Exploring Myanmar

Yangon-Mandalay-Bagan-Yangon

8 Days/ 7 Nights

Day 1: Yangon Arrive at Yangon Airport; transfer to hotel.

Special evening visit to the massive Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the wonders of the world for its religious significance, artistic beauty and its association with Myanmar culture. Walk around the pagoda platform and enjoy the wonders of the pagoda and Buddhist devotees' way of worshipping.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon-Mandalay Morning city sightseeing begins with Chaukhtatkyi, a colossal reclining Buddha; Meditation Centre; Kaba-Aye (World Peace) Pagoda; Maha Pasana Guha Cave, where the Sixth Buddhist Synod took place; and the Buddhist Art Museum. The afternoon visit starts with shopping at Yangon Duty Free Stores, where famous Myanmar gems set in jewellry are available with a guarantee of export; the sacred Sule Pagoda in the city centre; National Museum; Holy Trinity Cathedral, where the Burma Roll Of Honour, a record book that lists the names of Allied soldiers who fell in World War II, is still preserved; Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market).

Evening transfer to Yangon railway Station to take the overnight train to Mandalay, the last capital of Myanmar Monarchs, a 14 hour journey.

Overnight on the train.

Day 3: Mandalay Arrive at Mandalay Railway Station and transfer to restaurant for breakfast and refreshments.

Afternoon excursion to Sagaing, driving over the Inwa (Ava) Bridge across the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River. Tour highlights: Ywataung Village; Kaungmhudaw, an enormous solid dome-shaped pagoda; and the picturesque Sagaing Hills, a retreat for Buddhist devotees with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Then visit the ancient capital Amarapura. Highlights include: Bagaya Monastery with its famous collection of Buddha images; the 1.2 kilometre long U Pein Wooden Bridge; traditional handicraft workshops, marble work and gold leaf making and embroidery.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 4: Mandalay Morning excursion by boat to Mingun, a village on the western bank of the Ayeyarwady River. Tour highlights include huge unfinished Mingun Bell, probably the largest ringing bell in the world, with a weight of about 90 tons; Myatheindan Pagoda, with seven concentric terraces at the base; Satawya Pagoda with a marble footprint of the Buddha.

Afternoon visit to: Mandalay Royal Palace; traditional silk industry; Shwenandaw (Golden Palace) Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings; Atumashi (incomparable) Monastery, noted for wood covered with stucco on the outside; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world's biggest book for its stone slabs of the Buddhist scriptures; Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, a large Buddha image carved out of a single block of marble; and Mandalay Hill, vantage point for a panoramic view of the city.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 5: Mandalay - Bagan Morning transfer by coach to Bagan, about 279 kilometres southwest of Mandalay. The drive takes about 6 hours.

In the evening, watch the breathtaking sunset from Bupaya Pagoda on the bank of Ayeyarwady river.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 6: Bagan Morning sightseeing begins with the visit to Nyaung Oo Market; Shwezigon pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Kyansittha Umin, a tunnel with an interesting feature of paintings; Wetkyiin Gubyaukkyi Temple, with fine mural paintings of jataka scenes; Hitilominlo Temple, noted for its plaster carvings; Khay Min Ga Temple and Tharaba Gate.

Afternoon sightseeing includes lacquerware industries; Seinnyet Nyima/ Ahma Temple. Soe Mingyi Okkyaung; Nagayone Temple; Apeyadana Temple, famous for its mural paintings of Mahayana Buddhism; Manuha Temple with its gigantic Buddha image, a captive king's impression of life in prison; Nanpaya, an early style temple with the finest stone carvings; Mingalazedi; Myingaba Gubyauk-kyi Temple; and witness the village life at Myinkaba village.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 7: Bagan-Thazi-Yangon Morning visit to Lawkahteikpan Temple, a temple with mural and ink inscriptions; Shwe Sandaw Pagoda; Shinpin Thalyaung Pagoda; Dhammayangyi, a massive temple with the finest brick work; Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece resembling a Greek Cross; Ananda Okkyaung, a brick monastery with mural paintings; Thatbyinnyu Temple, the highest of Bagan temples; and the Archaeological Museum.

Afternoon transfer to Thazi, 3-1/2 hrs drive to a junction town 160 kilometres to the east of Bagan, to join the overnight train to Yangon, a 12 hour journey.

Day 8: Yangon Arrive at Yangon Railway Station an transfer to a restaurant for breakfast and refreshments.

Afternoon transfer to Yangon Airport for departure flight.

Number Hotel One Person Two or more Single
Of Days Standard travelling alone travelling together Supplement
8 First Class Hotels $1,750 $1,160 $240
Standard Hotels $1,530 $1,030 $130

Copyright © 1996 Adventure Travel Ltd
Most recent revision 6 April, 1996

Ref: MDY3