Day 01 Arrival in Yangon - Transfer - Overnight in Yangon

Upon arrival at Yangon international airport, you are met by your Yangon Guide and transfer to the hotel. Today, you will take rest to recover jet lag and travel fatigue.

Accommodation in East Hotel Dinning and Craft

Meals: Breakfast

Day 02 Explore Yangon

Following breakfast, we set out to explore the wonders of Yangon, also known as Rangon. Situated at the fertile delta of Yangon River in Southern Myanmar, the city is filled with tree-shaded boulevards, while gleaming stupas rise above the treetops. The capital was moved from Mandalay to Yangon in 1885 by the British.

The first sight of the day is the shimmering octagonal Sule Pagoda that stands at the heart of the city. The pagoda is believed to be 2000 year old and contains a hair of Buddha. Next, we visit the National Museum- a repository of the ancient Burmese heritage of civilizations.The 8 m high Sihasana Lion Throne, used by the last Burmese king, and other fascinating artifacts from Burmese history and culture are among the major attractions of the museum.

We enjoy a break at Bogyoke (Scott Market),a vibrant covered market selling crafts, jewelries, vegetables, foods, corners of Myanmar that includes gems, fabrics and more. The market is vibrant with vegetables, foods(The market is closed on Mondays and public holidays). In the afternoon, we visit more of the pagodas that include Botataung Pagoda-that commemorates the 1000 military leaders who brought the relics of Buddha to Myanmar 2000 years ago.Ngadatkyipaya with a giant Budha image in seated posture is also interesting.

The final stop of the day is Shwedagon Pagoda that attracts the most travelers than any other attractions of Myanmar. Towering over the city, this 2500 years old pagoda houses eight sacred hair relics of the Buddha and is the most revered shrine in the country. The Shwedagon and surrounding shrines are at their most beautiful during the sunset hour, as the golden stupa reflects the changing colors of twilight.

Accommodation in East Hotel Dinning and Craft

Meals: Breakfast

Day 03 Bagan

Following breakfast, we are transferred to the airport. A one hour and 20 minutes long flight whisks us to Bagan-a spectacular plain stretching away from the Ayeyarwaddy River, dotted with thousands of 800-year old temple ruins-which is among the most astounding archeological wonders in the world. Upon arrival at Nyaung U airport, we are met by our local guide and driver and we transferred to our hotel.

After wash and change, soon we set out to explore the land of four million pagodas.Highlights of our day include a visit to Nyaing OO Local Market, where we can take a stroll along the market stalls offering a variety of fresh farm produce and a range of uniquely Local items and souvenirs to take back home, Schwezigon Pagoda , built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as the first Buddhist monument built in Myanmar style, Ananda Patho (Temple) with four huge Buddha Images in standing position and reliefs depicting the Buddha from his birth to his Enlightenment, its adjacent brick monastery to see the well-preserved murals from the early Bagan era and Thatbyinnyu Temple- the highest white stucco building in Bagan.We drive back to the hotel to avoid the intense noon heat.

Later this afternoon we'll set out again to see some spectacular and important sites including Manuha Temple built by the exile King Manuha of Thaton dating back to 1059, in the Mon Style, Nanapaya Temple, which is believed to stand at the site where King Manuha has his palace. We will also stop at the Lacquer Wear Workshop to learn about the thorouh process of laquerware making and decoration.Towards the end of the day, we climb on the perfectly situated Pyathetgyi Pagoda that offers spectacular sunset view over the mountain ranges in the distance.

Accommodation in Bagan Hotel River View or Thande or Thazin Garden Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Day 04 Mandalay

Following breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for flight to Mandalay (30 minutes)- the last capital town of royal Burma. Mandalay is still among the major cities of Myanmar and the cultural and spiritual center.

After wash up and change, we set out to explore the areas. We first visit Mahamuni Paya that enshrines an image covered with 15 cm gold leaf. The image is among the most venerated ones in Myanmar. Pious Burmese people swarm in the temple daily at 4 a.m. to observe the unique face-washing ceremony. On the way to the pagoda, we stop to watch the backbreaking process of gold-leaf-beating. We take also chance to visit craft workshops specializing on bronze-casting, marble-carving, wood-carving and puppetry.

