A Brief Taste of Myanmar - 5 Days

General Information

Duration: 5 days/ 4 nights
Start/ End: Yangon/ Mandalay
Tour Route: Yangon - Bagan - Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava - Mandalay
Tour Date: Not fixed, up to your schedule
Tour Type: Sightseeing, Discovery, History, In-depth Cultural

Experience a Brief Taste 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: listed below or 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 reflecting the style of the region

Tour Highlights

• Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Shwedagon Pagoda
• Marvel at the golden stupa and immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere
• Witness the architectural marvels of this UNESCO World Heritage site
• Visit temples such as Ananda, Dhammayangyi, and Htilominlo
• Embark on a private wooden boat and cruise along the picturesque riverside of Bagan
• Visit to Amarapura’s Mahagandayon Monastery and the famous U Bein Bridge

Brief Itinerary 

Day 1: Yangon Arrival
Day 2: Yangon - Fly to Bagan - Sightseeing (B)
Day 3: Bagan & Village - Drive to Mandalay (B)
Day 4: Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava (B)
Day 5: Mandalay Departure (B)

Recommended Hotel List

Please note that every element of the tour below can be tailored. Tell us your specific interest and we will be happy to make adjustments for you. This inquiry is totally FREE and you are under NO OBLIGATION!  

Full itinerary

Day 1: Yangon Arrival

Mingalabar! Welcome to Myanmar, the land of myths and magic! Today, arrive at Yangon International Airport and meet our local tour guide who will escort you to the hotel for check-in.

After a short break, we will spend the rest of the day sightseeing around the city. Take this chance to enjoy a scenic drive through the downtown city and witness the colonial architectural masterpiece which has faded through the ups and downs of time but still retains its alluring.

Passing by the lovely post office, Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden, and Independence Monument, make your first visit to Scott Market, the sprawling 75-year-old market, one of the most lively markets in Yangon. Spend your time wandering around the market area to observe a wide range of local specialties such as trinkets, gems, fabrics, and woodcarvings. (Note: the market is closed on Mondays).

Next, we head to Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, an important Buddhist pagoda in the Bahan township of Yangon which is famous for its highly revered reclining Buddha image. Your guide then also takes you to the beautiful Kandawgyi Lake noted for its impressive golden Karaweik Hall, one of the most important landmarks in Yangon.

Here comes the best time to visit Shwedagon Pagoda, perhaps the most impressive attraction in Yangon, if not Myanmar. The main glittering stupa located on the top of the hill which can be seen in any corner of Yangon will bring you a truly astonishing moment. Take your time to walk around the pagoda land and see local pilgrims as well as monks offering their devotion. Enjoy the gorgeous sunset view here and then return to the hotel in the evening. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon - Fly to Bagan - Sightseeing (B)

Remark ** Bagan flight only operate for twice a week Friday & Sunday
(Estimate flight time: 07:00 – 09:10 (1Via)

Following your breakfast with a domestic flight to Bagan, the temple town of Myanmar. Upon arrival, you will spend the whole day exploring the architectural masterpiece of the amazing town through numerous outstanding temples in the region. You might visit Ananda, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved temples in Bagan built in Mon style; Dhammayangyi, the largest and considered a haunted temple noted for many tragedies in the history of Bagan Kingdom; Htilominlo, the majestic 46-meter tall sanctuary, etc.

After that, gain more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops in Bagan which produce the most famous products in the region: lacquerware and woodcraft. Here you can spend time talking with the local artisan and watch them using their techniques to create their unique items.

In the late afternoon, highlight your sightseeing with a drive to the jetty to embark on a private wooden boat down the river. Enjoy your cruise which sails along the poetic landscape of Bagan where you might see local fishermen or people living sparsely on the riverside. If today is a sunny day, you will have a chance to see the gorgeous sunset over the river which is truly a wonderful moment for anyone who visits Bagan. Return to the hotel after the cruise. Overnight in Bagan.

Day 3: Bagan & Village - Drive to Mandalay (BY CAR) (B)

Power up your morning with an early visit to Nyaung U Market, the busiest market in the region where you will find an array of local staples such as vegetables, Takana tree (a kind of traditional make-up powder in Myanmar), flowers, and so on.

Then, the rest of the day will deliver you to an amazing discovery in the peaceful village of Bagan. Your guide will take you on a visit to some of the households in the nearby village to gain insight into the local lifestyle, culture, as well as history of Bagan.

In the afternoon (around 12:00noon), then drive from Mandalay to Bagan (about 4 hours) on the way stop for some refreshment. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 4: Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava (B)

Being one of the two largest cities in Myanmar, Mandalay will bring you the essence of the great culture. After breakfast at the hotel, transfer for a 30-minute drive to Amarapura, an ancient capital of Burma founded by King Bidawpaya in 1783 and became the worship and academic center of Buddhism.

We will make our first visit of the day at Mahagandayon Monastery, the most prominent monastic college where you can learn about the monk's life and education. Then we make our way to U Bein Bridge, the biggest draw to visitors in Amarapura, which is the longest and oldest teak bridge in the world. Continue to Bagaya Monastery to discover a superb collection of Buddha statues.

After lunch, travel on a short boat trip to Inwa (also called Ava), the former royal capital of Myanmar. Visit Nanmyint Watch Tower, one of the noticeable Myanmar architectural styles of the early 19th century, and Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, one of the most surviving examples of the 19th century in Myanmar. It's impressive and intricately designed as a brick replica of typical wooden monasteries of the age. Spend your last visit to Bargayar Monastery admiring its magnificent teakwood design and impressive ornate wood carvings.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 5: Mandalay Departure (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and then transfer to the airport to take an international departure flight. Trip ends.
We hope that you would love the itinerary we design for a short Myanmar tour package. Thank you for traveling with us!