Duration: 9 days/ 8 nights
Start/End: Yangon/Yangon
Tour Route: Yangon – Bagan – Pakokku – Yanderbo – Ava – Mandalay – Heho – Inle Lake – Indein – Yangon
Tour Date: not fixed, up to your schedule
Tour Category: River cruise Burma
Tour Highlights:
- Enjoy 3 overnights on the luxurious Anawrahta
- Admire Shwedagon Pagoda – one of the greatest Buddhist sites in the world
- Explore the impressive colonial heritage of Yangon
- Behold the heart-touching beauty of Inle Lake and see the outstanding traditional practice of the Intha people
- Get on a horse cart ride and explore the countryside of Inwa – the former royal capital of Burmese people
Experience This Myanmar Tour With:
- Guides: hand-picked best tour guides with deep knowledge, humor, profession (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: 3 nights on the luxurious Anawrahta cruise, other hotels are listed below or various types of equivalent accommodation are available, from 5-star hotels, 4-star hotels in the best location
Brief Itinerary:
Day 1: Yangon Arrival – Half Day City Tour
Day 2: Yangon – Fly to Bagan
Day 3: Bagan – Pakokku (Anawrahta Luxury Cruise)
Day 4: Pakokku – Yanderbo
Day 5: Yanderbo – Ava – Mandalay
Day 6: Mandalay – Heho – Inle Lake
Day 7: Inle Lake – Indein
Day 8: Inle Lake – Yangon – City Tour
Day 9: Yangon – Departure
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!
Day 1: Yangon Arrival – Half Day City Tour (D)
Mingalabar! Welcome to Myanmar – where the alluring of Myanmar culture and magic come to life.
On arrival, you will be welcomed by Go Myanmar tour guide and then our driver will take you to the hotel for check-in. After that, take a drive through downtown to explore the city center and its marvelous mix of architecture and sites. Your private car will provide you a window to the magnificent historical building in which the faded colonial charm cannot be found anywhere else in Asia.
Start your city tour from the Post Office, a lovely historic building, passing by Sule Paya, the 2500-year-old pagoda in the middle of downtown. Continue driving through the Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument. Stop at Little Indochina and Chinatown where are filled with street food vendors. A short talk with the local sellers is amazing to learn more about the product of Myanmar.
Next up, head to Karaweik Hall, one of the most impressive landmarks in Myanmar to take the best shot on the beautiful Kandawgyi Lake. Highlight your city tour at Shwedagon Pagoda – the symbol of the city. It has gone through 2500 years that witnessed the ups and downs of the city historical journey. Sit back, relax and enjoy the sunset view in the platform.
Overnight in Yangon.
Day 2: Yangon – Fly to Bagan (B, L)
Leave Yangon this morning to take a domestic flight to Bagan – one of the world's latest UNESCO Heritage Sites. On arrival, visit Nyaung U market, the main bazaar in Bagan to gaze out at the daily trading of Burmese people. Next up, spend the whole day to explore the architectural masterpiece of Bagan on a temple tour. Be overwhelmed by over 3000 pagodas and ruins. Your guide will take you to visit some of the most famous pagodas in the region such as Shwezigon, Ananda, Dhamayangyi, etc.
In the afternoon, gain local insights in a visit to the local lacquerware workshop where the finest lacquerware in Bagan is made. Spend time to interact with the local artisans to learn more about the way they create beautiful items using traditional methods.
In the late afternoon, follow your guide to one of the highest temples in the region to enjoy the majestic sunset. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the view!
Overnight in Bagan.
Day 3: Bagan – Pakokku (Anawrahta Luxury Cruise) (B, L, D)
This early morning delivers you an optional activity: Wake up early to join in a hot air balloon trip to marvel at the whole area of Bagan. From the hot air balloon, you will get the incredible view of thousand-year-old temples and pagodas as well as the rural village scattered along the Irrawaddy River. After that, return to the hotel for breakfast and transfer to the jetty to embark on the luxurious Anawrahta to start your mesmerizing Irrawaddy river cruise.
Around noon, we berthed at the quay of Bagan. After a warm welcome by the staff who offer you some refreshments, return to the ship and enjoy your cruise to Pakkoku. Situated on the western bank of the Irrawaddy River, Pakkoku is an old trading town of Burma. On arrival, you will see the longest bridge in Myanmar: Pakkoku Bridge.
We then disembark the ship to visit the charming Pakkoku. Your guide will take you to visit some small business in the area such as a cheroot factory and a producer of "Burmese slippers". Next up, get a glimpse at the local goods and trading at the thriving market. Pakkoku is well-known for tobacco trading, so if you want to buy some, take this chance.
