Discover the cultural heartbeat of Myanmar with this full day tour of Mandalay. Visit the sacred Mahamuni Pagoda where pilgrims flock to cover the revered Buddha image in gold leaf. Get an introduction to the city's rich history with visits to Golden Palace Monastery, Kuthodaw Pagoda and Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda then visit Mandalay Hill for views over the city and its environs.
Programme Details
Meet the guide at 08:00 and depart for an excursion around Mandalay city. Gain a better understanding of Mandalay’s rich cultural heritage with this insightful full-day guided tour.
Start with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, home to one of Myanmar’s most revered Buddha images. Get a close look at the massive statue to see how its texture has been altered by countless layers of gold leaf and watch as devotees as more gold to the image.
After this introduction to Mandalay’s spiritual side take a closer look at its artistic heritage. The town is famous for its skilled craftsmen who were historically commissioned by the royal families. Today these crafts live on in the many cottage-industry workshops scattered through the city. Visit a selection of these shops and witness the incredible techniques of wood carving, gold leaf making and kalaga tapestry sewing. Although Mandalay’s last royal capital fell in 1885, the traditional methods for creating these items have been handed down from generation to generation and are still in use today.
Follow up this in-depth look at Mandalay’s cultural heritage with lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, continue to the base of the Mandalay Hill for a visit to the fascinating sites found in the northern part of the city. Visit Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda to admire its huge marble Buddha image. Hear the fascinating tale of how it was built, requiring 10,000 men to transfer the marble rock to its present location. Explore Shwe Nandaw Kyaung, the last remaining building from the Royal Palace. Step inside for a closer look at its intricate wood carvings and hear the tales of the buildings intriguing past.
After that visit Kuthodaw Pagoda. Walk through the tranquil grounds where more than 700 marble slabs are inscribed with Buddhist teachings, thus earning it the nickname for ‘The World’s Largest Book’.
Finally visit Mandalay Hill, which rises 240 metres above the city. Get orientated with the city’s layout while enjoying views of the surrounding countryside, Irrawaddy River and city centre.
Following these insightful visits, return to the hotel in the evening. (L)
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Nick Ghosh
Global Director of SalesEXO Sales Team
Having spent much of his childhood between Southeast Asia and the UK, Nick has the passion and destination knowledge of a true local. After teaching English at Shanghai University in 2006, Nick returned to the UK to work for a top tour operator for ten years. Serving as a Southeast Asia Product Manager prior to joining EXO, Nick became our UK Sales Director in 2016 and since August 2018 our Global Sales Director based in the UK.
Lucas Arruda
Sales Manager, Latin AmericaEXO Sales Team
Hailing from Brazil, Lucas leverages a deep well of professional experience, destination knowledge and love of travel to his role as Sales Manager for Latin America. He initially joined EXO in our China offices, gaining a strong understanding of EXO services and products, which he brings to this new role.
Sophie Rowley
Sales Manager UK & IrelandEXO Sales Team
Sophie's passion for travel began when she was young, joining her parents for trips abroad. Captivated by the allure of new destinations and diverse cultures, she went on to pursue a degree in International Tourism and Hospitality Management. After a decade working for a renowned UK travel agent, she transitioned to her role as EXO’s Sales Manager for the UK & Ireland.
Pantanida Jantsakool Pitz
General Manager German MarketEXO Sales Team
Born in Bangkok, Pantanida began her career in the travel industry in the early 2000's. After travelling around Southeast Asia for a period of time, she moved to Ho Chi Minh City to help start up the German department for EXO Travel. She has been based in Germany since 2008, where she looks after our German-speaking clients.
Amanda Pilar
Sales Director - North AmericaEXO Sales Team
Amanda is a graduate in Hospitality and Tourism Management and calls Boston home. She first fell in love with Asia in 2012 then worked as a travel specialist creating bespoke luxury journeys to Asia for a leading US tour operator. Her passion to bring unforgettable travel experiences for all clients ensures she brings the best in terms of support for our trade partners in North America.
Kate Winslow
Sales Manager, North AmericaEXO Sales Team
Kate joined EXO Travel in 2023 as North American Sales Manager. With a history of extensive travel in Asia and a proven track record as a Virtuoso advisor, she enriches the travel planning process and promotes EXO's diverse destinations with a fresh perspective. Her passion for unique journeys is a boon for both EXO and our partners.
Nadine Jones
Sales Manager Australia and New ZealandEXO Sales Team
As a former Olympic-qualifying athlete and lifelong travel industry professional, Nadine combines a wealth of experience with a competitive mindset to deliver top shelf services to our partners in Australia and New Zealand.
Alice Lefebvre
Sales Manager - FranceEXO Sales Team
Alice caught the travel bug early, accompanying her parents on cultural and architectural trips as a young child. She went on to study tourism and work for a well-known tour operator before taking a solo trip across three continents. In 2017, Alice joined EXO Malaysia as Inbound & Product Manager and, in 2023, returned to Paris as Sales Manager to support EXO's partners in the French-speaking market.