Treks and Places of Myanmar in Short Time – 8 Days

In the early morning, you’ll board a short flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, your guide will take you on a tour to explore its stunning landscapes and remarkable architecture.

Bagan is an absolutely captivating destination, beloved by travelers worldwide. Known as the “City of Four Million Pagodas,” it stands as one of the most significant archaeological sites in Asia. Today, over 2,000 pagodas, temples, and monasteries remain, most of which were constructed during the Bagan Dynasty, established by King Anawrahta in 1044.

We’ll begin with a visit to the bustling Nyaung U Market, an excellent spot for photos and a chance to interact with locals while observing their daily routines.

Following that, we’ll continue with visits to:

• Ananda Temple: An architectural marvel over a thousand years old,
• Hti-Lo-Min-Lo Temple: A two-story structure adorned with intricate stucco designs,
• Shwe-Zi-Gon Pagoda: Considered the prototype for all later pagodas.

If time permits, we’ll explore additional sites within this UNESCO World Heritage area.

Today, you have the entire day to relax and enjoy Bagan at your own pace.

Alternatively, you can take advantage of optional tours available at an additional cost:

• Option 1: Hot Air Balloon Ride over Bagan
• Option 2: Bagan Countryside Cycling Tour

You’ll take a short flight to Heho. Upon arrival, we’ll drive to the starting point of the trek. Please be aware that your main luggage will be transported directly to your hotel at Inle Lake by our driver. For the trek, we’ll carry small backpacks with daily essentials for the 2-day journey.

Throughout the day, we’ll pass through several minority villages, home to the Pa-O people, known for their distinctive cheroot-smoking and colorful headscarves. In the morning, we’ll hike for about 2 hours through rolling green landscapes dotted with corn, potato, and ginger fields – agriculture being the primary livelihood here.

We’ll stop for lunch and a rest at Kone Hla village before resuming the trek for another 2.5 hours, taking in the stunning views of the Shan Mountain Range. By late afternoon, we’ll reach Pattu village, where we’ll spend the night in a local home. You’ll have the chance to explore the village and observe the locals crafting bamboo baskets.

Begin the final stretch of your trek toward Inle Lake, traversing through Pa-O villages and agricultural lands, where you might spot local farmers plowing their fields or harvesting crops. After about an hour of walking, the scenic view of Inle Lake, your ultimate destination, will come into sight in the distance.

Following a steep descent, you’ll take a break for lunch in Tone Li village, where a small restaurant nestled within a bamboo forest offers a perfect spot to relax and unwind after the trek.

After lunch, continue your journey to the jetty, where a boat will be waiting to transport you onto Inle Lake. As you travel, the narrow channels open up to reveal the vast, serene waters of the lake, surrounded by hills and mountains. The sight is truly stunning, especially as you pass fishermen practicing their iconic foot-rowing technique.

This area is home to at least eight different tribes who live both on and around the lake, depending on it for transportation, food, and livelihood. Once you reach your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Looking down from the Taunggyi road, Inle Lake stretches out like a vast green expanse. Scattered across the lake are stilt-house villages and floating gardens, home to the Intha people. The Intha are known for their distinctive leg rowing technique, where one leg wraps around the paddle to propel the boat in a graceful, snake-like motion.

On our Inle Lake Boat Trip Day Tour, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in a unique way of life that has endured for generations while exploring the culturally rich landscapes of this beautiful region of Myanmar. Each passenger will be provided with a life jacket and a comfortable seat on the boat.

Highlights of the Inle Lake tour include:

• Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda: The most revered religious site in Shan State,
• Nga Phe Chaung Monastery: A charming wooden monastery,
• Floating Villages: Including Innpaw Khone, Pouk Par, Ywa Ma, and Khar Taw.

These visits offer a deep understanding of how the local people make their living, showcasing the iconic one-leg rowing fishermen, lotus and silk weaving, boat crafting, and cheroot production.

After lunch, we will head to Indein, where a short trek will take you to the Indein Pagoda. Along the way, enjoy the peaceful surroundings as you wander through the ancient 8th-century pagodas, now partially overgrown with trees and plants. You’ll also have the chance to observe village life and visit the local market along the lake's shore before returning to your hotel.

Transfer to the airport for a short flight to Yangon (approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes). Upon arrival, we’ll head to the hotel for check-in.

After a brief refreshment break at the hotel, we’ll begin exploring Yangon’s vibrant cityscape. Key highlights include:

• A stroll around the city center to take in the bustling atmosphere filled with street vendors, pedestrians, and Colonial-era architecture.
• A visit to BoGyoke Market (also known as Scott Market), the premier shopping destination in Myanmar.
• A photo stop at KaRaWeik Hall and Royal Lake.
• Watching the sunset at the iconic ShweDaGon Pagoda, one of Myanmar’s most remarkable landmarks.

After breakfast, enjoy your free time until it’s time to head to the airport for your departure flight. You’ll be transferred to Yangon International Airport three hours before your scheduled flight.