YANGON (Rangoon): the capital of Myanmar since 1885 when Mandalay's short period as the center of the last Burmese Kingdom ended. The city, today with a population of over five million, is lined by the Yangon River on the west and the Bago River on the south. Yangon gives a different impression from other Asian cities of similar size and it seems full of green and trees over which tops the shimmering stupas float. The most famous and most reverted monument in Yangon is the glittering Shwe Dagon Pagoda and a must for every visit to Myanmar. The Downtown area features still a lot of old and large colonial buildings left over from the former British times.

BAGAN: Myanmar’s greatest wonder, this ancient deserted city alongside the Irrawaddy River is home to over 2000 temples and pagodas covering an area of around 40 square km. This world-heritage site is one Asia’s most important and remarkable archaeological sites, and represents the spiritual heritage of ancient Burma.

INLE LAKE: A very shallow lake, only 2 to 3 m deep, surrounded by high plateaus and overlooked by the misty Shan mountains. The lake is home to the Intha people, among others, who have adapted to their watery environment by building whole villages rising in stilts from the shallow waters. Lake dwellers have become famed for their unique leg rowing technique, and grow an array of flowers and vegetables in picturesque floating gardens and fields, tended by workers in canoes. Inle Lake is 22km long, about 11 km wide and lies a comfortable 875m above sea level.

BEACH: There are several beautiful beaches in Myanmar, all good for a relaxing time, but Ngapali is certainly the most beautiful and most accessible, via direct flights to Thandwe from Yangon and Heho. In Ngapali you will find unspoiled white sandy beaches and crystal clear water for snorkeling, sailing or wind surfing.

1st day: Arrival in YANGON
Our tour guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your designated Hotel. Afterwards you will be brought for sightseeing through Yangon. First through Yangon’s colonial heart, visiting the famous Bogyoke Market (also named Scott Market) and the gilded Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2000 years, as well as the Botataung Pagoda, near Yangon’s bustling waterfront. On the way to the Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha, you will get a first glimpse of Yangon’s most revered monument, the glittering Shwe Dagon Pagoda, reflected in the calm waters of Kandawgyi Lake. You will visit the 2500-year old Shwedagon Pagoda in the early evening to enjoy the sunset from this mounted place. Depending on the time you will spend at the different sights we might be able to include some other interesting places. Please feel free as well to arrange a tour of your interests with our guide directly.

Shwedagon Pagoda: The highlight of any trip to Yangon, and indeed to Myanmar itself is a visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda, located in midtown Yangon between the People’s Park and Kandawgyi Lake. The 2500 years old Shwedagon Pagoda is at its best during early morning or evening, when you are able to enjoy this gilded sight in different colors.

Bogyoke Market (Scott Market): The Sprawling 70-year old Market has the largest selection of Burmese handicrafts you will find under one roof. Even a stroll along all the different stands without the intention of buying is a pleasant change in every itinerary.

Sule Pagoda: Situated in the very centre of downtown Yangon, the tall zedi of Sule Pagoda makes an excellent landmark; in fact it’s used as a milestone from which all addresses to the north are measured. It is over 2000 years old, but like many other ancient Burmese shrines, it has been rebuilt and repaired many times over the centuries. It is said that the central stupa enshrines a hair of the Buddha; its Mon name, Kyaik Athok, translates as ‘the stupa where a Sacred Hair Relic is enshrined’. Most likely as with the zedi at Shwedagon, it was originally built by Mon.

Overnight in Yangon.

2nd day: Flight to BAGAN
Early in the morning you will fly directly to Bagan where you will be picked up at the airport by our local tour guide and brought to the hotel. After check-in you will begin your for full day excursion of the Bagan Plain. You will obviously not be able to visit every Pagoda and Temple of this vast area, so you can decide which ones you want to visit or our tour guide arranges the best itinerary through the vast area with pagodas. Bagan has not only fascinating architecture, it is as well very famous for its Laquer ware and so a visit to the local production places or villages should not be missed.

