Compare Pagan And The Upper Irrawaddy by Pandaw vs Myanmar Discovery Tour by Himalayan Glacier Adventure
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 11 days | 13 days |
Price From | $ 3,000 | $ 3,899 |
Price Per Day | $ 273 | $ 300 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | River cruise | Group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
Activities | N/A |
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Meals Included | N/A |
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Description |
Our new programme enables relaxed exploration of the magnificent temples of Pagan, the highlights of Mandalay and the scenic and remote Upper Irrawaddy. We journey off the beaten track for 10-nights all the way to Katha, nearly 1000 miles from Rangoon and once home to George Orwell and the setting for Burmese days. Other highlights will be passage through the 3rd and 2nd defiles, not to mention visits to enchanting local towns and villages. |
The time to visit Myanmar (Burma) is now! Myanmar offers a variety of natural beauties and historical artifacts such as dazzling waterfalls, graceful lakes, enchanting caves, sparkling beaches, thousand year old golden pagodas and the unique cultures of different ethnic groups. |
Day 1: Pagan
Embark for lunch and followed by exploration of the 3000 plus Pagan monuments by coach. The ship will leave Pagan at 17:30.
Day 2: Yandabo
Cruise past the confluence with the Chindwin River and arrive at Yandabo village, famous for its production of terracotta pottery from the riverbank clay. Cruise through afternoon upstream towards Mandalay.
Day 3: Amarapura
Morning visit to Ava and explore the ruins, visiting Bagaya Kyaung, a 200-year-old royal monastery made of teak with elaborate woodcarvings. Continue to visit the ancient capital of Amarapura and admire the paintings in a temple.
Day 4: Kyauk-Myoung
Visit the spectacular potteries near Kyauk-myoung where the famous 50-gallon water pots are handmade. We see all stages of manufacture from the throwing of the pots to the weeklong firing in huge kilns. We return to the ship and enter the third defile of Irrawaddy.
Day 5: Khanyat
Stop at Khan-nyat village with its many Buddhist monasteries and visit the former head teacher's house, which also includes his small museum collections. We go ashore and climb the Pagoda Hill at Tigyang with its stunning views of the Upper Irrawaddy River.
Day 6: Katha
We reach the enchanting colonial town of Katha, setting for George Orwell’s Burmese Days. Little has changed since then. Of interested are the fire station’s collections of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company’s ship’s bells taken from sunken ships in the Second War. Katha was the final resting place of the old flotilla and here over a hundred ships were scuppered in 1942 in an Act of Denial before the advancing Japanese. We also visit an elephant logging camp at Katha in the hardwood forests of the hills that surround the town and further upstream.
Day 7: Sail Upstream Kyunt Daw Island
Transfer by Local boat and visit Kyun Daw village where we will visit countless small Pagodas.
Day 8: 2nd Defile Of Irrawaddy
Cruise through the 2nd Defile, the most dramatic of the three gorges with cliffs towering over the narrow channel. Sail downstream.
Day 9: Tagaung
Walking tour of the ancient city of Tagaung viewing the fortifications, a famous nat or spirit shrine and the archaeological area.
Day 10: Mingun
Slip our moorings early in the morning and stop at Mingun to see the largest working bell in the world and the unfinished pagoda that is the largest single mass of brick building in the world. We also visit the Mingun Old People’s Home originally established with the assistance of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the 1930s. Drive through the beautiful Sagaing hills to the hilltop to enjoy an amazing view over the region and Irrawaddy River.
Day 11: Mandalay
Disembark after breakfast at the Jetty.
Day 1: Arrival Yangon
Welcome to the Garden City Yangon. International flights arrive into Yangon International Airport. Our representative will give welcome gifts including postcard and Map of Myanmar.Then transfer to hotel for check in. After that visit Botataung Pagoda, a famous landmark on Yangon’s waterfrontwhere one can see Buddha’s hair relic and Nanthida Jetty to see people coming and going for work from either side of Yangon River. And then continue to Sule Pagoda, MahaBandoolaPark with IndependenceMonument, located at the heart of the city, Chaukhtatgyi reclining Buddha image.Evening visit to the 2,500 years old magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda sheathed in 11 tons of pure gold and 4,350 diamonds weighing 1800 carats! At sunset, the Shwedagon offers visitor a spectacular show of lights and shadows. Overnight at Hotel in Yangon.
