Most first-time visitors to Myanmar choose this exciting program, which gives them access to the most interesting parts of Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake, and the nearby towns and villages.This tour is a collection of the best the country has to offer. We recommend it for first-time travelers to Myanmar. Don’t hesitate to book a trip to Myanmar, which will surprise you with its lovely people and unique architecture.
Upon your arrival in Yangon, you will be welcomed by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy a private tour and a drive downtown to explore the city center and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings, many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. Learn about the fascinating history of the city as well as get a taste of the more modern side of the city.
Then visit the famous Reclining Buddha pagoda, 70 meters long, with the feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols. Many locals gather 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 is 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 Shwedagon Pagoda, you can watch local pilgrims and monks offer their prayers and enjoy the beautiful view of the sunset.
Overnight in Yangon.
Meals: none.
Morning flight to Bagan. Begin our exploration by visiting a busy local market and gaining an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. You will spend the day going to some of the most important pagodas and temples, the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town.
This afternoon, visit the traditional lacquerware 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.
Meals: Breakfast.
More than just temples, our tour introduces you to and provides a great overview of Bagan’s history, culture, and local lifestyles. Today, see the real way of life for most Myanmar people by visiting villages near Bagan to view the local lifestyle. Continue sightseeing around Bagan and its surroundings.
In the late afternoon – transfer to the jetty, where a private wooden river boat is waiting. Sitting under the shade or on the open-air deck, you’ll be treated to fabulous views as you cruise down the Irrawaddy River to Shwezigon pagoda. A private boat tour on the river during sunset time will hopefully show you a spectacular sunset. Relax and enjoy the scenery.
Overnight in Bagan.
Meals: Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport for your short flight to legendary Mandalay, the last capital of royal Burma. It is still one of the largest cities in Myanmar and a cultural and spiritual center. This morning’s visit to Mahamuni – the pagoda, one of the country’s most revered Buddha images in Myanmar, was covered in over 15 cm of gold leaf. Mandalay is well known for its skilled craftsmen. Visit local artisans’ workshops for gold leaf making, tapestry, woodcarving, and marble carving. Many of the techniques used to create them have remained unchanged from 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. 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 in the country and not to be missed.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Meals: Breakfast.
After breakfast, transfer to the jetty, where you’ll board a private local boat for a trip up the Irrawaddy to Mingun (45 minutes each way). Visit the Mingun bell, the world’s largest intact bronze bell, and the unfinished Mingun Pagoda (built with the intention of being the world’s biggest pagoda). Mingun’s other highlight is the Hisnbyume pagoda, a white-washed temple built to resemble Mount Meru. Throughout Mingun, there are small neighborhoods where craftsmen craft traditional basketry and other artistic items, and there is plenty of time to stop and interact with the craftsmen and friendly locals.
After returning to Mandalay in the afternoon, you can continue sightseeing. In the late afternoon, drive to the top of Mandalay hill as the sun begins to set to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River. Be sure to take some photos of this memorable setting.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Meals: Breakfast.
Morning flight to Heho, the gateway to Inle Lake. From Heho, drive about an hour to Nyaung Shwe city jetty, where we pick up our wooden boat and 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 holiest religious site in southern Shan State. Along the way, you can be amazed by the local crafts, such as silk weaving, wooden handlooms, and traditional blacksmithing.
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 and immerse yourself in village life.
Overnight in Nyaung Shwe.
Meals: Breakfast.
After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to the market, which rotates locations every five days and where hill tribe people dress in colorful, traditional outfits to come and sell local products. We continue sightseeing in Inle lake, maneuvering by boat through long, scenic channels. We will visit the fascinating village of Indein with its complex of ancient shrines and stupas and walk through 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.
Overnight in Nyaung Shwe.
Meals: Breakfast.
Morning flight back to Yangon, drive through the city and notice the influences of other cultures in the region, such as St. Mary’s Cathedral, which was built in 1899, and the over 120-year-old and beautiful Rangoon Synagogue. There you will have the opportunity to meet with the trustee of the synagogue to learn about Jewish life in the Pagoda Land. Then stroll around Little India and Chinatown, greeting vendors and allowing them to introduce you to their wares – some familiar, some exotic.
Then enjoy a visit to Scott market, the sprawling 90-year-old market (closed on Mondays and public holidays). At the market, you will find a whole variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, from lacquerware to gems and jewelry. Bargain at the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere!
Overnight in Yangon.
Meals: Breakfast.
After breakfast, spend the day at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast.
This sample itinerary was created by our travel experts as inspiration for your next trip. Ready for your customization. You pick to suit your budget, desires, and cultural experiences. The price of this trip will vary, depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and the availability of ground services. Please click on Inquire Now (above) and give us the necessary information to enable us to send you a FREE personalized quote within 48 hours if not sooner!
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