Best of Myanmar

After hotel pickup in the morning, your tour starts with transfer to Kyi Myin Dine Railway Station, where you’ll board the Yangon Circular Train. Enjoy the 15-minute ride to Yangon Railway Station, and then visit Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda to see its large Reclining Buddha.

Next, visit Bogyoke Aung Sann Market (aka Scott Market; closed on Mondays) to browse local crafts such as jewelry, traditional clothing, and jade, which make good gifts and souvenirs. Then head to a restaurant for lunch before continuing your walking tour past landmarks such as Independence Monument, Yangon City Hall, colonial buildings like the General Post Office, and Mahabandoola Park.

In the afternoon, head to Yangon’s major landmark, Shwedagon Pagoda, built more than 2,600 years ago according to legend. Walk around the golden temple, the most important Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, and then return to your hotel.

Early morning flight to Bagan. Begin our exploration by visiting a busy local market and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. You will spend the day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town by visit to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples. Then get to learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan’s most famous products: lacquer ware and wood crafts. Watch as the skilled craftsmen use techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items.

More than just temples, our tour introduces you to provide a great overview of Bagan’s history, culture and local lifestyles.

Today see the real way of life for most Burma people by visiting villages near Bagan to view the local lifestyle. Then you will explore Bagan from a different perspective as you explore the area by Pony cart. The cart can explore areas that cars are unable to enter giving a different feel of Bagan.

In the late afternoon transfer to jetty where a private wooden river boat is waiting. Sitting under the shade or on the open-deck you’ll be treated to fabulous views as you cruise down the Irrawaddy River to Shwezigon Pagoda. A private boat tour on the river during sunset time will hopefully show you a spectacular sunset. Relax and enjoy the scenery.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to legendary Mandalay, a city of great cultural importance. This morning visit the second most sacred image in Myanmar next to the Shwedagon Pagoda is the Mahamuni Pagoda. Visit local artisan’s workshops of gold leaf making, woodcarving and marble carving.

Next visit Golden palace Monastery famous for its intricate woodcarvings. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. Before sunset visit a 200-year-old teak bridge, the most photographic site in Myanmar.

After breakfast you’ll board a private local boat for a trip up the Irrawaddy to Mingun (45 min each way). Visit the Mingun Bell which weighs more than 87 tons and being the world’s largest intact bronze bell, the unfinished Mingun Paya (built with the intention of being the world’s biggest pagoda).

Mingun’s other highlight is the Hisnbyume Pagoda, a white-washed temple built to resemble Mount Meru. Throughout Mingun there are small neighborhoods crafting traditional basketry and other artistic items and there is plenty of time to stop and interact with the craftsmen and friendly locals. After returning to Mandalay in the afternoon continues sightseeing and visits the ruined remains of the Royal Palace. Late afternoon, enjoy a commanding overview of the city from the Mandalay Hill.

After breakfast, take flight to Heho, gateway to Inle Lake. From Heho drive to Nyaung Shwe where we pick our boat & transfer to your hotel for check in. Enjoy the full day tour by private boat in Inle lake. Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the most holy religious site in southern Shan State. Be amazed by the local handicrafts, silk weaving, wooden hand looms and traditional blacksmith methods along the way.

Visiting Inle Lake is not just about being on the water but also about discovering the Shan and Intha villages on the banks of the river. Pass the endless floating gardens, houses, monasteries built on stilts on the lake. Stop at Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery then proceed to Nampan village and see local cheroot factory where the Burmese cigars are made and canoe carving.

Begin your day with a visit to the Five-day Market, which rotates locations every five days and where hill tribe people dressed in colorful, traditional outfits – as they barter for goods and produce. We continue our sightseeing in Inle Lake, maneuvering by boat though long, scenic channels.

We will visit the fascinating village of Indein, with its complex of ancient shrines and stupas and walk though exotic colonnades of stairways and shop stalls. We’ll visit the “long neck” tribal women, and weaving and craft villages perched on stilts. See the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. It is a feast for the senses and a photographer’s dream.

Morning flight back to Yangon. Then enjoy a visit to Scott Market, the sprawling 75-year-old Market. At the market you will find a whole variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems & jewelry – bargain at the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere! Drive through the city and observe the influences of other cultures in the region.

Intersperse in the tour are various religious sites such as the St Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1899, and the Buddhist landmarks of Sule Paya and over 100 year old beautiful Rangoon Synagogue. In there you will have the opportunity to meet with Trustee of the Synagogue to learn the Jewish Life in the Pagoda Land. Then visit Little India and China town – stop to greet the vendors and let them introduce you to their wares – some familiar, some exotic.

Day at leisure until to transfer to the airport to take flight back to your country.