Hidden Charms of Myanmar 8 Days

After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport in order to take a domestic flight to Bagan. Welcome to Bagan, which is famous for being one of the most magnificent Asian architectural sites. In the past, from the 11th to the 13th centuries, Bagan was the central city of Myanmar and it owned numerous giant stupas and pagodas for the monarchs, of which the Irrawaddy River remains some of the stores on the banks to this day.

One of the most outstanding features of a Myanmar holiday is the splendor of Bagan together with 3000 red brick religious constructions on a plain equal to the size of Manhattan Island. This mixture of breathtaking views will attract the attention of every visitor.

You will have a chance to visit Ananda Temple, which is known as one of the most hailed Bagan temples. With a view to creating every possible opportunity for you to engross yourself in the majesty of the temple in the most tranquil atmosphere, we will assure you that our visit comes to this site before others.

The tour continues with your chance to pay a visit to other temples belonging to this campus, which would definitely enable you to catch a view of the diversity of architectural styles in the area along with artistic masterpieces dated back to the 9th - 14th centuries. You are also able to get an insight into rural Bagan daily life while you wander around the temples because among the sites are the workplaces of farmers and families.

A visit to two workshops making out the signature products of Bagan, which are lacquer ware and wood crafts, will enable you to experience the local culture. Your mind will be blown away as you watch the professional craftsmen apply traditional techniques to produce these beautiful items.

OPTIONAL: $8 USD/PAX FOR SUNSET CRUISE

You will be transferred to the quay in the late afternoon, and a private wooden boat is ready to bring you on another amazing trip. Breathtaking scenes are easy to spot as you travel on the legendary Irrawaddy River, whether you sit under the shade or on the open deck. You will be treated to other beautiful scenery while cruising down the river, such as small villages, fishermen, local boats, and definitely the famous temples of Myanmar.

You stand an opportunity to open your eyes as what you see on the river brings another unseen angle of Myanmar that you haven’t experienced through the tour on land. As the sun begins to go down, it slowly states that it’s time you get off and be driven back to the hotel to relax. An ideal way to refresh yourself after a busy day making a journey is to go sightseeing in Bagan.

Spend a night at a hotel in Bagan

• Transport:

  Fly

• Meals:

  Breakfast

OPTIONAL: HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE OVER BAGAN (Only available from October through March)

Your third day with Asia Priate Travels will begin with an amazing ride on a hot air balloon. It will definitely be an amazing viewpoint for you to admire the Bagan countryside below, especially the unique scenery of sunrise over the Irrawaddy River and many stupas in the area. Such an opportunity rarely exists elsewhere in the world. (This ride is only in service from October/November to the following year’s March).

After enjoying your breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up by your tour guide and driver to start exploring Bagan. It begins with a visit to the energetic Nyaung Oo Market, which welcomes the local inhabitants to trade fresh products and other daily items.

From this point, you will take a look around the Old Bagan beginning with a visit to the famous Shwezigon Pagoda, which was constructed as a religious monument to King Anawrahta in the early 11th century. Travel through the tracks filled with dust and shady roads cross temples and monasteries to a small village. At one of these sites, you will stand a great opportunity of take part in a distinguished traditional Buddhist ceremony.

Then you will travel on horse cart for an expedition that crosses many breathtaking sites, namely Thatbyinnyu- the highest temple in Bagan, the giant Dhammayangyi Temple, which is known for its famous brickwork, and finally Sulamani Temple. Wallowing yourself in the glorious sunset picture from the upper terrace of one of the temples in the area.

Spend a night at a hotel in Bagan

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast

You will take a short flight to Mandalay this morning! Mandalay - the city that comes in second based on its size compared to others in Myanmar.

Additionally, it is known as one of the antique royal centers that often appeared in literature through perception and description, symbolizing the overall features of Asia as being the most traditional, attractive and eternal for all visitors who have experienced a booming and colorful city positioned on the shores of the legendary Irrawaddy River.

However, together with spreading the energetic vibe and owning a prosperous business, the city still successfully preserves the richness of culture and tradition of arts such as drama, music, dance… It will take you about an hour to be transferred to Mandalay City. Across the Irrawaddy River, you will meet Sagaing. Sagaing Hill is famous for being a huge spiritual hub of Myanmar which consists of 600 pagodas and monasteries colored by ivory, and well as being the habitat of about 3000 monks and 100 meditation shrines. You will have great chances to pay a visit to other pagodas, namely Swan OoPonNya Shin, U Min ThoneSae and Shin Pin Nan Gyaing.

Continually, you will come to a less popular place which is the local market of Sagaing. We will come to a famous destination- pottery village which is distinguished for its producing popular water pots. Here you will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of how the tradesmen make use of traditional skills to manufacture their items
The next tourist attraction is the reigning capital from the 14th through the 18th centuries, Ava. A ferry will be used to help us cross the small river and the old- time horse and carriage will take us to the wooden Bagaya Monastery which is widely known for its amazing elaboration in woodcarvings. You have to surely visit Nanmyint Watch Tower which is hailed as” the leaning tower of Ava”.

This place used to be part of the antique palace and Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery. Making a return past the river and we will drive to Amarapura, the penultimate royal centre of Myanmar. “City of Immortality” is the meaning under the name of Amarapura, despite the fact that the lasting period of its being the capital city is relatively short. Starting from Mahagandayon monastery, it claims residence for more than a thousand monks, making its name for monastic study and strict religious regulations.

