General Information
Duration: 11 days/10 nights
Start/End: Mandalay/Yangon
Tour Route: Mandalay – Mingun Amarapura – Sagaing – Inwa – Mandalay – Bagan – Heho – Kalaw – Pindaya – Inle Lake – Indein – Yangon
Tour Type: In depth-culture & history, Nature & Landscape Discovery, Sightseeing & Experience
Experience this 11-day Myanmar Nature & Wonder 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 & clean
- Meals: meals are arranged at local restaurants so you can taste authentic Burmese cuisine
- Accommodation: well-chosen hotels are listed below. 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
Day 2: Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay Hill (B)
Day 3: Mandalay – Amarapura – Inwa – Sagaing (B)
Day 4: Mandalay – Bagan (B)
Day 5: Bagan & Villages Sightseeing (B)
Day 6: Bagan – Heho – Kalaw (B)
Day 7: Kalaw – Pindaya – Inle Lake (B)
Day 8: Inle Lake – Indein (B)
Day 9: Inle Lake – Yangon (B)
Day 10: Yangon City Tour (B)
Day 11: Yangon – Departure (B)
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
Mingalaba! Welcome to Mandalay – where you will start your dramatic vacation in Myanmar. As you arrive at Mandalay International Airport, our guide and driver will meet and transfer you to the hotel in the city center for check-in. Take a short break before visiting Mandalay Palace – one of the main attractions of Mandalay that was the primary royal residence of the last two Kings of the country: King Mindon and King Thibaw. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 2: Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay Hill (B)
After breakfast, start the journey northward to the little town of Mingun. Head to Pahtodawgyi Pagoda and Mingun Bell as you arrive. Highlight your afternoon with a visit to Shwenandaw Monastery where you can capture the exquisite wood carving and gold leaf beating workshop. Next, drive to Kuthodaw Pagoda – a white Buddhist stupa where is home to the world's largest book made of 729 marble slabs. Later, reward yourself after a full exciting day as you visit Mandalay Hill to relax and behold the majestic sunset over the region.
Day 3: Mandalay – Amarapura – Inwa – Sagaing (B)
Today is a full day let you explore the attractions around Mandalay. Following your breakfast in the morning with a scenic drive to Amarapura to observe the monk life in Mandalay. Stop at Mahagandaryone Monastery as you arrive. Here you can witness the pure life of the monk living in one of the largest monasteries in Myanmar. After that, we visit the U Bein Bridge to capture the peaceful as well as a fantastic view of the world's longest teak bridge. Get your camera ready to save the best photos.
Next up, embark on a breathtaking ferry trip to reach Inwa (Ava) - the secret Burmese capital to discover the city built on an artificial island on the bank of Irrawaddy River. Get on a horse cart ride and slowly enjoy the tranquil rural area. Stop for a visit at BagayKyaung to get a glimpse of an impressive teak wood monastery, historic Buddhist Maha Aungmyay Bonzan Kyaung Monastery, and Nan Myin Tower.
Passing by the idyllic villages in Ava, your guide then will take you across the Sagaing Bridge to vist Sagaing Hill to learn about monk's education. Upon here, gaze out at Buddha cave, U Min Thonze Pagoda, and Sunooponnyashin Pagoda. Enjoy the majestic sunset from the top of the hill before returning to Mandalay. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 4: Mandalay – Bagan (B)
Leave Mandalay this morning to board a flight to Bagan – where is widely known as the paradise of the sun. Hit the road to the lively Nyaung U Market to gaze out at the daily life of the locals as you arrive at Bagan. Next, ready for an amazing temple tour around Bagan to admire the most outstanding ancient pagodas and temples among over 2000 relics in the region to get a glimpse at the architecture masterpiece packed around nature's creation.
Afterward, visit the local workshop which is famous for producing lacquerware and wood crafts. Here you will have a chance to have an interesting talk with the artisans and learn about the way they create beautiful products. Fulfill your first day in Bagan with a trip to a hill in the region to behold the magical sunset over the fascinating rural area. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 5: Bagan & Villages Sightseeing (B)
Step aside from the majestic pagodas, your trip to Bagan also bring you to the beautiful villages around Bagan let you explore the local life and talk with the friendly villagers. Afterward, behold the hidden treasure of Bagan as you get on a pony cart and slowly pass through the dusty rugged paths.
