Sightseeing in Mandalay
The last capital of royal Burma, Mandalay is still one of the largest cities in Myanmar, and a cultural and spiritual centre. Neighboring Sagaing is home to over sixty per cent of the country s monks, while the artisans of Mandalay continue to turn out the finest crafts in Myanmar. 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. Worshippers flock daily to the shrine at four in the morning to observe the unique face-washing ceremony. 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 breaking for 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, or the Golden Teak Monastery. Built entirely of golden teak, this intricately carved wooden monastery was once part of the Mandalay Palace, used as private apartments by King Mindon and his chief queen. Continue to Kyauktawgyi Paya, famous for its monumental seated Buddha, carved from a single block of marble. Continue to Kuthodaw Paya, known also as The world s biggest book. Around the central stupa are miniature pavilions, each housing a slab of marble Numbering altogether 729, these slabs are inscribed with the entire Tripitkata, or Buddhist scriptures. The final stop is at Shwe Kyin Old Monastery, an old monastery at the base of Mandalay Hill which was built during the period of King Mindon.
Visit Mandalay Hill at sunset
Visit Mandalay Hill and take an easy climb up sheltered steps to experience panoramic views over the palace, Mandalay and the paya-studded countryside. The famous hermit monk, U Khanti, is credited with inspiring the construction of many of the buildings on and around the hill in the years after the founding of the city.

Overnight : Mandalay
Meal : x

Excursion to Pyin Oo Lwin
Heading to Pyin Oo Lwin, journey northeast along Highway 3 parallel to the railway line. The journey runs across the plains, then up the twisting road into the hills. At the halfway mark one passes View Point, which has spectacular views. Pyin Oo Lwin was originally a Shan Danu village, but following the influx of Asians during the British colonial era, it is now home to around 5,000 Nepalis and 10,000 Indians. For many years it was a British hill station as due to the altitude, even at the height of the hot season, it is pleasantly cool and the air is fresh.
Visit the Botanical Gardens, which feature wide expanses of manicured grass, large flowerbeds, natural forest, rose gardens and an orchid house. Enjoy the views of the town from the tower in Botanical Garden. Colonel May used Turkish prisoners of war to develop this 237-acre botanical garden during WWII. See the Purcell Tower, situated near the entrance to the town. The tower was a gift from Queen Victoria, who offered an identical tower to Cape Town in South Africa.
South of the central area is the Church Of The Immaculate Conception, which features a large brick sanctuary with a belltower and cruciform floor plan. The vaulted wooden ceilings and well-appointed interior are impressive. Just east of the town, discover the Peik Chin Caves, a large Hindu-Buddhist shrine developed by local Nepalis and adorned with modern Buddha images and models of Myanmar most famous pagodas.

Overnight : Mandalay
Meal : Breakfast (Hotel)

Excursion to Mingun with boat trip
Just a boat ride away along the Ayeyarwaddy River is the little town of Mingun, which boasts some of the most impressive pagodas in Myanmar. We will be amazed by the ruins of the enormous Mingun Paya never finished, it is size would have dwarfed all contemporary pagodas. Equally as grand is the Mingun Bell, a 13-foot tall bronze bell weighing 90-tonnes.
Today s Highlights: Boat to Mingun, Mingun Paya, Mingun Bell, Hsinbyume Paya
Excursion to Yae Tagon, with visit to an orchid farm
Before leaving Mandalay, visit an Orchid Farm, where several variants 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 and gardening. Drive up to the caves which are 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 landscapes to the Shwe Hin Tha Cave area, with a natural stone representation of a Hintha bird at the entrance. (Entering the cave is not recommended during the rainy season).

Overnight : Monywa
Meal : Breakfast (Hotel)

By vehicle from Mandalay to Monywa
Excursion to the Pow Win Daung Caves
Cross the Chindwin River by local ferry and continue westwards towards the Pow Win Daung caves. Pow Win Daung Mountain is home to a series of caves nestled in the hillside along a path and contain Buddha images and well-preserved murals that date from the 14th-16th centuries. Visit Shwe Ba Taung Paya, with shrines carved into the hillside decorated with elaborate mosaics and Buddha images. Sculptures line the path and walls, including a giant frog perched by the road and an elephant carved to form a temple doorway.

Overnight : Monywa
Meal : Breakfast (Hotel)

Sightseeing in Monywa
Situated on the eastern bank of the Chindwin River, Monywa is now the second biggest town in Upper Myanmar and serves as a major trade centre for agricultural produce from the surrounding Chindwin Valley, especially beans, pulses and palm sugar. Visit the Thanboddhay Paya, where every spare suface, inside and out, is covered with thousands of miniature Buddha images (almost 600,000 altogether); the cumulative effect is spectacularly colourful. Discover one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Myanmar, the Shwe Gu Ni Paya, ts importance due to its main zedi, which reportedly has the ability to grant wishes. See the magnificent Reclining Buddha, perched atop a hill, with spectacular views across the plain. This giant reclining Buddha is one of the largest in the country. Marvel at Boddhi Tataung, a grove of banyan tree with a 1000 Buddha images resting at the foot of the trees.
By vehicle from Monywa to Pakkoku
Visit Ah Neint
Ah Neint (also known as Thone Pan Hla village), is a town which is home to over 130 stupas and temples from the Nyaung Yan period (17th century) within a circumference of 2 miles.
By boat from Pakkoku to Bagan
Transfer from Ayar jetty or Nyaung Oo jetty to Hotel.

Overnight : x
Meal : Breakfast (Hotel)

* Above prices are current as of today but will be subject to any additional airfare and fuel increases that occur without our prior notice, and we reserve the right to adjust our quotes accordingly.
* The exchange rates above are for reference use only and are subject to change without prior notice. Please contact us foreign currency for applicable rates before transaction.
* An additional surcharge may be applicable for bookings that fall within the Peak Season dates; Christmas, New Year and Water Festival. In these cases, ORIENTAL ESCAPE will automatically apply the additional charge and advise you immediately.