13-day cultural highlights of myanmar

 13-DAY CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF MYANMAR
DAY
DETAILED ITINERARY
MEALS
1
ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION TOUR IN YANGON
X/L/D
02/13/16 Upon arrival by a morning flight transfer to the
(Sat)
hotel for rest room use (check-in time is 2 p.m) and
then set out on orientation tour including
Chaukhtetgyi Reclining Buddha, one of the
largest in the country, a downtown walk with a
backdrop of old
colonial buildings
and to take in the
sights, sounds and
smells of Yangon; a
photo-stop at Karaweik Garden which affords
a fantastic view of the city scape; a visit to an
English class to
interact with
local students
and sample local tea at one of the omnipresent
teashops where locals gather and exchange news
and gossips. Lunch will be served at Feel local
restaurant which serves renowned dishes from
across the country and dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Panorama Hotel in Yangon. 3*
2
YAGON CITY TOUR
02/14/16
(Sun)
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to a local
market selling mainly groceries and a stroll
through the local
neighbourhood,
where you will get
to see the way that
the some
middleclass people live, to the train station. Have
a taste of Myanmar train (about half an hour) to
popular Scott’s Market (closed on Mondays and
Gazette Holidays) where hundreds of stalls sell a
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13-DAY CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF MYANMAR
huge array of souvenir items as well as
gemstones and jewelry. This market is wellknown for its colonial style architecture with
inner cobblestone streets built in 1926. Ample
time will be given to browse this sprawling
market and also to have lunch on your own
before heading for the National Museum
which can provide a good understanding of
Myanmar culture, history and its complex
ethnicity. After a short ride by bus you will get awestruck by famous
Shwedagon Pagoda shining like a mountain of gold enhanced by the rays of
setting sun! We will have an extensive visit to take in the wonderful
atmosphere and also to observe the locals performing their rituals. After
admiring the fascinating and beautiful complex, transfer to Karaweik Palace
for dinner with a splendid cultural show. Overnight at Panorama Hotel in
Yangon. 3*
3
YANGO – Flight – HEHO – Bus – PINDAYA – Bus - TAUNGGYI
02/15/16
(Mon)
Transfer to the airport for an early morning
flight to Heho (boxed breakfast may be taken).
Upon arrival at Heho, drive a beautiful drive
over rolling hills covered with crops of
different colors looking like a patch work of
art, to Pindaya ( approx. 2.5 hours) famous for
Pindaya Caves
enshrined with
1000s of Buddha images, oldest ones dating back
to the 16th Century. A visit will also be paid to a
local craftsman’s workshop to observe how he
makes parasols and umbrellas. After lunch served
at a local restaurant depart Pindaya for
Taunggyi, the
capital of Shan
State where we
will have a dinner party with a host of locals
representing various tribes who inhabit Shan
State. It will be a colourful affair as they will
dressed in their traditional colourful dresses.
Overnight at Taunggyi Hotel or similar in
Taunggyi. 3*
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13-DAY CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF MYANMAR
4
TAUNGGYI – bus – NYAUNG SHWE
02/16/16
(Tue)
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to
pay a visit to the Central Market before heading
for a visit to Kakku Pagoda
complex (approx. 2 hours
by bus). It will be another
beautiful drive on the Shan
Plateau. A simple lunch
will be served at a local restaurant near the pagoda
complex. After the visit back track the same beautiful
road (though a bit bumpy) to Taunggyi where we will
pay a visit to an orphanage
run by an old lady. You may
wish to bring some presents
for the kids and donations in
cash will also be appreciated as it receives little
support from the government. Next we will drive
Nyaung Shwe (approx. 1 hour), the gateway to the
famous Inle Lake. Dinner will be on your own
account. Overnight at Paradise Hotel in Nyaung Shwe, Inle Lake. 3*
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5
INLE LAKE by boat
B/L/X
02/17/16 After breakfast today we will explore Inle
(Wed)
Lake by boat (long tail out-motored), cruise
through its villages with their houses on
stilts, observe the Innthar people working on
their floating gardens, learn about lotus
clothes
weaving as
well as tension
looms used by the long-necked ladies to weave
their wares, admire a superb collection of
ancient Buddha images at Ngaphechaung
Monastery, the
picturesque
pagoda
Complex of Indein and also its famed Phaung
Daw Oo Pagoda, which draws thousands of
devotees from all over the country especially
during its annual festival held in October.
