Myanmar’s Capital, Lakes and Temples 9-Day

Welcome to our 9-day tour of Myanmar, a land of breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. This tour takes you through some of the most iconic destinations in Myanmar, including the bustling city of Yangon, the tranquil Inle Lake, the ancient city of Bagan, and the regal Mandalay.

Your journey starts with your arrival in Yangon, where you will be greeted by our friendly guide and transferred to your hotel. The next day, you will explore the highlights of the city, including the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the Sule Pagoda, and the historic colonial buildings.

The following day, you will travel to Heho and embark on an excursion to the picturesque Inle Lake, where you will discover the unique culture of the Intha people and their traditional way of life. You will also visit the famous floating gardens and local markets.

The next day, you will explore the hidden gems of Inle Lake, including the ancient pagodas of Indein and the stunning landscape of the lake.

Afterward, you will continue your journey to Bagan, the ancient city of thousands of temples and pagodas. You will visit the most iconic temples and witness the breathtaking sunset over the Bagan plain.

The next day, you will embark on a temple tour of Bagan, where you will discover the rich history and culture of the city and the surrounding area.

You will then travel to Mandalay, the last royal capital of Myanmar, where you will visit the highlights of the city, including the Mahamuni Pagoda and the Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world's largest book.

The next day, you will visit Mingun and Sagaing, two historic cities with rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes.

On your final day, you will be transferred to Mandalay International Airport for your departure flight, concluding your unforgettable journey through the heart of Myanmar.

• Shwedagon Pagoda: One of the most iconic landmarks of Myanmar, the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is a must-see attraction. It is a stunning gold-plated stupa that stands over 100 meters tall and is covered in precious gems.
• Inle Lake: This tranquil lake in the Shan State is a unique destination that offers a glimpse into the traditional life of the Intha people. The lake is surrounded by floating villages, stilted houses, and beautiful gardens, and you can witness the local fishermen's distinctive one-leg rowing technique.
• Bagan Temples: Bagan is an ancient city in central Myanmar with over 2,000 temples and pagodas. It is an extraordinary place to witness the beautiful sunrise and sunset, and explore the intricate architecture and history of the temples.
• Mandalay: Mandalay is the last royal capital of Myanmar and has a rich cultural heritage. The city is full of beautiful pagodas, palaces, and monasteries, such as the Kuthodaw Pagoda, the Mahamuni Pagoda, and the Shwenandaw Monastery.
• Indein Pagodas: The Indein Pagodas are a unique attraction on the western shore of Inle Lake, featuring hundreds of small, ancient stupas. The pagodas are surrounded by beautiful greenery and offer a peaceful, serene atmosphere.
• Mingun and Sagaing: These two historic cities near Mandalay offer beautiful landscapes and stunning architecture. The Mingun Pahtodawgyi, an unfinished stupa that was supposed to be the largest in the world, and the U Bein Bridge in Sagaing, are two of the most famous landmarks in the area.

Upon arrival, you'll greet by your guide who will accompany and transfer you to your hotel.

Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage make it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia.

(Early check-in subjected to room availability).

Overnight in Yangon.

-------------------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

Hotel Grand United Ahlone - 3-star or similar

Jasmine Palace Hotel - 4-star or similar

Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake - 5-star or similar

After morning breakfast, you will transfer to Yangon Railway Station to take the local Circular Train journey to the outskirts of town (20-30 minutes ride). The slow-traveling train gives a unique opportunity to observe the lively and colorful life of the rural Burmese people. Disembark to visit Kyi Myin Daing Market where a variety of street vendors sell colorful wares. Enjoy exploring the market and meeting friendly locals before returning by road to Yangon.

In the afternoon, visit the downtown area to see the Old City Hall, and Maharbandoola Park. Then stroll along the old street ending at the old Strand Hotel. Next, drive to Botahtaung Pagoda which features golden decorations inside. Continue to Bogyoke Market which sells many Burmese traditional handicrafts including stone, wood and bronze carvings, and much more. In the afternoon, visit Kandawgyi Park near Chaukhtetgyi Reclining Buddha Image – one of the largest in Yangon. Continue to the highlight of Yangon: the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, which has been described as one of the wonders of the world. Shwedagon plays a very important role in the Old Burmese History and also is an important Buddhist icon. Enjoy the sunset over the pagoda.

Overnight in Yangon.

