Myanmar Group Tour (21 days) 02-03-13 to 23-03-13
Yangon, Bagan, Ayeyarwady Cruise (Bagan-Mandalay), Mandalay, Pindaya, Kalaw, Inle Lake & Ngapali Beach.
New for 2013!
Day 1: 03-03-12 Arrival Yangon (L)
On arrival in Yangon, our representative will be there to meet you & transfer
you to your hotel. After a 'freshen-up' our city tour will include The Sule Paya, Mahabandoola Garden,
Bogyoke Market. After lunch we will take a walk through bustling Chinatown, and visit the Khant Hoke
Chinese temple. We also take you on a walking tour to see many colonial buildings in town & many old
Chinese houses in Chinatown district. Also a visit to the wonderful 100 years old Strand Hotel that still
retains all the grandeur of yesteryear. A short walk to see the riverbank on the other side with local ferry
crossing along the river. Today's lunch at The Green Elephant
Restaurant.
Day 2: 04-03-13 Yangon (B)
Free at leisure until at around 4 o'clock we will visit the world famous Shwedagon Pagoda and watch the
spectacular sunset & change of colour of the gold pagoda. (B)
Day 3: 05-03-13 Yangon - Bagan (B/L)
Transfer to airport for your flight to Bagan, pick up & transfer to hotel. After lunch at a local restaurant, we
visit Manuha temple with gigantic Buddha images, a captive king's impression of life in prison. Nanpaya, an early
style temple with the finest stone carvings. In the evening you will visit the Ananda Temple, an architechural
masterpiece resembling a Greek Cross.
Day 4: 06-03-13 Bagan (B/L/D)
Full day sightseeing in Bagan including the temples & pagodas such as Pahtothamya, Mahabodhi Paya, Ngakywenadaung Paya,
Dhammayangyi Pahto, Thatbyinnyu Temple, Dhamma Yangyi Temple, Schwegugyi Temple, Gawdaw Pallin Temple etc.
Watch the sunset among the temples & pagodas before returning to hotel. Evening dinner will be the Nanda
restaurant in a courtyard with the very popular puppet show on stage.
Day 5: 07-03-13 Bagan - Salay - Mount Popa - Bagan (B/L)
After breakfast, we drive to Salay. On the way we visit a village
where we see the toddy farmer's life - collecting toddy (the juice of the palm tree) for making liquor, making molasses
& making oil. In Salay, we will visit Yoke-son Monastery decorated with wood-carvings
depicting scenes for moral lessons. Then a short walk through the ruined old monastery to
Laquerware Buddha image & the ancient monastery. Then we drive on to Mount Popa, an
extinct volcano which is considered the abode of Nats (spirits).On top of mountain there are monasteries, pagodas & shrines
all around. Lunch at local restaurant. Drive back to Bagan in the late afternoon. Dinner & overnight at hotel.
Day 6: 08-03-13 Bagan - Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) Cruise (B/L/D)
Transfer to cruise boat for 2 nights/3 days from Bagan to Mandalay, embarking at 11.30hrs at Bagan Aye Yar
jetty. Welcome Cocktail in the Saloon. The Cast off time is at 12 noon. Lunch will be served at 13.00.
In the late afternoon stop in a typical river village.
Day 7: 09-03-13 Irrawaddy Cruise (B/L/D)
Cruise all day with stop enroute in the morning to visit Yandabo, a typical river village specialize in
Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on Feb. 24, 1826. Moor overnight
nearby a village (Ywar Thit Gyi or Pauk Myaing Pauk Taw) few miles away from Ava Bridge.
Day 8: 10-03-13 Irrawaddy Cruise - Mandalay (B/L)
Enjoy the sunrise. After an early breakfast, disembark at Gawein jetty at around 09.30. Our local
Guide will meet you & transfer to hotel. Lunch at Green Elephant Restaurant. Our afternoon visits
include Mandalay Fort, Shwenandaw Kyaung, Atumashi Kyaung, Kluthodaw Paya and Mandalay Hill for the sunset.
Day 9: 11-03-13 Mandalay (B/L)
In the morning we will take a trip to Amarapura to visit Maha Ganayon Kyaung.
This enormous monastery is home to thousands of monks from the young age of 7-8 to the older
generation. You will see monks reading, praying, resting, walking, working & bathing.
The biggest event of the day is at 11.a.m. when the monks are gathering for lunch.
This is a unique experience. Afterward we drive to the river, cross it, then take a donkey cart to
Inwa, the ancient capital, to visit Yadama Semi, Bagaya Kyaung, Nanmyin,
Maha Aungmye Bonzan Lunch at Amurapura restaurant. After lunch we will visit U Bein's Bridge and
Bagayu Kyaung for the 500 hundred or more Buddha images & 5000 sets of palm leaf manuscripts
stored in a locked up library.