Overnight at Paradise Hotel in Nyaung Shwe,
Inle Lake. 3*
13-DAY CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF MYANMAR
6
INLE LAKE – Bus – BAGAN
02/18/16
(Thu)
We will have an early start today and leave Inle
Lake by bus driving over Shan Plateau and
down to dry and arid central Myanmar. In spite
of long drive (approx. 10 hrs with stops en
route) tt will be interesting to the changes in
landscapes, natural vegetation and also weather.
A simple lunch will be served en route and in
the afternoon you will be treated to the
stunning views from Mt. Popa Resort with coffee/ tea. Mt. Popa has been
the pantheon of all-powerful spirits of Myanmar
since ancient time. After the tea/ coffee break we
will leave by bus and about half an hour later
arrive at a typical central Myanmar village
where we learn about their life and interact
with the
villagers. Next
will be a stop
at a toddy
famer to learn
about the amazing toddy palm trees. And then
we will head for Bagan. Dinner will be served
at the hotel and overnight at Floral Breeze
Hotel in Bagan. 3*
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7
02/19/16
(Fri)
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BAGAN SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast we will start exploring the city of temples by bus. Visits include
important and popular temples and stupas such as Shwezigon Pagoda, claimed
to be the prototype for all later Myanmar stupas; Buleithee Stupa,
commanding a great view over Bagan; Ananda Temple, which locals call the
finest in Bagan; a lacquer wares workshop to observe the amazing process of
production; Nanpaya Temple, said to be the site of a captive king from Mon
Kingdom; and Manuha Temple dedicated by the captive king himself. Lunch
will be served at a local restaurant and dinner will be on your own account.
Overnight at Floral Breeze Hotel in Bagan. 3*
13-DAY CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF MYANMAR
8
BAGAN AT LEISURE
02/20/16
(Sat)
All day today is at your leisure. You may rent a
bike for your own further exploration of this
amazing archeological site or just rest at the
hotel.
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In the evening we will
have dinner at a local
home with local people of Bagan totally unrelated
to tourism business. Overnight at Floral Breeze
Hotel in Bagan. 3*
(For those who want to enjoy breathtaking
views of Bagan Balloon Over Bagan is
available for additional USD300 per person.)
9
BAGAN – Flight – MANDALAY
02/21/16
(Sun)
After breakfast transfer to the airport. A
short flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival at
Mandalay International airport you will be
transferred to Ava (Innwa), one of the
ancient capitals of Myanmar (approx 45
minutes
drive)
which is
to be
reached
by crossing a small river on a make-shift
ferry. Exploration of Ava by horse-carts
include Bargayar Monastery, one of the
oldest teak monasteries in Myanmar;
Nanmyint Watch Tower, one of the few
remaining structures of the old palace; Maha Aung Myay Bon Zan” built of
bricks but still following the traditional wooden architectural style. Return to
the ferry and head by bus to visit to Swon Oo PonNya Shin
Pagoda on Sagaing Hill to enjoy
marvelous views from there. Next we will
visit a nunnery learn about their lives and
perhaps a short session of meditation. Then
proceed by bus to famous U Bein Bridge, a
very popular attraction not only with
international tourists but also with locals.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant
and dinner will be on your own account.
Overnight at Dingar Hotel in Mandalay. 3*
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10
MANDALAY CITY TOUR
B/L/X
02/22/16
(Mon)
Today we will start early again and skip
the breakfast at the hotel. We will drive
to a staging point to see monks in
procession around Buddhist
neighbourhoods to receive food from
awaiting meritmakers. We will
also donate
some. Next we
will head for a popular teashop in the city and have
local breakfast as locals do before they start their
day. After breakfast we will go up legendary
Mandalay Hill for a view over the city and then come
down to read the world’s biggest book known as
Kuthodaw Pagoda! After a short stroll from there we
will get to the superb
Shwenandaw Monastery
to marvel at splendid wood works. After that we
will drive to incredible gold-leaf beaters
hammering packets of gold for hours. Next we will
go and Mahamuni, the most venerated Buddha
image of the Buddhist world. From there we will go
on sightseeing to see stone carvers and
embroidery makers. Lunch will be served at a
local restaurant and dinner will be on your own
account. Overnight at Dingar Hotel in Mandalay. 3*
11
MANDALAY – MINGON – MANDALAY
02/23/16
(Tue)
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the jetty where you will
board a private boat to go upstream (11 km per hour). You will be able to enjoy
the bustling life on the riverbank from the sundeck of your boat as it departs
for Mingon. You will see various activities on the river such as fishermen, teak
rafts and sand-diggers plus observing the
lifestyles of the riverine crofters on the banks.
