General Information
Tour Route: Yangon - Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava - Bagan - Yangon
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
Start/End: Yangon/Yangon
Tour Type: Nature, Landscape, In-depth Cultural
Tour Category: Myanmar Classic Tours
Tour Highlights
- Explore colonial architecture, bustling markets, and the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset
- Visit ancient capitals, artisan workshops, and witness a breathtaking sunset from Mandalay Hill
- Discover the stunning temples of Bagan, enjoy a local village experience, and take an optional balloon ride
- Climb 777 steps to a sacred monastery and enjoy panoramic countryside views on the way to Bagan
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Yangon Arival - City Tour
Day 2: Yangon - Mandalay - Amarapura Myanmar's Enchanting Old Capitals (B)
Day 3: Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava - Mandalay (B)
Day 4: Mandalay - Mt.Popa - Bagan by private car (B)
Day 5: Bagan & Villages - Mystique and Charm in Ancient Bagan (B)
Day 6: Bagan - drive to Yangon by PUBLIC Bus OR PRIVATE CAR (B)
Day 7: Yangon - Departure (B)
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Yangon Arival - City Tour
Mingalaba! Welcome to Yangon, the vibrant city of Myanmar!
Highlights:
- Explore Yangon’s colonial architecture and landmarks
- Visit Scott Market for local crafts and souvenirs
- Admire the 70-meter reclining Buddha at Chauk Htat Kyi
- Stop by Karaweik Hall, a royal floating barge
- Experience the golden splendor of Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset
Arrive in Yangon at 10:35 AM on Thai Airways TG301. Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Begin your private city tour, driving through downtown Yangon to admire its colonial-era architecture. Visit the historic Post Office, pass by the Strand Hotel, and explore Mahabandoola Garden with its Independence Monument.
Discover Scott Market (closed on Mondays & public holidays), a 90-year-old bazaar offering Burmese handicrafts, lacquerware, and gemstones. Enjoy bargaining for souvenirs and experiencing the local market atmosphere. Continue to Chauk Htat Kyi, home to a 70-meter reclininga Buddha with intricately carved feet, where locals gather to pray and pay homage. Stop for a photo opportunity at Karaweik Hall, an elegant royal floating barge on Kandawgyi Lake.
End the day at Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar’s most iconic religious site, with its golden stupa glowing under the evening sky. Observe pilgrims and monks in prayer and take in the stunning sunset views.
(Note: Hotel’s check-in is at 14.00, early check-in is not included)
Overnight in Yangon.
Meal: None
Day 2: Yangon - Mandalay - Amarapura Myanmar's Enchanting Old Capitals (B)
Highlights:
- Explore Mandalay, the last royal capital of Myanmar
- Visit artisan workshops for gold leaf making, tapestries, and woodcarving
- Discover the Golden Palace Monastery, a masterpiece of teakwood carvings
- See the Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as "the world's biggest book"
- Admire the Sandamuni, Kyauktawgyi, and Kusinara Pagodas
- Enjoy a breathtaking sunset from Mandalay Hill
Take a morning flight from Yangon to Mandalay. Upon arrival, begin your private tour of Myanmar’s cultural and spiritual hub, once the last royal capital of the Burmese kingdom. Start the day by visiting local artisan workshops, where traditional gold leaf making, tapestry weaving, woodcarving, and marble carving are still practiced using techniques dating back to the Royal Court era.
In the afternoon, visit the Golden Palace Monastery, the only remaining structure of the 19th-century Royal Palace, renowned for its intricate teakwood carvings. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, famous for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist scriptures, earning it the title “the world’s biggest book.”
Explore Sandamuni Pagoda, a sacred stupa near Mandalay Hill, and Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, home to an impressive Buddha statue carved from a single block of marble. Stop by Kusinara Pagoda, a peaceful temple at the base of Mandalay Hill. End the day at Mandalay Hill, standing 240 meters above the city, offering panoramic sunset views over Mandalay’s ancient landmarks.
