Culture Exploration Burma

The itinerary is as a relative newcomer to adventure go back and forth, exploring the excellent and mysterious nation of Burma (Myanmar) ceaselessly feels like surroundings foot on a overseas, pristine and untouched planet. With few other vacationers to contend with, the natural and man-made wonders and values of this underexplored part of South East Asia incessantly feel like they’ve been placed right here only for you. And oh, what wonders they’re: Inle Lake’s unique ‘floating gardens’, the excellent imperial ruins of ancient Bagan, the incomparable palaces of Mandalay and enveloping forests right through. Unknown pleasures await. The shuttle takes you to the Mrauk U, the land of archeaology in Burma, besides Bagan simple.

Tour length:  16 days / 15 nights
Tour type: Cultural, journey
Cities: Yangon, Golden Rock, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake, Sittwe, Mrauk U
Price: From US$ 2400/person
Activity level: common itinerary

Day by Day Tours

Day 1 Yangon
Day 2 Yangon – Kyaikhtiyo (by car)
Day 3 Kyaikhtiyo – Yangon (by car)
Day 4 Yangon – Bagan (by flight)
Day 5 Bagan
Day 6 Bagan – Mandalay (by flight)
Day 7 Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay
Day 8 Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya (by flight)
Day 9 Pindaya – Inle Lake
Day 10 Inle Lake
Day 11 Inle – Yangon – Sittwe by flight
Day 12 Sittwe – Mrauk U by boat
Day 13 Mrauk U
Day 14 Mrauk U – Sittwe by boat
Day 15 Sittwe – Yangon by flight
Day 16 Yangon departure.

Tour Prices (US$/person)

Group of 02 persons  : OnRequest
Group of 04 persons  : OnRequest

Important notes:
Surcharge in Peak Times eg: Christmas, New Year Eve, and Water festival may be applicable.

I NEED TAILOR-MADE

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DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1 Yangon

Arrive in Yangon where you will be welcomed by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel to drop off you luggage. If you arrived by mid day flight, we may proceed for lunch. After lunch, a walk through “downtown” Yangon, a diverse mix of faded colonial architecture from the British times, and high-rises built by more recent investors; Sule Pagoda, built in the early 3rd century is a landmark in the city centre. late afternoon visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds and rubies, sapphires and topaz – a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to begin our trip in this “Golden Land”. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 2 Yangon – Kyaikhtiyo (by car)

Early morning drive to Kyaikhtiyo, passing the World War II War Cemetery, dedicated to the 27,000 Commonwealth Forces who died in Burma. Upon arrival at the base camp, transfer to a special open truck for uphill toward the second base camp and take a light trekking to the Golden Rock along the twisting footpath through bamboo forest. At the summit is a small Pagoda insignificant in size but unique for its position. The rock is completely covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edged of the cliff. Marvel the sunset on hilltop and watch the evening activities at the shrine of the local pilgrimages before descent trek to the Golden Rock Hotel for overnight.

Golden Rock, Burma

Day 3 Kyaikhtiyo – Yangon (by car)

After breakfast, leave your hotel to take a downhill ride by special open truck to the base camp where your private car is awaiting for you. Drive back to Yangon via Bago. On the way, visit the cashew nut, rubber plantation and the nearby an orphanage house. Make a short visit of Bago town tour including local market; Shwetharlyaung, 55 meters long reclining Buddha Image and Shwemawdaw Pagoda, its spire is even taller than the great Shwedagon Pagoda. Return to Yangon through rural landscape of rice fields and small villages. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 4 Yangon – Bagan (by flight)

This morning we head for the airport to get the early morning flight to Bagan. Check into the hotel and depart for a sightseeing excursion around the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area. A comprehensive exploration of Bagan includes Nyaung Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Kyansittha Umin; Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite mural painting of 13th century and Htilominlo Temple. In the afternoon, after a visit to lacquer ware workshops; continue to Manuha Temple built by exile King Manuha; Nanphaya, said to have been the residence of King Manuha; Ananda Temple, architectural masterpiece and Oak-Kyaung monastery decorated with multi colour mural paintings. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset from one of the temple of Bagan. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.

Day 5 Bagan

This morning, we will be watching sunrise over Bagan (optional) and back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast at hotel, we head to Mt. Popa about 48 km south east of Bagan. Mt. Popa, known as the abode of Nats (spirits) – a collection of 37 magical spirits both feared and honoured by some Myanmar people and the nat museum, which houses 37 life-size nat statues sculpted from teak. It’s time to climb for 777 steps to the summit. Proceed to Popa Mountain Resort ( 1hr drive ) for our lunch. The restaurant offer a great view to the Popa summit that stands straight from the central plain. After lunch, return drive back to Bagan. On the way back, enroute stop at village cottage industry to learn the regional product as well as to watch the collection of juice from the palm trees, and its conversion to brown sugar. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.

