TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Tour of
Mandalay including its environ ancient
cities of Amarapura and Sagaing
- Train ride to
Myitkyina and 4WD bus together with
local passengers to Bhamo
- River-cruise
from Bhamo down to Mandalay through
magnificent gorges and defiles
- River-cruise
from Mandalay down to Bagan
- Tour of Bagan
including excursion to Mt. Popa
- Tour of
Southern Shan State including Pindaya,
kalaw and Inle
- Tour of Yangon
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Your mini stay includes
-
First Class hotel
accommodation in
Mandalay at Sedona Hotel (2-night), medium in
Myitkyina at Sumpra Hotel or Nan Thida Hotel
(2-night) and in Bhamo at Friendship Hotel
(1-night), first class hotel again in Bagan at
Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel or
Hotel@Tharabar Gate
(3-night), medium class in Kalaw at Hill Top Villa
(1-night) and first class in Inle at Inle Resort Hotel
(2-night), and First Class in Yangon at Kandawgyi Palace
Hotel (2-night)
-
Train ride to Myitkyina and 4WD bus together with local
passengers to Bhamo
-
River-cruise from Bhamo down to Mandalay
-
River-cruise from Mandalay down to Bagan
-
Schedule domestic flights
-
17
meals (2 dinners and 15 breakfasts)
-
Escorted English-speaking guide
-
Local trekking guide in Kalaw
-
All transfers in all sites visited
-
18
days tour of Mandalay including Amarapura and Sagaing, Bagan
including journey to Mt. Popa, Pindaya, Kalaw, Inle Lake and
Yangon in private AC saloon/van/coach
-
A complimentary
welcome (or) farewell dinner
Tour Hotel
Mandalay:
Mandalay Sedona*****(or) Mandalay Swan***
Myitkyina:
Sumpra* (or) Nan Thida*
Bhamo:
Friendship*
Bagan: Thiripyitsaya Sakura****(or)
The Hotel @ Tharabar Gate****
Kalaw:
Hill Top Villa**
Inle:
Inle Resort*** (or)
Paradise Inle**
Yangon:
Kandawgyi Palace****(or)
Summit Parkview***
TOUR ITINERARY
NOTE:
This package is dedicated to world-travelers who wish to fly from
Chiang Mai, Thailand into Mandalay, Myanmar and after touring in
Myanmar fly out from Yangon, Myanmar. However, as the
Myitkyina-Bhamo road is impassable during the Monsoon period
this package is operational only from November to April. Please
check with us before you book! Again, the most important point is
that method of travel - whether by air, train or boat - to this
northern area is drawback in many ways and so we should ask for
your understanding to expect those experiences before you decide
to book on this package.
Day One : Arrive Mandalay - Amarapura en
route
 Greetings
day and welcome to Myanmar! Today you will
arrive at 'Tadaoo' International Airport in
Mandalay, the Royal Capital City of Myanmar
Monarchs. On our way to Mandalay, we'll
visit Amarapura, the Royal Seat of Power
before Mandalay, to witness the daily life
of the Buddhist monks at MAHA GANDARYON
MONASTERY. Then have a stroll on famous
U BEIN Wooden Bridge dating back over
200 years spanning the Taung Tha Mann
Lake. Onwards to our hotel for the next
two nights. Later this evening let's take a
walk for Myanmar traditional dinner.
(Hotel/Dinner)
Day Two: Touring
Mandalay - Start with Sagaing Hills
 This
morning we'll drive to Sagaing Hills, which
is considered to be Buddhist retreat, dotted
with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Here
we also have the chance en route to see the
silversmiths producing. By late afternoon
we’ll take in the sights and sounds of
Mandalay, visiting first to 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 we'll tour
onward to SHWE NANDAW MONASTERY where
you can marvel the superb example of Myanmar
traditional woodcarving and KUTHODAW
PAGODA known as World's Biggest Book for
its 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist
scriptures. To top off the day, we'll drive
up to MANDALAY HILL, 230 meters in
elevation, for a panoramic view of the city
and its surrounding areas at sunset.
(Hotel/Breakfast)
Day Three: Train Ride
to Myitkyina - Phew … what a rocky night!
Morning at leisure for your own discoveries.
Board a sleeper train at midday bound for
Myitkyina. Even though you may find your
berth very simple and basic, you'll feel
something like stepping into another world
all along the way. Overnight a rocky train
will somehow recall your childhood days.
(Breakfast)
Day Four: Arrive
Myitkyina - Reach the town of 'By the Big
River'
After a spectacular long ride, we'll reach
the town of Myitkyina around evening.
