3 WEEK TRIP IN MYANMAR

Saturday, Zurich - Yangon

Departure with Thai International to Yangon via Bangkok.

Sunday, Yangon

Arrival around noon. A walk off the beaten track through the colourful neighbourhood
Handhawaddy gives you the impression of being in a village and not in the center of the
Capital. In this neighbourhood modern lifestyle is mixed with old traditions. An approximately 20 minute ride in a very simple local train to Bogyoke Market Hall (Scott Market) is a special experience and gives initial contacts with the local people. Here one can buy clothes, handicrafts, precious stones, textiles, shoes and food. Continuing on foot
through the colonial part to the famous beach hotel for "afternoon tea". Round off the day with the sunset from the landmark of the city, the spectacular Shwedagon
Pagoda, with its imposing golden stupa which lights up from afar. Overnight at hotel
Alamanda (suite).

Monday, Yangon

Continuation from yesterday visiting the Sule Pagoda in Yangon, etc. ...

Tuesday, Yangon - Inle Lake

Flight to Heho and drive to the village of Nyaung Shwe, the main village at Inle Lake. Sightseeing in the village, then transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon a boat trip on Inle Lake, this gives an insight into the Intha-culture: Food Production in „floating gardens“ and one leg rowing fishermen. Visit the Phaung Daw U Pagoda, one of the most important shrines in Myanmar. The figures of Buddha and his disciples are virtually unrecognizable, because the Believing they have plastered them all over with gold leaf. The 160-year-old Nga Phe Kyaung-Monastery is also called Monastery of jumping cats, because the monks have trained cats to jump through cherished wooden hoops. Inside, you will find teak pillars, painted red and decorated with gold. On the way back to your hotel a stop in a village, where a small home company specializes in the production of the Cheerot, the famous local cigar.
Hotel Myanmar Treasure Inlde (Lakeview Hotel on waiting list).

Wednesday, Inle Lake

A boat ride takes you to the peaceful village Maing Tauk on the eastern shore, past the
unique floating gardens of Inle Lake. From here there is a one hour hike in the hills to
a meditation house. A monk will introduce you to the world of meditation. After a
simple vegetarian lunch you leave this place of peace and tranquility and
return to your hotel. On the way there is an opportunity to visit an orphanage (walking time about 45 Minutes from the center of meditation). If desired, instead of the meditation center you can visit monasteries or villages at Inle Lake.

Thursday, Inle Lake - Heho - Mandalay

A Stroll through the local 5-day market and other places to visit on Inle Lake. The Inle Lake
Situated at an altitude of 900m and is surrounded by 1500 m high mountains. It is about 22 km long, 10 km wide and 3m deep. People live from vegetables, fishing and weaving. You stop at the village of Impawkhone where women specialize in weaving with silk and
Lotus. The people of Inthas (In-Tha means "people of the sea") are known for weaving. Further you visit a small factory that produces Shan paper and a silversmith. In the afternoon
transfer to the airport for the flight to Heho and Mandalay. On the ride to your hotel
through the city centre you get the first impressions of Mandalay, the religious center of Myanmar with many monks and monastries. Hotel Hili Mandalay Resort (Deluxe Room)

Friday, Mandalay - Mingun - Ava - Sagaing - Mandalay

This day trip leads first by private boat to Mingun with its huge, 90 tons
heavy bell and the imposing unfinished temple. Here you will visit a local school
(Weekdays only). As you head off downstream on the Irrawaddy River, you can
relax and enjoy the scenery sliding past and enjoy lunch on board. It is followed by a
carriage ride through the ancient royal city of Ava. Visit the 27-meter high Nanmyint
Observation tower that leans due to an earthquake, and the Maha Augngmye Monastery and the Bonzan Bargayar Monastery, famous for its wood carvings. Finally
enjoy the sunset over the Sagaing hills strewn with pagodas, the
vibrant center of the Buddhist faith. Dinner with traditional music and
Dance performances.

Saturday, Mandalay - U Bein - Bagan

Early in the morning you see the traditional alms gift to the monks and gain insights
into monastery life. The entrance to the monastery is the most important event in the life of a boy and it is still usual to spend some time there. Since astrology has always been an important part of life, the day for the monastery entrance is specifically determined by an astrologer. They meet an astrologer who will predict the future. In the afternoon visit other attractions such as Kuthodaw pagoda with the "greatest book in the world" and well known inscriptions, Mahamuni Pagoda with its revered Buddha statue, probably the oldest and largest Buddha statue from Myanmar. Each day the statue is washed with rose water and believers Glue gold leaf on the body of the Buddha. Furthermore visit the famous 200-year-U
Bein Bridge in Amarapura, which is 1.2 km long, the longest teak bridge in the world. Towards evening transfer to airport for flight to Bagan and check-in at Hotel Tharabar Gate
(Deluxe Room). Romantic candlelight dinner in the evening.

Sunday, Bagan

Bagan, the "city of pagodas", one of the largest archaeological sites in Asia and is a
highlight of every Burma trip. Covering an area of ​​36 km2, there are thousands of temples, pagodas and monasteries - some of them restored, many are only the visible ruins. You will visit some of the most important temples, such as the Shwezigon pagoda from the 11th Century, the Ku Byanuk Gyi Temple with its murals, the Khay Min Ga Temple with the great view and the Ananda Temple with its four almost 10m high Buddha statues. It continues with the Manuha Temple, built in 1059 in Mon style, the Nanbaya Temple and the Myingaba Byaukgyi Gu Temple with its murals. At the end of the day you can enjoy the sunset over the
“Pagoda sea” from the top of a pagoda

Monday, Bagan

Visit to the kyat Khan cave monastery, a famous meditation center. Learn more about the farmers' daily life in the villages around Bagan. In Sun-Min Nam Village visit the temple of Payathonzu, consisting of three temples connected by underground vaulted passages, as well as the Temple of the 13th Nandamanya Century with its interesting wall paintings and the slightly dilapidated Buddha statue. In the afternoon a ride in a colorful oxcart passing other, less-visited temples. A boat trip on the Irrawaddy River for sunset over the plain of Bagan rounds off the day.

Tuesday, Bagan - Ngapali

Transfer to airport and flight to Ngapali. Check in at the Hotel Sandoway Resort