The Road to Mandalay . . . and Back

Duration: 9 Days/8 Nights
Routing: Yangon - Inle - Mandalay - Bagan - Yangon (Myanmar)

Mandalay is the destination, but the journey makes it even more worthwhile. On the way, visit booming Yangon, placid Inle Lake and the archeological wonders of Bagan. In Mandalay, a visit to the nearby ancient city of Mingun always pleases.

Evening arrival at Yangon International Airport. After completing customs and visa formalities, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel in Yangon.

Meals: none
Accommodation: see below

In the morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing includes Chaukhtatkyi Pagoda, a colossal reclining Buddha. Later, leave for Yangon airport to take a flight to Heho. Arrive at Heho airport and transfer to Nyaung Shwe for a cruise to the hotel overlooking the water.

Overnight at your hotel at Inle.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: see below

Have breakfast at the hotel. Today we are driving to unique and magical Inle Lake, located about 1000 meters above sea level and 22 km long by 11 km wide. Watch the fisherman rowing in the one-legged style that is characteristic of Inle Lake boatmen. See gardens of grass and earth, used for growing vegetables, floating on the surface of this shallow lake. Also visit the ‘jumping cats’ monastery, Phaungdaw U Pagoda and silk weaving.

Overnight at your hotel at Inle.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: see below

Breakfast is at the hotel. We continue our Inle Lake sightseeing with a visit to Indein and its enchanting 16th century pagodas. To reach Indein and the nearby village we will take a boat ride up a small scenic creek that runs into Inle Lake.

In the afternoon, leave for Heho airport to fly to Mandalay. Arrive in Mandalay and transfer to the hotel. Your evening is at leisure.

Overnight at your hotel in Mandalay.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: see below

Eat breakfast at the hotel. Travel with your guide to Mandalay jetty where we take a short and pleasant ride upriver to Mingun, the site of what would have been the world’s largest zedi had not King Bodawpaya died in 1819, thus halting all further work. Later an earthquake in 1838 split the monument and reduced it to partial rubble. Nonetheless, it is still a very impressive sight as we approach from the river. Nearby we can also visit the Mingun Bell, moved from the zedi after the earthquake and now hung in a newer shrine. It is said to be the largest hanging uncracked bell in the world. Return to Mandalay.

In the afternoon visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, gold leaf hammering, Kuthodaw Pagoda, Shwenandaw Monastery and Mandalay Hill.

Overnight at your hotel in Mandalay.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: see below

After breakfast, depart from Mandalay Port for a fascinating journey onboard the local Mandalay-Bagan ferryboat service. Spend the entire day (about 9 hours) lazily cruising down the fabled Ayeyarwady River enjoying the sights and sounds of the river life. Arrive at Bagan and transfer to the hotel. Depending on the arrival time, your guide may take you to do some sightseeing.
Overnight at your hotel in Bagan.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: see below

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then go on a sightseeing tour of one of Asia's most popular archeological destinations. Highlights include visits to Nyaung Oo Market; and many of Bagan’s distinctive pagodas such as Shwezigon, a prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Wetkyi-in-Gubyaukgyi, a 13th century cave temple with interesting fine frescoes; Ananda Pagoda, one of the finest, largest and best preserved in Old Bagan; and next to it Ananda Ok Kyaung, one of the few surviving brick monastery buildings from the Early Bagan period.
We return to the hotel for a rest before our afternoon visit to a lacquerware factory. We will also visit Dhammayangyi Pahto, a massive later period temple with the finest brickwork in Bagan. Then as the sun goes down we will be at one of the ideal viewing sites selected by our tour guide.

Overnight at your hotel in Bagan.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: see below

Eat breakfast and then leave for Bagan airport to fly to Yangon. Arrive in Yangon and check in to your hotel. Your guide will take you sightseeing. Highlights include the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda; and the National Museum, filled with artifacts and cultural exhibits of Myanmar.

Overnight at your hotel in Yangon.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: see below

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight onward.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: none