Arrive Yangon

Upon arrival at Yangon Airport, you will be met and greeted by your guide, who will accompany you to your pre-booked hotel.

Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Yangon.

Yangon

Morning: Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel.

Begin your Yangon sightseeing journey with a walk downtown to explore the city center and its eclectic mix of architecture and sites. The streets are lined with historical buildings, many showcasing a faded colonial charm unique to this part of Asia. Your journey starts at Sule Pagoda, with its golden chedi, serving as a useful landmark in downtown Yangon. Along the way, admire the impressive colonial-style government buildings such as City Hall, the General Telegraph Office, the Supreme Court, and the High Court, as well as numerous pastel-painted shops and apartments.

Next, visit Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott Market. This sprawling 75-year-old shopping complex is noted for its variety of handicrafts and other items, providing an excellent opportunity for a shopping spree.

Afternoon: Continue your tour with a visit to the Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha Image. Then, head to Kandawagyi Park, one of central Yangon’s greenest spots. Here, you will see the glittering Karaweik barge, a replica of the royal barge, overlooking the scenic lake.

Late Afternoon: Visit the Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. While the origins of the pagoda are unclear, it is believed that the original structure was built in the 11th century and has been renovated several times until it took its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 90 meters tall, gilded with gold leaf, and surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. Your guide will show you around the massive complex, explaining why this temple is so revered. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa and the city skyline from this vantage point.

Evening: Return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Yangon.

Yangon – Kyaikhtiyo (Drive)

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Travel to Kyaikhtiyo: Later, proceed to Kyaikhtiyo, a journey of approximately 190 km taking around 4 hours. Upon arrival at Kinpun Base Camp, board an open truck for a steep but well-paved 15 km road leading to the upper staging point of the renowned Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, located 1180 meters above sea level. The truck ride takes approximately 1 hour.

Optional Activities: You can choose to alight from the truck at the middle camp, called Rathae Taung, and walk up approximately 4 km (around 45 minutes) to the pagoda. Alternatively, for an easier option, you can hire four porters to carry you in a sedan chair at an extra cost.

Visit Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda: The Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, also known as the Golden Rock, stands 7.3 meters high and is built on a gold-gilded boulder with a circumference of 25 meters. This boulder is balanced precariously on a tabular rock jutting out from a ridge in the Eastern Yoma Mountains. Visiting Kyaikhtiyo is likely to be one of Myanmar’s most spiritual experiences.

Evening: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Kyaikhtiyo.

(Note: The tour cost provided includes the truck fare from Kinpun Camp to near the pagoda platform, sitting together with locals. If you wish to have a seat at the front or hire the whole truck for yourself, please check prices and pay extra directly at the truck station.)

Kyaikhtiyo – Bago – Yangon (Drive)

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Travel to Bago: Later, return to Kinpun Camp. From there, travel to Bago. Have lunch at a local restaurant in Bago (at your own expense).

Sightseeing in Bago:

• Shwe-Thar-Lyaung Pagoda: Visit this colossal reclining Buddha image, which was lost to the public for many years.
• Mon Village: Walk through the village to see traditional weaving and a cheroot factory.
• MahaZedi Pagoda: Explore this impressive pagoda.
• Shwemawdaw Pagoda: Visit this ancient pagoda, one of the tallest in Myanmar.
• Kambawzathadi Palace: Discover the palace of the great king Bayinnaung.
• Kyaikpun Pagoda: See the four Buddha images, each 98 feet high, with an interesting story behind them.

Return to Yangon: If time permits, visit the fruit and pottery market on the way back to Yangon. Upon arrival in Yangon, check in at your pre-booked hotel.

Evening: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Yangon.

Yangon – Heho (Flight) & Heho – Inle Lake (Drive)

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Travel to Inle Lake: You will be transferred to Yangon Airport to board your flight to Heho. Upon arrival at Heho Airport, enjoy a scenic one-hour drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, which features beautiful carvings and a collection of Buddha images.

Exploring Inle Lake: Upon reaching the edges of Inle Lake, board a private motorboat to explore one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. Pass by villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people. Observe the unique leg-rowing fishermen and their floating gardens, which are built from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles.

• Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery: Visit this monastery, which houses dozens of Shan Buddha images and is famous for its unique ‘jumping cats’ that leap through hoops.
• Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda: Continue to this main sanctuary of the lake, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf.

Evening: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel on Inle Lake.

