Journey to the Magical Myanmar 12 Days

Prepare for a picturesque drive to Kyaikhto – The Golden Rock. Along the way, we will pause in Bago, the ancient capital of the Mon Kingdom located 80 km northeast of Yangon. The city's wealth and influence are showcased by its gleaming pagodas that proudly adorn the old city center. Explore the 55-meter-long reclining Shwethalyaung Buddha and the four seated Buddhas at Kyaikpun. Later, delve into the majestic Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda, home to a colossal reclining Buddha believed to be over 2,000 years old, symbolizing Buddha's rest after achieving nirvana.

Continue the journey to Kyaikhtiyo, the gateway to the Golden Rock. Upon arrival at the Kinpun base-camp, embark on a one-hour open truck ride uphill through the rainforest to reach the Golden Rock. This immense rock, crowned with a pagoda and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff, is adorned with layers of gold leaf. It stands as one of Myanmar's most sacred religious sites, with local legend suggesting it rests on a strand of the Buddha’s hair.

Arrive in Kyaikhtiyo in the late afternoon and check in to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure, soaking in the enchanting atmosphere of this mystical location.

Overnight stay in Kyaikhtiyo.

After checking out, you will return to the base camp via an open-air truck. From there, you will drive back to Yangon airport to catch a domestic flight to Heho and Inle Lake. Upon arrival at Heho Airport, you will embark on a scenic one-hour drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake. Enjoy the serene views of the landscape and observe the rural lifestyles of the locals along the way. Upon reaching Nyaung Shwe, check in to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Overnight stay in Nyaung Shwe/Inle Lake.

Embark on an exhilarating boat excursion through the scenic backwaters of Inle Lake. Begin with a visit to a local market, offering a glimpse into the daily life and diverse products of the Pa-O, Danu, and Intha ethnic groups who gather there. Afterwards, board a private longtail boat for a journey to the most remarkable sights of Inle Lake. Cruise across the tranquil waters, passing Buddhist temples and the stilted homes of the Intha people. Observe local fishermen using their distinctive leg-rowing technique. Marvel at the floating gardens created from clusters of water hyacinths anchored with bamboo poles. Explore the revered Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, housing five revered Buddha statues covered in gold leaf. Discover local craftsmanship at a silversmith workshop, witness traditional weaving in Inpawkhone village, and visit a cheroot factory where handmade cigars are produced. Conclude the day by unwinding and immersing yourself in the enchanting ambiance of this unique destination.

Overnight in Nyaung Shwe/Inle Lake.

Get ready for a scenic drive of approximately one and a half hours to Pindaya, known for its picturesque farmlands in Myanmar. Along the way, we will make a stop at a local market in Nyaung Shwe where you can refresh yourself with fresh fruits, vegetables, and local produce. Explore the charming wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, renowned for its intricate carvings and collection of Buddha images. Upon arrival in Pindaya, venture into the expansive Pindaya Cave, a vast limestone cavern adorned with thousands of gilded Buddha statues. Learn about the traditional Shan Paper and Umbrella making at a local handicraft workshop.

After this enriching excursion, continue your journey to Heho Airport for a domestic flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, our representative will greet you at Mandalay Airport and accompany you on a brief sightseeing tour of this historic royal city. Visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, renowned for housing the world's largest book inscribed on marble slabs, and explore Shwenandaw Monastery, a magnificent teakwood structure known for its exquisite woodcarvings. Conclude your sightseeing with a visit to Mandalay Hill for a mesmerizing sunset over the city.

Return to Mandalay City, check in to your hotel, and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Prepare for a one-hour cruise along the Irrawaddy River, heading towards Mingun, a charming riverside village near Mandalay. Our first stop will be at the renowned Mingun Pahtodawgyi, an impressive unfinished stupa. We will then continue to the exquisite Hsinbyume Pagoda, designed to resemble the mythical Mount Meru, and visit the world's largest uncracked bell, the Mingun Bell.

