10 DAY MYANMAR CLASSIC TOURS

Fly overnight to the vibrant city of Yangon. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Head downtown to the Central Post Of ce from where we will begin our tour. Encompassing the colonial highlights and more traditional architecture, stroll Strand Road and Pansodan Street. Visit the National Museum before exploring the magni cent Shwedagon Pagoda whose huge golden stupa dominates the
city’s skyline. The apex of the stupa is studded with hundreds of priceless gems that glint in the sunshine. This is Burma’s most sacred Buddhist site and is purported to have four relics of former Buddhas enshrined within.

Fly to Bagan. Burma’s central plains have played host to many old kingdoms, each contributing temples and pagodas to the thousands that still dot the area today. Upon arrival, visit Nyaung U Market and Shwezigon Pagoda, where a replica of Buddha’s tooth is enshrined. Later visit Htilominlo Pagoda, Ananda Temple and see craftsmen at work at a lacquerware workshop. Enjoy a spectacular sunset from the summit of the 12-storey Aureum Watch Tower, which gives incredible views over the temples and plain.

Travel to Mt Popa, an extinct volcano, and visit Taung Kalat, the breathtaking Buddhist Monastery perched on its summit. Stop at a toddy palm plantation before taking a boat trip on the Irrawaddy River to view the sunset. Mt Popa is the spiritual home of 37 nats, or animist spirits and you’ll see many locals who have come here to worship them. Return to Bagan.

Fly to Mandalay and start exploring. Transfer to Mahamuni Pagoda, the Golden Palace Monastery and Kuthodaw Pagoda. Next set sail up the Irrawaddy River to Mingun to visit one of the world’s largest bells; Hsinbyume Paya; and the imposing Mingun Pagoda, a red brick structure that would have been the world’s largest pagoda if it had been completed. Visit a silk workshop and a Kalaga tapestries workshop before nishing the day on Mandalay Hill.

Drive to Amarapura and visit Mahagandayon Monastery, a place of monastic study and home to several thousand young monks. Later, travel to the Sagaing Hills, where you’ll nd its forested slopes crowded with temples and pagodas. Continue tVoIEtThNAeMTha Kya Di Kya nunnery before proceeding to the U Bein Bridge for a sunset boat ride, the best way to really appreciate the world’s longest teak bridge!

Fly to Heho and drive to Inle Lake via Shwe Yan Pyay monastery. The lake is best known for the extraordinary ‘Intha’ people, who live on and around the water, and are renowned for their unique rowing technique. Out on the lake, see the oating gardens before visiting Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, Nga Phe Monastery and Inpawkhon weaving village on the lake’s banks.

Transfer by boat to the western shore of the lake to explore the crumbling Indein Pagoda complex. Walk to a nearby village to see the locals farming with traditional techniques. Pass through the rice elds
to Saema to meet the friendly villagers, and to visit the local primary school.

Return to Heho and y to Rangoon. On arrival, browse the famous Bogyoke market to pick up any last minute souvenirs. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before a late afternoon visit to Botataung Pagoda. This evening, stroll around Chinatown, visiting a temple as you go.

End of the trip, transfer to the airport for departure flight.