Myanmar klassisch

Day 01 Yangon – Arrival - Unforgettable Shwedagon
Arrival at Yangon international airport. Meet & greet by your dedicated tour guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. (Early check-in depends on Hotel’s room availability/ is not included in tour price) Then, drive to the heart of downtown Yangon, and during a one-hour leisurely walk enjoy some of the best that colonial-style Yangon has to offer such as the High Court building and the Government Telegraph Office on Pansodan street; both were built in the 1920s & 1930s. Visit and enjoy at the unforgettable Shwedagon Pagoda, world-famous; its golden stupa is the 'heart' of Buddhist Myanmar. The pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa is surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. There are always many Myanmar people praying and making offerings at the Shwedagon, and it's a fascinating place to spend time watching the world go by… Overnight in Yangon.

Day 02 Yangon – Bagan – Discover Bagan (B)
Breakfast. Early morning transfer to Yangon domestic airport for departure flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in. Full-day Bagan sightseeing tour with a visit to Taung Bi market in Old Bagan. Continue to see the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda. Pass through Tharaba Gateway into Old Bagan. Continue to Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddhas. Make a photo stop at the tallest temple measuring 61 m. - Thatbyinnyu known as 'temple of omniscience' and dating from 1144.
In the afternoon, first stop at Mingalazedi, the last of the large pagodas built in the 13th Century. Continue to the Myinkaba area and Gubyaukgyi Temple with its fine stuccowork. Then, visit Dhammayangyi, a massive-looking temple dating from 1170 which is famous for its interlocking mortarless brickwork. Stop at a popular lacquer ware workshops producing this most famous of Bagan handicrafts. Late afternoon, enjoy a charming half-hour horse-cart ride which will eventually bring you to the Pyathada Pagoda, featuring Bagan’s largest terrace, from which you can enjoy magnificent views over Bagan's vast temple area and the Ayeyarwaddy river around sunset time. Overnight in Bagan.

Day 03 Bagan – Mt. Popa – Mandalay (B)
After breakfast, leave Bagan behind and first drive south-east for a little over 45 km. to reach Popa. En route, shortly after passing Nyaung-U, stop for an interesting visit at “Paing” roadside shop. Here, you can observe how locals climb up toddy trees to harvest the toddy juice. Depending on the time of day, the taste is sweet or rather more bitter. This juice is sometimes popularly called “sky beer”. The juice is also used to make toddy candy, popularly called “jaggery”. Another product is palm oil, and even the leaves are used to weave baskets. In addition, you could witness how in a very local style they use the same to make local alcohol, for drinking or for house medication. Continue to Popa and upon arrival there visit Taungkalat. Mount Popa itself is 1,518 m. high, but our visit focuses on Popa Taungkalat, 737 m. high, its cone-shaped form actually being the core of an extinct volcano. It is also the home of Myanmar’s 37 most important nats (spirits), housed in a shrine at the foot of Taungkalat. The climb to the very top via 777 winding but covered steps is a bit challenging at times, but the reward of the panoramic views of Popa’s surroundings is well worth it. The top houses a monastery and temple. Continue to reach Mandalay late afternoon. En route, there will be possibilities for some short photo stops and one or other brief village visit along the main road.
Late afternoon, upon arrival in downtown Mandalay, transfer to your hotel for check-in. And then visit Mandalay sightseeing tour with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, housing the most revered Buddha image in Mandalay and Upper Myanmar. Stop to see some local handicraft works such as stone & wood carving, and bronze casting. 
Further, en route, observe how gold leaf is beaten into wafer thin pieces which will ornate many of Mandalay’s holy images. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 04 Mandalay – Mingun – Experience Mandalay (B)
After breakfast, drive to the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy river and board your private local boat to visit Mingun, 11 km. north-west of Mandalay. The boat trip is most pleasant and interesting because you can witness local life on the river itself and on its banks. First, visit Settawya Pagoda, built by King Bodawpaya in 1811. It contains a footprint of the lord Buddha. Then, walk over to nearby Mingun Pagoda, whose construction was also commissioned by King Bodawpaya in 1790, but ongoing works stopped in 1819 when he died. Then, in 1838 the unfinished pagoda was struck by an earthquake. The climb to the top is steep, but the reward is a spectacular view over the surroundings. After that, visit nearby Mingun Bell, the world's largest intact hanging bronze bell. Finally, stop at Hsinbyume Pagoda, built by King Bagyidaw in 1816. The pagoda is a representation of the cosmological design of Mt. Meru. The pagoda was seriously damaged in the earthquake of 1838. Return by boat to Mandalay.
Afternoon, Then, arrive at Shwenandaw Monastery, an ancient wooden building with intricate carvings, once the home of King Mindon. Continue to Kuthodaw Pagoda, the 'world’s largest book', a collection of 729 white-washed small stupas housing the Buddhist Scriptures inscribed on marble slabs. Finally, watch the sun set from the top of Mandalay Hill with sweeping views of Mandalay and its surroundings. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 05 Mandalay – Amarapura – Sagaing – Ava – U-Bein – Mandalay (B)
After breakfast transfer to the ancient capital of Amarapura, “City of Immortality”, 11 km. south of Mandalay. First, visit Bagaya monastery which holds a collection of manuscripts written on palm leaves (pe-sa). After that, stop at Mahagandayon monastery, residence to approx. 1,000 monks. Around 10.15 – 10.30 they have their last meal of the day, as after 12 noon monks fast till the next morning. Then, across Sagaing bridge and enjoy picturesque Sagaing Hill, still the beating heart of Buddhist faith in Myanmar today. Numerous monasteries and pagodas dot the hillsides. Visit Soon U Ponya Shin Paya, which offers magnificent sweeping views of its surroundings, and U Min Thounzeh Pagoda, containing 45 Buddha images lined up in a half-moon shape.
Afternoon, re-cross the Ayeyarwaddy river and take a very local ferry to visit Innwa (Ava). A fitting way to visit Innwa is by taking a horse-cart ride. Pass through the ancient city walls to visit Maha Aungmye Bonzan Kyaung, a brick and stucco monastery, also known as Me Nu Oke Kyaung). Continue to Nanmyin Watch Tower, Myanmar’s miniature version of the Pisa tower. Finally, visit Bagaya Kyaung, the impressive wooden monastery entirely built of teak, and supported by 267 teak posts. Return back to Mandalay and, en route, stop and enjoy sunset at U-Bein bridge, over one km. long and almost entirely made of teak, and spanning the Taungthaman Lake. Continue to Mandalay and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 06 Mandalay – Heho – Inle Lake – Hidden Indein – Inle Lake  (B)
After breakfast transfer to Mandalay airport for departure to Heho. Transfer from Heho airport to Nyaung Shwe, the small town at the entrance to Inle Lake. Transfer by long-tail boat to your hotel on the lake for check-in. Balance of the morning at leisure for relaxation.
Early afternoon, travel by long-tail boat to the western shore of the lake. Disembark at Indein jetty and visit the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area (Indein Temple Complex). Located on the very shore of the lake, this site consists of dozens of small ancient stupas overgrown by moss and greens in a jungle-like setting. This gives Indein a special feel and a very particular ambience. Take time to explore the stupa complex itself. It’s also a great opportunity to take some exquisite photos of this unusual place. Return to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Inle Lake.
(Please note that due to safety reasons night transfers by boat on the lake are not allowed by company policy. Thank you for your understanding!)

