Essential Myanmar Tour Program 2

Day 1: Yangon – Arrival

(Based on morning arrival flight)

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, you will be welcomed by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Sightseeing for today includes Sule Pagoda, built in the early 3rd century and a landmark in the city center; the colonial downtown area, where you can see the over 100-year-old Strand Hotel, the beautiful Post Office, and the British Embassy. This area also offers a chance to experience the local life of the Myanmar people.

Later, drive to Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, known for its reclining Buddha that measures 70 meters in length. End the day with a visit to the world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda for a breathtaking sunset.
Stay overnight in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon – Kyaikhtiyo

After breakfast at your hotel, drive to one of Myanmar’s landmarks, Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock), located about a 5-hour drive northeast of Yangon. The magnificent Golden Rock is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and lies approximately 160 km from Yangon.

To reach the pagoda from the Kin Pun Base Camp, a steep 11 km road leads to the upper stopping point. Upon arrival, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding jungle and a beautiful sunset.
Stay overnight at Golden Rock.

Day 3: Golden Rock – Bago – Yangon

After breakfast, return to Bago for sightseeing, including Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Shwethalyaung Pagoda, Kanbawzathadi Palace, and the four giant seated Buddha images.

Continue the journey back to Yangon.
Stay overnight in Yangon.

Day 4: Yangon – Bagan

Very early in the morning, transfer to the airport and depart from Yangon for Bagan, the ancient city with over 4,400 temples.

Upon arrival, drive to the colorful and bustling Nyaung Oo Local Market, offering insight into local life and a wide variety of tourist-oriented goods, including T-shirts, wood carvings, lacquerware, and paintings. Continue to Shwezigon Pagoda, one of the four most significant monuments in Bagan.

Visit Htilominlo Pagoda, famed for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations, followed by Ananda Pagoda, one of the finest, largest, and best-preserved temples in Old Bagan. You will also visit a lacquerware workshop, as Bagan is the birthplace of this traditional craft.

Finally, visit Dhammayangyi Pagoda, the largest temple in Bagan. Enjoy the sunset from one of the most scenic spots before returning to your hotel.
Stay overnight in Bagan.

Day 5: Bagan – Mount Popa – Bagan Excursion

Rising 1,518 meters from the plains surrounding Bagan, Mount Popa is considered the sacred home of spirits and is about a 1.5-hour drive from Bagan.

Visit a palm village along the way to learn how palm sugar is produced. Continue to Mount Popa and visit Taung Kalat, a temple perched dramatically atop a volcanic plug, holding great religious and historical significance in Myanmar.

The monastery is home to the 37 Nats (spirits) of Myanmar, displayed at the base of the temple. Mount Popa is also known as the Oasis of Central Myanmar.
Stay overnight in Bagan.

Day 6: Bagan – Mandalay – Amarapura – Ava (Inwa) Sightseeing

After breakfast, transfer to Nyaung Oo Airport for your flight to Mandalay. Mandalay was briefly the Burmese capital in the second half of the 19th century and remains the economic, cultural, and religious heart of Upper Myanmar.

Upon arrival, drive directly to Amarapura, the 18th-century capital and home to the country’s largest monastery, Maha Gandayon Monastery. Amarapura is also famous for its silk-weaving industry.

Visit U Bein Bridge, over 200 years old and 1.2 km long, the longest teak bridge in the world. After lunch, visit the former royal capital, Inwa (Ava) by horse cart.

Explore Nanmyint Watch Tower, also known as the “Leaning Tower of Ava,” Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, built of brick and stucco, and Bagaya Monastery, famous for its ornate wood carvings and massive teak pillars.
Stay overnight in Mandalay.

Day 7: Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay Sightseeing

After breakfast, enjoy a boat excursion on the Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun, about 11 km (1 hour) upriver from Mandalay.

Visit the unfinished Mingun Pahtodawgyi, originally intended to be the largest stupa in Myanmar, built by King Bodawpaya. Also see the massive Mingun Bell (90 tons) and Hsinbyume Pagoda.

