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.