Welcome to Yangon! Upon arrival, your guide will wait for you at the airport and pick you up at the hotel. After freshening up, visit the Sule Pagoda which is about 2,500 years old and contains a hair relic of the Gautama Buddha. And then head to Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple, a beautiful temple devoted to the revered reclining images of Buddha. Followed is a visit to Kandawgyi Lake by a Royal floating barge.

In the afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred and impressive Buddhist site for the people of Myanmar.

 

Today, you will board the "Circular Train" (about 20 minutes) to immerse yourself in the daily life of Yangon and get off at Kyeemyindaing, one of the most beautiful stations in Yangon. Later, visit Bogyoke Aung San Market (closed on Mondays and holidays), which was formerly known as Scott Market selling all kinds of interesting stuff, including local fabrics, jewelry, and handicrafts.

After that, fly to Heho and then transfer to NyaungShwe, the gateway to Inle Lake (about 1 hour). You will enjoy the picturesque scenery that borders the rolling road. Upon arrival on the shore of the lake, embark on a canoe to reach your hotel located on Inle Lake.

Note: The "Circular Train" is very basic-equipped and many people take it during the day.

 

Take a motorized canoe to Khaung Daing Village. This traditional village is famous for its tofu production based on yellow split peas, as well as for its rice cakes and fried beans. Next, admire Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery with its collection of ancient Buddha statues.

After lunch, continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the main sanctuary of the lake that houses five sacred Buddha statues covered with gold leaf. Later, tour to Inpawkhone Village known for its weaving of lotus fibers and canoe builders.

 

This morning, you will take a canoe to reach Sagar Village (about 2.5-3 hours), one of the most beautiful places in Shan State. Continue to Thaya Gone Village to watch rice wine-making, the best-known skills of the village people. You can try the rice wind for an authentic experience of Myanmar’s alcohol. Another stop will be SaeKhaung Village to see how to craft pottery is made as well as natural ovens used by villagers. Get ready to be amazed by how talented those people are!

 

Your journey today begins with a visit to a local market. After that, move to Thaleioo Village and stop at a local school. Continue your walk to Alae Myaung Village, where agriculture is omnipresent and vegetables are being cultivated abundantly. You will have the chance to meet farmers and join them to pick up vegetables. Later, you’ll depart for Kalaw (about 2 hours drive) through the landscapes of Shan State.

Note: Market is closed for the new moon and full moon days. Besides, the market varies from Mondays to Sundays and the location of the market changes daily.

 

In the morning, discover Mount Popa (about 6 hours drive), a volcano that rises to a height of 1,518 meters. On the top of the mountain locates the Taung Kalat. You can get a spectacular view of the area and visit a small museum devoted to the Nats. After lunch, you’ll transfer to Bagan (about 1.5 hours drive) and the rest of the day is free for you.

In the morning, visit the bustling Nyaung U Market, where locals come every day to exchange fresh produce and other merchandise. Transfer to Old Bagan to visit the famous Shwezigon Pagoda erected at the beginning of the 11th century. Continue to the GuByaukGyi Temple, which houses magnificent Jataka murals. Followed is Bu Lei Thee Pagoda, which offers a beautiful panoramic view of the area. Your next stop will be the stylish Htilominlo Temple with sculptures and stunning stone decor. In the afternoon, continue your visit to Minnanthu Village, one of the least-visited areas of Bagan. You will discover temples like Payathonzu, Lemyentha, and Nandamannya. Also, visit Kyat Kan Monastery which is an extremely important meditation place.

Optional: Riding a hot air balloon to overlook the world-famous archaeological site in the morning is an optional activity highly recommended for you (Available only from October through March).

 

In the morning you’ll first discover the Tharabha Gate, and then visit the Ananda Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Bagan. Later, you will participate in a traditional Buddhist ceremony in a monastery and make food offerings to the monks. In turn, you’ll receive a special blessing from the monks to render you good luck and happiness. In the afternoon, you’ll head to explore the Manuha Temple and Nan Paya Temple. Next, go to a lacquer factory at Myinkaba Village.

 

This morning, board your cruise ship and departure in the direction of Mandalay. You will discover fishing villages, buffalos, wheat fields, floating markets, and laundresses from the ship. You will then reach Shwe Pyi Thar Village and visit its colonial-style monasteries. After that, back to the cruise to spend the rest of the day at leisure.

 

Today, continue sailing up the river. You’ll land at Yandabo Village, which is famous for its pottery crafts, and visit handicraft workshops. The village is also famous for being the site where the Treaty of Yandabo was signed on 24 February 1826, which ended the First Anglo-Burmese War. After that, continue cruising towards Mandalay.

 

Upon your arrival at Mandalay, you’ll first discover the Mahamuni Buddha Temple which is entirely covered with gold leaf deposited by devotees over the centuries. Later, visit Mandalay craft workshops, which are reputed to be the finest in the country. After that, you’ll leave for Ava and cross the river by ferry.

In the afternoon, you will reach your carriage to go to the Bagaya Monastery. Continue to see Nan Myint Tower, one of the remains of the ancient palace. You’ll then visit the Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery. The next stop is Amarapura, the penultimate royal capital of Myanmar. You will then start with a visit to Mahagandayon Monastery, which houses more than a thousand young monks, and walk across U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world built-in 1782.

 

Your day of discovery will start with the ascent of Mandalay Hill which overlooks the city at 240 meters and thus offers superb panoramas over the city. Located south of the hill, Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, here you can admire a gigantic Buddha carved from a single block of marble. Next, explore Kuthodaw Pagoda, also called the "greatest book of the world" for its collection of 729 marble plaques engraved with Buddha's teachings.

Your journey will end with a tour of the impressive Shwenandaw Monastery, the last structure of the Royal Palace to have survived since the 19th century, known for its remarkable woodcarvings. After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.

 

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