Enigmatic and enchanting, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is often referred to as the Golden Land. Myanmar’s long-term isolation has bequeathed a corner of Southeast Asia full of traditional culture, spirituality and old-world charm. This 9 days visit to Myanmar is like turning back the clock. Phone and internet connections can be erratic in areas so you may peacefully experience a culture which emphasizes spirituality and reveres monks and holy men.
Tour Highlights:
- Visit Shwedagon Pagoda during sunset
The highlight of any trip to Yangon is a visit to the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda, which dates back about 2.600 years and was built to house eight sacred hairs of the Buddha.
- Discover the Beauty of Bagan
Bagan is a true bucket-list destination! Thousands of crumbling temples, pagodas and stupas rise from the ancient desert plain.
- Inle Lake
Located in the western Shan State, you will find picturesque Inle Lake, famous for its floating villages, gardens and the unique way of life of the local Intha people, with their living communities based entirely on the water.
Day 01. Arrival in Yangon
Welcome to Myanmar!
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, your guide will present you with all necessary documentation and vouchers and all contact information of your guide and local offices. Enigmatic and enchanting, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is often referred to as the Golden Land. Myanmar’s long-term isolation has bequeathed a corner of Southeast Asia full of traditional culture, spirituality and old-world charm. A visit to Myanmar is like turning back the clock. Phone and internet connections can be erratic in areas so you may peacefully experience a culture which emphasizes spirituality and reveres monks and holy men.
Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to the hotel and time at leisure.
Overnight in Yangon
Meal(s): -
Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to the hotel and time at leisure.
Day 02. Yangon
Start the tour in the heart of Yangon which features an interesting selection of monuments and colonial buildings. Among others, you will see the Independence Monument, the High Court, the City Hall and the Sule Pagoda (view from the outside only).
Explore the history of the colossal Secretariat and learn the details of the complex’s multi-year renovation. Your journey will take you to see the interior of the Yangon Parliament House where Burma’s self-rule began, as well as the location of the assassination of General Aung San. You will also see original teak wood details, soaring ceilings, and if construction allows, the impressive double spiral iron staircases.
Visit Bogyoke Aung San Market (closed on Mondays & public holidays): Explore the Bogyoke Aung San Market, also known as Scott Market, which contains over 2.000 stalls and is the best place in Yangon to browse through the complete range of local handicrafts.
The highlight of any trip to Yangon is a visit to the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda, which dates back about 2.600 years and was built to house eight sacred hairs of the Buddha. Its bell-shaped superstructure, resting on a terraced base, is covered in about 60 tons of gold-leaf, which is constantly being replaced.
Overnight in Yangon
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 03. Yangon – Heho – Inle Lake
Transfer to the airport by air conditioned vehicle then take a flight from Yangon to Heho. Then transfer to Nyaung Shwe jetty. Today we get to see the famous one-legged rowers on Inle Lake! This is no ordinary lake though. Inle is an enchanting world of villages on stilts and gardens that float on the surface of the lake (seriously!). One of the most photographed sights is the skilled Intha fishermen who balance on one leg, while using the other to maneuver the oar. We'll take a relaxing boat ride across Inle Lake, stopping to see these sights along with some pagodas and lakeside villages. Overnight at Inle Lake Meal(s): Breakfast Day 04. Inle Lake After breakfast at the hotel, we will further explorer the region around Inle Lake. Thousands of mysterious temples and stupas await at the end of a boat ride along a narrow creek cloaked in foliage. The Indein complex is a collection of over 1,000 densely packed Shan-style stupas in varying states of decay. Part of its charm is that it has escaped restoration and the air of neglect just adds to the ethereal atmosphere. Don't forget your camera as this place is otherworldly. Overnight at Inle Lake Meal(s): Breakfast |
Day 05. Inle Lake – Pindaya – Kalaw
After breakfast and check out from the hotel, drive to Pindaya, where we'll discover thousands of Buddha images in a vast limestone cavern. The Pindaya Caves are set deep in the hillside and contain a multitude of Buddha images made from teakwood, marble, lacquer and plaster.
