Arrival in Mandalay and transfer to the hotel for check in. While Yangon is the economic capital of the country, Mandalay is considered the cultural and religious capital of Myanmar, with a long history stretching back to religious time being also the last capital of Royal Burma. In the morning, head to MAHAMUNI PAYA.

The Mahamuni image enshrined here is perhaps the most venerated image in Myanmar, covered in over 15 cm of gold leaf. En route to the pagoda, stop to observe the laborious process of gold-leaf beating, where gold is painstakingly hammered into tissue-thin squares. Before lunch, visit a CRAFT WORKSHOP specializing in one of the arts for which the city is famous: bronze-casting, marble-carving, wood-carving, or puppetry. The afternoon’s tour includes some of the city’s most interesting temples and palaces. Begin at SHWENANDAW KYAUNG, also called the Golden Teak Monastery. Continue to KYAUKAWGYI PAYA, famous for its monumental seated Buddha, carved from a single block of marble, and the elegant SANDAMANI PAYA. Finally, visit KUTHODAW PAYA, known also as the world’s biggest book.

Overnight in Mandalay

This day tour visits three former royal capitals, each with its own unique atmosphere. In the morning, drive to AMARAPURA, and visit MAHAGANDAYON MONASTERY, every day at mid-morning, monks and novices line up to receive their daily offering of alms and food from

faithful Buddhists. Next, head to SAGAING, the spiritual centre of Myanmar. Hundreds of stupas, monasteries, temples and nunneries are to be found in Sagaing Hill, also known as a living Bagan.

Stop at some of the most famous temples, such as TUPAYON PAYA and HSINMYASHIN PAYA, the Pagoda of Many Elephants. Cross the river by ferry to INWA, situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Once a royal capital, Inwa is now a quiet rural oasis. Enjoy a leisurely Horsecart

ride around the peaceful countryside, briefly visiting BAGAYA KYAUNG, a beautiful teak wood monastery, MAHA AUNGME BOZAN KYANG, and NAN MYINT TOWER. On the way, stop and observe how local artisans make the famous alms bowls out of iron. Finally, return to AMARAPURA, to end the day at U BEIN’S BRIDGE, a picturesque teak bridge which extends over one kilometer across Taungthaman Lake. At dusk, the bridge teems with monks and local

people as they stroll home or linger to enjoy the colors of the sunset.

Overnight in Mandalay

Travel upriver by boat to MINGUN, enjoy the atmosphere of the river life - fishing villages, market boats, women attending to their washing, and children playing in the water. Explore the ruins of the vast MINGUN PAYA, a monument to human ambition. After visiting other nearby

pagodas, return downstream by boat to Mandalay. Another excursion to Yae Tagon waits in the afternoon. Before leaving Mandalay, visit an ORCHID FARM, where several varieties of this exotic flower are grown. Continue to YAE KYI VILLAGE, just outside of Mandalay near the base of YAE TAGON MOUNTAIN, and observe the activities of daily life, making bamboo fans, gardening, and the cultivation of indigenous medicines. Drive up to the caves situated halfway up the mountain and enjoy the picturesque views of the golf course and endless green rice paddies. From there, begin trekking uphill through jungle landscape to the SHWE HIN THA CAVE area, with a natural stone representation.

Overnight in Mandalay

Transfer to airport and catch a flight to whichever destination required. End of the tour.