Explore Myanmar Deeply
Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay – Mingun – Sagaing – Heho – Kalaw
10 Days/9 Nights
10 Days/9 Nights
Myanmar has been become a hot destination for people who love original natural beauty, a hidden, charming culture, and a simple, rustic lifestyle. In the country of thousand golden temples, you can still find untouchable places to hide away from bustling life in Bagan, Mandalay, or merge yourself in a peacefully quiet sunrise hearing the sound of water clapping from local fishermen on Inle Lake. The country has not yet been very exposed and many undiscovered places are waiting for your footsteps!
Day 1: Yangon - Arrival
Arrival at Yangon International Airport, you’re welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel for checking in. You will be free for refreshment after a long-haul flight. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 2: Yangon full day tour (B)
After breakfast, you will visit beautiful Kandawgyi Lake with the huge mythical birds of the Karaweik Barge in prominent view. On to the Botataung Pagoda, located on Yangon harbor, where you will see many ancient Buddhist relics and artifacts. Then visit the downtown district and its many old colonial buildings still in use. There is also the Independence Monument in Mahabandoola Gardens, dedicated to Burma’s independence from Great Britain in 1948. The streets are filled with colorful sidewalk markets selling various items both old and new. After our downtown ‘walkabout’, if time allows, you may go to Wahdan jetty on the Yangon River to see the hustle and bustle of local life as goods and people transfer on and off the ships.
Afternoon sightseeing includes the colossal reclining Buddha Chaukhtatkyi, and the Scot Market (Note: the market is closed on Mondays and public holidays). The day ends with a visit to the awe inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda, perhaps the most beautiful pagoda complex in all of Asia. Overnight Yangon.
Day 3: Yangon - Bagan by flight, Bagan full day tour (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Bagan. Today, you begin your visit to one of Asia’s most stunning archeological destinations with its more than 2,000 pagodas dotting the plains along the legendary Ayerwaddy River. See the bustling NyaungOo local market and then some of Bagan’s most distinctive pagodas including Shwezigon, a prototype of later Myanmar stupas and Wetkyi-in-Gubyaukgyi, a 13th century cave temple with fine wall paintings. One of the most outstanding is the magnificent Ananda Pagoda, one of the most revered pagodas in all Myanmar and containing four tall standing Buddhas within.
Afternoon sightseeing highlights include Sulamani Temple built by King Narapatisithu; Dhammayangyi Temple, a massive later period temple with the finest brickwork in Bagan, and Thatbyinnyu Temple which towers above other monuments of Bagan. As the sun goes down we will be at one of the ideal temple top viewing sites selected by your guide. Overnight Bagan.
Day 4: Day trip to Mt. Popa sightseeing (B)
After breakfast, take a leisurely drive (about one hour) through the Bagan countryside to Mt. Popa, which supposedly rose from the ground in a massive earthquake in 442 BC. Mt. Popa is famous as the abode of the Nats (Spirit Gods) and for its panoramic view of the local tropical region. There is a volcanic plug with a temple on top that you can walk up to if you like (777 steps!) On the way to Mt. Popa, you will visit a local toddy palm farmer at his hut and see how he collects the toddy palm from the palm trees to make the strong alcoholic toddy palm drink and also the toddy palm sugar candy. Return to Bagan late afternoon.
In the evening, enjoy the sunset at Bupay pagoda, located on the right bank of the Ayeyarwady River.
Overnight in Bagan.
Day 5: Bagan - Mandalay by flight, Amarapura-Mandalay sightseeing (B)
Today you will take morning travel to the ancient royal capital of Amarapura. Here you will visit Mahagandayon monastery, which is a school for young monks, and the nearby U Bein bridge. It is more than two centuries old and at 1.2 km is the longest teakwood span in the world. As you stroll in the vicinity of U Bein Bridge, you can also see traditional silk and cotton weaving for which Mandalay is noted.
Afternoon sightseeing includes the highly revered Mahamuni Pagoda; a gold leaf hammering craftshop, Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings; Kuthodaw Pagoda, renowned as the World's largest book for its 729 stone slabs containing the entire Buddhist scriptures, and if time permits, climb up to Mandalay Hill for a view over the city and Ayeyarwaddy River.
Day 6: Mingun - Sagaing sightseeing (B)
After breakfast, you will go to Mandalay jetty where you take a short and pleasant boat ride upriver to Mingun, the site of what would have been the world's largest pagoda if King Bodawpaya had not died in 1819 thus halting all further work. Later an earthquake in 1838 split the monument and reduced it to partial rubble. Nonetheless, the mammoth base of the unfinished pagoda is still a very impressive sight as we approach from the river. Nearby you can also visit the Mingun Bell, moved from the zedi after the earthquake and now hung in a new shrine building. It is said to be the largest hanging un-cracked bell in the world.
And then continue to Sagaing, a former capital of the Shan kingdom in the 14th century, lies across and slightly downriver from Mandalay and there are many interesting stupas scattered over Sagaing Hill. Return to Mandalay late afternoon for overnight.
