Tour Name : Escorted Luxury Tour

Tour Code : LM – ESC – 001

Tour Duration : 09 days / 08 nights
Route : Yangon – Mandalay – Bagan - Heho – Inle Lake - Heho – Yangon
Vacation Type : Cruise and Balloon Riding Tour

This program explores from Yangon – the garden city and the main gate way to Myanmar to Bagan – the richest archeological sights in Asia, Mandalay – the culture canter and its environs, Amarapura – city of Immortality, Sagaing – the Place of Meditation, Mingun - home of the world biggest ringing bell and Inle – the tranquil lake of the leg rowers. The villages near Bagan are really interesting and where you can find an old noodle cottage, betel shops, barber shop (if you wish to, you can try it) and ways of local people daily life. You will find the local peoples and landscape beyond your imagination.

Road to Mandalay cruise from Mandalay to Mingun is made of wood and traditionally built. It is pleasant, interesting trip with plenty to see along the way – fishing villages, bullock carts corn fields, market boats, people doing their washing.

Transportation between each destination by domestic flight on Air Mandalay or Air Bagan (F-100 or ATR-72/42) can be done throughout the year.

Departure Dates - Wednesdays

2011
January 5, 12
February 2, 9, 23
March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
April 20, 27
October 5, 12, 19, 26
November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
December 14, 23

Detailed Tour Program

Day 01: Arrival Yangon (L,D)

Arrive Yangon international airport, welcome by tour guide. Transfer to the hotel for check in. After that start City tour in Yangon, includes Sule Pagoda in the heart of the city, Chauktatgyi Pagoda, one of the biggest colossal reclining Buddha image in Myanmar. Lunch at local restaurant. Special evening visit to the massive Shwedagon Pagoda – famous worldwide – its golden stupa is the ‘ Heart ’ of Buddhism Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa in surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Yangon.

Day 02 (Wednesday): Yangon – Mandalay (Flight) & Join to Road To Mandalay (B, L, D)

After breakfast at hotel, morning domestic flight from Yangon to Mandalay. Transfer to the Road To Mandalay berthed on the Ayeyarwady River at Shwe Kyet Yet. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of the key sights of Mandalay regarded as the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning. Return to Road To Mandalay for dinner and local entertainment in the evening.

Day 03 (Thursday): Sagaing (B,L,D)

After an early breakfast visit Sagaing, the living centre of the Buddhist faith in Burma and famous for its silversmiths who still work in much the same way as their ancestors did. The ship gets underway mid-morning, and begins its journey south. The rest of the day is spent relaxing on board observing the local river life from the top deck. An on-board guide lectures on local places and customs. A casual cocktail party is followed by dinner on board.

Day 04 (Friday): Bagan (B,L,D)

The ship arrives at Bagan where over 2,000 temples and pagodas are scattered on an awe-inspiring plain beside the river. A guided orientation tour introduces you to the most important temples. After lunch you have the opportunity to rejoin the guide and visit the inside of some of the more significant pagodas. Alternatively, you can hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this fascinating area on your own. Late afternoon your guide takes you to watch the breathtaking vista of the sun setting over the plain. Dinner and local entertainment on board.

Day 05: Bagan (B,L,D)

Option: Balloon Over Bagan (BOB)
It is a unique opportunity to see the Bagan with ‘BALLOONS OVER BAGAN’. You get a magnificent birds-eye view of thousand year-old pagodas, temples and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River as it has never been seen before. The balloon is guided by gentle winds not exceeding 24 km/h. Eight/Six passengers plus a pilot fit into the balloon’s basket. The champagne flights at sunrise last just under an hour and take off daily from October through March. Due to the limited capacity, advance bookings at an early stage are highly recommended.

After breakfast, visit tropical village to visit an old Noodle Cottage and observe the daily life the people in Taung Bi Village. Then visit Bupaya Pagoda, on the bank of majestic Ayeyarwady River and visit the Mahabodhi Temple, resemble of Mahabodi Temple in Bodaghaya. After lunch visit Abeyadana Temple, with very interesting paintings, showing a Mahayana influence; the Nagayon Temple, an elegant and well-preserved temple, built by King Kyanzittha; the Ashe & Anauk Pagoda, with hundreds of unglazed terracotta tiles illustrating scenes from the jatakas and Lowkananda Pagoda, built in 1059 by King Anawrahta. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight at hotel in Bagan.

Day 06 (Saturday): Bagan – Heho (Flight) - Inle Lake (B,L,D)

After an early breakfast you are transferred to Bagan airport for flight to Heho (domestic schedule flight, 30 minutes flying). Arrive at Heho Airport and drive to Nyaung Shwe and transfer to hotel by boat to Inle Lake. Being located at the 900 meters above sea level, Inle Lake is the second largest natural lake in Myanmar with hazy Blue Mountains as backdrop. Visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, the most famous pagoda of the Shan State. Ywa-Ma village, gold and sliver smiths’ workshop. After lunch, visit Jumping Cat Monastery and floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and the famous leg rowers. In the evening, enjoy the sunset while visiting the Inle Lake by boat. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Inle Lake.

Day 07: Indein – Inle Lake (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, sightseeing by foot around the Botaloke Lake and local market. Continue we will visit Indein Village, located at the western side of the lake. Passing Nyaung Ohak Monastery and follow a stair path lined up with many hundreds o wooden columns, you finally will reach the impressive Shwe Indein Pagoda Complex. Lunch at local restaurant. From the hillside you have great view over the lake area. On the way back to the boat, walk through a romantic bam boo forest at the riverside, where you may observe local people having a bath. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Inle lake.

Day 08: Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon (Flight) (B,L,D)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight back to Yangon (domestic schedule flight. ~ 1 ½ hour flying). On the way to the hotel, visit Kabar Aye (the World Peace pagoda) and Maha Pasana (the great cave for Buddhist synod) and check in at the hotel. After lunch, shopping at Bogyoke Market (Scott’s Market) of hundreds of shops where you can find local products such as Gems & Jewelry , slippers, cloth, and so on. Evening stroll along the China Town and study the ways of living of Yangon citizens (which can observe the tradition and modern costume). Dinner at local restaurant and overnight stay at hotel in Yangon.

Day 09: Departure Yangon (B,L)

Breakfast at hotel. Leisure till the flight time. We will have lunch at local restaurant. Then transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight to conclude this unique experience.

***** End of Our Services*****

Tour Price: Available on Request

Services Included:

• 09 Nights accommodation on twin or double sharing room basic with daily breakfast
• 3 Domestic Airfare (Yangon – Mandalay, Bagan – Heho - Yangon)
• Meals (Lunches and Dinners )as per program
• All transfers and excursions with air-conditioned luxury vehicles
• Road To Mandalay River Cruise (Mandalay – Bagan )
• Private local boat for Inle Lake excursions
• Porter fees at airports
• Entrance fees for the visits mentioned in the program
• English-speaking guide throughout the trip (except Road To Mandalay)
• Visa arrangements for Myanmar
• Tips and porters at the hotels
  

Services Excluded:

• International ticket to/from Yangon
• Visits not mentioned in the program
• Drinks and personal expenses
• International departure Airport Tax Yangon (USD 10/pax at present)
• Any other items not mentioned