Return to Mandalay. Afternoon sightseeing includes the Golden Palace Monastery, famous for its teak carvings of Buddhist myths, and Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to the world’s largest book.

Later, visit Mahamuni Pagoda, the holiest site in Mandalay. Explore a nearby stone-carving workshop. If time permits, drive to Mandalay Hill for panoramic views over the Ayeyarwaddy River.
Stay overnight in Mandalay.

Day 8: Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin – Mandalay

After breakfast, drive to Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo), about 69 km northeast of Mandalay and over 1,000 meters above sea level. This former British hill station is known for its colonial-style houses, pine trees, eucalyptus, and silver oak, offering a cool and pleasant climate year-round.

Visit the local market, National Kandawgyi Botanical Garden, Pwe Kauk (Ani-Sakan) Waterfall, the Chinese Temple, and Peik Chin Myaung Cave. In the evening, return to Mandalay.
Stay overnight in Mandalay.

Day 9: Mandalay – Heho – Pindaya

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Heho. From Heho Airport, drive about 90 minutes to Pindaya.

After hotel check-in, visit the Pindaya Caves, home to thousands of Buddha images placed by pilgrims over centuries. Explore the local cottage industry known for traditional paper and umbrella making.
Stay overnight in Pindaya.

Day 10: Pindaya – Kalaw

After breakfast, drive to Kalaw, located about 50 km from Pindaya and 70 km west of Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State. Kalaw is a peaceful hill town that once served as a British colonial retreat.

Sightseeing includes Nee Paya, featuring a gold-lacquered bamboo Buddha. Enjoy the daily life of local tribes and sample traditional local cuisine.
Stay overnight in Kalaw.

Day 11: Kalaw – Inle Lake

After breakfast, continue to the scenic Inle Lake, situated 880 meters above sea level. Arrive at Nyaung Shwe Jetty, transfer by boat to your hotel, and begin lake sightseeing.

Highlights include the unique one-legged rowing fishermen, floating gardens, Ngaphe Chaung Monastery (Jumping Cats Monastery), silk weaving in Inpawkhone Village, and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, richly covered in gold.
Stay overnight at Inle Lake.

Day 12: Inle – Indein – Inle

After breakfast, visit a local five-day market if it coincides with your stay. Travel by boat along a scenic creek to Indein, home to 16th-century pagodas.

Return to Inle Lake and visit Ywama Village, where you may photograph the long-neck Padaung women.
Stay overnight in Inle.

Day 13: Inle – Heho – Thandwe – Ngapali Beach

After breakfast, transfer to Heho Airport for your flight to Thandwe. Upon arrival, continue to Ngapali Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Myanmar. Relax and enjoy leisure time.
Stay overnight at Ngapali Beach.

Day 14: Ngapali Beach

Free time at leisure to relax and enjoy the beach.
Stay overnight at Ngapali Beach.

Day 15: Ngapali Beach – Thandwe – Yangon

After breakfast, transfer to Thandwe Airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, your local guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.

In the afternoon, visit Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for souvenir shopping (closed on Mondays and public holidays). Later, explore Chinatown, located near the city center, to experience Yangon’s nightlife.
Stay overnight in Yangon.

Day 16: Yangon – Departure

(Based on morning departure flight)

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to Yangon International Airport for your international departure flight.

End of Services

Note: The itinerary may be subject to change due to weather conditions.

Tour Prices Include:

Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast (double/twin sharing)

Meals as mentioned (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

Private air-conditioned transportation with drivers

Domestic air tickets (Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay – Heho – Thandwe – Yangon), including insurance and fuel surcharge

Entrance and zone fees

Boat fees for Mingun and Inle

Horse cart fee for Ava (Inwa)

Tour Prices Do Not Include:

International airfare

Myanmar visa fees

Meals not mentioned

Optional visits not listed

Early check-in and late check-out

Drinks and personal expenses

Tips and porters

Airport porter fees

Lunch on Day 15 and lunch/dinner on Days 13 and 14

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve surcharges