Taste of Myanmar

On arrival at Yangon International Airport, the guide and driver greet the guests and transfer them to the hotel for check-in. After a short refreshment, start the journey with a visit to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most prominent monument in Yangon, which dominates the sky with golden flash, giant spires, and holy relics.

In the evening, enjoy dinner in Karaweik Palace, overlooking the Royal Lake and the Shwedagon tower. The dinner is served with fine Burmese food and an amazing cultural show.

Meals: Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

After breakfast in the hotel, guests leave Yangon in the morning for Kyaiktiyo (190km to the east). The highlight of this journey is the Golden Rock, a huge boulder covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. At its summit sits a small pagoda said to contain a hair relic of the Buddha.

Late morning, arrive at Kyaikhtiyo base camp and transfer to the transit junction with one of the small open trucks, which takes about one hour. After lunch, start an easy walk up to the Golden Rock and enjoy the sunset from this unforgettable site.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodations: Hotel in Kyaikhtiyo

In the morning, guests return to the base camp by truck and continue their drive back toward Yangon. Along the way, they stop at Bago, a former royal capital with a history dating back to the 6th century. Sightseeing in Bago includes the beautiful 55m long reclining Buddha called Shwethalyaung and the Mon-style Shwemawdaw Pagoda, one of the most venerated in Myanmar. Its spire stands 114m high and is taller even than the Shwedagon Pagoda. Also visit the old Palace of Kambozathadi and the huge four-sitting Buddhas. In the late afternoon, they drive back to Yangon for the night.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Yangon

Guests take an early morning direct flight from Yangon to Bagan, one of Myanmar’s most important archaeological sites. The Bagan plains stretch across the countryside with more than 2,000 ancient temples and pagodas.

The journey starts with a visit to the bustling Nyaung U Market in Old Bagan, then exploring the beautiful Shwezigon Pagoda and learning about Burmese Buddhist traditions. Continue our tour with a visit to Ananda Temple, stopping along the way on the Bagan plains to admire some of the surrounding temples.

In the afternoon, they visit a local lacquerware workshop to see how artisans create these traditional pieces. The day concludes with a panoramic sunset view from Shwesandaw Pagoda, the second tallest in Bagan, offering expansive views over the temple plains.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

*Guests have the option to take a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Bagan (US$285 per person) to observe the temple plains from above and watch local villagers beginning their day.

Guests begin the day with a horse cart ride to one of the biggest temples in Bagan – Nan Paya, and many other interesting sites nearby. Continue to Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple, taking note of the architectural differences between MyaZedi Temple and Manuha Temple.

In the afternoon, have a boat trip along the Irrawaddy River to the Kyauk Gu U Min Temple, a sandstone structure built into the riverbank. In the lower section were skillfully laid stone bricks, and the two stories above were built of earth bricks. A maze about 500 feet long was dug into the sandstone wall, with many twists and turns, tunnels, and cellars for meditation. Then, enjoy the sunset on the Irrawaddy River.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

After breakfast, guests transfer to the airport for the flight to Heho in Shan State. From here, a short drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake. Inle Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar, is located 900m above sea level and is home to the unique one-legged rowers of the Intha people.

In the afternoon, board a motorized boat for a sightseeing tour through stilted houses and floating gardens to Phaungdawoo Pagoda.  The Phaungdawoo Pagoda is known for its richly gilded five small Buddha images and is also believed to be the holiest in Inle Lake. The tour continues to Ngaphechaung Monastery, known as the “Jumping Cat” Pagoda. Then they visit Nam Pan village, where they observe local workshops producing cotton and lotus fiber textiles, as well as cheroot cigars rolled by hand. 

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake

This morning, guests will visit the 5-day market, which is held in different villages surrounding the lake. This is definitely a fascinating place to enjoy the scene of local tribes in their colorful clothes and exotic market atmosphere.

Then, they take a boat to visit the beautiful temple of Indein, located on the hill overlooking the lake. Guests can walk along the corridor and enjoy the giant columns that have been left to nature for centuries.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Guests leave Inle Lake and take a flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, the guide transfers them to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a reclining Buddha that stretches more than 70 meters in length.

After checking in at the hotel, the afternoon program begins with a visit to Bogyoke Market. Formerly named Scott’s Market, it is now the main tourist destination where you can find antique, Burmese handicrafts & jewelry shops, art galleries & clothing stores. Then, take a short trishaw ride along Strand Road, one side is the Yangon River with busy river transportation & shipping business, and the other side has many colonial buildings. 

At the end of the day, they embark on an orientation walk to Chinatown, covering exotic streets of downtown Yangon and British Colonial buildings, such as Emmanuel Church and Inland Water Buildings. Along the way, guests try some local street foods & fruits, and snacks that Yangon residents enjoy during the evening rush hour.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

After breakfast, guests have free time until departure. The driver transfers them to Yangon International Airport for their flight home.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A