Day 2: Yangon Kyaikhtiyo
After breakfast at hotel, you will start trip to Kyaikhtiyo the “Golden Rock”, a huge boulder completely covered by gold leaves and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. From Kin Pun, we have to drive 11 km to the intermediate point by Local Truck and proceed to summit by palanquin (at own account), check in at Kyaikhto hotel. Visit Kyaiktiyo; Golden Rock, watch the beauty of sunset or dawn at this important pilgrimage site.Overnight at Kyaikhtiyo.
Day 3: Kyaikhtiyo Bago - Yangon by Car
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast return to Yangon. Before proceed on to Yangon and sightseeing at Bago, the ancient Mon Capital. Sightseeing tour highlights include Kyaik Pun Pagoda,Shwemawdaw Pagoda, over a thousand years old; its spire is even taller than Shwedagon Pagoda. The 55 meter long reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha image is among the country’s most revered and Kyaik Pun Pagoda. The HanthawadiPalace: Kanbawza Thadi, the famous palace of King Bayinnaung (1551 – 1581 A.D.) is being extensively excavated and some buildings are being rebuilt. Return to Yangon through rural landscape of paddy fields and small villages. Evening visit to the 2,500 years old magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda sheathed in 11 tons of pure gold and 4,350 diamonds weighing 1800 carats! At sunset, the Shwedagon offers visitor a spectacular show of lights and shadows. Overnight at Hotel in Yangon.
Day 4: Yangon Bagan by AM flight (flying hour 1 20)-Cycling
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will be transfer to airport for flight to Bagan. On arrival to Bagan airport we pick up our bike and ride along the river side across the Natdaungkyaung, Taungbila village, university of lacquer ware then continue to explore the Nyaung Oo Market which is very active in the morning not only for the local people but also for the tourists, then continue to the Shwezigon Pagoda a prototype of later Myanmar stupa. You will visit the Wetkyi-in Gubyaukkyi Temple with fine mural paintings of Jataka scenes Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece resembling a Greek cross. After lunch at the local restaurant we will check- in to the Hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour continues with bike to visits some of the beautiful monument and sun set at Pyathagyi temple. Overnight at Hotel in Bagan.
Day 5: Bagan-Popa-Bagan (50 Km Cycling)
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at hotel, visit to Mount Popa,an extinct volcano,which is the abode of Nats(Spirits).On top of the mountain,there are monasteries,pagodas and shrines in different style.Then come back to Bagan by cycling. We first head to New Bagan to explore some of the monument and villages to study ways of life of people until Lunch time. Then visit to the lacquer ware industry where you can study traditional Myanmarlacquer ware making. In the afternoon, we continues riding to the Myinkabar village which we can study about the lacquer ware, Manuha Temple with gigantic Buddha images, a captive king’s impression of life in prison; Nanpaya, an Early-style temple with the finest stone carvings and Sunset at Shwesandaw pagoda . Overnight in Hotel in Bagan.
Day 6: Bagan-Mandalay-Amarapura by flight
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transfer to airport for flight to Mandalay. On arrival to Tada-Oo International Airport, you will be proceeding to visit an ancient of Amarapura, silk weaving industry and enjoy the great serenity of 1.2 km long U Bein wooden Bridge constructed in 1849 is about three quarter of a mile with 1086 posts and Taung- ta-man lake that will give you an enchanting experience.Visit Mahagandaryone monastery the largest teaching monastery in Myanmar. Daily at around 10:30 a.m. about 700 monks queue up for their last meal on this day.Then visit famous Mahamuni Pagoda, one of the most sacred Buddha Image in Mandalay. Then visit to Gold foil making cottage industry. Check-in at hotel and followed by afternoon sightseeing that begins with visits to Mandalay Palace,Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the World’s Biggest Book for its stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures. Tour continues to Mandalay Hill, optional cycling around base of the hill, a vantage point for a panoramic view of the city and a spectacular sunset view. Optional stroll up the hill enjoying panoramic views from different location can also go by car. Return can also be made by car as there is also a car track by the base of elevator just before the platform. Overnight at Hotel in Mandalay.
Day 7: Mandalay-Heho-Pindaya-(60 Km Cycling)-Kalaw
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Heho. On arrival to Heho airport we pick up our bikes cycling on beautiful undulating roads passing through vegetable farm and rice paddies. Enjoy the lunch enroute. We finish our ride at Pindaya and the rest of the day is at your leisure to rest or explore the small town. Optional points of interest – Pindaya Cave, Paper Making, Umbrella Making. Then continue to Kalaw by car and overnight at hotel in Kalaw.
Day 8: Kalaw-Taryaw (Trekking)-NyaungShwe
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After Breakfast morning (8:00 am),depart from Hotel by car. Drive about (10 min