Cruise And Explore the Ancient Kingdoms of Myanmar

Your guide and driver will greet you at your hotel to set off for a full day exploration of Bagan. This program includes a range of sites, providing a great overview of Bagan’s history, culture and local lifestyles.

The journey begins with a visit to Thagyar Pone Temple and its spectacular views over the surrounding plains. This is the perfect introduction to the grandeur and scope of Bagan’s architecture. Next, continue to Ananda Temple, one of the most revered temples in Bagan and which is quiet in the morning, before all the tour buses arrive.

Afterwards, we will go to Myinkaba Village and visit Gubyaukgyi Temple which is noted for its beautiful mural paintings on its inner walls and well-preserved plaster carvings on its exterior. Nearby is Manuha Temple and Nan Paya Temple, two smaller temples with nice Buddha statues and stone work.

Then, learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan’s most famous products: lacquer ware and wood crafts. Watch as the skilled craftsmen use techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items.

Take a break with lunch at Shwe Myanmar, a favorite among local visitors who come for the delicious curries. Return to your hotel for a short rest, escaping the extreme heat of the midday sun.

Late this afternoon, we’ll take a relaxing horsecart ride through the temple area, starting at the soaring Thetbyin Nyu and on to Sulamani, one of Bagan’s best decorated temples. Continue to the massive Dhammayangyi temple before finishing at North Guni Temple to watch the sun set over the plains. Return to your hotel.

Discover one of Bagan’s most famous legends as you follow in the tracks of King Anawrahta and his precious white elephant. The tale states that the King was given a replica of Lord Buddha’s tooth, which he placed on a sacred white elephant’s back and set free. The elephant stopped at four places around Bagan. Later the King built stupas at each of these locations. Thus, the local Burmese believe that by visiting all four of these places in one day your wishes will be fulfilled.

Your tour begins in the morning, with your guide and driver greeting you at the hotel. A stop will first be made at Nyaung U market, a colorful local market that is busy in the morning with vendors selling a range of products. Then visit Shwezigon Pagoda. Although this is one of Bagan’s most famous sites, few people realize the legend behind its creation. The centre piece of Shwezigon is its large golden bell-shaped pagoda situated upon three terraces. The lower-most terrace once featured wood carvings of nat spirits but these are now housed in a small hall within the temple grounds.

Continue on to Tu Yin Taung, a hilltop stupa in the eastern part of the main Archeological Park. As you approach the temple, you will be greeted by 500 monk statues which line the road. The stupa’s elevated location offers fabulous views of the surrounding plains, a unique perspective of Bagan and its surroundings.

The next stop is Lawka Nandar which is in New Bagan next to the Irrawaddy River. Lawka Nandar is a bulbous stupa with a cylindrical bell and three octagonal terraces as a base. The temple still functions as a place of everyday worship as it is home to a Buddha relic. We’ll make a stop at Nanduwan Restaurant for lunch before continuing on our Legendary Tour.

This afternoon, we drive to the jetty where a private boat is waiting to transfer us across the river to Tant Kyi Taung, the last temple on our tour. From the boat, you can see views of the temples in the distance. We travel (approximately 15 minutes) through the countryside to Tant Kyi Taung. This temple is unique in Bagan as it is thought that many centuries ago, Buddha stopped on the hill where the temple now stands. On the return drive to the jetty, we can stop in Tant Kyi village for a short walk around.

Then it is time to return to Bagan, first crossing the river by boat and then continuing to your hotel by car.

Bagan – Cruising to Mandalay (Stop in a River Village)

This morning transfer to the jetty where the RV Paukan boat is waiting. Embarkation begins at 11.30 and after boarding, a welcome cocktail is served in the Saloon.

Upstream to Mandalay.

The boat casts off at 12.00 noon for the full day of cruising along the Irrawaddy River.

Lunch will be served at 13.00.

Late this afternoon stop at a typical river village.

Dinner onboard

Cruising to Mandalay (Visit River Village)

Upstream to Mandalay

Today is a full day of cruising along the picturesque river. This morning, stop to visit Yandabo village.  This typical river village is known for its traditional pot-making and is also where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on Feb. 24, 1826. Moor overnight nearby a village (Ywar Thit Gyi or Pauk Myaing Pauk Taw) few miles away from Ava Bridge.

Lunch & Dinner onboard

Mandalay (Sagaing *THU* – Gawein *SUN*)

Early risers can enjoy watching the sun rise over the Irrawaddy River and surroundings. After an early breakfast, disembark at Sagaing Jetty (Thursday only) or Gawein jetty (Sunday Only) at around 09.30/10.00 hrs.

Your guide will meet you at the jetty and depart for an excursion around Mandalay to explore the former capitals of Sagaing, Ava and Amarapura.

We start with a visit to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar.  It is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers and you will visit pagodas such as Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae.

We’ll also visit Sagaing’s local market, a typical Burmese market that few tourists visit. Here you will find a range of items for sale including locally made pottery, silver and other handicrafts. We will also stop at a small pottery village to see the process of making the ubiquitous water pots found throughout Myanmar.

Then continue south of the city to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries, where a short ferry ride will take us across the river to where our horse and carriage are waiting. Visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort. There are many small villages located amid Ava’s ruins and as you travel by horse and cart you’ll get a glimpse of local life in the Burmese countryside. We’ll stop for lunch in Ava before returning to our car.

Return toward the city and stop at Amarapura, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’. First visit a silk weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products. After touring this tranquil site, continue to U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge. The bridge was constructed of 984 teak posts that were once part of the deserted Inwa Palace. At 1.2 kilometers in length, it is the world’s longest teak span. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams.

Return to Mandalay late this afternoon.

Your guide and car will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the town of Paleik, 24 kilometers from Mandalay. Setting off from Mandalay, a scenic drive takes us through typical Burmese rural villages.

We’ll reach Paleik after about 45 minutes and commence our visit at the famous ‘snake temple’. This temple features a statue of Buddha surrounded by snakes. The locals believe that this image brings good luck. Every day they gather the pythons, which live at the temple, to wash them in water. They also clean the Buddha image daily with water.  After visiting this unusual site, continue with a short sightseeing tour around the town, which has Ava-style temples, before returning to Mandalay.

On the return drive we’ll visit nearby villages for a glimpse of life in rural Myanmar.

Reach your hotel at midday where it’s time to take a break for lunch and refresh. 

This afternoon we’ll explore the craft shops of Mandalay and the famous Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its venerable statue of Buddha covered with gold leaf. Mandalay 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 marble masonry, Kalaga tapestry and gold leaf making.

Return to your hotel late this afternoon.

This morning is at leisure until transferring to the airport for your onward flight.