14 - DAY MYANMAR TOUR

Yangon-Bago-Kyaiktiyo-Bagan-Mandalay-Pyin Oo Lwin- Heho-Pindaya-Inle Lake - Yangon

 Yangon ( -L/-)

Day 1: Meet on arrival at Yangon International Airport . If arriving by morning or mid-day flight, transfer to hotel. Proceed on a sightseeing tour that includes the old colonial-style city centre, the gilded Sule Pagoda, dating back over two thousand years and Bogyoke Market (Scott Market). the tour continues to Chaukhtatgyi, a huge reclining Buddha Image, followed by a photo stop at Karaweik Hall, a replica of a royal floating barge. An extended visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world's most spectacular religious monuments; the golden dome of the Shwedagon Pagoda rises ninety eight meters above its base and is covered with sixty tons of pure gold. this visit will conclude the day's sightseeing tour of this picturesque Garden City, If arriving on a late afternoon flight, transfer to hotel only. Dinner on own account.

Overnight in Yangon .

Yangon-Bago-Kyaiktiyo (B/L/D)

Day 2 : After an early breakfast, drive via Bago to Kin Pun base camp (194 km- 5 hrs). Lunch at a simple local restaurant en route or at the camp. Continue to Kyaiktiyo (the Golden Rock), a huge boulder completely covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of the cliff. A journey the upper level will be in open trucks, which are apt to be crowded. From the upper area travelers must walk the final stage (approximately 4 km) up steep paths, which ascend some five hundred meters to the Golden Rock. On arrival, watch the beauty of the sunset at this important pilgrimage site. Dinner.

Overnight in Kyaiktiyo.

Kyaiktiyo- Bago- Yangon (B/L/-)

Day 3 : Breakfast. Return to Bago (110 km-3½ hours). Sightseeing includes the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which is over a thousand years old. Its spire is even taller than that of Yangon 's Shwedagon Pagoda. the fifty five meter long reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha Image is among the country's most revered. Lunch at local restaurant in Bago. Continue to Yangon (84 km-1½ hrs). En route visit Kyaik Pun Buddha Images, four 30 meter-high Buddha figures seated back to back facing the four points of the compass; the Allied War Graves Cemetery near Htaukkyant and a tree shrine dedicated to legendary animist spirits known as nats. Dinner on own account.

Overnight in Yangon .

Yangon- Bagan (B/L/D) Day 4: Breakfast. Early morning transfer to Yangon Airport . Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways flight from Yangon to Bagan. Beginning from arrival at the airport your full day Bagan sightseeing tour includes a visit to Nyaung Oo Market, Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of Myanmar Stupas, 12 th Century frescoes adorning the corridors of the Kyansittha Cave Temple .

The tour also includes Wet Gyi Inn, Gu Byauk Gyi Temple, with its superb mural paintings of Jataka scenes, Htilominlo Temple noted for its plaster carvings, and Ananda Temple , an architectural master piece with a base resembling a Greek Cross. Afternoon: visit Manuha Temple in Mon Style built in 1059, Nan Paya Temple, a unique sand stone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha, Myin Ga Bar Gu Byauk Gyi Temple which has fine mural paintings and is under the protection of UNESCO. At the end of the day proceed to Bu Paya Pagoda or Mingala Zedi Stupa to watch the sunset over the majestic Ayeyarwaddy River . Lunch & dinner.

Overnight in Bagan.

Bagan- Salay- Mt. Popa (B/L/D)

Day 5: Breakfast. Morning drive to Salay where you can observe Yokesone Kyaung, the oldest surviving wooden monastery hall bearing the original 121 - year old sculptures, which include nearly three-dimensional carvings of 19 th century court life and scenes from the Jataka and Ramayana tales. Lunch.

Proceed to Mt. Popa , the core of an extinct volcano last active 250,000 years ago, known as the " Mt. Olympus " of Myanmar , the abode of Myanmar 's most powerful nats; it is one of the most important Nat Worship Center . Enjoy the sunset from Mt. Popa . Return to Bagan. Dinner.

Overnight in Bagan.

Bagan- Meikhtila- Mandalay (B/L/D)

Day 6: Breakfast. Overland drive (300km - 8 hrs) to Mandalay via Meikhtila, with a stop for lunch at a local restaurant en route. Continue to Mandalay a scenic journey of varied agricultural landscapes and small villages. Late afternoon arrival in Mandalay .Dinner.

Overnight in Mandalay .

Mandalay - Mingun (B/L/D)

Day 7: Breakfast. Morning boat trip to Mingun, just 12 km on the west bank, upstream from Mandalay . Upon arrival, visit Pondaw Paya, a five metre high working model of the gigantic and half completed Mingun Pahtotawgyi Pagoda; Settaawya Paya, the vaulted shrine with a footprint of the Buddha; the Mingun Pahtotawgyi Paya, King Bodaw Phaya's ambitious but unsuccessful project to build one of the world's largest chedis; the world renowned ringing Mingun Bell weighing ninety tons; Hsinbyume Paya, a representation of the Sulamani Paya which stands atop Mt. Meru. Return to Mandalay . Lunch.

