Day 04 Drive to Mt.Popa
(50 km, 2 hours).
Proceed to Mandalay
(240 km, 5/6 hours)
Morning, breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Mt.Popa-an extinct
volcano which is known as “Home of the Spirits” and
observe the life of rural area on the way such as producing
the palm sweets. We may stop several places for making
the photos and knowing the countryside. Climb up 777
steps to reach of top of Mt.Popa cliff temple and enjoy the
landscapes. Come down and proceed to Mandalay. Check
in at the hotel and leisure. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 05 Excursion Mingun &
sightseeing Mandalay
Morning, breakfast at the hotel. Boat excursion to Mingun
(01 hour) along the Ayeyarwaddy River. During the river
cruise, we may enjoy the fascinating landscapes of the river
as well as the daily life of the people living along the
Ayeyarwaddy. Visit Mingun pagoda, which was dedicated
to be the highest one but remained as the biggest pile of
bricks & the biggest ringing bell of 90 tons, the unusual
Myatheindan pagoda, which represents Mt. Meru and the
abode of celestial beings. Back to Mandalay and visit traditional
handicraft workshops such as, gold leaves beating,
Kuthodaw Pagoda, which houses 729 marble slabs, sculptured
the teaching of Buddha, Shwenandaw (Golden Palace)
Monastery, which is the masterpiece of wood carving,
etc. Finally enjoy the sunset on top of Mandalay Hill where
we can admire the beauty of Mandalay City, Shan Plateau,
etc. Come back to hotel and leisure. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 06 Excursion Amarapura,
Sagaing & Ava (Inwa)
Morning, breakfast at the hotel. Visit Mahamuni Buddha
Image- one of the most sacred Buddha Images in Myanmar
with 01 ton of gold-gilded and many pieces of precious
stones, such as diamonds, rubies, pearls, sapphires, emeralds,
etc. Excursion to Amarapura, an ancient capital of
Myanmar, where we can observe the life of over 1000 monks
at Mahagandaryon Monastery & silk weaving factory. Proceed
to Sagaing, where we can observe the fascinating landscapes
of the Ayeyarwaddy River from serene Sagaing Hill,
the place of over 700 monasteries, Kaungmudaw Pagodathe
magnificent dome remarkably seen from far away, silverware
factory, etc. Continue to Ava (Inwa) and visit by
horse carts to Maenu Okkyaung Monastery-built by the chief
queen in 1818 for the venerable chief monk is the unique
brick type building of 19th century, Nan Myint Tower-27
meter masonry high is declined due to the earthquake in
1811, Bargayar Monastery-well known for its wood carving
with 267 teak pillars. Come back to Amarpaura and enjoy
the sunset by crossing over U Bein Bridge. Overnight in
Mandalay.
Day 07 Flight to Heho.
Drive to Pindaya
(45 km, 01:30 hours).
Proceed to Kalaw
(45 km, 01:30 hours).
Morning, breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for
the flight to Heho. Drive to Pindaya and enjoy the marvelous
landscapes of hilly region with vegetables plantation,
terrace-landing cultivation, etc. Visit the Pindaya Caves-houses
8094 Buddha Images cast in lacquer, wood, stone, alabaster,
etc, umbrella workshop, which is made of pulp. Proceed
to Kalaw and check in at the hotel. Overnight in Kalaw.
Day 08 Drive to Taunggyi
(81 km, 02:30/03:0 hours).
Proceed to Inle
(22 km, 01 hour).
Morning, breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Taunggyi-the capital
of Shan State, 1500 meters above sea level. The bustling
local market, the Shan State Museum, the Sutaungpye Pagoda-
panoramic view to Inle Lake, etc., are interesting to
observe. Proceed to Inle and on the way, visit Shweyanpye
Monastery-typical Shan Monastery, made of wood which is
about 500 years old and its pagoda-there are over 700 small
Buddha Images in niches fully painted traditionally by Shan
people. Check in at the hotel and overnight.