(Code: AP1)
One of our Classic Tours for sightseeing and relaxation in Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle. We will take you to Amarapura for a fantastic sunset view of U Bein Bridge, Mingun to observe one of the biggest ringing bells in the World, and to Indein for exploration of the ruins of 8th century pagodas. Your 8 day journey around Myanmar starts from exploration of Yangon including Shwedagon Pagoda, and back to Yangon for the last day.
| Day | Summary | Hotel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Yangon. Check in hotel. Visit Botahtaung Pagoda, Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, Shwedagon Pagoda, and China town. Overnight in Yangon. [detail] | Asia Plaza | |
| 2 | Take morning flight to Mandalay. Visit Mingun and sunset at Amarapura. Back to Mandalay. Check-in Hotel. Overnight in Mandalay. [detail] | Great Wall | (breakfast) |
| 3 | Visit Sagaing hill. Cross Ayeyarwaddy river on boat. Tour Inwa with horse cart. Sunset at Mandalay Hill. Overnight in Mandalay. Overnight in Mandalay. [detail] | Great Wall | (breakfast) |
| 4 | Morning flight to Bagan. Check-in hotel. Visit Bagan and lacquerware workshop. Sunset view from one of the ruins. Overnight in Bagan. [detail] | Thazin Garden | (breakfast) |
| 5 | Visit Nyaung U market. A choice of either Pakkoku tour (or) Mt. Poppa with car. Back to Bagan for more sightseeing. Overnight in Bagan. [detail] | Thazin Garden | (breakfast) |
| 6 | Flight to Inle. Check-in hotel. Inle Lake Sightseeing by boat. Overnight in Inle. [detail] | Paradise | (breakfast) |
| 7 | Visit 5-day ethnic market. Visit Indein (old Inle). Return to the hotel and overnight in Inle. [detail] | Asia Plaza | (breakfast) |
| 8 | Morning flight to Yangon. Visit Scott's Market. Transfer to the airport for your onwards departure flight.[detail] | (breakfast) |
| City | Hotel | Category | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yangon | Asia Plaza Hotel | Deluxe | 3 stars |
| Mandalay | Great Wall Hotel | Deluxe | 3 stars |
| Bagan | Thazin Garden Hotel | Deluxe | 2.5 stars |
| Inle | Myanmar Treasure Resort | Deluxe Lake view | 3 stars |
| City | Hotel | Category | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yangon | Winner Inn | Superior | 2 stars |
| Mandalay | Royal City Hotel | Superior | 2 stars |
| Bagan | Nyaung U Thande Hotel | Superior | 2 stars |
| Inle | Inle Paradise Hotel | Superior | 2 stars |
Day 01: Bangkok -Yangon (Arrival)
The drive from the airport to the hotel will take about 45 minutes.
In the cherished memories of most Burmese adults and seasoned travelers, Yangon has always been the capital of Burma. Even after the government has moved most of its administrative functions to the new capital "Nay Pyi Daw", Yangon, by far, remains the largest city in the country with population of more than 5 million. Its impressive colonial era buildings and spiritual heritage make Yangon one of the most fascinating city to visit in South East Asia.
After checking in at the hotel, we will first visit the colossal reclining Buddha image at Chaukhtatgyi (six levels), and Botahtaung Pagoda, which features a hair relic of the Buddha.
In the late afternoon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the world's most lavishly-decorated golden stupa, which has celebrated its two thousand six hundred years of foundation in early March 2012. The golden dome rises 98 meters above its base, which itself is located on a hill, and is covered with 60 tons of pure gold, along with numerous precious stones such as jade, ruby, sapphire and diamond, including a 76 carat solid diamond on its top.
We will end the day at Chinatown where you can buy fresh fruits, snacks, or take-out dinner.
Overnight in Yangon.(B)
Day 02: Yangon - Mandalay
After complimentary breakfast at the hotel, proceed to the airport for your Mandalay-bound flight. Mandalay has long been a center of skilled craftsmen, with some of its best artisans working for the royal courts in the old days. The four main types of traditional workshops in Mandalay are woodcarving, marble masonry, Kalaga tapestry (drapes), and gold leaf making.
