54 HOLES IN MYANMAR

GOLFING IN THE ENVIRONS OF ANCIENT TEMPLES, EXTINCT VOLCANO
& CENTER OF CULTURE
YANGON – BAGAN – MOUNT POPA – MANDALAY – YANGON

Day 1 Yangon

Your Ah Nyar Thar Tour Guide will meet you on arrival at Yangon International Airport to accompany you to your hotel. After checking in, the balance of your first day is at leisure, to sample the varied attractions of Yangon. You can also of course go to the Hanthawaddy Driving Range (15 minutes drive from your hotel) to find out if your swing is still there. The day ends at Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the fairest place 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 and overnight in Yangon. (D)

Day 2 Yangon – Bagan

Rise before daybreak and you will be assisted to the airport for your flight to Bagan. Upon arrival in Bagan, transfer to your hotel for check-in. Step out of your hotel and you are only "five iron" away from the golf course. Bagan's magic does not end at its numerous and rich archaeological sites but continues with Bagan Golf Resort. Built between literally thousands of temples and pagodas line the fairways, partly forming the hazards of the course, this is an absolutely unique course to play - 7,147 yards of the 18 holes par 72 layout. "Special" are the water basins near the greens and some extremely long par 5 – the longest with 601 yards.

Tee off your first round of golf in Myanmar. Or if you would not like to regret missing the opportunity to visit the most important pagodas and temples in Bagan, highlights on this morning's tour include Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of pagodas in Myanmar, Wetkyi-in 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, the course is at your entire disposal for the back nine holes. Remember to watch the fascinating sunset in this one of the world heritage sites. Dinner is taken at a local restaurant and overnight at Bagan Golf Resort. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Bagan – Mount Popa – Bagan

Optional tour: For an once-in-a-lifetime experience, take a balloon ride to have a bird-eyes view over the pagoda-studded plain of Bagan. Before the daybreak, you will be picked up from your hotel. The balloon flight takes approximately 30 - 45 minutes depending on the prevailing weather condition and wind speed. A glass of sparkling wine is served during the flight. You will be back at your hotel for the breakfast.

This morning travel on a scenic route (50 km – 1½ hours) to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano and an oasis in the scorched Myingyan Plain. It is, among Myanmar people, widely known as the abode of “Nats”, animist spirits. Drive directly to Mt. Popa Golf Course, set at the foot of volcano, and play 9 holes. This charming course dates back to 1946 when Mt. Popa was a summer retreat for the British expatriates working in the oil fields of Chauk, a nearby town. It has different tees per hole to change the yardage to total of two Par 36 rounds. Not too tough challenges are caused by group of trees on doglegs, ravines and the Brown (sand-green) of Hole #5 and/or #14 (par 4). Enjoy a late lunch at the Popa Mountain Resort with magnificent views across the ravine and lush trees. For the energetic, there is time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the volcanic plug. Return to Bagan where a masseur is ready for you. Enjoy a dinner at your hotel and overnight in Bagan. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Bagan – Mandalay

You will be assisted to the airport for your flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival at Mandalay (Tada U) Airport, you will drive directly to your hotel for check-in. A visit is firstly made to Mahamuni Pagoda, Mandalay's most fabled religious monument where you will have an awe inspiring view of a Buddha image covered with chunky layers of gold foils. Continue to Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung (or Golden Palace Monastery) to marvel at a superb traditional wooden building and Kuthodaw Pagoda (also known as the world’s largest book), consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. Enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, you may play golf either at Mandalay Hills Golf Course, the nearest to the city or Yedagon Taung Golf Club, 16 km – 30 minutes drive from city. The former is a very straightforward course of 6,217 yards and is a good venue for a relaxed round, built by some local golf enthusiasts in 1958 and has been refurbished to a good standard. The latter is set in a valley surrounded by Yedagon Hills and designed by a Japanese architect in an international format. It is a unique and spectacular course including a driving range and a putting green. Enjoy a dinner at your hotel and overnight in Mandalay. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Mandalay –Yangon

This morning, you will be assisted to Mandalay (Tada U) Airport (35 km – 1¼ hour). Relax during the flight with distinctive and varied aerial views over the the fertile plain, the rivers and the paddy fields of delta region. Upon arrival, you will be assisted to your hotel. Enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, a golfing highlight awaits you at Pun Hlaing Golf Estate, a Gary Player Masterpiece, where you get to play one of the superb courses in Southeast Asia. A choice of three tees ensures the course is enjoyable and a fair challenge to play what ever your handicap. The excellent clubhouse features first-class facilities and a very good restaurant. You may wish to enjoy a drink after the round on the terrace of the clubhouse overlooking the course. Enjoy a dinner at your hotel and overnight in Yangon. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Yangon – Departure

The tour ends this morning after breakfast. Transfer to Yangon International Airport for departure. (B)

 (B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner)

This tour can be tailored to skip one of the destinations or reduce the time of playing golf and/or include some more sightseeing programs. Likewise, you may also travel at leisurely pace and add some more days into the itinerary.