Classic Myanmar Tour with Ethnic Groups

Upon arrival at the airport we meet our guide, which will wait for you at the exit with a sign with your name, and together with your driver will accompany you in the hotel (if the room is available in the arrival time) where you can enjoy a refreshing drink.

To follow we walk in the city center, admiring the various colonial buildings, some of which are well preserved. Among other things we will see the High Court, the City Hall and the park Mahabandoola, passing from the pagodaSule, a stupa to the center of the old town of 2.500 years. The charming and multi-religious centre of the city offers many attractions, and houses a church, mosque and synagogue a few steps from each other.

Yangon is the commercial capital and entrance door of Myanmar from the air and the sea, adorned by idyllic lakes and tropical vegetation. It was founded by King Alaungpaya on a small settlement called Dagon, when he conquered the lower part of Myanmar in 1755. The name Yangon means “End of Strife”.
Later the center of the city was modeled and extended by Lieutenant Fraser of the British military genius, the same who had designed the project of the city of Singapore.

In the afternoon we can visit the statue of the reclining Buddha Chauk-htat-kyi, famous for its size of 65 meters for 16.

In the evening we visit the Pagoda Shwedagon, symbol of the city with its stupa covered with 60 tons of gold and decorated with diamonds and other precious stones. The tip rises by 98 meters and is visible from kilometers away.

Overnight in Yangon.

After breakfast at the hotel we start a 4-hour car transfer (176 km) to reach Pagoda Kyaikhtiyo, known as Golden Rock (Golden Rock).

Along the way we visit the santuario of the spirits Shwe Nyaung Bin, a small but famous sanctuary, sheltered from a banana tree, with a painted trunk of gold crowded at every hour, to which the drivers of vehicles of all kinds make and pray to obtain protection. Honoring this sanctuary is believed to be auspicious for business, as well as for safe travel, and the endless processions of vehicles at the sanctuary include trucks and taxis, as well as private cars.

The second stop is the Kyat Khat Wai monastery, where we can attend the row of hundreds of monks in a row to collect offers and donations (to be able to attend you must be here at 10-10.30)

Arrived by car at the base head Kin-pun, from here we take a truck that, at the end of a frightful climb of 12 kilometers, will take us to the top beyond the 1,100 meters.

Here you will be surprised by the view of a golden stone, shaped like the shape of the head of the hermits and surmounted by a golden pagoda 6 meters high and in precarious balance on the edge of a precipice: this is the roccia sacra of Kyaikhtiyo, the most popular pilgrimage center of Myanmar. Legend has it that the Golden Rock contains two sacred hair of the Buddha.

Finally we enjoy the sunset on the hill, admiring the panoramic view of the valley of the river Sittaung, with its green forests and the beautiful mountains surrounding them.

Overnight in Kyaikhtiyo.

After breakfast in the hotel we descend into trucks to the base camp and from here we take the car that will take us back to Yangon passing through Bago.

On the way we can see some piantagioni of rubber and make a stop to observe the plants closely and this traditional cultivation.

Bago was the capital of the ancient Mon dynasty and known as Pegu in colonial times. The visit of this area includes Shwemawdaw, destroyed in 1930 by a massive earthquake and rebuilt in 1952-1954, and Shwethalyaung, an imposing image of reclined Buddha 55 meters high, 15 meters wide and as many. We can also visit the Pagoda Kyaikpun, built in the 15th century by King Damazedi, famous for its history and which includes 4 gigantic images of the illuminated, leaning back on back.

Time permitting, we visit the Htaukkyant War Cemetery along the way back to Yangon.

Overnight in Yangon.

After breakfast at the airport transfer to Bagan.

Founded in 849, it became the capital of the first United Kingdom and the first Multinational Union of Myanmar in 1044. This open territory, which extends for 42 square km on the east bank of the famous Ayeyarwaddy River, is covered by thousands of magnificent and mysterious stupa and pagodas of the ancient era. This makes Bagan one of the wonders of the world and a magnificent monument to one of the most brilliant ages of Myanmar.

Near the arrival airport we visit the colorful market of Nyaung Oo and once in Bagan we visit the Pagoda Shwezigon whose pretty bell-shaped stupa is architecturally important, since it represents the prototype of many stupas of the next period.

Then we continue until the tempio Wetkyi-in Gubyaukkyi, with its fine murals of the scenes of the Jakata and the tempio Htilominlo, known for its plaster sculptures.

After check-in at the hotel, we visit the village of Min-Nan-Thu and the temple sites around the village area which includes the Latmyatna temple "The Temple of the Four Faces", a beautiful example of temple to a single floor built in late style; Paya Thone Zu "Three Pagodas", a complex of three interconnected sanctuaries, built during the 13th century abandoned just before the completion of the construction, probably because of the invasion of the Mongols.

We will then enjoy the tramonto from the observation tower Nan Myint, from whose top it is possible to admire the wonders of over 2,000 temples and monuments built between the 11th and 13th centuries.

Overnight in Bagan.

After breakfast in the hotel, we start visiting the most spectacular temples of the Bagan esplanade.

