Truly Myanmar

Upon 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, the journey begins with a visit to Sule Pagoda, which is believed to enshrine a strand of the Buddha’s hair. From Sule Pagoda, they embark on an orientation walk to Chinatown, covering the exotic streets of downtown Yangon and British Colonial buildings, such as Emmanuel Church and the Inland Water Buildings. Late afternoon, 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, the driver transfers guests to Yangon Airport for a morning flight to Mandalay. Get picked up on arrival by our tour guide and driver.

*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. 

Then, move to Amarapura. Being famous for the Mahagandaryone Monastery, Amarapura is the best place to experience the monastic life in Mandalay. Every day at mid-morning, monks and novices line up silently to receive their daily offering of alms and food from faithful Buddhists.

Guests drive to Sagaing Hill to discover the monk education and visit the Buddha Cave, Umin Thonze Pagoda, and Sunoonponnyashin Pagoda. End of the day, walk over the Ubein Wooden Bridge and enjoy a great sunset view from here.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

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.
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

Guests embark on a full-day boat cruise downstream along the Irrawaddy River. The journey offers ever-changing views of riverside villages, pagodas rising from the plains, and local life as fishermen, farmers, and villagers work along the riverbanks. The cruise typically takes 9 to 10 hours but may extend from 12 to 13 hours depending on river conditions. Upon arrival in Bagan, the tour guide and driver meet guests and transfer them to the hotel. The evening is free for rest.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

The day 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, guests have the opportunity to learn more about traditional lacquerware production. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

After breakfast, guests take a scenic 6-hour drive to Kalaw, located in the mild highland of Shan state. Kalaw exposes a green natural beauty, combining the exotic life of ethnic minorities and pine plantations.

Upon arrival in Kalaw in the mid-afternoon, guests check into their hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure to rest or explore the town.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Kalaw

Guests spend the day trekking through the hills and valleys surrounding Kalaw, visiting Pa-O tribal villages to learn about their unique lifestyles and join local farm work. The local farm work includes planting and harvesting crops such as wheat and ginger. Back to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Kalaw

After breakfast, guests transfer to Kalaw Railway Station for a late morning scenic train ride to Shwe Nyaung. The journey is about 4 hours. Upon arrival, they drive to Naung Shwe Jetty and board a motorized boat to reach the resort in Inle Lake. Check in upon arrival, and the rest of the time is at leisure.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: 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.

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.
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

After breakfast, guests take a boat ride to Indein Temple, a hilltop complex overlooking the lake. They walk along the ancient corridors among giant columns and weathered stupas, observing structures left to nature over centuries. 

In the early afternoon, guests transfer to the airport for a flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival, the tour guide and driver meet the group and transfer them to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon.

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

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A