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TOUR PROGRAMME

Day 1:
Upon arrival in Bangkok airport, a quick shuttle bus transfer will bring you to Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel for your overnight stay and rest before your early morning flight to Yangon.

 

Day 2:

An early flight will bring you to Yangon International Airport, where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Myanmar’s former capital, Yangon is perhaps best known for the massive golden spire of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Central Yangon still retains numerous impressive buildings from the British colonial period. This afternoon you will visit Scott Market, Sule Pagoda, and view the Chaukhtagyi Reclining Buddha.

 

Day 3:
This morning fly to Mandalay and spend the rest of the day visiting sites around the city, such as: the Royal Palace, featuring a 33 meter high watchtower; Mahamuni Pagoda, housing the four-meter-high Mahamuni Buddha covered with gold leaf; Shwe Inbin Monastery, with exquisite wooden carvings; and Shwe Nandaw Monastery, once used as an apartment by King Mindon. At Kuthodaw Pagoda, 729 marble slabs are inscribed with the entire Buddhist scripture, and Kyauktaw-Gyi Pagoda is known for its huge seated Buddha image. Late in the day, climb Mandalay Hill for fantastic sunset views over the city. (U Bein Bridge is also a rewarding location at sunset.)

 

Day 4:
Today, drive to Pyin Oo Lwin, a former British hill station in the Shan hills east of Mandalay. Here enjoy the beautiful 170 hectare National Kandawgyi Botanic Garden, visit Naung Kan Gyi Paya for a hilltop view over the town, and step aboard a traditional stagecoach to explore the colonial town centre, viewing the 100 year old Church of the Immaculate Conception, a Chinese temple built by Yunnan immigrants, and Candacraig Hotel, a colonial mansion built by British Bombay Burma Trading company in 1904. Return to Mandalay for your overnight stay.

 

Day 5:
Rise early to catch your flight to Bagan, where you will visit some of the thousands of incredible pagodas and temples in the area. Ananda Temple is among the finest, largest and best preserved temples. Dhammayangyi Temple is a pyramidal structure with impressive mortar-less brickwork. Htilo-Minlo Temple features traces of murals, fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. Shwezigon Pagoda enshrines one of the four replicas of the Buddha tooth from Kandy, Sri Lanka. Mingalazedi, known for its fine proportions and many beautiful glazed Jataka tiles, is also an excellent spot for a nice afternoon view, as it is located far on the western side of the pagoda plain. Stay overnight in Bagan.

 

Day 6:
This morning drive to Mt. Popa, southeast of Bagan, home to the country’s most powerful Nats (sacred spirits) and entrancing views. At Mount Popa are 37 life-sized Nat statues sculpted from teak, with 777 steep stairs leading up to the 737 metre (2,417ft) high peak of this unique volcanic plug formation where pagodas and small temples perch at the summit. After the hike, you will have a rest and continue to Thatbyinnyu, Bagan’s highest temple. Dhammayazika Pagoda, similar to Shwezigon Pagoda but built on a pentagon terrace, offers a nice view over the Bagan Plain. Stay overnight in Bagan.

 

Day 7:
Fly to Heho and transfer to Nyaung Shwe where you’ll board a boat to reach your hotel on Inle Lake. A shallow 22 km long lake surrounded by the misty Shan Mountains, Inle Lake is also the home of the Intha people. Living in villages rising on stilts from the shallow waters, they grow flowers and vegetables in picturesque floating gardens tended from small boats. They have become famous for their unique one-leg rowing technique. You will visit Nga Phe Monastery to view ancient Buddha images, and stay overnight at Inle Lake.

 

Day 8:
Today, you will have a full day tour around Inle Lake. Stop at the Five-Day Market, which rotates to different villages by the lake on a five-day schedule, where you can see the products of the floating gardens and the different tribal groups of the area. Drop by Indaing Pagoda, the original home of the five famous Buddha images of Inle Lake, Phaung Daw U Pagoda, and Kaung Daing Village, famous for rice crackers, tofu snacks and fried beans. Explore local traditional crafts such as silk weaving at Inbawkhone, gold and silver smithing or paper-making at Ywama, and boat making and cheroot making at Nam Pan

 

Day 9:
This morning fly back to Yangon, where you will have the rest of the day for sightseeing. Visit Botataung Pagoda, named after the soldiers who escorted relics of Buddha from India over 2,000 years ago. This ancient monument was completely destroyed during World War II and is today one of few pagodas in Myanmar which allows visitors to step inside. You can also stroll around Chinatown near Kheng Hock Keong – the largest Chinese temple in Yangon.

 

Day 10:
Today you are free until your flight to Bangkok, where your overnight transit stay will be in Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel.

 

Day 11:
Get an early start today to board the only flight to Paro, by DrukAir. In clear weather, you can enjoy magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks giving way to the lush green Paro Valley as you land. Upon arrival, your guide will welcome you at the airport and drive you to Thimphu. After checking in at the hotel, visit the Folk Heritage Museum to see a replica of a traditional rural farmhouse, and the Memorial Stupa built in the memory of the beloved 3rd King in 1974. Stay overnight in Thimphu.

 

Day 12:
After breakfast, drive north though Thimphu Valley and then hike around 2 hours to Tango Monastery, founded in the 12th century. The present building was built in the 15th century. Today, Tango is the residence of an important young Trulku (reincarnate lama), and also serves as the prestigious Buddhist University for monks. Return to the city for lunch and drive to Buddha Point to see one of the world’s largest Buddha statues, and a panorama over Thimphu. Visit the mini zoo to see the Takins, Bhutan’s national animal, and stop to see handmade Bhutanese paper being created. Stay overnight in Thimphu.

 

Day 13:
Today drive to Punakha, stopping at Dochula Pass for (given clear weather) superb views of the Bhutanese Himalayas. After lunch in Punakha, visit the beautiful Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 at the confluence of two famous rivers, Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). Later, hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, taking in wonderful views over the valley. Enjoy dinner in a local village where you can try local distilled wine (Bhutanese Ara), traditional butter tea and traditional food. Join your hosts in conversation to learn about their life of farming, and return to Punakha for overnight.

 

Day 14:
Today hike for an hour to Chime Lhakhang, a temple built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, known as the Divine Mad Man. He subdued demons with his “Magical Thunderbolt" and this temple is also known as the "Temple of Fertility". It’s believed that childless women can conceive after they are blessed at this temple. Later, take the 4 hr drive back to Paro and have lunch. In the afternoon, visit Kyichu Monastery; dating back to the 7th Century, this is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan. Then visit the historical Drugyel Dzong, a ruined fortress built in 1649 to commemorate victory over the Tibetans.  Stay overnight in Paro.

 

Day 15:
Drive to the trailhead and hike up to the famous Paro Tiger’s Nest. Approximately a 5 hour trip, the hike does require some real effort, but you will have time for breaks, photo opportunities and to enjoy the mountain view (horseback ascent available upon request). Taktsang Monastery is perched on a cliff 800 meters above Paro Valley. It is said that the great Tantric master Guru Padmasambhava flew here from Tibet on the back of a flying tigress to propagate his teachings in Bhutan. Take lunch during your hike, at the cafeteria or catered from a restaurant, and later return to Paro.

 

Day 16:
Today, your guide and driver will pick you up in good time for your transfer to the airport and your departing flight
.