Welcome up on arrival at Yangon International Airport, we will transfer to hotel in Yangon. This evening, we will enjoy a Welcome dinner in Karaweik Palace, overlooking to the Royal Lake and Shwedagon tower with fine Burmese food and an amazing cultural show. Overnight in Yangon.

After breakfast, we leave Yangon to enjoy a scenic journey to Kyaiktiyo, which is 190km to the east. One of Myanmar’s great pilgrimage sites is the Golden Rock at Kyaiktiyo, a huge boulder covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. The pagoda at the Golden Rock is said to hold a hair of the Buddha.

In the late morning, we will arrive at Kyaikhtiyo base camp and transfer to the transit junction with one of the small open trucks in a one-hour ride. After lunch time, we will start an easy walk up to the Golden Rock and enjoy sunset from this unforgettable site. Overnight in Kyaikhtiyo.

After breakfast, we will return to the base-camp by open truck and head in the direction of Yangon for 110km to Bago, an ancient capital dating back to the 6th century. Sightseeing in Bago includes the beautiful fifty five meter long reclining Buddha called Shwethalyaung and the Mon style Shwemawdaw Pagoda, one of the most venerated in Myanmar. Its spire stands 114m high and is taller even than the Shwedagon Pagoda. Also visit the old Palace of Kambozathadi and the huge four sitting Buddhas. We then transfer back to Yangon for overnight accommodation.

After breakfast in the hotel, we will drive to the airport to board a noon flight to Heho. On arrival, we will be welcomed and transfer to Kalaw Hill station. The rest of the day will be free to relax with the mild weather. Overnight in Kalaw.

In the morning, we drive to the northwest and stop at junction A. From here take foot path to the right. The road and trails goes through beautiful scenery. After approximately one and a half hour, we will reach PANE HNE PIN (Palaung Tribal Village). They make their living from farming and hunting. They live in long house and shared with 4-5 families.

After lunch, we walk another half-hour to the view point, the place where we will enjoy a panoramic view over Kalaw area. Then return to PANE HNE PIN village. From there we walk another half-an-hour to reach Junction B, where the car is waiting for us to get back Kalaw for overnight accommodation.

Today, we visit the Pindaya Caves. These caves are ensconced in a limestone ridge overlooking the lake. Inside the cavern there are more than 8000 Buddha images – made from alabaster, teak, marble, brick, lacquer and cement – and are arranged in such a way as to form a labyrinth throughout the various cave chambers. Shwe U Min Paya – this is a cluster of low stupas just below the ridge near the Pindaya Caves. Overnight in a hotel in Pindaya.

Today, we will leave Pindaya behind for Heho. Inle Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar is located 900 meters above sea level and also home of Intha people, who are very famous for their one-leg rowing technique.

Upon arrival, we board a motorboat for a sightseeing tour to Phaungdawoo Pagoda, famed for its richly gilded five small Buddha images, also is believed the holiest in Inle Lake. Our next visit on this day tour is “Jumping Cat Pagoda” Ngaphechaung Monastery. As we travel further to Nam Pan village the cotton and lotus weaving factory and cigar-making houses will impress us with a sense of traditional Intha life. Overnight in a hotel in Inle Lake.

Today, we will visit the “Five Day Market” which is held each day in a different village surrounding the lake. This is absolutely a magnificent place to enjoy the scene of local tribes in their colorful clothes and experience the exotic market atmosphere. 

After lunch time, the boat will take us to beautiful temple of Indein, located on the hill overlooking the lake. It will be definitely be relaxing to walk along the corridor and enjoy the giant columns which have been left to the nature for centuries. We will then take a late afternoon flight to Mandalay where we spend the night.

Being famous as the Buddhism center in Myanmar, Mandalay is a realm of stupas, monks and monastery. The most fascinating visit will be the time to behold the monks doing their worship and having meals.

In the morning, we drive to Mandalay pier, embarking on a private boat upstream to visit Mingun, famed for its huge and incomplete Pahtodawgyi Pagoda and Mingun Bell, known as the 90 tons ringing bell.

