Panoramic Myanmar

Day 01: ARRIVE YANGON

Arrive Yangon by international flight.

Meeting upon arrival in Yangon International airport by our tour guide and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Yangon

Day 02: IN YANGON

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy private tour and drive through downtown to explore the city center and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. You’ll start at the post office – a lovely historic building, passing by Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument along the way. Then visit famous Chauk Htat Kyi, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. The feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray. Photo stop at the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge. Nothing will prepare you for Shwedagon Pagoda, with its glittering gold stupa. At the pagoda observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at Shwedagon pagoda.
Overnight in Yangon

Day 03: YANGON / MANDALAY

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to board flight for Mandalay. Arrival Mandalay. Upon arrival, drive to Amarapura (15 km from Mandalay). Upon arrival at Amarapura, visit the famous Buddhist monastery of Mahagandayon, where more than a thousand monks live and study; before continue to see the U Bein bridge (it is 200 year old and it is the longest teak-wood bridge in the world).

In the afternoon, travel by a short boat trip to the former Royal Capital of Inwa (also called Ava). Explore by horse-drawn carriage to visit Nanmyint Watch Tower, the remains of the palace building name “the leaning tower of Ava” Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, built of brick and stucco and Bargayar Monastery, this place is famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts.

Later drive back to Mandalay city and visit the second most sacred image in Myanmar next to the Shwedagon Pagoda is the Mahamuni Pagoda. Visit local artisan’s workshops of gold leaf making, woodcarving and marble carving. Next visit Golden palace Monastery famous for its intricate woodcarvings. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as theworld largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. Before sunset visit a 200-year-old teak bridge, the most photographic site in Myanmar.
Overnight in Mandalay

Day 04: MANDALAY / CRUISE

After leisure breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit Golden palace Monastery famous for its intricate woodcarvings. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. Then transfer to jetty.

At noon, transfer to Gawein Jetty to board the cruise. Welcome Cocktail and briefing in the Saloon or Sundeck followed by Lunch. After cruising upstream for two hours we arrive at the Mingun Pagoda Complex. English speaking guide will accompany the guests during the visit.
Dinner & overnight in the Cruise

Day 05: IN CRUISE

Early in the morning cruise downstream. During the two hours journey the passengers can admire the natural beauty of the river and the life of its banks while relaxing on the sundeck or just sitting outside their own cabin. Enjoy the sunrise over Sagging Hill. After breakfast passengers wishing to visit Sagaing can go ashore with the assistance of our Ship Manager. We resume our downriver voyage at 10.30 hrs and we will sail all day long.

In the late afternoon we stop at Yandabo, a village specializing in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on Feb. 24, 1826. We visit the Pot workshops and the monastery.
Dinner & overnight in the Cruise

Day 06: CRUISE / BAGAN

Enjoy the sunrise near Bagan. Passengers will disembark at Aye Yar jetty around 9:30 hrs and transfer to Old Bagan.

Start your tour by visiting a busy local market and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan.

You will spend the day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town by visit to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples. Then get to learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan most famous products: lacquer ware and wood crafts. Watch as the skilled craftsmen use techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items.

In the late afternoon transfer to the sunset hill for sunset views. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set from the sunset hills.
Overnight in Bagan

Day 07: IN BAGAN

After a leisure breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit the villages near Bagan to experience the lifestyle of locals, learn their cultures and history. Now, you will explore Bagan from a different perspective as you explore the area by Pony cart. The cart can explore areas that cars are unable to enter giving a different feel of Bagan.

In the late afternoon transfer to jetty where a private wooden river boat is waiting. Sitting under the shade or on the open-deck you’ll be treated to fabulous views as you cruise down the Irrawaddy River to Shwezigon Pagoda. A private boat tour on the river during sunset time will hopefully show you a spectacular sunset. Relax and enjoy the scenery.
Overnight in Bagan

Day 08: BAGAN / HEHO / INLE LAKE

After leisure breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport in time to board flight Y5-104 at 0850 hrs for Heho in Shan state. Arrive Heho at 0930 hrs. Upon arrival at Heho, drive to Pindaya, also referred to as the “Switzerland of Myanmar”, due it’ stunning scenic wonders consisting of rolling hills and vast fields of seasonal vegetation. En-route you will make stops to take photos of local villagers in their daily lives, working in their farms or buffalo boys on their way to work.

For centuries Shan artisans have been turning the bark of the mulberry tree into wonderfully textured paper and lustrous parasols. Roll up your sleeves and try your hand at this traditional craft and see how they make the amazing traditional Myanmar umbrellas. You will also see the famous cave with over 9,000 Buddha inside…with a stunning view of Pindaya. 

In the afternoon, drive to NyaungShwe where we pick our boat and transfer to your hotel.
Dinner & Overnight in Inle Lake

Day 09: IN INLE LAKE

Enjoy the sightseeing tour by private boat in Inle lake.

Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the most holy religious site in southern Shan State. Be amazed by the local handicrafts, silk weaving, wooden handlooms and traditional blacksmith methods along the way. Visiting Inle Lake is not just about being on the water but also about discovering the Shan and Intha villages on the banks of the river. Pass the endless floating gardens, houses, monasteries built on stilts on the lake. Stop at Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery. Proceed to Nampan village and see local cheroot factory (where the Burmese cigars are made) and canoe carving.
We continue our sightseeing in Inle Lake, maneuvering by boat though long, scenic channels. We will visit the fascinating village of Indein, with its complex of ancient shrines and stupas and walk though exotic colonnades of stairways and shop stalls.

See the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. It is a feast for the senses and a photographer’s dream.
Overnight in Inle Lake

Day 10: INLE LAKE / YANGON

After a leisure breakfast at the hotel, travel one hour by road to Taunggyi then continue for about one more hour to Kakku, (depending on road and weather conditions). Visit the Kakku Pagoda complex of over 2000 stupas. Lunch at local restaurant.

Then continue to visit Htan-Pha-Ya village and cave. Unknown Shan Buddha images of various sizes are kept on the wall of the small shallow Htan-Pha-Ya cave. Visit a typical Pao village including their plantations on the way back to Heho airport for a flight YH-730 at 1710 hrs to Yangon. Arrive Yangon at 1820 hrs. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in city center.
Overnight in Yangon

Day 11: YANGON / DEPART

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Nanthida Jetty to board a ferry to cross the Yangon River to Dala (other side of the Yangon city). The boat is a double-decker, sturdy, durable boat. (15 minutes boat trip) As you board the jetty, observe the colorful street market where locals come to buy and sell their wares. The boat ride to Dhala takes 15 minutes and upon reaching Dala, travel by local trishaw through the town, visit the Market, and chit-chat with local people. The trip to Dala is shutterbug’s delighted as it is full of scenic spots and natural beauty. There is a wide gap between Yangonian life and the life of the people at Dhala. The most outstanding thing is that these charming people extend their hospitality with enormous smiles.

After visiting the village and market, proceed to the monastery to learn about monastic life in Myanmar.

Return by boat to Yangon, observing life along the river and reflecting back on your excursion to Dala. Upon returning to the Yangon jetty, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Later, transfer to the airport to board flight for Milan.