Day 1: Arrive Bagan

Imagine every European cathedral ever built placed within a few square miles! Even that is not enough. Bagan, at its height, had more than 13,000 pagodas within 25 square miles. Bagan is still dotted with thousands of 800-year old temple ruins. The city sits on a spectacular plain that stretches away from Ayeyarwaddy River. Now a sleepy village, Bagan was once the center of an empire that reached north to Tibet and south to Bangkok. Although human habitation here dates back almost to the beginning of the Christian era, Bagan only entered its golden period with the conquest of Thaton in 1057 AD. The ruins of 3,100 temples are scattered throughout fields around the village. Most temples were built during the height of the empire, the mid-11th century to mid-13th century. Although numerous earthquakes have taken their toll over the years, a large number of temples remain. The interiors are fascinating.  Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel

Day 2: Bagan & Mt. Popa

Enjoy an excursion to Mount Popa, jutting 2,418 feet from the flat surrounding Myingyan Plain. Mt Popa is said to be an extinct volcano last active 250,000 years ago. Many believe that Myanmar's most powerful mythical beings, called nats, live here. The mountain itself, the result of a powerful earthquake in 442 B.C., is sacred. Every Burmese king for 700 years made a pilgrimage to Mahagiri Nat shrine about halfway up the mountain. Mt. Popa is known for a wealth of medical plants, rare orchids and as home to more than 90 species of birds. The mountain is now a national park. Return to Bagan.  Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel

Day 3: Bagan / Depart

Depart today for your onward journey.

12/08