Glimpse of Myanmar

Arrive at Yangon International Airport. Please clear immigration & visa formalities, collect your baggage and proceed to the arrival lounge through the green channel if you do not have goods to be declared to customs. At the arrival lounge you will be welcomed by TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS guide/driver holding plaque card, he will assist with transfer and check-in at the hotel. (normal check-in time 1400hrs) Have a brief rest, late afternoon we visit the Chaukhtatgyi, the colossal reclining Buddha; the Shwedagon Pagoda most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, the local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago then renovated several times until taking its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas and your guide will show you around the massive complex, explaining why this temple is so revered. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point and enjoy the sunset from there. Stay two nights in Yangon.

After breakfast, start your sightseeing of Yangon and visit Sule Pagoda in the heart of Yangon city. Botataung Paya, its most original feature is the dazzling zig-zag corridor, gilded from floor to ceiling, that snakes its way around the hollow interior of the 131ft golden zedi (stupa). Also, lookout for a bronze Buddha that once resided in the royal palace in Mandalay, and a large pond full of hundreds of terrapin turtles. Later in the afternoon, visit Bogyoke Aung San Market (closed on Monday and public holidays), half a day could easily be spent wandering around this sprawling covered market, sometimes called by its old British name, Scott Market. It has over 2000 shops and the largest selection of Myanmar handicrafts and souvenirs you’ll find under several roofs, from lacquerware and Shan shoulder bags to puppets and jewellery. Pick up some nice slippers here, convenient for all the on-and-off demanded by Paya protocol, and a longyi. Your highlight for this evening is the dinner in Karaweik Palace, overlooking the Royal Lake. The dinner is served with fine Burmese food and amazing cultural show. Later return to the hotel with an overnight in Yangon.

• Breakfast
• Dinner

After early breakfast or packed breakfast box from the hotel transfer to the domestic airport to board a short flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo). From the 11th to 13th centuries, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, the rulers constructed thousands of huge stupas and temples many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. We start our sightseeing from Nyaung Oo Market where dozens of vendors come to sell their fresh produce and products. The market is at its busiest early in the morning as the locals come to do their shopping. This is a great opportunity to observe the daily lifestyle of the friendly locals. Then continue to the glittering Shwezigon Pagoda, a prototype of later Myanmar stupas. Next, visit Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jatakas mural paintings. Continue to the elegant Htilominlo Temple, noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. Afternoon, visit the New Bagan area and one of its many lacquer-ware workshops. Here you can observe the traditional technique of making these handcrafted products from start to finish. The process takes incredible skill and patience and Bagan’s craftsmen are well renowned for their fantastic lacquer products. As today comes to a close, travel to the boat jetty and embark on a sunset cruise. Enjoy a cocktail and a stunning view of Bagan as you cruise along the Irrawaddy River. Stay two nights in Bagan.

• Breakfast
• Dinner

After breakfast, We start with the exotic horse cart to one of the biggest temples in Bagan: Nan Paya pagoda and many other interesting sites nearby, continue with sightseeing to Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple, experience the architectural difference in MyaZedi pagoda before heading to Manuha Temple. The highlight of today is the panoramic sunset view from the second highest pagoda of Bagan the ShweSandaw pagoda.

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Leave Bagan for Inle Lake. From Heho, a scenic one-hour drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which features beautiful carvings and a collection of Buddha images. We will also stop in Nyaung Shwe for a short walk around town and visit the colourful market if it is being held that day. Upon reaching the edges of Inle Lake, board a private motorboat to head out to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. Pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people. Observe the leg-rowing fishermen and see their floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf. Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. If time permits, there may be time to enjoy a short walk through one of the lakeside villages. Overnight in Inle Lake.

• Breakfast
• Dinner

After breakfast, visit the lake’s morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5-day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: the market is daily except on dark moon day and full moon day). From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of In Dein. Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village, visiting a local school, and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Here you can climb the covered stairway to the top of a hill which is covered with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below. After enjoying your visit to In Dein, return to your boat. Leave Inle Lake for Yangon. Overnight in Yangon.

• Breakfast
• Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel and in time transfer to the international airport to board your onward flight home.

• Breakfast