BIG FOUR OF MYANMAR/BURMA (The Flavors of Authentic Myanmar) – 11 days/10 nights

At a Glance

Big Four of Myanmar Tour Itinerary at a Glance

Designed for a small group tour of Myanmar/Burma visiting Yangon, Ancient Bagan & Nyaung U, and Lake Inle

Day 01 : Arrive Yangon
Day 02 : sightseeing Yangon
Day 03 : Morning flight to Bagan/sightseeing
Day 04 : Sightseeing Bagan
Day 05 : Flight to Mandalay/sightseeing Amarapura and Mandalay
Day 06 : See around Mandalay
Day 07 : Morning flight to Heho/see Pindaya/ transfer to Nyaung Shwe and relax in lake Inle
Day 08 : Sightseeing Inle Lake by boat
Day 09 : Excursion to Inndein boat trip and sights
Day 10 : Morning see Nyaungshwe and flight back to Yangon
Day 11 : Farewell Burma/depart Yangon

Itinerary

YOUR ITEMIZED ITINERARY

Day 1 : ARRIVE YANGON (1 NIGHT)

G’ day and welcome to Myanmar! Today you will arrive in yangon, the commercial capital and the main gateway to Myanmar, meet Yangon guide and transfer to your hotel. It is time for a brief Introduction to holiday and just relax to adjust the time zone. Dinner and stay overnight in Yangon.

Hotel: Melia Hotel
Meals: None

Day 2 : TOURING YANGON – WHAT A CHARMING CITY!

This morning we’ll head off for a day of sightseeing in Yangon. Begin your day with walking around Colonial architecture lining Strand Road – A walk along the Strand or Pansodan Street is said like strolling down Pall Mall mixed with all the distressed grandeur of Havana! In fact Yangon has many large colonial buildings including high court, general post office, former secretariat building, St Paul boarding school, and the legendary Strand hotel, built in 1896, once described as the “leading hotel of the East”. The tour extended to Central Sule Pagoda, an octagonal golden stupa, dating back over 2,000 years; nearby city hall, a Baptist church and an Islam mosque. If time permits you will have the chance to do some shopping at 85-year old BOGYOKE (Scott) market which is one of the most popular tourist hangouts. It was named after Mr. Jarvin Scott, Yangon Municipal Commissioner during the British colonial government and crown off the day with visit the great Shwedagon Pagoda. Witness the golden dome, covered with 60 tons of pure gold, glistening as the sun sets. Stay overnight in Yangon.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 : YANGON – FLY TO BAGAN (2 NIGHTS)

Today we board our flight to Bagan. Bagan was ancient capital of the first Myanmar Empire and it still preserves 2217 well-renovated Stupas (Buddhist religious monuments). Upon arrival at Nyaung U Airport meet your local Bagan guide and we’ll move straight on to see some of the amazing sights – over 2,200 temples in a space the size of Manhattan – the biggest problem you face is deciding where to start.
First stop is the thriving Nyaung U market – soak it up in one of the small local tea houses is also high on the agenda. Check into your hotel and visit some temples and stupas before lunch. Pagodas and Temples represent the diversity of ancient Myanmar architectural styles in the 11th to13th centuries. We’ll visit the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda, which is Bagan’s most important reliquary shrine – look out for images of the 37 ‘nats’ housed in a small hall. Continue to Gubyaukgyi (Wetkyi In village) cave temple with fine frescoes of the ‘Jataka Tales’. Next stop is Htilominlo, the last Myanmar style temple built in Bagan, with old murals and friezes. We’ll then check into hotel. By late afternoon, we’ll visit to Ananda Temple, a whitewashed masterpiece of Mon architecture with four standing Buddhas, and the adjacent brick monastery from the early Bagan era with well-preserved murals. Make a photo stop at the tallest temple measuring 61 meters – Thatbyinnyu known as ‘temple of omniscience’ and we will then visit a local lacquer ware workshop, where we can watch craftsmen skillfully making this most famous of Bagan’s renowned handicrafts. Continue to Dhammayangyi, a massive-looking temple dating from 1170 that is famous for its interlocking mortar less brickwork. Next, visit Sulamani, one of Bagan’s great two-storied Myanmar style temples, which has 4-seated Buddha images. We’ll crown off the day by enjoying the lovely sunset from a perfectly situated temple or pagoda. Stay overnight in Bagan.

