General Information
Duration: 13 days/12 nights
Start/End: Yangon/Yangon
Tour Route: Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay – Amarapura – Pyin Oo Lwin – Heho – Pindaya – Kalaw – Inle Lake – Yangon
Tour Type: In depth-culture & history, Nature & Landscape Discovery, Sightseeing & Experience, Festival
Experience This Myanmar Water Festival Tour 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, big window
- 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: Yangon Arrival – Thingyan Water Festival
Day 2: Yangon – Thingyan Water Festival – Car only, no guide (B)
Day 3: Yangon – Bagan– Thingyan Water Festival (B)
Day 4: Bagan – Thingyan Water Festival (B)
Day 5: Bagan – Mandalay – Amarapura – Myanmar New Year (B)
Day 6: Mandalay – Mingun (B)
Day 7: Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay (B)
Day 8: Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya (Tea Leaf experience at Danu house) – Kalaw (B)
Day 9: Kalaw – Trekking (B, L, D)
Day 10: Kalaw – Inle Lake (Trekking) (B, L)
Day 11: Inle Lake (B)
Day 12: Inle Lake – Yangon (B)
Day 13: Yangon – Departure (B)
Recommended Hotel List
| Location | Hotels & Ratings |
| Yangon | Strand Hotel |
| Mandalay | Mandalay Hill Resort |
| Bagan | Thyripitsaya Sanctuary Resort or Similar |
| Kalaw | Kalaw Heritage or Similar |
| Inle Lake | Pristine Lotus or Similar |
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: Yangon Arrival – Thingyan Water Festival
Mingalaba! Welcome to Myanmar – where to expect the unexpected. Upon arrival at Yangon international airport, meet your local Myanmar tour guide and move to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day will excite you with the Thingyan Water Festival where you will witness exciting activities to help people to relax after a working hard year. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 2: Yangon – Thingyan Water Festival – Car only, no guide (B)
Today is a full day let you take a city tour around Yangon to discover an urban with colonial-infused influence on the architecture. Get a glimpse at the post office – a lovely red-brick building. Next, gaze out at Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden, and Independence Monument as you pass through the street. Your next stop takes you to Chau Htat Kyi Pagoda where you can admire the 66 meters long reclining Buddha image.
Your afternoon sightseeing continues after lunch with a stop in Karaweik Hall. In the sunset time, gain truly wonderful moments as you visit Shwedagon Pagoda, with the crown tipped with 5448 diamonds and 2317 rubies, it is one of the most impressive and sacred religious sites in Myanmar. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 3: Yangon – Bagan – Thingyan Water Festival (B)
Say goodbye to Yangon this morning to board a flight to Bagan – one of the world's largest archaeological sites. Flecked with more than 2000 temples, Bagan promises to give you a mind-blowing experience. Upon Bagan, start your full-day sightseeing with the first stop in Nyaung U Market to get a glimpse at the daily life of the local people.
Next, you are entering a local lacquerware workshop. Here you can get to know about the traditional methods to create lovely souvenirs. In the afternoon, soak up the most magical moment of the day on the top of the hill, enjoy your sunset time then go back to the hotel in the late afternoon for overnight.
Day 4: Bagan – Thingyan Water Festival (B)
Today is at leisure without a car and guide. Nevertheless, there are two options for today to give you a delightful moment of Bagan;
Option 1: Bagan & village day tour
Whenever you experience a village tour in Bagan, you are going to soak up the exotic local lifestyle of the villagers in the tranquil rural area. Among the popular ways to explore a new land that you may experience before, a Pony cart ride in Bagan will truly blow your mind along the dusty paths.
In the afternoon, drive to the Irrawaddy River and cruise down to the Shwezigon Pagoda, sit on the sundeck, and slowly be impressed by the beautiful magic landscape.
Note: the surcharge is $55/person including guide, car, horse cart, and sunset boat)
Option 2: Take a bike tour to explore Bagan temples and old ruins
If you are an adventure lover, don't miss your chance to get on a bike to cycle around the quaint temples, ruins, and stop at the villages to greet the locals along the way you pass.
Day 5: Bagan – Mandalay – Amarapura – Myanmar New Year (B)
Following your breakfast, this morning, head to the airport to take a domestic flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, take a short break before joining our amazing afternoon sightseeing. First, stop at the impressive Mahamuni Pagoda – one of the most popular sites for worshippers in Myanmar. Next, drive to the Golden Palace Monastery which remains the last survivor of the last royal dynasty in Myanmar.
