Myanmar Discovery 14 Days / 13 Nights

Have breakfast at the hotel and start your sightseeing by walking around the city center. Enjoy the lively atmosphere of the street vendors, the pedestrians and the colonial style buildings. Visit the famous landmarks of the city, such as the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, where you can see the colossal reclining Buddha, the Botathaung Pagoda, a historic temple by the river, the Karaweik Hall and the Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, a replica of a royal barge on a scenic lake, and the Bogyoke Market, the best place for shopping in the country. 

Later, transfer to the train station and take the overnight train to Mandalay (ETD 5pm and ETA 10am the following morning).

Overnight on the train

Arrive in Mandalay and meet your local guide at the train station. Transfer to the local tea shop for breakfast then drive to your hotel. Check in and take some time to refresh yourself.

Spend your whole afternoon by visiting major sites in Mandalay. See the most outstanding historical and cultural sites of the city, such as the Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its life like Buddha image, the Marble Sculpture, the Gold Leaf Making Centre, the Ku-Tho-Daw Pagoda, known as the world’s biggest book, the Shwe-Nandaw Monastery (Golden Monastery), famous for its wood carving, and the Kyauk-Taw-Gyi Pagoda, with a huge image of Buddha carved out of a single marble boulder. 

Enjoy the evening highlights at the Mandalay Hill, where you can enjoy the sunset and 360-degree view of Mandalay from the top.

Overnight in Mandalay

Start your day immersing yourself on a boat tour along the Ayeyarwady River to visit Mingun. 

Upon arrival, continue with walking tour in Mingun and see the main highlights, such as the Pondaw Paya, a five meter high working model for gigantic structure, the Settawya Paya, the vaulted shrine with a footprint of the Buddha, the Mingun Pahtotawgyi Paya, one of the world’s largest chides built by Bodaw Paya, the Mingun Bell, weighing 90 tons known as the world largest ringing bell, and the Hsinbyume Paya also known as Mya Thein Tan Pagoda, a representation of the Sulamani Paya which stands atop Mt. Meru. 

Come back to Mandalay by boat and have lunch.

In the afternoon, proceed to Sagaing and visit the Silk Weaving Center on the way. See the main highlights of Sagaing, such as the Kaung-Mhu-Daw Pagoda, an enormous dome shaped pagoda, the Sagaing Hills, where lots of Buddhist monasteries are situated, and the U Min Thonze Pagoda, one of the more distinctive complexes. Enjoy the spectacular view of the Ayeyarwady River, numerous pagodas and monasteries. One of the most unique sights in Sagaing Hill is the U Min Thonze Pagoda, a complex of 45 gilded Buddha images. Next, visit the Maha-Gandar-Yone Monastery, where you can observe the daily life of the monks. 

In the evening, admire the U Bein Bridge, the longest teakwood bridge in the world, built by the Mayor U Bein over two centuries ago. Enjoy the sunset view from there.

Overnight in Mandalay

In the morning, transfer to the Mnadalay jetty. Take a boat to Bagan (ETD 6:30am, ETA 4:00pm) along the Ayeyarwady River, the main source of livelihood for Myanmar people. Have a relaxing trip and enjoy the beautiful views of Ayeyarwady for most of the time. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Bagan

In the morning, start exploring the city from observing the daily life of local people at the busy Nyaung-U Market, a market in the village of Nyaung U. Take photos and mingle with the locals. Discover the rich architecture and heritage of Bagan temples, such as the Shwe-Zigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stapes, the Kyan-Sit-Tha U-Min, a tunnel with attractive mural paintings, the Ananda Temple, the architectural masterpiece of a millennium, the That-Byin-Nyu Temple, the tallest in Bagan, the Dhamma-Yangyi Temple, famous for its fine brick works, and a lacquarware workshop, where you can learn about the traditional art of lacquerware. Enjoy a superb sunset view at the top of the Shwe-San-Daw Pagoda. 

Overnight in Bagan

In the morning, visit more unique temples by bike, such as the Htilo-Minlo Temple, a double-storied building with artistic stucco works, the Gawdaw-Palin Temple, famous for its colorful glazed plaques, the Gu-Byauk-Kyi (Myin-Ka-Bar), famous for its mural paintings of Jataka scenes, the Manuha Temple, built by the captive Mon King Manuha, and the Nan-Paya, a temple believed to be the residence of Mon King Manuha. 

In the afternoon, visit the Ah Shay Phwar Saw village by pony cart. See how locals cope with their daily challenges. Observe the women using a traditional spinning loom to make shawls. Explore the village and get an insight into the real rural lives of Myanmar people. 

Watch a panoramic sunset view of Bagan at the Pya That Gyi.

Overnight in Bagan 

In the morning, transfer to the bus station. Take a bus to Kalaw (ETD 8:00am, ETA 1:00pm) and enjoy the hill station scenery on the way. 

On arrival, meet our guide and check in at your hotel. 

Later, visit the Kalaw Market, where you can see different Shan tribes selling their products, and the Hnee Pagoda. Admire the beauty of Kalaw with its green pine trees and colonial style buildings.

Overnight in Kalaw

In the morning, transfer to the trek starting point. On arrival, begin trekking: escape the heat of downtown and enjoy the peaceful beauty of real village lives and Shan tribes. During trekking, you will see tea leaves and orange plantations on the slopes. 

Total trekking time is approx. 6 hours.

Overnight in a village with basic amenities

Continue your trekking adventure after having breakfast at the village house. On the way, visit the villages of Palaung, Danu, Pao and Taung Yoe and learn about their culture and customs. Witness the stunning landscapes of the region – a fertile plain surrounded by wooded hills and valleys with traditional farms. 

Total trekking time is approx. 6 hours.

Overnight in a village with basic amenities

Have breakfast at the village house where you are staying and watch the villagers go about their morning routines. Then, get ready for a new day of hiking. You will have a chance to see the Shan people’s countryside lifestyle up close. 

When you reach Inle, take a boat ride to your hotel. Relax in the evening.

Total trekking time is approx. 5 hours.

Overnight in Nyaung Shwe

In the morning, start sightseeing of the Inle Lake by boat. Observe Myanmar rural life up-close. Visit the Phaung-Daw-Oo Pagoda, the most important symbol of religion of Shan State, the Nga-Phe-Chaung Monastery, an attractive wooden monastery, and the floating villages (Innpaw Khone, Pouk Par, Ywa Ma, Khar Taw). Learn how the people on the lake make their livings. Enjoy the view of the unique one-leg rower fishermen, the lotus and silk weaving, the boat making and the cheroot making. 

In the afternoon, proceed to Indein. Take a short trek to Indein Pagoda. Along the way, you will be surrounded by the tranquility and beauty of the ancient pagodas, hidden among the trees and bushes. You will also get a glimpse of the Intha tribes’ village life and their local market by the shore. Transfer to the hotel by boat.

Overnight in Nyaung Shwe

In the morning, transfer to the airport. Fly to Yangon (appr. 1 hour and 20 minutes) and greet our guide. Check in at your hotel and refresh yourself. 

Later, transfer to the city jetty. Take a short ferry trip to Dalah. On the ferry, you will see vendors selling fruit, fried food, trinkets and tobacco products. On reaching Dalah, take a trishaw tour and see how the local people live. 

Return to Yangon and enjoy the sunset at the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda, the heart of Yangon.

Overnight in Yangon

Enjoy some free time until airport transfer for your outbound flight.