Upon arriving Mandalay, visit Mingun across Ayeyarwaddy river to observe Observe Mingun Bell, one of the largest ringing bells that mankind has ever produced. ( Note: the Great Bell of Dhammazedi, the largest functional bell ever built in the history of mankind was sunk somewhere in Yangon River when Portuguese mercenary Philip de Brito took it from Shwedagon Pagoda in the year 1602.)
Visit Pahtodawgyi, an unfinished huge temple which would have outdone Bagan temples in size and grandness with Mingun Bell in place.
Other places of interest in Mingun include Mingun Village and Shinbume Pagoda( spelled Hsinbyume in Wikipedia), white-painted pagoda with interesting architecture sytle built in the 19th century by King Bodawpaya in memory of one of his queen consorts.
Return to the east of Ayeyarwaddy river and visit Amarapura, about an hour drive to the south of Mandalay airport. Witness the 200 year old U Bein bridge, a beautiful and photogenic site which is featured again and again in several publications, including the Lonely Planet's Myanmar Travel guide. Observe local daily life and enjoy a spectacular sunset from the bridge. Return to Mandalay and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Mandalay at Great Wall Hotel. (B)
Day 03: Mandalay - Sagaing - Inwa - Mingun - Mandalay
After breakfast at the hotel, cross Ayeyarwaddy River over Sagaing Bridge to visit Sagaing.
Tour ancient kingdom of Inwa (Ava) on horse cart.
Return to Mandalay and visit the foot of the Mandalay Hill to observe "the World's largest book" at Kuthodaw Pagoda, where an entire Buddhist canon is recorded on 729 stone tablets. If time allows, visit Shwekyaungdaw "Golden Palace Monastery" (also known as "Shwenundaw") to observe the finest Myanmar wooden architecture.
Overnight in Mandalay at Great Wall Hotel. (B)
Day 04: Mandalay - Bagan
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your Bagan-bound flight. Bagan lies on the dry plains of central Myanmar by the bank of the Ayeyarwady river, and is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia. Our guide will pick you up at Nyaung U airport and take you to the hotel. After hotel check-in, get ready for your Bagan archaeological adventures.
Main menu of today's Tour: Gawdawpalin, one of the largest and the most imposing monuments in Bagan, Shwegugyi, and Thatbyinnyu, the two-story temple adjacent to Ananda Temple, which is the tallest temple in Bagan. Next, we will walk up Shwesandaw for a panoramic view of Bagan Temples.
[ See Bagan Tour Map showing location of temples.]
It's impossible to visit all of Bagan temples in a short time, so we will select a few: Dhammayangyi, the most massive temple in Bagan; Sulamuni, Myingabar Gubyukggyi for its exquisite mural paintings; Myazedi Pillar inscribed in four languages: Myanmar, Mon, Pali and Pyu; Manuha temple with captive king's impression of life imprisonment; and Abeyadana temple famous for it's fine mural paintings influenced by Mahayana Buddhism.
Visit lacquerware workshops to observe the processing of traditional Myanmar souvenir. Continue to Min Nanthu village and enjoy the sunset from Tayokepyay temple.
Overnight in Bagan at Thazin Garden hotel. (B)
Day 05: Choose betwen Bagan sightseeing (or) Pakkoku Tour
Right after your morning breakfast at the hotel, visit enchanting Nyaung U market just a few miles to the north east of Bagan temples, and walking distance to the Ayeyarwaddy river.
You have a choice of visitn Mount Popa or drive to Pakkoku.
[See traffic in front of Nyaung U Market | Myanmar Handicrafts in Nyaung U Market ]
We will then take you to Shwezigon Pagoda not far from Nyaung U Market, and nearby Kyansittha cave; Wetkyi Inn Gubyaukgyi temple to observe the original 12th-century Mural paintings, frescoes and base relief works; Htilominlo temple to see the frescoes representing the 28th Buddha of the future; Ananda, the best-preserved masterpiece of 11th century Myanmar architecture, and Oak Kyaung Nathlaung Kyaung, the only Hindu temple survived in Bagan. Afternoon visit to Taung Be village to observe the local daily life style. Enjoy the sunset over the site from one of the ruins (or) sunset cruise.
