MYSTICAL MYANMAR TOUR (10 days)

MYSTICAL MYANMAR TOUR
(10 days)
Day 1 - Arrive Yangon
Upon arrival, you will be welcome by Exotissimo Guide at the airport and transfer to hotel.??Yangon, formerly known as '' Rangoon '', is still a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating and authentic capitals of South East Asia.
In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour includes the National Museum, Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda's 70m long reclining Buddha and at the end of the day Myanmar's holiest monument, the Shwedagon Pagoda with its golden stupa covered with 60 tons of pure gold leaf.
Overnight in Yangon.
Day 2 - Yangon - Bagan
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Yangon's Mingaladon Airport for the flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo). Firstly, visit??the thousands of ancient stupas and temples in this area make Bagan, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia. From the 11th till 13th century, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, the rulers constructed huge stupas and temples, many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.
On arrival, we head to Tayokye Pyay for a first overview over the plain of Bagan. Then, continue to the Shwezigon Pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa, followed by Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jatakas murals paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.
In the afternoon, visit Ananda, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple and Ananda Okkyaung is one of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan period. End the day with a horse carriage tour among the temples starting at Ananda and passing Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, the massive Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork and Sulamani.
Finally,appreciate a sunset over the site from one of the open upper terraces in Bagan.
Overnight in Bagan.
Day 3 - Bagan
Optional Event: From October to March, early morning hot-air balloon flights over the plain of Bagan and its 3000 sites. An unforgettable and unique experience!
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the colorful Nyaung Oo Market before proceeding to Myinkaba village. We go for a walk through the village and have the opportunity to visit the local sites such as Gubyaukgi, with some of the oldest mural paintings, Manuha and Nanpaya as well as look into the production process of lacquer ware, one of the best-known Myanmar handicrafts in one of the local family workshops.
In the afternoon, visit to the countryside village of Minnanthu, the least visited area in Bagan with temples such as Payathonzu, with its unusual architecture and Tantric Buddhism influence, Lemyethna and Nandamannya, before heading to the riverside near Nyaung U Village where we board a local boat for a slow cruise down the Ayeyarwaddy before sunset.
Overnight in Bagan.
Day 4 - Bagan - Mount Popa - Mandalay
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Mount Popa, an extinct volcano over 1,500m high, about 48km south east of Bagan (1 hr). Mount Popa plays an important role in Myanmar culture, religion and history since the earliest times. Its shrine is dedicated to the worship of the 37 Nats, the Burmese ancient animist spirits.
In the afternoon, continue by road and head across the central plain to Mandalay, the former capital of Myanmar (5 hrs). You can also observe about Myanmar cultural, scenic beauties and lifestyle local people along the road to Mandalay. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 5 - Mandalay
After breakfast, sightseeing tour of Mandalay, Myanmar's cultural capital starts with the Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its venerable statue of Buddha covered with gold leaf.??The Mandalay ??is famous among the International visitor by Rudyard Kipling's ''Mandalay'' poem. Moreover, it has also long been known as a center of skilled craftsmanship and in former times supplied the Royal courts. A tour of traditional workshops includes crafts such as woodcarving, marble masonry, Kalaga tapestry and gold leaf making.
In the afternoon, visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures (known as the world's biggest book), Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite woodcarving and the impressive Kyauktawgyi Pagoda with its huge sitting Buddha. End the day with enjoying a sunset view over town from Mandalay Hill.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 6 - Mandalay - Mingun - Ava - Amarapura - Mandalay
After breakfast, transfer to the jetty and board a private local boat for a 1-hr cruise on the Irrawaddy River towards the site of Mingun.??It is??famous for its huge unfinished pagoda, is also home to the Mingun Bell, considered as the world's largest uncracked ringing bell. Also visit the beautiful white Hsinbyume Pagoda.
Continue to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries, visit by horse carriage tour around Ava, the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and fort. At the end of the day transfer to Amarapura, the 18th century capital and visit the 200-year old U-Bein Bridge during sunset when the villagers are crossing the bridge to return back home.
In the late afternoon, transfer back to Mandalay and overnight there.
Day 7 - Mandalay - Heho - Pindaya
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for domestic flight to Heho in Shan State. Scenic drive to Pindaya through the picturesque hills of Shan State (1hr30).
Visit Pindaya's limestone caves where hundreds and thousands of Buddha images in various size and shape are installed since the 11th century. Its maze of chambers displaying more than 8,000 Buddha statues and local handicraft workshops producing Shan Paper made from mulberry bark and traditional umbrellas. Then, your journey continues towards Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar's best-known sights.Overnight in Pindaya.
Day 8 - Pindaya - Inle Lake
After breakfast, scenic drive to Nyaung Shwe, which is the gateway village to Inle Lake. Stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery on the way. Then, move forward to the lake on local motorboats (4 persons/boat).
The Intha people, a tribe of Mon descent, inhabit the lakeshores and floating villages. See the leg-rowing fishermen and their floating gardens, built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Visit the floating villages and the daily market (daily except on new and full moon days) rotating around the villages on the lake in 5-day rhythm.
The tour also includes a visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the weaving village of Inpawkhon and the jumping cats monastery, with beautiful antique Buddha statues. If time allows we go for an improvised walk through one of the villages.
Overnight Inle Lake.
Day 9 - Inle Lake - In Dein-Heho - Yangon
After breakfast, we head to the morning market on the lake. Rotating around villages on and near the lake in a 5 day rhythm, a colorful market visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes is held daily (except on new and full moon days).
From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Paoh village of In Dein. After a walk around the village, passing a local school, take the covered stairway to the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area where ancient stupas are partly covered by vegetation. From here there is a magnificent view over the lake. Return to the lake and in the afternoon, transfer to Heho Airport for a flight back to Yangon.
On arrival transfer to the hotel and overnight in Yangon.
Day 10 - Depart Yangon
After breakfast, exploring downtown Yangon with a walk through streets filled with faded colonial atmosphere and busy everyday life.??In the afternoon, feel free?? at the Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott Market (closed on Monday and public holidays) before transferring to Mingaladon. Airport for your onward flight.