Day 7: Mandalay - Heho by flight – Kalaw by car & sightseeing (B)
Early morning, leave for Yangon airport to take a morning flight to Heho. Arrival at Heho airport and drive to Kalaw which is situated 70 km west of Taunggyi; the capital of Shan state and about 50 km from Pindaya caves. Kalaw sits high on the western edge of the Shan Plateau and was a popular hill station in the British times. It is still a peaceful and quiet place with an atmosphere remnant of colonial era. Your sightseeing in Kalaw includes Nee Paya, a gold lacquered bamboo Buddha, & colorful dressed Palung hill tribes with their famous long houses, enough space for five to six families in different generations. Overnight in Kalaw.
Day 8: Kalaw - Inle lake by car & sightseeing (B)
Today you will take an early morning drive to unique and magical Inle Lake, located about 900 meters above sea level and 22 km long by 11 km wide. It’s a 60km, 3 hours drive from Kalaw to Nyaung Shwe jetty. Arrive at Nyaung Shwe jetty and start your sightseeing by long tailed boat to Innpawkhone Village where you can see lotus and silk weaving industries. Next visit Nanpan to see the traditional boat making, cheroot (Burmese cigar) making factory. Lunch will be at your own expense.
And then continue your visit to Phaungdaw U Pagoda. Later visit the Nga Phae Chaung Monastery and floating gardens. Overnight at Inle Lake.
Day 9: Indain sightseeing (B)
Continue on to visit Indain and its enchanting 17th century pagodas. To reach Indain and the nearby village we will take a boat ride up a small scenic creek that runs into Inle Lake, passing villages and water buffalo bathing in the creek as we traverse small ‘dams’ built to slow the flow of water. A few Indain pagodas are being restored but most of them still lie in an abandoned ‘Indiana Jones’ type setting.
After the lunch break, you take our boat to Ywama village to see Shan traditional paper making and silversmith craftsmen at work. Continue to Laeshae village to see how they make Buddha images from dried flowers. Return to your hotel and overnight at Inle Lake.
Day 10: Heho - Yangon by flight – Departure (B)
Fly to Yangon with morning flight. Arrive at Yangon, where you will have some free time for leisure of your individual interest at the airport until connecting to your departure flight or another flight to your next destination.
:>> Our prices include:
> Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room
> Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver
> The services of an experienced English-speaking guide throughout the tour (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests’ return to their hotel or reaching their destination)
> Where necessary, entry fees and permission to enter border areas for all visits mentioned in the program
> Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available
> Domestic flights from Yangon to Bagan, Bagan to Mandalay, Mandalay to Heho, Heho to Yangon, including airport taxes, economy class, local airlines
> VAT and other taxes
:>> Our prices do not include:
> International flight tickets and airport tax
> Visa handling and stamp fee
> Dinners, except as specified above
> Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
> Camera fees (if any)
> Insurance
Arrival at Yangon International Airport, you’re welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel for checking in. You will be free for refreshment after a long-haul flight. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 2: Yangon full day tour (B)
After breakfast, you will visit beautiful Kandawgyi Lake with the huge mythical birds of the Karaweik Barge in prominent view. On to the Botataung Pagoda, located on Yangon harbor, where you will see many ancient Buddhist relics and artifacts. Then visit the downtown district and its many old colonial buildings still in use. There is also the Independence Monument in Mahabandoola Gardens, dedicated to Burma’s independence from Great Britain in 1948. The streets are filled with colorful sidewalk markets selling various items both old and new. After our downtown ‘walkabout’, if time allows, you may go to Wahdan jetty on the Yangon River to see the hustle and bustle of local life as goods and people transfer on and off the ships.
Afternoon sightseeing includes the colossal reclining Buddha Chaukhtatkyi, and the Scot Market (Note: the market is closed on Mondays and public holidays). The day ends with a visit to the awe inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda, perhaps the most beautiful pagoda complex in all of Asia. Overnight Yangon.
Day 3: Yangon - Bagan by flight, Bagan full day tour (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Bagan. Today, you begin your visit to one of Asia’s most stunning archeological destinations with its more than 2,000 pagodas dotting the plains along the legendary Ayerwaddy River. See the bustling NyaungOo local market and then some of Bagan’s most distinctive pagodas including Shwezigon, a prototype of later Myanmar stupas and Wetkyi-in-Gubyaukgyi, a 13th century cave temple with fine wall paintings. One of the most outstanding is the magnificent Ananda Pagoda, one of the most revered pagodas in all Myanmar and containing four tall standing Buddhas within.
Afternoon sightseeing highlights include Sulamani Temple built by King Narapatisithu; Dhammayangyi Temple, a massive later period temple with the finest brickwork in Bagan, and Thatbyinnyu Temple which towers above other monuments of Bagan. As the sun goes down we will be at one of the ideal temple top viewing sites selected by your guide. Overnight Bagan.