In the afternoon, we will visit Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery – noted for its exquisite wood carvings, gold leaf beating workshop, Kuthodaw Pagoda – known as the world biggest book and furthermore, we will finish up the day tour by visiting Mandalay Hill to watch the sun-set and the panoramic view of the city. Overnight in Mandalay.

After breakfast, we will transfer from the city to Sagaing Hill, discover the monk education, visit Budda Cave, Uminthonze Pagoda and Sunooponnyashin Pagoda. Behold the panoramic view of Mandalay. After that, we will come to Amarapura. Being famous for Mahagandaryone Monastery Amarapura is the best place to experience the monk life in Mandalay. Walk over Ubein Wooden Bridge, the longest teakwood of its type to Mahamuni Image – a bronze Buddha image castled during the lifetime of Buddha himself.

In the late afternoon, we drive to the airport to board the flight from Mandalay for Bagan. Welcome up on arrival and transfer to hotel where we spend the night.

Today, we will visit the Shwezigon Pagoda, which is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha, followed by Ananda, Sulamani Temple. In the afternoon, we visit Bagan’s archaeological museum and discover the traditional way the local people make Bagan’s famous lacquer wares. In the afternoon, we will have a beautiful sunset cruise on Ayeyarwaddy River. Overnight in Bagan.

After breakfast at the hotel, we start our tour by an exotic horse cart ride to one of the biggest temples in Bagan, Nan Paya and many other amazing attractions surrounded. Continue sightseeing to Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple taking note of the architectural differences between MyaZedi Temple and Manuha Temple. The most highlighted experience of today is the panoramic sunset view from the second highest temple of Bagan, the stunning ShweSandaw Pagoda. Overnight in Bagan.

After breakfast, we will catch a flight from Nyaung U to Thandwe. It is time to immerse in the pristine waters of Ngapali Beach and the beautiful green coconut groves. Overnight will be in Ngapali.

Time will be free to relax on the sandy beach of Ngapali. Overnight in Ngapali.

Time will be free to relax on the sandy beach of Ngapali. Overnight in Ngapali.

After breakfast at hotel, we drive to Thandwe to board our noon flight to Sittwe. On arrival at Sittwe airport, we transfer to jetty for private boat trip along the Kaladan River to Mrauk-u with 5 to 7 hours upstream and enjoy the daily life of local people along the riverbanks. We spend the night in a hotel in Mrauk U.

After breakfast, we will visit the ancient capital city of Rakhine Kingdom (15th century). First, we visit to a city market to see the ways of life of local people. Then, we visit to Pharaouk Pagoda, Mong-Khong- Shwe Du Stupa, Pesi Paya, Koe Thaung Temple (a shrine of 90000 Buddha images), Latt-Say Lake (artificial lake with city wall and a gate) and Mahabandola Monastery like a museum and back to hotel for lunch and break for a rest.

In the afternoon, we visit to the massive Shit-Thaung Temple, a curiously remarkable temple with 80000 Buddha images and reliefs, Htaukkhan-Thein Temple likes the fortress, Andaw temple, Ratanabon Stupa, Laymyathnar temple (four sided temple), Laungbanprauk Pagoda locally known as “Plate Pagoda”,Pitakataik(a small library) and drive to Harritaung hill for Sun-set and back to hotel and overnight. Overnight in Mrauk U.

Today, we will visit Sakyamanaung Pagoda, Ratanamanaung pagoda and ”Thet” village to see the women wearing the big ear-rings and different ethnic group of Rakhine and their different life-style, Nann-Oo Buddha image and Mingalamanaung pagoda.

In the afternoon, we will visit archaeological museum attached with the palace site, Latkaukzee monastery, Lawkananaung pagoda, Parabaw Buddha image and drive to Shwe-taung hill for Sun-set. Back to hotel and overnight. Overnight in a hotel in Mrauk U.

In the early morning, we check-out at hotel and take a drive to jetty and return to Sittwe by boat. On arrival, we transfer to Sittwe airport for departure flight to Yangon. Overnight in Yangon.

