Myanmar express

Mingalaba! Welcome to Yangon!
Met and greeted at the airport and take a private transfer to hotel for check in.
The same afternoon you will get a guided tour for sightseeing some highlights of the city. Being the most important commercial and artistic hub of Myanmar, this former capital city is home to a fascinating blend of impressive colonial architectures, tree-lined boulevards, exciting street life scenes, bustling local markets, and glittery temples dotted around, making it the most exciting place in the country.
Drive downtown to explore the historical centre with your first visit to the Yangon Post Office that noted for its red-brick color, typical lancet arched windows, charming beaux-arts portico and ornate stucco work. Take a leisurely walk to the Sule Pagoda passing the Victorian-style Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument. Then continue to Bogyoke Market, a wonderfully colorful place where there are lots of handicrafts and other local products to browse through, and perhaps take a sit down at a local tea shop enjoying typical Burmese tea drinking experience.
Next is the Kandawgyi Park, a beautiful and green spot where you see the impressive Karaweik Hall, a replica of Royal Barge that floats on a vast lake, reflecting it glittering image on peaceful water surface with stunning background of surroundings.
From here you will continue to visit the Chauk Htat Kyi temple which is home to a 66-meter long reclining Buddha, one of the most revered Buddha images in the country, where locals gather to pay homage and pray every day.
Your last visit is the Shwedagon Pagoda, the most famous landmark in Yangon and most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar, which said to date back 2500 years ago, with spectacular view of the 100-meter tall chedi gilded by 40 tons of gold leaf and surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. The view of Shwedagon become most spectacular during the sunset and when lights are on.

Back to the hotel and enjoy free evening at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Get transfer to the airport for a short morning flight to Mandalay, the second largest city of Myanmar and one of the ancient royal capitals on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.

Get pick up upon arrival at the airport and go on tour exploring the beauties of Mandalay.
Visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, the most important pilgrimage site in Mandaday. This pagoda houses the greatly venerated statute of Mahamuni Buddha which is central to local’s spiritual life. Day by day and over the years, the statue continues to be covered with gold leaf by devotees and this application of gold makes the image unique with special uneven contour.
Next, visit the Shwenandaw Monastery also known as Golden Palace Monastery, a special architecture built of teak wood dating back from 1878 that is famous for its wonderfully intricate carvings.
As Mandalay is famous for traditional crafts, during your discovery of the town, you will also have the chance to visit some local workshops where you can observe the production of gold leaf making, wood and marble carvings, with special techniques remain unchanged for centuries.
Continue to the well-known Kuthodaw Pagoda whose 729 white stupas, each houses a huge marble slabs carved with Buddhist scriptures, have earned the title ‘World’s largest book’.
End the interesting day tour with your visit to the legendary U Bein Bridge, the longest teakwood bridge worldwide with the total length of 1.2 kilometer across the Taungthaman Lake. Take a leisurely walk along, enjoy the breeze and stunning view of the lake with colorful boat skimming on the smooth as silk water surface. This centuries-old bridge is most photogenic during the sunset.

Evening is free at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, get to the jetty and board a private boat for a relaxed 1 hour journey on of the Irrawaddy River to Mingun, a historical site about 10 kilometer from Mandalay. This place is known for its never-finished stupa Mingun Paya, a massive construction begun and unintentionally left unfinished by King Bodawpaya in the late 18 century. The uncompleted 50 meter high monument was expected to be the greatest and highest in Myanmar and perhaps in the World at that time with intended height of 150 meters and is now recorded as the ‘largest brick pile’ in the World. Wander around, admire the grandeur and listen to your guide about interesting story about it.
Nearby is a Burmese style pavilion called zayat which houses the Mingun Bell, a national treasure of Myanmar, weighing 90 tons and claimed to be the World’s heaviest functioning bell several times in history.  
Following is the Hisnbyume Pagoda, an impressive white temple built by King Bagyidaw in dedication to his eternal love and memory of his beloved wife, reminding you the story behind the Taj Mahan in India. This temple consists of seven concentric terraces representing seven mountain ranges surround the main high stupa which resembles the holy Mount Meru.
Also, spend some time wandering around the neighborhood of Mingun, visiting local village of cottage industries where you have chance to interact with craftsmen and friendly locals.
Back to Mandalay downtown and this afternoon is for exploring of the compound of Mandalay Royal Palace which dominated by dark-red color roofs and golden patterns reflecting pomp and circumstance of the last Burmese monarchy. Then get up to the Mandalay Hill for visiting some of enchanting temples and enjoying fantastic, rewarding panoramic view of Mandalay during spectacular sunset.
Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Get a private transfer to the airport for flight back to Yangon for your international flight back home or to onward destination. Safe travel and see you again!

Summary of inclusions