Day 4: Day trip to Mt. Popa sightseeing (B)
After breakfast, take a leisurely drive (about one hour) through the Bagan countryside to Mt. Popa, which supposedly rose from the ground in a massive earthquake in 442 BC. Mt. Popa is famous as the abode of the Nats (Spirit Gods) and for its panoramic view of the local tropical region. There is a volcanic plug with a temple on top that you can walk up to if you like (777 steps!) On the way to Mt. Popa, you will visit a local toddy palm farmer at his hut and see how he collects the toddy palm from the palm trees to make the strong alcoholic toddy palm drink and also the toddy palm sugar candy. Return to Bagan late afternoon.
In the evening, enjoy the sunset at Bupay pagoda, located on the right bank of the Ayeyarwady River.
Overnight in Bagan.
Day 5: Bagan - Mandalay by flight, Amarapura-Mandalay sightseeing (B)
Today you will take morning travel to the ancient royal capital of Amarapura. Here you will visit Mahagandayon monastery, which is a school for young monks, and the nearby U Bein bridge. It is more than two centuries old and at 1.2 km is the longest teakwood span in the world. As you stroll in the vicinity of U Bein Bridge, you can also see traditional silk and cotton weaving for which Mandalay is noted.
Afternoon sightseeing includes the highly revered Mahamuni Pagoda; a gold leaf hammering craftshop, Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings; Kuthodaw Pagoda, renowned as the World's largest book for its 729 stone slabs containing the entire Buddhist scriptures, and if time permits, climb up to Mandalay Hill for a view over the city and Ayeyarwaddy River.
Day 6: Mingun - Sagaing sightseeing (B)
After breakfast, you will go to Mandalay jetty where you take a short and pleasant boat ride upriver to Mingun, the site of what would have been the world's largest pagoda if King Bodawpaya had not died in 1819 thus halting all further work. Later an earthquake in 1838 split the monument and reduced it to partial rubble. Nonetheless, the mammoth base of the unfinished pagoda is still a very impressive sight as we approach from the river. Nearby you can also visit the Mingun Bell, moved from the zedi after the earthquake and now hung in a new shrine building. It is said to be the largest hanging un-cracked bell in the world.
And then continue to Sagaing, a former capital of the Shan kingdom in the 14th century, lies across and slightly downriver from Mandalay and there are many interesting stupas scattered over Sagaing Hill. Return to Mandalay late afternoon for overnight.
Day 7: Mandalay - Heho by flight – Kalaw by car & sightseeing (B)
Early morning, leave for Yangon airport to take a morning flight to Heho. Arrival at Heho airport and drive to Kalaw which is situated 70 km west of Taunggyi; the capital of Shan state and about 50 km from Pindaya caves. Kalaw sits high on the western edge of the Shan Plateau and was a popular hill station in the British times. It is still a peaceful and quiet place with an atmosphere remnant of colonial era. Your sightseeing in Kalaw includes Nee Paya, a gold lacquered bamboo Buddha, & colorful dressed Palung hill tribes with their famous long houses, enough space for five to six families in different generations. Overnight in Kalaw.
Day 8: Kalaw - Inle lake by car & sightseeing (B)
Today you will take an early morning drive to unique and magical Inle Lake, located about 900 meters above sea level and 22 km long by 11 km wide. It’s a 60km, 3 hours drive from Kalaw to Nyaung Shwe jetty. Arrive at Nyaung Shwe jetty and start your sightseeing by long tailed boat to Innpawkhone Village where you can see lotus and silk weaving industries. Next visit Nanpan to see the traditional boat making, cheroot (Burmese cigar) making factory. Lunch will be at your own expense.
And then continue your visit to Phaungdaw U Pagoda. Later visit the Nga Phae Chaung Monastery and floating gardens. Overnight at Inle Lake.
Day 9: Indain sightseeing (B)
Continue on to visit Indain and its enchanting 17th century pagodas. To reach Indain and the nearby village we will take a boat ride up a small scenic creek that runs into Inle Lake, passing villages and water buffalo bathing in the creek as we traverse small ‘dams’ built to slow the flow of water. A few Indain pagodas are being restored but most of them still lie in an abandoned ‘Indiana Jones’ type setting.
After the lunch break, you take our boat to Ywama village to see Shan traditional paper making and silversmith craftsmen at work. Continue to Laeshae village to see how they make Buddha images from dried flowers. Return to your hotel and overnight at Inle Lake.
Day 10: Heho - Yangon by flight – Departure (B)
Fly to Yangon with morning flight. Arrive at Yangon, where you will have some free time for leisure of your individual interest at the airport until connecting to your departure flight or another flight to your next destination.
:>> Our prices include:
> Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room
> Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver
> The services of an experienced English-speaking guide throughout the tour (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests’ return to their hotel or reaching their destination)
> Where necessary, entry fees and permission to enter border areas for all visits mentioned in the program
> Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available
> Domestic flights from Yangon to Bagan, Bagan to Mandalay, Mandalay to Heho, Heho to Yangon, including airport taxes, economy class, local airlines
> VAT and other taxes
:>> Our prices do not include:
> International flight tickets and airport tax
> Visa handling and stamp fee
> Dinners, except as specified above
> Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
> Camera fees (if any)
> Insurance