General Information
Tour Route: Mandalay – Amarapura – Ava – Mingun – Bagan – Kalaw – Inle Lake – Indein – Heho – Yangon – Ngwe Saung – Yangon
Duration: 15 days/14 nights
Start/End: Mandalay/Yangon
Tour Type: In depth-culture & history, Nature & Landscape Discovery
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Experience the Real of Myanmar With:
- Guides: hand-picked best tour guides with deep knowledge, humor, and profession (English speaking guides, other languages upon request)
- Drivers: polite, friendly, responsible, reliable with many years of driving experience
- Vehicles: comfortable, spacious, air-conditioned, big window
- Meals: meals are arranged at local restaurants so you can taste authentic Burmese cuisine
- Accommodation: well-chosen hotels are listed below. Besides, various types of equivalent accommodation are available, from 5-star hotels, 4-star hotels in the best location, good value 3-star hotels, to boutique hotels reflect the style of the region
Tour Highlights
- Explore Myanmar’s cultural and historic heart, including artisan workshops, iconic pagodas, and a cruise on the Irrawaddy River.
- Discover ancient temples, vibrant village life, and enjoy stunning sunsets over the Irrawaddy River.
- Witness floating gardens, stilted villages, and the fascinating leg-rowing fishermen while exploring local markets and crafts.
- Unwind on the serene beaches of the Bay of Bengal, surrounded by coconut palms and peaceful seaside scenery
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Mandalay Arrival - Myanmar's Enchanting Old Capitals (-)
Day 2: Mandalay – Amarapura - Ava city sightseeing (B)
Day 3: Mandalay – Cruising the Great Irrawaddy – Mingun (B)
Day 4: Mandalay – Bagan - Exploring the World Heritage Site by Private Car (B)
Day 5: Bagan & Villages - Mystique and Charm in Ancient Bagan (B)
Day 6: Bagan - sightseeing (B)
Day 7: Bagan – Kalaw (BY CAR) (B)
Day 8: Kalaw – Inle lake sightseeing (B)
Day 9: Inle Lake (B)
Day 10: Inle Lake – Indein (B)
Day 11: Inle Lake – Heho – fly to Yangon (B)
Day 12: Yangon - Ngwe Saung (B)
Day 13: Ngwe Saung Beach (B)
Day 14: Ngwe Saung Beach – Yangon (B)
Day 15: Yangon – Departure (B)
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Mandalay Arrival - Myanmar's Enchanting Old Capitals (-)
Mingalaba! Welcome to Mandalay, the historic heart of Myanmar!
Upon your arrival at Yangon, get on our private car with your local tour guide to transfer to your city hotel for check-in and relaxation.
(Note: Hotel’s check-in is at 14.00, early check-in is based on the hotel’s vacancy)
Private tour of legendary Mandalay, last capital of royal Burma, still one of the largest cities in Myanmar, and a cultural and spiritual center.
This morning visit local artisan’s workshops of gold leaf making, tapestries, woodcarving and marble carving. Many of the techniques used to create these have remained unchanged for those used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court.
In the afternoon visit the beautiful Golden palace teak monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace. This grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as “the world’s biggest book” due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. Sunset view from Mandalay Hill.
Overnight in Mandalay
Meal: None
Day 2: Mandalay – Amarapura - Ava city sightseeing (B)
A guide will meet you at hotel lobby and travel to Amarapura, where is a former capital of Myanmar, and now a township of Mandalay city. Visit to Mahagandayon monastery, which is doesn’t fascinate tourists by its majestic beauty but its peace. This monastery is famous for its strict religious disciplines. The young monks must learn 227 steps required of the monks. It takes 7 to 10 years for a complete education from Mahagandayon monastery.
To visit U Bein Bridge (200-year-old world’s longest teak bridge), stroll along and learn about the local way of living. Fishermen in the still waters, monks streaming crimson from one end to other, locals biking from shore to shore on their way home from work, etc). Appreciate the most beautiful sunset. Then, visit silk-weaving workshops to observe how this piece of traditional fabric is made. After that transfer to the ancient city of Ava. Riding a horse cart, visit Maha Aungmyaybonsan Monastery, is a brick and stucco monastery and Nanmyin Tower, known as the "leaning tower of Ava". After that back to Mandalay.
Overnight in Mandalay
Meal: Breakfast
Day 3: Mandalay – Cruising the Great Irrawaddy – Mingun (B)
After breakfast transfer to Jetty and you’ll board a private local boat for a trip up the Irrawaddy to Mingun (45 min each way). Visit the Mingun Bell, the world’s largest intact bronze bell, the unfinished Mingun Pagoda (built with the intention of being the world’s biggest pagoda).
Mingun's another highlight is the Hisnbyume Pagoda, a white-washed temple built to resemble Mount Meru. Throughout Mingun there are small neighborhoods crafting traditional basketry and other artistic items and there is plenty of time to stop and interact with the craftsmen and friendly locals. Back to Mandalay and continue sightseeing around the city.
