General Information
Duration: 15 days/14 nights
Start/End: Mandalay/Yangon
Tour Route: Mandalay – Amarapura – Ava – Sagaing – Mingun – Bagan – Mt.Popa – Sat-Sat Yo Village – Heho – Kalaw – Inle Lake – Indein – Yangon – Sittwe – Mrauk U – Chin Village – Yangon
Tour Type: In depth-culture & history, Nature & Landscape Discovery
Experience the Real of Myanmar 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 equivalent 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 – Amarapura (B)
Day 2: Mandalay – Ava & Sagaing – Sunset Boat Trip (B)
Day 3: Mandalay – Irrawaddy River – Mingun (B)
Day 4: Mandalay – Bagan (B)
Day 5: Bagan & Villages (B)
Day 6: Bagan – Mt. Popa – Sat-Sat Yo Village (B)
Day 7: Bagan – Heho – Kalaw – Inle Lake (B)
Day 8: Inle Lake – Indein (B)
Day 9: Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon PM Flight (B)
Day 10: Yangon – Sittwe – Mrauk U (B)
Day 11: Mrauk U Sightseeing (B)
Day 12: Chin Village – Mrauk U – Sittwe (B)
Day 13: Mrauk U – Sittwe – Yangon (B)
Day 14: Yangon City Tour (B)
Day 15: 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 – City Tour - Amarapura (B)
Mingalaba! Welcome to Mandalay – a great cultural center of Myanmar! Meet and pick up by our guide at the airport then be ready for a full day sightseeing in Mandalay. Begin your morning in Mandalay with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda. Once described as the second holiest religious site in Myanmar next to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Mahamuni is where you can marvel a the impressive design and the massive Buddha image.
Next, head to the artisan's workshops to see the gold leaf making, woodcarving, and marble carving. Continue your amazing day with a trip to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is widely known as the world's largest Buddhism book carved on 729 marble slabs. Complete your first day trip with a visit to the U Bein Bridge before sunset time to walk on the longest teak bridge in the world. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 2: Mandalay – Ava & Sagaing (B)
Take a scenic drive this morning to Ava, the ancient capital of Burma. Make your first visit to Nan Myint Watch Tower, well-known as the leaning tower of Ava. Next, we move to Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, a mossy-tiled brick monastery dating back to the 19th century, which has a similar style to the Royal Palace Monastery, showing the finest example of the 19th century. Then visit Bargayar Monastery to witness the impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts.
Leaving Ava, we transfer to Sagaing via the Irrawaddy River. Possessing 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing is home to 3000 monks and 100 meditation centers and is renowned as the religious center of Myanmar. Spend time here to visit Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae Pagoda - the two most outstanding pagodas in Sagaing. Next, check out the local market to observe the daily life of Burmese people and numerous beautiful products. Visit the small pottery village to see the traditional production of water pots. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 3: Mandalay – Irrawaddy River – Mingun (B)
Join your amazing boat trip heading further up the Irrawaddy to Mingun – the great town of archaeological sites offering you plenty of activities to experience. Hit to the Mingun Bell to marvel at the world's second-largest intact bronze bell.
Then visit the unfinished Mingun Paya – a religious site that was built intended to be the largest pagoda in the world. It has gone through a long time that was damaged by the earthquake and leads to abandoning. Highlight your sightseeing in Mingun with a visit to the massive white-washed Hsinbyme Temple which is constructed in the shape of Mount Meru. Maybe stroll through the nearby village to meet the skillful artisans and learn about the traditional basketry and beautiful handicrafts.
Afterward, return to Mandalay for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Mandalay Royal Palace, the residence of the last Burmese king. Ultimately, fulfill your meaningful day with a drive to Mandalay Hill to enjoy the sunset vista and the commanding overview of the city.
Day 4: Mandalay – Bagan (B)
Leave Mandalay this early morning to board a flight to Bagan – the wonderland of the sun and over 2000 old temples. Hit the Nyaung U Market to gaze out at the daily life of the locals as soon as you reach Bagan. Next, spend the whole day exploring the art and architecture of Bagan with a temple tour of the most outstanding pagodas in the region.
Afterward, gain truly local experience with a visit to the local workshops to see the production of the famous lacquerware and wood crafts. Here spend your time talking with the artisan and learn about the way they create their beautiful items. Highlights your afternoon with a drive to the sunset hill to behold the majestic sunset. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 5: Bagan & Villages (B)
Today continue your amazing trip in Bagan as you start your exploration with a visit to the tranquil village nearby Bagan. More than just sightseeing, day 3 delivers you a chance to gain an insight into the culture, history, as well as local lifestyle in each household you visit.
Even more, get on a pony carriage and experience your sightseeing tour in Bagan as a local. In the afternoon, transfer to the jetty to bark on a cruise trip down the Irrawaddy River to Shwezigon Pagoda. Take time to sit on the sun deck and slowly enjoy the gorgeous sunset, listen to the swaying light breeze and watch the laid-back life along the river. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 6: Bagan – Mt Popa – Sat Sat Yo village (B)
There are two options for you this morning: you can choose to continue taking a temple tour or start an excursion to Mt. Popa. After a 45-minute drive, you will have to hike up to 777 steps to reach the top of the mountain where you will have a chance to learn about the Nat of Burmese and marvel at the panoramic view of the large area.