Inle Lake – In Dein Pagoda Complex – Inle Lake

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Visit the lake’s morning market, which rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a five-day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: The market is open daily except on dark moon and full moon days.)

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 wandering through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Climb the covered stairway to the top, which is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and offers magnificent views of the lake below. After enjoying your visit to In Dein, return to your boat.

Afternoon: Visit the weaving village of Inpawkhon, famous for its traditional silk weaving. Next, head to Se Gaung Village, known for its blacksmith work. Finally, visit Nan Pan Village, where you can observe cheroot making and explore boat-building dockyards.

Evening: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel on Inle Lake.

Inle – Heho (Boat/Drive) & Heho – Mandalay (Flight)

Early Morning: Have an early breakfast at the hotel.

Travel to Mandalay: Transfer to Nyaung Shwe by boat and drive straight to Heho Airport to board your flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival at Mandalay Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your pre-booked hotel.

Explore Mandalay: Mandalay, the last royal kingdom of Myanmar, is renowned for its rich culture, traditions, arts, and crafts. Known as a center of skilled craftsmanship, Mandalay supplied the royal courts in former times. Today, you will visit traditional workshops and learn about the city’s cottage industries. Observe the production of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries, and gold leaf, where techniques have remained unchanged for centuries.

Afternoon Tour:

• Kuthodaw Pagoda: Visit this pagoda, known as the ‘World’s Biggest Book’ due to its 729 marble stone slabs inscribed with Buddhist scriptures.
• Shwenandaw Monastery: Explore the only remaining building from the 19th-century Royal Palace, renowned for its exquisite teak woodcarving.

Sunset at Mandalay Hill: Head to the top of Mandalay Hill as the sun begins to set, offering magnificent views of the city and the Irrawaddy River.

Evening: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Mandalay.

Mandalay – Amarapura – Ava – Mandalay Sightseeing

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Mandalay Sightseeing:

• Phayagyi: Visit to observe the most revered Mahamuni Image, brought by King Bodawpaya in 1784 from Rakhine. This 4-meter seated image is believed to have been cast in the 1st century AD and has grown 15 cm thicker over the years due to gold leaf offerings.
• Craftsmanship: Observe traditional stone carving, bronze casting, and silk weaving processes.

Visit to Amarapura:

• Mahagandayon Monastery: Home to several hundred Buddhist novices and monks, observe their lunchtime process.

Excursion to Inwa (Ava):

• Reach the former Royal Capital of Inwa (Ava) by a short boat trip.
• Explore Inwa by horse-drawn carriage:
  • Nanmyint Watch Tower: Also known as the “leaning tower of Ava.”
  • Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery: Built in brick and stucco by Queen Mai Nu.
  • Bagayar Monastery: Famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts.

Sunset at U Bein Bridge:

• Later in the afternoon, enjoy a fantastic sunset view from the 200-year-old U Bein Teak Bridge, which spans across Thaungthaman Lake. Built in 1782, the bridge dates back to the time when Amarapura was the Royal Capital.

Return to Mandalay: Return to your hotel in Mandalay for an overnight stay.

Mandalay – Sagaing – Monywa (Drive)

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Travel to Monywa via Sagaing: Drive to Monywa, stopping along the way in Sagaing.

Sagaing, located at the foot of Sagaing Hills, is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar, home to 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, 6,000 monks and nuns, and 100 meditation centers. Visit traditional bronze casting and silver smith workshops, which Sagaing is famous for. Sagaing became the capital of the independent Shan state around 1315 after the fall of Bagan.

• Tilawkaguru Cave Temple: Explore the cave temple filled with impressive mural paintings dating back to 1672.
• Umin Thounzeh Cave Temple: Visit the cave temple with a multitude of seated Buddha statues.
• Kaungmudaw Paya: See the enormous white dome rising 64 meters high.

Continue to Monywa: Before entering Monywa, visit:

• Moe-Hyin Than-Boddae: A Mt. Meru-type structure with 845 small stupas surrounding and rising up to the richly decorated central stupa. Inside the attached pahto, votive Buddhas of bone and other materials decorate every wall and archway halfway to the ceiling, with larger sitting and standing Buddhas in niches.
• World’s Largest Standing Buddha Statue: Visit this impressive statue and enjoy the sunset at Bodhi-Tahtaung, a grove of Banyan trees each with a Buddha at its foot.

Arrival in Monywa: Upon arrival in Monywa, check in at your pre-booked hotel.

