12 day Myanmar Adventure Tour

This morning, you'll be transferred to the jetty to catch a ferry across the Yangon River to Dhala. The 15-minute ride provides stunning views of the waterways and a chance to engage with friendly locals.

Upon arrival in Dhala, hop on a local trishaw to explore the town. Visit a vibrant market filled with colorful goods and welcoming faces. Afterward, return to Yangon for a city tour showcasing various historical buildings. You'll also stop by Bogyoke Market (Scott Market), home to over 2,000 shops offering an extensive selection of Myanmar handicrafts and souvenirs.

Arrive in Mandalay in the morning and check into your hotel. In the afternoon, embark on your city tour of Mandalay. Key highlights include the Mandalay Palace, the Shwenandaw Monastery famous for its intricate wood carvings, a gold leaf beating workshop, and Kuthodaw Pagoda, recognized as home to the world’s largest book. Conclude your tour with a visit to Mandalay Hill for stunning sunset views and a panoramic perspective of the city. You’ll spend the night in Mandalay.

Today, enjoy a full-day tour of the ancient cities surrounding Mandalay: Amarapura, Inwa, and Sagaing. After breakfast, begin your exploration at Sagaing Hill, a significant center of Buddhism in Myanmar. Spend time visiting the Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae Pagodas, and stop by a local nunnery to gain insight into the daily lives of Buddhist nuns.

Next, head to Ava, a once-grand imperial capital that has now fallen into picturesque ruins. This rural area is home to grazing livestock and farmland, surrounded by the remnants of pagodas, palace towers, monasteries, and the impressive city walls that once resembled a seated lion.

Conclude your day in Amarapura, often referred to as the City of Immortality. Enjoy a breathtaking sunset at U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world, spanning nearly 1,200 meters over Taungthaman Lake. You’ll return to Mandalay for the night.

After breakfast, you will be taken to the jetty for a delightful boat trip up the river to the historic site of Bagan. You'll spend the night in Bagan.

Today, you’ll embark on an in-depth exploration of Bagan, a key historical and cultural hub in Myanmar, boasting over 2,000 temples and pagodas! The tour will cover notable shrines like Ananda, Htilominlo, Thatbyinnyu, Dhammayangyi, Sulamani, and Shwezigon Pagoda, along with local attractions such as the Nyaung U market and various traditional workshops. End your day by enjoying a breathtaking sunset over the plains from a scenic viewpoint.

You’ll spend the night in Bagan.

Continue your journey in Bagan by exploring the lesser-known villages, temples, and landscapes. Enjoy a leisurely horse cart ride through this tranquil area, meandering along roads lined with numerous monuments. Feel free to stop whenever you like to capture photos or delve into the surroundings.

Alternatively, consider a biking tour to discover Bagan's hidden gems. This cycling adventure will take you beyond the main attractions, along quieter paths and through local villages. You’ll traverse the less frequented temple zones, passing many monuments and having the chance to pause for photos or temple visits as you please.

You'll be taken to the bus station to catch a daytime bus heading to Kalaw. Arriving in the late afternoon, you'll find yourself in this charming old hill station known for its relaxed vibe, cool climate, and stunning vistas. Kalaw boasts many original colonial buildings and is celebrated as a trekking hub in Myanmar. It’s the perfect opportunity to unwind and explore before settling in for the night in Kalaw.

Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake is manageable for those with moderate fitness levels. Depending on your group, you can expect to trek for six to eight hours, covering up to 23 km daily. Along the way, you’ll be treated to stunning scenery, including forest-covered hills and vegetable farms like rice paddies and chili fields. You'll also have the chance to glimpse the daily lives of various indigenous tribes in Myanmar. After about 3 to 4 hours of trekking, you'll enjoy a freshly prepared lunch with a breathtaking view of the mountains. Following lunch, you’ll continue your journey, taking a tea break at a train station before concluding the day with a home-stay or monastery visit in a tribal village.

For those who prefer not to trek, you can choose to spend an extra night in Kalaw, a place rich with exploration opportunities. The following day, you can take a train to Inle Lake to reunite with the trekkers in Nyaung Shwe, accompanied by a local guide.

The second day features more downhill trekking than uphill. We’ll kick off the morning with a sunrise trek to Inle Lake, passing through several local tribal villages. As we walk, we’ll encounter locals diligently working in garlic and rice fields. A visit to a family home for tea will be part of the experience. After approximately four and a half to five hours of hiking, we'll reach an Intha Tribe village located on the western shore of Inle Lake. Lunch will be served at a quaint restaurant nestled in the bamboo forest. Following lunch, it’s just a short ten-minute walk to the jetty, where you’ll board a boat to your hotel on Inle Lake. Enjoy your overnight stay by the lake.

Experience a full day exploring the stunning Inle Lake, often dubbed the "Venice of Asia." This unique destination is characterized by stilt houses and floating villages, lush gardens, and fishermen employing traditional techniques like leg-rowing. Along the shores, you’ll find artisan workshops, including weavers and cigar makers.

We'll visit notable sites such as the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, along with family-run workshops specializing in silversmithing, cheroot making, and weaving by the "Ring-neck ladies."

After lunch, we'll head to the western shores of the lake and navigate a narrow canal to Indein, a Pa-Oh village renowned for its hill adorned with 1,054 stupas dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Spend some time wandering through Indein, visiting a local school, and climbing to the hilltop, where you can explore the ancient stupas and soak in breathtaking views of the lake below.

This morning, you'll travel by road to Heho for your flight to Yangon, where you'll connect to your international flight.