After a one hour of leisurely cruising you will
arrive at Mingun which, despite being a small
village, has a number of historical sites and
some rather large edifices.
Enjoy your visit to the
unfinished Pahtodawgyi, a mammoth project
which if completed would have claimed to be
the biggest temple on earth.
Then there is the world’s largest “uncracked” Mingon Bell (weighing in at 90
tons), which would have accompanied the immense temple.
Plus the buttocks of gigantic Chinthes, which would have served as suitably
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13-DAY CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF MYANMAR
large guardians of the king of temples.
And finally, Hsinphyumei Pagoda with its
unique architectural design reminiscent
of Mount Meru from Buddhist mythology.
Then
return to
Mandalay
by boat,
transfer to
the hotel
and the rest of the day is at your leisure
including lunch and dinner.
Overnight at Dingar Hotel in Mandalay. 3*
12
MANDALAY – Bus – MAYMYO
02/24/16
(Wed)
After breakfast we will drive to Maymyo,
a hill station (approx. 2 hrs), which,
during the colonial era was hugely
popular with British officers who wanted
to escape the oppressive heat of Mandalay
during the hot season. En route we will
pay a visit to the colourful Flower
Market. Upon arrival at Maymyo we will
have lunch at a local restaurant. Then
check-in at the hotel.
In the afternoon we will tour the charming
town by horse carriages and pay an extended
visit to its famous botanical garden where
orchid and flower lovers will find themselves
in their element. This is a remarkable and
very large garden with not only flowers but
also fossilised wood displays, well-kept and
landscaped areas depicting various
topographies and extensive walks – very
impressive and a contrast to previous
sights.
Afterwards hop on the coach and head
to the venue for the farewell dinner
with the locals in one of their homes –
it’s time to party!
Overnight at Win Unity Hotel in Maymyo
(Pyin Oo Lwin).
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13-DAY CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF MYANMAR
13
MAYMYO – Bus – MANDALAY – DEPARTURE
02/25/16
After breakfast we will leave by bus to Mandalay International Airport for
departure.
End of services
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13-DAY CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS OF MYANMAR
Please note that the order of visits are subject to change depending upon local circumstances.
Codes: B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner)
Some meals are deliberately excluded to give you the opportunity to explore the options
yourself - a meal in a local restaurant will cost about $5 plus a long necked bottle of beer
around $3.
Type of hotels
Tour Prices in USD (on twin/double sharing basis)
Approx. Program Cost:
Single supplement
3-Star Hotels
$2,800
$448
Tour prices INCLUDE
Tour prices EXCULDE
-­‐ Transfers & Tours with private air-con buses/
-­‐ International airfares to and from
coaches
Myanmar
-­‐ Domestic airfares
-­‐ Camera fees if any
-­‐ Horse/ox carts etc if any
-­‐ Myanmar visa
-­‐ Ferries/ boats if any
-­‐ Personal insurance
-­‐ Baggage handling at ports & hotels
-­‐ Expenditure of personal nature
-­‐ English speaking tour guide
-­‐ Tipping
-­‐ Two bottles (640ml) of drinking water per day
-­‐ Two wet towels per day
-­‐ Meals as specified in the program
-­‐ Entrance Fees to mentioned sites
-­‐ Hotels as indicated
-­‐ Complimentary services for 1 tour leader in shared
twin
-­‐ FFI Fee
HOTELS QUOTED (LCOAL RATING)
-­‐ Panorama Hotel in Yangon (Superior) – 3*
-­‐ Taunggyi Hotel in Taunggyi (Superior) – 3*
-­‐ Paradise Hotel in Nyaung Shwe (Deluxe) – 3*
-­‐ Floral Breeze Hotel in Bagan (Deluxe) – 3*
-­‐ Hotel Dingar in Mandalay (Deluxe) – 3*
-­‐ Win Unity Hotel in Maymyo (Deluxe) – 3*
Please note that in the event the quoted hotels are not available at the time of booking, other hotels will
have to be booked and the prices are subject to change.
Cancellation policies of hotels in Myanmar
No Show
: 100 % charge
1-30 days
: 50 % of the tour price
31-45 days
: 30 % of the tour price
46-60 days
: 10 % of the tour price
61 days and above
: no charge