Hotel: Amata Garden
Meals: Buffet Breakfast or Boxed Breakfast

Day 4 : CONTINUE TOURING IN BAGAN

This morning, after breakfast, we’ll head off to visit Damayasaka temple, built in 1196 A.D, the biggest pentagonal base stupa in Bagan. Continue to Lemyethna Temple, topped by an Indian-style spire similar to Ananda. Then, visit the three shrines of Payathonzu (if open) with its small perforated windows allowing the light to come in. They are connected by passages adorned with Mahayanist or Tantric mural paintings. Then we will see the real way of life for most Myanmar people by visiting “PHWAR SAW VILLAGE”. This village is a perfect example of how locals live, and good photo opportunity. The tour then extended to Lawkanandar monastery (better arrive around 10h30) where all the monks about 100 are lined up to take their lunch. We continue to Nanpaya temple, built in the Mon style with intricate stone carvings, and said once to have been exile King Manuha’s residence. See the four huge Buddha images housed in very narrow shelter in Manuha Pagoda and later stop at Myazedi stupa to see Myanmar’s “Rosetta Stone”, bearing inscriptions written in four languages. After that we’ll visit Abeyadana Temple with frescoes representing Bodhisattvas and the gods of Indian mythology. Finish the tour at Shwe Sandaw Stupa and enjoy the atmosphere as the sun dips behind the horizon. Stay overnight in Bagan.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Optional Balloon flight: This is an optional if you would like to get a unique opportunity to see the ancient city of Bagan from a different perspective. Balloon agent will pick you up at hotel between 05h30 and 06h00. The whole experience including light champagne breakfast, balloon flight, and rescue at the end upon landing will take about 2 ½ to 3 hrs and you’ll get back to hotel about 08h30.)

Day 5 :  FLY TO MANDALAY – ANCIENT CITY AMARAPURA (2 NIGHTS)

After breakfast, drive the Nyaung U airport for the flight to Mandalay. On arrival at Mandalay International Airport, meet your local Mandalay guide and drive to AMARAPURA. In Amarapura, visit one of the biggest monasteries named Maha Gandaryon with more than 1200 Buddhist monks where under the strict tight-scheduled rules, the monks study very hard the Buddhist Canons day and night in order to be able to carry on the Buddha’s teachings verbally like the Noble senior monks did after the Buddha’s demise in the 6th Century B.C. Then drive to U Bein Bridge, believed to be the longest wooden bridge in the world that spans Taung Thaman Lake. Take a walk on the bridge and enjoy a photo opt!
Then drive to Mandalay, upon arrival check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, visit MAHA MUNI BUDDHA IMAGE which is the most revered and sacred site of Mandalay, some handicraft cottages such as stone carving, tapestry, and gold-paper making. Then tour onward to SHWE NANDAW MONASTERY where you can marvel the superb example of Myanmar traditional woodcarving, Kuthodaw Pagoda which houses all Buddha scriptures described on 729 marble slabs (known as the world biggest book). Finally, go up Mandalay Hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the city while sun going down. Stay overnight in Mandalay.

Hotel: Bagan King
Meals: Buffet Breakfast or Boxed Breakfast

Day 6 : BOAT RIDE TO MINGUN – ONWARD INNWA AND SAGAING HILLS

Today we’ll drive to ‘Mayan-Chan’ jetty for a scenic journey on the great Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun taken on board a small private boat. Tour the Mingun and see huge unfinished Pagoda and world largest un-cracked ringing bell. We’ll then onward to INNWA (known AVA to the West), one of the Ancient Capital Cities around Mandalay. Explore the Ava island in horse-drawn cart; in Ava visit Bagayar Monastery which is nearly 200 years old with amazing Teak Logs, Leaning Tower of Ava which is inside the then Royal Palace. Ava excursion will end with a visit to Maha Aungmyay Bonsan Brick Monastery. The tour extended to SAGAING HILLS. Dotted with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar and is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers. Finish the day with a stroll at sunset over the 200 year-old U Bein wooden Bridge in Amarapura again. Return to Mandalay to complete the day. Stay overnight in Mandalay.