Onwards to our hotel for the next two
nights. Will you rest up? Yes, you'll need
to. (Hotel)
 Day Five: Excursion
to Ayeyarwaddy Confluence
In
the morning we'll visit the central market
where you'll love to see many local hill
tribe people haggling over produce and
consumer goods. Then we'll head north (about
43km) to visit the confluence of the Mehka
and Malihka rivers, forms the beginning of
the Great Ayeyarwaddy River.
(Hotel/Breakfast)
Day Six: Journey to Bhamo - Experience
the LEDO Road!
Today will be the day of awesome scenery,
great fun (if you're friendly enough with
local people!) and soft adventure ride on
part of Ledo-Bhamo-Burma Road, which
construction was originally proposed by
American General Joseph 'Vinegar Joe'
Stilwell during World War II! Here you may
have a chance to make new friends with local
fellow passengers. (Hotel/Breakfast)
Day Seven: Board
double-decker down to Mandalay - heading
back to Mandalay
This morning we'll board quite simple Chinese-built vessel. No matter how simple
of your ship the river route is always smooth and relax! Make sure your camera
has enough films for the spectacular views along the Ayeyarwaddy River
especially when you enter the Second and Third defiles. Among the small towns
and villages you pass by, perhaps you'll remember the colonial town of 'Kathar'
as the setting for George Orwell's Burmese Days! Maybe you can hear the local
teenagers' blues and heart-broken songs when you make a night-stop en route. Why
not you join them for the night... you'll be more than welcome!!! (Breakfast)
Day Eight: Arrive Mandalay - smooth road to Mandalay
 On its second day, you'll certainly realize this voyage combines scenic views
with a study of local life and culture. In fact, the Ayeyarwaddy River is named
after the Hindu Eravati or 'Elephant River'. Like the Ganges to Indian, it is a
spiritual entity; provider of the wherewithal for life and happiness, material
and spiritual well being. Upon arrival at Gaw-wein Jetty of Mandalay around
evening, we'll check-in at our hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to
explore. (Hotel)
Day Nine: Down
River-cruise to Bagan - river civilization
has hardly changed in hundreds of years
Today we'll board
different vessel but Chinese-built again for
different voyage experience and sailing
through the heart of 'Middle Myanmar'
with a varying landscape. Small towns and
villages pass by all along the way are
remote from the modern world today and offer
a glimpse of a timeless. We'll reach the
ancient city of Bagan in late afternoon.
Onwards to our hotel for the next three
nights. (Hotel/Breakfast)
Day Ten: Touring Bagan-explore the 'First
Myanmar Empire'
 There
is great sightseeing in Bagan. Highlights of
our day include NYAUNG OO Local Market
where you can take a walk along the market
stalls offering a variety of fresh farm
produce and a range of uniquely Local items
and souvenirs to take back home,
SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King
Anawrahta in the early 11th century as the
first Buddhist monument built in Myanmar
style, ANANDA TEMPLE, which has four
huge Buddha Images in standing position and
reliefs depicting the Buddha from his birth
to his Enlightenment, its adjacent brick
monastery to see the well-preserved murals
from the early Bagan era and THATBYINNYU
TEMPLE, the highest white stucco
building in Bagan. We'll drive back to our
hotel just to avoid the intense noon heat.
Later this afternoon we'll set out again to
see some spectacular and important sites
including MANUHA TEMPLE, built by the
exile King Manuha of Thaton dating back to
1059, in the Mon Style, NANPAYA TEMPLE,
said to be the place of King Manuha's palace
site, and we'll stop at the LACQUER WEAR
WORKSHOP to witness their whole process
of lacquer ware products. To crown off our
day, we'll climb on the perfectly situated
temple to enjoy the breathtaking sunset over
the mountain ranges in the distance. The
land and scenery of this glorious region
will make for an unforgettable experience.
(Hotel/Breakfast)
Day Eleven: Bagan - you won't want to
leave!
Continued.....
(Hotel/Breakfast)
Day Twelve: Journey to Mt. Popa - Oasis
in dry zone
 This
morning after we enjoy a breakfast, we’ll
set out for a scenic journey through toddy
palm countryside. We’ll stop at the
JAGGERY<palm sugar> making
cottages and toddy-palm grooves
to sample a piece of jaggery or a sip of
palm juice or spirit. We continue on to Mt.
Popa, an extinct volcano of 1500 meters at
the highest point. Mount Popa and its
environs are the only lush green place
amidst the desert area of Middle Myanmar.
