Highlights

Best of Myanmar

12 Nights | 13 Days

ASY 16 D

 

Destination

Myanmar

Continent

Asia Continent

Location

Burma is bordered by the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, Gulf of Thailand and the countries of Bangladesh, India, China, Laos and Thailand

Capital City

Nay Pyi Taw

Language

Burmese

Currency

Kyat

Season

January to February | September to December

Airport

Yangoon International Airport | Mandalaya International Airport | Nay Pyi Taw International Airport

Time Zone

GMT +6:30

Dial Code

+95

Tour Type

Family Tour | Leisure Tour | Couple Tour | Heritage Tour

Package Itinerary

Day 01Arrive Yangon + City Tour

Upon arrival, transfer you to your hotel. On the way, visit Kaba Aye Pagoda (World Peace Pagoda) and then proceed to Mahapasana Guha: "Great Cave", built close to the Kaba Aye Pagoda. From Here, end your day at Shwedagon Pagoda which is one of the wonders of the world. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point. Over Night stay at Yangon.

Day 02Yangon - Thanlyin - Yangon

After B/F, excursion trip to the rural town of Thanlyin and Kyauktan, just across the river from Yangon. Visit Kyaik-khauk Pagoda which is a scaled-down Shwedagon with stupendous views from its hilltop location. Thanlyin's market where you can see local vendors and lives of rural Burmese people. Afterwards, visit the remains of the Portuguese-build church, which was constructed in 1750. Post Lunch, visit Yele Pagoda which is a sparkling floating temple adrift on a river. Catch one of the local ferry boats to reach the islet. Late evening, return back to Yangon. Over Night stay at Yangon.

Day 03Yangon - Air - Bagan

After B/F, check out from Yangon Hotel and transfer to Domestic Airport to board a flight departing for Bagan (NyaungOo). Bagan, located on the banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, is home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. On arrival, your journey begins with a visit an elevated temple from where you will have a panoramic view of the magnificent plains of Bagan. Continue with a visit to the golden Shwezigon Pagoda, first and prototype monument, which was built in Myanmar style in 1087. Then, visit Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple at Wetkyi-Inn Village which is well-known for its exquisite jataka mural paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. Visit a traditional lacquer ware workshop where you can observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. Visit Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, massive Dhammayangyi Temple, noted for its remarkable brickwork, and Sulamani Temple. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the temples. Over Night stay at Bagan.

Day 04Bagan – Mt. Popa – Salay – Bagan

Option: Start your morning with an incredible hot-air balloon flight over Bagan’s Temple-studded plains. This is a truly unforgettable and unique experience. (Note: available only from late October to late March; all flights weather permitting)

After B/F, start with a drive to Chauk to visit the fabulous morning market, filled with locals buying and selling their goods. Continue on to the village of Salay, an important Buddhist centre, and visit its famed wooden monastery with intricate carvings. Later, arrive at Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano standing 1518 m. high. Its shrine is dedicated to the worship of the 37 Nats, the Burmese ancient animist spirits. (Climb is optional!) Later, drive back to Bagan. Rest of the day is at leisure. Over Night stay at Bagan.

Day 05Bagan – Air – Mandalay – City Tour – Amarapura – Mandalay

After B/F, check out from Bagan Hotel and transfer to domestic airport to board a flight departing for Mandalay. Mandalay is Myanmar's cultural capital. The nature focus of the city is an abrupt hill, rising above a vast moated and walled square. Upon arrival, drive to Amarapura, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’. First visit a silk weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products and then visit Mahagandayon monastery, when over one-thousand monks reside. Later, visit 13ft-high seated Buddha image at Mahamuni Pogada, Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s Biggest Book’, Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace. This grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving. Head to the top of Mandalay Hill to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River. Over Night stay at Mandalay.

Day 06Mandalay – Sagaing – Inwa (Ava) – Mandalay

After B/F, drive to Ava, which is one of the ancient cities and a remarkably rural backwater of empty fields sparsely dotted with widely spaced ruins, monastic buildings and stupas. Explore Ava by plodding horse cart to visit Bagaya Kyaung (a wonderful teak monastery), Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery (built of stucco-covered brick, royal monastery temple) and Nanmyin (a leaning watchtower of Ava). Return to dry land by boat and take a drive to Sagaing by crossing a bridge over the Irrawaddy River. Uncountable white-and-gold stupas are highlights of Sagaing. Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. Visit pagodas such as Swan OoPon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae, Sagaing’s local market, a typical Burmese market that few tourists visit. Here you will find a range of items for sale including locally made pottery, silver and other handicrafts. Continue to U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest and 200 year-old teak bridge. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. Over Night stay at Mandalay.