Meals : Buffet Breakfast

Day 7 : FLY TO HEHO – SEE PINDAYA AND OVERNIGHT IN INLE LAKE (3 NIGHTS)

This morning we depart for the airport and board your flight to Heho, gateway to explore southern Shan State including Lake INLE. On arrival, meet your native Inle guide and we’ll drive to PINDAYA to see its natural limestone caves filled with over 8,000 Buddha statutes. Here in Pindaya you’ll have the chance to see some of the town’s people cottage industries – making Shan paper and umbrella. After a spectacular drive, we’ll reach NYAUNGSHWE, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Make a photo stop at the ancient wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery on the way, and transfer to hotel in town or by boat direct to your hotel located along the shores of the lake. Your room is generally ready for immediate check-in. The balance of the day is at leisure. Stay overnight in Inle Lake.

Hotel: Amata Inle
Meals: Buffet Breakfast or Boxed Breakfast

Day 8 : TOURING THE LAKE INLE

Today board a private boat and head out again onto the lake. Enjoy the natural wonder of this magnificent vast waterway which is in fact one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. We pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by Intha people, the leg-rowing fishermen of the lake and see their floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinths and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. We’ll stops for visits at the ancient NGA PHE CHAUNG (formerly known as jumping cats) Monastery and its ancient Shan Buddhas and PHAUNG DAW OO PAGODA, the lake’s main sanctuary. Other visits include the weaving village of INPAWKHONE, A SILVERSMITTH WORK SHOP & SHOWROOM, a cheroot cottage where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. We’ll Return to the hotel and finish the visits of the lake for the day. The balance of the day is free. Stay overnight in Inle Lake.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 9 : EXCURSION TO INNDEIN – RUINS OF ANCIENT STUPAS

After breakfast, we head to the morning market on the lake. Rotating around villages on and near the lake in a 5 day rhythm, a colorful market visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes is held daily (except on full/dark moon days). From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Paoh village of Inndein. After a walk around the village, passing a local school, take the covered stairway to the beautiful ancient stupas which are partly covered by vegetation. From here is a magnificent view over the lake. Return to the lake and finish the visits of the lake in the afternoon. Return to your hotel and the balance of the day is free. Stay overnight in Inle Lake.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 10 : FLY BACK TO YANGON (1 NIGHT)

Today we depart for the airport and our flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival in this former capital city, we transfer to our hotel. We may do some last minute shopping at 85-year-old BOGYOKE (Scott) market (close on every Monday and public holidays) which is one of the most popular tourist hangouts dominated by antique, Burmese handicraft and jewelery shops, art galleries, fabrics and clothing stores. It was named after Mr. Jarvin Scott, Yangon Municipal Commissioner during the British colonial government. The balance of the day is free on your own. Stay overnight in Yangon.

Hotel: Melia Hotel
Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 11 : DEPART YANGON

Today is at leisure until at appropriate time, you’ll be transferred to Mandalay Airport for outward flight back home.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

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IMPORTANT NOTE : Every effort will be made to ensure that the above stated itinerary is followed as closely as possible. However, given uncertain weather, flight time changes and other local conditions, all schedules and itinerary is subject to alterations and delays at short notice.

Prices

OUR PRICES IN USD PER PERSON FOR A PARTY OF

ALL RATES ARE NETT IN US$ PER PERSON (with Regional based English-speaking Guides)

FIRST CLASS (4* and up)

Surcharge for Single Occupancy  : + $ 680
Validity :From now onward to March 31 2019 except 20th Dec 2018 to 10th Jan 2019

get in touch for off-season (from now onwards to Sept’ 30 2018) quotes and for larger groups

Above mentioned pricing is based on the hotels mentioned hereunder, or similar hotels, depending on the availability on the dates required.

