999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
Morning arrival in Yangon, (Rangoon), via Bangkok and check-in to a comfortable, downtown hotel close to the famous Scott Market. Time to relax before a fascinating and unusual train journey on the Yangon circular line. The (very) slow local train completes a loop through the suburbs and outlying villages providing an original and ‘behind the scenes’ view of local life and Yangon City – a great introduction to Burma - before a sunset visit to the incredible Shwedagon Temple – Burma’s most sacred and certainly one it’s most awe inspiring, sites.999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
Morning flight to Mandalay, and time to relax or explore the area before an afternoon trip to the nearby ancient city and former 14th to 19th century capital of Ava (Inva). Discover the ruined city, temples and villages by horse and cart before a sunset visit to the iconic U Bein Bridge – reputed to be the longest wooden bridge in the world.999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
Day tour and scenic drive to the old British hill-station of Pyin U Lwin located on the edge of the Shan Plateau. The small town’s 1,200m altitude meant it was a popular and cool retreat for the former British colonists and many historic buildings remain as well as its famous botanical gardens and nearby waterfalls. We’ll time our return journey for a sunset visit to Mandalay Hill and the spectacular view over the town, Irrawaddy River and neighbouring mountains.999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
Early morning departure by boat down the Irrawaddy River to Bagan; bucolic river scenes, mountain views and a great way to arrive in the historic, ancient city. Late afternoon orientation visit to the site of the ruined 11th to 13th century capital – still containing over 2,000 chedis, stupas, pagodas scattered across a riverside plain and certainly one of the most incredible sites of South East Asia!999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
Visit Bagan at your leisure: with a map, hat and torch (to discover temples’ hidden stairways), roam the country lanes by bicycle, hire a pony and trap, visit the best known temples or find some hidden chedis of your own. Rise early to take in dawn or sit out the hot part of the day by the pool – your guide will be on-hand to advise and recommend but we’d like to let you visit this phenomenal site at your own leisure and pace.999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
Morning departure by road, heading eastwards to the distant Shan Plateau. Our first stop will be Mount Popa – one of the country’s most sacred sites located on the summit of an extinct volcano which rises dramatically - near vertically - from the plains below. Local style lunch in the town of Meilktila before a scenic climb up the Plateau itself to our destination, the charming little town and old hill-station of Kalaw.999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
Day trip through the picturesque countryside of the Shan Plateau taking in, firstly, one of the local farmers’ markets before heading to the town of Pindaya to visit the spectacular Shwe Umin cave temples. Lunch by the lake and a chance to check out the traditional umbrella making which Pindaya is also famous for. Afternoon return to Kalaw and some time to wander the small town and perhaps check-out the market or sit in a local tea shop and watch the world go by?999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
Morning hike through the surrounding hills to visit one of the local Paluang hill-tribe villages; a scenic walk, mountain views, visit to the village and chance to meet some its friendly inhabitants! Afternoon transfer to Nyuangshwe – gateway town to the famous Inle Lake - and some free time to explore the lively market town.999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
Day boat trip around the picturesque lake including visits to: a lakeside village market, a traditional hand rolling cheroot factory, a fascinating lotus weaving project and the unusual floating gardens.999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
Morning departure across the lake and up river to the small lakeside village of Indein from where we’ll hike through the picturesque landscape to visit the site of a ruined Shan city – known as the ‘Shan Bagan’ – where myriad ruined stupas dot the lush vegetation. Return to Nyaungshwe for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
Free morning at Lake Inle to do your own thing: cycle to the extraordinary Red Mountain Winery, check out the local market, visit a local village by canoe or just relax in a tea shop before an afternoon return flight to Yangon.999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
999www.Chinakindnesstour.com
Free time to perhaps do some last–minute shopping or souvenir hunting at the famous Scott Market and end of tour.999www.Chinakindnesstour.com