The Past and Present of Myanmar 10 Days / 9 Nights

In the morning, transfer to Yangon Airport for a flight to Bagan, which takes approximately 75 minutes. 

Arrive in Bagan and meet our guide. 

Start your day by visiting the Nyaung-U Market, where you can mingle with the locals and observe their daily life and culture. Then, explore the ancient temples of Bagan, each with its own history and beauty. You will see the Shwe-Zigon Pagoda, the model for later pagodas, the Kyan-Sit-Tha U-Min, a tunnel with beautiful murals, the Ananda Temple, the masterpiece of Bagan architecture, the That-Byin-Nyu Temple, the highest in Bagan, and the Dhamma-Yangyi Temple, famous for its fine brick works. Learn about the traditional art of lacquerware at a workshop. Finally, end your day by watching the sunset from the Shwe-San-Daw Pagoda, a stunning view that you will never forget.

Overnight in Bagan

In the morning, explore the city by bike and pony carts. Visit more temples, 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

Have breakfast at the hotel and donate breakfast at Home for the Aged, a memorable experience for you. 

Then, drive to Mount Popa, the core of an extinct volcano and the abode of Myanmar’s most powerful Nats (Spiritual beings). It will take appr. 1-hour drive from Bagan passing the palm plantation. Stop to see skilful toddy-palm climber collecting the wine on top of the tree, toddy palm juice & palm sugar (jaggery). 

Later, transfer to the jetty and enjoying an evening sunset boat ride along Ayeyarwady River.

Overnight in Bagan

Start your day with an early breakfast at the hotel, then catch a flight to Mandalay (appr. 30 minutes). Our guide will greet you at the airport and take you to the city. 

On the way, you will have a unique opportunity to witness the monks at the Maha-Gandar-Yone Monastery, as they pray and enjoy their meal. 

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. 

Continue to Inwa and take a pony cart to visit the 27-metre-high Masonry Watch Tower, Nanmyint (or) the ”Leaning Tower of In-wa”, the Bagaya Monastery built with 276 teak pillars and the Myanmar tradition Alms bowls workshop. 

See the evening highlights at the U Bein Bridge, built of teak logs and planks over 200 years ago by the Mayor U Bein. Enjoy the sunset there.

Overnight in Mandalay

Start your day immersing yourself on a boat tour along the Ayerwaddy 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. 

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 with an early breakfast at your hotel, then fly to Heho (appr. 30 minutes) and meet our guide. From there, you will drive to Pindaya by car (about 2-hour drive). Enjoy the delightful sceneries of hill station by passing through picturesque landscapes. Stop for photos at the huge banyan trees near Pindaya Caves. Visit the Pindaya Caves, where you can see countless number of Buddha images from late 18th century. Admire the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Visit the traditional cottage industry of umbrella making and the Pone Ta Lote Lake. Transfer to the hotel in Inle.

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. 

Start sightseeing by walking around the city center. Enjoy the city busy with street vendors, pedestrians and colonial style buildings. Visit the city’s famous landmarks, such as the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, 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. Watch the sunset at the Shwedagon Pagoda, the soul of Yangon.

Overnight in Yangon

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