-------------------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

Hotel Grand United Ahlone - 3-star or similar

Jasmine Palace Hotel - 4-star or similar

Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake - 5-star or similar

After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Heho. On arrival at Heho airport, you will drive to Inle Lake and enjoy a boat ride for the whole day. Your sightseeing will start with a visit to the Phaungdawoo Pagoda, which houses five small Buddha images. The temple is also home to an annual festival, usually held during the month of October and which is the biggest occasion held in the Inlet Lake. The next must see stop is Nag Phi Chaung Monastery, an attractive wooden monastery built on stilts over the lake at the end of the 1850s and where you can see the popular jumping cats leap through the hoops. You also have an the option to see the Padaung or “Copper Neck” hill tribe. Your tour will continue with a visit to local shops, specializing in silk, lotus, and traditional iron work. Time permitting; you can visit a Shan paper making facility, before an overnight stay at your hotel.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

-------------------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

Golden Island Cottage - 3-star or similar

Amata Garden Resort - 4-star or similar

Aureum Inle Resort - 5-star or similar

After breakfast, visit the lake’s morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5-day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: market is daily except on dark moon day and full moon day). From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to Indein populated by ethnic Padaung (“long neck women”). You’ll walk on a covered alley lined on both sides with a thousand pagodas. Continue on foot by a long-covered staircase to discover the magnificent complex of Alaung Sithu in beautiful scenery of ancient stupas buried in vegetation with a panoramic view of the lake. This afternoon is your leisure at hotel.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

-------------------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

Golden Island Cottage - 3-star or similar

Amata Garden Resort - 4-star or similar

Aureum Inle Resort - 5-star or similar

Today, you will take the overland drive from Nyaung Shwe to Bagan. Bagan, located on the banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, is home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world with many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. You will arrive at Bagan in the late afternoon and transfer to the hotel for check in and relax.

Overnight in Bagan.

-------------------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

Bagan Umbra Hotel - 3-star or similar

Amata Garden Resort - 4-star or similar

Aureum Palace Hotel - 5-star or similar

After morning breakfast, your journey begins with a visit an elevated temple from where you will have a panoramic view of the magnificent plains of Bagan. Continue with a visit to the golden Shwezigon Pagoda, first and prototype monument, which was built in Myanmar style in 1087. Then, visit to Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple @ Wetkyi-Inn Village which is well-known for its exquisite jataka mural paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.

This afternoon begins with a visit to a traditional lacquer ware workshop where you can observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. Built in the early Mon-style, Ananda contains two unique Buddha images whose expressions seem to change depending on the distance from which the statue is viewed. From here, you will visit to Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, massive Dhammayangyi Temple, noted for its remarkable brickwork, and Sulamani Temple. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the temples.

Overnight in Bagan.

-------------------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

Bagan Umbra Hotel - 3-star or similar

Amata Garden Resort - 4-star or similar

Aureum Palace Hotel - 5-star or similar

Today, you will take the overland drive from Bagan to Mandalay. You will arrive at Mandalay in the afternoon and transfer to the hotel for check in and relax. In the afternoon, we'll visit to Mahamuni Pogada, 13ft-high sated Buddha image which is one of Myanmar's most famous. Continue your tour of Mandalay with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s Biggest Book’. Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace. This grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving.

Head to the top of Mandalay Hill to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River.

Overnight in Mandalay.

-------------------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

E-outfitting Golden Country - 3-star or similar

Eastern Palace Hotel - 4-star or similar

Hotel by the Red Canal - 5-star or similar

Today we'll explore the historic sites around Mandalay. Visiting to iconic attractions include Mingun's gigantic stupa stub, Sagaing's temple-studded hills and U Bein's Bridge in Amarapura.

This morning we'll take a drive to visit Mingun Pagoda. Then, continue your visit to the world's largest uncracked bell called Mingun Bell. Across the road, you can visit a Buddish nursing home for family-less elderly folk which is always glad of donations. (Donation is own account). Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant.

Return to dry land by boat and take a drive to Sagaing by crossing a bridge over the Irrawaddy River. Uncountable white-and-gold stupas are highlights of Sagaing. Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. It is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers and you will visit pagodas such as Swan OoPon Nya Shin and U Min ThoneSae. We’ll also visit Sagaing’s local market, a typical Burmese market that few tourists visit. Here you will find a range of items for sale including locally made pottery, silver and other handicrafts. We will also stop at a small pottery village to see the process of making the ubiquitous water pots found throughout Myanmar. After touring this tranquil site, continue to U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest and 200-year-old teak bridge. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams.

Overnight in Mandalay.

-------------------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

E-outfitting Golden Country - 3-star or similar

Eastern Palace Hotel - 4-star or similar

Hotel by the Red Canal - 5-star or similar

Today marks the end of your exciting journey in Myanmar. After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you can spend the day at your leisure, taking time to relax and reflect on your trip. You may choose to visit local shops, cafes or attractions to make the most of your remaining time in Mandalay.

Later, our team will arrange for your transfer to the Mandalay International Airport for your departure flight. You can enjoy the scenic drive and take in the stunning landscapes of the city for one last time before you say goodbye to Myanmar.