Classic Myanmar 12-Day Tour
Myanmar has had a troubled few years keeping it off the major tourist track. It is however a delight to visit with welcoming, friendly people who love to show off their amazing country. In 12 days you will not only get to see some of the most spectacular sights in Myanmar but you will get to travel to some of the more unusual sites too.
After seeing Yangon and the awe inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda you will travel to the unique Golden Rock. From there travel thru rural Myanmar to Bagan - an Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area where the number of pagodas and temples is astounding. A quick stop in Mandalay is followed by a visit to Inle Lake where the views alone are enough to excite. Have downtime to relax, but also explore the fascinating floating farms, watch the unique local fishing style and visit some of the many water-bound villages.
When you leave after 12 days you will know you have seen and experienced some of the best of Myanmar – but you may well start planning your next trip as your plane takes off!
Day 1 Yangon - Arrival and City Tour all day
Arrive on your flight.
Arrive in Yangon where you will be welcomed by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel to drop off your luggage.
After lunch enjoy a tour of the city center featuring the National Museum; Chaukhtatgyi, a colossal reclining Buddha; Karaweik Hall, a Royal Barge on the Royal Lake and Bogyoke (Scott) market with hundreds of stalls selling local souvenirs. End the day at the world famous Shwedagon Pagoda, one the most venerable places of worship in Myanmar. Enjoy all the gold and gems and watch as the giant golden dome lights up as the sun sets. Join the locals who come every night to make offerings before heading back to your hotel.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel - Superior Room
Day 2 Yangon - Kyaihtiyo (Golden Rock)
Set out early and drive to Kyaikhtiyo, a small Pagoda, insignificant in size but unique in its position. The small stupa sits on top of a massive rock which is completely covered with gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of the cliff.Upon arrival at base camp proceed to the next camp, called Yathetaung, by open truck, about an hour's mountain drive. Take a light trek to the Golden Rock along the twisting footpath through bamboo forests. Stop at the roadside shops to view some unusual products that come from the local jungle. Enjoy a short walk to a small cave which looks like the beak of a crow. Watch the sun set from the hilltop.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Golden Rock Hotel - Standard Room
Day 3 Kyaikhtipy - Bago - Yangon
Start your day with a drive down to the base camp at Bago where you will have lunch. Afterwards take a look around the town including a visit to the local market; Shwetharlyaung, a 55 meters long reclining Buddha Image, and Shwemawdaw Pagoda, with a spire that is even taller than that of the great Shwedagon Pagoda. Return to Yangon passing rice paddies and small villages.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel - Superior Room
Day 4 Yangon - Bagan
In the morning catch your flight to the ancient city of Bagan where you will spend the day exploring the city. Visit Nyaung Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar Stupas; Kyansittha Umin; Wet-Kyi-Inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with its exquisite mural painting from the 13th century, and Htilominlo Temple.
After lunch visit a fascinating lacquer-ware workshop before continuing to Manuha Temple built by the exiled King Manuha, then to Nanphaya, said to have been the residence of King Manuha; Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and Oak-Kyaung monastery decorated with multi-colored mural paintings. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset from the terraces of an ancient temple.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Thazin Garden Hotel - Superior Room
Day 5 Bagan - City Tour
Start with Lawkananda Pagoda on the river side; continue on to East and West Phet Leik with its clay plaques depicting Jataka scenes; then Thatbyinnyu Temple, the tallest in Bagan; Shwegugyi Temple; the Palace site and Tharaba Gate.
In the afternoon your tour includes Apeyadana Temple with its paintings of Mahayana; Nagayon Temple; the Dhamayangyi Temple, a massive Temple with some of the finest brickwork, and then finish the day at Mingalar Zedi where you can see the sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River and enjoy an evening cruise on the river.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Thazin Garden Hotel - Superior Room
Day 6 Bagan - Mandalay
Fly to Mandalay, the last capital of the Myanmar Kingdom. On the way stop by Amarapura where you will visit Mahagandayon Monastery and watch as a thousand monks take their last meal of the day at 10am in total silence. Walk across U Bein, a 200 year old curved wooden bridge with beautiful views out over the lake and then visit a local silk weaving shop where you will learn how the Burmese silk weaving industry makes its fine cloth.
In the afternoon visit the Old Palace grounds; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world's largest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha's Doctrine; Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings; Atumashi Monastery; and Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, where a huge image is carved out of a single block of marble. At sunset enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Mandalay City Hotel - Superior Room
Day 7 Mandalay - Mingun - Ava/Sagiang - Mandalay
In the morning transfer to the Gawein Jetty and board a private boat to Mingun. A reclusive asylum for King Badaon, Mingun has a collection of interesting pieces, including Pahtodawgyi Temple, Mingun Bell and Myatheindan temple. Browse local artists stores and then board the boat back to Mandalay.
In the afternoon take a tour of Sagaing visiting Kaunghmudaw Pagoda, an enormous solid dome shape stupa and the famous Sagaing Hill, a retreat for Buddhist devotees. Visit the ancient capital called Inwa (Ava), the epoch of Myanmar literature in the 14th A.D. Return to your hotel in Mandalay.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Mandalay City Hotel - Superior Room
Day 8 Mandaly - Heho - Pindaya
Fly to Heho and then proceed by road to Pindaya (60Km), a small, quiet town, about an hour and a half drive. Visit Pindaya caves famous for its thousands of centuries-old Buddha images of various sizes, some carved into the face of the rock and some deposited in niches in the walls.
Next visit a home based paper and umbrella making industry where you will be able to see all of the steps in the process starting with the gathering of local plants to the finished product - beautiful, decorative paper umbrellas. Check into your traditional cottage hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Pindaya Inle Inn - Superior Room
Day 9 Pindaya - Inle Lake
Enjoy the drive to Inle Lake which passes through some beautiful scenery. Upon arrival at Nyaung Shwe jetty transfer directly to your floating hotel. Relax as you have the rest of day free to enjoy the lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Paradise Inle Resort - Standard Room
Day 10 Day on Inle Lake
Today you will have a full day on and around the lake. You will see the unique method locals use to row their boats, fishermen with their own style of fishing, floating farms and gardens and a handloom weaving cottage with its own showroom. You will visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda which houses the five most revered Buddha Images in the southern Shan States and Jumping Cat Monastery, called that after its trained jumping cats.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Paradise Inle Resort - Standard Room
Day 11 Inle - Heho -Yangon
Enjoy a boat excursion on the lake before transferring to the airport for an afternoon
flight back to Yangon. Arrive in Yangon and transfer to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel - Superior Room
Day 12 Yangon - Departure
Transfer to the airport in time to catch your flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Tour Rate: $1,850 per person double with $1,080 single supplement
Price includes:
- Boat tickets as specified above
- Accommodation as specified above
- Air-conditioned car/van with driver
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
- Meals as specified in itinerary, including water
Price excludes:
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Airport tax
- Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips