Adventures in Golden Land

Today, after a moment to relax in your hotel, you will immerse yourself in the Burmese daily life before your first visit. In the end of afternoon, you will head to Kuthodaw Pagoda, where you could admire the world biggest book, before visiting Shwenandaw Monastery, known also as the Golden Palace. Just before sunset, you will reach the top of Mandalay Hill for a stunning view of Mandalay and the Shan Plateau.

Today you will discover Mandalay and its rural area on your bicycle. Your journey includes: Amapura, where you will discover one of the biggest monasteries dwelling more than thousands of Buddhist monks and the famous U Bein Bridge ; Sagaing, to ramble around Meditation Centers, Monasteries, and Nunneries ; Mingun, where you will visit U Min T hone Sal, the “30 Caves” Pagoda.

Finally, you will reach the little river harbor of Mingun to take a boat to Mandalay for about one hour.

After a 4 hours ride across Burmese countryside, you will set up in Bagan. In late afternoon, you will take your bike for a plain ride. You will firstly reach Ananda Temple, masterpiece of Bagan, before heading to Manuha Temple, sheltering four huge Buddha Images. Then, you will continue to Dhamayangyi Temple, the biggest temple in Bagan and finally Sulamani, a 12th century temple. Your day will end with a breathtaking sunset on the top of the temple.

After a full breakfast, you will cross Irrawaddy river by boat to start your bike ride to the typical village of Myit Chay, where tourists are rare. You will embark for an hour boat trip to Kyaung Chaung. Upon arrival, you will ride about 13 kilometers up to the charming local market of Myit Chay before continuing your ride to Pakokku passing by many villages and rice fields on the road side. You will take a break and enjoy your picnic lunch in Pakokku before your boat trip back to Bagan.

After an early breakfast, you will embark for a short flight to Heho (possibility to do it by car). Upon arrival, you will hit the road to Kalaw for an exploration of this charming city. You will visit the local market, before walking up the hill to observe the architectural particularity of Kalaw. Enjoy a walk around the Old Catholic Church, Kalaw Railway Station built in 1918, the colonial buildings on East Circular Road, and the Nee Paya, bamboo strip lacquer Buddha images in Pinmagon Monastery.

Today, you will be driven to your trekking departure point and enjoy a day tour to ‘Tar Yaw’ Palaung tribe village. You will trek to Tha Yaw round (including Palaung traditional houses) and visit hill tribe villages, discovering traditional lifestyle of these minorities, preserving their identity despite of the modernity pressure.

Today, you will hit the road to Nyaung Shwe via Shwe Yan Pyay, an old wooden monastery. You will pedal from here to Indein Pagoda complex, via Aung Pan. You will discover Indein Village and ancient pagodas. All along the road, you will pass many small villages, rice fields and vegetable plantations where local life inspire by its simplicity and beautifulness. In the afternoon, you will take a boat ride to your hotel for your own relaxation.

Today, you will explore one of the local 5 days floating market before a boat excursion on the lake, discovering floating gardens, floating villages, Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, and In Paw Khone village to observe the silk weaving and lotus petal robe weaving loom. In the evening, you will enjoy a short bicycle ride or Tri-shaw transfer to the Red Mountain vineyard for sunset and local wine tasting.

After an short flight to Yangon, you will start your exploration of the former capital by Chaukhtatgyi, huge reclining Buddha Image, the Scott Market and the old colonial districts of Yangon. The next stop will be at Shwedagon Pagoda, symbol of the city before an evening walk around busiest streets of Chinatown, paradise of local food vendors.

After your last breakfast in Myanmar, you will be transferred to Yangon Airport for your onwards flight.