Note: The Royal Palace is currently closed.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Meal: Breakfast at your hotel
Day 3: Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava - Mandalay (B)
Highlights:
- Visit Mahagandayon Monastery, one of Myanmar’s largest monastic schools
- Explore the ancient city of Ava by horse cart
- Discover the Maha Aungmyaybonsan Monastery, a stunning brick-and-stucco structure
- See the Nanmyin Tower, also known as the "Leaning Tower of Ava"
- Admire the Yadana Hsemee Pagodas, a charming collection of ruined stupas
- Observe silk-weaving workshops and Myanmar’s traditional craftsmanship
- Enjoy sunset at U-Bein Bridge, the world’s longest teakwood bridge
After breakfast at the hotel, set out to explore the ancient cities of Amarapura and Ava. Begin at Mahagandayon Monastery, one of Myanmar’s largest and most significant monastic institutions, home to thousands of monks following the Buddhist teachings. Continue to Ava (Inwa), Myanmar’s former royal capital, where you’ll explore the ruins by horse cart.
Visit Maha Aungmyaybonsan Monastery, a beautifully preserved brick-and-stucco monastery, and the Nanmyin Tower, often referred to as the "Leaning Tower of Ava." Explore the Yadana Hsemee Pagodas, a picturesque complex of ruined yet charming brick stupas, showcasing the evolution of Myanmar’s brick monastery architecture. Stop at silk-weaving workshops, where skilled artisans create Myanmar’s renowned handwoven textiles.
In the evening, drive to U-Bein Bridge, a 200-year-old teakwood bridge stretching across Taungthaman Lake. As the world’s longest teak bridge, it offers one of Myanmar’s most iconic sunset views.
Note: Sagaing is currently off-limits to tourists.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Meal: Breakfast at your hotel
Day 4: Mandalay - Mt.Popa - Bagan by private car (B)
Highlights:
- Scenic drive from Mandalay to Bagan (approx. 4 hours)
- Visit Mt. Popa, a sacred extinct volcano and spiritual center
- Climb 777 steps to the mountaintop monastery
- Explore Bagan’s most significant temples and pagodas
After breakfast, depart for Bagan by private car, enjoying scenic countryside views along the way. Stop at Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano rising over 1,500 meters, known as the center of Nat spirit worship in Myanmar. For those interested, climb the 777 steps to the hilltop monastery, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding plains.
Upon arrival in Bagan, begin your temple exploration, discovering some of the most remarkable architectural sites in this ancient city.
Overnight in Bagan.
Meal: Breakfast at your hotel
Day 5: Bagan & Villages - Mystique and Charm in Ancient Bagan (B)
Highlights:
- Optional Balloon Over Bagan experience
- Visit a local market for an authentic cultural experience
- Explore Bagan’s UNESCO-listed temples
- Sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River
Optional: Balloon Over Bagan (pre-dawn departure, subject to weather conditions)
- Pickup from hotel around 05:00 – 06:00 AM
- Balloon flight starts at 07:00 AM (duration: 45 min – 1 hour)
- Landing by 08:00 – 08:30 AM
Start the day by visiting a bustling local market, where you’ll experience the lively atmosphere and see locals trading fresh produce, handicrafts, and daily essentials. Continue with a guided Bagan temple tour, featuring some of the most iconic and architecturally stunning pagodas:
- Ananda Temple – one of Bagan’s most revered temples
- Shwezigon Pagoda – a prototype of later Myanmar stupas
- Gubyaukgyi Temple – known for its ancient frescoes
- Htilominlo Temple – famous for its intricate plaster carvings
- Thatbyinnyu Temple – Bagan’s tallest temple
- Buphaya Pagoda – overlooking the Irrawaddy River
- Dhammayangyi Temple – the largest temple in Bagan
In the late afternoon, transfer to the jetty for a private sunset cruise along the Irrawaddy River. Relax on the open deck and enjoy panoramic views of Shwezigon Pagoda and the golden sunset over the Bagan plains.
Overnight in Bagan.
Meal: Breakfast at your hotel
Day 6: Bagan - drive to Yangon by PUBLIC Bus OR PRIVATE CAR (B)
By Public Bus
Departure Time: 07:30 AM
Duration: Approximately 10 hours
(Super Seat) (2+2) Public Bus
(OR)
By Private Bus
After breakfast at the hotel. Then drive back to Yangon (424km about 8-9hrs drive). On the way stop at some local villages for refreshment. Arrived at Yangon in the evening. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Yangon.
Overnight in Yangon.
Meal: Breakfast at your hotel
Day 7: Yangon - Departure (B)
After breakfast, day at leisure until transfer to airport for international departure flight.
Note: Check-out before 12:00 PM, late check-out is not included
Trip ends. Thank you for making your 8-day Burma tour with us!
Meal: Breakfast