Travel on foot or by bus for a short distance, and you will get to the great U-Bein Bridge, which was constructed in 1872 when all the attention was down to Amarapura. The length of this bridge is 1.2 km across the shallow Taungthaman Lake, and it is recognized for being the longest teakwood bridge in the world. Take pleasure in the amazing picture of sunset shadows and set light on the local inhabitants coming back home. Majestic sunset scenery at U-Bein Bridge.

Have a good night sleep at a hotel in Mandalay.

• Transport:

  Fly

• Meals:

  Breakfast

You will begin your day with a transfer to Mandalay jetty and take a private boat for a relaxed journey of about 1 hour on the Irrawaddy River to Mingun.

Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of Mingun, beginning with the Mingun Paya, which would have been considered the world’s largest (if it’s not been for the death of King Bodawpaya before its completion) and this is the reason why you shouldn't miss this place in your trip with Asia Private Travels.

There was a cease to the construction of this gigantic building of brick because of the prediction of the King’s death before finishing by a fortune-teller. In the 1800’s, the site was under the massive influence of an earthquake; it was nothing but a partial rubble, which makes it possibly the largest pile of bricks on earth. You will catch a glimpse of Hsinbyume Paya, Mingun village, and the river from the thin top.

The tour continues with a particular stupa - Hsinbyume Pagoda which has many stories behind it. It’s the replica of the Sulamani Paya which is based on the meaning of plan of the cosmos of the Buddhist and positions on top of the Mount Meru (the mountain that stays at the heart of the universe).

After that, visit the Mingun Bell weighing 90 tons and known as the second largest hanging in the world. This unbreakable bell remains in its capacity of ringing. Before heading to Mandalay by boat, you will spare enough time to make an exploration of the small neighborhoods that have a tradition of manufacturing basketry and take a chance to get familiar with the hospitable businessmen and craftsmen.

An expedition to Mandalay Hill which has the height of 240 meters above the whole city will start off your visit to Mandalay. On the top, you will have a chance to experience the extraordinary scenes ranging from the Great Mandalay Palace to the south, the legendary Irrawaddy River to the west, and the beautiful blue shape of the Shan Hills to the east.

Right from the south of Mandalay Hill is the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, being hailed as the Great Marble Image’s pagoda which was built from a block of marble. It’s claimed that it took almost a fortnight for 10,000 men to transfer the massive marble block from the riverside to its current site. The tour goes on with a visit to” The World’s Biggest Book”- Kuthodaw Pagoda; this call comes from the fact that this pagoda contains up to 729 marble slabs etched to Buddhist texts.

Then comes the Shwenandaw Monastery; this golden site is the only remaining construction of the Royal Palace in the 19th century. The amazing woodcarving contributed to this magnificent structure. 

Spend a night at a hotel in Mandalay.

• Transport:

  Cruise

• Meals:

  Breakfast

This morning, you will come back to Mandalay airport to take a flight to the center of the Shan State - Heho. After arriving at the Heho airport, you will pay a visit to Nyaung Shwe village.

On the way here, you will stand a good chance of going to rural workshops where to produce specialized products such as old- time Shan paper and special Handcrafted umbrellas.

Additionally, make sure to take a stop at the teak monastery of Shweyanpyay to take a look at elaborate wood-crushing artwork and the monks’ craft skills there.

On your way to Inle Lake, you will travel on a private motorboat. Inle Lake is one of the most magnificent and amazing sites of Myanmar. On its tranquil waters are the presence of fishing canoes which have a perfect backdrop of scenic hills and vegetation. You will cross many villages that are constructed on stilts over the lake which is home to the local Intha citizens.

Take a chance to watch the daily routines of the local fishermen with their floating gardens, which are structured by strips of water hyacinth and earth and stitched to the bottom of the lake on the bamboo poles. Take a drive back to your hotel.

Lunch and dinner are at your expense. Spend a night at the hotel on Inle Lake.

• Transport:

  Fly

• Meals:

  Breakfast

After enjoying breakfast, you will travel to the morning market by the lake (the market is always available except for dark moon and full moon on calendar days).

The morning market’s position varies among the lake’s villages in a 5-day routine and this place welcomes the lake’s inhabitants along with nearby natives who also come here to sell and trade their goods. After traveling for an hour by boat down a small canal, you will get to the Pa-Oh village of Indein whose location is on the western banks of Inle Lake.

Wander around the village before coming to the stairway covered by moss to the peak of the hill. When you arrive on the summit, you will catch sight of a legendary Buddha image, which sits right among hundreds of stupa ruins and old shrubbery. On the peak, you will have a chance to enjoy the amazing views of the surrounding places.

The Indein Pagoda definitely deserves its reputation for being the most magnificent monument around the lake’ bank and it contains hundreds of small stupas that are controlled by moss and greenery. Then start off trekking for 45 minutes to Sae Ma village. On the go, you will experience the true beauty and amazing vistas of the area while being shaded by the bamboo groves in the site.

When arriving at the village, you will have an opportunity to overlook the daily life habits of the rural people. On your way back, if time allows, take a stop at the Inthar Heritage House to have a thorough insight into the history and culture of the local and sip a delicious coffee and cake (snack break not included). Once the visit ends, make a return trip to your hotel and have some relaxation.

• Transport:

  Cruise

• Meals:

  Breakfast

You will be served breakfast at the hotel before heading off to the Heho Airport (1-1.5 hour) to take a short flight back to Yangon. When arriving at the Yangon airport, you will have to move to the International Airport for your international communication. (Neither a guide nor a car are available in Yangon.)

This is the end of Hidden Charms of Myanmar 8 Days tour. 

• Transport:

  Car

• Meals:

  Breakfast