Your guide and driver will greet you at your hotel or airport to set off for a full day exploration of Bagan. This program includes a range of sites, providing a great overview of Bagan’s history, culture and local lifestyles.

The journey begins with a visit to Thagyar Pone Temple, a temple with spectacular views over the surrounding plains. This is the perfect introduction to the grandeur and scope of Bagan’s architecture. Next continue to Ananda Temple, one of the most revered temples in Bagan, which is quiet in the morning before all the tour buses arrive.

Afterwards we will go to Myinkaba Village and visit Gubyaukgyi Temple, noted for its beautiful mural paintings on its inner walls and well-preserved plaster carvings on its exterior. Nearby is Manuha Temple and Nan Paya Temple, two smaller temples with nice Buddha statues and stone work.

Then, get to learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan’s most famous products: lacquer ware and wood crafts. Watch as the skilled craftsmen use techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items.

Take a break with lunch at a local restaurant. Return to your hotel for a short rest, escaping the extreme heat of the midday sun.

Late this afternoon we’ll take a relaxing horsecart ride through the temple area, winding your way along the roads past dozens of monuments. Stop as you wish to take photos or explore the temples. Continue to an elevated temple to watch the sun set before returning to your hotel.

Overnight in Bagan

Discover one of Bagan’s most famous legends as you follow in the tracks of King Anawrahta and his precious white elephant. Legend states that the King was given a replica of Lord Buddha’s tooth. He placed this relic on a sacred white elephant’s back and set him free. The elephant stopped at four places around Bagan and later built stupas at each of these locations. Thus the local Burmese believe that by visiting all four of these places in one day your wishes will be fulfilled.

Your guide and driver will greet you at your hotel this morning. Begin with a visit to Shwezigon Pagoda. Although this is one of Bagan’s most famous sites, few people realize the legend behind its creation. The centre piece of Shwezigon is its large golden bell-shaped pagoda situated upon three terraces. The lower-most terrace once featured wood carvings of nat spirits but these are now housed in a small hall within the temple grounds.

Continue on to Tu Yin Taung, a hilltop stupa in the eastern part of the main Archeological Park. As you approach the temple you will be greeted by 500 monk statues which line the road. The stupa’s elevated location offers fabulous views of the surrounding plains, a unique perspective of Bagan and its surroundings.

The next stop is Lawka Nandar which is in New Bagan next to the Irrawaddy River. Lawka Nandar is a bulbous stupa with a cylindrical bell and three octagonal terraces as a base. The temple still functions as a place of everyday worship as it is home to a Buddha relic. We’ll make a stop at Nanduwan Restaurant for lunch before continuing on our Legendary Tour.

This afternoon, we drive to the jetty where a private boat is waiting to transfer us across the river to Tant Kyi Taung, the last temple on our tour. You can see views of the temples in the distance as you cruise across the Irrawaddy. We travel by jeep (approximately 15 minutes) through the countryside to Tant Kyi Taung. This temple is unique in Bagan as it is thought that many centuries ago, Buddha stopped on the hill where the temple now stands. On the return drive to the jetty we can stop in Tant Kyi village for a short walk around.

Then it is time to return to Bagan, first crossing the river by boat and then continuing to your hotel by car.

Overnight in Bagan

Today visit around Bagan’s local villages. Start at the Nyaung Oo morning market where locals gather every day to buy and sell everything from fresh produce and meats to flowers and pottery. There are many food stalls around as well as tea shops, a great vantage point for watching the busy morning market. Then learn the interesting process of creating “Poneyay” (pea powder paste) and see how local plum jam is made and packed. In addition, visit workshops of two of the region’s best known products: handmade lacquer ware and wooden handicrafts. In addition, you will visit the villages and observe about how Cartwrights make a traditional bullock carts, still used by farmers and locals throughout the country. 

This remainder of your day is at leisure to relax and explore on your own or continue on your Myanmar holiday with more sightseeing.