Highlights of Myanmar 12 Days

Welcome to Myanmar, a captivating Southeast Asian nation, boasting a rich tapestry of culture, history and natural wonders. From the timeless beauty of ancient temples in Bagan to the tranquil shores of Inle Lake, Myanmar's allure is undeniable. With warm hospitality and diverse landscapes, it offers a unique and unforgettable experience for every traveler.

Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, your guide will present you with all necessary documentation and contact information of your guide and local offices.

Transfer to the hotel by air-conditioned vehicle.

After breakfast, visit the famous Shwedagon Pagoda:

The highlight of any visit to Yangon, the Shwedagon Pagoda dates back about 2.600 years and was built to house eight sacred hairs of the Buddha. Its original shape has changed beyond all recognition over the centuries. Its bell-shaped superstructure, resting on a terraced base, is covered in about 60 tons of gold-leaf, which is continuously being replaced.

Around noon, transfer to the airport by air conditioned vehicle and flight from Yangon to Mandalay. Upon your arrival in Mandalay, your guide will pick you up and drive together to downtown Mandalay.

Just outside Mandalay we'll discover two ancient royal capitals. Sagaing is said to be the spiritual centre of Myanmar. Also known as a -'living Bagan', it is home to many ancient, religious buildings. On Sagaing Hill hundreds of white, silver and gold pagodas and monasteries dot the hilly landscape. And then there's Amarapura, home to U Bein Bridge which extends over one kilometre across Taungthaman Lake, making it the longest teak bridge in the world. We'll visit artisanal workshops and learn tons of history about the old kings of Myanmar.

We'll also visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its seated Buddha covered in gold leaf. Every morning at 4am its gleaming face is washed by the monks in a unique ceremony. We'll wander into a workshop to see muscled workers hand-beating gold leaf with enormous hammers.

At Shwenandaw Kyaung, made entirely out of teak, we can see its beautifully intricate carvings. There's a lot more to be enjoyed here, including other ornate temples and wooden monasteries as well as panoramic views from Mandalay Hill.

Transfer to the airport and flight from Mandalay to Nyaung Oo (Bagan).

Bagan is a true bucket-list destination! Thousands of crumbling temples, pagodas and stupas rise from the ancient desert plain. These beautiful, other-worldly structures were built by the kings of Bagan in the 11th and 12th centuries. Words don't do this incredible landscape justice!

The Shwezigon Pagoda's graceful bell shape became a prototype for virtually all later stupas all-over Myanmar, and the pagoda originally marked the northern end of the city of Bagan.

Ananda is one of the finest, largest, best preserved and most revered of the Bagan temples. Thought to have been built around 1105 by King Kyanzittha, this perfectly proportioned temple heralds the stylistic end of the early Bagan period and the beginning of the middle period.

Gubyaukgyi Temple at Wetkyi-Inn was built in the early 13^th century and repaired in 1468. The vivid colourful paintings and the impressive architecture make this temple an interesting site for a visit. This temple is not to be confused with the Gubyaukgyi Temple in Myinkaba. The temples primary point of interest is most certainly the fine and detailed frescoes depicting scenes from the jatakas, Buddha's numerous past lives.

Shwesandaw Pagoda was built in 1057 by King Anawrahta following his conquest of Thaton. This is the first monument in Bagan, which features stairways leading up from the square bottom terraces to the round base of the Stupa.

Depending on your interest and the time you spend in each temple, you are free to visit further temples and pagodas in the area. However, if you are looking for a change, we can visit the Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary in New Bagan. The sanctuary is home to over 4,000 endangered Burmese Star Tortoises.

OPTIONAL - hot air balloon ride during the sunrise:

What better way to see the thousands of temples and stupas that litter the plains of Bagan than from high in the sky? Climb into your own private compartment in the basket and get ready for lift off! As you rise into the sky Bagan will slowly unveil its secrets as hundreds of crumbling pagodas appear through the morning mist. Gently drift along with the wind over the dusty plain and the winding Irrawaddy River.

Today is all about spirits - fiery but drinkable spirits and a temple-topped volcano dedicated to the 'nat' spirits. The day starts in a local village where we enjoy Burmese tea in a local toddy palm hut. The locals will demonstrate how they climb the palm trees and use the sap to make palm sugar and fiery liquor.

We continue our tour to Mount Popa, an extinct sheer-sided volcano that rises out of the plain. Topped by golden stupas, it is a famous pilgrimage site for locals who come to worship at the 'nat' (spirit) temples.

We will return to Bagan in the afternoon.

Sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River - Take pleasure in cruising on the river with a private boat. Witness the golden sun setting beyond the mountains and the silvery moon rising, casting reflections over the water while the remarkable views of pagodas and temples take the breath away.

Drive by vehicle from Bagan to Salay, explore the local life in this quite Burmese town. Colonial remnants, ancient pagodas and wooden monasteries give a real reminder that life in sleepy Salay hasn’t paused for tourists. Mann Paya is home to a famous Buddha that was washed down the river during the monsoon over one hundred years ago. We’ll see if we can get a peek inside from the latched door out the back.

