Magical Myanmar Festivals Tour

Itinerary

October is the month for festivals in and around Myanmar, with highlights including the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda Festival, Dummy Elephant Dance Festival in Myanmar, the ‘Swun Daw Gyi Pwe’ Food Offering Festival, Taung Toe Market Day and the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival.
 

• Day 1: Arrival Yangon

  Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guide who will accompany you as you transfer to the hotel.

  Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia. As we introduce to the city of Yangon, enjoy your morning a stop at the National Museum, then to the city center to observe the daily goings and the Sule pagoda, a great photo opportunity! Walk around the Mahabandoola Park to see the colonial courthouse and the city hall. From here we start a tour on foot around the colonial area with various historical buildings, breaking at a local teashop (own account) to enjoy Burmese tea and its traditional culture. The place is unique and the typical atmosphere. Continue to Mawtin Jetty where you will see the activities on the river side.  Overnight in Yangon. (L)

• Day 2: Yangon - Bagan

  After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for the flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo). From the 11th to 13th centuries, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, the rulers constructed thousands of huge stupas and temples many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. On arrival, your journey begins with a visit to Tayokye Pyay, an elevated temple from where you will have a panoramic view of the magnificent plains of Bagan. Continue to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction in to Bagan’s rich history. Then, visit to nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. This afternoon begin with a visit to a traditional lacquer ware workshop where you can observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. Built in the early Mon-style, Ananda contains two unique Buddha images whose expressions seem to change depending on the distance from which the statue is viewed. Proceed to Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, massive Dhammayangyi Temple, noted for its remarkable brickwork, and Sulamani Temple. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the temples. Overnight in Bagan. (B, L)

• Day 3: Bagan

  After breakfast, visit the colourful Nyaung Oo Market where villagers gather every day to buy and sell their produce and other goods. Proceed to Ngat Pyit Taung Monastery and explore the temple’s caves to observe about local tradition and belief. Then, visit the Monastic Primary School where you can visit with the local children who are studying their lessons. Be greeted by their warm smiles and enjoy playing with and meeting the students. Although friendly and welcoming, the children come from a very underprivileged area and a small donation of cash or school supplies will ensure a brighter future for these students. This afternoon, continue to the rural village of Minnanthu, one of Bagan’s least visited areas. Here you will explore temples such as Payathonzu, Lemyentha and Nandamannya.  Overnight in Bagan. (B,L)

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  Day 4: Bagan - Mandalay. Kyauktawgyi Pagoda Festival.

  After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Mandalay. On arrival drive for an excursion a former capital of Amarapura. You will visit to Mahagandayone Monastery, where you will attend a special ceremony. Witness the alms collection at Mahagandayon monastery, when over one-thousand monks gather to collect their daily meal from the local Buddhists. Stop at a silk weaving workshop to proceed to Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay. This pagoda is home to one of the country’s most revered Buddha images which, over the years, has been covered with gold leaf giving it an almost ‘lumpy’ texture. Mandalay is well known for its skilled craftsmen and as you tour traditional workshops, you will learn more about the city’s cottage industries. Observe the production of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries, and gold-leaf where the techniques remained unchanged from those used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court. This afternoon, continue your tour of Mandalay with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s Biggest Book’. Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace. This grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving. Head to the top of Mandalay Hill as the sun begins to set to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River. At the foot of Mandalay Hill, Kyauk Taw Gyi Paya also celebrates annual pagoda festival in October – one of Mandalay’s largest festivals. Explore its festival market and interact with local in the festive mood. Why not a try some noodles and other local delicacies?  Overnight in Mandalay. (B, L)

• Day 5: Mandalay - Kyauk Se - Mandalay. Dummy Elephant Dance Festival.

