MYA - T 09: MYANMAR CLASSIC 1, 12 days (L)
Yangon - Kyaiktiyo – Yangon – Bagan –
Mandalay - Kalaw - Pindaya - Inle Lake – Heho - Yangon
Day 1 Yangon
Arrival at Yangon
airport, meet on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Your journey begins with
sightseeing in Yangon to visit Shwedagon Pagoda - watch the effects of
the setting sun before transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight in Yangon
YANGON lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on
the wide Yangon River. The city is filled with shaded boulevards, while
shimmering stupas float above the treetops. The city became the capital only in
1885, when the British completed their conquest of Upper Myanmar and Mandalay's
brief period as capital of the last Burmese kingdom ended.
SHWEDAGON PAGODA: the highlight of
any visit to Yangon, this pagoda dates back about 2500 years and was built to
house eight sacred hairs of the Buddha. Its original shape has changed beyond
all recognition over the centuries. Its bell-shaped superstructure, resting on
a terraced base, is covered in about 60 tons of gold leaf, which is
continuously being replaced.
Overnight in Yangon
Day
2 Yangon
After breakfast at
the hotel, escort on an introductory tour of this colorful metropolis. First to
visit Batatauang Pagoda’s circular treasure vault covered in a mosaic of
mirrors and Ngadatkyi Paya - rarely-tourist monastery hosting a
spectacular 5 story Buddha image.
Afternoon, visit the National Museum with several interesting
exhibits such as the regal Lion Throne of the Last Burmese King, the
gem-encrusted crown jewels of old Burma, a modern art gallery, wood and lacquer
furnishings from everyday life. Next, our guide will take you to the Buddhist
Art Museum where collected by begging bowls, palm leaf scriptures and
wooden Buddha images since 18-20th century. Follow by visit Maha
Wizaya Pagoda and Sule Pagoda - an excellent landmark of
Yangon where a Sacred Hair Relic is enshrine.
Overnight in Yangon
BOTATAUNG PAGODA: this paya was named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted relics of the Buddha brought from India over 2000 years ago. This ancient monument was completely destroyed during WWII. It was then rebuilt in a very similar style to its predecessor, but the zedi is hollow and one can walk through it.
NGADATKYI PAYA: located in the
Ashay Tawya monastery, this paya contains the huge seated
"five-story" Buddha image.
NATIONAL MUSEUM: a museum with
several interesting exhibits, especially the 8-meter high Sihasana Lion Throne,
used by King Thibaw Min, the last Burmese king, and returned to Burma in 1908
by Lord Mountbatten. The main floor contains jewelry, old black and white
photos of Mandalay Palace and Yangon, royal relics, Hintha opium weights, and
inscribed tablets.
BUDDHIST ART MUSEUM: housed in a 1952
Art Deco-style building. The dominant lotus window depicts all the attitudes of
the Buddha. The museum's contents were collected by the archaeology department:
begging bowls, palm leaf scriptures and 18th-20th century wooden Buddha images.
MAHA WIZAYA PAGODA: built by General
Ne Win in the 1980s. The pagoda is hollow with a ceiling depicting Burmese
constellations and a permanent display of pagoda styles through the ages.
SULE PAGODA: the British used
this 48-meter high golden dome as the nucleus of their grid pattern for the
city when it was rebuilt in the 1880s. The pagoda's peculiarity is its
octagonal-shaped stupa, which retains its shape as it tapers to the spire.
Day
3 Yangon
– Kyaiktiyo
After breakfast, transfer by vehicle via
Bago to Kyaiktiyo. Stopping at major Pagodas and Museum such as KanbawzaThadi
Palace & Museum, Shwemawdaw Paya, Hintha Gon Paya, Shwethal Yaung
Buddha, Maha Kalyani Sima, Mahazedi Paya, Shwegogale Paya, Kyaik Pun Paya,
if time permit visit ‘Mon’ weaving and handicraft village producing woven
bamboo wares before transfer to the hotel in Kyaiktiyo.
Overnight in Kyaiktiyo
BAGO: founded in 573 AD by Thamala and Wimala,
two Mon brothers of noble birth, as an outpost of the Mon Thaton Kingdom. The
site, which was then on the Gulf of Martaban, had already been earmarked as the
location of a great city by Gautama, the historic Buddha.