The most spectacular places that we will touch only the Tharabar Gate, which is the only remaining structure of the old town built by King Pyinbya in 849 A.D, the Temple of Thatbyinnyu which is the highest temple of Bagan with its 61 meters and equipped with a plan shaped as asymmetrical cross, decorated with golden spires. ; We then visit Naylyaung Kyaung Kyaung which means "Sanctuary that borders the nats (spirits)", a reference to a presumed period in which King Anawratha tried to ban the worship of spirits in Bagan and the tempioShwe GuKyi, that is the temple

Finally we will pass through the tempio Dhammayangyi, the most massive structure of Bagan and the tempio Sulamuni (also known as the jewel of the crown) which is an imposing and elegant temple that represents some of the most beautiful ornamental works of Bagan, stucco carved on moldings, fronts and pillars.

In the afternoon visit to the Tempio Ananda, a mix of Mon and Indian architecture whose shape resembles the Greek cross, built in 1105 and one of the only four temples surviving within Old Bagan. We continue the visits with the Tempio Manuha, whose main feature are three rooms that are full of oversized statues of the Buddha, are largely out of measure for their spaces (if you are curious ask to guide the reason, which will surprise you!). Finally we visit the Tempio Nanphaya, a unique monument whose inner walls were built in bricks, while the outer walls were built in sandstone.

In the spectacular evening gita in calesse drawn by horses, that will walk paths and paths that connect some of the most famous temples and pagodas of the area, and at the end we will enjoy the sunset from one of the observation hills.
Overnight in Bagan.

After breakfast transfer by land to Mandalay (about 192 km, ~4,5 hours) with stop at Monte Popa, a sacred volcano that houses the sanctuary of nat on the top of the monolith Taung Kalat: panorama and religious atmosphere.

Arrival in Mandalay in the evening and accommodation in the hotel.

Morning dedicated to the visits of Mandalay: the pagoda Mahamuni, the wooden monastery Shwe Kyaung and the pagoda Kuthodaw with its stone slabs. In the afternoon transfer to Amarapura to attend the work of the silk craftsmen and conclude with the sunset on the bridge in teak U Bein on Lake Taungthaman.

Overnight at Mandalay.

After breakfast at Anisakhan airport transfer to Kyaing Tong (Kengtung).

In the afternoon we visit the gigantic Thittapin Taung, a tree of 245 years planted by King Alaungpaya.

We will then take a walk around the lago Naung Tong.

Overnight in Kyaing Tong.

After breakfast in the hotel we start visiting north, in the area Pin Tauk, visiting the village Pon Ping. From here we walk along the slopes of the mountain to reach the village of etnia Akha, famous for the decorations of the head in silver, and the villages of etnie Ann, the populations of the “black people”.

We then stop briefly to visit the village Wan Kan, where the rice wine “sake” is produced in a traditional way.

We then head to the village Wan Lau to see the crafting of the Shan paper.

Let's go back to Kyang Tong, where we'll sleep.

The city of Kyaing Tong was founded about a thousand years ago, and for this reason Kyaing Tong and the surrounding area is rich in ancient shrines, temples, pagodas, monasteries and stupa.

Today our journey is east of Kyang Tong. After an hour by car through rubber plantations and seasonal cultivation fields, you will enjoy a light trekking that will take you to the visit of the tribes Akhu and Tai-Khun.

We then proceed to the top of the hill where rises the pagoda Kabar Aye and from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the beauty of the Shan mountains.

We will also see a monastery dedicated to the novice monks (Ko Yin Lay), founded 37 years and located on the banks of a mooring stream, which usually houses 60-70 boys with their orange and burgundy clothes, which live here and study.

In the afternoon we return to Kyaing Tong, where we will overnight.

After breakfast transfer to the airport to Heho. From here transfer by car to Nyaung Shwe and boarding for transfer to the lake.

In the afternoon first lap of the lake to admire the fishermen Intha who reign with the legs and the floating gardens; visit to the pagoda Phaung Daw Oo and the monastery in teak Nga Phe Kyaung.

Overnight on Lake Inle.

We continue on a boat to the Inle Heritage House , a non-profit organization born to preserve the culture and traditions of the places and people living around the lake, located outside the classic tourist circuits. The visit will allow us to discover some hidden gems and carry out some activities, such as guided tours to the village of Gatto Birmano, visit an aquarium, deepen the local cuisine, etc.

Following the boat tour we will be able to visit the villaggio Ywama, which houses some families of ethnic Kayah, whose women are called “from the long hills” for the circles that pile on the shoulders. We visit the village and the workshops where they live and work, enjoying their warm hospitality.

Time allowing us to visit other villages of the lake, observing their floating gardens and exploring the daily life of the Intha people. Overnight in Inle.

In the morning completion of the visors on the lake, then in the afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight to Yangon.

Upon arrival transfer to hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Yangon.

After breakfast at the hotel it will be possible to get lost in the Bogyoke Aung San (Scott Market), the largest market in the city, which collects the best of the crafts and artisanal production of the country, as well as the local precious stones (closed every Monday and holidays). We then visit the pagoda Botataung (which means 1,000 military warriors, who escorted the delivery of the relic of hair in the 6th century BC), a famous landmark on the Yangon River and the first temple in the world with the sacred relics of Buddha's hair. in the 6th century BC), a famous landmark on the Yangon River and the first temple in the world with the sacred relics of Buddha's hair.

Transfer to the airport for return flight.