Afternoon tour begins from Shwenandaw Kyaung or the Golden Teak Monastery. Built entirely of golden teak, this intricately carved wooden monastery was once a part of the Mandalay Palace, used as private apartments by King Mindon and his chief queen. Next, we visit Kyaukawgyi Paya which is known for its massive image of seated Buddha, carved out of a single block of marble. We continue to Sandamani Paya that features a cluster of slender white-washed stupas and also visit Kuthodaw Paya contains the world's largest book. The central stupa is surrounded by picturesque miniature pavilions, each housing a slab of marble , inscribed with the entire Tripitkata, or Buddhist scriptures. In the evening, climb the Manalay Hill to enjoy the sunset view.

Accommodation in Ayarwaddy River View Hotel or Mandalay City Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Day 05 Mandalay - Heho - Pindaya

Following breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for flight to Heho (15 minutes) . We meet our driver at Heho airport and then drive to Pindaya (60 km, 90 minutes) where visit the unique caves where pilgrims placed thousands of Buddha images over the span of many centuries.The images are made from alabaster, teak, marble, brick, lacquer and cement and are arranged in such a way as to form a labyrinth throughout the various cave chambers.

Next, we hike to visit the Shwe U Min Paya which is a cluster of low stupas just below the ridge near the caves. At the foot of the hill, we will stop to visit small workshops that make the paper parasols.

Accommodation in Pindaya Inle Inn or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Day 06 To Inle Lake.

Following breakfast, we travel by car to the Inle Lake (90 minutes, 2.5 hrs) and then take boat to get to the hotel. Located in Shan State, Inle Lake has tranquil waters dotted with patches of floating vegetation and fishing canoes. The lake is surrounded by hills and there are 17 villages on stilts in the islands and along the lakeshores. We enjoy the natural surroundings and observe how the skilled fisherman use their leg-rowing technique to propel.

We visit the floating gardens, a floating market and a Intha village around the lake. Please note that markets do not take place during full moon and new moon days.
We will also visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, famous for its "jumping cats”. We will stop to see silk weaving on wooden handlooms. Another attraction of the area is Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State. We will stop at a blacksmith shop, and other places as per available time and your interest.

Accommodation in Paradise Inle Resort

Meals: Breakfast

Day 07 Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon

Excursion by boat on Inle Lake to Indein and Sae Ma VillageFollowing breakfast, we take boating trip to the western shore of the lake to a stairway leading to the hidden Indein Temple. The temple complex consists of hundreds of small stupa overgrown by moss and greens. We walk past rice fields to the village of Sae Ma, explore the village and the local school. We will have opportunity to meet the villagers and observe the monastic activities. We return by boat to our hotel and then we are transferred to the airport at Heho for flight to Yangon.

Accommodation in East Hotel Dinning and Craft

Meals: Breakfast

Day 08 Yangon-flight to Bangkok

After breakfast, we transfer by car to the airport and flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival at Bangkok Airport, take underground walkway to Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel. You have a full day in Bangkok to explore the city on your own.

Accommodation in Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Day 09 Flight from Bangkok to Paro and transfer to Thimphu

The flight from Bangkok to Paro is usually in the morning (6:50 a.m.). Bhutan visa is pre-processed by us and we will provide you the Visa Letter that you need to present during flight check-in time. Your passport gets actual visa sticker upon arrival at Paro, Bhutan. After clearing immigration and custom, follow the exit sign and meet your Guide and driver outside and transfer by car to Thimphu ( 40 miles/65 km, 1 hr). It's a scenic drive of little more than an hour.After lunch at our hotel, we will go for walking tour of Thimphu town. Thimphu is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. We will visit the memorial chorten (shrine) of the 3rd King of Bhutan Jigme Dorje Wangchuk.

Accommodation in Migmar Hotel or River View or Peaceful Resort

Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 10 Thimphu

After breakfast we set out to explore the wonders of the tiny Himalayan capital.If we are in Thimphu during the week-end, it's worth visiting the week-end market ( Fri, Sat and Sun).We will also take chance to attend the archery matches ( if any at progress) in the neighboring ground. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan.

Next, we visit the Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Center- that produces traditional hand-woven textiles on site and has a selection of cloth and ready-made garments for sale. Then, we cross the Wangchu River and visit the Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, where we see the traditional paper making method. We return to the town and visit National Institute for Arts and Crafts that offers a six years course on Bhutan's traditional arts that includes painting, wood carving, embroidery and statue making. Nearby is the Folk Heritage Museum-a three-storied rammed mud and timber building which is a replica of a century old traditional farmhouse and a tour of this living museum will give you a glimpse into the way most Bhutanese lived then and how many rural people live today.Our next stop will be the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, that prepares and dispenses traditional herbal and other medicines.