KANBAWZATHADI PALACE & MUSEUM: the palace was
home to King Bayinnaung from 1553 to 1599 and covered 204 acres. Bayinnaung,
the brother-in-law of a Taungoo king, moved to Bago after conquering an older
Mon principality called Oktha-myo. A small octagonal-shaped museum displays
Mon, Siamese and Bagan-style Buddhas.
SHWEMAWDAW PAYA: this is one of
the most venerated pagodas in Myanmar. The temple has a 1000-year history and
was originally built by 2 merchants, Taphussa and Bhalita, to house some hair
relics of the Buddha.
HINTHA GON PAYA: this shrine has
good views over Bago from the roofed platform on the hilltop. According to
legend, this was the one point rising from the sea when the mythical bird (the
hintha) landed here.
SHWETHALYAUNG BUDDHA: huge reclining
Buddha with a sign on the platform in front of the image giving the
measurements of each body part. It is reputed to be one of the most lifelike of
all reclining Buddhas. The Burmese say the image represents Buddha in a
'relaxing' mode.
HINTHA GON PAYA: this shrine has
good views over Bago from the roofed platform on the hilltop. According to
legend, this was the one point rising from the sea when the mythical bird (the
hintha) landed here.
MAHA KALYANI SIMA: this 'Sacred Hall
of Ordination' was originally constructed in 1476 by Dhammazedi, the famous
alchemist king, and son of Queen Shinsawpu. It was the first of 397 similar
simas he built around the country.
MAHAZEDI PAYA: Originally
constructed in 1560 AD by King Bayinnaung, it was destroyed during the 1757
sacking of Bago and the reconstruction was only completed in 1982. Stairways
lead up the outside of the stupa, and from the top there are fine views over
the surrounding area.
SHWEGUGALE PAYA: the monument
dates from 1494 and the reign of King Byinnya Yan. Inside are 64-seated Buddha
figures.
KYAIK PUN PAYA: built in 1476 by
King Dhammazedi, it consists of four 30m-high sitting Buddhas placed
back-to-back around a huge, square pillar.
Day 4 Kyaiktiyo
– Yangon
After early
breakfast, visit Golden Rock for sunrise.
Kyaiktiyo is the location of the incredible
balancing boulder stupa. The small stupa sits atop the Golden Rock - a massive,
gold leafed boulder delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff at the top of
Mount Kyaikto. Kyaiktiyo is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Myanmar.
In the mid afternoon return to Yangon. Evening free time at leisure
Overnight in Yangon
Day 5 Yangon
– Bagan
After breakfast, transfer to the airport
for domestic flight from Yangon to Bagan
. Upon arrival,
transfer to the hotel. After refreshment, continue the day with visit to the
most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan including Shwezigon Pagoda -
built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious
shrine, Gubyaukhyi Temple at Wetkyi-Inn - the great colorful painting
about the previous life of Buddha and the distinguished architecture make this
temple an interesting site for a visit, Ananda Pahto - one of the
finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan Temples, Gubyaukgyi
Temple - a temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes, Manuha Temple
- was built by King Manuha in 1059, it enshrines the unusual combination of 3
seated and one reclining image Buddha and visit Shwesandaw Paya to enjoy
significant view over Bagan.
Overnight in Bagan
BAGAN: is a spectacular plain stretching
away from the Irrawaddy River, dotted with thousands of 800-year old temple
ruins. Although human habitation at Bagan dates back almost to the beginning of
the Christian era, Bagan only entered its golden period with the conquest of
Thaton in 1057 AD.
SHWEZIGON PAYA: King Anawrahta
started the construction of the Schwezigon Pagoda to enshrine some relicts of
Buddha. The construction was finished by his successor, King Kyansittha between
1086 and1090. Originally the Shwezigon Pagoda marked the northern end of the
city of Bagan. The stupa's graceful bell shape became a prototype for virtually
all-later stupas over Myanmar.
