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5 Days Myanmar with Mandalay
(Yangon - Bagan - Mandalay - Amarapura - Mandalay - Mingun - Mandalay - Yangon)

DAY 1: YANGON
Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport welcome by our local guide and transfer to your Hotel. In the afternoon drive to Mawtin Jetty and take a rickshaws for a short trip along the the Yangon River, visit the Strand Hotel built in 1896, once described as the "leading hotel of the East" and proceed to Botataung Pagoda, where sacred hair relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined in it and late in the afternoon, visit the Shwedagon Pagoda described by Somerset Maugham: "The Shwedagon rose superb, glistening with its gold, like a sudden hope in the dark night of the soul of which the mystics write, glistening against the fog and smoke of the thriving city." This massive bell-shaped stupa rises nearly 100 meters above its hill-top surroundings. Wander through this magnificent structure and its courtyards, stupas, bells, Temples, and Buddha images, and see religious and secular visitors from all parts of the globe. Shwedagon has become the symbol of Myanmar. Enjoy the sunset over the Pagoda. Overnight in Yangon.

DAY 2: YANGON - BAGAN
Early morning flight to Bagan. Full day sightseeing tour of Bagan with a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples, such as Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; the Gu Byauk Gyi Temple, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scenes; the Ananda Temple, with four huge standing Buddha images and numerous seated figures in niches around the galleried interior and the Shwe Gu Gyi Temple, noted for its fine stucco carvings and panoramic views of the area’s many monuments. In the afternoon visit Myinkaba, two km south of Bagan. This village is well known for its lacquerware workshops and has also a number of interesting temples, as Nanphaya Temple, said to have once been the residence of King Manuha and Gu Byauk Gyi Temple, which has very nice frescoes inside. Overnight in Bagan.

DAY 3: BAGAN - MANDALAY - AMARAPURA - MANDALAY
Morning flight to Mandalay, the city of the last Myanmar Kings, by Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways. Upon arrival drive to Amarapura the "City of Immortals" and visit the 150 year old Mahagandayon monastery, and famous Buddhist learning center. It is home to a thousand monks, who will form a procession as they go to take their noon and final meal of the day. Amarapura was the capital of upper Burma until 1850. As was the custom, most of the important wooden palaces and monasteries were taken down and transported to the new capital in Mandalay. Apart from Pagodas that have survived, the ancient art of silk and cotton weaving, using handlooms, is very much alive and visit U Bein wooden bridge, over 150 years old, which is still in use. In the afternoon visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, originally built by King Bodawpaya in 1784, hosting the revered Mahamuni image, cast in the 1st Century and now covered in thick gold leaves; Shwenandaw monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings; Atumashi monastery (Incomparable Monastery); Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world’s Biggest Book for its stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures and finally climb Mandalay Hill for the sunset. Overnight in Mandalay.

DAY 4: MANDALAY - MINGUN - MANDALAY - YANGON
After breakfast drive to Kywezon jetty to watch the busy riverside activity and take a local riverboat to the ancient capital of Mingun (appr. 1 hour per way). Visit the Settawya Pagoda, with a footprint of the Buddha, walk to the huge Mingun Bell, see the nearby unfinished Mingun Pagoda, built to be the world’s biggest pagoda and visit the Hsinbyume Pagoda, a reproduction of the mythological Mt. Meru. Back to Mandalay, there is enough time for a visit some of the famous handicraft workshops such as wood carving, marble cutting and gold leaf making! Late afternoon flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for check-in and overnight.

DAY 5: YANGON - Departure Day
After breakfast continue sightseeing of Yangon: Sule Pagoda , dating back over 2000 years, walk around the downtown area and don't miss the sprawling Bogyoke Market! Wide streets, orderly town planning and neglected public buildings revive visions of British rule, while busy streets scenes and shimmering pagodas, bursting through a leafy canopy, hint at the rich local culture. Skyscrapers and glaring neon billboards have yet to overtake the capital. Afternoon free at your own leisure, till transfer to Yangon International Airport.

© 2005 Myriam Grest Thein