Evening: Take a walk through the interesting local evening market of Monywa.

Overnight: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Monywa.

Monywa – Pakokku – Bagan (Drive and Boat trip)

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Exploring Monywa: Monywa, located on the eastern banks of the Chindwin River, is a bustling upcountry town 84 miles (135 km) from Mandalay. Drive across the Chindwin Bridge to visit the Po Win Taung and Shwe Ba Taung Pagoda cave complex, about 16 miles (26 km) west of Monywa. This complex of 492 cave temples is packed with 2,588 Buddha images, and some caves feature beautiful 16th-century wall paintings.

Travel to Pakokku: Later, drive to Pakokku, a flourishing trading town on the western banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Visit the colorful market, explore the home industry of Myanmar dolls made of papier-mâché, and see the famous Shwegu Ta-Ke (an exquisite wood-carved door). Also, visit Thihoshin, an amazing Buddha image from Ceylon, and the Tha-na-khar market.

Afternoon: Around 3 PM, transfer to Pakokku jetty to take a riverboat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River. Enjoy the stunning views of Bagan at sunset from the boat.

Arrival in Bagan: Upon arrival in Bagan, check in at your pre-booked hotel.

Evening: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Bagan.

Bagan

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Begin your visit with a stop at the colorful Nyaung Oo Market, where locals gather daily to buy and sell fresh produce and other goods. Continue to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction to Bagan’s rich history. Next, visit the nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple featuring exquisite Jataka mural paintings, followed by the elegant Htilominlo Temple, noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.

Afternoon: Start your afternoon sightseeing with a visit to a workshop to observe the detailed production of lacquerware, one of Myanmar’s best-known and most traditional handicrafts. Continue to Myinkaba village and take a short walking tour to explore Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite Jataka murals, as well as the temples of Manuha and Nan Paya.

Evening: Climb to the top of one of the monuments to enjoy magnificent views over Bagan’s temples at sunset.

Overnight: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Bagan.

Bagan

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Today, embark on a sightseeing tour of Bagan by horse-driven cart. Start with a visit to Minnanthu village, where you can observe the daily lifestyle of the Bagan people. The horse cart will take you along the path near Dhammayangyi, a massive temple dating from 1170, famous for its interlocking mortarless brickwork. Next, visit Mingalazedi, the last of the large pagodas built in the 13th century, representing the pinnacle of Bamar pagoda architecture.

Afternoon: After exploring the temples, board a local boat for a slow cruise down the Irrawaddy River. As you cruise the waters, observe the lifestyle of the fishermen and riverside villagers, and enjoy the unique perspective of Bagan’s temples from the river.

Evening: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Bagan.

Bagan – Thandwe (Flight) &Thandwe – Ngapali Beach (Drive)

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Travel to Ngapali Beach: Later, transfer to Bagan Airport to board your flight to Thandwe. Upon arrival at Thandwe Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to Ngapali Beach, which is a 20-minute drive away.

Ngapali Beach: Ngapali Beach is a serene 3-kilometer stretch of white sands lined with coconut palms. The warm, clear waters are perfect for water sports such as snorkeling, and there are several small islands nearby that can be reached by boat.

Upon arrival in Ngapali, check in at your pre-booked hotel.

Evening: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Ngapali.

Ngapali Beach

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Full Day at Leisure: Spend the entire day at your leisure, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful Ngapali Beach. You can swim in the warm, clear waters, lounge on the white sandy beach, or explore the nearby small islands by boat. If you’re feeling adventurous, try some water sports like snorkeling.

Evening: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Ngapali.

Ngapali Beach

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Full Day at Leisure: Spend the entire day at your leisure, soaking up the sun and enjoying the beautiful Ngapali Beach. Whether you choose to swim in the warm, clear waters, relax on the white sandy shores, or explore nearby islands by boat, the day is yours to unwind and savor the tranquility. Water sports like snorkeling are also available if you’re in the mood for some adventure.

Evening: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Ngapali.

Ngapali – Thandwe (Drive) &Thandwe – Yangon (Flight)

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Travel to Yangon: Later, you will be transferred to Thandwe Airport to board your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival at Yangon Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your pre-booked hotel.

Evening: Enjoy an overnight stay at your hotel in Yangon.

Leave Yangon

This morning, you will be transferred to Yangon Airport to board your flight back home. We hope you had a memorable journey through Myanmar. Safe travels!