Yangon, Pagan & Inle Lake: Culture, Histories, Families

Dates:	Friday, February 12th to Thursday, February 18th
Price:	RMB 15,000 p.p.
	Single supplement: RMB 1,460
	Child with half twin: RMB 12,850 Child with extra bed: N/A Child w/o bed: RMB 11,530
Deposit:	RMB 1,500 due by January 12th
Balance:	Due by January 31st

Yangon, the gateway into Myanmar, remains a less visited part of Asia. The Shwedagon Pagoda, a 98-metre pagoda covered with 60 tons of pure gold, is prominent and visible in many parts of the city. A short flight away, Bagan is a spectacular religious archaeological site with thousands of stupas and temples sprawling across 40 sq km of countryside. Nestled on the Shan Plateau, Inle Lake is a scenic gem with its famous leg-rowing Intha fisherman and colorful floating markets.

Day 1

Fly in the morning to Yangon via Bangkok. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel Traders.

Day 2  
Transfer to the airport for the early morning flight from Yangon to Pagan. Upon arrival, we will check into Bagan Hotel or Thiritputsaya.  Pagan is the most amazing sight in Myanmar if not Southeast Asia. Across 40 sq km of the country there are literally thousands of stupas and temples. In every direction, you will see ruins of all sizes, some soaring into the sky and others standing quaintly at a corner. The meandering Irrawady Plain completes the scene.  Our exploration of this amazing archaeological site starts from the golden stupa of Shwezigon. Then, we continue to Kubyauk Gyi with exquisite murals and Ananda, rated by many as the most beautiful in Pagan.  In the afternoon, we continue with Nanpaya, with its Mon style architecture, Manhua with its four buddha images and finally, we will stop at a lacquerware factory to see the production of Myanmar’s most famous handicraft. Afterwards we will climb up Shweshandaw Pagoda to see the sunset over Pagan.

Day 3    
Optional hot air ballooning (USD $275 p.p. extra): At sunrise, we will glide over the Irrawady Plain over the thousands of temples and rustic rural scenery. Due to popular demand and limited seats, advanced booking is strongly recommended.  This morning, we make an excursion to Mt.Popa which rose from the ground in a massive earthquake in 442 BC.  Mt. Popa is famous as the abode of the Nats (Spirit Gods) and for its panoramic view of the local tropical region. On the way to Mt. Popa, we will visit a toddy palm juice production plant.  In the afternoon, we will also take a horse cart ride through the temples to the riverside. As the day wanes, we will arrive at Bupaya, a Pyu-style stupa located on the banks of the Ayeyawady River. From here we will begin a scenic boat ride ending at Lawkananda Pagoda, a riverside stupa rich in history and known for its excellent sunset view.

Day 4
Transfer to the airport for flight from Pagan to Heho.  Upon arrival, we will drive about one hour to Nyangshwe, gateway to the unique and magical Inle Lake. The lake is located 1,328m above sea level and is 22km long and 11km wide.  From Nyangshwe, we will take a one-hour boat ride to Golden Island Cottage, a charming wooden chalet built in the middle of the lake or Inle Princess, a deluxe lakeside resort.

Day 5
Today we will enjoy a full day of boating around the lake.  Highlights include fisherman rowing in the one-legged style characteristic of boatmen on Inle Lake and vegetable gardens on strips of earth which float on the surface of this shallow lake. Besides enjoying the scenery, we will visit the “jumping cats” monastery, Phaungdaw U Pagoda and weaving factories.


Day 6
We will rise early this morning, boat back to Nyangshwe and drive back to Heho for a flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the Traders, Savoy or Strand Hotel for one night. In the afternoon, we will take a tour of Yangon including the old colonial city, Kandawyi Lake, and Shwedagon, one of the most outstanding religious monuments in Southeast Asia. We will enjoy the sunset at Shwedagon.

Day 7
Today is free until our transfer to the airport for an evening return flight to Shanghai via Bangkok.