Then we drive to a viewpoint and enjoy an excellent panoramic view of the valley. On our way back, we take a brief 10 minute trek around a small enclosure in the pine trees to spot Takins-the national animal of Bhutan which is believed to exist only in Bhutan. After that we will stop in Zilukha Nunnery in Drubthob Goemba-a residence of 40-65 nuns.

If you want a more active day, we will go for hiking to Tango Goemba Monastery. It takes 45 minutes from the base of the hill to reach the monastery. Once on the top, we will be delighted to see the impressive monastery. We will sip tea with monks learn about the monastic life. Teach them some English and learn some Bhutanese phrases from them.Return trek down will be much quicker.On the way back to hotel, we stop to visit the impressive Trasichoe Dzong-that houses the Royal Throne, National Assembly and the seat of Chief Abbot of the central monastic body.

Migmar Hotel or River View or Peaceful Resort

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang

After breakfast, we leave for Punakha-the former winter capital of Bhutan. We drive through some picturesque villages and terraced fields and later the road winds up through pine forests and passes by chortens (Stupas) and prayer flags before heading up to Dochula Pass at 10,000 ft. The pass offers panoramic views of snow capped mountains and valleys on a clear weather day. For another two hours, the road slowly drops into the subtropical lowlands of Punakha and Wangdue.

We check in our resort and after lunch, we visit the impressive Wangdue Phodrang Dzong-founded by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the 17th century. Opposite to the Dzong, we will take 25 minutes gentle hike to Rinchengang Village with traditional 2 story houses. Depending on the available time, we can take 25 minutes gentle hike through paddy fields and the villages to Chimi Lakhang Temple-known as the Fertility Temple or we can visit Nalanda Buddhist College, locally known as Dalayna.

Punatsangchu Cottages or Meri Puensum Resort or similar

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 Paro

After breakfast, we go for a pleasant hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten which is 30-45 minutes hike from the road and is situated atop a beautiful hillock overlooking the valley. Built by the Queen Mother, the temple is dedicated for the well being of the kingdom and the benefit of all sentient beings. For the return trip, we will take a different way and descend to the Punakha Dzong Fortress-which is among the most impressive fort architectures of Bhutan. After lunch, we check out hotel and retrace drive to Paro via Dhochula pass and Thimphu.

Optional: Hot Stone Bath.Tonight you can experience traditional Hot Stone Bath in a farm house. Hot stone bath is an ancient Bhutanese method of curing skin ailments, joint pains, hypertension, stomach disorder, arthritis and many other minor diseases and even you don’t have any of these issues, you will get relaxed after a busy day’s schedule. It costs around US$ 20 per person and an advance notice is required.

Tashi Namgay or Tenzinling Resort

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 13 Takstang Monastery Hike

Following an early morning breakfast, we go for hike to the famous Takstang Monastery ( Tiger's Nest). The monastery, precariously perched on the edge of a 4000 ft high cliff above the valley floor, creates an impressive sight, and is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan. It takes roughly about 2 and half hour up and about an hour and half to go down.

With prior arrangement, you can take pony ride until about half the way up but for the remaining journey and return trip down, you need to be on our own limbs!On the way back, we visit the historic Drukgyel Dzong which was built in the 16th century to mark the Bhutanese victory over the Tibetan invaders. We will also visit the ancient Kyichu Temple which is one of the 108 temples that King Songsten Gampo of Tibet miraculously built in a single night in the 7th century in order to subdue a demoness!

After lunch, we visit Dungtse Temple that is believed to be built on top of the head of a tortoise-shaped demon that was blocking the way of good fortunes in to Paro Valley.Non Buddhists may or may not be allowed inside.From here, we head to the National Museum housed at Ta Dzong-that served as watch tower for the Rinpung Dzong. The museum has wonderful collection of books, murals, Bhutanese textiles, crafts, weapons, olden utensils, stuffed animals and rich gallery of philatelic collection. From here, we descend to the impressive Rinpung Dzong Fortress–that houses the office of district administration and monk body. We will also visit a typical farmhouse and have an insight into the daily lifestyle of local Bhutanese.

Accommodation in Tashi Namgay Resort or similar

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 14 Flight from Paro to Bangkok or next destination

Transfer to the airport in time for flight back to Bangkok or