Day 10: 12-03-13 Mandalay - Mingun - Sagaing - Mandalay (B/L)
After breakfast we take a small boat upstream on the Ayeyarwaddy River (about 11km - one hour) to the ancient city of Mingun.
Here we see the Mingun Bell and the enormous Mingun Paya, which you can climb to enjoy the spectacular view of
the river. We will also visit Pondaw, Hsinbyume and Settawya Payas if you wish, before cruising back to Mandalay.
In the afternoon, drive to Sagaing Hills to visit monasteries & Soon U Ponya Shin pagoda etc. and enjoy the spectacular views. We will then visit the
Khaung Mu Daw pagoda and the village of Ywataung to see the traditional silver works. Enjoy sunset from top of Sagaing
Hills & return later to Mandalay. Lunch at local restaurant.
Day 11: 13-03-13 Mandalay - Heho - Pindaya - Kalaw (B/D)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight to Heho. On the way to airport we visit Snake temple & Boleik
Village. The snake temple has two large Boas permanently resting on the Buddha image. The Boleik village is also
fascinating with about 350 pagodas in various sizes & styles grouped together in the village area. Most of these
pagodas are old, damaged & unused but it creates a forgotten wonderland hidden by the Shagn people. Arriving at Heho,
pick up and drive to the beautiful lakeside town of Pindaya. Arrive at Pindaya and lunch at outside local restaurant.
After lunch, visit Shwe-Oo-Minn limestone caves with their thousands of Buddha images. Later, sightseeing in Pindaya
town and visit Pone-Ta-Lok Lake and see local ways of living. And then proceed to Kalaw for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: 14-03-13 Kalaw - Village Trekking - Kalaw (B/L)
After breakfast, depart from Kalaw at (8:00 am) by car for a short drive (10 min) to the junction of trekking way.
After a 1h30 walk, you will arrive to Shar Bin village (Palaung races). On the way, you can see the garlic & paddy fields.
After a short walk (around 30 min), you will arrive to Lu Pyin village, then continue to Taung Gyi Shay village,
at the foot of the mountain (another 30 mins from Lu Byin approximately). The villagers plant some potatoes
and garlic near by. Finally, carry on to Myin Ma Hti village (30 mins walk). Myin Ma Hti is close to a high mountain. At
Myin Ma Hti, you can visit a long cave in the mountain. In the cave, you can see ancient stupa and pagodas.
Your car will be waiting near the cave to take you back to Kalaw by car.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kalaw. (A picnic/packed lunch is provided gfor this trip.)
Please note that this day out includes several hours hill walking: good shoes and an adequate level of fitness are
required. If you feel you could not tackle this, please let us know.
Day 13: 15-03-13 Kalaw - Inle Lake
After breakfast, drive to the large and beautiful Inle lake.
On the road stop at Aung Ban & visit this important transport junction town for cargo & passengers
moving between Taungyi, Thazi etc. On arrival at Nyaung Shwe, transfer to your hotel. Rest of day at leisure.
Day 14: Inle Lake (B/L/D)
Full day sightseeing by boat on Inle lake includes Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda,
Nge Phe Chaungmonastery, market, Nan Pan village, fishermens villages, floating gardens, art gallery.
We will also take a trip up the foliage choked canal to Inthein, where ancient crumbling stupas lead to a covered
stairway up to the Shwe Inn Thein Paya. Lunch at local restaurant and dinner & overnight at hotel.
Day 15: 17-03-13 Inle Lake - Heho - Ngapali Beach (B)
This morning we drive back to Heho & transfer to airport for your flight to Ngapali Beach. Pick up & transfer to
your hotel for stay for 5 nights.
Day 16: 18-03-13 to Day 19: 21-03-13 Ngapali Beach (B)
At leisure.
Day 20: 22-03-13 Ngapali - Thandwe - Yangon (B)
At leisure until it is time to transfer to the airport for your flight to Yangon. On arrival at Yangon, meet guide and
transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 21: 23-03-13 Yangon - Departure (B)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight back to UK.
Please note that, whilst every effort will be made to carry out the programme shown above, small changes may sometimes be necessary.
|
About this tour... Small group tours: Your tour group will not comprise more than 10 travellers. Price of the tour is £3250 per person, based on two persons sharing a twin/double room. Price may change due to variations in flight price/availability. Hotels are 3* and 4* establishments. Cruise cabins are main deck. Price includes flights to/from the UK (London Heathrow). Price may differ for flights to/from other UK airports. Single travellers: Small group tours are particularly suitable for single travellers. If you wish, and if it is possible, we will match you with another suitable single traveller to share a twin room. Alternatively, you may opt for your own single room, in which case a single supplement of £890 will be payable. Deposit & balance: A deposit of £900 pp is required to secure your booking. The balance for the tour becomes due on 22nd December 2012. Please call now on 02920 913338 to book your place on this tour! |
