Morning transfer to Yangon Airport departs for Mandalay by flight (Approx.: 1 hr 30 mins). Once arrive, head to  Sagaing, then cross the Ayeyarwady route to Sagaing Hill, the living center of Buddhism in Myanmar the pagoda sprinkled hills of Sagaing, an important religious and monastic center, home to some 554 monasteries and 6,000 monks and nuns. After reaching the bottom of Sagaing Hill, drive to the summit for sweeping panoramic views noteworthy Pagoda on the hill is Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda. Time to explore visiting one of the monasteries which is home to many monks. Upon time permitting, to observe Lunch offering time at the monastery their last meal in a day. After visit, panoramic drive to Mandalay by passing through various agricultural landscapes and villages. Transfer to hotel and check in for an afternoon break.

In the late afternoon time, visit the Shwenandaw Monastery that is the last original wooden structure of the Mandalay Royal Palace. This precious carved teak building was one of the King’s rooms and became a monastery. Continued to Kuthodaw (Maha Lawkamarazein Pagoda) which is famous as the world’s largest book, composed with hundreds of stone slabs on which is inscribed the whole Buddhist Literature. Drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Mandalay.

Today Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to Amarapura, 15 km (30 minutes) from Mandalay to start the two-night cruise from Mandalay to Bagan. Begin with a welcome breakfast at U-Bein Bridge, built in 1782 when Amarapura was the royal capital. The 1.2-km-long footbridge was built by major U Bein using salvaged teak columns from the deconstruction of Ava Palace. An amazing attraction, it remains the longest teak span in the world.

Head out to experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay, including one of the most revered religious images in Myanmar – the Mahamuni Pagoda. Admire the beautiful gold leaf covered statues on display. Transfer to the jetty where the Strand cruise awaits and embarking. A welcome briefing and reception will be hosted in the cruise lounge and enjoy lunch on board.

In the afternoon time sail to Mingun, enjoying the picturesque scenery of this river and the lifestyles of the local people, small long tail boats, bamboo rafts and ferries carry goods up and down the river. Explore the Mingun including the Mingun Bell, which weighs more than 87 tons and is more than 3.7 meters tall. This is the world’s largest uncracked bell. Continue to the beautiful Hsinbyume (Ma Thein Tan) Pagoda, a white-washed temple built to resemble Mount Meru the centre of the Buddhist universe. Return back to cruise and enjoy an evening cocktail onboard. Explore the spectacular view of the sunset over the scenic beauty of River Aywyarwady from beautiful cruise. A delicious dinner will bring this thought-provoking day to an end. Overnight onboard.

(*) Every Friday Departure from Mandalay to Bagan.

Enjoy Breakfast onboard and sail to one of the quiet villages near Ava, one of Myanmar’s ancient imperial capitals for a delightful ride through the naturally preserved landscape and key landmarks.  A local transport horse cart is waiting near the jetty and proceeds to Ava by charming horse drawn carriage pass through the ancient city. Stop the horse cart at Yadana Shemee, a beautiful little complex a small group of pagodas. These pagodas showcase the development of brick monasteries since the 17th century. The ancient ruins complex makes for some excellent photo opportunities.

Head to Wingabamonastery, the brick ruins of the ancient Wingaba Monastery with preserved carved details on its wall. Once back on board, the voyage continued throughout the afternoon towards the ancient city of Bagan. Enjoy afternoon activities on board will be offered including a longyi demonstration and Myanmar Thanaka demonstration. Followed by cocktails in the evening and dinner will be served onboard .Overnight onboard

In the morning, healthy Breakfast onboard before disembark in Bagan.

The day with a stroll through bustling local market of Nyaung-U to experience the colorful daily life of the local people and a wide variety of tempting goods including fresh vegetables, meat and fish, assorted crafts. Start the exploration of the archaeological site with Bagan’s most treasured temples and pagodas including: Shwezigon Pagoda, known for its glittering golden stupa, Shwegugyi Pagoda. Ananda Temple, believed to be the most beautiful temple which has thousands of terracotta, mural paintings and sand stone statues that depict life of Buddha and previous lives of Buddha. Transfer to the hotel and leisure as the temperature rises.

In the late afternoon, visit a lacquerware workshop to observe the skilled craftsman produce and decorate lacquer ware items. Bagan is one of the last remaining locations in the world where quality lacquerware items are produced.

The final  temple for the day will be the Damayangyi Temple which is the most massive temple ever constructed in Bagan. From here join a local horse cart for a leisurely ride along the back roads of Bagan and enjoy Sunset at one of the hillocks over the Bagan plains and admire the light change on the pagodas as they exude antiquity and mystery. After enjoying the setting sun over the temples of Bagan return to hotel and overnight in Bagan.

Optional Activity – Balloons ride in Bagan 

Today you have the unique opportunity to enjoy spectacular views of the ancient Kingdom of Bagan in a hot air balloon! The world famous archeological site of Bagan is known for its marvelous sunrises, best enjoyed from the top of one of the monuments. A balloon flight gives you the chance to see Bagan with a bird’s eye view.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, after that the journey begins with a visit to little complex including Payathonzu, Lemyentha and Nandamannya Temples, with spectacular views over the surrounding plains. This is the perfect introduction to the grandeur and scope of Bagan’s architecture. Walking tour around these beautiful temples complex make for some excellent photo opportunities. Continue leisure drive to one of the local authentic villages to explore the real Bagan typical village, once at the village explore the daily life of the local inhabitants with a walking tour. After visit, proceed to one of the local family business making of toddy or palm sugar the opportunity to see how the palm sap is gathered in small pots hung high in the trees and then is heated in large pots to produce a smoky tasting and sweet palm sugar. Drive back to Bagan and enjoy hotel atmosphere for this afternoon.
In the evening time head to the riverside pier to board a local boat for a slow cruise down the Ayeyarwady River to observe the lifestyle of the fishermen and riverside villagers as well as enjoying the unique perspective of Bagan’s temples. Return back to hotel and overnight in Bagan.

