Pre & Post Cruise Suggested Tours

ETHNIC MINORITIES OF SHAN STATE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Yangon-Pindaya-Inle Lake-Kengtung-Mandalay-Cruise-Bagan-Yangon

Duration: 13 Days / 12 nights
(Cruise: 1 Night Downriver- Pre&Post Cruise Tour: 12 days / 11 nights)

DAY 01 YANGON ARRIVAL

Arrive at the Yangon International Airport. Afternoon, excursion to Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha and Shwe Dagon Pagoda, one of the wonders of the world and the most venerated Buddhist Monument in Myanmar, where one can see the lifestyle of Myanmar People.

DAY 02 YANGON/ HEHO (BY FLIGHT) – HEHO - PINDAYA (BY CAR)

Drive to the airport for the flight to Heho in the Shan State known for its colourful markets, scenery, country sides and especially its people, a mixture of tribal races. Arrive Heho and proceed to Pindaya, a small quite town. On the way you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the country side. Visit famous Pindaya cave with its numerous Buddha images in different styles from different periods.

DAY 03 PINDAYA – INLE (BY CAR)

In the morning drive to Inle Lake well known for its scenic beauty and its unique leg rower. Highlights include Phaung Daw U Pagoda; Ngaphae Chaung typical Shan Monastery of jumping cats; wonderful floating gardens; native method of fishing; traditional weaving villages; and village life in the lake (Please note that the floating market is once every 5 days, but may vary according to the Buddhist Sabathday).

DAY 04 INLE – HEHO (BY CAR) - HEHO/ KENGTUNG (BY FLIGHT)

Drive to the Heho airport for the flight to Keng Tung, the most scenic tour in Shan State.Afternoon visit Phara Sao Long or Maha Myat Muni, a Shan Monastery and Sunset and panoramic scenery of KengTung from "One Tree Hill".

DAY 05 KENGTUNG

Morning visit KengTung Market, which is the meeting place of various hill tribes in traditional costumes from nearby villages carrying on age old tradition of their petty trades. Excursion to Lahu, Akha, and Shan villages, 30 km northwest of KengTung and explore their way of life. Return to KengTung and visit traditional Shan Lacquer ware factory.

DAY 06 KENGTUNG / MANDALAY (BY FLIGHT)

Morning visit of Ann village; Ah Khu village and Shan village located North East of Kengtung. Afternoon flight to Mandalay. Overnight in Mandalay.

DAY 07 MANDALAY- MINGUN (BY CAR & BOAT)

Reach Mingun by boat, a village on the western bank of Ayeyarwaddy River. Visit highlights include Settawya Pagoda with a marble foot print of Buddha; Pondawyapaya, nearby the river; Pahtodawgyi, an enormous pile of bricks is all that remains of King Bodawpaya's grandiose scheme; Mingun Bell, the world's largest ringing bell weighing 90 tons; Mingun Village; and Shinbume Pagoda, most attractive pagoda built in 1816 by King Bodawpaya's grandson in memory of one of his wives. After lunch, visit Maha Muni Buddha Image and handy crafts workshops such as making gold leaves, woodcarvings, marble carvings etc. Then proceed to Shwe Kyaung, a monastery once King Mindon's royal palace apartment for meditation, incomparable Atumashi monastery and ending up the day with Mandalay Hill, vantage point for the view of Mandalay.

DAY 08 MANDALAY – ESCURSIONS TO AVA AND AMARAPURA

Excursion to Ancient Capital of Ava and then Amarapura, 11 Kilometers south of Mandalay visiting Mahagandayon monastery, 1.2 kilometer long U Bein Wooden Bridge and visit silk-weaving factory. Return to Mandalay. Dinner and overnight in Mandalay

DAY 09 MANDALAY / SAGAING / CRUISE

Visit the old Capital of Sagaing, a retreat for Buddhist devotees with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Transfer to the Sagaing Jetty to board the ship. The cast off time is at 11.15 hrs. Lunch will be served at 13.00. In the late afternoon we stop at Yandabo, a village specialize in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on Feb. 24, 1826. Cruise all day and moor overnight near a typical river village or a sandbank. Moor overnight near the village of Shwe Nann Tint.

DAY 10 CRUISE – BAGAN

Early in the morning we proceed downriver to Bagan. After breakfast (if time permits) we visit another typical river village. Enjoy the sunrise near Bagan. Passengers will disembark to Bagan Shwe-kun-char jetty at around 10.15 hrs. Check in Hotel. Afternoon visit Myinkaba Gubyaukkyi Temple, a typical Mon style temple; Manuha Temple, a captured king's impression of life in prison; Nanpaya Temple; an earliest masterpiece with its fine stone carvings; photo stop at Seinnyet Nyima Pagodas, a temple and a stupa with exquisite design and Mingala zedi pagoda, on of the last ones built in pagan; sunset from a suitable temple or pagoda.

DAY 11 BAGAN

Morning sightseeing begins with visit to the Nyaung Oo Market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar satupas; Wetkyi-in Gubyakkyi Temple, with fine mural paintings of jataka scenes; Htilominlo Temple, noted for its plaster carvings and visit lacquerware factory. Afternoon excursion to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece resembling a Greek Cross; and Thatbyinnyu, the highest of Bagan Temples ; and Bypaya, a Pyu style pagoda on the brink of the majestic Ayeyarwaddy River.

DAY 12 BAGAN/ YANGON (BY FLIGHT)

Drive to the airport for the flight back to Yangon. Afternoon visit Sule Paya,Yangon City certre and shopping.

DAY 13 YANGON DEPARTURE

International Departure Flight.