Day 07 Inle Lake – Explore Inle Lake (B)
After breakfast, get into your private long-tail boat to explore the charm of Inle Lake. Over 20 km. long and more than 10 km. wide, and at 875 m. above sea level, the calm waters of the lake contrast sharp with the surrounding high hills as a backdrop. Apart from offering amateur photographers an exceptional chance to take plenty of great shots, economically Inle lake has over the years become the vegetable and fruit garden for most of the country!
See the lake's unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar, thus they are able to free their hands for fishing and tending to their gardens. The lake’s waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes. Tour Ywama village, one of Inle’s most attractive villages. Watch plenty of floating gardens, where fruit, flowers and mainly vegetables are grown. The 5-day rotational market day in the Inle Lake area has become very popular. Continue by boat to visit Nga Phe Kyaung, primarily of interest for its extensive collection of Buddha images made of different materials, and in various styles and sizes. Next, visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State. Its five uniquely shaped, gilded, but relatively small images are carried around the lake by boat during the annual Inle Boat Procession (usually in the period September / October).
Afternoon, stop at several workshops on and around the lake such as a cheroot (Burmese cigar)-making workshop and a boatbuilding workshop. Finally, stop at Inn Paw Khon village and visit one of the many silk & lotus weaving workshops which produce on wooden hand looms high-quality and colourful textiles, sought after by many, even as far as Yangon and Mandalay. Transfer back by boat to your hotel. Overnight in Inle Lake.
(Please note that due to safety reasons night transfers by boat on the lake are not allowed by company policy. Thank you for your understanding!)

Day 08 Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon – Highlights (B)
After breakfast transfer first by boat and then by road to Heho airport for departure flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in. Then, first visit Bogyoke Aung San (Scott) Market (closed on Mondays and public holidays) to discover Myanmar's wide range of handicrafts. No doubt you will find your preferred item to take back home as a remembrance of your trip to The Golden Land. Then continue to Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, housing a huge reclining Buddha image of over 70 m long. Next, drive along Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake and stop to take some great photos of Karaweik Hall, and across the lake towards the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda. Return to your hotel late afternoon. Accommodation at your hotel in Yangon.

Day 09 Yangon – Departure (B)
After breakfast, time at leisure until transfer to Yangon international airport for departure flight.

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