Ancient Bagan and Colonial Salay Explorer

The tour starts around 08:00hrs.

After breakfast at a local tea shop, visit Bagan. At the Nyaung U Market see where local folks buy their daily provisions of fresh products, seasonal fruits and flowers. The best time to visit the market is 08:00 AM to 09:30 AM. After that, visit Shwezigon Pagoda; one of the oldest and most impressive pagodas built in 1057 by King Anawrahta and King Kyansittha. At Wetgyi Inn village, the Gupyaukgyi, an Indian inspired cave temple contains ancient paintings on the ceiling and interior walls that depict scenes from the Jataka tales, the stories about the previous lives of the Buddha. And then, tour Htilominlo Temple; known for its elaborate plaster moldings and to finish the morning visit Ananda Temple; the most beautiful temple of all, built in 1105 AD.

Lunch at a local restaurant and return to your hotel to relax during the hot hours of the day.

In the early evening, reconvene with your guide and take a romantic horse cart ride to Thatbyinnyu Temple; the highest temple in Bagan at over 60 m, built in 12th century; Dhamanyangyi Temple; the largest of all the temples in Bagan, built in similar plan to that of Ananda; the majestic Shwesandaw Pagoda particular for its five terraces built by King Anawrahta in 1057 AD.

End this glorious day by watching the sunset over the City of 4000 pagodas.

The tour ends around 18:00hrs

Overnight in Bagan

The tour begins around 08:00hrs.

Breakfast at your hotel and proceed to Salay, an important religious center often referred to as the second Bagan. On the way, check the busy local market at Chauk. Visit the Yokesone Monastery, built in1882 with 153 huge teak posts and mostly known for its fine woodcarvings. In 1996, it was repurposed as a museum with a smaller building dedicated to Salay U Pon Nya, a famous playwright and poet during the time of the good King Mindon.

Lunch in style at the prestigious Salay House which is used to be a trading house in the British Colonial times. Proceed to Tamarind Lake Village (CBT Salay). Explore the village with a traditional bullock cart ride to experience the authentic village life and learn about their farming traditions. This project was designed to create job opportunities for local people and improve community living standards.

The tour ends around 18:00hrs

Overnight at a homestay in Salay

(Note: Salay monastery museum is closed on Mondays and on public holidays)

The tour begins around 08:00hrs.

Indulge in a local breakfast with your hosts. After a family photoshoot and emotional goodbyes, drive back to Bagan by car (-54km).

Upon arrival, visit Bagan by alternate transportation, ride an electric scooter. On your program, Manuha Temple with three images of seating Buddha and one of Budhha entering Nirvana and Nanpaya Temple; a Hindu temple with intricate carvings of Brahma and depictions of other Hindu gods. Afterwards, proceed to a workshop of Bagan’s most famous traditional craft: lacquerware. See how artisans patiently assemble and polish lacquer-coated bamboo shells to create exquisite art pieces.

Drive to the jetty and cross the river by local boat to a village where you will be taken for lunch, by ox cart, at a local house. After lunch, take a walk through the village to see the people’s way of life.

Return to Bagan in the early evening and enjoy the splendid sunset over the pagoda-studded plain.

The tour ends around 18:00hrs.

End of the Tour!