9-Night Best of Myanmar Private Tour: Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake

Itinerary

Day 1: Yangon

Stop At: Mahar Bandula Park, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
On this heritage walk, centered around Maha Bandula Park, discover the highlights of downtown Yangon, where you will find some of Asia’s most impressive examples of late 19th and early 20th-century architecture, dating from the British colonial era. Starting after breakfast or lunch, this walking tour will take you back in time to discover these beautifully constructed monuments to colonialism, some of which have been neglected, while others have been purposefully restored.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: The Secretariat, 300 Thein Phyu Road, Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar
Stop off at the abandoned Ministers’ Building, formerly known as The Secretariat, where the ‘Father of the Nation’, General Aung San, started the path to independence. Built in 1889, this impressive building and its gardens take up a whole block in the downtown area.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Gekko Restaurant, 535 Merchant street Kyautoda Township, 4th Quarter, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
After the tour you will have time to enjoy some refreshing drinks at Gekko, a stylish and popular restaurant and lounge bar on the ground floor of the historic Sofaer Building.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Clover Hotel or similar

Day 2: Yangon

Stop At: Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar
On this interactive half-day tour we take you on an off-beat adventure, not just to see Yangon’s spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda, but to experience the daily lives of people living in the community around this impressive monument. Learn about the history of Shwedagon and come out with a deeper insight into Myanmar’s Buddhism and how animist beliefs in spirits still play a part in Buddhist rituals and ceremonies. We begin this intriguing tour at the bottom of the hill and wend our way to the top through bustling streets, passing local businesses, workshops, markets and temples – all of which play an essential role in the upkeep and worship of Shwedagon Pagoda. The tour includes traditional Burmese breakfast, offerings to monks at the pagoda, a visit to a traditional fortune teller, and a Burmese lunch.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
• Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant
Accommodation included: Overnight at Clover Hotel or similar

Day 3: Yangon - Mandalay

Stop At: Mahamuni Pagoda, Mandalay Myanmar
Visit the Mahamuni Buddha Temple, a major pilgrimage site, situated in west Mandalay. A highly venerated temple, it is home to the Mahamuni Buddha statue, said to be only one of five true likenesses of Gautama Buddha himself. The temple is full of activity as pilgrims from all over the country arrive to worship and make merit. Beautiful bronze and wooden Buddha statues can also be bought in the Chanmyathazi neighborhood streets around the temple. We then head for the Buddha statue workshops where young men and boys carve Buddha statues out of solid blocks of white marble.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: U Bein Bridge, Amarapura Myanmar
From here it’s on to Amarapura, a township in southern Mandalay that was once the capital of Myanmar. Known for its traditional silk and cotton weaving, as well as bronze casting, it’s a truly fascinating experience watching the weavers at work. We then walk through Mahagandayon Monastery, the country’s most prominent monastic college and also visit a 100-year-old weaving vocational training institution, before walking over U- Bein Bridge where we sample some Mandalay rum – in production since 1886!
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
Accommodation included: Overnight at Ma Ma Guest House or similar

Day 4: Mandalay

Stop At: Mingun Pahtodawgyi, Mingun Myanmar
f you have limited time in Mandalay, but still want to experience a cruise along the Irrawaddy River we suggest you join us for a cruise to Mingun. A short ride from your Mandalay hotel brings you to the jetty where you board the boat for the cruise upstream. On arriving, you will visit Mingun stupa’s giant bronze bell as well as the temple, before returning to Mandalay by boat where you then visit the lively Yadanabon Market, which starts at 3.00 pm. You arrive back at your hotel in the early evening.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant
• Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
Accommodation included: Overnight at Ma Ma Guest House or similar

Day 5: Mandalay - Bagan

Stop At: mandalay highway bus station, Unnamed Road, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)
Car transfer to Mandalay Highway bus station for your day bus to Bagan. On you arrival to Bagan, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
Accommodation included: Overnight at Zfreeti Hotel or similar

Day 6: Bagan

Stop At: Old Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)
Your guide will meet you with you at the hotel for an activity-packed day that will take you to experience the wonders of Bagan, visiting some of the best-known temple ruins in the area. You begin by first climbing a hill to see a pagoda for an impressive view and orientation of Old Bagan. From the top, you will see the ancient ruins rising up from the rice plains in every direction. From here, your guide will plan a route in the car to some of the most famous temple ruins that have been here for centuries. Places like the Ananda, Dhammayangyi, Sulamani, and Thatbyinnyu, will leave you in awe of the skills of ancient craftsmen.

In the late afternoon you continue by horse and cart to a location where you can catch the setting sun as it slides below the horizon, lighting up gold the prangs and spires of this age-old kingdom. As you contemplate the sinking sun and a bygone age, you will be served a refreshingly cool drink.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
• Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant
Accommodation included: Overnight at Zfreeti Hotel or similar

Day 7: Bagan

Stop At: Old Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)
Free day - sightseeing on your own arrangement (we suggest you to visit Minannthu area)
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
Accommodation included: Overnight at Zfreeti Hotel or similar

Day 8: Bagan – Heho – Inle Lake

Stop At: Nyaung U Airport, Nyaung-U, Myanmar (Burma)
Car transfer to the airport for your flight to Bagan (K7 242 NYU – HEH 1005/1045).
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Heho Airport, He Hoe, Myanmar (Burma)
On your arrival, meet your guide and transfer to Inle Lake to start sightseeing.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Indein Village, Inthein, Taunggyi Myanmar
egins with a visit to Indein Pagoda, a temple with an impressive collection of stupas in the village of Indein, southwest of Inle Lake. Surrounded by wild terrain, hills and mountains, the site seems almost to have grown out of the landscape. You then continue with a walk around Inle Lake, enjoying the fantastic views of this large expanse of water and the rural countryside and farms around. For lunch you will enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal served at the house of an ethnic Intha family, whose people have been living on the lake for many centuries in wooden houses built entirely on stilts. After lunch you continue toward Nam Pan village for a unique boat trip on the lake in a traditional canoe, paddled by the canoe’s owner. After the tour, you return by motorboat to your hotel.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
• Lunch: Home-cooked lunch at a local home
Accommodation included: Overnight at Maineli Hotel or similar

Day 9: Inle Lake

Stop At: Inle Lake, Nyaungshwe Myanmar
Travel by private motorboat around the lake to discover its natural beauty, visiting floating gardens, observing the famous leg rowers in action and enjoying tea at a local family’s home. On and around the lake traditional markets are held in different villages according to a five-day rotating schedule, and on this day you will visit a colourful market frequented by Shan and Pa'O people living nearby. There will also be a chance to see a local workshop where the Burmese cheroot cigars are made.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Phaung Daw Oo Paya Pagoda, Ywama Village, Taunggyi, Myanmar (Burma)
You will make a stop at Hpaung Daw U Pagoda, a famous pilgrimage site that is home to five golden Buddha statues.
Duration: 45 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
• Lunch: Lunch at the local restaurant
Accommodation included: Overnight at Maineli Hotel or similar

Day 10: Inle Lake - Heho - Yangon

Stop At: Heho Airport, He Hoe, Myanmar (Burma)
Car transfer to Heho airport for your flight to Bagan (K7 249 HEH – RGN 1135/ 1245).
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Yangon International Airport, Yangon Airport Rd, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
On your arrival, own transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight out of Yangon.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
No accommodation included on this day.