Best of Burma
6 days - Yangon, Bagan, Mount Popa, Salay, Mandalay
6 days - Yangon, Bagan, Mount Popa, Salay, Mandalay
This trip is designed to provide the perfect introduction to Burma. Yangon, also known as Rangoon, is a city of shaded boulevards and colonial buildings. Of great importance here is the Shwedagon Pagoda, the country's most impressive and sacred Buddhist site. Bagan's spectacular plain stretches away from the Irrawaddy River, and is dotted with thousands of 800-year old temple ruins. Located nearby is Mount Popa, upon your approach the view of the glittering temple complex sitting high atop the sheer-sided Pedestal Hill is breathtaking. Mandalay, the second largest city and last royal capital, is a major economic and educational center, as well as a cultural and spiritual center. Neighboring Sagaing is home to over sixty percent of the country's monks, and Mandalay artisans continue to turn out the finest crafts. The program concludes with a final night in Yangon.
Private tour itinerary
Day 1: Yangon. Arrive at Yangon International Airport, and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Yangon. Sights today include Sule Pagoda, located in the very heart of the city, it dates back more than 2,000 years and is an important place of worship; the National Museum, containing an expansive collection of Burmese art, and the Shwedagon Pagoda, certainly the highlight of any visit to Yangon; it's magnificent golden stupa is truly a sight to behold, and is most beautiful during the sunset hour.
Day 2: Bagan. Fly to Bagan, a former capital of ancient kingdoms, situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Bagan's spectacular plain, stretching for miles, is covered with thousands of temple ruins dating back to the 11th century. Visit some of the most important sites; Gubyaukgyi Temple, Ananda Temple, Manuha Temple, and Shwesandaw Pagoda. The villages around Bagan are known for producing the country's finest lacquerware, and we'll visit one of the workshops to learn about the laborious process required in it's making and decoration. (breakfast).
Day 3: Mount Popa/Salay/Bagan. Embark on an excursion to visit Mount Popa and Salay. Mount Popa is located about 30 miles southeast of Bagan, and as you make your approach the scene of the glittering monastery atop Taung Kalat summit looks right out of a fairy tale. Visitors can ascend the spiraling staircase to the reach the monastery and temple complex, and then enjoy a panoramic view of the region. Contine to Salay, a religous center and home of the famous writer and poet Salay U Ponya. The most famous site in town is Yoke Son Kyaung, the oldest surviving wooden monastery with beautiful carvings of 19th century court life, antique religious objects, and tales of the Ramayana. (breakfast).
Day 4: Mandalay. Fly to Mandalay, the last capital of royal Burma. Upon arrival head to Mahamuni Pagoda, housing the highly venerated image of Mahamumi, covered in over 15 cm of gold leaf. En route we'll stop to observe the laborious process of gold-leaf beating, where gold is painstakingly hammered into tissue-thin squares. Afternoon visits include Shwenandaw Kyaung Temple, or Golden Teak Monastery, it is a wonderful example of Burmese teak architecture and one of Mandalay's most historic buildings; Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, famous for it's monumental seated Buddha carved from a single block of pale-green marble; and Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the "world's largest book" for the 729 marble slabs surrounding the central stupa on which the entire Tripitaka is inscribed. Also visit a craft workshop to see the local artisans employ their craft. (breakfast).
Day 5: Yangon. Fly from Mandalay back to Yangon. The balance of the day is free to explore Yangon on your own. (breakfast).
Day 6: Depart Yangon. Transfer to Yangon International Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (5).
Cost per person, double occupancy from $1,250.
Day 1: Yangon. Arrive at Yangon International Airport, and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Yangon. Sights today include Sule Pagoda, located in the very heart of the city, it dates back more than 2,000 years and is an important place of worship; the National Museum, containing an expansive collection of Burmese art, and the Shwedagon Pagoda, certainly the highlight of any visit to Yangon; it's magnificent golden stupa is truly a sight to behold, and is most beautiful during the sunset hour.
Day 2: Bagan. Fly to Bagan, a former capital of ancient kingdoms, situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Bagan's spectacular plain, stretching for miles, is covered with thousands of temple ruins dating back to the 11th century. Visit some of the most important sites; Gubyaukgyi Temple, Ananda Temple, Manuha Temple, and Shwesandaw Pagoda. The villages around Bagan are known for producing the country's finest lacquerware, and we'll visit one of the workshops to learn about the laborious process required in it's making and decoration. (breakfast).
Day 3: Mount Popa/Salay/Bagan. Embark on an excursion to visit Mount Popa and Salay. Mount Popa is located about 30 miles southeast of Bagan, and as you make your approach the scene of the glittering monastery atop Taung Kalat summit looks right out of a fairy tale. Visitors can ascend the spiraling staircase to the reach the monastery and temple complex, and then enjoy a panoramic view of the region. Contine to Salay, a religous center and home of the famous writer and poet Salay U Ponya. The most famous site in town is Yoke Son Kyaung, the oldest surviving wooden monastery with beautiful carvings of 19th century court life, antique religious objects, and tales of the Ramayana. (breakfast).
Day 4: Mandalay. Fly to Mandalay, the last capital of royal Burma. Upon arrival head to Mahamuni Pagoda, housing the highly venerated image of Mahamumi, covered in over 15 cm of gold leaf. En route we'll stop to observe the laborious process of gold-leaf beating, where gold is painstakingly hammered into tissue-thin squares. Afternoon visits include Shwenandaw Kyaung Temple, or Golden Teak Monastery, it is a wonderful example of Burmese teak architecture and one of Mandalay's most historic buildings; Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, famous for it's monumental seated Buddha carved from a single block of pale-green marble; and Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the "world's largest book" for the 729 marble slabs surrounding the central stupa on which the entire Tripitaka is inscribed. Also visit a craft workshop to see the local artisans employ their craft. (breakfast).
Day 5: Yangon. Fly from Mandalay back to Yangon. The balance of the day is free to explore Yangon on your own. (breakfast).
Day 6: Depart Yangon. Transfer to Yangon International Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (5).
Cost per person, double occupancy from $1,250.
Our deluxe Burma (Myanmar) tours are carefully designed to provide a unique experience in the destination, promote cultural understanding and exchange, flow smoothly from place to place, allow time for relaxation and exploration on your own, provide maximum value, and very importantly to be enjoyable. The itinerary can be modified to suit your tastes, time frame, budget, and special interests.
