Brief Itinerary:
Duration: 12 days/10 nights
Tour Routine: Mandalay – Sagaing & Ava – Yandabo – Pakokku – Bagan – Mt Popa – Inle Lake – Indein – Yangon – Golden Rock – Hpa An – Bago – Yangon
Start/End: Mandalay/Yangon
Tour Style: River Cruise, Landscape, In-depth Cultural
Guides: Myanmar Local Guide (English Speaking Guide, Other Languages upon Request)
Transportation: Private First-class Air-conditioned Vehicles
Pre-cruise
Day 1: Mandalay Arrival
3-Night Cruises with Anawrahta
Day 2: Mandalay Embarkation – Sagaing & Ava
Day 3: Ava – Yandabo – Pakokku
Day 4: Pakokku – Bagan – Temple Tour
Day 5: Bagan – Mt Popa/Village Discovery
Day 6: Bagan – Disembarkation – Fly to Inle Lake
Post-cruise
Day 7: Inle Lake – Indein – Afternoon Fly to Yangon
Day 8: Yangon City Tour
Day 9: Yangon – Golden Rock
Day 10: Golden Rock – Hpa An
Day 11: Hpa-An – Bago – Yangon
Day 12: Yangon – Departure
Full Itinerary:
Day 1: Mandalay Arrival
Mingalabar! Welcome to Mandalay, the royal capital of Myanmar. Today, welcome by Go Myanmar’s local guide at the airport, then transfer directly to the hotel in the city for check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to relax in your hotel.
Day 2: Mandalay Embarkation – Sagaing & Ava
This morning, meet your guide at the hotel’s lobby to take a drive to the port to embark on Anawrahta cruise ship. After settling into your cabin, we set sail to Sagaing, an important religious center in Myanmar which is famous for green hills studded with white and gold pagodas. As the ship reaches Sagaing, leave the ship to take a short excursion to discover the highlights on the Sagaing Hill. You might visit Soon U Pon Nya Shin Paya – one of the oldest and richest pagodas in Sagaing and U Min Thonze Caves to see an array of Buddha images before moving to Ava, an ancient city of central Myanmar. Get on a horse cart for a sightseeing trip to the city. Visit Maha Aungme Bonzan Monastery, the well-preserved brick monastery exposing the finest example of Burmese architecture in the 19th century. Then gaze out at Nan Myint watchtower, a historical landmark of the city. Fulfill your sightseeing tour with the visit to Bagaya Kyaung, a jaw-dropping teak monastery built in the 19th century.
After getting back to the ship, learn more about some of the long-lasting traditions by watching the cultural demonstrations on board. Learn how to wear Longyi (the traditional dress) and Tanaka (Burmese make-up powder).
Late afternoon, sipping a cocktail and behold the enchanting sunset on the river.
Day 3: Ava – Yandabo – Pakokku
Wake up early this morning to behold the majestic sunrise of Myanmar. Then, to strengthen your health, take part in a yoga class on the sundeck to strengthen your health and power up for a new day of adventure.
While the ship sailing to Yandabo this morning, attend a lecture at Mandalay Lounge to learn about the history of Bagan. Then enjoy your own time, you can continue to stay in the sundeck and marvel at the landscape passing or enjoy some treatment at the spa on the boat.
In the afternoon till the ship dock at the quay, leave the ship to visit the peaceful Yandaboo pottery village. You will see a very interesting image – the traditional women in the village carry things on their heads. Take leisure walk to the village, we will visit some families to gain more insight into their way of life. If you want, let try your hand on making pottery on your own!
Next up return to the ship and we continue sailing to Pakokku.
This evening, join in a special activity: “A toast to the past” where you will have a chance to meet with every passenger on board. Take this chance to share your own story.
Day 4: Pakokku – Bagan – Temple Tour
Today’s morning yoga session will bring you in shape for another day of great exploration. You will then enjoy the breakfast when the ship keeps sailing to Pakokku – a vibrant trading center of Myanmar. Your breathtaking journey will lead you through Pakokku Bridge, the longest bridge of Myanmar. After docking, head to the town to visit the cheroot-rolling factory and the producer of Burmese slippers. From here proceed to the local market for an authentic taste of local flavor. Stroll around the market area to see the local products.
In the afternoon, as the ship reaches Bagan, get off to take a short temple trip. You might visit Ananda Temple, the most beautiful temple in Bagan famous for 4 giant Buddha images. Then visit Sulamani Temple, an impressive and elegant temple with multi-storey structure reflect the architecture from the late Bagan period.
Finally, follow your guide to the sunset hill where you will have a chance to sit back and enjoy the majestic sunset of Bagan over the magnificent sites.
Day 5: Bagan – Mt Popa/Village Discovery
The morning of day 5 delivers you an amazing opportunity to take a hot air balloon trip to marvel at the ancient temple town of Bagan (extra cost, required to book in advance, subject to season).
Next up, start the day with a visit to the lively Nyaung U Market where provides travelers with the best photo moments for the daily life and people in the countryside. Leaving the market, head to Shwezigon Pagoda – the most famous attraction in Bagan. Inside the pagoda where is said to be home to the sacred relic of the Buddha. Listen to your guide to learn more about Buddhist teaching as well as the architecture of the pagoda.
This morning sightseeing finished with a visit to Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi Pagoda to discover the exotic frescoes inside.
