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8 Days Myanmar
(Yangon - Bagan - Mt. Popa - Bagan - Mandalay - Amarapura - Sagaing - Mandalay - Mingun - Mandalay - Heho - Nyaung Shwe - Inle Lake - Nyaung Shwe - Heho - Yangon)

DAY 1: YANGON
Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport welcome by our local guide and transfer to the Hotel. Afternoon sightseeing starts with Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda (a huge reclining Buddha), Karaweik Hall, a Royal floating barge on the Royal Lake for a photo stop 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 - MT. POPA - BAGAN
After breakfast drive to Nyaung Oo and visit the lively market and the down town area. Then drive to Mt. Popa (appr. 1½ hrs drive). On the way visit some villages and watch the collection of juice from the palm trees, and its conversion into palm sugar. Visit the great extinct volcano. Rising out of the shimmering heat, the solitary volcanic crag of Mt. Popa is home to Myanmar's most powerful " nats ". Visit the Nat Museum with its life-sized statues of the 37 Nat Gods. Walk up the steps to the stupas and shrines that top the hill above the museum, seeing many pilgrims along the way. In the afternoon visit the Popa Mountain Park’s Information Center operated by the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division. The area is indigenous to over 150 different species of medicinal plants and animals. Time permitting, enjoy a short late afternoon trek into the forest to visit a sandalwood plantation. Late afternoon drive back to Bagan.

DAY 4: BAGAN - MANDALAY - AMARAPURA - SAGAING - MANDALAY
Morning flight to Mandalay, the city of the last Myanmar Kings. 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. 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. After lunch drive over Ava bridge to Sagaing, 21 km southwest of Mandalay and visit the Sagaing Hills, a retreat for Buddhist devotees with numerous Pagodas, monasteries and nunneries. Visit the village of Sagaing, at the foot of Sagaing Hill with markets, shops and restaurants; one of the monasteries on the hillside; the Tilawkaguru cave temple, with mural paintings; Umin Thounzeh caves, containing 45 Buddha images and Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda built in 1312. The view of Sagaing from here is outstanding. Late afternoon come back to Mandalay. Overnight in Mandalay.

DAY 5: MANDALAY - MINGUN -  MANDALAY
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. Then come back to Mandalay. In the afternoon visit the Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings, Atumashi Monastery, the "Incomparable Monastery", the Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world's Biggest Book for its stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures and sunset on Mandalay Hill, a vantage-point for panoramic view of the city. Overnight in Mandalay.

DAY 6: MANDALAY - HEHO - NYAUNG SHWE - INLE LAKE
Morning flight to Heho in Shan State. Upon arrival drive to Kaung Dine at the north-western shore of Inle Lake. From here take a boat for the excursion on Inle Lake (25 km) famous for its unique one-leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing and village life and the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda housing five sacred and almost shapeless Buddha images, contorted because of the quantity of applied gold leaf, gifts from the believers. The Buddha images are purported to have come here in the 12th Century. In the afternoon, proceed to the silk weaving village of In Phaw Khon and visit Nga Phe Chaung (the biggest and oldest monastery around Inle Lake). Overnight at Inle Lake.

DAY 7: INLE LAKE - HEHO - YANGON
Morning excursion to Indein (appr. 1 hour drive) to see the ancient Bagan + Shan style pagodas, built during Bagan Period, passing the beautiful scenery with tall grasses and little water steps. The ruin pagodas, hide in the bushes will give you an impression of you were in the 12th - 13th Centuries ago. In the afternoon transfer to Heho airport for the flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for check-in and overnight.

DAY 8: YANGON - Departure Day
fter 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 for your departure flight.

Not included:
Visa, international airport tax of US$ 10.- p.p., porter fees at hotels, tips, beverages, etc.

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© 2005 Myriam Grest Thein