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Myanmar elephant and temples silhouette

Magical Monasteries of Mandalay

Bite-sized trip

  • Itinerary:
    Mandalay
  • Duration:
    3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
  • Price:
    from £198 per person (excluding flights)
Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar and a typical business hub. The streets are bustling with locals going about their daily lives and nestled between the busy humid streets you'll find churches, Indian temples and ornate mosques. During your stay, you'll visit Sagaing and Amarapura, both important places of worship. Sagaing is located at a hilltop with stunning views of the surrounding valleys and is the centre of Buddhism in Myanmar. In the village of Amarapura, the former capital, you can see the locals fishing on the lake, worshipping peacefully or cycling across the rickety bridges.
Myanmar temples
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Day 1 – Arrival in Mandalay

Today you’ll arrive in the city of Mandalay, most likely by plane from Yangon. On arrival, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Your first impressions of Mandalay might be that it isn’t as pretty as other places in Myanmar but you do not have to go far to find golden temples and the former palace. 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.

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Days 2-3 – Visit to Sagaing & Amarapura & departure

Today you drive to Sagaing around lunchtime, a small town at the centre of Buddhism in Myanmar and home to more than 6000 monks and nuns. Set on a hill on the bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River it’s a peaceful place with stunning views. On this excursion you’ll visit a nunnery and some seriously impressive pagodas, with dazzling bright colours and shimmering gold of the impressive architecture.

Next, you’ll visit the old capital of Amarapura, a quiet 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 as well as visiting one of the small weaving factories and walk over U-Bein Bridge.

At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Mandalay where you can have dinner on the roof terrace and soak up your new surroundings. Sadly, your time in Mandalay will come to an end the following morning as you make your own way to the airport or bus station for your next adventure in Myanmar.

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Accommodation

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Magical Monasteries of Mandalay

For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options

Myanmar accommodation pool
Myanmar accommodation lounge area
Myanmar accommodation bedroom
Option
1

Upgrade to our In Style accommodation

  • Price:
    From £328 per person (excluding flights)
  • Included:
    In Style accommodation, excursions, transport and meals as described above

For this bite-sized trip we have an alternative option available for your accommodation. Our In-Style version is something a bit more special or unique but still with lots of local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your accommodation for this bite-size trip select our In Style option below.

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Myanmar Mandalay food
Option
2

Mandalay by night!

  • Price:
    From £58 per person
  • Included:
    Evening tour through Mandalay, including sunset views, night markets, restaurants and theatre.

Get to know the real Mandalay! This interactive night out starts with sunset views from a vantage point near the Ayeyarwaddy River before moving on to the lively fish market.  You’ll continue on to the busy Yadanar night market for some traditional snacks before stopping by one of the most famous beer stations and BBQ restaurants in Mandalay. After dinner, the night’s entertainment is rounded off at the Mandalay marionettes theatre for a show performed by a mix of traditional dancers, musicians and puppeteers.

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Myanmar bike riding activity
Option
3

Biking tour: magnificent Mandalay mornings

  • Price:
    From £48 per person
  • Included:
    Explore village life during a biking tour around Mandalay

Head out of the city and explore the surrounding countryside on two wheels! Your local guide will lead the way as you weave through the back lanes of Mandalay and out of town, passing through fresh markets and lively neighbourhoods, and into the countryside to see farmers tending to their fields and villagers go about their daily life. You’ll spend the whole morning exploring village life before returning to Mandalay by midday, stopping for tea along the way. Phew!

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This bite-sized trip can be combined well with

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