Overnight in Bagan. (B)
[See close-up view of Ananda Temple | One of four huge Standing Buddha Statues inside Ananda | Ananda Temple from an another angle ]
Day 06: Bagan - Heho - Inle
Start your day with our complimentary breakfast at the hotel, and transfer to the airport for your Heho-bound flight. Inle Lake maintains the world's famous wetland ecosystem, and is home to many migratory birds as well as home to the Inthas-- 'dwellers of the lake'-- distinguished for a unique way they propel their boats using a single leg as a fulcrum for the oar. Their homes are built on piles of weeds and vegetation floating on the surface of the water, and their fishing boats glide effortlessly with a push of a single leg.
Upon arriving Heho airport, meet the local driver that we have arranged for you, and transfer to your hotel. You may want to rest a while, or jump into a boat right away for fun and sightseeing of your life on the Inle Lake. Visit Phaungdaw Oo pagoda housing five sacred and almost shapeless Buddha images, and cottage industries. Afternoon visit: floating village of Ywama, the lake's downtown, the weaving village of Inpawkhon and the Ngaphechaung, a museum-like monastery where old belongings of many monasteries are restored. (B)
Day 07: Visit Indein - Heho - Yangon
Breakfast at the hotel. During your stay in this region, you will come across one of the enchanting regional 5-day markets, which rotates between Taunggyi, Nyaungshwe, Ywama [Inle], Heho, Aungban, Pindaya and Kalaw. During those particular days, the markets are usually crowded with ethnic minorities such as Shan, Palaung, Pa O, and Dahnu trading their local products with other daily necessities. In those markets, goods are weighed on their traditional scales. One can also enjoy variety of local delicacies.
Continue the tour with an excursion to Indein ancient Pagoda ruin complex (about 45 minutes away) built in the 8th century. Enjoy rows of shops along the corridor up the hill before returning to your hotel.
[ See close-up view of one of Indein Pagodas ]
Overnight in Inle Lake. (B)
Day 08: Yangon - Bangkok (Departure)
After your complimentary breakfast and hotel check-out, proceed to Heho for your Yangon flight. Depending on your flight schedule, you may still have time to visit Bogyoke market. Formally know as Scott's Market, Bogyoke market is a sprawling 75 year old shopping complex noted for its variety of handicrafts and other items, which provide an excellent opportunity for a shopping spree. Yangon now has several modern shopping complexes and supermarkets surpassing Bogyoke market in size, but none has the historic feel of this good old market.
Drive back to the airport for your onwards Departure flight. (B)
The package price depends on several factors such as group size, with or without tour guide, whether or not the tour guide follows you all the way including flights or just a local guide to pick you up at the hotel, whether or not some trips are skipped, latest exchange rate, hotels of your choice, seasonal variations and possibility of special promotions by the airlines and hotels. The package can be customized to fit your needs. Please tell us more about your preferences.
“This package covering the most popular tourist destinations in Myanmar is a must-see for the first time visitors.”
AP1: Yangon - Mandalay - Amarapura - Mingun - Bagan - Nyaung U - Inle [8D7N]
AP3: Yangon - Kyaikhtiyo - Bago - Mandalay - Mingun - Bagan - Heho [7D6N]
AP9: Yangon - Mandalay - Mingun - Bagan - Inle [5D4N]
AP10: Yangon - Kyaikhtiyo - Mandalay - Mingun - Bagan - Nyaung U - Inle [11D10N]
AP14: Yangon - Bagan - Inle [4D3N]
AP15: Yangon - Mandalay - Mingun - Inle [4D3N]
AP17: Mandalay - Bagan River Cruise [5:30AM - 6:00PM]
![[ See Bagan Tour Map showing location of temples.]](images/bagan/bagan_tour_map.jpg){kind=link}
![[ See close-up view of one of Indein Pagodas ]](images/indein/indein_pagoda_close_up.jpg){kind=link}