General Information
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
Start/End: Mandalay/Yangon
Tour Route: Mandalay – Mingun – Pakokku – Bagan – Pindaya – Inle Lake – Yangon
Tour Type: In-depth culture & history, Nature & Landscape, Sightseeing & Experience
Experience this Myanmar Odyssey With:
- Guides: hand-picked best tour guides with deep knowledge and humor (English speaking guides, other languages upon request)
- Drivers: polite, friendly, responsible, reliable with many years of driving experience
- Vehicles: comfortable, spacious, air-conditioned, big window
- Meals: meals are arranged at local restaurants so you can taste authentic Burmese cuisine
- Accommodation: well-chosen accommodation. Besides, various types of accommodation are available, from 5-star hotels, 4-star hotels in the best location, good value 3-star hotels, to boutique hotels reflect the style of the region
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Mandalay Arrival & Sightseeing (-)
Day 2: Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay (B)
Day 3: Mandalay – Pakokku by car / Pakokku – Bagan by Boat
Day 4: Bagan Sightseeing (B)
Day 5: Bagan – Fly to Heho & Pindaya – Inle Lake Sightseeing (B)
Day 6: Inle Lake Sightseeing (B)
Day 7: Inle Lake – Heho – Fly to Yangon – City Tour (B)
Day 8: Yangon Departure (B)
Recommended Hotel List
Location | Hotels & Ratings (3-star hotel) |
Yangon | Panorama Hotel |
Inle Lake | Nyaung Shwe City Hotel |
Bagan | Temple View Hotel |
Mandalay | Victora Palace Hotel |
Please note that every element of the tour below can be tailored. Tell us your specific interest and we will be happy to make adjustments for you. This inquiry is totally free and you are under no obligation!
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Mandalay Arrival & Sightseeing (-)
Today, upon arrival at Mandalay airport, meet your guide and then transfer to the hotel for check-in and enjoy a short break. After that, start the journey by visiting Mandalay, the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Then, a short drive delivers you to Amarapura, here visit U Bein Bridge, 1.2 km long wooden bridge said to be the longest teak bridge in the world, built over 200 years. The bridge connects Amarapura with an island in the middle of Lake Taungthaman, an intermittent body of water that dries up during winter. To marvel at the allurement of the bridge, there is no better way than taking a boat trip to sail around the picturesque Taungthaman Lake. Next, explore Mahagandayone Monastery, the largest monastic school in Myanmar where thousands of monks are dwelling.
Finally, visit Mahamuni Pagoda, home to the impressive Golden Buddha Image. Here you will learn more about the life of Buddha and the procedure of how people bring the Buddha image to the pagoda. Along your way, gaze out at the bronze casting, and marble stone-cutting craftsmen's quarters and gold leaf beaters. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 2: Mandalay– Mingun – Mandalay Sightseeing (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, take a scenic boat trip to Mingun, located on the western bank of the Irrawaddy River. Then, arrive at Mingun and visit the huge relics Mingun Pagoda, which is the world's largest pile of bricks. Next, get a first-hand look at the world's second-largest working bell of 87 tons cast by Bodawpaya. Do not miss out on experiencing the Mya Thein Tan Temple, an elegant white-washed temple built in the shape Mount Meru to show the love of King Bagydaw for his wife Queen Hsinbyume, who unfortunately lost her life in childbirth. Back to Mandalay by boat and relax.
In the afternoon, visit Kuthodaw Pagoda famed for the world's largest book, the Buddhist scriptures covered by 729 marble slabs. Next, head to Golden Palace Monastery, which was once part of the palace complex where King Mindon lived. In the late afternoon, enjoy the panoramic view from Mandalay Hill. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 3: Mandala – Pakokku by car / Pakokku – Bagan by boat (B)
In the morning, a drive delivers you to Pakkoku, a lively small town famed for a tobacco trading center and for its weaving shops. Then, enjoy a stroll in the quiet village through the main street. In the afternoon, take a Private Boat on the Irrawaddy River down to Bagan hopefully in time to observe the sunset over the many pagodas. Overnight at hotel Bagan.
Day 4: Bagan Sightseeing (B)
Start the day with a visit to the Nyaung U market, the bustling bazaar of Bagan where you will have a chance to indulge in the authentic local flavors. Get your camera ready to capture the best shot of colorful stalls filled with a variety of vegetables, flowers, and fabric. Leaving the market, make your way to the traditional Minanthu Village. Take a leisure walk to visit several households to meet and talk with the villagers to experience their simple way of life.
This afternoon, visit Htilominlo Temple, an elegant monument that has been surviving many serious earthquakes. Listen to you your guide to know more about the fantastic design and Buddhist teaching inside the temple.
After that, we transfer to Gubyauk Gyi temple, which is famous for many mural paintings. Later on, we drive through some of the magnificent temples including Thatbynnyu, the tallest temple, Dhammayangyi the largest temple, and countless stupas along the way. Before sunset, head to the sunset hill to marvel at the majestic sunset over the undulating temples.
Day 5: Bagan – Heho – Pindaya – Inle Lake Sightseeing (B)
Transfer to the airport and depart for Heho by scheduled flight. On arrival at Heho, you are now in the Shan State followed by taking about 1 ½ hr from Heho to Pindaya Cave. In this place, you will gaze at over 8000 Buddha Images of all sizes, caved in wood, stone, marble, and gilded with bronze.
Continue the journey with a visit to Shan papers production cottages where handmade papers are made from the pulp of mulberry bark dried in the sun. Another must-visit cottage industry is handmade oiled paper umbrellas used by monks and nuns. Next, take a drive from Heho to Nyaung Shwe on the way photo stop of Shwe Yan Pyay old wooden monastery, pagoda. Overnight in Nyaung Shwe.
Day 6: Inle Lake Sightseeing (B)
Start the day with sightseeing by boat on Inle Lake - the breathtaking second-largest lake in Myanmar. On the boat trip, you will explore floating villages and gardens and witness lotus stems weaving.
Meanwhile, you can also get a first-hand look at the Inthar technique of leg-rowing, which is one leg wrapped around the paddle in order to drive the boat and their traditional way of fishing. Then, head to the famous Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. Overnight at Hotel in Nyaung Shwe.
Day 7: Inle Lake – Heho – Fly to Yangon – City Tour (B)
In the morning, transfer to the airport and depart for Yangon by scheduled flight. Upon arrival, take a short drive and stop at Sule Pagoda, Mayor’s Hall, and Mahabandoola Park for taking the photo. Then, visit St. Mary Cathedral and Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) - the largest bustling bazaar in Yangon where you will discover an array of Burmese fabrics, gems, food, and other goods. (Note: the market is closed on Mondays). Next, check in at the hotel and relax.
After lunch, follow your guide to Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda to marvel at one of the largest Reclining Buddha Images in the country. From there, proceed to Kandawgyi Park where you can enjoy the impressive views from above Great Shwedagon Pagoda.
In the evening, gaze out at Shwedagon Pagoda height of 326ft (99.3m), treasuring 8 hairs of Buddha placed in a chamber underground and is the highest symbol of Buddha in Myanmar. Overnight at Yangon.
Day 8: Yangon Departure (B)
The day is free for you to reward yourself with a cooling drink from your hotel until departure time. Your Myanmar trip ends with transferring to Yangon airport to board the international flight. Thank you for making your trip with Go Myanmar Tours!