After exploring Mingun, we will return to Mandalay by boat. Back in the city, immerse yourself in the local culture by visiting traditional workshops where artisans create wood carvings, kalaga tapestries, and apply gold leaf using techniques passed down through generations. Our next stop will be at the revered Mahamuni Pagoda, home to Myanmar's most revered Buddha image, the 4-meter-tall seated Mahamuni Buddha. Covered in layers of gold leaf applied by devout visitors, the Buddha's unique texture reflects its sacred significance. Enter the temple to admire the Mahamuni Buddha up close and take a leisurely stroll around the temple grounds, absorbing the serene spiritual ambiance.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Get ready for your next adventure. Today, we will journey to Amarapura, an ancient capital founded based on astrological advice, passing through Sagaing. Along the way, we will visit notable landmarks such as Mahagandayon Monastery and U Bein Bridge, the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world, spanning Taungthaman Lake near Amarapura. Our day will be enriched with visits to local workshops and traditional handicrafts.

In Amarapura, we will explore the art of silk weaving and the creation of fine handmade products. Continuing to Sagaing, we will visit the local market, bustling with typical Burmese commerce, and witness artisans crafting pottery, silverware, and other traditional handicrafts. To conclude our exploration, we will ascend Sagaing Hill, home to Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, a spiritual hub revered by thousands of monks and nuns for meditation and reflection.

On our return journey to Mandalay, we will stop at a quaint pottery village to observe the traditional methods of crafting water pots. You will return to your hotel in Mandalay in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Prepare for a pickup at your hotel reception and transfer to Mandalay Port, where you will embark on a cruise down the Ayeyarwaddy River to the ancient city of Bagan. As you sail through the serene waters of the Ayeyarwaddy River, you will have the opportunity to explore typical villages and witness the rural life of Myanmar locals. You can also sample traditional Myanmar cuisine and specialties on board or simply relax on the sun deck. Our crew will demonstrate the various ways of wearing Myanmar Traditional Longyi (a garment worn by Myanmar people) and Thanatkha (a fragrant paste made from the bark of the Thanatkha tree), enriching your Myanmar experience.

Enjoy the stunning sunset over the river as part of this unforgettable journey. Upon arrival in Bagan, our tour representative will meet you and assist with transferring you to your hotel. (Please note that the cruise operates only from October to March. From April to September, the cruise will be replaced with a domestic flight from Mandalay to Bagan.)

Overnight in Bagan.

We will begin by admiring the expansive plains of Bagan as we head towards the golden stupa of the Shwezigon Pagoda, where you will delve into Bagan’s rich history. Next, we'll visit the nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple adorned with exquisite jataka mural paintings. After lunch (at your own expense), our journey continues to Ananda Pahto, an architectural marvel and one of Bagan’s most magnificent temples. We'll also explore the Gubyaukhyi Temple in Myinkaba, renowned for its well-preserved frescoes and ancient paintings, and the Manuha Temple, housing three seated Buddha images and an image depicting Buddha entering Nirvana. Watching the sunset over this remarkable ancient city will be the perfect conclusion to our explorations of Bagan.

Overnight in Bagan.

The next adventure takes us to Mount Popa, regarded as the spiritual center for Myanmar’s famous '37 nats' (spirits). We'll ascend the mountain via a winding covered staircase, accompanied by the curious monkeys that inhabit the area. At the summit, explore a monastery and temple complex adorned with shrines dedicated to the 37 nats, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Upon returning to Bagan, we will continue exploring its architectural wonders. In the late afternoon, after returning to the hotel, you'll have leisure time to immerse yourself further in Bagan’s mystical ambiance.

Overnight in Bagan.

Get ready for a pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Yangon. Upon arrival in Yangon, our guide will warmly welcome you. If time allows, you'll have the opportunity to take a half-hour ride on Yangon’s Circle Train, offering glimpses of the city outskirts and showcasing the vibrant, colorful lifestyles of local people in Yangon’s rural areas.

In the afternoon, we will visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, renowned for its 70-meter long reclining Buddha. This visit will provide a comprehensive insight into Buddhism, with murals depicting the life of Buddha. The statue's feet are intricately carved with traditional symbols, and it is a place where locals often gather to pay respects and offer prayers.

Overnight in Yangon.

Get ready to vacate your room at the designated time and proceed to the airport for your onward or return flight.