Live Like a Local 9 Days

Tour Code: XMX337IRU9G4 

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Rangoon, Bagan, Mandalay, Nyaungshwe, Inle Lake
Land tour From: $311
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Duration

9 Days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

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About this tour

Embark on an unforgettable 9-day journey through the enchanting landscapes and rich culture of Myanmar. Begin in Rangoon, where you’ll explore the vibrant streets and iconic landmarks. Next, venture to Bagan, home to thousands of ancient temples and stupas that tell the story of a glorious past. Continue your adventure in Mandalay, the last royal capital, where you’ll discover its spiritual treasures and artistic heritage. From there, travel to Nyaungshwe, the gateway to the stunning Inle Lake, where you can experience the unique lifestyle of the local Intha people. Immerse yourself in breathtaking scenery, rich traditions, and unforgettable experiences on this incredible tour.

Included/Excluded

  • * All accommodations (with Twin/Double rooms) while on tour
  • * Accommodation based on twin or double sharing room
  • * All transfers and road transport in modern, air-conditioned vehicles if specified in the program
  • * Meals as mentioned in the program. B-Breakfast, Br-Brunch, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
  • * Your tour guide is a professional, fully trained employee of Vietnam Tour Packages
  • * Entrance fees if specified in the program
  • * Airfares, Cruise, Train, Sleeper bus if specified in the program.
  • * Compulsory tips for tour guide and driver
  • * Meals not mentioned in the program
  • * Single Supplement. Early check-in and late check-out. Hotel/Room upgrade
  • * Drinks, personal expenses and any services not clearly mentioned in the program
  • * Surcharge for the festive seasons
  • * Applicable Government Taxes and other service charges.
  • * The tour cost does not include POE charges and passport charges.
  • * Porterage Facility

Itinerary

<span> Day 1</span> ARRIVAL YANGON

Upon landing at Yangon International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative who will assist you with your private transfer to your hotel. This is a great time to relax and recuperate after your flight, or you can venture out to explore and get your first taste of life in Myanmar's bustling capital. Overnight accommodations will be in Yangon.

<span> Day 2</span> YANGON – BAGAN

You'll meet your guide in the lobby and set off to explore the city's stunning blend of architectural and cultural landmarks during a half-day tour of Yangon. The journey begins at the historic Post Office and Sule Pagoda, a striking octagonal structure situated at the heart of the city. You’ll stroll past colonial-era buildings, including the Strand Hotel, and visit Mahabandoola Garden and the Independence Monument. Next, you'll experience the vibrant atmosphere of Little India and Chinatown, filled with colorful restaurants, temples, and markets, before continuing to Bogyoke Aung San Market, the largest in Yangon, where you can peruse countless stalls for souvenirs and bargains. To conclude your first day of exploring Myanmar, you will visit the revered Shwedagon Pagoda, a 99-meter-tall structure adorned in gold leaf, surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. As you walk around the complex with your guide, you’ll learn why this site holds such significance. After the tour, you'll return to your hotel to collect your luggage and then proceed independently to the Aung Mingalar Bus Station to catch the public bus to your next destination, Bagan (with an estimated departure time of 20:00). Overnight travel will be on the bus.

<span> Day 3</span> BAGAN

Wake up to the enchanting sights of Bagan, an ancient city nestled in the Mandalay Region. You’re expected to arrive at the Bagan bus station around 7:00 AM, where a driver will be waiting in the arrival hall to provide a private transfer to your hotel. After checking in, take some time to unwind before embarking on your half-day e-bike tour exploring the religious sites of Bagan. Pedal through the temple plains as we visit various historical monuments and navigate through charming villages and farms that are less accessible by car or bus. Enjoy your overnight stay in Bagan.

<span> Day 4</span> BAGAN

Prepare for a full day of leisure in Bagan. You have the option to explore the sites that pique your interest or simply unwind at the hotel and take advantage of the amenities offered. Enjoy your overnight stay in Bagan.

<span> Day 5</span> BAGAN – MANDALAY

After checking out, prepare for your private transfer to Bagan Bus Station to catch the public bus to Mandalay. The bus is scheduled to depart around 9:30 AM. This 5-hour journey will take you through the picturesque scenery of Myanmar’s countryside, arriving in Mandalay around 2:30 PM. Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel for check-in. You’ll have the remainder of the day free to relax and recharge after the long trip or venture out to explore the vibrant city of Mandalay for your first taste of local life. Enjoy your overnight stay in Mandalay.