Cost in US$ per person in the party (valid 30 Sep'09)	MYSTICAL MYANMAR TOUR
	Standard	First	Superior
2 pax	1,006	1,106	1,258
3 - 4 pax	920	1,013	1,170
5 - 6 pax	660	765	920
7 - 10 pax	650	746	896
11 - 15 pax	568	670	828
16 - 19 pax	530	628	789
20 pax & up	495	592	746
Single supplement	120	206	378
Full board supplement	200	200	200

Notes:
* Package based on service of 1 English speaking guide throughout trip, except for base 1 pax (different guide at each place). Supplements can also apply for guides speaking other languages such as French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, etc..
* Surcharges may apply for FESTIVE periods like Inle Lake Festival, X'mas, New Year, Water Festival, etc.. date on request.
Our services include as follows:
* 9 nights accommodation on half-twin room basis with daily breakfast
* English-speaking guide throughout the trip (from Yangon to Yangon) except for 1 pax (station guides - different guide at each place)
* Porter fees at airports
* All transfers and excursions with private air-conditioned vehicles with drivers
* Horse cart tour in Bagan & Ava
* Sunset boat in Bagan
* Private motorized boat to Mingun excursions
* Private motorized boat in Inle Lake excursions + transfers
* Porter fees at airports
* Entrance fees for the visits mentioned in the program
Our services do not include as follows:
* International ticket to/from Yangon
* Domestic flights (rate: pls be referred the airfare table)
* Meals other than mentioned (B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
* Visa arrangements for Myanmar¿
* Visits not mentioned in the program
* Drinks and personal expenses
* Tips and porters at the hotels
* International airport departure tax Yangon (USD 10/pax at present)
* Any other items not mentioned
IMPORTANT NOTEs: Due to the constant fluctuations of the world oil prices, local suppliers are liable to raise their contract rates without notice due to fuel increases. We always do everything we can to absorb such increases, however in some cases it can be impossible for us to operate the file without incurring a loss. In such cases we reserve the right to increase our price if necessary. This will always be with a minimum advance notice of 30 days.
We apologize for any inconvenience that may arise from these conditions. However we hope your clients understand that in this increasingly uncertain world, such measures are necessary and that by guaranteeing the price with full payment in advance, they at least have some control over the cost of their holiday.