GUBYAUKHYI TEMPLE at Wetkyi-Inn: this Temple was
built in the early 13th Century and repaired in 1468. The great colorful
painting about the previous life of Buddha and the distinguished architecture
make this temple an interesting site for a visit. This temple is not to be
confounded with the Gubyaukgyi Temple in Myinkabe.
ANANDA PAHTO: one of the
finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples. Thought
to have been built around 1105 by King Kyanzittha, this perfectly proportioned
temple heralds the stylistic end of the Early Bagan period and the beginning of
the Middle period.
GUBYAUKGYI TEMPLE at Myinkaba: Built in 1113 by
Kyanzittha's son Rajakumar, this temple is famous for its well-preserved
Stuccos from the 12th century on the outside walls. The magnificent paintings
date from the original construction of the temple and are considered to be the
oldest original paintings in Bagan.
MANUHA TEMPLE: The Manuha Temple
was built in 1059 by King Manuha - the King of Thaton, who was brought captive
to Bagan by King Anawrahta. It enshrines the unusual combination of 3 seated
and one reclining image Buddha. It is said that this temple was built by Manuha
to express his displeasure about his captivity in Bagan.
SHWESANDAW PAYA: In 1057 King
Anawrahta built this Pagoda following his conquest of Thaton. This is the first
monument in Bagan, which features stairways leading up from the square bottom
terraces to the round base of the Stupa. This Pagoda is ideal to watch Bagan's
magnificent sunsets.
Day
6 Bagan
After breakfast, excursion to Mount Popa:
rising 737 meters from the flat surrounding Myingyan Plain. Mount Popa is said
to be an extinct volcano last active 250,000 years ago. It is considered the
abode of Myanmar' s most powerful nats and, as such, is the most important nat
worship center in the country. Afternoon, return to Bagan visit Mahabodhi
Temple - inspired by the Mahabodhi at Bodh Gaya in India, Dhamayangyi
Temple, Sulamani Temple - this temple is one of the best examples of
the later, more sophisticated temple styles, Nandamannya Temple - the
mural paintings in the interior tell the story of the “temptation of Mara”. Thatbyinnyu
Temple - it is also called the “Omniscient” Temple and its enormous size
makes it a classic example of Bagan’s middle period.
Overnight in Bagan
MAHABODHI TEMPLE: Inspired by the Mahabodhi at Bodh Gaya in India, this temple was built during the reign of King Nantaungmya (1211 – 1234). Temples of this nature only appeared during the Late Bagan period and the Mahabodhi is the only one of this style in Bagan.
DHAMAYANGYI TEMPLE: The brickwork of this temple is said to rank one of the finest in Bagan. Built in the 12th century, it is not exactly clear by which King actually started the construction. Some sources say it was King Narathu, others say it was constructed a little earlier, during the reign of King Alaungsithu.
SULAMANI TEMPLE: Built in 1181 by
King Narapatisithu this temple is one of the best examples of the later, more
sophisticated temple styles. Carved stucco on moldings, pediments, and
pilasters represents some of Bagan’s finest ornamental work and is in fairly
good condition.
NANDAMANNYA TEMPLE: This small,
single chambered temple is dating from the 13th century. The mural paintings in
the interior tell the story of the “temptation of Mara”.
THATBYINNYU TEMPLE: This temple rises
up to 61 meters and is one of Bagan’s tallest monuments. It is also called the
“Omniscient” temple and its enormous size makes it a classic example of Bagan’s
middle period. King Alaungsithu built the Thatbyinnyu Temple in the 12th
century.
Day
7 Bagan
– Mandalay
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the
airport for domestic flight from Bagan to Mandalay. Upon arrival, you will
experience the sights and sound of Mandalay including Kyauktawgyi Paya,
visit one of the most revered religious monuments - Mahamuni Paya, Kuthodaw
Paya - the world largest book made of marble, Sandamani Paya - a
cluster of slender whitewashed stupas and proceeding to Mandalay Hill for
sunset
Overnight in
Mandalay
MANDALAY: was the last
capital of Myanmar before the British took over so it still has great
importance as a cultural center and historically it's the most Burmese of the
country's large cities. Mandalay's Buddhist monasteries are among the most
important in the country about 60% of all the monks in Myanmar reside in the
Mandalay area. The city takes its name from Mandalay Hill, the 236m-high bluff
that rises just to the northeast of Mandalay Fort and its royal palace.