<span> Day 6</span> MANDALAY – NYAUNG SHWE/INLE LAKE

Spend your entire day at your leisure. You have the option to explore the sites that pique your interest or simply unwind at your hotel and take advantage of the amenities offered. Mandalay, a former royal capital situated on the Ayeyarwady River in northern Myanmar, features the Mandalay Palace—the royal residence of the last Burmese monarchy—at its city center, which is encircled by waterways. The city is rich in captivating religious and architectural landmarks, including Mahagandaryone Monastery and Atumashi Monastery. Don’t miss the chance to visit Mahamuni Pagoda, the most sacred shrine in Mandalay, which houses Myanmar’s most esteemed Buddha image. You can also wander through Zegyo Market, the oldest and largest market in Mandalay, where you can shop for local goods and savor artisanal flavors. In the late afternoon, make your way to Mandalay Bus Station to catch your overnight bus to Nyaung Shwe, with an estimated departure time around 10:00 PM. Be sure to arrive at the bus station at least one hour prior to departure. You’ll spend the night on board the public bus.

<span> Day 7</span> NYAUNG SHWE/INLE LAKE

Welcome to Nyaung Shwe, your gateway to Inle Lake! You will reach Nyaung Shwe bus station around 6:00 AM and then take a brief 6-minute walk to your hotel. After checking in, prepare for your cooking class, where you’ll have the opportunity to create authentic Myanmar dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients on traditional charcoal cookers. Our classes are tailored to accommodate personal preferences, so feel free to share any specific requests, whether vegetarian or spicy/non-spicy. You’ll meet your chef at 9:00 AM in front of KBZ Bank next to Mingalar Central Market, where you’ll stroll through the market together to gather the ingredients for your class. Once the shopping is complete, you’ll start preparing your meals in small groups with guidance from our chefs. And then comes the highlight: tasting your culinary creations! After your cooking adventure, spend the rest of the day at your leisure, enjoying the serene atmosphere of this picturesque location. Overnight in Nyaung Shwe/Inle Lake.

<span> Day 8</span> NYAUNG SHWE/INLE LAKE – YANGON

Prepare for an exciting boat tour around the expansive and tranquil Inle Lake. Today's journey will showcase the lake's most remarkable attractions. Glide across the vast waters, passing by Buddhist temples and the stilt houses of the Intha community. Observe local fishermen using their distinctive leg-rowing methods to propel their boats. Marvel at the stunning floating gardens, created from clusters of water hyacinth anchored by bamboo poles. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake's main Buddhist site, home to five gilded Buddha images. Discover local craftsmanship at a silversmith workshop, explore the traditional weaving village of Inpawkhone, and see how cheroots are handmade at a processing plant. Next, venture to the western shores of the lake and navigate a narrow canal to Indein, a Pa-Oh village renowned for its hill adorned with stupas at Alaung Sitthou. Spend time walking around Indein, making your way to the summit of Alaung Sitthou, where you can wander among the weathered stupas and take in breathtaking views of the lake below. After your exploration, collect your luggage and head to the Nyaung Shwe bus station for your overnight bus ride back to Yangon. The bus is scheduled to depart around 5:00 PM, so please ensure you arrive at the station on time. Overnight on the public bus.

<span> Day 9</span> DEPARTURE YANGON

Wake up and get ready for your arrival in Yangon! You are expected to reach Yangon Bus Station around 7:00 AM. We suggest coordinating your onward travel plans accordingly or consider reserving an optional extra night in Yangon with us.

