| Tour Program Name
|
Grand Myanmar |
|
Type |
Myanmar
Odyssey |
|
Tour Code |
JNC # 05 |
|
Coverage |
Yangon-
Mandalay - Bagan - Inle Lake – Yangon |
|
Duration |
13 Day / 12
Night |
|
Availability |
Round the year |
|
Itineraries:
Day 01 Arrival, Yan gon
Day 02 Yangon <coach>
Day 03 Yangon - Mandalay - Mingun – Mandalay <Flight/boat/coach>
Day 04 Amapura - Sagaing <coach>
Day 05 Ava - Mandalay <coach/horse cart>
Day 06 Mandalay – Bagan <ferry> |
 Day
07 Bagan <coach/horse cart>
Day 08 Bagan <coach/horse cart>
Day 09 Bagan - Kalaw <coach>
Day 10 Klaw - Pindaya - Inle Lake <coach>
Day 11 Inle Lake excursion <boat>
Day 12 Inle - Heho – Yangon <coach/flight>
Day 13 Departure |
Day
01 Arrival Yangon
Arrive at Yangon International airport, transfer to hotel. Yangon
has been the capital of Myanmar since the British transformed it
into their administrative centre of future India. Its impressive
colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most
fascinating capitals of South East Asia. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 02 Yangon city tour <coach>
Breakfast at hotel and city tour in Yangon features: Lively fish and
vegetable market often busy with basic daily life activities,
Kraweik royal barge, Chaukhtatgyi colossal reclining Buddha Image
and Botataung Pagoda <2000 years old> said to have enshrinement of
Buddha hair relic carried by 8 Indian monks. Walk around the harbor
and a glance at historic Strand hotel and down town Yangon with
central post office, custom house and high court to observe the
colonial heritage in Yangon.
Afternoon visit Shwedagon Pagoda "rising 326 feet, glittering with
gold like sudden hope in the dark night of the soul" write by
Somerset Maugham in his Gentlemen in the parlor certainly claimed to
be the world richest golden stupa of two thousand five hundred years
old. The golden dome rises 98 meters above its base and is covered
with 60 tons of pure gold along with numeric precious stones such as
jade, ruby, sapphire and diamond including a 76 carat solid diamond
on its top. Overnight in Yangon. |
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Day 03 Yangon - Mandalay -
Mingun – Mandalay <boat/coach>
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for your Mandalay bound
flight <approx 1 hour 20 minute>. Mandalay <founded 1857 by king
Mindon> is the last kingdom as well as the center of the Myanma
cultural, tradition, arts and crafts has long been known as a centre
of skilled craftsmanship and in former times supplied the royal
courts. A four of traditional workshops includes crafts such as
woodcarving, marble masonry, Kalaga tapestry and gold leaf making
etc. Upon arrival at Mandalay airport meet and greet by Journeys
representative and proceed to Mayan Chan jetty often busy with
buffaloes logging on the Myanma superlative teak and people working
with the Bamboo rafting etc. Board on a local fishermen boat for
Mingun across Ayeyarwady river <11 km, approx 1 hour> across
Ayeyarwady river. Observe the world's largest ringing bell casted by
Bodawpaya in 1080 weighing 55555 viss which calculated equal to 90
tons and Mingun Pahtodawgyi, an enormous pile of bricks is all that
remain of King Bodawpaya ambition to make it the world's largest
Buddhist stupa. Other tour highlights are Settawya Pagoda with a
marble foot print of Buddha and Shin Byu Me Pagoda built in 19
century by King Bagyidaw, Bodawpaya's grandson in memory of one of
his wives. Return to Mandalay and check in at hotel. After a brief
fresh up continue visit traditional handicraft making process such
as wood carving, tapestry weaving, gold leaf hammering etc. Late
afternoon visit foot of Mandalay hill to observe "the largest book"
at Kuthodaw Pagoda where entire Buddhist canon <Tripitaka> have been
recorded on stone tablets totaling 729 in number. Shwenandaw "Golden
Palace Monastery" <ex-palace complex of former Myanmar kings>, to
observe finest Myanmar wooden architecture and Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, a
large Buddha Image carved out of single block of marble. Overnight
in Mandalay.
Day 04 Amapura - Sagaing –
Mandalay <coach> 
Breakfast at hotel and visit Phayagyi to observe the most revered
Mahamuni Image brought by Kind Bodawpaya in 1784 from Rakhine. The 4
meter seated Image was believed to have been casted in 1st century
AD but over the year of offering gold leaf offering the figure is 15
meter thicket by gold. There is daily Mahamuni face washing ceremony
held 4 am every day and is a good opportunity to experience it.
