Myanmar Cultural Highlights

**Welcome to Myanmar!**Your driver will welcome you at the airport (usually in the morning) and drive you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, why not go for a walk around the Colonial, Chinese and Indian neighborhoods of Yangon to admire the fascinating architecture? Overnight at the hotel .

In the morning, depart by ferry to visit the floating market in Yangon. In the afternoon, set off to discover the historic city of Yangon, why not start your tour with a visit to the famous 103-metre tall Shwedagon Pagoda? Continue to the ancient Sule Pagoda, believed to enshrine a strand of Buddha's hair, and the colonial district of Yangon for a stroll through the heart of its fascinating architecture. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, your driver will pick you up from your hotel to catch your flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel where you can drop your bags and freshen up. In the afternoon, get ready for a highlight of your trip: a visit to the Bagan Archaeological Zone. Explore the dirth paths that lead through the remains of this ancient kingdom and marvel at the size and craftmanship of these fascinating structures. When you've had your fill of temples for the day, set off to visit some traditional craft workshops, where you can see how Bagan's famous lacquerware crafts are made. End your day with a relaxing sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River, watching the sun sink behind the distant mountains. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, discover the vibrant market of Nyaung Oo, Bagan's largest market, and admire the dazzling golden Shwezigon Pagoda, believed to contain a holy tooth relic of the Buddha. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion in a carriage around the temples of the Bagan Archaeological Park. The highlight will be a visit to Dhammayangyi Sulamani, the largest and most impressive of Bagan's many temples, renowned for its fine brick work and the legends of the cruel king who constructed it. Overnight at the hotel.

Wake up early today to catch your morning flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, visit the palaces and temples of the city, including the sacred Mahamuni Pagoda, which houses one of the most significant Buddha images int he country, the crown prize of past wars between competing Burmese kingdoms. Next, set off for a discovery of the former royal capital of Amarapura, famous for its weaving traditions and monastery. In the late afternoon, admire the sunset from the famous U-Bein bridge, a wooden bridge that spans 1.2km over Taungtaman Lake - a photographer's dream. Overnight at the hotel

Start your day with a visit to the local market of Mandalay in the morning. Then continue your journey to the Sagaing Hill, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of countless pagodas and visit a traditional village of potters and weavers. Next, discover the ancient city of Ava, capital of the Shan and Burmese kingdoms for over four centuries. Ava has a number of beautiful wooden structures including the Bagaya Teak Monastery, more than 300 years old and still in use, the Nanmyin Watchtower and the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery. Return via carriage. Overnight at the hotel.

Today, you will take a flight to Heho, located in the Shan territory, in order to reach Pindaya, a peaceful lakeside city, famous for its limestone caves. Discover the villages, famous for their traditional Shan paper umbrellas, and tea plantations before visiting the Thousand Buddha Caves, which contains more than 6000 Buddha statues of various sizes. This cave, extending up to150 metres into the rock, has many legends surrounding it, including one that tells of a blocked-off passage at the end of the cave which leads to the ancient city of Bagan..

Today, you leave Pindaya and take the road to Inle. Sit back and admire the beautiful scenery of the Shan countryside as your driver navigates towards Inle Lake, located more than 850 metres above sea level. In the afternoon, hop on a boat to discover traditional floating villages, the lake and the Nga Hpe Kyaung Monastery, known for its jumping cats which have been trained to leap through hoops. If you wish, a visit to local workshops manufacturing cigars and silver jewelry can be organised. Overnight at the hotel.

After a hearty breakfast, set off to explore the local market of Inle, held every day at a different location on the lake, where various tribes meet every morning. In the afternoon, you will go by boat to the village of  Inn Thein (Indein) on the western bank of the lake. With hundreds of ancient stupas, overgrown with shrubs and trees, you feel as if you have stepped back in time as you explore this mysterious site. Head back to Inle between stilt village houses and floating vegetable gardens, admiring the graceful fishermen, paddling on one leg using the Inn Thar technique as you pass. Overnight at the hotel.

After enjoying breakfast in your hotel, you will catch the morning flight to Yangon. Enjoy a day of strolling and relaxing in the city before your driver brings you to the Yangon Airport for your international flight. End of our services.