This Myanmar trip is as much about the journey as it is about the destination! Travel aboard everything from trishaws to horse carts, slow-moving trains to long-tail boats. Get an up-close look at the sites and travel alongside locals, making a deeper connection with the people and places of Myanmar.
Upon your arrival in Yangon, welcome by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Enjoy private tour and drive through downtown to explore the city centre 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 for the more modern side of the city. Visit breathtaking Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most beautiful sacred sites in all of Myanmar. In the late afternoon transfer to bus station for overnight bus trip to Bagan.
Upon arrival pick up by our guide. Visit to local teahouse for breakfast. Then begin our exploration of Bagan 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 viewpoint. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas.
After breakfast explore around this Ancient City by E-Bike. More than just temples, our tour introduces you to provide 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 surroundings.
In the late afternoon – transfer to jetty where a private wooden river boat is waiting. Sitting under the shade or on the open-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.
Transfer to Jetty for boat ride from Bagan to Mandalay. Depart usually around 6:30 AM and arrive to Mandalay around 3-4 PM. Pick up at the Jetty and transfer to your hotel.
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. 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.
After breakfast take two-hour drive to the former British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin. The town is located on a plateau 1000m above sea level and renowned for its cooler temperatures and lush foliage. Many reminders of the colonial era are still present in Pyin Oo Lwin, including brick and timber houses with British names and a surprisingly pleasant Botanical Gardens to the south of town.
Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. We suggest taking a traditional horse and carriage ride through the town to see the historical houses and Botanical Gardens. Alternatively, pay a visit to the local market near the clock tower in the centre of the town and check out the colorful array of items for sale there including locally-produced jams and fruit wines. Overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin.
Depart from the hotel after breakfast around 08:00 and transfer to the Pyin Oo Lwin Train Station to embark on a classic locomotive tour en route to Naung Pain Village. The journey takes around 3-4 hours, passing through stunning scenery and the picturesque Gokhteik Viaduct.
Reach Naung Pain Village around midday. After a brief tour of the area, transfer back to Mandalay by car and enjoy the scenery along the way (around 4 hours). Overnight in Mandalay.
Morning flight to Heho, 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.
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.
Morning flight back to Yangon. Drive through the city and observe the influences of diversity other cultures in the region: St Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1899, and over 120 year old beautiful Rangoon Synagogue. In there you will have the opportunity to meet with Trustee of the Synagogue to learn the Jewish Life in the Pagoda Land. Then walk around Little India and Chinatown – stop to greet the vendors and let them introduce you to their wares – some familiar, some exotic.
Then enjoy a visit to Scott Market, the sprawling 90-year-old Market (closed on Monday and public holidays). At the market you will find a whole variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems & jewelry – bargain at the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere!
After breakfast – day at leisure until transfer to airport for International departure flight.
This private tour can be arranged for single traveler, couple, family and group tour. Prices vary according to hotel standard, when you travel, how many people you travel with, the level of private guiding required and the overall arrangements. We can easily customize the itinerary based on your budget, interests and schedule. Please contact us to discuss your individual requirements
