9 Days Myanmar - Our special offer

Day 01 YANGON / Arrival

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport: welcome by our local tour guide and transfer to your hotel. On your first walk through the city centre of Yangon, you will see many notable sites from the colonial and religious past of this garden city. Late afternoon, climb the steps up to the world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda, which Somerset Maugham described as follows: “The Shwedagon rose superb, glistening with its gold, like a sudden hope in the dark night of the soul of which the mystics write, glistening against the fog and smoke of the thriving city”. This massive, bell-shaped stupa rises 100 metres above its hilltop surroundings. Wander through this magnificent structure and its courtyards, stupas, bells, temples and Buddha images and observe religious and secular visitors from all over the world. Shwedagon has become the symbol of Myanmar. Enjoy the sunset over the pagoda. You will spend the night in Yangon.

Day 02 YANGON – BAGAN (B)

Transfer to airport for your early morning flight to Bagan (departure time between 06:00 and 07:00), once the most important temple and pagoda city in Southeast Asia, on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady. Upon arrival, traditional breakfast in a local teahouse. Full day sightseeing tour of Bagan with a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples, such as Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; the Gu Byauk Gyi Temple, a temple with exquisite murals of Jataka scenes; the Ananda Temple, with four huge standing Buddha images and numerous seated figures in niches around the galleried interior and the Shwe Gu Gyi Temple, noted for its fine stucco carvings and panoramic views of the area’s many monuments. In the afternoon, travel by horse-drawn carriage to Myinkaba, which is located two kilometres south of Bagan. This village is known for its lacquerware and also has a number of interesting temples, such as the Nanphaya Temple, which is reputed to have been the residence of King Manuha at one time, and the Gu Byauk Gyi Temple, with its extremely beautiful interior frescos. From the top of one of the higher pagodas, you can round off the day by enjoying the sunset view of the pagoda fields and the Ayeyarwady River. You will stay overnight in Bagan.

Day 03 BAGAN (B)

Free at your own leisure. You will stay overnight in Bagan.

Day 04 BAGAN – MANDALAY – SAGAING – AMARAPURA – MANDALAY (B)

Transfer to airport for your morning flight to Mandalay, the last royal capital of Burma. Upon arrival, cross the Ava Bridge towards Sagaing, located 21 kilometres south-west of Mandalay, and visit the Sagaing Hills, a place of refuge for devout Buddhists, with its various pagodas, monasteries and convents. Visit the village of Sagaing at the foot of Sagaing Hill, with its markets, shops and restaurants; the Tilawkaguru Cave Monastery, with its murals; the Umin Thounzeh cave complex, with its 45 Buddha statues; and the Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, which was built in 1312. This location offers outstanding views of Sagaing.
In the afternoon, travel to Amarapura: the ‘City of Immortality’. Along with the surviving pagodas, the ancient silk- and cotton-weaving tradition using handlooms is very much alive there. You will visit a mill where weaving is still performed using handlooms, take a rowing boat across Taungthaman Lake to the picturesque village of Taungthaman, and return at sunset to Amarapura via the U Bein bridge, which, at 1,200 metres in length, is one of the world’s longest teakwood bridges. You will spend the night in Mandalay.

Day 05 MANDALAY – MINGUN – MANDALAY (B)

After breakfast set off on your half-day excursion to Mingun. At the jetty, you will have enough time to observe the lively riverside goings-on and take a riverboat trip to the ancient capital city of Mingun (approx. one hour each way). Lunch on board. Visit the Settawya Pagoda, with its Buddha footprint, and the Mingun Bell, the largest ringing bell in the world; view the nearby unfinished Mingun Pagoda, built to be the world’s biggest pagoda and visit the Hsinbyume Pagoda, a replica of the mythological Mount Meru. Afternoon free at your own leisure. Overnight stay in Mandalay.

Day 06 MANDALAY – HEHO – PINDAYA - NYAUNG SHWE (B)

Transfer to airport for your morning flight to Heho, in Shan State. Upon arrival, travel to Pindaya (approx. two hours), a charming village with its paper umbrella cottage industry. Visit the Pindaya cave, famous for its thousands of Buddha images and the paper umbrella cottage industry. In the afternoon, travel onwards to Nyaung Shwe (around 3½ hours), a small town located at the northern end of Inle Lake. From there, take a boat to the hotel to check in. You will spend the night on Inle Lake.

Day 07 INLE LAKE (F)

Boat trip along Inle Lake (25 kilometres in length), which is known for its unique one-leg rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing and village life out on the water. Today, you will also learn why the famous Shan crackers are so popular with the Burmese people. You will visit a small Intha village to help a family make the popular Shan crackers, which will then be offered for sale at the market. In the afternoon, take a canoe trip through the floating gardens. The floating flowerbeds are tied together in shallow water, which is mostly only around three metres deep, and produce abundant fruits which can be harvested several times a year. Overnight stay on Inle Lake.

Day 08 INLE LAKE – HEHO – YANGON (B)

Morning boat excursion to Indein (approx. one-hour journey) through a beautiful countryside of tall grasses and little water steps, to view the historical Bagan- and Shan-style pagodas built during the Bagan period. The decaying pagodas, hidden in bushes, officially date back to the 12th-13th century. Afternoon transfer to Heho Airport and return flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel, check-in and overnight stay.

Day 09 YANGON / Departure (B)

You will have the morning free. Explore the Burmese metropolis on your own! If you’re feeling in the mood and want to experience the Burmese culture up close, then just take an interesting tour on the public ‘City Circular Train’ (circular railway) or a leisurely stroll through the Bogyoke market (closed Mondays and public holidays) for some last-minute shopping. There is a wide range of items for sale, including: wooden carvings, bronze statues, lacquer, mother-of-pearl cutlery, longyis and much more. Afternoon transfer to airport for your return flight.