BEST OF THE NORTH & SOUTH VIETNAM

Upon arrival to Yangon Airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and your journey begins with a tour through Yangon’s city. Visit first Sule Pagoda dating back to over 2,000 years. From there, proceed to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for domestic flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival at Mandalay Airport, transfer to your hotel for check-in.

     

After breakfast, excursion to Amarapura, 15 km from Mandalay to 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 when Amarapura was the royal capital. Already from the early days, the city was known for its silk- and cotton weaving. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop before proceeding to Bagaya Monastery, a compound with a superb collection of Buddha statues.

In the afternoon, you will 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 consisting of 729 marble slabs on which the entire Theravada Buddhist Canon is inscribed in Pali language. Visit a traditional handloom silk workshop as well as a Kalaga tapestries craftsmen’s shop before proceeding to Mandalay Hill.

        

After early breakfast, a 255 km drive (6½ h) by road through varied agricultural landscapes will take you to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano with spectacular views. Mt. Popa is a popular pilgrimage destination and local people travel here from far away to worship various animist spirits known as “nats”. 777 steps lead up to the shrine placed on top of the steep peak. After a scenic drive (around 50 km, 1½ h) and a stop at one of the local villages, arrive to Bagan in time to watch the sunset from a temple top over the famous Ayeyarwaddy River or the magnificent plain of pagodas and temples.

        

Your day will begin early with a nostalgic horse cart ride to the Thitsa Waddy Temple to witness the rise of dawn. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, stroll through a colorful local market and 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; Bu Lei Thee Pagoda noted for its panoramic view of the area’s numerous monuments and Ananda Temple with four magnificent standing Buddha images.

In the afternoon, learn about the manufacturing of Myanmar’s most treasured handicrafts and visit a lacquer ware craftsmen’s workshop in nearby Myinkaba village. Later, continue to Manuha Temple built in Mon style in 1059 and explore Nanbaya Temple, a unique sandstone monument, which according to legends used to be palace site of King Manuha. Visit the Archeological Museum (closed on Mondays and public holidays) housing countless beautiful Buddha images made of bronze, stone and lacquer. Complete the day by watching sunset over the majestic Ayeyarwaddy River from a temple top.

     

After breakfast, transfer to Bagan Airport for domestic flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, proceed to the magnificent reclining Buddha Chauk Htat Gyi. After a photo stop at Karaweik Hall, a barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, stroll through the Bogyoke (Scott’s) Market (closed on Mondays and public holidays) with hundreds of food, clothes, handicrafts and gems stores.
Afterwards, transfer to Yangon Airport for your international onward flight.