After sightseeing in Pindaya, we will continue our journey and drive to Kalaw, a former British hill station.
Overnight in Kalaw
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 06. Kalaw – Heho – Bagan
Transfer to the airport and flight from Heho to Nyaung Oo (Bagan).
Bagan is a true bucket-list destination! Thousands of crumbling temples, pagodas and stupas rise from the ancient desert plain. These beautiful, other-worldly structures were built by the kings of Bagan in the 11th and 12th centuries. Words don't do this incredible landscape justice!
The Shwezigon Pagoda's graceful bell shape became a prototype for virtually all later stupas all-over Myanmar, and the pagoda originally marked the northern end of the city of Bagan.
Gubyaukgyi Temple at Wetkyi-Inn was built in the early 13th century and repaired in 1468. The vivid colourful paintings and the impressive architecture make this temple an interesting site for a visit. This temple is not to be confused with the Gubyaukgyi Temple in Myinkaba. The temples primary point of interest is most certainly the fine and detailed frescoes depicting scenes from the jatakas, Buddha's numerous past lives.
Shwesandaw Pagoda was built in 1057 by King Anawrahta following his conquest of Thaton. This is the first monument in Bagan, which features stairways leading up from the square bottom terraces to the round base of the Stupa.
Overnight in Bagan
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 07. Bagan & Mt. Popa
OPTIONAL - Hot Air Balloon Ride during the Sunrise
What better way to see the thousands of temples and stupas that litter the plains of Bagan than from high in the sky? Climb into your own private compartment in the basket and get ready for lift off! As you rise into the sky Bagan will slowly unveil its secrets as hundreds of crumbling pagodas appear through the morning mist. Gently drift along with the wind over the dusty plain and the winding Irrawaddy River.
Today is all about spirits - fiery but drinkable spirits and a temple-topped volcano dedicated to the 'nat' spirits. The day starts in a local village where we enjoy Burmese tea in a local toddy palm hut. The locals will demonstrate how they climb the palm trees and use the sap to make palm sugar and fiery liquor. We continue our tour to Mount Popa, an extinct sheer-sided volcano that rises out of the plain. Topped by golden stupas, it is a famous pilgrimage site for locals who come to worship at the 'nat' (spirit) temples.
We will return to Bagan in the afternoon.
Sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River - Take pleasure in cruising on the river with a private boat. Witness the golden sun setting beyond the mountains and the silvery moon rising, casting reflections over the water while the remarkable views of pagodas and temples take the breath away.
Overnight in Bagan
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 08. Bagan – Yangon
Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to Nyaung Oo Airport and flight from Bagan back to Yangon. Upon your arrival in Yangon transfer to your hotel and time at leisure.
Yangon lies in the fertile delta of southern Myanmar, on the wide Yangon River. The city is filled with tree-shaded boulevards, while shimmering stupas float above the treetops. The city became the capital in 1885, when the British completed the conquest of Upper Myanmar - ending Mandalay's brief period as capital of the last Burmese kingdom. It served as the capital of Myanmar until 2006.
Overnight in Yangon
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 09. Departure from Yangon
After breakfast and check out from the hotel, transfer to the airport for your departure flight from Yangon.
Included services:
- All services as mentioned in the above itinerary
- Any included flight(s) are clearly mentioned in the itinerary and based on economy class unless otherwise stated
- English speaking local guides as mentioned in the itinerary
- Ground transportation in private, air-conditioned vehicles, unless otherwise mentioned
- Drinking water and cold towels during sightseeing
- Multi-lingual 24-hour customer support hotline in all destinations
- Fully licensed and insured to international standard
- All applicable local taxes
Excluded services:
- Visa fees & Insurance
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- International flights to and from Yangon
- Early check in & late check out
Lufthansa City Center