Exploration of Myanmar over water

Kyaikhtiyo, the golden rock.
A 4-hour drive will take you there with some stops on the way: at Kyaikpun’s morning market and then at the huge Shwetharlyaung Buddha dating back to the 11th century.
Craft workshops and the central market of Bago, then visit several pagodas.
An hour’s drive will be required to reach the Golden Rock perched on the mountain.
Final access on foot, at sunset, fabulous.
Dinner and overnight in Kyaikhtiyo.

Road trip back to Yangoon.
End of the day, free time on your own. Dinner and overnight in Yangoon.

Flight west toward Sittwe, capital of Arakan state, an important maritime and commercial city. Visit the cultural museum, a Buddhist monastery with a magnificent collection of ancient objects from the region.
Visit the famous pagoda “Pyilone-Chan-Ta”.
City tour in the evening and Sunset at “viewpoint”. Overnight.

From Sittwe, cruising the Kaladan River to the ancient Arakanese capital of Mrauk U surrounded by green hills.
On the way, stop at the village Mro or Kharnee (Rakhine minority) to discover their way of life.Overnight at Mrauk U.

Mrauk U: Visit the archaeological site, its remains and unusual temples of the sixteenth century.Sunset from the hill overlooking the city. Overnight in Mrauk U.

Time on the market of Mrauk U, then return by boat to Sittwe.
Airport transfer and flight back to Yangon. Overnight at hotel in Yangoon.

Inle Lake. Airport transfer and flight to Heho.
On the way to the lake, stop at the monastery of Shwe Yan Pyay entirely built in teak wood.
Wine tasting and lunch at the “vineyard of the Red mountain”.
Then embark on the lake for a first discovery.
Dinner and overnight in Inle.

Visit one of the lake’s markets before heading to Indein at the west of the lake.
The boat takes you through a long canal where you can watch the women cultivate their products, and then you will continue to the set of hidden temples of Indein, consisting of hundreds of little stupas.
Walk through the rice fields to the village of Sae Ma.
Meeting with the villagers, and observation of the monastic activities.
Return by boat and overnight in Inle.

Boat trip on Inle Lake to see leg rowers, typical farms and floating gardens, local fishing methods and village life.
Then visit the Inpawkhon weaving village, jumping cats Monastery, Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the most sacred religious site in the Southern Shan State.
Flight to Mandalay in the afternoon. Installation at the hotel, dinner, overnight.

In the morning visit Amarapura, ancient royal capital founded before Mandalay.
You will attend the morning alms of the monks then you will discover the teak bridge of U-bein built 2 centuries ago on Taungtaman Lake.
Visit then weaving workshops (traditional silk and cotton).
Horse cart ride to Inwa, former royal capital.
In Mandalay, visit the statue of Buddha Mahamuni, the most venerated in the country, covered with gold leaf. It will also be an opportunity to discover the hammering of gold leaf, as well as the molding of bronze, the sculpture of marble, wood and the manufacture of traditional puppets.
You will continue to the Shwenandaw Kyaung Monastery, a finely carved wooden building and Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble plaques engraved with Buddhist scriptures.
Finally, sunset from Mandalay Hill where you will have a panoramic view. Dinner and overnight in Mandalay.

Early morning, express boat to Bagan …
You will spend the day over the Irrawady watching rural life along and on the river.
Evening and overnight in Bagan.

Bagan. Beginning of the day with the colorful market of Nyaung U, Shwezigon pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa.
Discover Bagan and its temples all day.
In the afternoon, visit a village specialized in lacquering objects.
Sunset on the site from the upper terrace of Shwesandaw Pagoda.
Overnight in Bagan.

Visit Salay where is located the yoke monastery with its exceptional wood carvings.
Then, you will go to Mount Popa, extinct volcano with its sanctuaries dedicated to animist spirits. The most dynamic will climb the 777 steps leading to the sanctuary at the top of the volcanic cone.
Return to Bagan, stop en route to observe the extraction of the palm juice and its transformation into sugar.
Overnight in Bagan.

Morning flight to Yangon.
Transfer to the hotel for refreshment, then free time at the Scott Market for some souvenir shopping.
Airport transfer and international flight home.