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Myanmar Tour Package

IN GENERAL
Myanmar is one of the largest country in South East Asia, stretching over 2,000 km from North to South. It is twice the size of Vietnam, over a quarter larger than Thailand, and Myanmar is bigger than England and France combined. Ethnically diverse, Myanmar is a nation of many races - some 130 ethnic groups make up its population of nearly 45 million. The majority of Myanmar's people are Bamars (from which the British coined the name Burma), but the Shan, Kachin, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine and others are also prominent throughout the country. Myanmar's climate is tropical: during the cool season from late November through February, temperatures are pleasantly mild ranging from 21C to 28 C; the hot season from March to April can see the mercury reach as high as 45 C; and during the months of the rainy season, from May to October short rainstorms are frequent in the late afternoons.

The Nationalities of Myanmar
Myanmar's ethnically diverse population is a result of three major migrations from Tibet and Central Asia, the cradle of humanity. The people of Myanmar are descendants of three main branches: The Mon-Khmer, the Tibeto-Burman, and the Thai-Chinese. The Kaya, Mon, Wa, La, Palaung, Pale, Yao, Riang, Padaung, Ylnbaw, Zayein, and others originated from the Mon-Khmer group, while the Shan, Kayin and Taungthu, etc., find their roots in the Thai-Chinese community. The Bamar, Chin, Kachin, Lolo, Rahkine, Kadu, Hpon, Maru, Lashi, Rawang, Azi, Nung, Daru, Yaw, Mro, Inthat, Naga, Gauri, Lisu, Lahu, among others, evolved from the Tibeto-Burman group.

Historical and Cultural Heritage
Kuthodaw Pagoda, in Mandalay, which houses the entire Buddhist scriptures carved onto 729 marble slabs is "The world's largest book". Built by King Mindon, it is indeed a rare and splendid sight. Myanmar's unique historical and cultural heritage dates back over 5,000 years. Evidence confirming the existence of stone age people has been found throughout the country. Early Myanmars were said to be Mons, and the first politically important inhabitants were the Pyu who date back to the early period of the Christian era. It was Bagan, however, which was founded in the 11th century, that gave rise to the dominant culture and civilization in Myanmar's history.

Arts and Crafts of Myanmar
Myanmar is an enchanting country with a rich history in arts and crafts. Mandalay, the ancient capital and the glory of Myanmar Kings, represents the largest repository of Myanmar arts and crafts. Visitors can observe carvers of ivory, wood and stone, in addition to makers fo gold leaf, silk weavers, silversmiths and bronze-casters, as they ply their respective trades according to the time-honored traditions of their forefathers. The pagodas, religious monuments, and major Buddhist sculptures seen all over Myanmar are authentic examples of the rich tradition of Bagan arts andcrafts and of prior eras of craftmanship so evident throughout Myanmar's history.

Highlights on Scenic Beauty
Myanmar is blessed with natural scenic beauty making for landscapes that are incredibly picturesque. The country's great lakes, snowcapped mountains and unspoiled beaches are undoubtedly some of the most stunning, idyllic, and mystical places to be found anywhere on earth. Myanmar's physical beauty is enhanced by the spectacular pagodas and temples that can be found all over the country. These venues for contemplation and prayer radiate the obvious spirituality of the people.

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5 Days Myanmar Highlights Yangon-Bagan-Mandalay-Yangon
Day 1 : Yangon (no meal)
Upon arrival at YANGON airport welcomed by local guide and transferred to your hotel. Your journey begins with an afternoon tour through Yangon’s colonial-style city center. Visit SULE PAGODA, dating back over 2,000 years ago; the magnificent reclining Buddha at CHAUK HTAT GYI; and after a photo stop at the KARAWEIK HALL, a 'hamsa-bird-shaped' floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, stroll through the BOGYOKE (SCOTTS) MARKET with hundreds of food, clothes, handicrafts and gems stores. Complete your first day in Myanmar with an extended visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the SHWEDAGON PAGODA. Lunch and dinner to own account. Overnight stay at Dusit Inya Lake Resort, Grand Plaza Parkroyal (former Sofitel) , Traders Hotel (****) or similar in Yangon.

Day 2 : Yangon - Bagan (B,L,D)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for domestic flight to BAGAN. Upon arrival stroll through the colorful local market. Continue the day with visits to the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan including SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; KU BYANUK GYI, a temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes; KHAY MIN GA TEMPLE, noted for its panoramic view of the area’s numerous monuments and ANANDA TEMPLE, with four standing Buddha images. After lunch, visit one of Myanmar’s most treasured handicrafts, a lacquerware craftsmen’s workshop in nearby MYINKABA village. You will continue to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in the Mon-style in 1059 and follow on to NANBAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha. Next you will explore the MYINGABA GU BYAUKGYI TEMPLE, a temple noteworthy for its mural paintings under the protection of UNESCO. The ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM is also visited to view the beautiful Buddha images of bronze, stone and lacquer. Proceed to BUPAYA PAGODA or MINGALA ZEDI STUPA to watch the sunset over the famous Ayeyarwaddy River. Dinner at a riverside restaurant and overnight stay at Bagan Hotel, Tharabar Gate Hotel, Bagan Golf Resort (***) or similar in Bagan.

Day 3 : Bagan - Mandalay - Mingun (B,L,D)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for domestic flight to MANDALAY. Upon arrival at Mandalay airport, proceed for a boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River to MINGUN, about 11 km (1 hour) upriver from Mandalay, with visits to the MINGUN BELL, weighing 90 tons and claimed as the largest uncracked bell in the world; HSINBYUME PAYA and the unfinished MINGUN PAYA, built as the world's largest chedi by King Bodaw Paya. Return to Mandalay and check-in at your hotel. After lunch at local restaurant, experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay including one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the MAHAMUNI PAGODA; the SHWE INBIN MONASTERY; the GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb example of a traditional wooden building and KUTHODAW PAGODA the world’s largest book, made of marble. Mandalay is also a major crafts center. Visit a Kalaga tapestries craftsmen’s shop before proceeding to MANDALAY HILL for sunset. Dinner at hotel and overnight stay at Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel (former Novotel) or Sedona Hotel (****) or similar in Mandalay.

Day 4 : Amarapura - Ava - Sagaing (B,L,D)
After breakfast, excursion to Amarapura, 15 km from Mandalay. Visit MAHAGANDAYON, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study; continue to 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was Royal capital. Since then it is noted for silk- and cotton weaving. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop. Visit BAGAYA MONASTERY, with a superb collection of Buddha statues. After lunch at local restaurant, excursion to the former Royal Capital of INWA (AVA), reached by a short boat trip. Visits by horse-drawn carriage to NANMYINT WATCH TOWER, the remains of the palace building nicknamed “the leaning tower of Ava“; MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN MONASTERY, built of brick and stucco; BARGAYAR MONASTERY, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Continue to SAGAING HILLS, a retreat for Buddhist devotees for sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel (former Novotel) or Sedona Hotel (****) or similar in Mandalay.

Day 5 : Mandalay - Yangon (B)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Mandalay Airport for domestic flight to YANGON. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is at your leisure for relaxing, shopping or own sightseeing until the departure transfer to the airport.

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7 Days Myanmar Impression Yangon-Bagan-Mandalay-Heho-Yangon Day 1 Yangon (no meal)
Upon arrival at YANGON airport welcome by local guide and transferred to your hotel. Your journey begins with an afternoon tour through Yangon’s colonial-style city center. Visit SULE PAGODA, dating back over 2,000 years ago; the magnificent reclining Buddha at CHAUK HTAT GYI; and after a photo stop at the KARAWEIK HALL, a 'hamsa-bird-shaped' floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, stroll through the BOGYOKE (SCOTTS) MARKET with hundreds of food, clothes, handicrafts and gems stores. Complete your first day in Myanmar with an extended visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the SHWEDAGON PAGODA. Lunch and dinner to own account. Overnight stay at Dusit Inya Lake Resort, Grand Plaza Parkroyal (former Sofitel), Traders Hotel (****) or similar in Yangon.

