Burma – The Unknown Asia

Burma – The Unknown Asia

Turn back the clock in this ancient land that time seems to have forgotten. According to COUNTRYAAH, Burma is a country that is different from others and offers a varied travel experience rich in spirituality and culture. Commonly known as the “Golden Land”, Burma is one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world, offering a rich and captivating heritage that goes back more than two thousand years. Kipling once wrote about this magical destination “It’s completely different from any other place you know.” So right he was. Short for MMR by ABBREVIATIONFINDER, Burma is the perfect choice for an unusual vacation.

Burma - The Unknown Asia

Burma – 12 days

Day 1 Departure from Sweden

Day 2 Yangon

Upon arrival in Yangon, you will be met by your guide followed by a transfer to the hotel. The journey begins with an afternoon tour through Rangoon. First with a visit to the Sule Pagoda. From there on to the magnificent Lying Buddha at Chauk Htat Gyi. After a photo stop at Karaweik Hall, a barge on Kandawgyi Lake, you will then stroll through Bogyoke Market with hundreds of shops. End the first day with a longer visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda.

Overnight: Governors Residence.

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Day 3 Yangon – Bagan

Early breakfast followed by transfer to the airport for flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, you will start by visiting the most important pagodas and temples such as the Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawratha in the early 12th century, Bu Lei Thee Pagoda, known for its panoramic views of the area’s many monuments and the Ananda Temple with four standing Buddha statues. After lunch you visit Burmese artisans, among others. a lacquer craft workshop near the village of Myinkaba. Then you continue to the Manuha Temple, built in Mon style 1059 and explore the Nanbaya Temple, a unique sandstone monument which according to legends is the site of King Manuha’s palace. Visit the Archaeological Museum with countless beautiful Buddha images in bronze, stone and lacquer. End the day with the sunset over the majestic Ayeyarwaddy River from the top of a temple.

Dinner at a restaurant by the river and overnight at Aureum Palace Hotel.

Day 4 Bagan

After breakfast, visit Tayokepyay Temple in Min Nan Thu Village, Phaya Thone Zu and Nandamanya Temple known for its exquisite 13th-century murals, Kyat Kan Cave Monastery, a famous meditation center in Bagan. Visits to rural villages around Bagan will provide an insight into the lives of the locals. After lunch, more of Bagan’s ancient temples await you. Enjoy the sunset over the plains and mountains of Bagan during a cruise on the Ayeyarwaddy River.

Dinner and overnight in Bagan.

Day 5 Bagan – Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin

After breakfast transfer to the airport, flight to Mandalay. On arrival a drive, in about 2 hours, that takes you to the former British settlement of Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo), a delightful little town with colonial-style buildings, markets and a botanical garden. After lunch, it’s time to visit the Peik Khyin Myaung caves. You continue to Pwe Kyauk Falls, which is the locals’ favorite picnic spot. Stop at the famous Candacraig Hotel, an old British mansion built in 1906, for “Sunset cocktails” before retiring to your hotel.

Dinner and overnight at Aureum Palace Resort in Pyin Oo Lwin.

Day 6 Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay

After breakfast a visit to the local market before returning to Mandalay. After lunch you will experience Mandalay with the Shwe Iinbin Monastery, the Golden Palace Monastery which is an excellent example of a traditional wooden building and the Kuthodaw Pagoda with the world’s largest book made of marble. Also visit one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the Mahamuni Pagoda. Mandalay is also an important arts and crafts center. Visit Kalaga’s weaver’s shop before continuing to Mandalay Hill to watch the sunset.

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Dinner and overnight at hotel in Mandalay Hill

Day 7 Amarapura – Ava – Sagain

After breakfast, excursion to Amarapura, 15 km from Mandalay with a visit to the Mahagandayon Monastery where more than a thousand monks live and study. Continue to the 200-year-old U Bein bridge made of teak, it was built in 1782 when Amarapura was the royal capital. From the beginning, the city was known for its silk and cotton weaving. Visit a traditional workshop for hand-woven silk before continuing to the Bagaya Monastery which has a fine collection of Buddha statues. After lunch, embark on a short boat ride across the river and begin exploring the ancient royal capital Inwa (AVA). Visit the Nanmyint Watchtower, the remains of the ancient palace building, also known as the “Leaning Tower of Ava”, the Mah Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, built of brick and plaster, the Bargayar Monastery known for its impressive ornamented wood carvings and teak marquetry. Then continue to Sagaing Hills,

Dinner and overnight at Mandalay Hill.

Day 8 Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya – Kalaw

After breakfast, transfer to Mandalay Airport for flight to Heho. Upon arrival, continue the country road to Pindaya and visit the Pindaya Caves, a unique place that houses thousands of Buddha images placed there by pilgrims and followers for centuries. After lunch, the journey continues on a narrow, winding and crooked road through the Shan Hills to Kalaw on the edge of the Shan Plateau, which is a market center for ethnic minorities from surrounding regions.

Dinner and overnight at Amara Resort.

Day 9 Kalaw – Inle Lake

After breakfast, drive to Nyaung Shwe for a full day boat trip on Inle Lake. See the famous Inntha bone rowers, the floating gardens, local fishing methods, village life and magnificent nature. You will visit the Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda one of the holiest shrines in Myanmar, dating back to the 19th century, Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery famous for its jumping cats trained by monks, the weaving village of Inpawkhon and one of the local markets in the Inle Lake region.

Dinner and overnight at Inle Princess Resort

Day 10 Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon

After breakfast depending on the water level, you board a boat that takes you to the west shore of Inle Lake, where you will find the beginning of a staircase leading to the well hidden Inn Thein Pagoda. After lunch transfer to Heho Airport for flight to Rangoon. On arrival transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at Governors Residence.

Day 11 Yangon

After breakfast, visit the eight-meter-high “Golden Lion Throne” and Mandalay Royal Regalia at the National Museum. Last but not least, on to the famous Strand Hotel. From here we will take you for a guided walk through Rangoon’s old colonial center, see the lively ferry port of Nanthida Jetty and the former British Government Buildings between Strand Road and Shwebontha Street (Magol Lan) before relaxing and enjoying “Strand High Tea”.

Transfer to the airport for departure. The guide and the car are at your disposal until the flight departs.

Day 12 Homecoming

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