Optional Activity – Ayeyarwady Sandbank Dinner

Prepare for an amazing dinner experience that you will never forget in Myanmar. Transfer by a local boat that will take you to a mid-river sandbank where a private gala-style dinner will be served under an open sky, surrounded by Bagan’s resplendent temples mirrored on the leisurely river. Look forward to exquisite local dishes in a stunning surrounding. A Myanmar harp player will perform during your dinner time for the romantic atmosphere.

(Subject to weather conditions – usually best between November and April)

Enjoy the breakfast at Hotel and transfer to Bagan, Nyaung-U airport for departure to Heho gate way of Inle lake by morning flight (Approx: 45 mins). Upon arrival at Heho airport, drive to Nyaung Shwe jetty at the gateway of the Inle Lake famous for its unique leg rower (1 hr drive). On the way, stop will be at a local family run workshop to observe paper making for the production of traditional Shan parasols. Then, visit “Shwe Yan Pyay” is a beautiful red-painted teak building dated back to the 19th century.

Arrive in Nyaung Shwe and start a local boat trip on Inle Lake which is a photographer’s dream because of its natural beauty. Its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes to which picturesque hills provide the perfect backdrop. Explore the lake’s only ‘leg rowers’, Intha fishermen who stand up with one leg around a single paddle, leaving their hands free to manipulate the conical fishing net. Marvel at Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State. Pass endless floating gardens, where Intha lake dwellers grow fruit and vegetables. After a day of exploring, transfer to the hotel and overnight in Inle.

Optional Activity – Balloons ride in Inle Lake

This morning you will have the unique opportunity to enjoy spectacular views over Inle Lake in a hot air balloon! Flying over Inle Lake in a balloon really is a unique way of experiencing one of Myanmar’s most scenic and cultural attractions.

Optional Activity – Morning Alms

Alms giving is an important part of culture and one of the most common practices throughout the country every day of the year for Buddhism in Myanmar. The ritual of giving alms is a way to support Buddhist monks, who study and practice the Buddha’s teachings, by offering them food. Discover the unique cultural traditions and religious practices of Myanmar. Myanmar Voyages will create a private donation ceremony where you participate in a mystic food donation ritual at one of the monasteries in Inle Lake in the early morning. This is a perfect opportunity to learn about the Buddhist culture that will for sure stay in your memory forever.

Enjoy breakfast at hotel, explore a 5-day rotating market (if the visit coincides with the schedule) which offers an insight into the life of the ethnic Pa-O, Danu and Intha people who come to these markets to sell and buy goods. Long-tailed boat across the lake to Indein at the western end of Inle for one of the most scenic trips on the Lake. Disembark at the jetty and walk for a few minutes through Indein village to reach the 14^th – 18^th century pagoda ruins of Nyaung Ohak. A covered walkway popular with souvenir stall holders leads up to Shwe Inn Thein Paya, a complex of weather-beaten 17th – 18th century zedi; some newly reconstructed. Enjoy a stop to watch traditional silk weaving artists, using wooden handlooms to create beautiful artistic patterns.

In the afternoon enjoy the canoe  boat experience by Inle Canoe Lady. Canoe will be rowed by local woman who work at the cigar workshop, but are offering this short trip to provide their families with an extra income. The canoe through the channels, between the houses built on stilts and the floating gardens of the “Intha” who live in the lake. Return back to the hotel and enjoy and overnight in Inle. Once back to the hotel, time at leisure for the rest of evening. Time to watch the sun set over postcard views of the lake. Overnight in Inle.

Optional Activity – Romantic Inle Floating Dinner

Indulge in a candle-lit floating dinner on Inle Lake. The dinner starts just as the sun sets and even comes with its very own floating bar. You’ll first board a canoe and be taken to a floating barge where you will be served a three course meal as the sun sets over Inle Lake and the Shan Hills.

Start the day with delicious breakfast and transfer to Heho airport to take the flight back to Yangon (Approx: 1 hr 20 mins). Arrive Yangon and visit to Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda and its huge reclining Buddha 217 feet long and is one of the largest in Myanmar. Head downtown for walking tour, Yangon is known for the highest number of colonial period buildings in Southeast Asia. A walk around the city tour will offer many photo opportunities of locals enjoying at local tea shops, as well as a chance to view some of the historic buildings in the area and the impressive British-Colonial City Hall a fine example of syncretic Burmese architecture.

Next proceed to one of the local tea houses for a chance to experience Myanmar tea culture, a contemporary venue inspired by the traditional tea house of the British colonial era. The last visit  to the famous Bogyoke Market (Scott Market), with hundreds of shops for food, clothing, crafts and precious stones.  Drive back to hotel and check in, the rest day for your own leisure. Overnight in Yangon.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Bogyoke Market (Scott Market) will be closed every Monday and Gazette Holidays.

Special dinner in Yangon – Optional Activity

As for your last night in Myanmar, you will be experiencing the most memorable dinner in Yangon’s most prestigious and best quality restaurant; Le Planteur. Le Planteur is a French Fine Dining with an Asian twist, served in a luxurious mansion along with a romantic garden compound. The experience of watching the sensational view from the garden while having a delicious meal with your loved ones is what makes the night special at your memorial time in Myanmar!

Enjoy breakfast at hotel. Free at own leisure until the departure time. Then, transfer to Yangon International airport and depart for the next destination.