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Itinerary
for Old Burma Road Tour - October 2009 |
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| Note: |
Meals are included in the itinerary as
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner |
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14.10.09
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Depart Brisbane at 9.30am on SQ 256,
arriving in Singapore at 3.15pm.
Depart Melbourne at 11.10am on SQ 238, arriving in Singapore at 4.05pm.
Depart Sydney at 12.30pm on SQ 232, arriving in Singapore at 5.40pm.
Transfer to the Peninsular Excelsior Hotel in Central Singapore for a 2
night stay.
Whilst in Singapore all the following will be included:
- 50% discount on the a la carte food menu (food only) at the
designated food outlet in the passenger's hotel.
- Airport-hotel-airport transfers on seat-in coach basis.
- Free unlimited rides on SIA Hop-on tourist bus.
- Free Captain Explorer Amphibious Boat Tour.
- Free admission to 6 attractions; Sentosa Island Resort,
National Orchid Garden, Singapore River Cruise, Jurong Bird Park, , The
Singapore Zoo, Malay Heritage Centre.
- Discounts on shopping, dining, sightseeing tours and
attractions as listed in SIA Boarding Pass Privileges program.
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| 15.10.09 |
Singapore
Free day in Singapore. |
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16.10.09
(D)
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Yangon
Transfer to Singapore Airport, departing at 7.55am on MI 512 (Silk
Air), arriving in Yangon (Rangoon) at 9.20am.
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This
afternoon, an orientation rive acquaints you to the Historic Buildings
of Colonial-Days and the Sule Pagoda, in the heart of Yangon. Take a
short walking tour of the down town and browse the hundred stalls of Bo
Gyoke Aung San Market (also known as Scott's market). Afterwards, you
will head for Chauk Htat Gyi Temple; there is time to marvel at a
gigantic reclining Buddha image. Stop for photos at the Kandawgyi
Gardens beholding the Karaweik Hall, a royal floating barge, and a
backdrop of lush trees and an idyllic lake. The day ends at Shwedagon
Pagoda, one of the fairest places and most spectacular religious
monuments in the world, surrounded by an array of temples, shrines and
pavilions. Take your time to be at this truly spectacular and
remarkable highlight. Enjoy the dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Park Royal Hotel. |
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17.10.09
(B/L/D)
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Yangon - Bagan
Early departure to the airport for your flight to Bagan.
Upon arrival in Bagan, transfer to your hotel for check-in. Highlights
on this morning's tour include Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of
pagodas in Myanmar, Wetkyi-inn Gu Byauk Gyi Temple with fine tempera
mural paintings depicting the life stories of Buddha, and Ananda
Temple, the most aesthetically beautiful monument in Bagan. Enjoy a
lunch at a riverside restaurant. In the afternoon, you may take a
siesta or visit a lacquer craftsman's workshop to discover the
intricate process of making lacquer wares. Continue to Manuha Temple
with a large seated Buddha Image, enshrined in a relatively small
sanctum, illustrating the melancholy of a confined king, and Nanbaya
Temple with noted perforated windows and friezes, a unique sandstone
monument that is said to have been the residence of King Manuha. Next,
you will proceed to Myingaba Gu Byauk Gyi Temple, a Mon-style temple
renowned for its fine frescoes, preserved by UNESCO. A visit to Bupaya
on the bank of Ayeyarwaddy River, a perfect spot to enjoy a magnificent
sunset, will conclude the day. Enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Myanmar Treasure Resort.
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18.10.09
(B/L/D)
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Bagan
The morning sightseeing will start with a visit of local
market in Nyaung U. Then, you will visit Tayokepyay Temple in Min Nan
Thu Village, Phaya Thone Zu and Nandamanya Temples (noted for exquisite
13th century murals) and Kyat Kan Cave monastery, a famous meditation
centre in Bagan. Later, time to witness the lives in the villages
around Bagan by horse cart. After lunch at a local restaurant, you may
either continue with your sightseeing to see some more temples or take
a siesta at your hotel. The tour guide and vehicle will remain at your
entire disposal. Enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant with a puppet
show.
Accommodation: Myanmar Treasure Resort. |
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19.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Bagan
- Mandalay
Transfer to Bagan Airport for domestic flight to Mandalay.
