Essential Myanmar with Ngapali Beach 11 Days

You will be transferred by our driver to the airport for your flight to Nyaung Oo. Upon your arrival, our driver and guide will be there to welcome you. Your first visit will be to Shwezigon Pagoda, built in the early 11th century by King Anawrahta. Next, you'll explore Ananda Temple, known for its various seated Buddha figures and four different standing Buddha postures, followed by Myingaba Gu Byauk Gyi Temple, famous for its Jataka mural paintings, which are protected by UNESCO.

After lunch, you'll continue to Manuha Temple, constructed in the 10th century by the Mon Dynasty, and Nanphaya Temple, a sandstone monument that served as King Manuha's residence. You will also visit Thatbyinnyu Temple, renowned for its omniscient statue, built in the mid-12th century during King Alaungsithu's reign, and Htilominlo Pagoda, erected during King Htilominlo's rule (also known as Nandaungmya). You'll have the opportunity to admire the old wall paintings at Dhamayangyi Pagoda before heading to a sunset viewpoint. Finally, you'll return to your hotel for the night in Bagan.

You will need to rise early to witness the stunning sunrise at 5:00 am. Our driver will take you to a prime viewpoint where you can capture beautiful photographs and savor the moment. After enjoying the sunrise, you’ll return to your hotel for breakfast. Following your meal, our excellent driver and professional English-speaking guide will pick you up and drive you to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano that stands over 1500 meters high, located about 48 km southeast of Bagan. There, you can explore the stupas, monasteries, and shrines dedicated to Nat worship. After your visit, you will transfer to Mandalay for an overnight stay.

Our excellent driver and guide will collect you for a one-hour drive from Mandalay to Pyin Oo Lwin. Upon arrival, we’ll first visit the local market to observe the daily lives of the residents and explore their products. Next, we’ll head to Pyichit Pagoda, known as the "country lover's pagoda." The image was brought by Chinese travelers but fell from their vehicle, which is how it got its name. After that, we’ll visit the picturesque Bee Falls, renowned for its stunning views. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Pyin Oo Lwin before visiting the Governor’s House. We'll then proceed to Kandawgyi National Garden, established by the British in 1924, which is the largest botanical garden in Myanmar. Here, you can relish the fresh air, stroll through the forest, and learn about various orchids and flowers. After our sightseeing, we’ll transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay in Pyin Oo Lwin.

After enjoying breakfast, we will depart at 8:00 AM to transfer to the Maymyo Railway Station for an exciting train ride to Naung Pein village. This train journey includes crossing the Gokteik Railway Viaduct, which was constructed by the Pennsylvania Steel Company over a century ago and, at the time, was the second highest bridge in the world, spanning a gorge that is 300 meters deep. The views from the train are captivating, showcasing stunning scenery along the way. Upon arrival in Naung Pein, you’ll meet our driver, who will take you to Hsipaw in a private vehicle. En route, we’ll stop at Bawgyo Pagoda, the most renowned pagoda in Shan State. Next, we’ll visit the Royal Palace of the Shan Prince in Hsipaw before heading to Sunset Hill to enjoy a beautiful sunset. Afterward, we will transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay in Hsipaw.

The trek involves some uphill sections and can be slippery during the wet season, so it's advisable for older trekkers to have prior walking experience.

You'll stroll through rice fields, take a refreshing swim at Nam Tok Fall, and then walk back to local farmers' villages, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the countryside and learn about the lifestyle of the Shan people. Savor Shan rice noodles at a small local village shop, guided by a local.

Afterward, continue your adventure with an hour-long boat ride upstream, enjoying picturesque scenery of mountains, valleys, and plantations along the river. You'll have the opportunity to visit a river confluence where swimming is possible for those who wish. On the return journey downstream, you'll stop by a Shan village known for its traditional homes and lovely gardens before heading back by boat.

The trek mainly takes place on flat terrain, and the duration can be adjusted to suit older trekkers.

Start your journey by taking a Tok2 pickup for a 15-minute drive to the trek's starting point.

Begin your walk from a Shan village, making your way through rice paddies and fields for about half an hour until you reach a Palaung village, known for its farming and bamboo weaving. You can take a short tea break here before continuing your stroll through the stunning countryside for an hour. Cross over a railway track and visit additional villages where your river crew will be waiting. Once dressed and equipped with kayaking gear, you'll set off to paddle down the “Dotthawaddy” River, taking in the beautiful scenery. You'll navigate downstream, passing by villages, farms, and fields, and after an hour of paddling, you'll arrive at a riverside village.

Enjoy a snack break before wandering through farmland and villages for another hour, where you can visit local cottage workshops that produce bamboo hand fans, woven baskets, cheroots, and more.

Embark on a drive back to Mandalay, which takes approximately five hours from Hsipaw. During the journey, feel free to take breaks at restaurants or stop for photos along the way. Once you arrive in Mandalay, you'll transfer to your hotel and have some leisure time to relax. Overnight accommodations will be in Mandalay.

Your professional English-speaking guide and excellent driver will greet you at the hotel for the day’s adventure. You will then embark on a boat journey to Mingun, located just 12 kilometers upstream on the west bank of the Irrawaddy River. Upon arrival, you’ll explore several remarkable sites, including Pondaw Paya, a five-meter-high model of an enormous structure, and Settawya Paya, which houses a revered footprint of the Buddha. Visit Mingun Pahtotawgyi Paya, one of the largest stupas in the world, as well as the famous Mingun Bell, which weighs 90 tons. You'll also see Hsinbyume Paya, a stunning representation of Sulamani Paya, symbolizing Mount Meru. After exploring these attractions, you’ll return to Mandalay, where you will visit the Golden Palace Monastery, renowned for its intricate wood carvings and gold leaf covering. Additionally, you’ll see Kuthodaw Pagoda, recognized by UNESCO as the world's largest book. Finally, enjoy the sunset and a panoramic view of Mandalay from Mandalay Hill, which stands 975 feet above sea level. Afterward, you will be transferred back to your hotel for an overnight stay in Mandalay.

Your professional English-speaking guide and skilled driver will meet you at the hotel to begin your day. First, you'll visit Mahamuni Pagoda, then explore the traditional silk weaving industry, which has been a hallmark of Myanmar since 1803. Afterward, you’ll head to Ava, where the driver will drop you off at the banks of the Myitnge River, and you’ll take a ferry across. Once in Ava, hop on a horse cart to experience the local lifestyle.

In Ava, your first stop will be Bargayar Monastery, notable for its 176 teak pillars, the tallest of which stands at 17 meters and is 2.7 meters wide, constructed in 1834 AD. You'll also visit the Leaning Tower, or Nanmyint Tower, built in 1822 AD, and the Maenu Stucco Monastery, also known as Mahaaungmyaebonsan Monastery, which dates back to the same year.

Next, you’ll journey to Sagaing Hill by car, crossing the Irrawaddy River, the longest river in Myanmar. In Sagaing, you'll explore Oominthonese Pagoda and Swanooponyashin Pagoda. As the day winds down, enjoy the sunset at U Pein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world, boasting 1,086 teak posts and stretching 1.2 kilometers, all over 160 years old. Finally, you'll return to Mandalay for some leisure time at the hotel, where you'll spend the night.

You will be taken to Mandalay International Airport in accordance with your international flight schedule.