Day 1 Arrival

Welcome and transfer to the hotel. Sightseeing includes the hundred-year-old colonial buildings and the Sule Pagoda, located in the heart of Yangon. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon sightseeing includes the Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha Image (70 metres long); the Kaba Aye Pagoda, the building of this pagoda was completed in 1952, relics of Buddha and from the saintly, noble monks reside in the reliquary of this stupa; the Maha Pasana Cave, constructed as the venue for the Sixth Buddhist Synod held in 1954; the National Museum and enjoy sunset at the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most wonders of the world. Enjoy Thai buffet and the Myanmar Cultural Variety Show at Kandawgyi Palace. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Shwedagone Pagoda

Drive to the airport for flight to Bagan (9th to 13th centuries) which brought in the golden age of Myanmar's art and culture. On arrival in Bagan, transfer to Nyaung Oo Market, to experience the lifestyle of the local people; the Shwezigon Pagoda, a prototype of Myanmar stupa; Kyansittha Umin (cave) to see the figure of Mongol soldiers on the mural paintings; Kubyaukgyi Temple at Wet Kyi In village, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scenes, and the Htilominlo Temple, which is noted for it's original fine plaster carving. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then check in to the hotel. Afternoon tour highlights include lacquer-ware workshop; the Thatbinnyu Temple to discover the rare form of Buddha image in the highest temple in Bagan and the Ananda Temple with four huge standing Buddha images. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Tharabar Gateway

Day 3 Bagan - Salay - Mt.Popa - Bagan By Car

After breakfast drive to Salay. Tour highlights include the Payathonzu Temple, an interconnected complex of three brick shrines; the Nanpaya Temple, the largest lacquer image in Myanmar; Khinkyiza Monastery, an old brick and stucco structure, and Yoak Sone Kyaung, a masterpiece of monastery construction and woodcarving. Drive to Mount Popa. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Mount Popa, an extinct volcano last active 250,000 years ago, has been described as the Mount Olympus of Myanmar. It is considered the abode of Myanmar's most powerful Nats (spirits) and the most important Nat worship centre. Enjoy the splendid sunset from the top of the mountain. Return to Bagan. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Mount Popa

After breakfast check-out and transfer to the airport for flight to Mandalay, the last capital of Konbaung Dynasty and cultural centre of Myanmar. On arrival in Mandalay, transfer to the hotel for check-in. Sightseeing includes Royal Palace, measured two kilometre square and is surrounded by a moat; Shwe-nan-daw Monastery, noted for its fine traditional wood carving, and the Kuthodaw Pagoda, "the world's biggest book", the shrine is surrounded by 729 marble slabs on which are inscribed the entire Buddhist canon / Tripitaka. Enjoy the superb panorama from the top of Mandalay Hill. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon tour highlights include Shwe-In-Bin Monastery, the wood carving along the balustrades and roof cornices is of exquisite quality; slipper making workshop; tapestry workshop; gold leaf making workshop; the Mahamuni Buddha Image, home to Mandalay's holy Buddha Statue; wood carving workshop; bronze casting workshop; stone carving workshop and U Bein Bridge which is a 1.2 kilometre long footbridge entirely made of teak wood. Enjoy dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.
 

Lighting Festival At Mahamuni Pagoda

After breakfast transfer to the jetty for the boat trip to Mingun, situated upstream on the west bank of the Ayeyarwady River, which is famous for the Mingun Bell. It is the biggest ringing bell in the world. Sightseeing includes the Settawya Pagoda, where a foot print of Buddha is enshrined; the five-metre high Pondaw Pagoda, a model of the Pahtodawgyi Pagoda which was left uncompleted, and the Mya Thein Tan Stupa with seven wavy terraces around it. In the afternoon return to Mandalay by boat from where proceed to Ava by car. Ava had been the capital of a Myanmar kingdom since 1364 AD for nearly 400 years, apart from some brief interludes. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Tour highlights include Nan Myint Watch Tower (27 metre high); Maha Aung Mye Bon Zan Monastery, an imitation of the traditional wooden style; the Gaung Say Daga (gate), where kings had their hair ceremonially washed; the Lawkataraphu Pagoda with two figures of a couple of Europeans on a glazed plaque; Bagaya Monastery (Ava), constructed with 267 teak wooden pillars, and traditional iron and clay bowl making workshop. Then return to Mandalay. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Stay overnight at the hotel.
 

Mingun Bell

After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to Heho. On arrival, proceed to Pindaya, the home of Danu and Taung-yo tribes who speak Myanmar. Then transfer to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon sightseeing includes Pindaya Cave with thousands of Buddha statues in the limestone caves; traditional umbrella making with indigenous paper; soya bean cake making; traditional pottery making and Singaung Monastery to see the Buddhist canon inscription on palm leaves. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Stay overnight at the hotel.
 

Pindaya Cave

After breakfast drive to Nyaung Shwe. En route visit Aung Ban, an important transport junction for cargos and passengers, and Shweyanpyay Monastery with oval shaped windows built by ancient Shan kings. Then proceed to Nyaung Shwe, the capital city of ancient Shan kings. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch transfer to the hotel by boat for check-in. Tour highlights include floating gardens; traditional unique method of fishing, different from other regions; unique leg-rowers; Ngaphekyaung Monastery also called "jumping cat monastery"; traditional goldsmithy and weaving works at Ywama Village, and the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holy site in southern Shan State. Enjoy dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.
 

Shan Women

After breakfast check-out of the hotel and take a boat ride to discover the source of the lake and to see the villagers' way of life. Return to Nyaung Shwe by boat. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you will be transferred from Nyaung Shwe to Heho by car for flight to Yangon. On arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in. Farewell dinner will be hosted by Universal Tours and Travel. Stay overnight at the hotel.
 

Nyaung Shwe

Day 9 Departure

After breakfast tour highlights are the World Peace Pagoda, Mahapasana Cave and Swedaw (the Buddha's tooth relic) Pagoda, a brand new temple in imitation of Bagan architectural style. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch visit Bogyoke Aung San Market, former Scott's Market for souvenirs. Check-out and transfer to the airport for departure flight.

Bogyoke Market