After breakfast at hotel, we will visit famous Sule Pagoda, in the heart of former capital Yangon, Chaukhtayi Pagoda and Kandawgyi Lake. Discover the most outstanding pagoda in Yangon, Shwedagon Pagoda. This golden pagoda is really a must see while you are in Myanmar. Finally, finish up our day by enjoying some last minute shopping at Scott Market before heading to the airport for our flight back home. Tour ends.

This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services.

Please click on CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIPS and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!

Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suite your requirements, but may incur price changes

WHAT'S INCLUDED?
• Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels 
• Private Vehicles and Drivers
• Private English Speaking Guides (Other languages if available, upon request)
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
• All domestic flights
• Airport Taxes and Fuel charges
• Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
• Drinking water available on the vehicles.
• Service Charge & Government Taxes
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
• Your International Flights
• Personal Expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
• Any bank fees or charges at your end
• Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Tips for tour guide and driver in each region
• Peak season or public holidays surcharge if any
• Compulsory Gala dinner on X-Mas or New Year if any
• Other services not mentioned above

HOTEL SELECTION:

The hotels listed below are our suggestions for the best value on this tour.  However, Asia Essence Tours offers many more options of hand-picked hotels, with different "star ratings", allowing you to customize the vacation to meet your taste and budget.

LOCATIONS	FIRST CLASS CATEGORY	SUPERIOR CATEGORY	DELUXE CATEGORY
Yangon	New Aye Yar Hotel	Rose Garden Hotel	Sule Shangri La Hotel
Bagan	Bawga Theddi Hotel	Thiripyitsayar Sanctuary	Bagan Lodge
Inle Lake	Royal Inle Lake	Inle Resort	Inle Princess
Golden Rock	Mountain Top Hotel	Mountain Top Hotel	N/A
Mandalay	Mandalay City Hotel	Amazing Mandalay	Mandalay Hill Resort

ABOUT HOTELS:

We, at Asia Essence Tours, are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. As the hotel cost will be the major expense of your vacation in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, it is essential that all of the hotels chosen by us are the highest quality for the price paid. All of our prices are based on twin, double or queen shared rooms.

BELOW IS AN EXPLANATION OF THE HOTEL "STAR" RATINGS:

First Class/ 3 Star (from US$ 40 - US$ 60 per room/night)

The First Class/ 3 Star Hotels are good value and normally centrally located. They all have comfortable en-suite rooms, good amenities and public areas to relax in. They are usually family run hotels, so offer great personalized service for your enjoyment and comfort. Most first class properties offer an in-house restaurant, and some may even have a swimming pool!

Superior/ 4 star (from US$ 80 - US$ 110/ per room/night)

The 4* superior Hotels offer a wide range of services. Many superior hotels feature a choice of several in-house restaurants. In addition virtually all of them have a swimming pool. Some may even feature a spa or health club. This grade of hotel offers more for your enjoyment and comfort, while still remaining affordable.

Deluxe/ 5 Star (from US$120 - US$ 180++/ per room/night)

These 5* Deluxe hotels are usually owned by Worldwide, well known Hotel chains. The deluxe hotels feature excellent locations, offer the highest standards of service and facilities, and are known as the best hotels in each region. Facilities such as swimming pools and spas are the norm, and guest rooms are luxurious. These hotels offer first class service and amenities throughout.

ASIA ESSENCE TOURS™ BESPOKE STYLE SUITS EVERYONE

Flexibility: The sample itinerary can be modified to suit your interests, budget as well as your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination.

Tailor-Made Journey: This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of the trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.

Commitment to Excellence: We enjoys excellent relationships with all of the highly regarded hotels and finest properties in our destinations as well as with service suppliers so that we are able to negotiate the most attractive prices for our clients, which enables us to provide exclusive holidays and affordable special offers. We create one-of-a-kind vacations for groups and individuals. We love our destinations and do our best to make sure that our customers feel the same way. Our job is to make sure that everyone gets the right balance of comfort and excitement to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.