11 Days - “Comprehensive” Myanmar en detail   

A round-trip leaving little to be discovered and granting plenty of time at important sites in Myanmar

Mt. Popa, Bago, the Golden Rock near Kyaikhtiyo plus SunBird´s new and fascinating overland tour from Bagan to Monywa along Ayeyarwady and Chindwin River – these are some highlights of our new 11- day tour. Plus, of course, the travels along the “classical route” with plenty of time.
Please note: The Buddhist cave temples of Powindaung near Monywa, belong to the most fascinating cultural sites of the country.

1st Day: ARRIVAL IN YANGON

From now on SunBird takes you under its wings – relax and let us take care of things. Transfer airport /hotel. In the afternoon enjoy Yangon´s finest – gold plated monuments like the Shwe Dagon Pagoda, standing 109 m tall. Accommodation: 1night
Note: If you arrive in the afternoon, we take you on this city tour prior to your departure.

2nd Day: YANGON – BAGAN

Early morning flight to Bagan (80 minutes). Full day visit of the world's largest temple and pagoda complex. This is not a temple rallye, we show you the most beautiful and the most interesting spots, at a leisurely pace true to our motto: less is more. Accommodation: 2 nights 

3rd Day: EXCURSION MOUNT POPA

Full day excursion to the steep cragged (flower-rock) Mount Popa. This volcanic plug, known under the name Popa (Sanskrit=flower), is sacred to the Burmese as the “Olympus of their Buddha's and spirits (nats)”. Stairs lead you to the peak of this “stone flower” which is covered in temples and shrines. Following the visit we descend and after 2 hours crossing the plains with their palmyra palms (a delicious palm wine is made here – which, of course, might be tasted) we return to Bagan with time left to start your personal temple tour. In the evening we attend the traditional marionette theatre (sting-pu-pets).

4th Day: BAGAN – PAKOKKU – PAKANGYI – MONYWA

Two mighty rivers determine this day: At Pakokku you cross the Ayeyarwady and at Pakangyi you meet the Chindwin whose course you follow till you reach Monywa – a full day trip away from tourist crossroads, pristine pastoral Burma. Accommodation: 1 night

5th Day: POWINDAUNG – SAGAING – MANDALAY

You cross the Chindwin by boat and will be taken to the caves of Powindaung by pickups. The Powingdaun Caves – sacred cave art at its best – are grand highlights of Buddhism. In the afternoon you continue to Sagaing, an important centre of meditation. Short stop at Kyaukka, famous for its lacquerware – we visit the artists. In the evening we reach Mandalay. Accommodation: 3 nights

6th Day: MANDALAY

Full day visit of Burma's last royal city where the last Burmese dynasty had to surrender at the end of the 19th century when the British expanded their Colonial Empire. Mandalay's variety of sights is impressive – the country's biggest and most beautiful Golden Buddha, the largest Marble Buddha … and you can go treasure hunting in the city's manifold quaint boutiques. But first we visit the near-by royal city of Amarapura with its many temples and the world's longest teakwood bridge.
 

7th Day: MANDALAY – MINGUN

We travel the Ayeyarwady, the mighty Elephant River, and enjoy its sights – washerwomen among buffalo carts at the river banks … It takes one hour upstream to reach Mingun where a mighty king once tried to build the world's biggest pagoda – and failed. Yet even the dimension of his failure is still impressive.

8th Day: MANDALAY – HEHO – LAKE INLE

In the morning half-hour flight to Heho on the Shan plateau and on to idyllic Lake Inle. We spend this morning on the boat visiting floating gardens and floating towns, floating markets and floating pagodas – the floating world of the Intha, the famous leg-rowing fishermen. This stunning boat excursion takes several hours and leaves an unforgettable impression to the visitors. Accommodation: 1 night

9th Day: INLE LAKE – HEHO – YANGON – KYAIKHTIYO

Morning flight to Yangon. After arrive that drive in southern direction through teak and rubber plantations to the Golden Rock of Kyaikhtiyo. After half an hour truck ride and 1 hour's climb we reach the peak and enjoy the magnificent view. This gold plated boulder perched on a crest – held only by Buddha's hair from tumbling down … Magic of Faith, and a wonderful afternoon of splendid photo ops. Accommodation: 1 night

10th Day: KYAIKHTIYO – BAGO – YANGON

We return by the same route to Bago. The city, once the centre of the empire of the Mon people, is home to extraordinary sights and we visit them in extenso – the biggest Reclining Buddha, the highest Golden Pagoda, all bear witness to the glorious past of the Mon. Return to Yangon. Accommodation: 1 night

11th Day: YANGON – DEPARTURE

Individual sightseeing or time for shopping? Don't miss the huge Bogyoke Market with its arts and trinkets, its souvenirs and treasures … Later SunBird takes you to the airport.

| P L E A S E NOT E |
This is a very comprehensive program combining the classical route and off-the-beaten-track (see Powingdaung
 Buddha Caves).

1-hour uphill trekking on good paths brings you to the famous Golden Rock. Porters can also be provided at  small extra expense.

This program can be ideally combined with a beach holiday or one of our Specials.

For more information such as availability and price, please send to Sunbird for further assistances.