Deluxe Familiarization Tour of Myanmar - 10 Days
Tour Number: EJI's FAM-EM

Yangon • Bagan • Mandalay • Amarpura • Irrawaddy River • Mingun • Heho • Inle Lake • Yangon

DAY 1- Yangon, Myanmar (D)

Arrive Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar.
A representative from Exotic Journeys International Group will meet you in the arrival lounge and escort you to your hotel.
Balance of the day at leisure.

In the evening, meet your fellow participants and host at the Welcome Dinner.

Overnight:
Rose Garden Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar
Sedona Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar
Wyndham Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar

DAY 2 - Yangon (B, L)

Enjoy private tour and drive through downtown to explore the city center and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings many of which have a faded colonial charm. You'll start at the post office - a lovely historic building, passing by Strand Hotel, Mahagandayon Garden and Independence Monument along the way. Then visit famous Chauk Htat Kyi, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. The feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray. Photo stop at the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge. Nothing will prepare you for Shwedagon Pagoda, with its glittering gold stupa. At the pagoda observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at Shwedagon Pagoda.

Overnight:
Rose Garden Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar
Sedona Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar
Wyndham Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar

DAY 3- Yangon - Bagan (B, L )

Take an early morning flight to Bagan. Begin our exploration by visiting a busy local market and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. You will spend the day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town by visiting a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples. Then get to learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan's most famous products: lacquer ware and wood crafts. Watch as the skilled craftsmen use techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items. In the late afternoon, climb to the top of the a temple for sunset views. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient pagodas.

Overnight:
Thiripyitsayar Resort, Bagan
Tharabar Gate, Bagan
Amata Bagan Hotel, Bagan
Heritage Bagan, Bagan
Ayeindarmar Hotel, Bagan

DAY 4 - Bagan & Villages (B, L)

More than just temples and pagodas, our tour will provide you a great overview of Bagan's history, culture, heritage and lifestyles. Today you will witness the real way of life of most Myanmar people by visiting villages near Bagan. You also take a ride on a pony cart to explore Bagan area. Later on,take a dusk boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River. The view of the temples of Bagan from a distance with the light of the setting sun is stunning!

Overnight:
Thiripyitsayar Resort, Bagan
Tharabar Gate, Bagan
Amata Bagan Hotel, Bagan
Heritage Bagan, Bagan
Ayeindarmar Hotel, Bagan

DAY 5 - Bagan - Mandalay - Amarpura (B, L)

Fly to legendary Mandalay, a city of great cultural importance. Visit the second most sacred pagoda in Myanmar, Mahamuni Pagoda, local artisan's workshops of gold leaf making, woodcarving and marble carving. Next, visit Golden Palace Monastery, Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world largest “book” because the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. Before sunset visit a 200-year-old teak bridge, the most photographic site in Myanmar.

Overnight:
Hotel Shew Pyi Tar, Mandalay
Triumph Hotel, Mandalay
Dynasty Hotel, Mandalay
Bagan King, Mandalay

DAY 6 - Mandalay - Irrawaddy River - Mingun (B, L)

After breakfast you'll board a private local boat for a trip up the Irrawaddy to Mingun (45 min each way). Visit the Mingun Bell which weighs more than 87 tons and being the world's largest intact bronze bell, the unfinished Mingun Paya (built with the intention of being the world's biggest pagoda). Mingun's other highlight is the Hisnbyume Pagoda, a white-washed temple built to resemble Mount Meru. Throughout Mingun there are small neighborhoods crafting traditional basketry and other artistic items. You will have time to stop and interact with the craftsmen and friendly locals. You will return to Mandalay in the afternoon and continue exploring the ruins of the Royal Palace. This evening, you will enjoy a commanding overview of the city from the Mandalay Hill.

Overnight:
Hotel Shew Pyi Tar, Mandalay
Triumph Hotel, Mandalay
Dynasty Hotel, Mandalay
Bagan King, Mandalay

DAY 7- Mandalay - Heho - Inle Lake (B, L)

Transfer to Nyaung Oo Airport for your domestic flight to Heho, where you will enjoy a one-hour scenic drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to the lovely Inle lake.

Upon reaching Nyaung Shwe, head to Nyaung Shwe's dock to find a private motorboat waiting for you. Surrounded by the Shan Hills, embark on a private motorboat trip taking in views of stilted villages, floating gardens, unique pagodas, and traditional flat-bottomed boats powered by leg-rowing fishermen along the way.

