SPO Tour Program II

Transfer to Yangon Airport for domestic flight to Bagan. Upon arrival in Bagan, transfer to hotel and proceed for sightseeing starting with the busy local market and continuing with visits to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples such as SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century, KU BYAUK GYI, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scenes, KHAY MIN GA TEMPLE, noted for its spectacular panoramic view of the area’s many monuments and ANANDA TEMPLE with four huge standing Buddha images and numerous seated figures in niches around the galleried interior. Afternoon a visit of a lacquer craftsmen’s workshop in nearby MYINKABA village and sightseeing to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in Mon style in 1059, NANBAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument, said to have been the palace of King Manuha and MYINGABA GU BYAUKGYI TEMPLE, noted for its ancient mural paintings. Overnight in Bagan.

Proceed on a scenic overland journey to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano with its shrine dedicated to animist sprits, known as "Nats". For the energetic, there is time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the volcanic plug. Return to Bagan and overnight.

After breakfast, fly to Mandalay, on arrival transfer to hotel for check in. Proceed to directly to Amarapura. Visit MAHAGANDAYON, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study; continue to the 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was the royal capital. Visit of BAGAYA MONASTERY, with a superb collection of Buddha statues. En route stop at a traditional hand-weaving silk workshop. Afternoon sightseeing tour including MAHAMUNI PAGODA with its spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layers of gold leaves, visit to Gold Leaf Making Workshop and Tapestry Workshop. SHWE INBIN, one of the most outstanding monasteries in the country, SHWE NAN DAW KYAUNG or GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb example of a traditional wooden building and KUTHODAW PAGODA, known as the world’s largest book, consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. Sunset on the Mandalay Hill and overnight in Mandalay

After breakfast, boat trip on the AYEYARWADDY RIVER to MINGUN about 11 km (1 hour) upriver from Mandalay with visits to the MINGUN BELL, weighing 90 tons and being the largest uncracked bell in the world, to HSINBYUME PAYA and the unfinished MINGUN PAYA, built as one of the world’s largest chedis by King Bodaw Paya. Overnight in Mandalay.