Overnight in Mandalay
Meal: Breakfast
Day 4: Mandalay – Bagan - Exploring the World Heritage Site by Private Car (B)
After breakfast drive from Mandalay to Bagan (about 4 hours) on the way stop for some refreshments. Upon arrival to Bagan - You will spend the day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town by visit to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples.
Overnight in Bagan
Meal: Breakfast
Day 5: Bagan & Villages - Mystique and Charm in Ancient Bagan (B)
Begin our exploration by visiting a busy local market and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan. You will spend the day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town by visit to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples.
Then get to learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan's most famous products: lacquer ware and wood crafts. Watch as the skilled craftsmen use techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items. Enjoy a breathtaking sunset and a panoramic view from sunset hill over the magnificent plains of Bagan.
Overnight in Bagan
Meal: Breakfast
Day 6: Bagan - sightseeing (B)
More than just temples, our tour introduces you to provide a great overview of Bagan's history, culture and local lifestyles. Today see the real way of life for most Myanmar people by visiting villages near Bagan to view the local lifestyle. Then you will explore Bagan from a different perspective as you explore the area by Pony cart. The cart can explore areas that cars are unable to enter giving a different feel of Bagan.
In the late afternoon transfer to jetty where a private wooden river boat is waiting. Sitting under the shade or on the open-deck you’ll be treated to fabulous views as you cruise down the Irrawaddy River to Shwezigon Pagoda. A private boat tour on the river during sunset time will hopefully show you a spectacular sunset. Relax and enjoy the scenery.
Overnight in Bagan
Meal: Breakfast
Day 7: Bagan – Kalaw (BY CAR) (B)
After breakfast drive from Bagan to Kalaw with beautiful scenery road (about 6 hours). On the way stop for refreshment. Upon arrival to Kalaw – Kalaw a former British colonial town. Kalaw, another hill station as well as peaceful summer resort nestled. Transfer to your hotel for check in.
Overnight in Kalaw
Meal: Breakfast
Day 8: Kalaw – Inle lake sightseeing (B)
Breakfast at your hotel, after that visit to Kalaw local market which is Kalaw’s heart, where villagers from the surrounding hills come to sell their product. A pleasant walk south west of the central market takes you to the Hnee Pagoda, in which you will find a 500-year old bamboo Buddha. Then drive to Nyaung Shwe where we pick our boat & transfer to your hotel for check in.
Overnight in Kalaw
Meal: Breakfast
Day 9: Inle Lake (B)
Enjoy the full day tour by private boat in Inle lake. Visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the most holy religious site in southern Shan State. Be amazed by the local handicrafts, silk weaving, wooden handlooms and traditional blacksmith methods along the way.
Visiting Inle Lake is not just about being on the water but also about discovering the Shan and Intha villages on the banks of the river. Pass the endless floating gardens, houses, monasteries built on stilts on the lake. Proceed to Nampan village and see local cheroot factory (where the Burmese cigars are made) and canoe carving.
Overnight in Inle Lake
Meal: Breakfast
Day 10: Inle Lake – Indein (B)
Begin your day with a visit to the market, which rotates locations every five days and where hill tribe people dressed in colorful, traditional outfits — as they barter for goods and produce. We continue our sightseeing in Inle Lake, maneuvering by boat though long, scenic channels.
We will visit the fascinating village of Indein, with its complex of ancient shrines and stupas and walk though exotic colonnades of stairways and shop stalls. We’ll visit the “long neck” tribal women, and weaving and craft villages perched on stilts. See the lake’s unique “leg rowers” – the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. It is a feast for the senses and a photographer’s dream.
Overnight in Inle Lake
Meal: Breakfast
Day 11: Inle Lake – Heho – fly to Yangon (B)
Morning flight back to Yangon. Enjoy private tour and drive through downtown to explore the city center and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. You’ll start at the post office – a lovely historic building, passing by Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument along the way.
Then visit famous Chauk Htat Kyi, home to a 70-meter-long reclining Buddha. The feet of the statue carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray. Photo stop at the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge. Nothing will prepare you for Shwedagon Pagoda, with its glittering gold stupa. At the pagoda observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at Shwedagon pagoda.
Overnight in Yangon
Meal: Breakfast
Day 12: Yangon - Ngwe Saung (B)
After the breakfast time about 08:00AM, drive to Ngwe Saung beach about (227km about 6hrs). Arriving at Ngwe Saung beach on the evening. Check in at the Hotel and overnight.
Overnight in Ngwe Saung
Meal: Breakfast
Day 13: Ngwe Saung Beach (B
Feel the pleasure of the beach the breeze of the Bay of Bengal and coconut palm trees which stretching along the beach.
Overnight in Ngwe Saung
Meal: Breakfast
Day 14: Ngwe Saung Beach – Yangon (B)
After the breakfast time, check out from the Hotel and drive back to Yangon. Arriving at Yangon in the evening and take some sightseeing around in Yangon.
Overnight in Yangon
Meal: Breakfast
Day 15: Yangon – Departure (B)
Today, time will be free for you to do as you wish until our guide and driver arrive at your hotel stay to escort you to the airport in good time for your departure flight back home. Thank you for making your trip with Go Myanmar Tours!
Safe travels, and until we meet again in Myanmar!
Meal: Breakfast