In the mid-afternoon, return to Bagan and take a horsecart ride to experience Bagan from a different perspective. Next, visit Three Pagodas to gaze out at the mural painting before transferring to Kan Monastery. Ultimately, fulfill your last day sightseeing in Bagan as you hit Sat-Sat Yo Village where you can explore the forgotten topknot style of Burmese children.
Day 7: Bagan – Heho – Kalaw – Inle Lake (B)
This morning says goodbye to Bagan to take a domestic flight to Heho. Upon arrival, our driver will carry you to Kalaw – a picturesque town dating back from the time of British colonial. Get a glimpse at the local life with a visit to the market. From there proceed to the Hnee Pagoda to marvel at the 500-year-old bamboo Buddha image and the Shwe U Min Pagoda to admire the massive golden Buddhas.
Passing through the scenic landscape of Kalaw, you will capture the unique images that remind you of the British colonial time with restored cottages and religious monuments. If you wish, it is available to stop at Christ the King Church to see the excellent example of active Christian worship in Burma. Later, get on a drive to Nyaung Shwe to take a boat trip to your hotel in Inle Lake.
Day 8: Inle Lake – Indein (B)
This exciting day 6 gives you a full day to enjoy the peaceful Inle Lake on a boat trip. Your first stop today is Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda which is renowned as the most sacred religious site in southern Shan State. Continue your sightseeing in Inle Lake with a visit to the villages where you can explore the local handicrafts, traditional silk weaving, wooden handlooms, and blacksmiths.
Passing through the endless floating gardens, you will reach Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery. Spend some time gazing out at the monastery then proceed to Nampan Village to see the local cheroot factory and canoe carving.
Highlight your stunning boat trip to the gorgeous village of Indein to marvel at the fabulous complex of ancient stupas and shrines. Take time to stroll through exotic colonnades of stairways and shop stalls. Then head to the nearby village to meet the "long neck" women. Here you can have an interesting talk with them to learn more about their daily life and the story of the big rings around their neck.
Later, return to Inle Lake. Along your way back, you will capture the most iconic beauty of leg-rowing Intha fishermen with a special leg-rowing method using one leg to keep an oar and another leg to stand on the boat. Don't forget to take a camera to save this best moment. Overnight in Inle Lake.
Day 9: Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon PM Flight (B)
Following your breakfast this morning with a visit to Maing Thauk Village to admire the beauty of the village built on both land and water with a unique stilt style. Next, transfer to your hotel and enjoy your free time until the driver picks you up to transfer to the airport to board a flight to Yangon. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 10: Yangon – Sittwe – Mrauk U (B)
This morning transfer to the jetty to take a boat trip along the Kaladan River to Mrauk U. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 11: Mrauk U Sightseeing (B)
Begin your amazing day 9 with a visit to the market to approach the real life of the locals. Next, sightseeing at Pharaouk Pagoda, Mong-Khong- Shwe Du Stupa, and Pesi Paya, especially marvel at the shrine of 9000 Buddha images in Koe Thaung Temple before seeking the Latt-Say Lake – An artificial lake lies next to the city wall and a gate. Then visit Mahabandola Monastery before returning to the hotel for lunchtime.
Following your afternoon sightseeing with a visit to the Shit-Thaung Temple to admire the massive temple with 80000 Buddha images and reliefs. Continue your sightseeing to Htaukkhan-Thein Temple – a gorgeous relic resembling the fortress, Andrew Temple, Ratanabon Stupa.
Witness the Laungbanprauk Pagoda which is known as Plate Pagoda. Get a glimpse at the small library of Pitakataik before driving to Harritaung hill to enjoy the majestic sunset over the area. Later, transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Day 12: Mrauk U – Chin Village – Sittwe (B)
After breakfast, start your exciting day as with a drive to Ngagya Jetty to embark on a scenic boat trip to Chin Village. Passing through the creek and bamboo forest, you will reach the village where a great number of houses are made from bamboo. Here you will meet the women take tattooed on their faces. Take time to stroll through the peaceful village and enjoy the fresh ambiance surrounding it.
Day 13: Mrauk U – Sittwe – Yangon (B)
Be an early bird this morning to check out at the hotel and drive to the jetty to transfer to Sittwe by boat. Upon arrival, continue driving to Sittwe airport to board a flight to Yangon.
Day 14: Yangon City Tour (B)
Get up early this morning. You are staying in the largest and most interesting city in Myanmar! Let's spend the whole day to check out the hustle and bustle city as you proceed from the post office. Passing by Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden, and Independence Monument, you will reach the far-famed heritage site of Yangon where you are able to marvel at the massive reclining Buddha image and learn more about the special symbol on the feet of the statue.
Continue your sightseeing with a photo destination at Karaweik Hall – a floating barge situated on the beautiful Kandawgyi Lake. Feast your eyes on a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset time to admire the most glittering pagoda in the country where the legend said that it is home to Buddha relics.
Day 15: Yangon – Departure (B)
Today is at leisure until the driver picks you up to transfer to the airport to take a flight to your departure. Your Myanmar vacation package ends. We hope you love the trip and the service we offer. Thank you for traveling with Go Myanmar Tours!
