Itinerary Details
This 8-day classic journey is regarded as a truly memorable trip that will show you an authentic Myanmar. You will not only visit the highlighted magnificent Shwedagon pagoda, but thousands of ancient temples and pagodas in Bagan, the iconic U Bein bridge in Mandalay and the picturesque Inle lake.
Welcome to Yangon, Myanmar!
Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, you will be welcomed by our guide and then transferred to your hotel. After check-in, you can have a rest.
In the evening, pay a visit to the most awesome Shwedagon Pagoda. The 99 meters high golden plated stupa is topped with diamond, which is dazzling and shining at sunset. After the tour, back to the hotel.
Overnight in Yangon.
Accommodation option:
- BEST WESTERN Chinatown Hotel
- (4 Ratings)
Shwedagon Pagoda
breakfast and lunch
Today you will take a flight to Bagan with the assistance of your private guide. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and pick you up to hotel.
In the afternoon, take a half day city tour. The thousands of Buddhist pagodas on the plain will surprise you. First, experience the local life in Nyaung Oo Market where local people buy food in daily life. Then, visit Shwezigon Pagoda, which is the first Burmese style pagoda. All pagodas all over Myanmar are built according to its magnificent style. It was built in 1060 and is still the most worshiped shrine in Bagan. You will also visit Htilominlo Temple which contains four Buddha images facing four directions on its first floor.
Overnight in Bagan.
Accommodation option:
- Heritage Bagan Hotel
- (4 Ratings)
Htilominlo temple
breakfast and lunch
In the morning, you will explore the World Heritage Site - Bagan Archaeological Zone, which is amazing with its over 2,200 ruins scattering on the vast plain of Bagan. Some are large and tall while others are hidden among the grass and hard to spot out. Take a horse cart, and you will follow your guide to visit some best of them, including Ananda Pagoda, Mahabodhi Paya, Gawdawpalin Temple, Thatbyinnyu temple, Dhammayangyi Temple and Shwesandaw Pagoda, etc.
Following the winding path passing palm trees, small reined temples and monasteries, you will reach Myinkaba village, a typical bamboo village which is famous for many traditional lacquer-ware workshops. End the day by enjoying the breathtaking sunset in the plain.
(*Optional; Hot air balloon flight can be reserved during October to next March)
Accommodation option:
- Heritage Bagan Hotel
- (4 Ratings)
Bagan
breakfast and lunch
In the morning, you will take a flight to Mandalay with the assistance of your private guide. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and take you to hotel.
In the afternoon, take a half day city tour. First, pay a visit to Mahamuni Paya. There you will see local people stick the gold paper on Buddha and pray for a blessing. Besides, you can also make your own wish by sticking the gold paper on the statue (donation needed and only man allowed to do the job).
Next, visit the Shwenaandaw Monastery, which has the meaning "Golden Palace Monastery" and was built in the 1900s. This exquisite monastery used to be a part of the royal palace and a textbook example of royal teak wood architecture. You will also visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda, the one with the largest Buddhist books in the world. Last but not least, end the day at the top of Mandalay Hill to enjoy wonderful sunset.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Accommodation option:
- Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort
- (4 Ratings)
Mahamuni Pagoda
Kuthodaw Pagoda
breakfast and lunch
After breakfast in hotel, we will set out to Amarapura. On the way, you will see monks collecting alms around the villages, which contributes their daily austerities and food. Driving out of Mandalay, you will be in time to visit Mahagandayon Monastery when thousands of monks are waiting in line for daily meals. What's more, you will have a chance to offer alms to those young monks at the back of the line.
Then, arrive at Inwa Ancient City, the imperial city of Burma from the 14th to 19th centuries. Take a horse cart to get around the ancient city with many historical relics, including Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery and Bagaya Kyaung.
Next, drive to Sagaing. Over six hundred pagodas scatter in Sagaing hill, which is resplendent and dazzling from distance view. We will visit U Min Thonze Pagoda, Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda and overlook the picturesque view of Irrawaddy River.
Getting back to Amarapura, you will take a boat trip under the longest teakwood bridge in the world - U Bein Bridge for breathtaking sunset view.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Accommodation option:
- Mercure Mandalay Hill Resort
- (4 Ratings)
U Bein Bridge
breakfast and lunch
In the morning, you will take a flight to Heho, a small airport town on Inle Lake. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel by the lakeside of Inle Lake.
After lunch in the floating restaurant, you will take a boat trip on the lake. You can observe the legendary one-legged fisherman rowing. They will show off their skills by posing for your camera.
As the speed of the boat decreases, your will arrive at the floating garden. Residents collect weeds from the bottom of the lake and turn them into fertile. You can also visit the workshop of cigar making and lotus root silk weaving. The last stop before sunset is Maing Thauk Bridge, which is regarded as the mini U Bein Bridge.
Overnight in Nyaung Shwe.
Accommodation option:
- Inle Resort
- (4 Ratings)
Inle Lake
breakfast and lunch
In the morning, start with a boat trip to Inle Lake. Your guide will take you to the local market in the lakeside village. After a 5-day rotation, the trade fair is called the "5-day market" and will be held in some major villages near the lake shore. You may see the long-necked tribe women in the village.
Next stop is Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, which is the most worshipped shrine of the lake and houses five gilded Buddha images. Then, enter the narrow river bank, and you will reach the Shwe Indein Pagoda, which is an Indian Pagoda Complex. You will visit the biggest highlight of Indein village. Most ruined stupas have been covered with moss and weeds. But you can still discover its glory dating back to 16th century. From the top of the hill, you can enjoy great views of Indein village and the surrounding landscape.
Along the ride back to your hotel, make a stop at Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, a Monastery and an unusual Cat Sanctuary. Finally, relax and enjoy spectacular sunset views over Inle Lake before returning to the hotel.
Overnight in Nyaung Shwe.
Accommodation option:
- Inle Resort
- (4 Ratings)
Inle Lake
breakfast
Today, you will check out and take a flight to Yangon to catch up your departure flight home.