13 Days Best of Myanmar

Arrive at Yangon International airport, transfer to hotel. Yangon has been the capital of Myanmar since the British transformed it into their administrative centre of future India. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating capitals of South East Asia...

Commence the first visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, the local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago, then renovated several times until taking its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas and your guide will show you around the massive complex, explaining why this temple is so revered. Lunch is served at restaurant.

Next, you go to Kandawagyi Park, one of central Yangon’s greenest spots. Here you will see the glittering Karaweik barge, a replica of the royal barge, with the vast lake and views of Shwedagon in the background. Transfer to hotel. Dinner is served at hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Yangon.

After breakfast, this morning start visit to Chauk That Gyi Pagoda to admire the giant reclining Buddha then explore one of the busy open market near the pagoda. You will have a chance to witness how local people participate the market. We then head to the National museum and Scott, the biggest market in Myanmar stuffed with hundreds of handicraft, gemstone, art, food and clothes stores.

We spend the afternoon on a guided walk to Yangon Old Quater beginning from Sule Pagoda, an outstanding landmark of Yangon with a rich history of more than 2,600 years. Continue your visit to Mahabondoola Park and Myanmar Independence monument. Have lunch at restaurant.

Yangon has a number of British colonial building including City Hall, Baptist Church, General Post, Custom House and Strand Hotels, all these sites are marked on your walking route toward Pansodan street. The highlight of this day is the sunset cruise on Yangon river, beholding the scene of local commuter returning to home from Yangon downtown.

And then a visit around the city and its highlights. Stop to visit Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, where you can browse through the wide selection of Myanmar handicrafts. Dinner is served at hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Yangon

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Yangon Mingaladon Airport for the flight to Mandalay.

On arrival, a sightseeing tour of Mandalay, Myanmar’s cultural capital, features Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its venerable statue of Buddha covered with gold leaf.  Mandalay has long been known as a centre of skilled craftsmanship and in former times supplied the Royal courts. A tour of traditional workshops includes crafts such as woodcarving, marble masonry, Kalaga tapestry and gold leaf making. After lunch visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures (known as the world’s biggest book) and Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite woodcarving. Enjoy the sunset from Mandalay Hill. 

Overnight in Mandalay

After breakfast at the hotel depart for full day trip to the former capitals of Amarapua, Ava and Sagaing. The day begins with a visit to the 18th century capital, Amarapura. Attend the daily meal of over thousand monks at the country’s largest monastery; Mahagandayon. Visit a silk weaving workshop, the craft speciality of Amarapura. Proceed to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries and visit by horse and carriage the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and fort. In the afternoon cross the bridge over the Irrawaddy River and continue to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar and is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centres. Finish the day with a walk at sunset over the 200 year-old U Bein bridge, constructed entirely from teak. 

Overnight at hotel in Mandalay

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Mandalay airport for the flight to Bagan. On arrival Bagan, visit to Nyaug-U Market: This market is different from other markets in Myanmar and one fifth of the market area is occupied by interesting souvenirs and antiques shops...

Shwezigone Pagoda: Shwezigon is the prototype of all Myanmar Stupas built after the rule of king Anawratha and was built as the most important reliquary shrine in Bagan.

Wat Kyi Inn Gupyauk gyi Temple: this 13th-century 'cave temple' has an Indian-style spire like the Mahabodhi Pagoda in Bagan. It is interesting for the fine frescoes of scenes from the jatakas.

Ananda Temple: Ananda temple is considered to be one of the most surviving arts of the Mon architecture. Also known as the finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples.

Thatbyinnyu Temple: Towering above the other monuments of Bagan, the magnificence in white, takes its name from the Omniscience of the Buddha.

Dhammayan Gyi Temple: Dhammayangyi Temple has the most massive structure in Bagan with a similar architectural plan to Ananda Temple.

Visit around the temples by horse cart and enjoy your sunset time at Pyatthatkyi Temple with splendid view. 

Overnight in Bagan. 

Have breakfast at the hotel. Cycling through the sites and villages allows you to venture off road to see some less visited areas. Later, drive to nearby Myinkaba village to visit Gubyaukgyi, Manuha and Nan Paya temples, see  some of the region’s local handicrafts being made and, if time permits, you will also visit a local school (excluding school holidy periods). Afternoon boat ride on the Irrawaddy to see the exquiaite carvings at Kyauk Gu U Min. Along the way, stop at a charming riverside village and watch the sunset on the river on the return journey.

*alternative arrangements can be made for non-cycliststemples Temple.

Enjoy the sunset over the site from the upper terrace of Myauk Guni Temple.

After early breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for your flight to Heho. Then drive to Nyaung Shwe and you will drive to Nyaung Shwe gate way of Inle Lake along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which features beautiful carvings and a collection of Buddha images. It is and nice to stop and have lunch at Golden Kite (famous with Europe foods) (Own account). Then drive to jetty to take your boat to transfer to hotel. Visit Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which houses dozens of Shan Buddha Images. Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf.

Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and black smith factory and boat building factory.

If time permits, there may be time to enjoy a short walk through one of the lakeside villages and nice walk from Theyloo to Myinaung village and also you will visit to orphanage nearest village.

Overnight at hotel in Inle Lake

After breakfast, 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). Lunch is served at local restaurant.

From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of In Dein. Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village, visiting a local school, and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area.  Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below. In the late afternoon return to Inle Lake and before sunset you will take canon for one hour and enjoy the sunset over the the Lake. Return to hotel. Have dinner and overnight on Inle Lake.

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for fly to Thandwe.

Transfer from Thandwe Airport to Ngapali Beach 20 minutes away. Here, in the Bay of Bengal you will find the beautiful beach of Ngapali with its charming fishing village and coconut trees. Relax on the most famous beach form Myanmar, or for the more active, enjoy various sports such as snorkeling, surfing, golf or cycling. Arrange lunch and dinner by your own.

Overnight at hotel in Ngapali.

You have breakfast at the hotel and a full day at leisure to enjoy the beach and water sports.

Overnight at hotel in Ngapali.

Have breakfast at the hotel and a full day at leisure until transfer to Thandwe Airport for onward flight to Yangon.

On arrival, you will welcome by your local guide. Depending on flight time, there is an option to take a ride on Yangon’s Circle Train in the morning.

You will transfer to Yangon Railway station to take local circular train journey to the outskirts of town (45 minutes ride). The slowly traveling train gives you a unique opportunity to observe the lively and colorful life of the rural Burmese people. Disembark to visit Insein market where a variety of street vendors sell colorful wares. Enjoy exploring the market and meeting the friendly locals before returning by road to Yangon. Lunch is served at restaurant and you have dinner at hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Yangon. 

Have breakfast at the hotel and free at your leisure for shopping and visit city by your own. Our guide and driver meet you at hotel and transfer to airport for departure flight. End trips.