TOUR HOTELS SELECTED

FIRST CLASS (Generally 4* and up)

What’s Included

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN OUR TOUR PRICE

1. Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, including applicable hotel taxes with breakfast (Twin/double sharing basis)
2. All domestic flights as per mentioned itinerary including insurance surcharge and airport tax
3. Meals as indicated in itinerary
4. All Transfer & sightseeing with private tour grade A/C vehicles
5. Private boat fees for Inle lake, and Inndein Villages
6. All entrance fees and zone fees for the visits of tour sites as indicated in the itinerary
7. 3 different hand-picked stationed English-speaking guides in each place (they do not accompany guests on train/Ferry boat/flight, etc.)
8. Bottled drinking water, and refreshing tower while sightseeing
9. Porters fees at airports
10. Domestic Airport Departure Tax
11. All government taxes and service charges

What’s NOT Included

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN OUR TOUR PRICE

• Travel insurance
• International air-ticket to/from Yangon
• Visa fee and arrangements for Myanmar
• Optional Balloon flight
• Early check-in/ Late check out (official check-in:2pm/check-out:12noon)
• Peak-season surcharge (From Dec’ 20 2018 to Jan’ 10 2019)
• Christmas and New Year gala dinner (if any compulsory)
• Meals (Lunch/Dinner)
• Drinks and personal expenses
• Excess Baggage / Camera or Video Camera Fees / Local or International Telephone calls
• International airport tax when departure at Yangon (USD 10 at present)
• Tips and gratitude to guides/drivers/hotel porters, etc.
• Any other items not mentioned above
• Bank Transfer Charge

Booking/Payment Conditions

DEPOSIT:

We kindly require the payment of 30% deposit to guarantee the reservation upon confirmation from Myanmar Elite tours.

FULL PAYMENT or FINAL BALANCE:

After receiving your deposit, we will send you a Final Invoice. Full Payment or Final Balance can be done by bank transfer not later than 30 days of the arrival date in Myanmar:

A CANCELLATION TERM:

The cancellation notice must be received in writing either by e-mail or fax. It will be effective on the date of receipt. Cancellation charges, per person, are based on the date of cancellation:

• Cancellation from forty-five (45) days to thirty-one (31) days prior to travel commencing date – fifty (50) % of the total tour cost.
• Cancellation from thirty (30) days to no show – (100) % of the total tour cost.
• Should reduction of confirmed reservations by more than 10% of total participants reserved be made less than thirty one (31) days prior to travel commencing date, Myanmar Elite Tours reserves the right to charge a late cancellation or no show fee equivalent to fifty (50) % of the total tour cost.
• Should reduction of confirmed reservations by more than 10% of total participants reserved be made less than thirty (30) days prior to travel commencing date, Myanmar Elite Tours reserves the right to charge a late cancellation or no show fee at one hundred (100) % of the total tour cost.

ADDITIONAL TERMS

GUESTS INFORMATION:

Final guests’ information with Complete Names, Passport Number, DOB, Arrival/Departure Flight details should be sent not later than 30 days prior traveling commencing date.

OUR GUIDES:

Please be advised that we offer two kinds of guided tours – with “escorted/throughout guide” or with “regional-based local guide”. The former one will greet and pick you up at Yangon airport on your arrival, accompany or escort you throughout the trip and put you on the international flight back home on your departure (from the very arrival to your departure!). But they normally don’t accompany you in beaches if you add beach holidays to your tour.

Escorted guides can be German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Thai and of course English-speaking ones. They are inevitably more expensive than regional based local guides as you’ll have to pay for their flight fares as well as accommodation even though the costs for them are considerably lower than a tourist.

Regional-based local guides, on the other hand, will wait for you at your respective destinations (i.e. Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle, etc.) guide you there and after that put you on a plane or other means of transport to your next destination. However they do not accompany guests on train/Ferry boat/flight, etc. They can be available only in English-speaking. And they do not normally accompany guests in beach.

Please NOTE that our prices stated above are calculated with “regional based local English- speaking guides (4 different guides in each place)

FOOD:

Generally, our tours include breakfast only as most of our clients seem to prefer to take the food supply into their own hands/arrangements. Our guides will help you to find suitable restaurants. However, if you want to include meals (full board or half board) into your program we can arrange that too.

LIABILITY:

“MYANMAR ELITE Travel & Tour acts purely as INTERMEDIARY between the concerned airlines, hotels, either any of the government or private transport providers (rails/car/boat rental firms) and other logistics, agents, or organizations providing the services. We will therefore NOT be held RESPONSIBLE for any loss, injury, damage, delay, omission, accidents which may be occurred during or outside the tour program. Additional expenses or inconveniences incurred due to delay, accidents, sickness, death, natural disaster, political actions and unrest MUST BE BORNE by the CUSTOMERS.

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Participation in our tour implies tour operators, agent, customers have read and well understood the above terms and conditions and agree to each of them”.

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