After a visit to stone carving, bronze casting and silk weaving
process continue to ancient capital of Amapura "meaning city of
immortality". Visit Mahagandayon Monastery, home to several thousand
of Buddhist navies and monks and observe the lunch process. Proceed
to Sagaing, covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries,
Sagaing hill is widely regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar
and is home of 6000 monks and nun, 100 meditation centers. On your
way visit traditional bronze casting, silver smith works which
Sagaing is famous for. Sagaing become the capital of independence of
Shan around 1315 after fall of Bagan. Visit Tilawkaguru cave temple
filled with impressive mural painting date back from 1672, Umin
Thounzeh cave temple with multitude of seated Buddha statues and
Kaungmudaw Paya, further west towards Monywar is enormous white dome
rise 64 meter. Enjoy fantastic sunset view from the 200 year old U
Bein teak bridge span across Thaungthaman Lake <built in 1782> at
the time when Amarapura was Royal capital. Return to Mandalay.
Overnight in Mandalay.
 Day 05 Ava - Mandalay
<coach/horse cart>
Breakfast at hotel and visit forgotten capital of Ava, having 400
years the longest serve capital of Konebaung Dynasty located across
Myitnge river. Sightseeing by pony cart, Highlight; unique
monasteries and monuments include a look at 88 foot high watchtower,
Bargaya teak monastery built in 1834 which is famous for its teak
pillars amounting to 267 in total and the remains of the royal
palace and fort. Return to Mandalay and visit Shwe Inpin wooden
monastery <built in 1895> which is noted for its intricate wood
carvings. Late afternoon visit Mandalay hill <You may either walk up
stairs or drive up> for a fantastic over view of the entire plain.
Overnight in Mandalay.
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Day 06 Mandalay – Bagan <ferry>
Early morning transfer to jetty for your Bagan bound cruise along
majestic Ayeyarwady river to Bagan. A journey on Myanmar Rivers is
one of life’s great travel experiences. It will be of a great
opportunity experience the most interesting areas in Myanmar some of
which can only be visited by river. Bagan,founded as early as in 849
on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy river was the capital of today
Myanmar. The 11th century archaeological site is considered one of
the richest and most amazing site in Asia, comparable to the sites
of worldwide importance such as Jerusalem, and Rome however Bagan
remain virtually un-known. This once splendid and glorious capital
of the First Myanmar Empire, is now a 42 square km area dotted with
thousands of ancient pagodas, stupas, shrines, ordination halls and
monuments. Upon arrival at Bagan port meet and greet by Journeys
representative and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 07 Bagan <coach / horse
cart>
Breakfast at hotel and explore Bagan archaeological zone.
Highlights; Gawdawpalin <built by King Narapati Sithu 1174-1211> one
of the largest and most imposing Monument in Bagan, Shwegugyi temple
of transitional in style between the early and late Bagan period
<built by king Alaungsithu 1113-1163>, Thabyinnyu temple <built by
King Alaung Sithu in 1113>, the highest monument of universal
science, Shwesandaw temple <built by king Anawratha 1044-1077> for
panoramic view of entire ruins, Dhammyangyi <built by king Narathu
1163-1165> unique of double Image of Buddha, Myingabar Gubyaukgyi ,
meaning "great painted cave temple" for its exquisite mural
paintings, Myazedi pillar inscribed in four language mainly Myanmar,
Mon, Pali and Pyu, Manhua temple with captive king's impression of
life imprisonment and Abeyadana temple famous for it’s fine mural
paintings on Mahayana Buddhism. Visit one of the lacquer ware
workshop to observe process of traditional Myanmar souvenir. Enjoy
sunset from either newly built watch tower or one of the ruins.
Overnight in Bagan.
Day 08 Bagan <coach/horst
cart>
If you are enthusiastic enough you may enjoy the fantastic sunrise
view from one of the ruin.
Breakfast at hotel and visit attractive Nyaung Oo market, continue
visit 11 century Shwezigon Pagoda built by King Anawratha
<1044-1077> but finished by King Kyansittha <1084-1113>. The
Shwezigon derives its name from Jeyyabhumi 'Golden Victory' with its
magnificent golden stupa, Wetkyi Inn Gubyaukgyi temple to observe
original 12 century Mural paintings, frescoes and base-relief works,
Htilominlo, temple, a massive structure of 150 ft height <built by
king Htilominlo 1211-1234> where frescoes representing 28 Buddha of
the future and finally Anandar temple <build in 1090 by King
Kyansittha>, the best preserved masterpieces of Mon architecture and
near by brick monastery, one of the few survived from Bagan period.
Afternoon visit one of the local village to observe daily life style
and perhaps a social and cultural interaction with the local through
your guide. Enjoy sunset from either newly built watch tower or one
of the ruins. Overnight in Bagan.
