Day 1: Arrival Yangon

Upon arrival at the Yangon airport, we will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. After checking in, our journey begins with a tour through the colonial-style city centre of Yangon.

Here, we will visit the golden Sule Paya stupa, built over 2,000 years ago and the focal point of numerous historical events in the city, Chauk That Gyi pagoda to view its magnificent reclining Buddha and Karaweik Hall to marvel at the uniquely decorated hamsa bird-shaped floating barge on the Kandawgyi (royal) Lake.

We will also visit the Bogyoke (scotts) market, where hundreds of gemstones, handicrafts, art, clothes and food stores are tucked in a maze of colour.

We will conclude the day with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagodas, a gleaming bell dome structure that dominates the city’s skyline. Legend has it that the sacred hairs of the Buddha are enshrined here. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country and a sight not to be missed.

Included: Accommodation Yangon, Airport transfer & City Tour

Day 2: Yangon – Bagan

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the Yangon domestic airport for a one-hour flight to Bagan.

Upon arrival, we will start our journey to the Ancient Kingdom of Bagan, with a visit to Dhamayazeka Zedi for a panoramic view of the temple studded plains of Bagan.

Next, we will make our way to the Archeological Museum and magnificent gold gilded Swezigon Stupa, which is said to contain a holy tooth relic of the Buddha. We will get to enjoy the sight of the most well-preserved mural paintings in Bagan at Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple and learn how Bagan’s famous sand paintings and lacquerware crafts are produced during our visits to Htilominlo temple and Myingaba Village.

We will conclude the day’s sightseeing activities with a visit to the beautifully symmetric Ananda Temple with its four standing Buddha images inside and continue by horse or bullock cart to witness a magical sunset behind the temples (weather permitting).

Included: Air ticket Yangon – Bagan, Accommodation Bagan & Bagan Tour

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Bagan Tour

We continue the exploration of Bagan with visits to the Manuha Temple with its Mon architectural lines built by the captive Mon king in the 14th century.

We will proceed to the Thanaka Museum to learn more about the traditional uses of the fragrant sandalwood paste and visit the Cigar Work Shop to see how Burmese make local ‘cheroots’ (cigar). This is followed by a visit to the Nyaung U Market, the largest market in the Bagan region. We’ll then take a stroll through a local village and learn how bricks are manufactured using traditional methods.

We will also get the opportunity to learn more about the national educational system at our visit to a Monastic School where disadvantaged children are provided free primary education.

In the late afternoon, we will transfer to the Irrawaddy River for a Private Sunset Cruise where local cocktails can be enjoyed onboard along with views of the temple silhouettes and bustling shore.

OPTIONAL TOUR: HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT OVER BAGAN

Imagine . . . floating over thousand-year-old pagodas and the mighty Irrawaddy River as the sun sets slowly behind distant mountains. The magic of Bagan has inspired visitors to Myanmar for centuries. One of the most remarkable sights in Asia, ancient temples dot the landscape as far as the eye can see. Now, Balloons over Bagan affords visitors a unique opportunity to see this ancient kingdom, as it never has been seen before. The sunrise and sunset champagne flights take off daily from October through to the end of March.

Included: Bagan Tour, River Cruise & Accommodation Bagan

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Bagan – Inle Lake

You will enjoy breakfast and then get transferred to the Bagan airport for the flight to Heho, a quiet transit town with one of the few airport links in the beautiful hills of Shan State.

Here, we will visit the bustling main Heho market, the meeting point for different ethnic minority groups of the surrounding areas to trade handmade goods and locally grown produce (available on market days only).

En route to Inle Lake, we will make a pit stop at a local family workshop to learn how Shan umbrellas and paper are made by traditional methods using the fibres of the mulberry tree. Next, we take a one-hour drive to Inle Lake that descends through the valley, with views of the Shan mountains and rice paddy fields.

After checking into the hotel, we embark on afternoon explorations of Inle Lake, which is populated by floating islands and gardens made from the naturally tangled roots of water hyacinth plants and reeds.

Delight in the picturesque sights of fishermen who balance and row with one leg, a technique indigenous to the Inn Thar minority group who do this only on Inle Lake.

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Included: Accommodation Inle Lake area & Tours

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Inle Lake

After breakfast, we will journey out by boat following the currents of a small river to reach the Inn Thein Pagoda Complex, a site that makes us feel as if we’ve stepped through a forgotten portal in time.

To access the complex, we will walk through verdant bamboo groves that open up to a field covered with the ancient pagodas constructed over 1,000 years ago.

After that, we will take the boat back to the lake and visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, the home of some of the country’s most sacred Buddha statues, which is covered in gold leaf by devout followers.

We will also pay a visit to the Inpawkhon Weaving Village to learn how local silks, linens and lotus fabrics are handmade and crafted.

As an extra treat, we will stop at a house for Burmese Cats built over the lake, where we see the preservation efforts and reintroduction of this rare pure breed of felines to Myanmar.

At Nampan Village, local craftsmen will show us how Burmese cigars (cheroots) are traditionally packed and rolled. We will end our day with a magnificent sunset canoe ride with boatmen who gracefully navigate and row the boat, whilst perched on one leg.

Inle Lake markets

The colourful and bustling morning market is one of the highlights of Inle Lake. Local ethnic minority groups come near and far to trade their goods, and this presents an opportunity to observe people in traditional costumes in an authentic market atmosphere. The market rotates five days a week, each day making its base in a different village (though closed on national holidays). Market visits can be included in any tour program if the market location falls within proximity of our travel itinerary.

Included: Accommodation Inle Lake area & Tours

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Inle Lake – Yangon

You will have free time to explore the Inle lake in the morning.

After lunch in Nyaung Shwe, we will take an hour’s drive to the Heho airport for the afternoon flight to Yangon. Upon arrival to Yangon, we will be transferred to our hotel and the rest of the evening is free at your own leisure.

Included: Accommodation Yangon & Airport Transfers

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Departure Yangon

You will have breakfast at your hotel and free time until transfer to Yangon airport for your onward flight home or to another destination.

Please contact us if you would like to customize or extend your tour. It is very also recommended to extend your trip with a nice beach holiday in Myanmar or Thailand.

Included: Airport Transfer

Meals: Breakfast