Keep following your guide to Shwegu Temple to marvel at the intricated carvings made from rare Yamanei wood and the unique Buddha image seat on a lotus throne.
Today's lunch will be served on the boat. In the early afternoon, continue your journey to Mandalay, a fascinating cultural center of Myanmar. Spend your afternoon joining in the special event at the Kipling's Bar.
Dinner rounds off in the evening at Hintha Hall. Then if you are interested, join the open-air cinema under the stars on the sundeck to watch some classic movies (note: this event depends on weather conditions).
Day 4: Pakokku – Yanderbo (B, L, D)
Rise before dawn this morning to capture the beguiling sunrise on the river. Then take part in the yoga session on the sundeck to strengthen your muscles and power up for a new day of sightseeing. Have breakfast while the ship passes the confluence of Irrawaddy River and its tributary, Chindwin River.
Our next stop will be Yanderboo, a small but vibrant village where is home to the traditional clay pot making. Visit some families among 350 houses in the village to get a glimpse at the slowly modern life appears while people still maintaining the traditional way of life. An amazing opportunity for you today: try your hand on making a pot under the guidance of the local artisan.
After enjoying a lunch buffet on the board. Continue to sail toward the north of the river. Enjoy your leisure time on the balcony or spa treatment. Listen to the wind swaying into the air and admire tranquil beauty on the riverside.
In the afternoon, we will learn more about the traditional costume and make-up powder of Myanmar: Longyi and Thanaka from a presentation on the ship.
After dinner, if you like, join the open-air cinema under the stars on the sundeck to watch some classic movies (note: this event depends on weather conditions).
Day 5: Yanderbo – Ava – Mandalay (B, L, D)
This morning, participate in the yoga class to get in the right form for a day. Then enjoy your breakfast while the ship sails northward to reach Ava, the former royal capital of the Burmese people noted for majestic ruins, monastic buildings, and stupas.
After disembarking from the ship, get on a horse cart ride to discover some very highlights of the sight. We first visit Bagaya Kyaung, a jaw-dropping teak monastery dating back to 1834, which today continues to be a monastic school. Then your guide also takes you to Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery or Nanmyint watchtower to admire a different art and creation.
Back on the ship and enjoy a feast of a lunch buffet and continues the cruise northwards to reach the utmost highlight of the journey – Mandalay. Make your final visit of the day to visit the beautiful Sagaing Hills, an important religious center in Myanmar.
Overnight on Anawrahta.
Day 6: Mandalay – Heho – Inle Lake (B, L, D)
This morning, say goodbye to Mandalay to take a domestic flight to Heho – the gateway to Inle Lake, the most beautiful freshwater lake in Myanmar. After settling into your hotel, spend the whole day to explore the natural beauty of the lake. Get on a private boat trip and pass through the mesmerizing floating gardens, houses, and monasteries. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest site in Inle Lake where house five 800-year-old golden images of the Buddha. Next up, we head to Ngaphechaung monastery, the largest teakwood monastery on the lake.
Finally, get to know more about the local life with a visit to Nampan Village. See local cigar making and canoe carving before returning to the hotel.
Day 7: Inle Lake – Indein (B, L, D)
Today is a full day to explore Inle Lake. After breakfast, maneuvering by boat through scenic channels where you can watch the local farmers cultivate on their floating gardens. Follow your boat trip to Indein, a fascinating village home to the marvelous pagoda and an idyllic village. Explore more than a thousand ancient shrines and stupas in which some are glittering with a golden hue and some are dominated by nature. After that, visit the long neck tribal women and weaving and craft villages built on stilts.
As you return on the lake, see the unique leg-rowing Intha fishermen row standing up with one leg and another leg wrap an oar. Get your camera ready to save the best shot at this moment.
Day 8: Inle Lake – Yangon – Half Day City Tour (B, D)
Say goodbye to Inle Lake this morning to board a flight back to Yangon. On arrival, visit Scott Market, the sprawling 75-year-old market where you will find a variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs from lacquerware to jewelry. (note that the market closes on Mondays). Try bargaining at the stores to fulfill experience in the market atmosphere. Then drive through the city center and observe the great influence of other cultures in the region.
Next up, visit the St Mary's Cathedral, a beautiful religious site in the city. We also stop at Sule Pagoda, a Buddhist landmark where is said to house the sacred hair of the Buddha and then Rangoon Synagogue. Take this chance to meet with the Trustee of the Synagogue to learn about Jewish Life. Soak up the lively atmosphere in Little India and Chinatown.
Day 9: Yangon – Departure (B)
After breakfast, check out at the hotel and our driver will take you to the airport to take a departure flight. Trip ends. We hope that you love the itinerary for this 9-day tour Myanmar. Thank you for traveling with Go Myanmar Tours!
