“Beauty is meaningless until it is shared.”
― George Orwell, Burmese Days
Group Private Tours Myanmar
Travel Myanmar Visit Temples Stupas Pagodas
Essence of Myanmar
Group Tours Yangon Inle Mandalay Bagan Bago Golden Rock Culture Cuisine
Group Private Tours Myanmar
This 13-day tour offers a full journey through the rich culture and history of Myanmar. You'll travel through the countryside, across beautiful Inle Lake, visit the historic shrines and temples, and take in the culture first-hand by visiting local shops, markets, and farms. If you want to get the full experience of genuine Myanmar, this tour is exactly what you're looking for.
Day 1: Arrive in Yangon
Arrival at Yangon airport. Here your guide will greet you transfer you to your hotel, enjoy local cuisine at the many vendors near your accommodation, spending the night in Yangon
British Colonial Architecture
65m long and 16m high Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha image
The Sule Paya (Kyaik Athok Zedi) is a pagoda located in the center of Yangon.
Day 2: Yangon Full Day sightseeing
Your city tour starts at Botahtaung Pagoda, with a walk downtown along Strand Road and the Yangon River towards Pansoedan Street and the historic colonial buildings. You’ll also see Sule Pagoda (which is believed to enshrine a strand of hair of the Buddha), City Hall, Mahabandola Garden, and the Immanuel Baptist Church. In the afternoon visit Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda (reclining Buddha) and go shopping at Bogyoke (Scott) Market. End your day on a high with the sunset view over Shwedagon Pagoda and dinner at “Kara Wait”. You’ll also see traditional dancing before returning to your hotel in Yangon.
Day 3: Yangon – Thingyan Sightseeing
After breakfast you’ll go on a short road journey to Thingyan City (once called Syriam). Sightseeing includes the China-Myanmar friendship bridge, the Kyaik-Khaut Pagoda, Yay-Le-Phaya (Kyauktan Pagoda which literally means ‘the Pagoda at the centre of the river’), ending at the 8th century Sacred Heart Church. You'll stay overnight in Yangon.
Leg Rowing Fishermen, Inle Lake
Day 4: Yangon fly to Heho (Inle Lake)
After breakfast, you'll fly to Heho, a small village of Danu people, Buddhist agriculturalists, known for their colourful attire, traditional ceremonies and special leg rowing fishing technique. On arrival, you’ll drive to Naung Shwe and check into your hotel, after settling in, you'll take a long-tailed boat around Inle Lake to visit Paw Daw Oo Pagoda and Nga Hpe Chaung monastery, and watch the unique sight of the fishermen in their boats.
You’ll glide through the floating vegetable fields, see black smiting, a cigar workshop, and admire the natural beauty of the area. Return by boat to your hotel for the evening and stay overnight in Naung Shwe.
Day 5: Inle Lake – Sagar Village Sightseeing
This morning, leave your lakeside hotel for Sagar, at the far southern region of Inle Lake. The area was only recently opened to tourists in 2003, so very few tourists make the trip to this region. And yet it is one of the most beautiful places in Shan State with the mountains forming a backdrop for the small villages and fishermen on the water. The boat journey takes 2.5-3 hours and is full of fabulous views and home to many unique species of birds, both indigenous and migratory. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
Upon arriving in Sagar area there are several things to see depending on time. The main highlight for many travellers is the ‘sunken’ stupas of Sagar- 108 stupas from the 16-17th centuries that are partially underwater for a few months a year. There is also a local monastery and village that can be visited. You'll overnight in Inle Lake.
Day 6: Inle Lake (Heho) – Pindaya – Kalaw
After breakfast at the hotel there is a visit to Pindaya Cave. On the way you’ll visit Naung Shwe local market. The caves along the cliff are believed to contain more than 8000 images. The southernmost cave containing the main shrine is 490 ft (149m) long and is filled with images of all sizes, carved in wood, stone, marble and bronze, some thickly gilded. The views across the Kalaw Mountains are beautiful, and the area some of the best weather in Myanmar. Overnight hotel at Kalaw.
