Myanmar’s Ancient Highlights

Visit Yangon’s impressive array of cultural sites, starting with a ride on Yangon’s Circular Railway, a commuter train that runs on a nearly 50km(28.5mi) loop through diverse neighbourhoods and out into the colourful countryside. Next, explore Sule Pagoda, an ancient stupa that according to legend was built 2600 years ago, topped with a golden spire that dominates the surrounding cityscape. Continue on with a short walk to the colonial era Bogyoke Market, a bustling hall of Burmese handicrafts, jewelry and antique vendors. End the day at the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, complete with a magnificent 99m (325ft) high golden stupa that allegedly contains the eight hairs of the Gautama Buddha. Join the many pilgrims at the pagoda in an oil lamp lighting ceremony, observing red-robed monks chant ancient Pali scripture as they light 1500 oil candles throughout the complex.

Described by Marco Polo as ‘one of the world’s finest sights’, the ancient city of Bagan was the capital of several ancient Burmese Kingdoms, the  that constructed up to 4,400 temples between the 11th and 13th centuries. Bagan’s oldest temples are reminiscent of other majestic ancient Southeast Asian cities, such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Approximately 2,200 of Bagan’s original temples remain standing, including one of Myanmar’s most sacred Buddhist sites, Shwezigon Pagoda, magnificent with a towering golden stupa and gilded spires studded with 7,000 precious gems.

At sunrise, we take a breathtaking hot-air balloon ride revealing a bird’s-eye view over the plain’s of Bagan and its ancient temples.  Champagne and breakfast are served during the three-hour journey. We embark on the Anawrahta cruise ship, your luxurious ‘floating home,’ on the Ayeyarwady River – the nations’ largest river and most important commercial waterway. Our first stop is Pakkoku, an old trading town boasting Myanmar’s longest bridge. Here, we visit a bustling local market and small industries that produce renowned crafts, such as Burmese cigars.

We explore the riverside village of Yanderbo by foot. This tranquil village is best known for the 1826 Yanderbo Treaty, signaling the end of the First Anglo-Burmese War and production of a unique water pot variety. Our river voyage continues northwards. Onboard entertainment presents an enthralling presentation about Myanmar’s history and culture and learning about two distinctive traditional features – Longyi, the national costume and Thanaka, a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from ground bark, commonly applied to the face.

The former royal capital of several ancient kingdoms, Ava is home to outstanding ancient monasteries and religious sites. We explore some by horse-drawn carriage, including Bagaya Kyaung, a spectacular teak monastery built in 1834, which still continues today as a monastic school.  Cruising northwards, we reach Mandalay, the last royal capital of Myanmar.  An afternoon tour takes-in some of Mandalay’s most compelling sights and craft industries such as traditional gold-leaf beating. The day rounds-off with a traditional music and dance performance at Mandalay Art School.

Our morning tour takes in Mandalay’s most impressive pagodas. Known as ‘The World’s Largest Book,’ Kuthodaw Pagoda contains hundreds of shrines with inscribed marble slabs and several pavilions. Mahamuni Pagoda is one of Myanmar’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, containing its most highly revered Buddha images.  Cruising onto Mingun, we stop-off at the monumental yet unfinished stupa of King Bodawpaya, a pagoda modelled after mythical Mount Meru, besides ‘The World’s Largest Hanging Bell,’ weighing over 87 tons.

Our Anawrahta voyage ends.  We spend a full day exploring Inle Lake, at 22km (13mi) long and 11km (7mi) wide, Myanmar’s second largest lake and additionally, one of its highest. An estimated 70,000 people inhabit more than 200 villages on or on the shores of this freshwater lake. We sail past floating villages and gardens and Inle’s legendary leg-rowers, who use one leg to propel their boats, to the lake’s holiest site – Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda.

Transfer to Yangon Airport for your onward flight.