Arrival at Yangon International airport where you will be welcomed by one of Tamarind’s staff and transfer to hotel. 

Yangon morning sightseein;

		we will visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the world famous golden stupa that dominates the Yangon skyline.
		We will then go on a walking tour in the heart of Yangon, where we will observe various architecture, and have opportunities to take photographs of Burma’s Capital.
		National Museum

Afternoon sightseeing includes;

		Visit to Bogyoke Market where local merchants offer Myanmar traditional silks, cotton, paintings, tapestries, handicrafts, silverware, lacquerware, national dress & ethnic fashions, gems & jewelry.
		Chauk Htut Gyi Reclining Buddha Image & its monasteries around.
		Royal Lake
	Enjoy dinner at Karaweik Palace restaurant where you will enjoy a delightful dinner while you absorb an evening of traditional Myanmar dance and music.

A 70 min early morning flight to Bagan; the first and most beautiful capital of Myanmar.
After arrival, proceed to Mt. Popa (4981 feet), an extinct volcano, with temperate weather and lush green landscape.  At the base of Mt. Popa rests the stunning Taung Ka Lat (2417 feet) where the Popa Temple sits atop.  There is an iron staircase that ascends to the Popa temple where you will encounter shops of flowers, refreshment sellers, local goods as well as some local wildlife along the way.

The scenery from the apex is truly fascinating where you can view the stunning Mount Popa and the enormous flat plains that lead to Bagan.  (Tamarind suggests that guests please do not feed or attempt to pet the monkeys, and keep your personal belongings near you as you ascend Taung Ka Lat)

Note: For "serious" hikers, Tamarind can arrange a hike on Mt. Popa.

On the way back to Bagan, we will observe the agrarian lifestyle of this region-farmers extracting palm juice from palm trees and making a local favorite candy with the same palm juice called jaggery.  (Tamarind notes that palm farmers also produce a local alcoholic beverage made from palm juice called hten yay-also known as toddy juice)

Spend the day visiting Bagan where after breakfast guests will embark upon seeing the ancient temples that Bagan is renowned for:

		Shwezigon pagoda, an extraordinary example of the early style of the Myanmar stupa.  During the construction of the Shwezigon, workers lined up and formed a chain nearly seven miles long from the Ayarwaddy River to the temple, where sandstone was laboriously passed from one worker to the other until it reached its destination. (Tamarind notes that visiting tourists said Shwezigon Pagoda is also interesting for original engineering wells).
		Htilo Minlo-a temple that is famed for its intricate carvings and named after King Nga Daung Mya who became a crown prince even though he was the youngest son among five brothers.
		Wetgyi-In Gu Byauk Gyi possess many fine mural paintings of jataka scenes. These mural paintings depict Buddha's life.
		Dhamayangyi temple is a massive temple inlaid with the finest brick work of its king. History states that the bricklayer’s work was tested by their boss, who would attempt to stick a pin through where the bricks conjoined; and if the pin penetrated this area, the laborers were sentenced to death by the order of the king.

		After lunch we will proceed to the work place of handmade lacquerware, and observe the detailed process of the making of Myanmar lacquerware & its products. (Tamarind notes that the quality and craftsmanship of the handmade lacquerware of Bagan is the best in Myanmar)
		Anada temple is an architectural masterpiece and considered by some as the most beautiful in all of Bagan.
		Thatbyinnyu temple is the tallest of all Bagan temples affording unequaled views of Bagan’s landscape.
		Shwesandaw Pagoda affording unequaled views of Bagan's landscape at sunset

After arrival in Mandalay we will visit Amarapura, an 18th century capital of Myanmar.

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

Afternoon visit Mandalay:

		we will travel to  Mandalay and stop at the Maha Muni Image- the most sacred Pagoda in Upper Myanmar, with its venerated legend known far and wide.
		After viewing Maha Muni Image, guests will visit Zay Cho Market and see Mandalay's special design textiles, foodstuff, gems & jewelry, 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.
		We will then visit the Shwenandaw Monestary that was constructed by the last Myanmar King Thibaw, for the memorial of his late father King Mindon.
		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.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Transfer to the jetty for a 3-hour boat excursion to Mingun village & Saggaing. Mingun stands on the bank of Ayarwaddy River and is 11 km away from Mandalay.

This trip will have a leisure moment as we will treat guests to a picnic with various 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.

Mingun sightseeing;

		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, we will go back to Mandalay, on the way having lunch on boat. 

We will drive to Saggaing

		Saggaing hill that is regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. Here is where learned teachers and novices take refuge in the Sacred Scriptures, the essence of Buddha’s teachings. Here they also practice what they preach, meditate, and lead a simple & peaceful life. From this hill you can observe the pleasant panorama of the city and river.
		Next we will journey to the base of Saggaing and see a home for nuns and their life where we will seek permission from the chief nun to observe the daily work of these religious women.

Then we will be back to Mandalay by car crossing the Bridge of Saggaing that was built over the Ayarwaddy River during the period of British Colonials.

70 Minutes flight back to Yangon before noon.

Leisure before departure

YANGON/ BANGKOK