Day 07Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay

After B/F, take a short river journey to visit Mingun Pagoda. Then, continue your visit to the world's largest uncracked bell called Mingun Bell. Across the road, you can visit a Buddish nursing home for family-less elderly folk which is always glad of donations. Mingun’s other highlight is the Hsinbyume Pagoda, a white-washed temple built to resemble Mount Meru. Throughout Mingun there are small neighborhoods crafting traditional basketry and other artistic items and there is plenty of time to stop and interact with the craftsmen and friendly locals. Return by boat late this afternoon, as the sun begins to set. From the jetty, transfers back to your hotel. Over Night stay at Mandalay.

Day 08Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay

After B/F, This morning, leave Mandalay for a scenic two-hour drive to the former British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin (also known as Maymyo) located on a plateau 1,000m above sea level. Many reminders of the colonial era are still present in Pyin Oo Lwin, including brick and timber houses. Pyin Oo Lwin is home for many ethnic tribes as well as a considerable numbers of Nepalese and Hindu who migrated during the British occupation, famous for its climate weather. Enjoy a traditional horse cart and carriage ride through town. Stop at the Botanical Gardens, 432 acres of leafy gardens home to a diverse mix of botanical species from around the world. The Gardens were established by Sir Harcourt Butler, former Governor of Burma. Continue to the local market to see the multicolor flowers and vegetables on sale. Late evening, drive back to Mandalay. Over Night stay at Mandalay.

Day 09Mandalay – Fly to Heho – Pindaya – Inle Lake Visit

After B/F, transfer to Mandalay Airport to board a flight departing to Heho. From Heho, a scenic 2.5 hours drive to Pindaya. Along the way, you will pass patchwork of fields and hedges, buffalo carts and group of toiling farmers in black Danu tunics and checked Pa-O head-carves. When in Pindaya, visit to famous Shwe Oo Min Natural Cave Pagoda, a massive limestone cavern filled with thousands of gilded Buddha statues. Afterwards, we'll head to the north to visit Kan Tau monastery, a fine teak monastery, with a large collection of antique Buddha images on ornate plinths. Then, continue your tour with a visit to workshop which produce umbrellas and souvenirs made with Shan recycle papers. From Pindaya, a scenic drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which is an elegant ancient monastery with its oval-shaped windows. Over Night stay on Inle Lake.

Day 10Inle Lake – Indein Visit – Inle Lake

After B/F, visit the lake’s morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5 day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: market is daily except on dark moon day and full moon day). From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to Indein populated by ethnic Padaung (“long neck women”). You’ll walk on a covered alley lined on both sides with a thousand pagodas. Continue on foot by a long covered staircase to discover the magnificent complex of Alaung Sithu in a beautiful scenery of ancient stupas buried in vegetation with a panoramic view of the lake. This afternoon is your leisure at hotel. Over Night stay on Inle Lake.

Day 11Inle Lake Local Visit

After B/F, board a private motorboat to head out to Inle Lake. Pass villages built on stilts over the lake, observe the leg-rowing fishermen and see their floating gardens built up from strips of water. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, famous for the 800 years old Five Buddha statues which are covered in gold leaf. Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. Rest of the day is at leisure. Over Night stay on Inle Lake.

Day 12Inle Lake – Heho – Fly to Yangon – Shopping

After B/F, check out from Inle Lake and transfer to Heho to board a flight departing for Yangon. Visit to Sule Pagoda, Mahabandoola Park where Independent Monument exists, City Hall, a little India and a little China, Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, where you can browse through the wide selection of Myanmar handicrafts and other goods (Note: closed on Mondays and public holidays), Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, “Garden City of East” is to take your pictures at tranquil Kandawgyi Lake and the Karaweik Hall – a royal floating barge. Over Night stay at Yangon.

Day 13Yangon – Onward Destination Journey

After B/F, check-out from Yangon Hotel and transfer to International Airport to board a flight departing for onward destination journey.