Then you will cruise down along a narrow canal leading to In Dein on the western bank of the lake where you watch the farmers cultivate their produce. This ride is one of the most scenic boat tours on Lake Inle. Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village, visiting Shwe Inn Thein Paya, a complex of weather-beaten 17th - 18th century zedi; some newly reconstructed and walking though exotic colonnades of stairways and shops. Then take a relaxing boat ride into the big lake which is reached via a long channel which weaves through jungle, bamboo and reeds to reach the main lake. You will also visit the “long neck” tribal women, and weaving and craft villages perched on stilts. See the lake's unique “leg rowers” - the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. It is a feast for the senses and a photographer's dream.

Overnight:
Amata Resort, Inle Lake
Novotel Inle, Inle Lake
Inle Lake View, Inle Lake

DAY 8 - Inle Lake - Indein(B, L)

After breakfast, you will be taken a tour of beautiful Inle Lake in a traditional long boat to see the floating gardens and observe lifestyle of the local people.

Start with a visit to the morning market, which rotates locations on a 5-day basis. (note: there are no markets on full moon or dark moon days) This daily market attracts people from all over the lake's shores who gather to buy and sell their wares- if you are lucky you see Pa-Oh, Inthar and Shan people in their traditional outfits. Wander amid the stalls where your guide will explain the local produce and goods for sale.

Then you will visit Phaung Daw Oo pagoda, the holiest religious site in the southern area of Shan State, which houses five ancient Buddha images that have been transformed into amorphous blobs by the complete volume of gold leaf applied by devotees. From here you venture into the Nampan floating villages that host a whole variety of local artisans from knife makers, weavers, cheroot rollers, parasol makers and market gardeners and also visit workshops of the boat carpenters. The tour takes in these local workshops and you get to see how these local products are made, in these small scale local operations.

In the afternoon visit Inn Paw Khone weaving village, where weavers are skilled in weaving colorful shawls, scarves and Longyis in silk and cotton and also visit Shan Paper and umbrella-making workshop.

Finally visit Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, one of the most impressive of the many monasteries on the lake with its 150-200 pillars with elaborate wooden carvings. This monastery is also known as the jumping cat monastery, where visitors are treated to a show that involves well-trained felines. Returning back to the hotel the beauty of sunset over Inle Lake enchants all visitors.

Overnight:
Amata Resort, Inle Lake
Novotel Inle, Inle Lake
Inle Lake View, Inle Lake

DAY 9 - Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon (B, L, D)

Fly back to Yangon.
Visit the Scott Market, the sprawling 75-year-old Market. At the market you will find a whole variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems and jewelry - bargain at the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere! Drive through the city and observe the influences of other cultures in the region. Intersperse in the tour are various religious sites such as the St Mary's Cathedral, built in 1899, and the Buddhist landmarks of Sule Paya and over 100 year old beautiful Rangoon Synagogue. In there you will have the opportunity to meet with Trustee of the Synagogue to learn the Jewish life in the Pagoda Land, Little India and Chinatown.

Overnight:
Rose Garden Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar
Sedona Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar
Wyndham Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar

DAY 10 - Yangon (B)

Day free until transfer to airport for departure flight.
Hotel Check out time is 1200 Noon.

General Information & Reservation

1. Small Groups. Limited space.
2. To book your space, please scan: a completed Reservation Form, Passport /s, IATAN / ARC / industry ID, agency address, home address and email with deposit.
3. Companions are permitted at a supplement.
4. Please scan all documents and email to fams@exoticjourneys.com and mail the hard copies to: Exotic Journeys Group, 5733 North Sheridan Road, Suite 22B, Chicago, IL 60660 USA.
5. Tourist Service Taxes / VATs extra. At present the rate is $ 197.90 per person.
6. Travel / trip cancellation insurance is mandatory. Purchase Trip Insurance On Line
7. Visa for Myanmar is required. Information & assistance will be provided.
8. Additional rooms are available in Yangon at the start or end of tour at $ 98.00 PP plus taxes.
9. Call 312. 332. 4722 or 800. 554. 6342 or write to agents@travelagentspage.com for assistance.
10. For commissionable trips to Myanmar for your groups & FITs, visit /exoticjourneys.com/TourstoMyanmar.html
11. For tours to Kenya, Bhutan, Rwanda, Egypt, Korea, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal ....visit Multi-Destination Tours