A Taste of Myanmar
Itinerary
Days 1-3 – Spiritual Pagodas of Yangon
You’ll start your trip off in the former capital Yangon, a historic city bustling with many attractions. You will stay nearby the beautiful Kandawgyi lake within easy reach of the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most iconic sites in the Buddhist culture, you’ll have plenty of time to explore. You’ll take a half day city tour with an English-speaking guide to the Pagoda to learn it’s history and more about the Buddhist religion; there are even some tasty Burmese dishes to sample!
Days 3-5 – Magical monasteries of Mandalay
Next you’ll be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Mandalay, taking approx 1.5 hours. The former royal capital of Myanmar, Mandalay may lack the splendour and beauty of some other Burmese towns and cities but there’s still plenty of sightseeing to be done! In between the maze of streets are small craft shops, monasteries and quaint churches. Your hotel is centrally located in the heart of the city. The decor is truly something to behold, from gold-leaf ceilings to rich teak wood flooring and sumptuously rich touches throughout.
On your first day, you’ll head out with a local guide to nearby Sagaing. This small town is the centre of Buddhism in Myanmar and houses more than 6000 monks and nuns. Set on a hill on the riverbank of the Ayeyarwaddy River it’s a peaceful place with some stunning views. Next, it’s on to the old capital of Amarapura, a small rustic village where only the sound of the weaving machines and locals going about their daily routines can be heard. Take a walk through the famous Mahagandayon monastery complex with hundreds of monks and walk over the U-Bein Bridge.
Days 5-7 – Bagan: Temples in the mist
Now it’s time to take a scenic journey from Mandalay to Bagan, starting with a bus ride with your guide out of the city to Pakokku. Here you will explore a local market and see the colourful blankets and various other crafts made here before hopping onto your private boat for a leisurely trip down the river, tucking into a tasty lunch on the way. A couple of hours in you will stop to visit the Kyauk Gu Ohnmin cave temple, sporting detailed carvings and a golden Buddha. Overseas tourists rarely visit this complex, tucked away in the countryside. You’ll continue another 90 minutes to Bagan where you arrive as the sun sets. If you would prefer to fly we can swap this for a domestic flight instead which takes around 1.5 hours.
You’ll now arrive in striking Bagan, located in the centre of Myanmar and nestled between rolling hills with over 2000 Buddhist monuments. The most impressive temple, Ananda Pahto, can be spotted above them all, dominating the skyline. Your accommodation is located in New Bagan, a boutique style hotel perfect for a few tranquil days.
During your time in Bagan you will have bikes and a map at your disposal, so you can head out to explore the stunning scenery and hidden temples through the labyrinth of dirt tracks. You will be joined by a guide on the morning of day 2 to show you around some of the abandoned temples before heading off on your own.
Days 7-9 – Village life on Inle Lake
Today you’ll be taken to the bus station to catch the bus to Nyaung Shwe where you’ll be collected by a driver to make your way to the vast Inle Lake! The journey will take around 7 hours. Inle Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Myanmar, stretches an impressive 13 miles long. Dotted along the lake are many enchanting Burmese villages, with stilted houses along the water’s edge. It’s a relaxed way of life that you can’t help but adapt to when visiting. You’ll stay in a guesthouse in nearby Nyaungshwe where you can relax in the peaceful gardens.
The next day you will get the chance to head out by boat on to the lake and explore the floating gardens and craft shops before finally enjoying a tasty Burmese dish of Shan noodles with a local family. It’s a unique experience which brings you closer to the locals and allows you to experience village life in Myanmar. After another night in the town of Nyaungshwe you will head off on your next destination.
Days 9-12 – Secluded shores of Ngapali
Next you’re off to the beach for some rest and relaxation! You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ngapali which takes about 3 hours. Beach life doesn’t get much more chilled than this! Ngapali is a must visit for some relaxation after all that sightseeing! Sit back and get stuck into that book or watch the sun go down whilst having a tasty Burmese meal…it’s a hard life here! You’ll stay in a quiet lodge located right on the beach, with a lush garden to kick back in and recharge your batteries.
Today your Myanmar adventure will come to an end. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Yangon to connect onto your international flight home.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
Upgrade to our In Style accommodation
For the locations included in this itinerary we have alternative options available in terms of comfort. Our In Style options can be more luxurious, offer something unique or offer a more comfortable transport option – all with that local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your itinerary select our In Style option below.