After Salay, return to Bagan and explore Ancient Bagan by Electric Scooter.

Enjoy the freedom of a regular bicycle, but without the effort, on this fun tour of the ancient city of Bagan. Hop on your eco-friendly electric scooter and take a relaxing ride through Bagan stopping every now and then to explore the temples, take pictures, and hear the relevant history and stories behind the ancient ruins. Pass through the magnificent Tharabar Gate and visit the 201-foot-tall Thet Bi Nyu Temple, as well as Dhammayangyi, the largest temple in Bagan. Legends and stories surround the colossal temple, telling of a cruel king, murder and bloodshed. Let’s explore its long narrow corridors and come to our conclusions!

Stop at a tea shop to refresh yourselves with some Myanmar tea and snacks. Then continue to the sleepy village of Myinkaba where you can watch local artisans creating beautiful lacquerware in the many workshops.

Transfer to Nyaung Oo airport for your domestic flight to Heho. Upon arriving in Heho, transfer to Pindaya, where we'll discover thousands of Buddha images in a vast limestone cavern. The Pindaya Caves are set deep in the hillside and contain a multitude of Buddha images made from teakwood, marble, lacquer and plaster.

After sightseeing in Pindaya, we will continue our journey and drive to Kalaw, a former British hill station.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the local market in Kalaw which is very popular among the locals. 

Today we will visit the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp, which is located approximately one hour outside of Kalaw.

After your arrival at the elephant village, you will meet the mahouts and their families. Time to introduce with the elephants and feed them with the daily prepared food. The team will lead you to the river where the elephants will take a bath and you can join the fun and wash the elephants as if they were your pets. Lunch will be served at the main camp. You are also welcome to join us by planting regional trees from the nursery in our forest recovery efforts. Return to the main camp and drive back to Kalaw in the afternoon.

Visit the British-built train station: here is a prodigious smattering of colonial architecture still in great condition. The red brick railway station just south of the town centre might as well have been plucked straight out of an English village.

Visit a hilltop monastery for panoramic views over the town.

Transfer by vehicle from Kalaw to Inle Lake. The driving time is approximately one and a half hours.

Today we get to see the famous one-legged rowers on Inle Lake! This is no ordinary lake though. Inle is an enchanting world of villages on stilts and gardens that float on the surface of the lake (seriously!). One of the most photographed sights is the skilled Intha fishermen who balance on one leg, while using the other to maneuver the oar. We'll take a relaxing boat ride across Inle Lake, stopping to see these sights along with some pagodas and lakeside villages.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will further explorer the region around Inle Lake. 

Thousands of mysterious temples and stupas await at the end of a boat ride along a narrow creek cloaked in foliage. The Indein complex is a collection of over 1,000 densely packed Shan-style stupas in varying states of decay. Part of its charm is that it has escaped restoration and the air of neglect just adds to the ethereal atmosphere. Don't forget your camera as this place is otherworldly.

For lunch, we'll mix and mingle with the Inthar today. Local farmers will show us how they construct the beautiful floating gardens from plants and water hyacinths. We'll meet people who live in the traditional houses constructed on stilts on the water. A family will welcome us into their home for an Inthar-style lunch and cups of Burmese tea.

Transfer by private vehicle from Nyaung Shwe to the Heho Airport for your flight back to Yangon.

Yangon lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on the wide Yangon River. The city is filled with tree-shaded boulevards, while shimmering stupas float above the treetops. The city became the capital in 1885, when the British completed the conquest of Upper Myanmar - ending Mandalay's brief period as capital of the last Burmese kingdom. It served as the capital of Myanmar until 2006.

Start your exploration of colonial Yangon in the heart of the city, where you will see Sule Pagoda, the City Hall with amazing architecture of Myanmar, the Emmanuel Baptist Church, the High Court (formerly known as the Parliament for Justice) and the Mahabandoola Park.

Continue to the Secretariat Building, a Victorian building, which housed the parliament from 1948-1962. It was the place where General Aung San, the father of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was assassinated in 1947. Afterwards, walk down to the Strand Road, on the way you will explore the Gandhi Hall, where the National League for Democracy drafted the Gandhi Hall Declaration, issued on July 29, 1990. Explore the Post Office, the legendary Strand Hotel, the Port Authority building and the Accountant General's Office. Then, as a final stop, walk to the office of the Yangon Heritage Trust (YHT), a non-profit organization that works to preserve and protect the city's rich urban heritage and displays the past and present photos of Yangon.

Explore the Bogyoke Aung San Market, also known as Scott Market, which contains over 2000 stalls and is the best place in Yangon to browse through the complete range of local handicrafts. (Closed on Mondays and public holidays.)

The Botataung Pagoda was named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted relics of the Buddha brought from India over 2000 years ago. This ancient monument was completely destroyed during WWII. It was then rebuilt in a very similar style to its predecessor, however this particular iteration is hollow and one can walk through it.

Free leisure until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight from Myanmar. Transfer to the airport by air-conditioned vehicle.