KYAUKTAWGYI PAGODA: built between
1853 and 1878 and chiefly interesting for the huge seated image of the Buddha
carved from a single block of marble. The marble block from the mines of nearby
Sagyin was so colossal that it required 10,000 men laboring for 13 days to
transport it from a canal to the current site.
SANDAMANI PAYA: a cluster of
slender whitewashed stupas built on the site of King Mindon's temporary palace
used while the new Mandalay Palace was under construction. The Paya enshrines
an iron image of the Buddha cast in 1802 by Bodaw Paya and transported here
from Amarapura in 1874.
MAHAMUNI PAYA: originally built
by King Bodaw Paya in 1784 when a road paved with bricks was constructed from
his palace to the paya's eastern gate. The centerpiece of the shrine is the
highly venerated Mahamuni image that was transported to Myanmar from Mrauk U in
Rakhaing in 1784.
KUTHODAW PAYA: the central stupa
here was modeled on the Shwezigon Paya at Nyaung U near Bagan. Building
commenced in 1857, at the same time as the royal palace. The paya has been
dubbed 'the world's biggest book', for standing around the central stupa are
729 marble slabs on which are inscribed the entire Tripitaka.
MANDALAY HILL: an easy climb up
the sheltered steps bring one to a panoramic view over the palace, Mandalay,
and the paya-studded countryside. The famous hermit monk, U Khanti, is credited
with inspiring the construction of many of the buildings on and around the hill
in the years after the founding of the city.
Day
8 Mandalay
After breakfast at the hotel, excursion to Inwa (Ava) a charming horse-drawn carriage will take you to the Nanmyin Watch Tower - the remains of the palace building call ”leaning tower” of Ava. Visit the Maha Aungmaye Bonzan Monastery - built of brick and stucco as well as the Bagaya Kyanun Monastery - famous for its ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Then continue to Sagaing and Amarapura with numerous monasteries and pagoda, a retreat for Buddhist devotees, and visit 200-year-old U Bein teak bridge - built in 1782 at the time when Amanrapura was Royal capital before return to Mandalay
Overnight in Mandalay
INWA: this ancient city, for a long time a
capital of Upper Burma after the fall of Bagan, is on the Mandalay side of the
Ayeyarwady River close to the Ava Bridge. From 1364, Inwa was the capital of
the Burmese kingdom for more than 400 years, until the shift was made to
Amarapura in 1783.
NANMYIN: the 27 meter high masonry
watchtower is all that remains of the palace built by Bagyidaw. The upper
portion was shattered by the 1838 earthquake and the rest has taken a
precarious tilt.
MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN: a
brick-and-stucco monastery built by King Bagyidaw's chief queen for the royal
abbot Nyaunggan Sayadaw in 1818.
BAGAYA KYAUNG: a monastery built
of teakwood and supported by 267 teak posts. The main hall stands on a raised
platform, separate from the monks’ quarters, and is designed so that space between
the walls and roof allows air to circulate.
AVA BRIDGE: this
British-engineered, 16-span bridge dates from 1934 and was the only structure
that crossed the Irrawaddy River until 1998 when a new Chinese-engineered
bridge was completed at Pyay.
SAGAING: located on the right bank of the
Irrawaddy River, it is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. It
is popularly known as 'Little Pagan' as the Sagaing ridge is crowded with
around 600 pagodas and monasteries in which there are more than 3000 monks.
There are also around 100 meditation centers in the area.
THABYEDAN FORT: the fort built by
the Burmese as their final resistance against the British forces in the third
Anglo-Burmese war in 1886.
KAUNGHMUDAW PAYA: this is Sagaing's
most important temple. It was built by King Thalun in 1636 and styled after a
Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) pagoda in commemoration of the re-establishment of Ava
as the royal capital.
TUPAYON PAYA: contracted by
King Narapati of Inwa in 1444, Tupayon is of an unusual style for Myanmar: it
consists of three circular stories each encircled by arched niches.