Upon arrival at Mandalay Airport proceed directly to Amarapura. Visit
to 150 year old U Bein teak bridge, built in 1851 at the time when
Amarapura was the royal capital. Visit Maha Gundayone Monastery with
its hundreds of monks. En route stop at a traditional hand woven silk
workshop. Drive to Mandalay and check-in at hotel. Lunch at hotel.
After lunch, proceed on a comprehensive sightseeing tour of Mandalay.
Included are Mahamuni Pagoda with its spectacular Buddha image covered
with thick layers of gold leaves, 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. A visit is also made to
a craftsman's workshop to see Kalaga tapestries being created. Enjoy a
sunset from Mandalay Hill. Dinner at Ko's Kitchen Restaurant.
Accommodation: Mandalay City Hotel. |
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20.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Mandalay
- Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo)
Take a scenic drive (80km-2hours) to the cool hill station
of Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) with its lovely lake and waterfalls, botanical
garden and colonial era buildings. Explore the town centre by the
famous horse drawn carriages (if available). Sightseeing continues
after lunch to the National Kandawgyi Garden, the beautiful botanical
gardens of Pyin Oo Lwin. The cooler weather allows many flowers and
fruits, commonly found in temperate climates, to thrive here. A coffee
break with an opportunity to take pictures is made at the historic
Candarcring Hotel, which was built during the colonial era about one
hundred years ago. Dinner at hotel. Accommodation: Kandawgyi Hill
Resort
(deluxe room). |
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21.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Maymyo
- Gokhteik Viaduct - Hispaw - Lashio
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo)
Railway Station for an adventurous train journey to Kyaukme. A boxed
lunch is provided. The train passes over the amazing Gokhtiek Railway
Viaduct. When the Pennsylvania Steel Company built the viaduct across a
300 metre deep gorge a century ago, it was the second highest bridge in
the world. The view from the train is fascinating and the scenery is
beautiful. At Kyaukme, leave the train and continue by car to the
historic town of Hsipaw where a stop is made. Arrive in Lashio in the
evening. Dinner at hotel.
Accommodation: Lashio Motel. |
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22.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Lashio
- Muse - Ruili
Visit Mansu Market where locals shop for fresh produce and
other foodstuff. Pay a visit to the busy Quan Yin San Temple, one of
the largest Chinese temples in Myanmar. Depart Lashio for an overland
journey of approximately 5 hours to Muse, a bustling trading town at
the Myanmar-China border. After completing immigration formalities at
the border you will meet the tour guide of China side who will escort
clients to their hotel in Ruili for dinner and your one stay. Have a
city tour to visit the local park and the night market.
Accommodation: Yurui Spa Hotel. |
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23.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Ruili
- Tengchong
After breakfast, (230km - 5 hours) drive along magnificent
sceneries and valleys full of villages and terraced rice plantations
via Lianghe to Tengchong. En route stop to visit the old Qing Dynasty
residence in Lianghe. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Sightseeing Hotel for 2 nights. |
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24.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Tengchong
After breakfast drive 15 minutes to the south-west and
visit Heshun, a traditional walled in historical town. Heshun looks
like out of an ancient Chinese picture book and is one of the most
beautiful towns remaining in today's China. Walk into town along the
cobble stoned alleys up to the square where a small market is held
everyday. Glance through some of the entrance gates into courtyards
where residents trade their goods and wares. Visit the Museum of
Yunnan-Burmese Anti-Japanese War one of the most remarkable places of
interest explaining the geopolitical importance of the Burma Road.
Lunch at the Household Restaurant overlooking the pond in Heshun. And
then visit the Cemetery of World War II, Dieshuihe Waterfall Park and
Rehai Hotspring Park.
Accommodation: Sightseeing Hotel. |
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25.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Tengchong
- Dali
Breakfast at hotel. Today's scenic journey of
approximately 12 hours leads through an ethnically diverse region
inhabited by Burmese, Dai and Jingpo people. Stop at Baoshan. Cross the
Lancang Jiang (Mekong) River near Wayao. Arrive late in the afternoon
in Dali, at the intersection of the Yunnan-Myanmar Highway (Burma Road)
and the Yunnan Tibetan Highway. The town is located on the southern tip
of the picturesque Er Hai Lake. Dinner at hotel.