Afternoon visit traditional Lacquer-ware workshop to observe the process of
making unique Myanmar souvenir. Continue to Mylnkaba
Gubyaukkyi, an early period
Pyu style temple with Hindu influence old mural paintings,
Manuha temple where
captive king Manuha was imprisonment. Enjoy sunset view from one of the ruins.
Overnight in Bagan. |
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Day 09 Bagan - Kalaw
<coach>
Breakfast at hotel and overland drive to Kalaw <288 km, approx 8
hour> through the dry zone passing through small groves of toddy
palms, toddy climbers to harvest juice to produce an alcoholic
beverage and toddy shacks which lie amongst the groves etc. You will
notice Htanaung, Neem, Tamarind, Cotton and toddy palm,
characteristic dry zone trees are a constant feature along with
typical dry zone crops like maize, chilies, pulses, sesame, onions
and groundnuts. Clouds of dust rise from the bullock cart tracks
beside the road. As you pass Thazi Presently the road ascends ever
so slightly and then flattens again. Htanaung and rain trees are no
longer present. Instead clumps of bamboo and plum trees appear
beside the road. As you climb through twisting and turning winding
road more bamboo forests appear with smaller trees with darker green
interspersed on the hills. The road becomes even for some distance
then rises again on a steeper gradient. The vegetation is greener,
the trees larger with denser foliage as we advance. Small hamlets in
valleys and lowland along the wayside look fresh and verdant with
banana, coconut, mango and other trees. At an altitude of about 600
meters, the scenery is pleasant, the surroundings are lush and
green, the air is cooler and the rays of the sun struggling through
the mists bear down more gently. Kalaw, former British hills station
town stuates 1400 meters above sea-level, on the rim of the Shan
Plateau in the Pineland. Cool, spring-like weather, pine forests,
tea plantations and colorfully clad hill tribes make this town to a
natural magnet. Overnight in Kalaw.
During your stay at this region you will come across one of the
enchanting regional 5 day market rotates among the villages. On
these particular days the market usually crowded with ethnic
minorities such as Shan, Palaung, Pa O, Dhanu etc trading their
local product in to other daily necessities.
Day 10 Kalaw - Pindaya
- Inle Lake <coach>
Breakfast at hotel and depart for Pindaya cave <48 km, approx 1
hour>. Pindaya, situate at the foot of Mene-taung range is known to
the world as the home of the countless Buddha Images in its
extensive lime stone caves and picturesque lake. The road to Pindaya
winds over the rolling hills of the Shan plateau through colorful
mustard and whet field. The limestone caves contain a maze of
chambers with about 10000 Buddha statues. Some of them are tiny,
others are huge, and are made of white marble, bronze or plaster,
coated with gold leaf. Some of the smaller caves within the complex
serve as meditation chambers. Explore around wonder of the mystery
cave and near by Po O traditional paper umbrella making process.
Proceed to Inle Lake <91 km, approx 2 hour>. Inle Lake, the second
largest natural lake in Myanmar with 14 miles long and 7 miles wide,
situate 1320 meter above the sea level among the hazy blue
mountains. Overnight in Inle Lake.
Day 11 Inle Lake private excursion <boat>
Traveling on the lake is an exhilarating experience for nature
lovers and a chance to observe the unique traditions of the Intha
people. Breakfast at hotel and board on a traditional long and tall
motorized boat for a sightseeing tour of the lake. Traveling on the
lake is an exhilarating experience for nature lovers and a chance to
observe the unique traditions of the Intha people. Wonder unique leg
rowing fishermen, floating firms <built up from strips of water
hyacinth and mud which anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles>,
houses and monasteries on the stilt etc. Visit Indein ruins complex
with pagoda and stupas built in the 8th century. Enjoy rows of shops
along the corridor up hill. Return to Inle and continue visit
floating village of Ywama, the lake's downtown and largest village
on the Inlay Lake, 11 century Phaungdaw Oo pagoda housing five
sacred Buddha Images, the weaving village of Inpawkhon, famous for
traditional silk-weaving, Se Gaung Village, famous for the
blacksmith work and Nan Pan Village with cheroot making and
boat-building dockyards etc and end your day with a visit famous
Ngaphechaung, a museum like monastery where old belongings of many
monasteries are restored. Overnight in Inle Lake. |
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Day 12
Inle - Heho – Yangon <coach / flight> Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Heho <27 km, approx 1 hour> for
Yangon bound flight. Upon arrival at Yangon airport meet and greet
by Journeys representative and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon if
free and best to explore Bogyoke market, formally know as Scott
Market, a sprawling 75 year old shopping complex noted for its
variety of handicrafts and other items which provide an excellent
opportunity for a shopping spree. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 13 DepartureBreakfast at hotel
and visit local glasswork to observe traditional way of making
unique hand made local glassware. Afternoon transfer to airport for
your onward departure to conclude this unique experience. |
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