Myanmar Discovery

On arrival at Yangon International Airport, the guide and driver greet the guests and transfer them to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at their leisure to recover from jet lag and explore the city on their own.  

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.
Accommodations: 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

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.

Upon arrival, board a motorboat for a sightseeing tour to Phaungdawoo Pagoda, famed for its richly gilded five small Buddha images, is also believed the holiest in Inle Lake. Our next visit is to Ngaphechaung monastery, known as the jumping cat pagoda. Guests then 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.

After lunch, 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.
Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake

Have breakfast at the hotel, then guests take a short boat ride to the northern shore of Inle Lake, where the car and driver await them to go to Pindaya. Along the way, they travel through the picturesque Shan State countryside. Then, visit Pindaya’s limestone cave with its maze of chambers displaying more than 8,000 Buddha statues.

In the afternoon, guests take part in nearby local handicraft workshops producing Shan paper (made from mulberry bark) and  traditional Shan paper umbrellas that are used by monks all around the country. Then transfer to Heho airport for the short flight to Mandalay. Overnight in Mandalay.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

Known as the hub of Buddhism in Myanmar, Mandalay is a realm of stupas, monks, and monasteries. The most fascinating visit will be the time to behold the monks doing their worship and having meals. 

Guests start the day at Mandalay Pier, boarding a private boat to explore Mingun, famed for its huge and incomplete Pahtodawgyi Pagoda and Mingun Bell. In the afternoon, visit Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery, and Kuthodaw Pagoda, which contains the world’s largest book. The day concludes at Mandalay Hill, where guests enjoy sunset views over the city.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Mandalay

Guests drive to Sagaing Hill to discover the monk education and visit the Buddha Cave, Umin Thonze Pagoda, and Sunoonponnyashin Pagoda.

Then, move to Amarapura. Being famous for the Mahagandaryone Monastery, Amarapura is the best place to experience the monastic life in Mandalay. Walk over the Ubein Wooden Bridge, the longest teakwood bridge, to the Mahamuni Image – a bronze Buddha image cast during the lifetime of Buddha himself. Later, guests transfer to Bagan and check into their hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan

After breakfast, guests visit Shwezigon Pagoda, which is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. They also visit the Ananda and the Sulamani Temple. In the afternoon, visit the Bagan archaeological museum and discover the traditional way that local people make the lacquer wares. The day concludes with a sunset cruise along the Ayeyarwaddy River, offering views of river life and the temple-studded plains.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan.

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. The highlight is sunset at Shwesandaw Pagoda, the second tallest in Bagan, providing sweeping views over the plains dotted with temples.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan.

After breakfast, guests take a flight from Nyaung U to Thandwe. Upon arrival, they transfer to Ngapali Beach. It’s time to relax and enjoy.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ngapali

Guests have a full day of leisure to enjoy the white sands and turquoise waters of Ngapali.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ngapali

After breakfast, guests fly back to Yangon. They enjoy a guided city tour, visiting Sule Pagoda, Chaukhtayi Pagoda, and Kandawgyi Lake. The journey culminates at Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar’s most iconic golden stupa. Guests finish the day with shopping at Scott Market for souvenirs and local handicrafts.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Yangon.

After breakfast, guests have free time for last-minute sightseeing or shopping. The driver transfers them to Yangon International Airport for their departure flight.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A