(Code: AP3)
There are many paths to Heavens. We offer a path right here and right now on Earth-- A road to the Golden Rock amidst the morning clouds. Our Noble Path will also take you to a huge Reclining Buddha Image in Bago, one of the World's Largest Ringing Bells in Mingun, the World's Largest Book in Mandalay, Floating Villages in Inle, and sunset view of Ancient Bagan temples. Last but not the least, get the feel of the Spirit of Yangon. Heavens is right here on Earth. Come experience it in Burma.
| Day | Summary | Hotel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Yangon. Hotel check in, followed by sightseeing. [detail] | Park Royal | |
| 2 | Drive to Kyaikhtiyo for sightseeing. [detail] | Mountain Top | (Breakfast) |
| 3 | Drive back to Yangon via Bago. [detail] | Park Royal | (Breakfast) |
| 4 | Morning flight to Mandalay. Day trip to Mingun. Return to Mandalay. Check in hotel. Visit gold leave work shop, Khuthodaw Pagoda & Shwekyaungdaw. Sunset view from Mandalay Hill. Overnight in Mandalay. [detail] | Mandalay City | (Breakfast) |
| 5 | Morning flight to Bagan. Visit Nyaung Oo market, Shwezigon, Ananda, Thatbyinnyu, Gawdawpalin. Late afternoon visit to traditional lacquerware workshop and watch the sunset from one of the ruins. Overnight in Bagan. [detail] | Bagan Thande | (Breakfast) |
| 6 | Morning flight to Inle. Check in Hotel. Visit Phaungdaw Oo, Floating village of Ywama, silk weaving villages of Inpawkhone and Ngaphechaung. Overnight in Inle. [detail] | Hupin Khaung Daing Resort | (Breakfast) |
| 7 | Morning flight to Yangon. Visit Scott's market. Late afternoon transfer to the airport for your onward departure flight. [detail] | Park Royal | (Breakfast) |
| City | Hotel | Category | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yangon | Park Royal Hotel | Superior | 5 stars |
| Mandalay | Mandalay City Hotel | Superior | 3 stars |
| Bagan | Bagan Thande Hotel | Deluxe River View | 3 stars |
| Inle | Hupin Khaung Daing Resort | Cottage | 3 stars |
| Kyaikhtiyo | Mountain Top Hotel | Standard | 2 stars |
Day 01: Bangkok - Yangon - Sightseeing (Arrival)
Upon arrival at the Yangon airport, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Yangon has been the Capital city of Myanmar (Burma) from the days of British colonial rule ( Crown Jewel of British East Indian Empire and known as Rangoon back then) until a few years back when the Burmese government moved its administrative functions to the new capital "Nay Pyi Daw".
Its impressive colonial background and spiritual heritage make Yangon one of the most fascinating city in South East Asia to visit.
Head for Chaukhtatgyi colossal reclining Buddha Image followed by Botataung Pagoda to observe the enshrinement of what is believed to be the hair relic of the Buddha.
Visit the historic Strand Hotel and other colonial-style red-bricked buildings. Proceed to Shwedagon Pagoda. Shwedagon has celebrated its two thousand six hundred years anniversary in late February to early March 2012. Certainly, it is the World's most decorated golden stupa and symbol of undying devotion to Buddhism in Myanmar. The golden dome rises 98 meters above its base, which itself is located on a hill, and is covered with 60 tons of pure gold. It stands out from the city's landscape in all direction and quite a view to watch, especially at night when the golden surface is lit up.
[ See a spectacular view of Shwedagon. ]
Enjoy a fantastic sunset view from the hilltop. Overnight at Park Royal Hotel. (B)
Day 02: Yangon - Kyaikhtiyo
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda ( Sometimes spelled Kyaiktiyo, and also known as the Golden Rock), about 190 km, or approximately 5 hours drive from Yangon. Upon arrival at Kim Pun base camp, board on an open truck for an another 45 minutes (11 km drive) drive up the steep, but well-paved road leading to the upper staging point of Ya-thaid-taung camp.
Continue to walk up (4 km, approx. 45 min) to the renowned Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda site 1,180 meters above the sea level.
As an easier alternative to walking, four porters at an extra cost can carry you on a sedan chair. The Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda is 7.3 meters high, and built on a gold-gilded boulder 25 meters in circumference. It is sitting in what appears to be a very precarious position on a tabular rock jutting out from a ridge in the Eastern Yoma Mountains. A trip to Kyaikhtiyo is likely to be one of Burma's most spiritual experiences.
[ See Heavenly View of Kyaikhtiyo "the Golden Rock".]
Overnight at Mountain Top hotel. (B)
Day 03: Kyaikhtiyo - Bago - Yangon
Breakfast at the hotel and excursion to one of the most important local pilgrimage sites in Myanmar.
Walk down the upper camp in the late morning, and meet your driver for your return trip to the base camp. Continue your journey to Bago, an ancient Capital of Mon known as Hansavati. Visit Shwethalyaung, a huge reclining Buddha Image believed to have been built in 994 AD. Continue to Kyaikpun Pagoda to observe the four gigantic seated Buddha statues.
End your day with a visit to excavated site of Hanthawadi. Surrounding this former Mon Palace ground is Mon-style square-walled city measuring 1.8 km on each side. Kambawzathadi Palace at the center of the compound was home to King Bayinnaung of 1553-1599 period.
Return to Yangon. Overnight at Park Royal hotel. (B)
Day 04: Yangon - Mandalay - Mingun sightseeing
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your Mandalay-bound flight. Mandalay, known as Rathanabon or "the Gem" city, was the Capital of the last Myanmar dynasty; it was the center of Myanmar culture, tradition, arts and crafts. The city for generations has been known for its skilled artisans, commissioned by the royal courts to make various handicrafts.
