Day 1: Arrival to Yangon (by morning flight) (Lunch, Dinner)

You will be welcomed by our guide at Yangon International Airport, transfer to hotel.

Walking tours around the city center of Rangoon. Sule Pagoda, Indian town.

Lunch at Signature K, Garden Restaurant.

		Visit to Chaukhutgyi Reclining Buddha Image, glass factory & its process which has been running a local family for many years.
		Bogyoke Market where local merchants offer Myanmar traditional silks, cotton, paintings, tapestries, handicrafts, silverware, lacquerware, national dress & ethnic fashions, gems & jewelry.

After that, drive to Yangon Jetty, observing the lively people who goes and comes by ferry boat to attend their work.

		Evening visit to Shwedagon Pagoda; the world famous golden stupa. Shwedagon at night affords magical views during the cooler temperatures of the evening when the crowds are fewer, and the atmosphere simply amazing.

Dinner at Karaweik Palace restaurant entertain with cultural show accompanying with Myanmar orchestra.

A 70 minute flight to Mandalay, After arrival we will visit Amarapura, 18th century capital of Myanmar.

Once we have arrived at Amarapura we will see the Maha Gandayon Monastery and observe the daily meal of over a thousand monks at the country's largest Monastery.

(Tamarind notes that though it is interesting to observe the monk’s prior to their daily meal-it is just as remarkable to watch the locals prepare the food and cook it in large vessels that sit atop fires stirred by oar sized spoons)

		Next is a short drive to the famed U Bein Bridge; a 158 year old teak wood bridge- the longest teak bridge in the world.
		Amarapura is also known for its fine silk weaving, and after crossing the U Bein Bridge, we will have the opportunity to view a silk weaving work place; the craft specialty of Amarapura. It is not unusual to find the silk woven in Amarapura donned during many of Myanmar’s special occasions, such as a wedding ceremony or graduation.

In the afternoon sightseeing;

		We will travel to Mandalay and stop at the Maha Muni Image- the most sacred Pagoda in Upper Myanmar, with its venerated legend.
		After viewing Maha Muni Image, guests will visit Mandalay’s finest silver showroom where products are manufactured locally -from home decorations, to jewelry to accessories, our unique silver craftsmanship is virtually unequalled. Gold leaf production is Mandalay's honored tradition from olden time carried out by family manufacture. The process can be seen only in this city.
		Zay Cho Market where we will see Mandalay's special design textiles, and foodstuff, Myanmar trading trends. Guests will then travel to a tapestry workshop where the finest tapestries in Myanmar are laboriously handmade with excellent attention to detail.
		Visit the Shwenandaw Monastery that was constructed by the last Myanmar King Thibaw, for the memorial of his late father King Mindon. This building is only one remain from Royal Palace which was relocated with same architecture style to commemorate the father king’s gratitude before British Annexation.
		Our next stop will be the renowned Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 stone slabs of Buddha’s scriptures (known as the world's biggest book).
		Mandalay Hill; enjoy the magnificent landscape over the city from this vantage point. After dinner, entertain with Myanmar Puppet Show.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Transfer to the jetty for a 1-hour boat excursion to Mingun village & Saggaing. Mingun stands on the bank of Ayarwaddy River and is 11km away from Mandalay. This trip will have a leisure moment as we will treat guests to a picnic with prepared food & drinks while enjoying a relaxing view along the Ayarwaddy River. We will observe bamboo rafts, birds, farms, locals fishing on small boats, and see how the people earn a living to support their families, and how they also enjoy their lifestyle.

		Once in Mingun we will disembark and proceed to the Mya Thein Dan Zedi that was built by the King of Saggaing, as memorial for his beloved wife (and late queen) who passed away one week after giving birth to their son. The views from atop this temple are refreshing and among the best in the region. (Tamarind notes that Mya Thein Dan Zedi is attractive to visitors with its structural combinations).
		From Mya Thein Dan Zedi we will have a short walk to the Mingun Bell. This bell weighs 90 tons and is considered the world’s largest ringing bell that was cast in 1805 A.D.

After visiting Mingun, en route to Pyin Oo Lwin by car with 2 hours scenic beauty drive.

Maymyo (May-town) in 1896 by British Colonel May as a summer resort town to escape the oft stifling heat and humidity from the lower elevated cities and towns. In 1989 the Myanmar government changed the name from Maymyo to Pyin Oo Lwin. Pyin Oo Lwin is also the home of many Nepalese and Indians.