AUNGMYELAWKA PAYA: situated on the
riverfront, this zedi was erected by Bodaw Paya in 1783 on the site of his home
before he became king. It is built of sandstone and based on Shwezigon Pagoda.
DATPAUNGZU PAYA: a comparatively
recent pagoda, which houses many relics from other older temples that were
demolished when the railway was built through Sagaing.
HSINMYASHIN PAYA: built in 1429 and
known as the Pagoda of Many Elephants because of the elephant statues stationed
at each entrance-way.
AMARAPURA: the name means City of
Immortality, but its period, as capital was brief. It was founded by Bodawpaya
as his new capital in 1783, not long after he ascended the throne, on the
advice of court astrologers. His grandson and successor, Bagyidaw, moved back
to Ava in 1823. The four pagodas that marked the four corners of the city walls
still remain, as well as the watchtower and treasury building.
PAHTODAWGYI: built by King
Bagyidaw in 1820, this well preserved pagoda stood outside the old city walls.
The lower terraces have marble slabs illustrating Jatakas (scenes from the
Buddha's life).
BAGAYA KYAUNG: built when
Bodawpaya moved the capital to Amarapura, it was destroyed by fire in 1821. It
was rebuilt several times and it is no longer a monastery, but houses a museum
and library, of interest for its collection of palm-leaf manuscripts.
PALACE RUINS: little remains of
the palace except for two masonry buildings - the treasury building and the old
watchtower. King Bagyidaw and King Bodawpaya were both burnt here on the site
of their 'tombs' and their ashes placed in velvet bags and thrown into the
Irrawaddy River.
U BEIN'S BRIDGE: a long and rickety
teak bridge, curved to withstand the wind and waves, crosses the shallow
Taungthaman Lake. During the dry season, the bridge crosses mostly dry land.
Day
9 Mandalay
– Kalaw
After breakfast at the hotel, your drive begins
for Kalaw along the Mandalay-Yangon main road go through a narrow winding and
bumpy road in some area into the Shan Hills
Overnight in Kalaw
Day
10 Kalaw
- Pindaya - Inle Lake
After early breakfast, start your journey by road, north along Highway 41 past Aungban and the Danu villages of Pwehla and Ji-Chanzi in Shan State. The Aungban-Pindaya road is scenic and there are fields of dry-cultivated mountain rice along the way and potato fields where the tuber is grown in red mud mounds.
Visit Pindaya
Caves - a unique site housing thousands of Buddha images placed there by
pilgrims over the centuries and Shwe U Min Paya - a cluster of low
stupas just below the ridge near the Pindaya Caves. Beginning on the full moon
of Tabaung. Late afternoon, traveling to Inle Lake.
Overnight in Inle
Lake
PINDAYA CAVES: these caves are
ensconced in a limestone ridge overlooking the lake. Inside the cavern there
are more than 8000 Buddha images made from alabaster, teak, marble, brick,
lacquer, and cement and are arranged in such a way as to form a labyrinth
throughout the various cave chambers.
SHWE U MIN PAYA: this is a cluster
of low stupas just below the ridge near the Pindaya Caves. Beginning on the
full moon of Tabaung (February/March), Pindaya hosts a colorful pagoda festival
at Shwe U Min. 
By vehicle from
Pindaya to Inle Lake Journey south past Pwehla on Highway 41, then due east at
Aungban on Highway 4 past Heho and finally due south at Shwenyaung on Highway
43.
Day
11 Inle
Lake - Heho – Yangon
After breakfast, take a boat trip on the Inle Lake Inle Lake, located in Shan State. It is beautiful with very calm waters dotted with patches of floating vegetation and busy fishing canoes. High hills rim the lake on all sides. The lakes shore and islands bear 17 villages on stilts, mostly inhabited by the Intha people. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and observe the skilled fishermen using their “leg-rowing” technique to propel themselves around the lake. Visit a local market and an Intha village around the lake. Afternoon, transfer to Heho airport for domestic flight from Heho to Yangon. Upon arrival Yangon, transfer to your hotel and free time at leisure
Overnight in Yangon
Day
12 Yangon
After breakfast at the hotel and free time
at leisure before transfer to the airport for departure
End
of Services **Note: Itinerary
subject to change due to flight schedules.