Accommodation: Landscape Hotel for 2 nights. |
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26.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Dali
Breakfast at hotel. Explore Dali and its vicinity. the
historic city of Dali, 400km west of Kunming, is the birthplace of
Yunnan's ancient culture and capital of the notable former Nan Zhao and
Dali kingdoms.Surpassingly Dali is considered to be the first capital
of the Thai people before their migration south to present day
Thailand, Laos & North West Vietnam. Cruise on the Er Hai Lake, one
of the biggest freshwater
lakes in China. Enjoy the wonderful scenery with its stunning mountain
backdrop and beautiful islands. In the afternoon, visit the Three Old
Pagodas, symbols of outstanding technology.
Accommodation: Landscape Hotel. |
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27.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Dali -
Lijiang
Breakfast at hotel. Leave Dali by car for wonderful
Lijiang, a journey that takes approximately 4 hours. On the way stop at
the Bai minority villages of Zhoucheng, famous for its accomplished
batik technique, and Xizhou, with traditional Bai architecture. A
sightseeing tour of Lijiang includes the Black Dragon Pond Park, the
famous Moon Embracing Pavilion. Do not miss to explore Old Lijiang, an
intimate mountain town of stone and tile and laced with canals, which
became a World Heritage Site in 1997. Dinner at a local restaurant
followed by a Naxi Orchestra performance of classical Taoist music.
Accommodation: Wangfu Hotel for 2 nights. |
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28.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Lijiang
Breakfast at hotel. In the vicinity of Lijiang take a
cable car ride up to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the famed mountain
with thirteen peaks like jade pillars. The large pastures on the
mountain present a splendid view. Also visit a Baisha village with its
temple frescoes, the traditional village of Yuhu, and Yufeng Monastery
with its small lamasery famous for a Camellia Tree that has 10,000
blossoms.
Accommodation: Wangfu Hotel. |
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29.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Lijiang
- Tiger Leaping Gorge - Zhongdian
Transfer and visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is the
one of the world famous deepest canyons of the world. Then continue to
drive to Zhongdian, the plateau under the blue Tibetan sky, and the
capital of the Deqin Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
Accommodation: Sightseeing Hotel for a 2 night stay. |
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30.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Zhongdian
Visit Bita Lake by coach to enjoy the virgin forest alive
with wild plants and azaleas in May and June. Visit a local Tibetan
family for learning traditional life style of a Tibetan. Visit the
Songzanglin Lamaism Monastery. Resembling the Potala in Lhasa, it was
built by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century and having a current
population of about 800 monks.
Accommodation: Sightseeing Hotel. |
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31.10.09
(B/L/D) |
Zhongdian
- Kunming
Transfer to the airport for domestic flight to Kunming,
the capital of Yunnan province. Upon arrival in Kunming. Transfer to
the Stone Forest, one of China's most remarkable natural phenomena. it
consists of 80 hectares of innumerable bizarre shaped ancient limestone
cliffs and peaks created by wind and water erosion some two hundred
million years ago. The stone Forest area is the home of the Sani
minority. Dinner at a local restaurant is followed by a Yunnan Minority
Cultural show at the Kunming Theatre. Accommodation: Golden
Dragon Hotel
or the similar. |
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01.11.09
(B) |
Kunming
- Departure
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to visit the Western Hills, a
very quiet pleasant journey through beautiful scenery overlooking
Dianchi Lake. At 2,200m above sea level, a path winds down to the
famous "Dragon Gate". On the way back, discover the Chinese
Buddhist Temple of Huating.
Transfer to Kunming Airport for international
departure flight. Departing at 1.00pm on MI 913, arriving in Singapore
at 5.10pm.
Sydney passengers depart Singapore at 8.40pm on the new A380
Super-Jumbo SQ 221, arriving in Sydney at 7.35am the next morning
(02.11.09).
Melbourne passengers depart Singapore at 9.00pm on SQ 227, arriving in
Melbourne at 7.15am the next morning.
Brisbane passengers depart at 9.10pm on SQ 235, arriving in Brisbane at
6.50am the next morning (02.11.09). |