Upon arrival at the Mandalay airport, meet your driver and proceed to Kyawzun jetty. You may have a chance
to observe local people using water buffaloes to pull Myanmar teak wood ( considered to be the best quality in the World.) Watch busy riverside activities.
Board on a privately chartered boat and head for Mingun across Ayeyarwady river. Visit the
old-age home for the poor at Mingun. Observe Mingun bell, weighing 88 tons and
ranked among the world's largest ringing bells. (Note: "The Great Bell of Dhammazedi" The World's largest ringing bell ever made in human history
remained sunk somewhere in Yangon River. See where Mingun Bell stands in the list of
the World's heaviest bells.)
Other tour highlights are Settawya Pagoda with a marble foot print of the Buddha; Pahtodawgyi, where an enormous pile of bricks is all that remains of King Bodawpaya's grandiose scheme; Mingun Village and Hsinbume Pagoda (Hsinbyume), quite an attractive pagoda built in the 19th century by King Bodawpaya's grandson in memory of one of his queen consorts.
Return to Mandalay and check in at the hotel.
Afternoon visit includes a trip to gold leaves production work shop, wood and stone carving and bronze casting workshops. Proceed to the foot of the Mandalay hill to observe "the World's largest book" at Kuthodaw Pagoda, where an entire Buddhist canon is recorded on 729 stone tablets.
Visit Shwekyaungdaw "Golden Palace Monastery" to observe the finest Myanmar wooden architecture. Reward yourself with a fantastic sunset view from the hill after a challenging walk up the Mandalay hill.
Overnight at Mandalay City hotel. (B)
Day 05: Mandalay - Bagan
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your Bagan-bound flight. Bagan, founded as early as in 849 AD, is located on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy river about 500 km north of Yangon.
Upon arrival at Nyaung U airport, meet your driver and visit enchanting Nyaung Oo market. Check-in at your hotel. Visit Shwezigon, a major monument and the prototype of the later Myanmar stupas.
Visit Ananda Temple, the best-preserved master-piece of Myanmar architecture; Ananda Oakkyaung, one of a few surviving brick monasteries; Thatbyinnyu, the tallest monument in Bagan; and Gawdawpalin, the largest and the most imposing monument in Bagan.
Visit one of the traditional Lacquerware workshops to observe the process of making those unique Myanmar handicrafts. Enjoy breath-taking sunset view from one of the ruins. You may have a chance to explore part of the ruins by a local horse drawn cart.
[ See horse carts on the road of Bagan.]
Overnight at Bagan Thande Hotel. (B)
Day 06: Bagan - Heho - Inle sightseeing by boat
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your Heho-bound flight. Upon arrival at the Heho airport, meet your driver and proceed to Inle Lake .
Inle Lake is the second largest natural lake in Myanmar located in the middle of the greatest depression in Nyaungshwe valley between the two parallel mountain ranges running north to south in the southern Shan State.
After hotel check-in and a short rest, board on a traditional long motorized boat for a sightseeing tour of the lake. You will marvel at the unique one-leg-rowing fishermen, floating farms [built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud which is anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles], houses and monasteries on the stilts, famous Phaungdaw Oo pagoda housing five sacred and almost shapeless Buddha images, and local cottage industries.
Commence afternoon visit with floating village of Ywama followed by the lake's downtown, the weaving village of Inpawkhon and the Ngaphechaung, a museum-like monastery ( also known as jumping cats monastery on the Internet) where old belongings of many monasteries are restored. Overnight at Hupin Khaung Daing hotel.
Day 07: Inle - Heho - Yangon - Bangkok
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your Yangon-bound flight. Upon arrival at the Yangon airport, meet your driver and visit Scott's market-- a shopping place in Yangon built in the days of colonial past. The best Myanmar souvenirs including arts and handicraft are available there at reasonable prices. Lacquer wares, wood and ivory carvings, tapestries, silverware, brassware, silk and cotton fabrics, and shoulder bags as well as jewelry are among the tourists' favorites that Scott's market has to offer.
Late afternoon transfer to the airport for your onward departure flight and end of our services. (B)
The package price depends on several factors such as group size, with or without tour guide, whether or not the tour guide follows you all the way including flights or just a local guide to pick you up at the hotel, whether or not some trips are skipped, latest exchange rate, hotels of your choice, seasonal variations and possibility of special promotions by the airlines and hotels. The package can be customized to fit your needs. Please tell us more about your preferences.
The above quotes are price per person and estimates only. Depending on payment method, banking institutions and PayPal may charge service fees. We will furnish you with quotations based on the latest exchange rate and hotels of your choice upon request.
“Choose the right path. Choose wisely. Choose Asia Pearl Travels. You won't regret it.”
AP1: Yangon - Mandalay - Amarapura - Mingun - Bagan - Nyaung U - Inle [8D7N]
AP3: Yangon - Kyaikhtiyo - Bago - Mandalay - Mingun - Bagan - Heho [7D6N]
AP9: Yangon - Mandalay - Mingun - Bagan - Inle [5D4N]
AP10: Yangon - Kyaikhtiyo - Mandalay - Mingun - Bagan - Nyaung U - Inle [11D10N]
AP14: Yangon - Bagan - Inle [4D3N]
AP15: Yangon - Mandalay - Mingun - Inle [4D3N]
AP17: Mandalay - Bagan River Cruise [5:30AM - 6:00PM]
![[ See Heavenly View of Kyaikhtiyo "the Golden Rock".]](images/kyaikhtio/visit_kyaikhtiyo.jpg){kind=link}
![[ See horse carts on the road of Bagan.]](images/bagan/bagan_horse_cart_ride.jpg){kind=link}