		Once settled in to Pyin Oo Lwin we will visit the Pwe Kauk Water Falls called Hampshire Falls in British times. Or Anisakan Water Falls for those who want more of a challenge.
		At Kandawgyi Botanical Garden you will see over 500 kinds of trees, 79 kinds of bamboo, 133 kinds of orchid, and 410 kinds of traditional medicinal plants. One of the most famous and beautiful botanical gardens in Myanmar. This garden was built under the direction of Colonel May utilizing Turkish prisoners of WWII.

Visitors can also take a horse drawn cart for a short trip into town where we will visit the market and see Shan style antique shops, sweater knitting, vegetable and flowers of roses & dahlias.
Also in town rests the Purcell Tower- a 75 feet high clock tower built in 1936 that still chimes every 15 minutes. Reading at hotel in the evening.

Visit to Goak Htaik Bridge by train. When crossing the Bridge of Goak Htaik, you will be surprised of the technical value of a joint American & British Engineering venture over 100 years ago.

Relax and enjoy the scenery of the landscape as your train meanders to its destination.

En route back to Pyin Oo Lwin by car, observe beekeepers working their trade roadside-and sample the raw pure honey here while stretching your legs.

(Tamarind notes that if you want a delectable snack, our driver will stop where we will find road side vendors selling fresh grilled lkura, served with a semi spicy sauce)

In the morning, we will trek to a Palaung village, passing thru unforgettable landscape and mountain-side gardens, where farmers cultivate a variety of vegetables.

These hills are harmonious, and the wide trail allows for easy trekking. We will pass villagers who are returning from Kalaw where they sell various food staples at the local market.

The roundtrip hike will take about 7 hours which includes lunch, and at stop at the Palaung village. In the village we will visit the home of a Palaung member where long bench-like wooden homes provide refuge.

(Tamarind Note: Visiting tourists have remarked that a Palaung village is not dissimilar to the villages found on the Island of Borneo) All of the Palaung are Buddhists; and you will find at least one Monastery and primary school in every village.
After seeing the Palaung Village we will hike about 1 hour to our lunch spot-a secluded Nepalese owned hill-top restaurant that affords the most stunning views. The Nepalese food such as the fresh avocadoes, chapatti, and pumpkin curry with chili – will give you the energy needed to finish your trek to Kalaw.

We will arrive back to Kalaw by 3 PM.

2 hours drive to Nyaung Shwe; the biggest city at Inle Lake, 30 minutes boat takes to the best luxurious hotel at the Lake.

Overnight at Inle Lake.

Inle Lake is 22x10 km, with an average depth of 6 meters. There are 64 villages and their inhabitants who reside on the lake in their homes that rest high above the water. It is not uncommon to see curious family members greet you with a wave of their hand and a smile as you pass by.

Inle is also called the “Venice of East” by visiting tourists. We will observe floating gardens at Inle as well as the lifestyle of these inhabitants who support their families by farming and fishing. If you observe carefully you will see the skilled boatmen paddle their craft with an oar by using their foot.

		Sightseeing includes visiting Ywama village, floating gardens, a traditional weaving mill for Intha-textiles, silk weaving workshops; excellent work of shawls and robes with natural fibers produced from lotus flowers stems in natural color.
		In Nampan village we will observe how Burmese Cheroots are produced primarily by young ladies using traditional methods. We will also visit a work place of Shan paper that is made from mulberry bark and transformed into Shan umbrellas and other beautiful products.
		Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and its 5 holy Buddha images. Every full moon day of October, the Pagoda Festival is celebrated here for 15 days and homage is paid to 19 villages at Inle Lake.
		Nga Phe Chaung Monastery; well-known for its 250 year old wooden architectural work of the among 100 monasteries on the lake. This Nga Phe Chaung Monastery is the most celebrated with its 150 to 200 pillars elevarated with wooden carving. This Monastery is also know as the "Cat Jumping Monastery" where visitors are treated to a show that involves well trained felines.

If we will fix the itinerary to visit market day, we would recommend you to participate the colorful five day market of Nampan village among other market day spots, which is really alive and natural, not created for tourist site. You will see hill tribes trading their farm products of vegetables, fruits, sun dried tea leaves, art, works of wooden sculpture with their unique style in a bustling atmosphere.
(Tamarind will advise you about the date of Nampan market day which is set by local, then you can adjust the date of visiting to Inle Lake according to your arrival/departure date in Burma)