General Information:
Duration: 10 days/9 nights
Tour Routine: Mandalay – Kyauk-Myong – Khanyat – Katha – Tagaung – Ava – Bagan – Inle Lake
Start/End: Mandalay/Yangon
Tour Style: Landscape, In-depth Cultural
Guides: Myanmar Local Guide (English Speaking Guide, Other Languages upon Request)
Transportation: RV Khabyoo Pandaw Cruise, Private First-class Air-conditioned Vehicles
Brief Itinerary:
Pre-cruise
Day 1: Mandalay Arrival
10-night Cruise with RV Kha Byoo Pandaw Cruise Ship
Day 2: Set Sail from Mandalay
Day 3: Kyauk-Myong
Day 4: Khanyat
Day 5: Katha
Day 6: Sail upstream Kyunt Daw Island
Day 7: 2nd Defile of Irrawaddy
Day 8: Tagaung
Day 9: Ava
Day 10: Bagan
Post-cruise
Day 11: Bagan – Fly to Inle Lake
Day 12: Inle Lake Excursion to Indein
Day 13: Inle Lake – Yangon
Day 14: Yangon Departure
Full Itinerary:
Day 1: Mandalay Arrival
Mingalabar! Welcome to the royal capital of Myanmar! On arrival, welcome by Go Myanmar local tour guide at the airport and then transfer to the hotel to check-in. Enjoy the rest time of the day at leisure.
Day 2: Set Sail from Mandalay
A full day to discover the cultural capital of Mandalay. After breakfast, transfer to Mahamuni Pagoda – home to one of the country’s most venerated Buddha images. Stroll around the pagoda to observe the local pilgrimages.
From here proceed to a gold leaf and tapestry workshop to see how the local artisans create the gold leaf which is used to gild the Buddha images in the pagodas. Along the way, you will also see the marble & stone carving production of the people. Before lunch, visit a silk cotton weaving workshop to get the first-hand experience on the traditional methods of weaving fabric in Myanmar.
In the late afternoon, highlight your trip with a drive to Amarapura, the former capital of Burma. Sunset is the best time to admire the allure of U Bein Bridge – the oldest and longest teak bridge in the world. Embark on a small boat to sail over the Taungthaman Lake to behold the panorama of the lake and enjoy the sunset view.
Day 3: Kyauk-Myong
This morning the ship continues cruising to Kyaung-Myoung. In the afternoon, disembark to visit the spectacular potteries near Kyaung-Moung here the famous 50-gallon water pots are handmade. Take this chance to observe all stages of manufacture from the throwing of the pots to the weeklong firing in huge kilns
Day 4: Khanyat
Today, enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of Irrawaddy on the way to Khanyat. We will stop for a short excursion to the Khannyat village. Passing through many Buddhist monasteries to visit the former head teacher’s house and his small museum collections. Later on, go ashore and climb the Pagoda Hill at Tigyang where you will enjoy a commanding view to the Irrawaddy River.
Day 5: Katha
This morning, the ship leads you through the enchanting colonial town of Katha, which set for George Orwell’s Burmese Days. This is home to the fire station’s collections of Irrawaddy Flotilla Company ship’s bells taken from sunken ships in the Second War. Here visit the elephant logging camp at Katha in the hardwood forests of the hills that surround the town and further upstream
Day 6: Sail upstream Kyunt Daw Island
Wake up in the sound of bird-singing this morning and then transfer by local boat to visit Kyun Daw village where we visit countless small pagodas.
Day 7: 2nd Defile of Irrawaddy
Today, spend your leisure time on board while the ship cruising through the 2nd Defile, the most dramatic of the three gorges with cliffs towering over the narrow channel. Sail downstream.
Day 8: Tagaung
Today, leave the ship to explore the ancient city of Tagaung. Explore the city on foot to view the incredible fortifications.
Day 9: Ava – Yandabo
The morning of day 7 leads you to Ava – one of the most famous ancient capital of Burma for 5 centuries. Get on a horse carriage to explore the ruins of the city. Visit Bagaya Kyaung, one of two architecturally significant monasteries in Inwa dating back to 200 years ago.
In the afternoon, transfer to Yandabo village, a charming village famous for its production of terracotta pottery from the riverbank clay. Stroll around the village and explore the traditional methods of making a clay pot.
Day 10: Bagan
Today is a full day for you to explore Bagan – one of the greatest archaeological sites on earth. With over 3000 temples remaining through the ups and downs of the historical journey, Bagan is one of the must-see destinations to visit at least once in a lifetime. Start the day with a visit to Nyaung U Market – the authentic local market where you will see the real-life and trade-in Bagan. After that, transfer to Shwezigon Pagoda, one of the most famous attractions in Bagan. The pagoda is where you can explore the typical architecture and learn more about Buddhist teaching.
Leaving the pagoda, we head to Htilominlo Temple, an impressive temple build in Mon and Indian style. Your guide will introduce you to the special architecture of the temple which helps it survive after strong earthquakes.
In the afternoon, highlight your trip to the most beautiful temple of Bagan – Ananda Temple. It was one of the first and well-preserved temples to be built in Bagan. After that, enjoy a scenic drive through exotic temples to visit the local lacquerware workshop to see how people create a unique item in Bagan that famous worldwide.
Before sunset, drive to the sunset hill. Sit back and enjoy the majestic sunset over the sites.
Day 11: Bagan – Fly to Inle Lake
Say goodbye to the cabin crew and check out to get back to the land and take a domestic flight to Heho – the gateway to Inle Lake, one of the most productive lakes in the world. On arrival, welcome by our local guide at the airport and we quickly transfer to Nyaung Shwe town for a cozy lunch.
Following your afternoon with a scenic boat trip through the unworldly beauty of the floating gardens to visit Nga Phe Chaung Monastery – the largest monastery on Inle Lake.
Day 12: Inle Lake Excursion to Indein
A full day to explore Inle Lake. Power up your morning with a boat trip through the narrow creek to reach the exotic village of Indein. Spend your leisure time to explore the Shwe Indein Pagoda complex with over 1000 thousands of ancient stupas.
On the way back, visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the most sacred pagoda in Southern Shan State. Inside the pagoda house the 5 sacred Buddha images which are over 800 years old. After that, return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 13: Inle Lake – Yangon
Say goodbye to Inle Lake this morning to board a domestic flight to Yangon. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
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