Durations

9 - 12 days

Regional Tours

Myanmar

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Tour's Location

Rangoon, Bagan, Mandalay, Nyaungshwe, Inle Lake
Ba Chuc: A Haunting Memorial to Vietnam’s “Killing Fields” - Ba Chuc: A Haunting Memorial to Vietnam’s "Killing Fields" 📍 Location: 40km southwest of Chau Doc⏰ Opening Hours: Daily 9 AM – 5 PM💰 Entrance Fee: Free🚗 How to Get There: Take Highway 91, then Highway N1 along the Cambodia border toward Ha Tien, and turn south onto Highway 3T for the final stretch. You can hire a taxi or xe ôm (motorbike taxi) from Chau Doc, including waiting time if needed. A Tranquil Countryside with a Dark Past Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes southwest of Chau Doc, the peaceful village of Ba Chuc hides a history of unimaginable horror. In the late 1970s, as Cambodian refugees fled Pol Pot’s brutal regime, the region’s Khmer population swelled. Tragically, the Khmer Rouge pursued them into Vietnam, leaving behind a trail of massacres that still haunt this area today. The Ba Chuc Memorial: Remembering a Tragedy At the heart of the village stands a solemn memorial honoring the 3,157 victims of one of the worst massacres in Vietnamese history. Between April 18 and April 30, 1978, Khmer Rouge forces slaughtered nearly every resident, often in brutal and inhumane ways. Shockingly, only two villagers survived the bloodshed. The memorial structure, though simple in design, leaves a powerful impact. Beneath a stark concrete canopy lies an eight-sided glass enclosure, where skulls and bones of the victims are displayed, categorized by age—a chilling reminder of the innocence lost in this atrocity. Phi Lai Pagoda: A Silent Witness to Horror Many of the victims were mercilessly killed at the nearby Phi Lai Pagoda, which still bears visible bloodstains on its walls and floors. A small sign near the altar marks a tragic site where 40 villagers perished after a grenade was thrown into a tiny chamber beneath the shrine. Between the memorial and the pagoda, a small exhibition room houses harrowing black-and-white photographs taken immediately after the massacre. These images show scattered, mutilated corpses, offering an unfiltered look at the horrors inflicted upon Ba Chuc. Some pictures are extremely graphic and distressing, so visitors should be prepared before entering. Visiting Ba Chuc Today Despite its grim past, Ba Chuc remains an important historical site, attracting visitors who come to pay their respects and reflect on the devastation of war. A few cafés and food stalls nearby provide refreshments for those exploring the area. Ba Chuc stands as Vietnam’s own "Killing Fields", a stark reminder of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. While the site is not for the faint-hearted, it serves as a vital testament to history—one that should never be forgotten.The Hoa Hao Religion - The Hoa Hao Religion: A Unique Buddhist Sect in Vietnam 📍 Location: Hoa Hao Village, 20km east of Chau Doc👤 Founder: Huynh Phu So📜 Key Beliefs: Simplicity in worship, direct connection with the Supreme Being, ascetic lifestyle The Hoa Hao religion, a distinctive Buddhist sect, emerged in Vietnam in the late 1930s, originating from the small village of Hoa Hao, near Chau Doc. The movement was founded by Huynh Phu So, a visionary spiritual leader whose life story is deeply intertwined with the sect’s teachings. Origins and Core Beliefs Huynh Phu So, a frail child, was placed under the care of a reclusive monk, where he studied both traditional Buddhist teachings and mystical spiritual disciplines. In 1939, at the age of 20, he experienced a profound trance, during which a new form of Buddhism was revealed to him. Upon awakening, he was miraculously cured of his lifelong illness and began preaching his unique spiritual philosophy. Hoa Hao Buddhism promotes a stripped-down approach to worship, rejecting elaborate rituals, temples, and intermediaries such as monks and priests. Instead, it emphasizes direct personal communication with the Supreme Being. The faith also upholds strict moral values, discouraging alcohol, drugs, and gambling. These principles, along with Huynh Phu So’s reputed healing and prophetic abilities, quickly attracted a large following, especially among Vietnam’s rural peasant communities. Political Influence and Conflict Beyond its religious foundation, the Hoa Hao sect soon became a political force, forming a militia to support its nationalist, anti-French, and anti-Communist stance. During World War II, the Japanese occupation army supplied them with weapons, seeking to destabilize the French colonial administration. However, the French viewed the movement with deep suspicion, branding Huynh Phu So as the "Mad Monk." In 1941, he was imprisoned and later confined to a psychiatric hospital—where he astonishingly converted his doctor to Hoa Hao Buddhism. Upon his release in 1945, tensions between the Hoa Hao and the Viet Minh escalated, leading to Huynh’s assassination by Viet Minh agents in 1947. Despite fierce resistance, the sect’s influence waned over the following decades. In the 1950s, President Ngo Dinh Diem’s crackdown on dissident groups further weakened the movement, culminating in the capture and execution of Hoa Hao military leader Ba Cut in 1956. By the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the Communist government had eliminated any remaining political or military presence of the sect. Hoa Hao Buddhism Today Despite its turbulent history, Hoa Hao Buddhism remains a significant spiritual tradition, with an estimated two million followers primarily residing in Chau Doc and Long Xuyen. Some devout male practitioners still wear long beards and hair tied in a bun, a traditional marker of Hoa Hao adherents. While the sect no longer engages in political activism, its legacy continues through its strong spiritual and ethical influence on local communities.
Land tourFrom: $311

Owner

Myanmar

Member Since 2024

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