Continue your trip in Mandalay with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda where enshrine the largest Buddhist book in the world is on 731 marble slabs. Fulfill your memorable trip as you head to the U Bein Bridge – the world's longest teak bridge where you can take the best photos of the sunset time. To marvel at the panorama of the bridge, embark on a boat trip to sail around the lake and capture the best photos at sunset time.
Day 6: Mandalay – Mingun (B)
Today is free to let you explore Mandalay city and around. There is a great option for you today: embark on a private local boat trip cruise through the Irrawaddy to Mingun. Upon arrival, visit the Mingun Bell to marvel at the largest intact bronze bell in the world. From here you can take a stroll to the Mingun Paya – the unfinished pagoda which was intentionally built up as the biggest pagoda in the world. It was damaged by the natural disaster that led to the abandonment. Notwithstanding, the massive ruin still attracts many visitors all year round.
Continue your trip to Hisnbyume Pagoda, an attractive white-washed temple built to follow the shape of Mount Meru. Then explore the traditional village nearby where you can see numerous beautiful items. Later, reward yourself after an exciting day in a coffee shop in the city and enjoy the ambiance.
Day 7: Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay (B)
Day 7 delivers you an amazing journey to Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymo) within a 2-hour drive. Known as the one destination in Myanmar where you can forget the hot weather, the colorful landscape of Pyin Oo Lwin appears as you reach the town. Spend time gazing out at the downtown colonial-era buildings and its central market to soak up the lively community. Afterward, head to National Kandawgyi Gardens – the beautiful botanical garden where you can enjoy the fresh cool air in the evergreen forest.
Your stunning trip continues after lunch as you transfer to Peik Chin Myaung Cave – a magnificent combination of a natural masterpiece and human man-made. Spend time getting a glimpse at the location before returning to Mandalay. A stop at the winemaking workshop along the way is always available for you.
Day 8: Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya (Tea Leaf experience at Danu house) – Kalaw (B)
This morning says goodbye to Mandalay to take a flight to Heho. Your first stopover today is Pindaya Cave to admire thousands of Buddha images. For a long time, the cave has served as an important pilgrimage site for worshippers in Myanmar.
Visit the traditional villages where people make bamboo hats, pottery, handicraft, shan paper, and umbrella. From there you can drive to the Danu Village where you can learn about the process of making tea leaf salads and tea plantations. If luckily, you will also see pickled tea leaves. Later, transfer to Kalaw as you finish your visit.
Day 9: Kalaw – Trekking (B, L, D)
Depart from your hotel at 8:00 am so be ready for a full day of trekking. Head to Baw Nin Khong village and begins your 2 days trek to Inle Lake. Enjoy a cozy lunch in the village and continue your trekking tour passing through the scenic route dotted with some plantations. Dinner will be served at the local village.
Day 10: Kala – Inle Lake (Trekking) (B, L)
Today spend about 2 hours on your trekking tour to visit some schools and monasteries. Reach the typical Danu, Taung Yoe tribe villages as you pass by the majestic waterfall where you will learn about the production of bamboo mattresses and handicrafts. Lunch will be served as you reach the Indein village. Later, go back to your hotel on a boat trip.
Day 11: Inle Lake (B)
Be an early bird this morning to get on a private boat trip to explore the treasure of the largest freshwater lake in Myanmar. Your first stop today is Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda which is considered the holiest religious site in southern Shan State. During your wonderful boat trip, you will pass by the unique floating gardens, houses, and monasteries built on the lake. After visiting Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, proceed to Nampan village to gaze out at the cheroot factory and canoe carving.
Day 12: Inle Lake – Yangon (B)
Today is at leisure but we still give you an interesting option to join in an amazing cooking class that lasts from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm with a surcharge is $30 for each person. Additionally, we also offer you will Indein option to embark on a boat trip and cruise to reach the charming Indein village and explore the long neck tribal women. Besides, you also have a chance to visit the Inpawkon village which is famous for lotus weaving.
Ultimately, the most iconic image of Inle Lake – leg-rowing fishermen who row with one leg wrapped around an oar will be extremely worth your trip to see. The surcharge fee is $45/per person including a guide and boat. After that, transfer to the Heho airport for a flight to Yangon. A great option for this evening: have a scrumptious buffet in Karaweik Hall with a cultural show ($25/person).
Day 13: Yangon – Departure (B)
The final day in Yangon is free to allow you to wander around the street and have a drink at a coffee house in Yangon before your driver comes to pick you up to transfer to the airport where your holiday ends. We hope that you would love the itinerary we offer for a 13-day Myanmar trip on the Burmese New Year occasion. Thank you for making your trip with Go Myanmar Tours!
