Highlights of Myanmar

Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay – Sagaing – Pindaya – Inle Lake – Indein

10 Days & 9 Nights

Duration
10 Days & 9 Nights
Group Size
Max 30 people
Place Visited
Myanmar
Minimum age
Travellers need to be at least 15 years old
Transport
Airplane
Best time to go
From October to March

Highlights

  • The must to see of Myanmar
  • Bagan, the archeological gemof Myanmar
  • Discovery of the Intha, the people of the Lake
  • Immersion in a Buddhism and serene atmosphere

Itinerary

Discover the beauty of Myanmar – 10 Days & 9 Nights

Upon arrival at the airport you will be warmly welcomed and taken to your hotel for check-in. You will then go downtown to start your walking tour on the Colonial quarter where you will see the highlights of the City, such as the High Court Building, the grand Inland Water Transport offices, the Customs House and the Law Court and others.

Then you will continue through the chaotic Indian and Chinese quarters and will reach the Theingyi Zei market, and finally the Sri Kali temple, Yangon’s most colorful Hindu temple.

Your morning will begin at Yangon’s Central Station where you will enjoy the lively atmosphere and experience people’s daily lives. Embark upon the local “circular train”, which runs from there around various neighborhoods in town as well as the borders surrounding the city itself. Disembark at Kyee Myin Daine station, then continue on to a local market and wander around the stalls to see what the local vendors are offering.

In the afternoon, you will visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, then continue through town and make a quick stop by the Royal Lake located in Kandawgyi Park and the day will end with a stopat the famous Shwedagon pagoda.

You will be taken to the airport for your domestic flight to Bagan. Upon arrival you will start your discovery of the city around the Ananda Temple – one of the most exalted of Bagan’s temples. Continue to various other temples dotted around the temple plains to experience a variety of architectural styles in the area as well as the artistic wonder of the 9-14th centuries.

You will then have a chance to learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan’s most famous products – lacquer ware and wood crafts. Late in the afternoon, experience a cruise down the Irrawaddy River, passing along several small villages, fishermen, local boats and of course many of the ubiquitous Myanmar Buddhist temples.

Option: Hot air balloon ride over Bagan (only available from October/November to March)

The Hot air Balloon is a must to do to have one-of-a-kind views when the sun begins to rise over the Irrawaddy River and various stupas in the region.Today you will be off to the vibrant Nyaung Oo Market, where the locals come to trade fresh produce and other goods daily. From here you will have a look around the Old Bagan starting with a visit of the renowned Shwezigon Pagoda, then travel over dusty lanes to explore the village on foot. Continue to some lesser-known monuments in the area for the remainder of the morning.From there you will journey by horse cart for an excursion passing some of the tallest temples in Bagan.

OPTION: 

Hot air balloon

Hot air balloon

Hot air balloon ride over Bagan (only available from October/November to March)

In the morning you will leave from Bagan to reach Mandalay on a charming and beautiful road. You will stop to Shwe Pyi Tha village, a farmer village where you will have the possibility to meet local people and discover their simple daily life. Then you will continue your trip to reach Mandalay.You will then travel to Amarapura, Myanmar’s penultimate royal capital, and stop at Mahagandayon monastery, home to more than a thousand young monks. Continue on foot or by bus a short distance to the legendary U Bein Bridge, which was built in 1782. As a stunning day will come to an end, you will head back to Mandalay for the night.

In the morning, cross the bridge over the Irrawaddy River in to Sagaing. Sagaing Hill is generally seen as the spiritual hub of Myanmar and claims residence to around 3,000 monks and nearly 100 meditation shrines. You will visit pagodas and should you wish, you will stop at a local nunnery.Then visit the local market before moving on to Ava which was the standing capital from the 14th through the 18th centuries. Cross the small river by ferry and travel in a traditional horse and carriage to the wooden Bagaya Monastery renowned for its extraordinarily elaborate woodcarvings.You will head back to Mandalayand visit of Kuthodaw Pagoda, and Shwenandaw Monastery, the Golden Monastery.

The day will be spent on the road to Pindaya (8 hours), a quiet town on the banks of the serene Botoloke Lake. While crossing the Shan hills on a winding road, you will collect fascinating pictures of the Burmese rural life. Pindaya can only be reached by small roads that will offer you breath-taking views. Finally, you will arrive in this little village and calm lake where the Danu Tribe is still living around.

In the morning you will visit the local market, a gathering place for area farmers who come to sell their fresh produce. Then, continue your tour by visiting the famous caves of Pindaya, a unique site aged of more than 200 million years which is the house of thousands of golden Buddha statues.

You will then reach Inle Lake and enjoy a boat ride passing several villages that are built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people. You will visit Nga Hpe Chaung monastery, then the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main haven, and should you wish, you can stop for a visit to one of the workshops such as lotus silk, boat builders (depending on the time of year), a cigar-making, blacksmiths or even silver smiths. The day will come to a close with a return trip by boat back to your hotel.

Start the day with a visit to the lake’s morning market,The market’s location rotates between the lake’s villages in a 5-day schedule. Then a one-hour boat ride down a small canal will take you to the Pa-Oh village of Indein, positioned on the western shores of Inle Lake. Take a leisurely stroll around the village before ascending the moss-covered stairway to the top of a hill, to greeted by an iconic Buddha image. Then it will be time to embark on a 45-minutes trek to Sae Ma village. Upon arrival at the village, observe the daily lifestyles of the rural inhabitants. On your boat ride back, you will stop at the Inthar Heritage House to learn more about the history and culture of the lake’s indigenous people and enjoy a delicious coffee and cake. Finally, the boat will take you back to your hotel for some well-deserved relaxation.

Note: The market is open every day apart from dark moon and full moon calendar days. 

In the morning you will be taken to Heho Airport for a short flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival at Yangon airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will be at your disposal until returning to the airport for your international departure flight.