  Today you will drive to Kyauk Se, located 26 miles south of Mandalay to see one of the famous festivals in Myanmar. Every year, a dancing team from each of the 33 villages of the Kyauk Se area is involved in the competition. Elephant figures are formed by bamboo frames and the skin is made of cloth and decorated with colourful and shining paper. A team includes 2 men who will climb into the elephant figure to perform the elephant dance. An oo zi (master of the elephant who work with the elephants in the forest) are common to see performing with the elephants. There are three stages of the performance, with the baby elephant performing with the local youths being the most popular. The festival starts about 09:00 am and ends around 18:00 pm. There is also a short break from 13:30 to 15:00. Explore around the town to see the different dances and interact with locals who come from near and far villages. In the afternoon, return to Mandalay.  Overnight in Mandalay. (B)

• Day 6: Mandalay - Sagaing - Ava - Mandalay. "Swun Daw Gyi Pwe” Food Offering Festival.

  This morning you will cross the Ayeyarwaddy River to another ancient capital of Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. It is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers and you will visit Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin Paya, U Min Thone Sae (30 caves) and Shin Pin Nan Gyaing.

   

Then proceed to Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda to see Swun (food) Offering festival. You will see the procession with lay devotees; most of them dressed in white costumes and walking bare foot, heading back to their homes after “Swun” offering. We then continue to Inwa, once a royal capital from 14th to 18th centuries. Travel by horse and carriage through the area stopping to visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort. On the way back to Mandalay, we stop to visit Amarapura and finish the day at U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge. The bridge spans over 2 kilometers in length and offers fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. Overnight in Mandalay. (B,L)

• Day 7: Mandalay - Heho - Pindaya.

  Early this morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Heho. After arriving in Heho, drive through the picturesque hills of the Shan State to the small, lakeside town of Pindaya (2 hours). Visit Pindaya Caves, locally as “Shwe U Min”. A visit to the caves is a great chance to learn about the culture, lifestyle and religious beliefs of the Burmese people. The caves contain thousands of Buddha images of various shapes and sizes, the first of which were installed in the 11th century. Wind your way through the labyrinth-like paths as you explore the caves with your guide. You will also visit to a traditional Shan paper cottage industry and learn handy skills of making bamboo and paper umbrellas. Proceed to Nyaung Shwe (about 3 hours) and transfer to your hotel by a sampa boat.  Overnight in Inle Lake. (B,L,D)

• Day 8: Inle Lake. Taung Toe Market Day.

  Whole day excursion by boat on Inle Lake. Pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people. Observe the leg-rowing fishermen and see their floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. In the morning, visit one of the lake’s morning markets. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5 day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: market is daily except on dark moon day and full moon day). Continue visit Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which houses dozens of Shan Buddha Images, but is more famous for its unique ‘jumping cats’ that jump through hoops in the air! Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf. Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. Overnight In Inle Lake. (B,L,D)

• Day 9: Inle Lake. Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival.

  Early this morning, you will drive to board a private motorboat and your guide will take you to observe a very unique and famous festival in Myanmar. Spanning 18 days, our visit arrives on the last day of the event. Holy Phaung Daw Oo Buddha images are transported back to their shrine. You will see the procession of leg rowing Yar Kyaw boats pulling specially decorated boats carrying the images. While you are waiting for the Buddhas, observe the traditional dances around the pagoda’s premises. The spectacle of the boat racing will also be held as one of the final festival events. Following this exciting encounter, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of In Dein. Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village, and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below. Overnight in Inle Lake. (B, L)

• Day 10: Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon

  After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for the flight to Yangon. Upon arrival in Yangon, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon visit Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses a 70-meter reclining Buddha. Then continue with a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. The central stupa is 90 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf. As the sun begins to set enjoy the breathtaking views of the Pagoda and surrounding skyline before transferring back to your hotel. Overnight in Yangon. (B,L)

• Day 11: Departure Yangon

  This morning, you will take a ride on Yangon’s Circle Train in the morning. You will transfer to Yangon Railway station to take local circular train journey to the outskirts of town (45 minutes ride). The slow travelling train gives you a unique opportunity to observe the lively and colorful life of the rural Burmese people. Disembark to visit Insein market where a variety of street vendors sell interesting wares. Enjoy exploring the market and meeting the friendly locals before returning by road to Yangon. Then transfer to Yangon International Airport for your onward flight.  (B, L) 

* All prices shown are for low season, per person, twin share. Click here to see full Terms & Conditions.