Day 03  Kyaikhtiyo - Bago - Yangon

Return to BAGO (110 km - 3 1/2 hours). Sightseeing includes the SHWEMAWDAW PAGODA, over a thousand years old; its spire is even taller than SHWEDAGON PAGODA. The 55 meter long reclining SHWETHALYAUNG Buddha image is among the country’s most revered. Continue to YANGON (84 km - 1 1/2 hours). En route, visit the Allied War Graves Cemetery near HTAUK KYAN and a tree shrine dedicated to a legendary "Nat". Overnight in Yangon.

Day 04 Yangon - Bagan

Transfer to airport for domestic flight to BAGAN. On arrival, transfer to hotel and proceed for sightseeing, starting with the busy local market and continuing with visits to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples, such as SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century, KU BYANUK GYI, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scenes, KHAY MIN GA TEMPLE, noted for its spectacular panoramic view of the area’s many monuments and ANANDA TEMPLE with four huge standing Buddha images and numerous seated figures in niches around the galleried interior. Afternoon, a visit of a lacquer craftmen's workshop in nearby MYINKABA village. Continue sightseeing to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in Mon style in 1059, NANBAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument, said to have been the palace of King Manuha and MYINGABA GU BYAUKGYI TEMPLE, noted for its ancient mural paintings under the protection of UNESCO. The ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM with a collection of bronze, stone and lacquer Buddha images, clothes and gems, may also be visted. Proceed to BUPAYA PAGODA or MINGALA ZEDI STUPA to watch sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River. Overnight in Bagan.

Visit the site of TAYOKEPYAY TEMPLE in Min Nan Thu Village, PHAYA THONE ZU and NANDAMANYA TEMPLES noted for exquisite murals of 13th century and KYAT KAN CAVE monastery, a famous meditation center in Bagan. Visit farming villages around Bagan. Sightseeing continues with an excursion by boat on the Ayeyarwaddy River to the nostalgic NAT HTAUNG KYAUNG, a wooden monastery built in 1781 by a group of monks, famous for woodcarvings, a collection of ancient Buddha statues and lacquer boxes. Overnight in Bagan.

Overland drive (300 km - 8 hours) to MANDALAY. En route visit of MOUNT POPA, an extinct volcano with its shrine dedicated to animist spirits, known as “Nats”. For the energetic, time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the volcanic plug. Continue to MEIKHTILA. Continue to MANDALAY, a scenic journey of varied agricultural landscapes and small villages. Arrival in Mandalay late-afternoon. Overnight in Mandalay.

Drive to Amarapura, 15 km from Mandalay. Visit MAHAGANDAYON, a famous Buddhist monastery where more than a thousand monks live and study. Continue to 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was the royal capital. Visit BAGAYA MONASTERY with a superb collection of Buddha statues. Afternoon, a drive to MONYWA (150km - 4 hours) with visit to a charming rural village specialized in the manufacture of lacquerware. Overnight in a simple hotel with basic facilities.

Cross the CHINDWIN RIVER by ferry boat and proceed 45 km to PHOWIN TAUNG, a seldom visited complex of cave temples and shrines, some dating back to 15th century and containing about 450,000 Buddha images and some very fine mural paintings. Return to MONYWA. Afternoon visit the incredibly ornate THAMBUDDHE TEMPLE, built from the dream designs of a noted monk. Drive back to MANDALAY. Overnight in Mandalay.

Today's comprehensive sightseeing tour includes a panoramic view from MANDALAY HILL, MAHAMUNI PAGODA with its spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layers of gold leaves, SHWE INBIN, one of the most outstanding monasteries in the country, SHWE NAN DAW KYAUNG or GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb example of a traditional wooden building and KUTHODAW PAGODA, known as the world’s largest book, consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. A visit is also made to a jetty to observe daily life at the river and to a craftsmen’s workshop to see Kalaga tapestries being created. Aftenoon, excursion to the former royal capital of INWA (AVA), reached by a short boat trip. Visits by horse-drawn carriage to NANMYINT WATCH TOWER, the remains of the palace building nicknamed "leaning tower of Ava", MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN MONASTERY, built of brick and stucco and BARGAYAR MONASTERY, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Continue to SAGAING HILLS, a retreat for Buddhist devotees, for sunset. Overnight in Mandalay.

Boat trip on the AYEYARWADDY RIVER to MINGUN about 11 km (1 hour) upriver from Mandalay with visits to the MINGUN BELL, weighing 90 tons and being the largest uncracked bell in the world, to HSINBYUME PAYA and the unfinished MINGUN PAYA, built as one of the world’s largest chedis by King Bodaw Paya. After lunch, drive (80km - 2 hours) on a scenic route to the cool hill station of PYIN OO LWIN (MAYMYO) with its lovely lake, waterfalls, botanical garden and colonial era buildings. Overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin.

Be taken to the local market by the famous horse-drawn carriages and proceed to PEIK KHYIN MYAUNG CAVES, since ancient times a Buddhist shrine. Afternoon, return to MANDALAY. Dinner and overnight in Mandalay.

Transfer to airport for domestic flight to HEHO. Upon arrival, drive to PINDAYA (60 km - 1 1/2 hour). Visit the unique PINDAYA CAVES with thousands of Buddha images placed there by pilgrims over many centuries. Overnight in Pindaya.

Scenic drive to INLE LAKE (90 km, 2 1/2 hours). Today's excursion by boat on Inle Lake includes the famous leg rowers, the typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing and village life. Afternoon, further visits are made to PHAUNG DAW OO PAGODA, the weaving village of INPAWKHON and other interesting sights. Overnight on the lake.

Excursion by boat to the western shore of Inle Lake to visit the INN THEIN PAGODA complex, found after following a stair path lined up with magnificent columns. Afternoon, transfer by road to Heho Airport for domestic flight to YANGON visiting en route a cheroot factory and a wish-fulfilling pagoda. On arrival in Yangon, transfer to hotel and overnight.

Travelers having arrived mid-day on Day 01 will transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure. For those having arrived during afternoon, a morning of sightseeing will include the city highlights as shown in Day 01 of itinerary. Transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure.