Irrawaddy Dolphin Tour

Tour Code : MTS-IDT-111 Tour Duration : 10 days / 9 nights Route :Yangon - Bagan- Mandalay- Mingun - MyaeSwon - Mandalay - Heho - Pindaya - Inle Lake- Heho - Yangon Vacation Type : Dolphin Tours

This program is brought to you for your visit around Myanmar for its main tourist destination. Explore from Yangon – the garden city and the main gate way to Myanmar to Bagan – the richest archeological sights in Asia, Salay – famous for its wood carving monastery, Mandalay – the culture canter and its environ, Amarapura – city of Immortality, Sagaing – the Place of Meditation and Mingun - home of the world biggest ringing bell, MyaeSwon village - small village situated on the east bank of Ayeyarwaddy river. Nowadays it is famous for fishing with dolphin by their old method, Pindaya - a cozy town and famous for its Shan paper parasol and Inle – the tranquil lake of the leg rowers. You will find the local peoples and landscape beyond your imagination.

Transportation between each destination by domestic flight on Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways or Air Bagan (F-100 or ATR-72/42) can be done throughout the year.

The best time to see Dolphins are from October to May.

Detailed Tour Program

Day 01: Yangon (D)

Upon arrival at Yangon international airport, our tour guide would welcome you and transfer to the hotel for check in. After that sightseeing start in Yangon, including Sule Pagoda in the heart of the city, Chauktatgyi Pagoda, one of the biggest colossal reclining Buddha image in Myanmar. Special evening visit to the massive Shwedagon Pagoda – famous worldwide – its golden stupa is the ‘ Heart ’ of Buddhism Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa in surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. There are always many Myanmar People praying and making offerings. Overnight at hotel in Yangon

Day 02 : Yangon Bagan (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, early morning flight to Bagan (domestic schedule flight, ~ 1 ½ hour flying) situated in Central Myanmar, on the East bank of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River, to discover its glorious past and histories. Arrive at Nyaung U Airport and transfer to hotel for check. Whole day sightseeing of Bagan’s most famous temples and pagodas ranging from the temples with the earliest wall paintings to the prototype pagoda the influenced the designs of later Buddhist monuments. Tour highlights include colorful Nyaung Oo Market, and Shwezigon Pagoda – built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine, then go to Ananda Temple – King Kyansittha’s masterpiece and the crowning achievement of the early style temple of architecture, next is Thatbyinnyu Temple – the highest building on the Bagan plain, after that visit to Htilominlo Temple – the largest temple of Bagan – noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. In the afternoon observe the process of traditional lacquer ware, one of Myanmar’s best known handicrafts and a specialty of Bagan. Then visit Manuha Temple, Myingabar Gubyaugyi Temple – an early period Pyu-style temple of Hindu influence with some of the oldest mutual paintings in Bagan and Dhamanyangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. Lastly enjoy the sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River from Buphaya or Shwesandaw Pagoda. Overnight at hotel in Bagan.

Day 03: Bagan (B)

Option: Balloon Over Bagan (BOB)
It is a unique opportunity to see the Bagan with ‘BALLOONS OVER BAGAN’. You get a magnificent birds-eye view of thousand year-old pagodas, temples and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River as it has never been seen before. The balloon is guided by gentle winds not exceeding 24 km/h. Eight/Six passengers plus a pilot fit into the balloon’s basket. The champagne flights at sunrise last just under an hour and take off daily from October through March. Price is US $ 250 / pax. Due to the limited capacity, advance bookings at an early stage are highly recommended.
 
After breakfast, visit tropical village to visit an old Noodle Cottage and observe the daily life the people in Taung Bi Village. Then visit Bupaya Pagoda, on the bank of majestic Ayeyarwady River and visit the Mahabodhi Temple, resemble of Mahabodi Temple in Bodaghaya. In the afternoon visit Abeyadana Temple, with very interesting paintings, showing a Mahayana influence; the Nagayon Temple, an elegant and well-preserved temple, built by King Kyanzittha; the Ashe & Anauk Pagoda, with hundreds of unglazed terracotta tiles illustrating scenes from the jatakas and Lowkananda Pagoda, built in 1059 by King Anawrahta. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Bagan Mandalay Amarapura Sagaing Mandalay (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for flight to Mandalay. Mandalay, the commercial centre and cultural tourism site, was established in 1857 by King Mindon, Arrive at Tada Oo International airport and direct sightseeing to the ancient city of Amarapura. Visit to Mahagundayone Monastery to study the daily life of the monks observing Buddha scriptures, U Bein Wooden Bridge (1.2km long) across Taung Tha Man Lake. Proceed to Sagaing and visit Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda which is the copy of Mahaceti Pagoda in Siri Lanka and Sagaing Hill - the center of Meditation. Then drive to Mandalay and check in at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Mandalay Mingun Myae Swon Village (B)

We started to leave from Mandalay at 8:00a.m by boat to Mingun then sightseeing at Mingun village. After that we proceed to Myae Swon village to see Dolphins there and we arrived to MyaeSwon village at about 5:00p.m in evening and overnight in monastery. MyaeSwon is 45km far way to the north of Mandalay. It’s small village situated on the east bank of Ayeyarwaddy river. Nowadays it is famous for fishing with dolphin by their old method. First of all we can visit around the village and the way of life there. And we can go to the Mawe Ann Taw pagoda, it’s mean [Snake’s vomit pagoda]. It was built in 12 century.
 

Day 06: Myae Swon Village Mandalay (B)

Next day we are ready to see dolphin at 6:30 a.m in the morning and we went with fisherman his small boat by canoe along the river and he started to make a strange sound by teak strike tapping to boat side. Suddenly the Dolphins are come closely to the boat and show their tails as vertically to stop the boat and he catches the fish to the net by Bum! To beaten with his tail to water surface then the fisherman throw his net quickly. After he got fish he gives some of small fishes to the dolphins for eating. This is unique and fascinating to see their tactful work. After that we go back to the Mandalay. There are [100] Dolphins left in the world some in India, some in Thailand, other are big amount in Myanmar, the only place where you can see in Ayeyarwaddy river. They are gray color and 2.5m long and good relationship with local fishermen. To see these traditional practices is found only in Myanmar and Brazil. Overnight at Mandalay.

Day 07: Mandalay Heho Pindaya (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to leave for Heho. Arrive at Heho Airport and drive to Pindaya (65 km). Sightseeing inclusive of Pindaya Cave with thousands of Buddha Images placed there by pilgrims over many centuries and Umbrella workshop which is made from pulp and around the Botaloke Lake. Evening stroll underneath the Banyan Trees which are said over 200 years old. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Pindaya Inle (B)

Breakfast at hoel. Drive to Nyaung Shwe where Inle Lake is located. Then transfer to hotel. Being located at the 900 meters above sea level, Inle Lake is the second largest natural lake in Myanmar with hazy blue mountains as backdrop. Check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit Indein Village, located at the western side of the lake. Passing Nyaung Ohak Monastery and follow a stair path lined up with many hundreds o wooden columns, you finally will reach the impressive Shwe Indein Pagoda Complex. From the hillside you have great view over the lake area. On the way back to the boat, walk through a romantic bamboo forest at the riverside, where you may observe local people having a bath. Afternoon continue sightseeing on the lake. Overnight in Inle lake.

Day 9: Inle (B)

In the early morning, breakfast at hotel and visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, the most famous pagoda of the Shan State. Ywa-Ma village, gold and sliver smiths’ workshop. After lunch, visit Jumping Cat Monastery and floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and the famous leg rowers. In the evening, enjoy the sunset while visiting the Inle Lake by boat. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Inle Heho Yangon (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the Heho Airport and flight back to Yangon. On the way to the hotel, visit Kabar Aye (the World Peace pagoda) and Maha Pasana (the great cave for Buddhist synod) and check in at the hotel. After lunch shopping at Bogyoke Market (Scott’s Market) of hundreds of shops where you can find local products such as Gems & Jewelry , slippers, cloth, and so on. Evening stroll along the China Town and study the ways of living of Yangon citizens (which can observe the tradition and modern costume). Overnight stay at hotel in Yangon

Day 11 Departure Yangon (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Leisure till the flight time. Transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight to conclude this unique experience.