Mt. Popa in Bagan, Burma

Day 6 Bagan – Mandalay (by flight)

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Nyaun U airport for flight to Mandalay. When you arrive at Mandalay airport, drive to ancient capital of Amarapura, the city of Immortality for a visit to Bagaya Monastery with a famous collection of Buddha images; weaving industries, two-century old U-Bein teak bridge on the Taungtaman Lake and observe the lunch process of thousand of monks who take their last meal of the day at 10:00 am in total silence. Proceed to Mandalay and check in at the hotel. After refreshment, you will take a sightseeing tour of Mandalay which includes Mahanumi, a life like Buddha image. Mandalay is the last capital of Myanmar and that make her to be the best place to see all the traditional arts and crafts. Start visiting gold leaf making work-place and see how the gold leaf is being made by hand in a traditional way. Continue visit the Old Palace grounds; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world’s largest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha’s Doctrine; Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay

After breakfast, you will be transferred for Jetty for a private boat across the river Ayeywarwaddy to visit Mingun. The dedications of King Bodawpaya such as the unfinished Pathodawgyi Pagoda a brick counterpart of pyramid in Egypt and the Mingun Bell, the second largest bell in the world are the most prominent religious heritages. Then visiting the Myatheintan Pagoda, the best representation of the Universe, will refresh your tiredness and fatigue. Return to Mandalay. After lunch, drive to Ava, 30-minute to the south of Mandalay, was known in the west as the Kingdom of Ava. Stop by a tributary and cross it with a ferry. Travel by pony-cart around Ava to Nanmyint leaning tower which gives a birds’ eye view of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River; Bagaya wooden monastery; Aungmyaybonza Monastery made of brick and stucco. Though the Royal Palace has gone, the Pagodas, Temples and Monasteries still remain. Return drive to Mandalay and see the silversmith work place on our way back to hotel. Overnight at the ho tel in Mandalay.

Day 8 Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya (by flight)

After breakfast, depart the hotel for flight to Heho on the Shan plateau. Upon arrival, transfer by road to Pindaya (60km) about 90 minutes drive. After check in at hotel, make an excursion to the caves which houses over 8,000 Buddha Images of various sizes, made from teak, lacquer, marble, alabaster and cement. In the afternoon, explore the district for it’s famous traditional paper & umbrella making home base cottage industry. Overnight at the hotel in Pindaya.

Day 9 Pindaya – Inle Lake

After breakfast at hotel, we are transferring by road to Inle Lake. We have a leisurely morning to make our way down into the Inle basin and by “long-tail” boat out across the lake to our Hotel right on the Inle Lake. In the afternoon, we plan to spend the day visiting villages and sampling the spectacular array of traditional handicrafts. You will see the unique method locals use to row their boats, fishermen with their own style of fishing, floating farms and gardens and a handloom weaving cottage with its own showroom. You will visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda which houses the five most revered Buddha Images in the southern Shan State. Overnight at the hotel on Inle Lake.

Day 10 Inle Lake

After breakfast at the hotel, visit floating market which is a 5day rotation market most fascinating to watch the daily life of the minorities and their activities. Continue our excursion by motorized boat to Indein pagoda complex, in the south-west of the lake. The boat leaves the lake and enters a narrow canal with a beautiful natural environment to continue to a small Pa O tribe village. From the village, follow an old covered path to a 13th century monastery and the very impressive ruins of hundreds of ancient pagodas, some hidden in the vegetation. The main stupa-area on the top of the hill offers breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains and down to the valley and the lake in the far distance. Return to your hotel and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 Inle – Yangon – Sittwe by flight

We are heading back down country today to return to the airport at Heho for our flight to Sittwe via Yangon. Upon arrival at Yangon, connect your flight to Sittwe. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel in Sittwe. In the evening, visit around the town and enjoy the sunset from view point beach. Overnight at the hotel in Sittwe.

Day 12 Sittwe – Mrauk U by boat

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to jetty to board a simple boat for 70 km (6 hours) up-river cruise to the ancient capital of Mrauk U. Upon arrival in Mrauk U, transfer to hotel. After lunch, tour ancient city includes remains of walls, gateways and the unusual 16th century temples such as the maze-like Shittaung Pagoda, Andaw Thein and Htukkan Thein Temples. Enjoy sunset at Shwe Taung hill with overview of the Mrauk U city. Overnight at the hotel in Mrauk U.

Day 13 Mrauk U

Head out by road to Sin Oh village through colorful paddy field. Villages in this region are hidden under the trees of lemon, mango, lychee, etc. Farm of corn, peanut, watermelon are fully grown on the fertilized soil of the river bank. A boat trip to Kritchaung with the view of sunrise and breakfast on the boat may be an unforgettable experience. Visit to a tattooed woman house and observe the way she works, getting a basket of rice from paddy. Proceed to Sin Gay, a bamboo-producing village. En route, you can experience the meandering river like a snake, 90 degree vertical up right standing mountains, flying birds, crystal clear water with pebbles and fishes. Picnic lunch in a bamboo house in Sin Gay village and back to Mrauk U with the sunset on the river. Overnight in Mrauk U.

