General Information
Tour Route: Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava - Bagan - Heho - Inle Lake - Indein - Heho - Yangon
Duration: 11 Days/10 Nights
Start/End: Mandalay/Yangon
Tour Type: Nature, History, and Culture
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Experience this 11 - day Myanmar in Style With:
- Guides: hand-picked best tour guides with deep knowledge, humor, and profession (English speaking guides, other languages upon request)
- Drivers: polite, friendly, responsible, reliable with many years of driving experience
- Vehicles: comfortable, spacious, air-conditioned & clean
- Meals: meals are arranged at local restaurants so you can taste authentic Burmese cuisine
- Accommodation: well-chosen hotels are listed below, including excellent 5-star hotels or 4-star hotels in the best location
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Mandalay Arrival (-)
Day 2: Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava city sightseeing (B)
Day 3: Mandalay - Bagan - Exploring the World Heritage Site by Private Car (B)
Day 4: Bagan & Villages - Mystique and Charm in Ancient Bagan (B)
Day 5: Bagan - sightseeing (B)
Day 6: Bagan - Heho - Inle Lake by private car (B)
Day 7: Inle Lake (B)
Day 8: Inle Lake - Indein (B)
Day 9: Inle Lake - Heho - fly to Yangon (B)
Day 10: Yangon - city sightseeing (B)
Day 11: Yangon Departure (B)
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Mandalay Arrival (-)
Mingalaba! Welcome to Mandalay, the historic heart of Myanmar!
Upon your arrival in Mandalay, welcome by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Private tour of legendary Mandalay, last capital of royal Burma, still one of the largest cities in Myanmar, and a cultural and spiritual center.
(Note: Hotel’s check-in is at 14.00, early check-in is based on the hotel’s vacancy)
This morning visit to 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. Sunset view from Mandalay Hill.
Overnight in Mandalay
Meal: None
Day 2: Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava city sightseeing (B)
A guide will meet you at hotel lobby and travel to Amarapura, where is a former capital of Myanmar, and now a township of Mandalay city. Visit to Mahagandayon monastery, which is doesn’t fascinate tourists by its majestic beauty but its peace. This monastery is famous for its strict religious disciplines. The young monks must learn 227 steps required of the monks. It takes 7 to 10 years for a complete education from Mahagandayon monastery.
To visit U Bein Bridge (200-year-old world’s longest teak bridge). Stroll along and learn about the local way of living. Fishermen in the still waters, monks streaming crimson from one end to other, locals biking from shore to shore on their way home from work, etc. Appreciate the most beautiful sunset. Then, visit silk-weaving workshops to observe how this piece of traditional fabric is made. After that transfer to the ancient city of Ava. Riding a horse cart, visit Maha Aungmyaybonsan Monastery, is a brick and stucco monastery and Nanmyin Tower, known as the "leaning tower of Ava". After that back to Mandalay.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Meal: Breakfast
Day 3: Mandalay - Bagan - Exploring the World Heritage Site by Private Car (B)
After breakfast drive from Mandalay to Bagan (about 4 hours) on the way stop at Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano that stands more than 1500 meters high. There are 777 steps from the base of the vertical pedestal takes you to a monastery honoring what has come to be known as the center of Nat spirit activity in the nation.
Upon arrival to 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.
Overnight in Bagan.
Meal: Breakfast
Day 4: Bagan & Villages - Mystique and Charm in Ancient Bagan (B)
Begin our exploration 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.
Then get to learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan's most famous products: lacquer ware and wood crafts. Watch as the skilled craftsmen use techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items. Enjoy a breathtaking sunset and a panoramic view from sunset hill over the magnificent plains of Bagan.
Overnight in Bagan.
Meal: Breakfast
Day 5: Bagan - sightseeing (B)
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. Then you will explore Bagan from a different perspective as you explore the area by Pony cart. The cart can explore areas that cars are unable to enter giving a different feel of Bagan.
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.
Overnight in Bagan.
Meal: Breakfast
Day 6: Bagan - Heho - Inle Lake by private car (B)
After breakfast drive from Bagan to Inle Lake (about 5-6 hours). On the way stop at some local villages and sightseeing. Upon arrival to Inle Lake transfer to your hotel for check in and rest at the hotel.
Overnight in Inle Lake.
Meal: Breakfast
Day 7: Inle Lake (B)
Enjoy the full day tour by private boat in Inle lake. 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.
Visiting Inle Lake is not just about being on the water but also about discovering the Shan and Intha villages on the banks of the river. Pass the endless floating gardens, houses, monasteries built on stilts on the lake. Proceed to Nampan village and see local cheroot factory (where the Burmese cigars are made) and canoe carving.
Overnight in Inle Lake.
Meal: Breakfast
Day 8: Inle Lake – Indein (B)
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 — as they barter for goods and produce. We continue our 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’ll 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 wrapped around an oar. It is a feast for the senses and a photographer’s dream.
Overnight in Inle Lake.
Meal: Breakfast
Day 9: Inle Lake – Heho – fly to Yangon (B)
Morning flight back to Yangon. Enjoy private tour and drive through 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. You’ll start at the post office – a lovely historic building, passing by Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument along the way.
Then visit famous Chauk Htat Kyi, home to a 70-meter-long reclining Buddha. The feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray. Photo stop at the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge. Nothing will prepare you for Shwedagon Pagoda, with its glittering gold stupa. At the pagoda observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at Shwedagon pagoda.
Overnight in Yangon.
Meal: Breakfast
Day 10: Yangon – city sightseeing (B)
Then enjoy a visit to Scott Market, the sprawling 75-year-old Market. At the market you will find variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems & jewelry – bargain at the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere! Drive through the city and observe the influences of other cultures in the region.
Intersperse in the tour are various religious sites such as the St Mary's Cathedral, built in 1899, and the Buddhist landmarks of Sule Paya and over 100-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 visit Little India and Chinatown – stop to greet the vendors and let them introduce you to their wares – some familiar, some exotic.
Overnight in Yangon.
Meal: Breakfast
Day 11: Yangon Departure (B)
Today, time will be free for you to do as you wish until our guide and driver arrive at your hotel stay to escort you to airport in good time for your departure flight back home. Thank you for making your trip with Go Myanmar Tours!
Safe travels, and until we meet again in Myanmar!
Meal: Breakfast