Here are some of the most outstanding sights shortly described
Ananda Pagoda:
one of the finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples, fully restored after suffering damage in the 1975 earthquake. 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. There are 4 large wooden Buddha figures, and 2 of them appear to change their expression the closer you get.
Dhammayangyi:
built in the 12th century by Kalagya Min (the king killed by the Indians), this pagoda resembles a pyramid from the side. Impressive mortar-less brickwork – the king ordered that the bricks fit together so tightly as not to admit even a pin to pass between them. Otherwise (it is said) he cut off the workers’ hands.
Dhamma-ya-zi-ka:
a Zedi of complex design, built in 1196 by Narapatisithu, on a pentagon terrace with five temples, each containing a Buddha image. Nice view over Bagan Plain. A highlight: pagoda and temple style with stucco, stone sculptures and carvings.
Htilo-minlo:
A massive complex built in 1218 by King Nantaungmya. It features traces of old murals, original fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.

Kyan-sit-thar Umin:
cave temple built in 11th century, into a cliff face, with frescoes. It served as monastery and features a few small rooms, which were home to monks.
Shwe Zi gon Pagoda:
started by Anawratha, but not completed until the reign of Kyanzittha (1084-1113). The stupa's graceful bell shape became the prototype for Myanmar's pagodas. Supposedly the Shwezigon was built to enshrine one of the four replicas of the Buddha tooth from Kandy, Sri Lanka, and to mark the northern edge of the city. The other three tooth replicas went to three other stupas marking the east, south and west of the city.
Migala-zedi:
(blessing stupa) was built in 1277 by Narathihapati. It is noted for its fine proportions and for the many beautiful glazed jataka tiles around its terraces. Excellent for a nice afternoon view, as it is one of the most westerly pagodas.

Overnight in Bagan.

3 rd day: Flight to Heho–INLE LAKE
After breakfast and check out, you will be transferred to Nyaung U airport, from where you will fly to Heho.

From Heho you will be brought to your designated hotel on the lake, from where we start with a boat to the famous sights on Inle Lake. The Inhabitants of the lake, the Intha are famous for the unique rowing technique. On one leg balancing the man are standing on their boats, using the other leg around the paddle to maneuver the boat. Their vegetables and flowers are growing on floating gardens, which they cultivate from per boat.

Famous sights to be seen at Inle Lake
Indaing Village:
half way along the western side of the lake, very interesting due to its 1094 stupas surrounding the main Pagoda, Indaing Pagoda. This Pagoda is the original home of the five famous Buddha images of Inle Lake. Some of the stupas are from the 11th century and feature beautiful stone carvings. It also plays host to one of Inle Lake’s famous bustling markets.
Phaung Daw U Pagoda:
the holiest religious site in the southern area of the Shan State. It hosts five goldleaf-covered statues, of which three are Buddha images and two are reportedly Arahats (historical disciples of the Buddha). The goldleaf on the figures has become has become so thick that the images have become almost unrecognizable. The ceremonial barge sets off from here to carry four of the five Buddha images around the lake, from village to village, to bless the village monasteries, over the 18 days of the famous Phaung Daw U Festival. This festival takes place every year around September/October.
Five-Day-Market:
These bustling markets around Inle Lake are mostly of interest for the variety of different products offered, mainly grown on the floating gardens. Additional local color is added by the presence of the different tribal groups such as the Pa-O, who come from far and wide to sell their wares. The market rotates between different villages over five days, and visits Indaing, Ywama and a site next to the Phaung Daw U Pagoda.
Traditional Handcrafts:
Silk weaving: at Inbawkhone
Gold & Silver Smithing: at Ywama
Boat Making: at Nam Pan
Cheroot Making: at Nam Pan

Overnight on Inle Lake

4 th day: Flight to Thandwe – NGAPALI BEACH
In the morning you can visit Khaung Daing village, which is famous for making of rice crackers, tofu snacks and fried beans, before you be brought to the airport in Heho for the flight to Thandwe(Ngapali). In Thandwe you will be welcomed by the hotel staff and transferred to the hotel on the beach.

4th day to 6th day: Leisure at the Beach
Snorkeling, wind surfing, fishing, golf, visit to the local market in Thandwe, early morning trips to view the sunrise above Thandwe or the nearby St. Andrews Bay, boat trips to different islands, all these is available via the reception of some of the resorts in Ngapali.

2 nights stay in Ngapali

6 th day: Flight back to Yangon
In the afternoon you will be brought to Thandwe Airport and fly back to Yangon. We will bring you to your hotel in Yangon for a last night in the Golden City.

Overnight in Yangon

7 th day: Departure from Myanmar
In the morning or afternoon depending on your international flight time, transfer to Yangon International airport for the departure from Myanmar.