Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival Tour (Inle Lake)
WF-002
(4 Days/3 Nights)
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is the biggest annual event at Inle Lake, the holiest site in southern Shan State. Held between September and October for 18 days, the festival dates are based on the Myanmar Lunar Calendar. The pagoda houses five Buddha images, completely covered in gold leaf. Only men can apply gold leaf to these images. During the festival, four Buddha images are taken around Inle Lake, while one remains at the temple. Each night, the images stay at a different village monastery, with the highlight being their arrival in Nyaung Shwe, where many pilgrims gather. The festival features floating boats rowed by Intha leg-rowers, fun fairs, dances, and boat races. Participating in this festival is a special opportunity to experience one of Shan State’s most famous events.
Day 01: Yangon – Heho – Pindaya – Inle Lake (- , L, D)
In the morning, our local guide will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to Yangon Airport for your flight to Heho. Upon arrival, drive to Pindaya to explore the Pindaya Mystery Caves and Shwe U Min Pagoda. Visit the famous Pone Ta Loke Lake and observe bamboo umbrella making. Continue to Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake) and stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Inle Lake Sightseeing (B, L, D)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and start your Inle Lake boat trip. See the lake’s unique “Leg Rowers”, where the Intha people row standing with one leg wrapped around an oar. Visit the floating tomato gardens and explore traditional handicrafts workshops, including silverwork, silk weaving, lotus tissue fabrication, cheroot making, and Shan paper-making. Next, visit Shwe Indein Pagoda, Ah Lo Taw Pauk Pagoda, and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, which houses five Buddha images. Then, head to Nga Phe Kyaung (the Jumping Cat Monastery), one of Inle Lake’s oldest wooden monasteries, with over 200-year-old Buddha images. Enjoy dinner at your hotel and stay overnight at a floating hotel on Inle Lake.
Day 03: Paung Daw Oo Festival (Inle Lake)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and partake in the Phaung Daw Oo Festival, one of Myanmar’s most renowned celebrations. Witness the grand spectacle of a large boat decorated as a Golden Hintha (Hamsa) Bird, carrying four Buddha images around Inle Lake, while one image remains at the temple. Experience the vibrant festivities, including leg-rowed boat races, dances, and the gathering of thousands of people from across Shan State. After a day of celebration, enjoy dinner at your hotel and stay overnight on Inle Lake.
Day 04: Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon
After breakfast at the hotel, take a boat to Nyaung Shwe. From there, drive to Heho airport for your flight back to Yangon.
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