridge teems with monks and local people as they stroll home or linger to enjoy the colours of the sunset.
Transfer to restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Mandalay

Day 10 (May01) Mandalay (B)
All day at leisure. Overnight in Mandalay

Day 11 (May02) Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya (B/D)
Flight from Mandalay to Heho. By vehicle from Heho to Pindaya (50 kms)
Visit Pindaya Caves (1.5 hours)
Pindaya Caves are ensconced in a limestone ridge overlooking the lake. Inside the cavern there are more than 8000 Buddha images made from alabaster, teak, marble, brick, lacquer and cement, and they are arranged in such a way as to form a labyrinth throughout the various cave chambers. See the Shwe U Min Paya, a cluster of low stupas just below the ridge near the Pindaya Caves. Beginning on the full moon of Tabaung (February/March), Pindaya hosts a colorful pagoda festival at Shwe U Min.
Visit local market and paper umbrella factory (30 minutes)
Transfer to Restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Pindaya

Day 12 (May03) Mandalay – Inle Lake (B)
By vehicle from Pindaya to Inle Lake
Excursion by boat on Inle Lake
Enjoy a boat ride on Inle Lake and discover its calm serenity, still waters and colourful brush strokes of floating vegetation and slow moving fishing canoes. Rolling high hills hug the lake on all sides, as the lake's shore and islands host 17 villages on stilts, mostly inhabited by the Intha people.
Enjoy the awe inspiring scenery and meditate on the one of a kind skill of the local fishermen who make use of their legs in a unique rowing technique to glide themselves gracefully around the lake. Visit the enchanting floating gardens, a teeming market and an Intha village around the lake. The day also includes a visit to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inn Paw Khon Village (Lotus and silk weaving villages) and the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery.
Overnight in Inle Lake

Day 13 (May04) Inle Lake – Heho - Yangon (B/D)
Excursion by boat on Inle Lake to Indein (4 hours)
Travel by boat to the western shore of the lake to a stairway leading to the hidden Indein temple complex. Located on the shore of the lake, this site consists of hundreds of small stupas overgrown by moss and greens.
By vehicle from Inle Lake to Heho (1 hour). Flight from Heho to Yangon
Transfer to Le Planteur Restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Yangon

Day 14 (May05) Yangon (B)
Say goodbye to Myanmar as you board your transpacific flight home. 

*Note: B-Breakfast / L-Lunch / D-Dinner

Package Cost Includes:

• Round-trip international flight via Cathay Pacific from Vancouver BC on economy class
• English-speaking guide
  
• Accommodation as mentioned above or equivalent
  
• Meals according to itinerary / Breakfast box in lieu of ABF when early morning flight
  
• Myanmar domestic flight tickets as mentioned in the itinerary (Flight from Yangon to Bagan; Flight from Bagan to Mandalay; Flight from Mandalay to Heho; Flight from Heho to Yangon)
  
• Porter fees at the airport in Myanmar where guide service is booked
  
• Boat/train ticket(s) according to the itinerary
  
• Ground transportation in private A/C vehicle​
  
• Sightseeing incl. admission fees according to itinerary
  
• Round trip airport transfer
  

Package Cost Excludes:

• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
  
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in tour itinerary above
  
• Myanmar domestic airport taxes (approx. CAD60 per person)
  
• Tipping fees (based on your satisfaction) and other personal expenses
  

Remarks: 

• Prices are subject to change and based on group size minimum of 10 people travelling together.
  
• No frequent flyer miles accrual. Seats will be assigned at the airport upon check in.
  
• International flights are included, land only option not available