9 days. Highlights Myanmar Tour

Day 1: Yangon (arrival)

Our tour guide will warmly welcome you upon your arrival at Yangon International Airport. Afterward, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in.

• Overnight in Yangon.
• N/A

Day 2: Yangon

Sunset at Myanmar’s Most Important Pagoda.

Experience a private tour through downtown, exploring the city’s unique mix of colonial charm and modern energy. Wander streets lined with historic buildings and uncover fascinating stories from the past.

Then visit famous Reclining Buddha Pagoda, 70-meter long, and the feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray.  In the late afternoon set off to see the sunset at the breathtaking Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most beautiful sacred sites in all of Myanmar.  The exterior of the stupa is plated with 8,688 solid gold slabs, its tip set with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies, sapphires and topaz. A huge emerald sits in the middle to catch the first and last rays of the sun.  At the pagoda observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at Shwedagon pagoda.

• Overnight in Yangon.
• B

Day 3: Yangon → Mandalay

Amarapura – Myanmar’s Enchanting Old Capitals

Morning flight to Mandalay (06:00–07:05). Upon arrival we will drive directly to visit Amarapura, last capital of royal Burma, still one of the largest cities in Myanmar, and a cultural and spiritual centre.

Before sunset visit a 200-year-old teak bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge built by Mayor U-Bein, one of the most photogenic sights of the country and not to be missed.

• Overnight in Mandalay.
• B

Day 4: Mandalay

Mandalay – the City of Skilled Craftsmen

This morning visit to Mahamuni – the pagoda, one of the country’s most revered Buddha images in Myanmar, covered in over 15 cm of gold leaf.  Mandalay is well-known for its skilled craftsmen.  Visit local artisan’s workshops of gold leaf making, tapestries, woodcarving and marble carving. Many of the techniques used to create these have remained unchanged for those used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court.

In the afternoon visit the beautiful Golden palace teak monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace.  This grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as “the world’s biggest book” due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs.

• Overnight in Mandalay.
• B

Day 5: Mandalay → Bagan

Scenic Road Trip along the Ayeyarwaddy

Morning breakfast at hotel. Then, embark on a scenic road trip from Mandalay to Bagan by private car – about 4 hours and 180 km through picturesque landscapes. Arrive in Bagan in the evening and enjoy the sunset over the tranquil Ayeyarwaddy River.

• Overnight in Bagan.
• B

Day 6: Bagan

Exploring the World Heritage Site.

Begin our exploration by visiting a busy local market and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. You will spend the day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town by visit to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples.

This afternoon – visit to the traditional lacquer ware workshop to 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.  Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from one of the elevated viewpoints. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas.

• Overnight in Bagan.
• B

Day 7: Bagan → Heho

Inle Lake – Floating Gardens and Traditional Village Life

Morning flight to Heho (07:00–08:20), gateway to Inle Lake. From Heho drive about an hour to Nyaung Shwe city Jetty where we pick our wooden boat & transfer to your hotel for check in.  Enjoy the full day tour by private boat across the lake, passing through villages with stilted houses and floating gardens. Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the most holy religious site in southern Shan State.  Be amazed by the local handicrafts, silk weaving, wooden handlooms and traditional blacksmith methods along the way.

Proceed to Inn Paw Khone Village, meeting with residents to witness the traditional silk-weaving techniques with the stems of lotus flowers.  Visiting Inle Lake is not just about being on the water but also about discovering the Shan and Intha villages where you interact with locals, immersing yourself in village life.

Note: the Bagan–Heho domestic flight operates once a week, every Friday.

• Overnight in Inle Lake.
• B

Day 8: Inle Lake → Yangon

Village Markets and Unusual Fishermen

After breakfast begin your day with a visit to the market, which rotates locations every five days and where hill tribe people dressed in colorful, traditional outfits to come and sell local products.  We continue sightseeing in Inle Lake, maneuvering by boat though long, scenic channels.  We will visit the fascinating village of Indein, with its complex of ancient shrines and stupas and walk though exotic colonnades of stairways and shop stalls.  We will visit the “long neck” tribal women, and weaving and craft villages perched on stilts.  See the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg. It is a feast for the senses and a photographer’s dream.

Then transfer to airport for the late afternoon flight back to Yangon (18:30–19:45).

• Overnight in Yangon.
• B

Day 9: Yangon (departure)

After breakfast, you’ll have free time for shopping and exploring on your own until it’s time to transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure.

• N/A
• B

END