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On arrival we drive to the former capital Amarapura to see the picturesque wooden U Bein Bridge across Taungthamen Lake, and, time permitting, visit the local silk-weaving workshops. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to Mandalay and check-in to our hotel for a two night stay. This afternoon we visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, housing the Maha Muni statue, which, according to legend, was cast and embraced by Buddha seven times bringing it to life and is revered by devout Buddhists. We go on to Shwe Kyaung, the Golden Palace Monastery, famous for its intricate woodcarvings, then visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world's largest book, because of the Buddhist scripture carved on the 729 marble slabs. We enjoy the best view of Mandalay from the top of Mandalay Hill at sunset, before dinner at a local restaurant. DAY 5 - This morning we take a boat trip up the Ayeyarwaddy river to Mingun to see the unfinished Mingun Paya Pagoda, the Myatheindan Paya with its seven circular terraces and 90-ton Mingun Bell, built by King Bodawpaya in 1808. After lunch in a local restaurant, we visit a Mandalay tapestry and handicraft workshop to watch skilled local craftsmen weaving the famous `Shwe Chi Htoe' and carving beautiful articles in ivory, wood, marble and stone, silverware, and bronze statues. We continue to Sagaing, considered to be the living centre of the Buddhist faith, where hundreds of monasteries reverberate with the echoes of cymbals, gongs and pagoda bells. We return to Mandalay for dinner at a local restaurant. DAY 6 - Experience the traditional way of life on a boat trip along the mighty Irrawaddy River and see the locals on the riverbank, fisherman, bamboo barges, villages with traditional stilted houses, canoes and sampans. We disembark at Bagan with over
2,000 pagodas, temples and monasteries and watch the enchantment sight as the sun sets behind the ancient buildings. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and traditional puppet show. DAY 7 - We explore the bustling Nyaung Oo market and the the well-preserved pagodas Shwezigon, Gubyaukgyi, Htilo Minlo and the amazing Ananda Temple. After lunch at a local restaurant, we watch craftsmen at work at a local lacquer-ware shop and can take a pony cart ride around areas that cars are unable to enter. We continue to Bupaya on Irrawaddy River to watch the sunset, before dinner in a local restaurant. DAY 8 - We fly to Heho and transfer to Inle Lake and take a boat over to the hotel at Nyaung Shwe. The five Buddha statues at the Phaung Daw U Pagoda look like balls of solid gold. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit Nampan village to watch local cigar making and canoe carving, silk weaving at Inn Paw Khone and, time permitting, visit a monastery where the local monks have trained the cats to jump through hoops. Late in the afternoon enjoy the sunset from a canoe ride past the floating villages. DAY 9 - We visit the `5 Day Market' at a nearby village where the locals dress in traditional costumes and the breathtakingly beautiful Temples of Inndein. After lunch in a local restaurant, we fly back to Yangon for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. DAY 10 - Transfers to the airport for your return flight to the UK. DAY 11 - Morning arrival in the UK. SPECIAL NOTE Due to river levels, you will fly from Mandalay to Bagan on Day 6 between April and September.
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