Day 7: Inle Lake (Heho) fly to Bagan
In the morning you'll transfer to Heho airport and fly to Bagan. After checking in at the hotel you’ll begin your excursion around Bagan a UNESCO World Heritage ite. Bagan is an ancient city located in the Mandalay region of Burma (Myanmar). Your historic tour of Bagan includes Nyaung Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, Htilominlo Temple.
In the afternoon, you'll be able to visit a lacquer ware workshops before continuing to Lawkananda Pagoda, Ananda Temple, Thatbyinnyu Temple, and Bupaya Pagoda. Finally, enjoy the sun setting on the Ayeyarwaddy River by boat. Return back to your hotel for dinner.
Day 8: Bagan – Mt. Popa Sightseeing
Today you’ll journey to the southern part of Bagan to Mount Popa. This is an extinct volcano which is now a holy mountain. On the way visit a traditional oil press machine, making products from the palm including toddy juice and jaggery. Take a ride in a traditional ox cart to a local village, passing the farming landscape.
At the top of Mount Popa are monasteries and pagodas where pilgrims usually come to pray and celebrate. The view from the summit is spectacular so don’t forget your camera. In late afternoon we'll transfer back to Bagan in time for the beautiful sunset views from the temples. You’ll visit Dhammayangyi Temple and Payathonezu Temple, and stay overnight at Bagan.
Day 9: Fly from Bagan to Mandalay – Amarapura – Inwa
After breakfast you'll fly to Mandalay and visit the sights, including Kuthodaw Pagoda, and Shwenandaw Monastery. Next you'll take the ferry boat across the river from Amarapura and enjoy lunch along the river bank. From there you'll ride in a horse cart to the ancient site of Innwa through fields and mango farms on arrival at Innwa visit Bagaya Monastery and Me Nu Oke Kyung.
Then return back to Amarapura and enjoy the beauty of the sunset on the 1.2km long U-Bein wooden teak bridge across Taungthaman Lake and stay overnight in Mandalay.
Day 10: Mandalay – Mingun
After breakfast, you'll head to the jetty for a private boat transfer across the Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun. During this 90 minute ride you’ll see the magnificent and huge Mingun Pagoda known as Pathodawgyi (Magnificent Stupa), Mingun Bell at Mingun Pagoda, and Mya Thein Dan or Hsinbyume Pagoda.
After returning back to Mandalay we'll head across the river to Sagaing, a former Shan capital in the 14th century with many impressive stupas scattered on its hill. In the late afternoon, we'll drive to Mandalay Hill and see the panoramic sunset view from the summit. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 11: Mandalay fly to Yangon - Golden Rock (Kyaikhtiyo)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight back to Yangon. You’ll drive to Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) via the World War II War cemetery, dedicated to the 27,000 Commonwealth Forces who died in Burma. There’s also a visit to Bago town local market, a visit to a cashew nut and rubber plantation and a nearby orphanage.
Upon arrival at Bago, we'll transfer to a special open truck for the uphill climb to the top. There is a light trek to the Golden Rock along a twisting footpath through evergreen forest. Check in at the hotel and take short break to visit Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda or Golden Rock. Marvel at the sunset from the hilltop and watch the evening activities at the shrine of the local pilgrimages before descent trek to your hotel for the night.
Day 12: Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) – Bago – Yangon
After breakfast, visit Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock) to enjoy the sunrise. Take the truck back the base and transfer to a private car for your return journey to Yangon. On the way there you'll see Bago, Kyaikpun Pagoda, Shwethalyaung Buddha, Kanbawzathadi Palace, and Shwemawdaw Paya. On the journey back to Yangon you’ll enjoy views of paddy fields and rice mills. Upon arrival, you'll check in at your hotel at Yangon.
Day 13: Yangon Departure
Take breakfast at hotel with some free time until your departure. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Burma Travel Tours Private Guided GroupJourneys
Pricing details from October 10th, 2016
Price per person $3862 USD
1 adult
Price per person $2225
2 adults required
Price per person $2323
from 3 to 4 adults required
Price per person $2084
from 5 to 7 adults required
Price per person $1918
minimum of 8 adults required