Day 14 Mrauk U – Sittwe by boat

After breakfast, visit Mrauk U market and transfer to Jetty for boat trip to Mrauk U by your private boat and enjoy down river journey to Sittwe. On the way, stop at Myo (Khami) village to see rual way of life. Upon arrival in Sittwe, transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Sittwe.

Day 15 Sittwe – Yangon by flight

After breakfast, visit the busy Sittwe Fish market, cultural museum, Lawkanadar Pagoda. After lunch, transfer to airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.

Day 16 Yangon departure.

After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Yangon International airport for your return international departure flight.

Enjoy your tours with Our top favorite Burma package tours

Tour Prices (US$/person)

Group of 02 persons  : OnRequest
Group of 04 persons  : OnRequest

Important notes:
Surcharge in Peak Times eg: Christmas, New Year Eve, and Water festival may be applicable.

I NEED TAILOR-MADE

I’LL TAKE THIS TOUR

Essential Notes

Passports and Visas

The first thing goes first. You definitely must obtain valid VISA in order to travel into any country and so is Myanmar (Burma). Unless your country is in VISA exemption list, it is your responsibility to get valid VISA before arrival. There are two ways to get Myanmar VISA:

• Go to Myanmar Embassies and Consulates in your home country and you will be guided procedure. You may want to check the list of countries where Myanmar has embassies and consulate offices by clicking here.
• Obtain VISA On Arrival (VOA). For tourists coming from countries has no Myanmar Diplomatic Rep offices, you can obtain VOA online via www.myanmarevisa.gov.mm – the official portal for VOA by Myanmar government. The portal launched in Sep 01, 2014 and took its pilot operation for a month. Providing you encounter any issue, please contact us for support.

Climate & Clothing

Generally speaking, Myanmar is a tropical country with rather hot weather. Sometimes in year or in some Northern places, temperature cools down but not that can be called cold. Roughly saying that the best time to travel Myanmar is from Oct to March due to dry and cool season. Other months, however, you may get very nice deals of promotion.For clothing: comfortable clothes, absolutely. We suggest you should take at least one long pan, a long skirt and a sleeve top because we will visit some religious site and many of them require proper code of dress.All of temples and pagodas require you enter with bare feet. A pair of sandals is highly recommended.

Cell Phones & Calling Cards

You may wish to carry a cell phone while traveling. Check with your cell phone provider if your phone will work in the destination(s) you are visiting. Myanmar service is dominated by the GMS technology standard, while some of the world such as U.S uses the incompatible CDMA standard. We suggest that you should check carefully or you may incur high international roaming fees.We said previously “the SIM card in Myanmar is not very popular and still quite expensive”. But now, forget it! SIM cards in Myanmar now are cheap and easy to buy in any main city as cheap as about US$ 02 each. Cell phones, even smart phones are available on sales widely.

Making Telephone Calls from One Country to Another

When dialing a number from one country to another, you should proceed as follows: dial your country’s Exit Code + destination Country Code + Phone Number. Country Code of Myanmar is 95.

Wireless Internet Access

Passengers traveling with WiFi enabled devices (such as a personal computer, smartphone, tablet, or digital audio player) may be able to connect to the internet via a wireless network access point (or hotspot). Wifi is now popular in most hotels from three stars up. Most of them are supplying Free Wifi but some may incur extra charges. We suggest you should ask the receptionist before.

Cards and Currency

Myanmar’s national currency, the KYAT (pronounced chat, abbreviated in MMK) is divided into the following banknotes: K1, K5, K10, K20, K50, K100, K200, K500 and K1000.We once said “ATMs are still very hard to come” but from my latest inspection of Myanmar, the country now starts using ATMs. Most three stars hotels up often have at least one AMT machine right at their lobbies. Main hotels now accepts credit cards payment.Anyway, we suggest you should bring with some cashes just in case. Local buying there accept Burmese and US dollars widely. However please pay at attention when bring US notes with you:

• The US$ notes must be new.
• The US$ notes torn, marked, folded will not be accepted.
• The US$ notes having series before 2003 backward may not accepted.

You are allowed to bring up to US$ 5000 in cash per person to enter Myanmar.

Trip Preparation

A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. We suggest you should taking a checklist below:

• Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you.
• Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas, driver’s license) are in order.
• We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal ID and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. If you lose the originals while traveling, you’ll have copies for easier reporting and replacement.
• You may consider bringing a small supply of over the counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhea pills. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names.
• We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock.
• Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage.

Happy Travelling with CRYSTAL HOLIDAYS ASIA!

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