Afternoon sightseeing includes visits to the Shwi Inn Bin Monastery, one of the rare specimens of typical Myanmar architecture, and the Tapestry Industry Complex, Zaygyo Market; Shwenandaw Kyaung or Golden Palace Monastery, a superb traditional wooden building; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the World's Biggest Book with the collection of seven hundred and twenty nine stone slabs on which are inscribed the whole of the Buddhist scriptures; Mahamuni Buddha Image, covered with thick layers of gold leaf. Continue to marble carving and bronze carving cottage industries. In the evening enjoy the sunset from Mandalay Hill. Dinner.

Overnight in Mandalay .

Mandalay - Amara pure-Inwa (Ava)-Sagaing (B/L/D)

Day 8: Breakfast. Morning excursion to AMARAPURA, (the Eternal City), 11 km south of Mandalay . this trip will take you to Mahagandayon Monastery where more than a thousand monks live and study. Continue to U Bein Wooden Bridge built in 1782. And visit the Myanmar traditional hand-weaving silk workshop. Continue to AVA; tour highlights include the twenty seven metre-high Masonry Watch Tower , the Mai Nu's brick and stucco Monastery; AVA Bagaya Monastery built with two hundred and seventy six teak pillars and visit the Myanmar traditional alms bowls workshop. Lunch. Afternoon - cross AVA Bridge , built by British engineers, to visit picturesque Sagaing Hill which is perhaps the living center of the Buddhist faith in Myanmar today. the hillsides are dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Continue on to visit the Kaungmudaw Pagoda, with its huge spherical dome in the Ceylonese ( Sri Lanka ) style. In the evening, enjoy the sunset from the Sagaing Hill. Return to Mandalay . Dinner.

Overnight in Mandalay .

Mandalay - Pyin Oo Lwin (B/L/D)

Day 9: Breakfast. Drive (80 km-2hrs) on a scenic route to the cool hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo). Visit downtown colonial-buildings and the central market. Proceed to the Canda Craig Hotel , built in 1905 in the style of an English country home. A coffee or tea break and an opportunity to take photos of this classic place. Unique, brightly painted miniature stage coaches, drawn by lively teams of horses, are waiting to carry travelers to the National Kandawgyi Gardens , the beautiful botanical gardens of Pyin Oo Lwin. the journey by stagecoach takes approximately twenty five minutes. After lunch proceed to Peik Chyin Myaung Caves , a Buddhist shrine since ancient times. Stop at a winemaking shop before returning by road to Mandalay . Dinner.

Overnight in Mandalay .

Mandalay - Heho- Pindaya (B/L/D)

Day 10: Breakfast. Transfer to Mandalay Airport for domestic flight to Heho. Upon arrival, drive to Pindaya (60 km-1½hrs). Visit the unique Pindaya Caves with thousands of Buddha Images placed there by pilgrims over the span of many centuries. Lunch & dinner.

Overnight in Pindaya.

Pindaya- Inle Lake (B/L/D)

Day 11 : Breakfast. Drive to Nyaung Shwe (90km-2½hrs). Boat travel on Inle Lake . Full day sightseeing of Inle Lake; tour high lights include the five-day market at one of the villages; watch the native boat men with their unique method rowing and fishing; visit to gold and silver smith workshops at Ywama Village; cheroot and boat making workshops in Nan Pan Village. Continue visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, housing five sacred and the heavily gilded and almost shapeless Buddha Images. Lunch. Afternoon - visit the Shan shoulder bag weaving center; floating garden and Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, better known as the "Jumping Cat Monastery", a beautiful old teak wood building. If time allows visit a village to see village life. Dinner.

Overnight in Inle Lake .

Inle Lake (B/L/D)

Day 12: Breakfast. Morning - leave the hotel by boat for the south bank of Inle Lake to study life on the Lake with more original and typical native-style cottages. Lunch. Afternoon - a boat trip to Intain Village , the west bank of Inle Lake . And then visit Shwe Intain Pagoda to see old stupas; take a walk and cross beautiful bamboo forest and small dams. Continue to visit bamboo hat making workshop. Return to hotel. Dinner.

Overnight in Inle Lake .

Inle Lake - Yangon (B/L/-)

Day 13: Breakfast. Leave the hotel by boat and drive down to Heho Airport . Lunch. Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways flight from Heho to Yangon . Transfer to hotel.

Dinner on own account.

Overnight in Yangon .

Yangon (B/-/-)

Day 14: Breakfast. Travelers arriving mid-day on Day 1 will transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure. For those having arrived in the afternoon, a morning of sightseeing will include the city highlights as shown on Day 1 of the itinerary, then transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure.

Services Include:

•  Accommodation with breakfast at hotels.

•  Meals as specified (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) in the itinerary.

•  All entrance fees

•  Transfer and tours with Diamond Dragon's Tour Operator service.

•  One tour leader FOC for every 15 full-paying participants.