Best of Myanmar – 12 Days

Today, we delve into the captivating city of Yangon and its renowned religious landmarks. We start our exploration in downtown with a photo opportunity at Yangon City Hall, followed by a visit to the serene Sule Pagoda, a tranquil oasis amidst the city's hustle and bustle. Located near Maha Bandoola Park, the area is surrounded by impressive colonial architecture and historical sites, including the Independence Monument and the High Court. We'll also admire the hollow, golden Botahtaung Pagoda before enjoying lunch at the Yangon Tea House, which evokes the elegance of colonial-era tea houses and offers a delightful selection of traditional tea. After lunch, we’ll wander through the vibrant Bogyoke (Scott) Market, where you can find a variety of items, from gemstones to handicrafts and clothing. Following some shopping, we’ll visit the Chaukhtagyi Pagoda to see the enormous 70-meter-long reclining Buddha, adorned with a crown of diamonds and precious stones. As the evening approaches, we will make our way to the revered Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar’s most iconic Buddhist temple. Towering at 90 meters, the gold leaf central stupa stands out in the city skyline, casting stunning shades of yellow, orange, and red as the sun sets.

This morning, we will take a flight to Mandalay, the last royal capital of Myanmar. Just outside Mandalay lies the historic city of Amarapura, which once served as the capital and is filled with attractions. Here, we will visit the Mahagandayon Monastery, the largest monastic school in the country, where hundreds of monks line up to receive their daily alms from local residents. As we make our way into the city, we will explore the Royal Palace and admire the intricate teak carvings at the famous Shwenandaw Monastery. We will also have the chance to visit a local workshop to observe traditional crafts such as bronze sculpting, gold leaf application, and wood carving. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Later in the evening, we’ll visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to the world’s largest book, and conclude our day at Mandalay Hill, where we hope to witness a breathtaking sunset over the city.

This morning, we embark on a cruise along the Irrawaddy River to Mingun, where we will explore the remnants of what was meant to be the world’s largest pagoda, along with the impressive Mingun Bell. Originally planned to soar to an astonishing height of 152 meters, construction of the pagoda halted following the death of King Bodawpaya in 1819. The structure, dramatically cracked by an earthquake in 1838, remains a striking sight. Continuing our journey to Sagaing Hill, we’ll take in the breathtaking views of the river and the undulating hills dotted with pagodas and stupas. Atop the hill, we’ll visit the ancient Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda, as well as the remarkable Thirty Caves Pagoda and the Kaungmhudaw Pagoda. Next, we return to the historic city of Amarapura, renowned for its textile production, where we’ll observe the traditional weaving techniques at a local workshop. Our day concludes with a visit to the renowned U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world, spanning the picturesque Taungthaman Lake. Here, we will have the incredible chance to witness the bridge bathed in the warm hues of sunset, a true paradise for photographers.

This morning, we head to the jetty to board the MGRG express riverboat, which travels the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay to Bagan. The journey lasts about 9 hours, offering stunning views alongside glimpses of daily life, as fishing boats glide by and children wave from the riverbank. Upon reaching Bagan, we’ll check into our hotel and enjoy some free time in the evening. If you are traveling between April 1 and July 31, please be aware that the river's water level is at its lowest during this period, which can prevent cruises from operating. These dates may vary based on rainfall and water flow. When cruises are unavailable, we will take a short flight from Mandalay to Bagan. You can enjoy a leisurely morning in Mandalay before flying to Nyaung Oo Airport, followed by a transfer to Bagan for an overnight stay. Please note that only breakfast is included when we fly to Bagan.

This morning, early risers have the chance to soar over Bagan in a hot air balloon if they’ve booked our Ballooning over Bagan add-on. The breathtaking view of stupa after stupa scattered across the verdant, dusty plains of Bagan is truly awe-inspiring. With over 2,000 temples and pagodas dating back around 800 years, the skyline here is one of the most remarkable in Southeast Asia. Our sightseeing begins in the town of Nyaung-U, where we’ll explore the local market and visit Bagan’s most significant reliquary shrine, the Shwezigon Pagoda, as well as the simple yet fascinating Kyansittha Cave Temple, which features intriguing frescoes from the 12th century. As we continue our exploration, we will see the massive Buddhas inside the Manuha Temple, the sandstone carvings at the nearby Nanpaya Temple, and the Ananda Temple, known for its four standing gold-leaf Buddhas. Additional highlights include the impressive Thatbyinnyu Temple, Dhammayangyi Temple, and the Mingalarzedi Pagoda, the last of the grand pagodas constructed in the 13th century, showcasing Bagan’s architectural excellence. Our day concludes with a visit to a local lacquer workshop, where we can observe skilled artisans crafting Bagan’s renowned handicraft.

Today, we journey to the well-known hill station of Kalaw, making a stop along the way at the extinct volcano of Mount Popa. This mountain is thought to be the home of mythical Nats (spirit gods), and at its peak, you will find several monasteries, pagodas, and shrines featuring diverse architectural styles. After approximately a 7-hour drive, we arrive in Kalaw, a former British hill station located on the western edge of the Shan Plateau, where we can take in stunning views and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Later this afternoon, we’ll visit Thein Taung Pay Pagoda.

An early start this morning gives us the chance to embark on a gentle trek into the Palaung Hills. As we wander through scenic rice paddies and tea plantations, we reach Painaebin village, which is inhabited by the indigenous Danu people. After our visit, we’ll walk back to Kalaw and then continue our journey to the tranquil town of Pindaya, nestled in picturesque countryside and renowned for its extensive cave systems. Today’s sightseeing highlights include the intricately carved Buddha figures within the Pindaya caves, an ancient Banyan tree, and local workshops that produce Mulberry paper and bamboo hats.

After breakfast on day 9, we set off to the enchanting landscape of Inle Lake, known for its floating gardens, stilted villages, and ancient stupas. We’ll explore the lake by boat, observing the distinctive rowing techniques used by local fishermen, and visit the intriguing Nga Pe Chaung monastery as well as Inle Lake's largest pagoda, the Paungdaw Oo pagoda. The rest of the day and evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure. On day 10, you can take your time to relax. Consider exploring the lush countryside through canoeing or cycling, or you might choose to embark on a trip to an Indein village to learn about the region's ethnic tribes, or to Kakku, a valley featuring over a thousand stupas adorned with intricate ancient carvings. Other options include visiting Taunggyi, the capital of the Southern Shan state and a former British hill station, or heading to Sagar to see the submerged stupas that are underwater for part of the year, along with local village visits en route (these excursions can be arranged and paid for locally).

After breakfast, we depart from the lake and head to Heho airport for our flight returning to Yangon. Once we arrive in Yangon, you’ll have the rest of the day at your leisure to continue discovering this charming city or to unwind and take advantage of the hotel amenities.

Today signifies the conclusion of our journey in Burma, as we check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for departure.