THE SECRETS OF MYANMAR - 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS (IC/SICMY)
YANGON - BAGAN - MANDALAY - KALAW - INLE LAKE - YANGON

Day 1 Yangon
Visit Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset, this pagoda towers overlook the city and is the most sacred spot in the country, built to house eight hair relics of the Buddha. The Shwedagon and surrounding shrines are particularly beautiful during the sunset hour, as the golden stupa reflects the changing colors of twilight. Overnight in Yangon .

Day 2 Yangon (Breakfast: Hotel)
Sightseeing in Yangon
Visit Sule Pagoda, this 48 meter high golden dome was used by the British as the nucleus of their grid pattern for the city when it was rebuilt in the 1880s. The pagoda's peculiarity is its octagonal-shaped stupa, which retains its shape as it tapers to the spire. Botatung Pagoda, this paya was named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted relics of the Buddha brought from India over 2000 years ago. This ancient monument was completely destroyed during WWII and was rebuilt in a very similar style to its predecessor. Kyaukhtatyi Pagoda, the temple contains a gaudy, modern, 70 meter long reclining Buddha, built in 1966 and housed in an iron pavilion. The temple doubles as a monastery and a center for the study of Buddhist manuscripts. National Museum, a museum with several interesting exhibits, especially the 8 meter high Sihasana Lion Throne, used by King Thibaw Min, the last Burmese king, and returned to Burma in 1908 by Lord Mountbatten. The main floor contains jewellery, old black and white photos of Mandalay Palace and Yangon , royal relics, Hintha opium weights and inscribed tablets. Overnight in Yangon .

Day 3 Yangon - Bagan (Breakfast: Hotel )
Transfer to airport for flight to Bagan Upon arrival, sightseeing start with Shwezigon Paya, King Anawrahta started the construction of the Schwezigon Pagoda to enshrine some relicts of Buddha. The construction was finished by his successor, King Kyansittha between 1086 and1090. Originally the Shwezigon Pagoda marked the northern end of the city of Bagan . The stupa's graceful bell shape became a prototype for virtually all later stupas over Myanmar .
Gubyaukhyi Temple at Wetkyi-Inn: This Temple was built in the early 13th Century and repaired in 1468. The great colorful painting about the previous life of Buddha and the distinguished architecture make this temple an interesting site for a visit.
Ananda Pahto: one of the finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples. Thought to have been 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.
Gubyaukgyi Tempel at Myinkaba was Built in 1113 by Kyanzittha son Rajakumar, this temple is famous for its well-preserved Stuccos from the 12th century on the outside walls. The magnificent paintings date from the original construction of the temple and are considered to be the oldest original paintings in Bagan.
The Manuha Temple was built in 1059 by King Manuha, the King of Thaton, who was brought captive to Bagan by King Anawrahta. It enshrines the unusual combination of 3 seated and one reclining image Buddha. It is said that this temple was built by Manuha to express his displeasure about his captivity in Bagan.
Shwesandaw Paya, was build in 1057 by the King Anawrahta. This is the first monument in Bagan, which features stairways leading up from the square bottom terraces to the round base of the Stupa. This Pagoda is ideal to watch Bagan's magnificent sunsets.
Lacquerware Workshop, the villages around Bagan are known for producing the finest lacquerware in Myanmar . Stop by one of the workshops and learn about the painstaking process of laquerware making and decoration. Overnight in Bagan.

Day 4 Bagan - Mandalay (Breakfast: Hotel)
Transfer to airport for flight to Mandalay . Rest of the day free. Overnight in Mandalay .

Day 5 Mandalay (Breakfast: Hotel )
Sightseeing in Mandalay , visit Kuthodaw Paya, the central stupa here was modeled on the Shwezigon Paya at Nyaung U near Bagan. Building commenced in 1857. The paya has been dubbed 'the world's biggest book', for standing around the central stupa are 729 marble slabs on which are inscribed the entire Tripitaka.
Mahamuni Paya, originally built by King Bodawpaya in 1784 when a road paved with bricks was constructed from his palace to the paya's eastern gate. The centerpiece of the shrine is the highly venerated Mahamuni image that was transported to Myanmar from Mrauk U in Rakhaing in 1784.
Visit Mandalay Hill, an easy climb up the sheltered steps bring one to a panoramic view over the palace, Mandalay and the paya-studded countryside.
Visit Shwenandaw Kyaung, a monastery of great interest, not only as a fine example of a traditional Burmese wooden monastery, but as a fragile reminder of the old Mandalay Fort. Overnight in Mandalay .

Day 6 Mandalay (Breakfast: Hotel)
Excursion to Amarapura, Sagaing and Inwa (Ava)
This day tour visits three former royal capitals, each with its own unique atmosphere. In the morning, drive to AMARAPURA, and visit MAHAGANDAYON MONASTERY; every day at mid-morning, monks and novices line up to receive their daily offering of alms and food from faithful Buddhists. Next, head to SAGAING, the spiritual center of Myanmar . Hundreds of stupas, monasteries, temples and nunneries are to be found in Sagaing Hill, sometimes known as a living Bagan. Thousands of monks and nuns retreat here for meditation and contemplation. Stop at some of the most famous temples, such as TUPAYON PAYA and HSINMYASHIN PAYA (the Pagoda of Many Elephants).
Cross the river by ferry to INWA, situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River . Once a royal capital, Inwa is now a quiet rural oasis. Enjoy a leisurely HORSECART RIDE around the peaceful countryside, briefly visiting BAGAYA KYAUNG, a beautiful teak wood monastery, MAHA AUNGME BOZAN KYANG, and NAN MYINT TOWER . On the way, stop and observe how local artisans make the famous alms bowls out of iron. Finally, return to AMARAPURA, to end the day at U BEINÃ,Â'S BRIDGE, a picturesque teak bridge which extends over one kilometer across Taungthaman Lake . At dusk, the bridge teems with monks and local people as they stroll home or linger to enjoy the colors of the sunset. Overnight in Mandalay .

Day 7 Mandalay - Kalaw (Breakfast: Hotel)
Transfer to airport for flight to Heho. Upon arrive, transfer to Kalaw. Overnight in Kalaw.

Day 8 Kalaw - Inle Lake (Breakfast: Hotel )
Drive from Kalaw to Pindaya, visit Pindaya Cave , these caves are ensconced in a limestone ridge overlooking the lake. Inside the cavern there are more than 8000 Buddha images - made from alabaster, teak, marble, brick, lacquer and cement - and are arranged in such a way as to form a labyrinth throughout the various cave chambers.
Shwe U Min Paya, this is a cluster of low stupas just below the ridge near the Pindaya Caves . Beginning on the full moon of Tabaung (February/March), Pindaya hosts a colourful pagoda festival at Shwe U Min. Visit the local market and paper umbrella factory. The transfer to Inle Lake by vehicle and boat.

Day 9 Inle Lake - Yangon (Breakfast: Hotel)
Excursion by boat on Inle Lake . Inle Lake , located in Shan State , is beautiful, with very calm waters dotted with patches of floating vegetation and fishing canoes. High hills rim the lake on all sides. The lake's shore and islands bear 17 villages on stilts, mostly inhabited by the Intha people. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and observe the skilled fisherman using their leg-rowing technique to propel themselves around the lake. Visit the floating gardens, a market and a Intha village around the lake. The day sightseeing also includes a visit to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Inn Paw Khon Village (Lotus and silk weaving) and the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery. Transfer to Heho by boat and vehicle. Fly from Heho to Yangon . Overnight in Yangon .

Day 10 Yangon (Breakfast: Hotel)
Time at leisure. * No local guide *

Updated:Jul20,2010