Highlights

  • Explore Bagan, the ancient city of 2,200 stupas
  • Experience the ancient, the colonial and the contemporary Myanmar in Yangon
  • Visit the cultural capital of Mandalay and its numerous historical sites
  • Discover the vast Inle Lake, its floating gardens and abovewater villages and stupas

Overview

With countless ancient Buddhist temples and stupas scattered across the land with even more monks, Myanmar is a country steeped in tradition. With modernity slowly spreading, Myanmar is opening up to the world, but it still has intact its otherworldly charm.

On this 10-day guided tour, you’ll go across the country taking in its rich culture and diverse lifestyle. Explore its modern cities, its ancient towns and its pastoral countryside with breathtaking landscape in the background. Cruise across Irrawaddy River to the ancient city of Bagan, home to over 2,200 temples and pagodas. Then enjoy the astounding beauty of Inle Lake and the unique lifestyle that has fostered around it.

Along the way, you’ll visit Mandalay, the last royal city of Myanmar left with numerous ancient heritages. Also, discover the hustle and bustle of Yangoon, formerly known as Rangoon, with its mix of the ancient, the colonial and the contemporary.

  • Day 1 - Arrival to Mandalay

    Upon arrival to Mandalay, your driver will transfer you to your hotel. Leisure day at the hotel.

  • Day 2 - Mandalay Sightseeing

    After breakfast, head to Mahamuni Buddha temple to see one of five legendary images cast of the Buddha (623 BC). The temple was built in 1784 by King Bodawphaya was burnt down in 1884 but was renovated with Myanmar and Italian architecture.

    Then visit a stone carving workshop to learn the ways of the craftsmen, before heading to puppet, wood carving, tapestry and gold-leave making centers. In the afternoon proceed to Mandalay Royal Palace built in 1857 by King Mindon, the second last king of Yadanabon Kingdom.

    Later, visit to Golden Palace Monastery, which is covered with gold leaves and woodcarving. Then catch glimpses of the biggest book in the world as acknowledged by UNESCO at Kuthodaw Pagoda. End your day with a view of the beautiful sunset from the top of Mandalay Hill.

  • Day 3 - Ava and Sagaing

    Start your day with a visit to Upein Bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge made of 1086 teak posts stretching over 1.2 kilometers. Then head to Mahagandaryon Monastery, the residence of over 1,500 monks, to get a first-hand look at the monastic life.

    Later in the day, take a ferry boat across Myitnge River to reach Ava. Take a horse cart and observe the local life in the ancient city of Ava. Visit Bargayar Monastery built 1834 AD with 176 teak pillars, the longest one being 17 meters high and 2.7 meters wide. Then head to the leaning tower or Nanmyint tower and Maenu Stucco Monastery or Mahaaungmyaebonsan monastery.

    Take an excursion to Sagaing hill as you cross the Irrawaddy River, Myanmar’s longest river. Visit Oominthonese pagoda and Swanooponyashin pagoda before taking a night bus from Mandalay to Bagan. Reach the ancient city late at night and transfer to your hotel.

  • Day 4 - Ancient Sites of Bagan

    Start your day of sightseeing with an early trip to Shwezigon Pagoda, built in the 11th century by King Anawrahta. Then head to Ananda Temple, one of the best-preserved temples in Bagan, to its various seated Buddha figures and four distinct standing Buddhas; and marvel at the old wall paintings at Dhamayangyi Pagoda. Then transfer to Htilominlo Pagoda, also known as Nandaungmya, Thatbinnyunt Pagoda and Shwesandaw Pagoda.

    After lunch, head to the 10th century Manuha Temple, the UNESCO protected MyingabaGuByaukGyi Temple and finally to Nanphaya Temple, sandstone residence of King Manuha. Transfer to your hotel after sundown.

  • Day 5 - Nyaungshwe

    After breakfast, your driver pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Bagan Bus Station. Take an eight-hour bus ride to Nyaungshwe. Spend the night at Nyaungshwe.

  • Day 6 - Inle Lake

    In the morning, take a tuk-tuk ride with your guide to Nyaungshwe jetty for a boat trip across Inle Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar. On villages of stilted houses over the take, the Intha people make their livelihood fishing and growing crops on top of unique floating gardens. You can observe the locals’ unique method of fishing and rowing boats by their legs.

    Head on to PhaungDawOo pagoda on the lake, where you can see traditional silk weaving done on wooden handlooms. Continue by boat to NgaPheChaung monastery, one of the oldest monasteries on the lake with Buddha statues that are more than 200 years old.

    Explore the local crafts-making processes as you visit factories making shoulder bags, local cheroot or Burmese cigars and canoes. Later in the day, head to floating gardens called Kyun-Hmyaw, built-up of rich humus made of water hyacinth and mud dredged from the lakebed. After the sightseeing, check in to your hotel at NyaungShwe.

  • Day 7 - Indein village

    Today, explore the southern section of Inle Lake. Take a sail boat through small twisting and turning creeks to reach Indein village. This small village located on the south-western bank of the lake is famous for its ruined clusters of pagodas dated back to the 16th century.

    Visit gold and silver workshops at Ywa-Ma village before transferring to Nyaungshwe bus station. Take a bus to Yangon, nine hours long, for an overnight stay.

  • Day 8 - Free day in Yangoon

    Spend the day exploring Yangon on your own.

  • Day 9 - Sites in Yangoon

    Join your English-speaking guide to Sule Pagoda at the city center. Then head to Mahabandoola Park and its remarkable colonial buildings in downtown Yangon. Also, make your way to Botataung Pagoda, Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, Bogyoke Market and various art galleries. The city tour is the perfect way to experience the culture of Myanmar as well as its contemporary preferences.

    Later in the day, travel to Kandawgyi, one of Yangon’s two major lakes. Enjoy a spectacular sunset as the background to the Shwedagon Pagoda. Return to your hotel in the evening.

  • Day 10 - Departure

    Your magnificent trip to Myanmar has come to an end. Our driver pick you from your hotel and drop you to Yangon airport for your international departure.

  • 9 breakfasts
  • Accommodations as per the itinerary
  • English-speaking guides
  • Arrival and departure transfers. All transport in comfortable vehicles
  • Toll fee and fuel charges for vehicles
  • Private boat at Inle and Indein Lake
  • Towels
  • International flight tickets
  • Visa fee to Myanmar
  • Entrance fee
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses

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