7 DAYS /6 NIGHTS - BURMA'S HIGHLIGHTS IN ONE WEEK vice versa

(MANDALAY - HEHO - INLE LAKE  -  INDEIN - HEHO - BAGAN - YANGON  - GOLDEN ROCK - YANGON)
 

DAY 1: MANDALAY / ARRIVAL

Midday arrival in Mandalay and drive into Mandalay city, visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, with its spectacular Buddha image covered in thick layers of gold leaf, proceed to a little workshop which produces the famous gold leaves this ‘MUST SEE’ is one of the still ancient gold leaf producer (yes the leaves which are now decorating the Mahamuni Buddha). Time surely stood still here. Half-naked men in over 20 gold leaf workshops in Mandalay pound 12 gram gold pieces into the thinnest flat gold sheet ever:  0.75 inch wide and 5 feet long which then divided into 200 pieces. A coconut timer counts each time for 3 minutes and few seconds to sink completely into water… Follow the whole procedure! Then visit the Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings, Atumashi Monastery and the Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world’s Biggest Book for its stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures. 

 

In the later afternoon proceed to Amarapura the “City of Immortals” and once the capital of upper Burma until 1850. As was the custom, most of the important wooden palaces and monasteries were taken down and transported to the new capital in Mandalay. Visit to a house of hand weaving looms, where, they produce silk and cotton textiles. Amarapura’s silk has a very unique pattern, sometimes; some patterns even take 3 months to finish a longyi. Then have a leisure walk at U Bein teak wood bridge, which is over 150 years old. Atmosphere during sunset is sometimes spectacular! Overnight in Mandalay.

 

DAY 2: MANDALAY - HEHO - INLE LAKE

Take a morning flight to Heho. On arrival drive to Nyaung Shwe, a town at the north of Inle Lake. From there take an Inthar Style sampa for your excursion on Inle Lake (25 km) famous for its unique one-leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing and village life. Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda housing five sacred and almost shapeless Buddha images, contorted because of the quantity of applied gold leaf, gifts from the believers. The Buddha images are reported to have come here in the 12th Century. In the afternoon, proceed to the silk weaving village of In Phaw Khon and visit Nga Phe Chaung (the biggest and oldest monastery around Inle Lake). Overnight at Inle Lake.

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DAY 3:  INLE LAKE - INDEIN - HEHO - BAGAN

After breakfast visit one of the markets which are held on a 5-days rotation basis. Take an Inthar Style sampa for your excursion  and after the visit of the market continue to Indein (appr. 1 ½ hour drive) to see the ancient Bagan + Shan style pagodas, built during Bagan Period, passing the beautiful scenery with tall grasses and little water steps. The ruin pagodas, hidden in the bushes will give you an impression that you were back to the 12th century. Back to Nyuangshwe from where you will have the transfer to the Heho airport for your flight to Bagan. Upon arrival in Bagan, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Bagan

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DAY 4:  BAGAN - YANGON
Morning visist of the colourful market in Nyuang Oo. Today enjoy the whole day at the most extensive archaeological site in Asia. Bagan has over 2,000 temples and pagodas of various sizes in varying states of repair and spread across the plain. Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; Gubyaukgyi, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scenes and Ananda Temple with four huge standing Buddha images and numerous seated figures and niches around the galleried interior. In the afternoon visit lacquer ware home industry; Manuha Temple built in Mon style from 1059 and Nanphaya Temple, said to have once been the residence of King Manuha; Gu Byauk Gyi Temple (Wet Kyi Inn), which has very nice frescoes inside. . Take the last late afternoon flight to Yangon. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Explore China town on your own. Overnight in Yangon.

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DAY 5: YANGON - GOLDEN ROCK

Very early morning visit the Shwedagon Pagoda described by Somerset Maugham: "The Shwedagon rose superb, glistening with its gold, like a sudden hope in the dark night of the soul of which the mystics write, glistening against the fog and smoke of the thriving city." This massive bell-shaped stupa rises nearly 100 meters above its hill-top surroundings. Wander through this magnificent structure and its courtyards, stupas, bells, Temples, and Buddha images, and see religious and secular visitors from all parts of the globe. Shwedagon has become the symbol of Myanmar. Proceed to the Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda (a huge reclining Buddha), Karaweik Hall, a Royal floating barge on the Royal Lake for a photo stop.

 

Now continue to Kyaiktiyo and on the way have a short stop over at one of the many tea shops, sip our coffee or tea, buy some local snacks and watch the busy life in the tea shop around you. It is about an appr. 5 hrs. drive till you reach Kinmon Base Camp from where you take an open truck up to the Golden Rock. Visit the Golden Rock a small stupa placed atop the Golden Rock, a massive granite boulder. Covered with gold leaf, and precariously balanced over the edge of the mountain, it is reported to be held in place, “balanced on hairs of the Buddha”. Watch hundreds of pilgrims lighting candles, incense, and worshipping at this sacred monument, and enjoy the sun setting behind it. Enjoy the early after dark activities at the shrine. Overnight in Kyaikityo.

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DAY 6: KYAKTIYO  (GOLDEN ROCK) -  BAGO - YANGON

After breakfast walk part way down the mountain, and then continue the journey by car to the small village of Kyaikhto. At around 10 am arrive in Bago and visit one of the biggest monasteries in Myanmar.  Watch  how over 1000 monks are waiting in line for their rice to be filled in their monks’ bowl. Continue to  the Shwethalyaung Pagoda (Reclining Buddha), the Shwemawdaw Pagoda and walk from there to the Hintha Gon Pagoda, the place where Bago was founded. Before returning to Yangon vist Kyauk Pun Pagoda for a photo stop on the way to Yangon. Later in the afternoon arrive at your hotel in Yangon. Overnight in Yangon.

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DAY 7: YANGON   INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/DEPARTURE
Before heading to the airport your guide will pick you up at the hotel to get started for an amazing morning experience. Drive to Yangon’s train station (an old colonial building where time still stood still)  and board the slow moving circular train. The 20-30 minute ride is another kind of a glimpse into local life with  activities inside the train and  the outside passing  small wooden settlements and traditional markets. Here you can find everything from fresh vegetables, fruits to fish and chicken, beef and pork meat. A certain smell will  lead you to the popular Burmese pastes… a mix of chilli and fish paste. Sit on tiny chairs in one of the tea shops and enjoy your local breakfast… be it Mohinga (a delicious fish soup served with noodles) or Onou Khoswe (coconut noodles) which comes with coriander, raw onions, boiled eggs and fried been cakes as a side dish. Most of our clients love this dish, although it is a breakfast… Why not give it a try and snack a bit?

Your driver will pick you up at Insein station from where he will bring you to the intl. airport for your flight back home.