Day 2 Yangon - Bagan (B/L/D)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for domestic flight to BAGAN. After a stroll through the colorful local market continue the day with visits to the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan including SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; KU BYANUK GYI, a temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes; KHAY MIN GA TEMPLE, noted for its panoramic view of the area’s numerous monuments and ANANDA TEMPLE, with four standing Buddha images. After lunch, visit one of Myanmar’s most treasured handicrafts, a lacquerware craftsmen’s workshop in nearby MYINKABA village. You will continue to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in the Mon-style in 1059 and follow on to NANBAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha. Next you will explore the MYINGABA GU BYAUKGYI TEMPLE, a temple noteworthy for its mural paintings under the protection of UNESCO. The ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM is also visited to view the beautiful Buddha images of bronze, stone and lacquer. Proceed to BUPAYA PAGODA or MINGALA ZEDI STUPA to watch the sunset over the famous Ayeyarwaddy River. Dinner at a riverside restaurant and overnight stay at Bagan Hotel, Tharabar Gate Hotel, Bagan Golf Resort (***) or similar in Bagan.

DAY 03 BAGAN - MANDALAY - MINGUN (B,L,D)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for domestic flight to MANDALAY. Upon arrival at Mandalay airport, proceed for a boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River to MINGUN, about 11 km (1 hour) upriver from Mandalay, with visits to the MINGUN BELL, weighing 90 tons and claimed as the largest uncracked bell in the world; HSINBYUME PAYA and the unfinished MINGUN PAYA, built as the world's largest chedi by King Bodaw Paya. Return to Mandalay and check-in at your hotel. After lunch at local restaurant, experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay including one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the MAHAMUNI PAGODA; the SHWE INBIN MONASTERY; the GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb example of a traditional wooden building and KUTHODAW PAGODA the world’s largest book, made of marble. Mandalay is also a major crafts center. Visit a Kalaga tapestries craftsmen’s shop before proceeding to MANDALAY HILL for sunset. Dinner at hotel and overnight stay at Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel (former Novotel), Sedona Hotel (****) or similar in Mandalay.

DAY 04 AMARAPURA - AVA - SAGAING (B,L,D)
After breakfast, excursion to Amarapura, 15 km from Mandalay. Visit MAHAGANDAYON, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study; continue to 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was Royal capital. Since then it is noted for silk- and cotton weaving. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop. Visit BAGAYA MONASTERY, with a superb collection of Buddha statues. After lunch at local restaurant, excursion to the former Royal Capital of INWA (AVA), reached by a short boat trip. Visits by horse-drawn carriage to NANMYINT WATCH TOWER, the remains of the palace building nicknamed “the leaning tower of Ava“; MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN MONASTERY, built of brick and stucco; BARGAYAR MONASTERY, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Continue to SAGAING HILLS, a retreat for Buddhist devotees for sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel (former Novotel), Sedona Hotel (****) or similar in Mandalay.

DAY 05 MANDALAY - PINDAYA - INLE LAKE (B,L,D)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for domestic flight to HEHO. Upon arrival, proceed by road to PINDAYA (65 km - 1 1/2 hour) and visit PINDAYA CAVES, a unique site housing thousands of Buddha images placed there by pilgrims over the centuries. After lunch, drive to NYAUNG SHWE (95 km - 2 1/2 hours) and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Paradise Inle Resort (** built on stilts over the Inle Lake) or similar.

DAY 06 INLE LAKE (B,L,D)
After breakfast, a full day excursion by boat on Inle Lake will include sights of the famous leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and magnificent scenery. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant on the lake itself. Visits are made to PHAUNGDAW OO PAGODA; the weaving village of INPAWKHON and to one of the local markets in the Inle Lake region (on market days only). In the afternoon, depending on the water level, board a boat to the Western Shore of Inle Lake, where you will find the beginning of a stair path leading to the hidden INN THEIN PAGODA complex. Dinner and overnight stay at Paradise Inle Resort (** built on stilts over the Inle Lake) or similar.

DAY 07 INLE LAKE - HEHO - YANGON (B)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Heho Airport (25km - 1 hour) for domestic flight to YANGON. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is at your leisure for relaxing, shopping or own sightseeing until the departure transfer to the airport.