• Sagaing Hill - Begin the day at 07:30 A.M. with a hotel pick-up in Mandalay, then travel to Sagaing to explore the scenic Sagaing Hill, a vibrant hub of Buddhist faith in Myanmar. The hillsides are adorned with numerous pagodas and monasteries.
• Soon U Ponya Shin Paya - Visit the renowned Soon U Ponnyashin Pagoda, originally constructed in 1312, and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Continue to another hill to explore the fascinating U Min Thonze Pagoda, known for its crescent shape and 45 seated Buddhas in a colorful colonnade.

After taking in the views, descend to the base of the hill to visit a monastery in Sagaing and observe the daily life of Buddhist monks. Then, explore Ywataung Silver Smith.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Sagaing or Innwa, depending on the schedule.

• Innwa - Next, travel to the former Royal Capital Innwa (Ava), situated on an island between the Ayeyarwady and Myitnge Rivers. A local ferry will transport you to the island, where a horse cart and driver await.

Explore Innwa by horse cart, passing through ancient city walls to visit the brick and stucco Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery (also known as Ok Kyaung).

• Bagaya Monastery - Proceed to Nanmyint Watch Tower, then visit the impressive wooden Bagaya Kyaung Monastery. If time allows, visit local village homes to observe traditional handicrafts like silk weaving, cane mats, and alms bowls.
• U Bein Bridge - Return to Mandalay via the Ava Bridge, constructed by British engineers along the Ayeyarwaddy River. En route, stop in Amarapura to stroll across the unique U Bein Bridge, a stunning 1.2-kilometer-long structure made from teak planks, reputed to be the longest of its kind in the world. In 1857, when the capital moved from Amarapura to Mandalay, the local mayor, U Bein, repurposed wood from the dismantled teak palace to create this magnificent bridge. Enjoy the sunset from the bridge. Return to your hotel in Mandalay.

Meals included: Lunch

• Snow towel & 1 bottle of purified drinking water
• Private sightseeing with an English speaking guide
• Air-conditioned vehicle for the tour
• Entrance fees to Innwa & Sagaing included
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Ferry boat to Innwa (Ava)
• Horse cart ride in Innwa (Ava)

• Entrance fees
• Hotel accommodation
• Services not mentioned in our itinerary

Excursion to 3 Ancient Capitals nearby Mandalay: Sagaing, with numerous Buddhist monasteries, Innwa (Ava), an ancient imperial capital from 14th to 19th centuries and Amarapura, the capital of Myanmar twice in (1783–1821 and 1842–1859).

HIGHLIGHTS

• Exploring Sagaing Hills for numerous pagodas, monasteries and nunneries to learn daily life of Buddhist Nuns,
• Visit to Innwa (Ava) includes, Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery (or) Mei Nu Oke Kyaung (a brick stucco monastery) built by Nanmadaw Mei Nu, the chief queen of Bagyidaw, for her royal abbot U Bok in 1822.
• Bargaya Kyaung (or) Bame Kyaung, built in 1834, the entire monastery is supported by 267 teak posts (the largest measures 60 ft in height and 9 ft in circumference)
• Nanmyint Watch Tower – A remnant of the palace built by King Bagyidaw, at the center of old Innwa,
• A visit to Amarapura to take a stroll and have a nice photo stop at U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge nearly 200-years-old.
• As you will be visiting religious sites, please wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, and remember to take off your shoes and socks when entering pagoda areas.
• This tour is not available during the Water Festival period between 12 to 18 Apr. During this time, everything in town is closed: restaurants, shops, markets, Museum, etc. Driving through Yangon is extremely difficult if not impossible because people celebrate the famous water-festival. You cannot avoid of getting very wet because everyone throws water at everybody. People drive through the city in open cars and there are stages along the street where people throw water. Everybody going up will get very wet.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.