Take time to enjoy your scenic drive before moving to the jetty where a stunning boat trip is waiting to bring you along the idyllic Irrawaddy River. Sit on the sundeck and enjoy the gorgeous view on the riverside and wait for the sunset time when the spectacular sun is slowly going down behind the horizon.
Day 6: Bagan – Heho – Kalaw (B)
Following your breakfast this morning with a flight to Heho airport – the gateway to the second largest lake in Myanmar: Inle Lake where you will get amazing experiences. Head to Kalaw as you reach Heho to visit a former British colonial town. Stroll through the central market to gaze out at the hectic local life before visiting Hnee Pagoda to behold a 500-year-old bamboo Buddha and Shwe U Min Pagoda to see a cave will full of golden Buddhas.
Along your way, you will find it amazing with the images reminding you about the British colonial times such as cottages and religious monuments including Christ the King Church that provides you a great example of active Christian worship in Myanmar.
Day 7: Kalaw – Pindaya – Inle Lake (B)
This morning drive to Pindaya where is famous for impressive limestone caves, beautiful lakes. Passing through the scenic route, your driver will drop you at the spectacular Pindaya cave situated in the limestone ridge provides you a view of the beautiful lake. Spend time to marvel at the Buddha images inside the cave and then visit some local houses to learn about the production of Shan paper and parasols. Later, embark on a boat trip to transfer to Nyaungshwe for an overnight.
Day 8: Inle Lake – Indein (B)
An amazing day allows you to get on a breathtaking boat trip to explore the life around the picturesque Inle Lake where you will capture the local handicrafts, silk weaving, and traditional blacksmith along your boat trip. Stop at Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda for a visit to the most revered religious sites in southern Shan State. Next, head to the village of the Shan and Intha people to learn more about the life of the inhabitants living hundred years on the lake. Passing through the exceptional floating gardens and houses to reach Nga Phe Chaung Monastery for a short visit. From there proceed to Nampan village to see the local cheroot factory and canoe carving.
Continue rowing through the scenic channel you will reach the fascinating Indein village where you can marvel at the excellent stupa complex. Take time to wander around the exotic colonnades of stairways and shop stalls before moving to the nearby village to meet the long neck tribal women perched on the stilt. Later, return to the lake where you will see the leg-rowing fishermen using their unique rowing method using one leg to stand on the boat and another leg to keep an oar. Remember to bring your camera to save the best photos.
Day 9: Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon (B)
Be an early bird this morning to board a flight back to Yangon. Soak into the hustle and bustle Bogyoke Aungsan Market as you arrive at the city. The market is well-known for its souvenirs such as gems, jewelry, and traditional handicrafts. (Note: the market is closed on Mondays and gazette holiday).
Continue your sightseeing tour around Yangon street to observe the fabulous mix of Burma and British colonial architecture. Gaze out at the lovely building of St Mary's Cathedral and the Buddhist landmark Sule Pagoda situated at the roundabout of the city where you will have an opportunity to learn about the Jewish life in the Pagoda Land. Later, gaze out at Little India and Chinatown, stop at some vendors as you stroll through the street and let the sellers introduce you about their interesting products.
Day 10: Yangon City Tour (B)
A memorable day exploring the charming Yangon. Start your Yangon tour from the Post Office to capture the fascinating architecture of Burma combine with the British colonial. Passing through Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola, and Independence Monument to reach the Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda where enshrine the massive reclining Buddha image with 66 meters long. From there drive to Karaweik Hall – an impressive floating barge on the Kandawgyi Lake.
Fulfill your final meaningful day in Yangon by a visit to the marvelous Shwedagon Pagoda to observe the sacred pagoda where according to the legend that enshrines the Buddha's hair. Take time to enjoy the sunset in the pagoda before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 11: Yangon – Departure (B)
Time is free after your breakfast in the morning until the driver picks you up to transfer to the airport to take a departure flight. Trip ends. Thank you for making your trip with Go Myanmar Tours!