This afternoon gives you 2 options:
Option 1: Mt Popa Visit
About 45-minute drive from Bagan, Mt Popa is a spectacular extinct volcano with a dramatic view of the area. At an altitude of 1500 meters above the sea level, the Taung Kalap on the top of Mt Popa is a holy destination for the local pilgrims. Take your time to learn about the 37 Nats (natural spirits) in the monastery.
Option 2: Bagan Village Discovery
What’s a better way to gain more local insight than visiting the lacquerware workshop in Myinkabar Village? Spend your time to chat with the artisan to know how they create the exquisite item from wood, bamboo, and lacquerware.
Day 6: Bagan – Disembarkation – Fly to Inle Lake
This morning check out at Anawrahta cruise and say goodbye to the crew to get back to the land. Then transfer to the airport to take a domestic flight to Inle Lake. On arrival, get on a private boat trip to discover the beauty of Inle Lake. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the most highly revered pagoda in Southern Shan State where enshrines five 800-year-old Buddha images.
Later on, pass through the endless floating gardens – the exceptional agricultural method of the Intha people. Listen to your guide to learn more about the way they create these wonderful gardens.
Finally, fulfill your Inle Lake tour with a visit to the traditional hand-weaving workshop to witness the skillful artisans create the beautiful fabric from lotus stems.
Day 7: Inle Lake – Indein – Afternoon Fly to Yangon
Wake up in the sound of bird-singing this morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast then we board a long-tail boat trip to Indein, the charming village where you will visit the ancient complex of Shwe Indein Temple. Strolling along the stairway, you will meet the Pa-Oh women who dress in colorful attires selling their home-made clothes.
After sightseeing, return to the hotel. After lunch, check out and transfer to the airport to take an afternoon flight to Yangon.
Day 8: Yangon City Tour
Start the day with a visit to Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda – home to the enormous 65 meters long reclining Buddha image. Spend your time to walk around and feel the peaceful ambiance and observe the local pilgrims paying homage to the Buddha.
Next, head to the Sule Pagoda, the 2500-year-old pagoda located in the heart of the city. Take leisure walk to the Mahabandoola Park to save some interesting photos with the Independent Monument and the City Hall before moving to a local restaurant for lunch.
In the afternoon, make your way to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most wonderful Buddhist constructions in the world. Located on the top of the hill with a height of 93 meters, the pagoda can be seen from almost corner of the city. Spend your time here to observe the local pilgrim and see how impressive the pagoda is during sunset.
Day 9: Yangon – Golden Rock
After breakfast this morning, take a scenic drive to Golden Rock (5 hours). On arrival at Golden Rock base camp, continue transferring to the upper area with one of the small open trucks for an hour to the Golden Rock Pagoda. Marvel at the dramatic view of the massive Golden Rock where it is said to enshrine the sacred hair of the Buddha to keep the rock from falling. Enjoy the view at the beautiful valley and breathe the fresh air around you.4
Day 10: Golden Rock – Hpa An
Wake up in the sound of bird-singing this morning to enjoy the early sunrise time, spend your time stroll around the hill sites to enjoy the tranquil scenery in the morning, then return to the hotel and have breakfast. After that, take the truck to get back to the base camp and we transfer to Hpa An – a breathtaking small town to soak in the natural beauty, vibrant market, and witness the magnificent limestone.
You will stop at Kha Yon Cave, a natural cave where people often come to worship and pray for good health and prosperity. There are many Buddha statues and beautiful stalagmites and stalactites formed over the centuries that will be sure to make you swoon!
Next up, head to Kadoe Kawnat village to visit Kawnat Monastery. Here a villager named U Nar Quat, well-known as a wealthy and generous man built this woodcarving monastery a century ago.
As you reach Hpa An, visit Kyauk Kalat, an impressive pagoda perched dramatically on natural rock formations. Take your time to enjoy the natural beauty and save your best photos.
After lunchtime, follow your guide to Kaw Gun Cave, also known as the “Cave of the Ten Thousand Buddhas”. Here walk barefoot through the cave and observe more than 2000 votive tablets of Lord Buddha and Mon inscriptions. Proceed to Sadan Cave to explore its marvelous Buddha statues, wall carving, and golden stupas.
Day 11: Hpa-An – Bago – Yangon
This morning, say goodbye to Hpa-An to drive back to Yangon. On the way, make a stop at Bago, also known as Pegu, the capital of the Mon Kingdom in the 15th century and is a steeped-in-legend town. Spend the whole day exploring with your guide, deepen the knowledge about the history and myths of the city. Marvel at the 55-meter long reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha, the four seated Buddhas at Kyaikpun and the old palace of Kambozathadi. Then admire the Mon-style Shwemawdaw Pagoda which is the most outstanding religious monument in Bago. This golden temple stands at 114 meters tall, even higher than Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda, and can be seen from around 10 kilometers outside of the city.
Afterward, gain more insight into the local’s life with a visit to the city’s market and a Mon neighborhood where the locals produce beautiful woven textiles. Before reaching Yangon, make a stop to visit the Allied War Cemetery – the tranquil place where is the final resting place for more than 27,000 Allied Soldiers who perished during World War II in Myanmar.
Day 12: Yangon – Departure
After breakfast, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure until the driver comes to pick you up to transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Trip ends. Thank you for making your river cruise trip with Go Myanmar Cruises.
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