We'll climb up the 730 meters high conic
flattop (Named as Popa Taung Kalat) by 777
steep steps. It's the sacred home of what is
known as NATS - spirits. We'll enjoy
the panoramic view of the surrounding
landscapes atop Popa Taung Kalat. We'll get
a chance to visit the POPA NATIONAL PARK,
with dense Sandalwood forests and rare
species of birds and butterflies before
heading back to Bagan. (Hotel/Breakfast)
Day Thirteen: Fly to
Heho - Pindaya caves and Pineland night
 This
morning we depart for the airport and board
your flight to Heho, gateway to explore
southern Shan State including Lake
INLE. On arrival, 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 the lovely hill station of KALAW,
which was a popular hill station in the
British days, and it's still a peaceful and
quiet place surrounded by pine trees. Your
room is generally ready for immediate
check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure
for your own discovery. (Hotel/Breakfast)
Day Fourteen: Trek to Palaung Hill-tribe
& Drive to Lake Inle - Unique Leg-rower
The day of activity
starts after your breakfast. An expert local
guide will escort you through the Shan
plateau to visit the villages of Palaung
hill-tribe. A chance here to meet Palaung
natives and discover how they live in this
remote area from your local guide. For the
return journey, your guide may choose to
take another path. By late afternoon we'll
drive to NYAUNGSHWE and transfer by
boat direct to your hotel located right on
the lake for overnight. (Hotel/Breakfast)
Day Fifteen: Inle at leisure - Venice of
the East
 Today
we'll discover INLE Lake that
highlights the natural wonder of this
magnificent vast waterway, exploring its
amazing PHAUNG DAW OO PAGODA which is
the most revered sacred site in southern
Shan State. Some other highlights around the
lake are local fishermen using their unique
fishing method, leg-rowers, weaving cottage,
silvery shops, floating garden and NGA
PHE CHAUNG MONASTERY also know as
jumping cat Monastery. Enjoy lunch on the
broad terrace at your hotel while enjoying
the passer-by boats across the lake. Late
afternoon excursion to the ancient stupas
complex of INN-DEIN. This mysterious
place is at the end of the marvelous INN-DEIN
creek, which connected with Inle Lake just
after the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. The creek is
narrow with many twist and turns. A chance
here to see the farmers plowing and
harrowing by water buffaloes in paddy fields
on its both side. (Hotel/Breakfast)
Day Sixteen: Fly to Yangon - Marvel the
Amazing SHWE DAGON
 This
morning we depart for the airport and our
flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival in this
capital city, we transfer to our hotel for
the next two nights. This evening we'll make
a special visit to Great SHWEDAGON PAGODA,
one of the most spectacular religious on
earth. Witness the Golden Dome, covered with
60 tons of pure gold, glistening as the sun
sets. (Hotel/Breakfast)
Day Seventeen: Touring Yangon - What a
‘capital’ city!
 We're
off for a day of great sightseeing in
Yangon, including the historic DOWNTOWN
district and Yangon HARBOR. We'll
enjoy the activities of Yangon harbor and
colorful streetscapes and elegantly restored
COLONIAL-STYLE buildings. Extended
visit to the gilded SULE Pagoda
dating back over 2,000 years. We'll continue
to KYAUKHTATGYI, a huge reclining
Buddha Image and also have the opportunity
to experience a hand-made glass
demonstration at private owned NAGA GLASS
FACTORY. The rest of the day is at
leisure for your own discovery and
exploration. Tonight we’ll enjoy the variety
of cultural show as we dine at Lakeview
Theatre Restaurant adjacent to Kandawgyi
Palace Hotel. (Hotel/Breakfast/Dinner)
Day Eighteen: Depart Yangon - Farewell
Myanmar
Your final day in
Myanmar! Perhaps you'll realize that this is
one of the most unique destinations left on
the planet. You won't want to leave! Here
you have a chance to do some last minute
shopping at more than 70-year-old BOGYOKE
(Scott) market. Later this evening,
you'll be transferred to Yangon
international airport to connect with your
return flight home and reminisce about the
wonderful time you have had in the
‘Golden Land of Myanmar'. (Breakfast)
NOTE:
Please be aware of
that we'll endeavor to keep our programs mentioned as close as
possible, however we reserve the rights to alter them without
notice in case of unexpected changing or canceling of scheduled
flights/boat. Traveling to/in Kachin State may not go
smooth at times.
Although
Myanmar Elite Tours will endeavor to obtain the best available
accommodations, transport and facilities for guests, we would
ask their understanding for any practical aspects which do not
come up to expectations.
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