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Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport in morning (if coming through Bangkok,you can book TG 303 at approximately 9:25AM), group members will be met by national tour guide, and checked into the hotel. In the afternoon, an introductory city tour will include colonial downtown of Old Rangoon around gloriousthe 2000-year-old Sule Pagoda, Strand Road, and Yangon's China Town. Overnight in Yangon.
Early morning scenic drive to Kyaikhtiyo, site of the wondrous Golden Rock pilgrimage site, via Bago with opportunity to photograph the Bago market in early light. Enroute stop to photograph the World War II Cemetery, dedicated to the 27,000 Commonwealth Forces who died in Burma, and the Sittaung Bridge, an area humming with riverside activity. In the afternoon transfer to a special open truck for a 45 minute ascent, then continue the journey up the trail to the Golden Rock on foot, accompanied by the many pilgrims who have walked from the very base of the mountain. (This trail is sometimes steep, but is smooth, and there are covered shelters every 50-100 meters to rest, and have a cold drink. Porters will be available to assist anyone who wishes help, and a "sedan chair" conveyance is available for hire for approximately $25 for those who do not wish to walk.) Covered with gold leaf, and precariously balanced over the edge of the mountain, Golden Rock is purported to be held in place, "balanced on hairs of the Buddha". Photograph the hundreds of pilgrims lighting candles, incense, and worshipping at this sacred monument, and the sun setting behind it. Enjoy the early after dark activities at the shrine, before returning to the Kyaikhtiyo Hotel for overnight.
Revisit the Golden Rock, just five minutes from the hotel, in early morning light before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Then walk part way down the mountain to the local trucks for a ride to the air-conditioned bus via Bago toSagain for photo ops of the village monastery, four-faced image of Kyailpon, the landmark pagoda of Shwemawdaw, amd Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha. Overnight in Yangon.
Before sunrise, depart for the Yangon River jetty to take the local ferry boat two hours to Twante to photograph the pottery village and handicraft workshops. Return to Yangon by local jeeps with stops to shoot the paddy fields and villages along the way. After dinner, photograph the magnificent Shwedagon Pagodas golden bell-shaped stupas and courtyards where pilgrims will celebrate a lighting festival of 1000 oil lamps. Overnight in Yangon.
Morning flight to The Bagan Plains filled with a vast panorama of pagodas at sunrise viewed from atop a temple platform begins the day, which will be filled with photo ops including the Nyaung Oo local market, the Ananda Temple-- with four huge standing Buddha images and numerous seated figures in niches around the galleried interior -- as well as a number of other interesting temples, such as Nanphaya, said to have once been the residence of King Manuha. Dusk provides another panoramic photo op from on high overlooking the Bagan Plains as the sun sets over the ruins of the thousands of picturesque pagodas. Overnight in Bagan.
Early morning flight to Mandalay, the city of the last Myanmar Kings. Photo opportunities in Mandalay include Amarapura, the "City of Immortals" that was the capital of upper Burma until 1850, with its gold leaf making industry, the 1784 Mahamuni Pagoda -- hosting the revered Mahamuni image cast in the 1st Century and now covered in thick gold leaves -- and arts and crafts center (puppet factory, bronze casting, stone carving, et al), Shwenandaw monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings, Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world's Biggest Book for its stone slabs, and Mahagandayone Monastery with its 8000 monks. After sunset from Mandalay Hill and drive to hotel in Mandalay for overnight.
Early morning at the boat jetty provides numerous photo ops of fascinating scenes from daily life on the Ayerwaddy (Irrawaddy) River, the busiest waterway and lifeblood of the region, before cruising on a private boat to Mingun, a village of ancient monuments and beautiful landscapes, and back. In the afternoon drive to Sagaing, 21 km southwest of Mandalay and visit the Sagaing Hills, a retreat for Buddhist devotees with numerous Pagodas, monasteries and nunneries. Visit the village of Sagaing, at the foot of Sagaing Hill with markets, shops and restaurants; one of the monasteries on the hillside; the Tilawkaguru cave temple, with mural paintings; Umin Thounzeh caves, containing 45 Buddha images and Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda built in 1312. The view of Sagaing from here is outstanding. In the evening shoot the sunset back in Amarapura at the U-Bein Bridge, at 1.2 km, it is the longest teak bridge in the world. Overnight in Mandalay.
Early morning flight to Heho on the Shan Plateau, then drive to the charming mountain village of Pindaya, taking another giant step backward in time. Visit there the Pindaya Caves which shelter almost 9000 Buddha awe-inspiring statues that pilgrims have placed here since the 16th century. Legend insists that if you explore far enough into the cave, you will return to Bagan. Private boats will then take the group across Lake Inle to their accommodations. Overnight in Inle Lake.
Full day 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 5-day rotating market with its Intha and Pao tribes; a Cheroot Factory and 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 purported to have come here in the 12th Century. Lunch stop at Inn Thar Lay. In the afternoon, proceed to Indein to see the ancient Bagan + Shan style pagodas, built during Bagan Period, passing the beautiful scenery with tall grasses and little water steps. The ruins of the pagodas, hidden in the bushes, will give you the impression of being there in the 12th - 13th Centuries. Overnight in Inle Lake.TOUR NAME: MYANMAR HIGHLIGHTS TOUR - 14DAYS
TOUR CODE: AAMN - 07
TOUR DURATION: 14 Days / 13 Nights
TOUR PRICE: 0