Myanmar at a Glance 11 Days

Your guide will meet you at the reception for your journey to Bago, the ancient capital of the Mon Kingdom, located 80 km northeast of Yangon. On the way, we’ll stop at the Htauk Kyan Allied War Cemetery, where soldiers who lost their lives during the Myanmar Campaign in WWII are laid to rest. Upon arrival in Bago, our sightseeing begins at Kya Khat Wai Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in the country, where you'll have the opportunity to witness a glimpse of Buddhist monastic life. Observe thousands of monks as they have their last meal of the day in silence at 10:30 AM.

Next, we’ll visit the stunning Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda, home to a giant reclining Buddha over 2,000 years old, believed by locals to symbolize Buddha resting after achieving nirvana. We’ll then continue our journey to Kyaikhtiyo, where the famous Golden Rock awaits. This enormous rock, topped with a pagoda and covered in gold leaf, precariously balances on the edge of a hillside. It is one of Myanmar’s three most sacred religious sites, with legends claiming it rests on a strand of the Buddha’s hair. After checking into your hotel in the late afternoon, you’ll have the rest of the day to relax and soak in the enchanting atmosphere of this unique location. Overnight in Kyaikhtiyo.

After checking out, we’ll set off to explore Bago. Our first stop will be Hinthar Gone, a renowned hill featuring 37 Nats’ shrines. Next, we’ll visit Kyaik Pun Paya, where you can admire four massive seated Buddhas. For a stunning perspective of the surrounding landscape, climb the stairs that ascend the exterior of the stupa. Following our time in Bago, we’ll make our way back to Yangon for the night. Overnight in Yangon.

Get ready for a pick-up at the reception and transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Bagan. Bagan, an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is situated in Myanmar’s Mandalay Region. Located along the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan is renowned for its Archaeological Area, which boasts over 2,000 Buddhist landmarks scattered across its verdant plains. Upon your arrival in Bagan, our guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel for check-in and breakfast. Following this, embark on a sightseeing tour of Bagan. Begin by admiring the stunning plains of Bagan en route to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda, where you’ll get an introduction to Bagan’s rich history. Next, visit the nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple adorned with exquisite jataka mural paintings. Continue to the Ananda Temple, an architectural marvel and one of Bagan’s most beautiful places of worship. Conclude your Bagan exploration at Manuha Temple, which houses three seated Buddha images and a reclining Buddha entering Nirvana, while enjoying the sunset over this spiritual site. Overnight stay in Bagan.

Next, we’ll embark on an excursion to Mount Popa, known as the spiritual center of Myanmar’s famous ‘37 nat’ (spirits). As you ascend the mountain along a winding covered staircase, you’ll be greeted by the playful monkeys that inhabit the area. At the summit, you’ll find a monastery and temple complex featuring shrines dedicated to the 37 nats, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. After returning to Bagan, we’ll continue our exploration of the remaining architectural sites. Upon arriving back at the hotel in the late afternoon, you’ll have the remainder of the day to enjoy at your leisure, allowing you to soak in the enchanting ambiance of Bagan. Overnight in Bagan.

You’ll depart from Bagan for a domestic flight to Heho, followed by a scenic one-hour drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake. Upon arriving at Heho Airport, your adventure begins with a private longtail boat ride that will take you to the stunning Inle Lake, one of Myanmar's most remarkable attractions. Glide across the tranquil waters of this expansive lake, surrounded by Buddhist temples and the stilted homes of the Intha community. Observe the local fishermen as they navigate their boats using their distinctive leg rowing technique. Take in the sight of beautiful floating gardens, formed from clusters of water hyacinth anchored in place with bamboo poles. Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the main Buddhist site on the lake, housing five gilded Buddha images. Explore local artistry at a silversmith workshop, the traditional weaving village of Inpawkhone, and a cheroot processing plant where cigars are crafted by hand, as well as Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery. After the day’s explorations, you’ll have the evening free to relax and immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of this extraordinary location. Overnight in Inle Lake.

Prepare yourself for an exciting boat trip across the expansive and tranquil Inle Lake. Navigate towards the western shore, where you'll find a stairway leading to the secluded Indein temple. Discover the temple's hundreds of small stupas, beautifully enveloped in moss and greenery. Then, continue on foot to the village of Sae Ma, strolling alongside rice fields, with a stop to visit the village and its local school. In the afternoon, connect with the villagers on the lake and head to one of the monasteries to witness the daily monastic activities. Overnight in Inle Lake.

After checking out, you will be transferred to Heho Airport for your flight to Mandalay. Upon your arrival at Mandalay Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative, who will assist you with your transfer to the hotel and help with the check-in process. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You can wander the streets of this historic royal capital in northern Myanmar, take a leisurely stroll along the Ayeyarwady River that encircles the town, or explore the local cuisine at one of the city’s restaurants or street vendors. Overnight in Mandalay.

Explore the most sacred shrine in Mandalay, home to Myanmar's most venerated Buddha statue, Mahamuni Pagoda. This seated Buddha, towering at 4 meters, has accumulated layers of gold leaf from visitors over the years, giving it a distinctive lumpy appearance. Step inside the temple for a closer view of the Mahamuni Buddha and take some time to wander around the temple grounds, absorbing the serene spiritual ambiance. After the temple visit, we will delve into the traditional crafts of the area, including bronze casting, marble carving, wood carving, and puppetry at the Craft Workshop. Following lunch (at your own expense), our journey through Mandalay's spiritual sites will continue, starting with Shwenandaw Kyaung, the Golden Teak Monastery, renowned for its intricate wood carvings. We will then visit Kyauktawgyi Paya and Kuthodaw Paya, famous for containing the world's largest book. To conclude our sightseeing, we’ll ascend Mandalay Hill to visit the Shwe Kyin Old Monastery and witness a romantic sunset over this sacred landscape. Upon returning to the hotel, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Mandalay.

Prepare yourself for an exciting day of exploration around Mandalay’s notable attractions. We’ll kick off our journey in Amarapura, an ancient capital established based on astrological guidance, before heading to Mahagandayon Monastery. Here, you can observe the daily routines of monks and novices as they receive alms and food from devoted Buddhists. Next, we’ll proceed to Sagaing, known as the spiritual heart of Myanmar, where we’ll visit Sagaing Hill, a retreat for meditation and contemplation frequented by numerous monks and nuns.

Following this, we’ll take a ferry to Ava (Inwa), once the royal capital, now a serene oasis dotted with ruins, monastic structures, and stupas. Enjoy a leisurely ride on a horse cart through this tranquil countryside, stopping to see the beautiful Bagaya Kyaung, a teak monastery, as well as Maha Aungmyay Bonzan Kyaung and Nan Myint Tower. Along the way, witness local artisans crafting the renowned iron alms bowls. On our return to Mandalay, we’ll make a stop at U Bein's Bridge, a charming structure that stretches across Taungthaman Lake near Amarapura. You will return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight in Mandalay.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have the opportunity to experience a ride on Yangon’s Circle Train in the morning. After enjoying breakfast, you will be transferred to the Yangon Railway Station to board the local circular train for a scenic journey to the outskirts of the city (approximately a 45-minute ride). This leisurely train ride offers a fantastic chance to observe the vibrant and colorful lifestyles of the rural Burmese communities. Once you arrive, you’ll disembark to explore Insein Market, where various street vendors showcase a range of colorful products. Take your time to wander through the market and interact with the friendly locals before heading back to Yangon by road.

In the afternoon, you'll visit Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, where you can browse an extensive array of Myanmar handicrafts and other goods. Following your market visit, you'll be transferred to Yangon International Airport for your onward flight.