General Information
Duration: 13 days/12 nights
Tour Routine: Mandalay – Mingun – Mt Popa – Bagan – Pindaya – Inle Lake – Indein – Heho –Yangon – Ngwe Saung – Yangon
Intended Travel Date: Available all the time
Start/End: Mandalay/Yangon
Tour Type: Beach Holiday, Nature, Landscape, In-depth Cultural
Tour Highlights:
- Must-see sights in Myanmar: Shwedagon Pagoda, ancient temples in Bagan, Mahamuni Pagoda, etc
- Discover Buddhism in the largest monastic school of Myanmar: Magandayone Monastery
- Enjoy a scenic boat trip around Inle Lake and discover the exceptional farming methods of the Intha people
- Experience a morning cruise to Mingun and visit the world’s largest unfinished pagoda
- A breathtaking vacation in Ngwe Saung – one of the four most beautiful beaches in Myanmar
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Mandalay – Amarapura (-)
Day 2: Mandalay – Irrawaddy River – Mingun (B)
Day 3: Mandalay – Mt Popa – Bagan (by car) (B)
Day 4: Bagan (B)
Day 5: Bagan – Fly to Heho – Pindaya – Inle Lake (B)
Day 6: Inle Lake (B)
Day 7: Inle Lake – Indein – Heho – Fly to Yangon (B)
Day 8: Yangon City Tour (B)
Day 9: Yangon – Ngwe Saung beach (B)
Day 10: Ngwe Saung (B)
Day 11: Ngwe Saung (B)
Day 12: Ngwe Saung – Pathein – Yangon (B)
Day 13: Yangon Departure (B)
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: Arrival Mandalay – Amarapura (-)
Mingalabar! Welcome to Mandalay, the cultural capital of Myanmar.
On arrival at Mandalay International Airport, be welcomed by your local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. After a short break, spend the rest of the day touring the city. You will first visit Mahamuni Pagoda, home to the second most sacred Buddha image in Myanmar. Leaving the pagoda, head to artisan workshops of gold leaf making, woodcarving, and marble carving to learn more about local production.
Our next stop will be Shwenadaw Monastery, where you will have a chance to marvel at the impressive wooden carvings dating back to the 19th century. Then follow your guide to Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is well-known as the world’s largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. Before sunset, highlight your trip at U Bein Bridge, the 200-year-old teak bridge which stretches 1.2 km across the serene Taungthaman Lake. Get your camera ready to save the best shot of the beautiful scenery. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 2: Mandalay – Irrawaddy River – Mingun (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, board a private boat trip up the Irrawaddy River to Mingun, home to many Buddhist temples, monasteries, and meditation centers. As you reach Mingun, head to Hsinbyume Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Myanmar. Built-in 1816 by Bagyidaw as a way to show his love to his first wife, Queen Hsinbyume, who lost her life during childbirth. Take a leisure walk to Mingun Bell, the world’s second-largest ringing bell. Follow your guide to Mingun Paya, which was intended to build as the largest pagoda in the world but then left unfinished due to a prophecy. Nowadays, it holds the record for the biggest pile of bricks.
Afterward, stroll around the village where you will have a chance to explore the crafting of traditional basketry and several artistic items. Take this chance to interact with the local craftsmen and friendly locals to share your own cultural experience. After returning to Mandalay, head to Mandalay Palace, the residence of the last Burmese Royal. In the late afternoon, head up to Mandalay Hill where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 3: Mandalay – Mt Popa – Bagan (by car) (B)
The morning of day 3 takes you to Mount Popa, a magnificent extinct volcano that is home to the sacred 37 Nats of Burma (natural spirits). Climb up to 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the pick to contemplate the incredible view of Bagan and learn more about the Nat worship in the monastery.
Leaving the pagoda, we continue driving to the hotel in Bagan for check-in.
Day 4: Bagan (B)
A full day to explore the fascinating Bagan. Wake up early this morning to head up to Nyaung U Market, the authentic local market in the region where you can feel the local flavor. Be charmed by the lively atmosphere of the morning trade, and a variety of local staples such as flowers, vegetables, and Tanaka – the traditional makeup of Burmese women.
Next up, spend the day discovering the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town. Your guide will take you to the most famous temples and pagodas and tell you an interesting story about them. You might visit Shwezigon Temple, the most popular attraction in Bagan; Ananda Temple, regarded by folklore as one of the most beautiful temples in the region; Dhammayangyi, the largest pagoda, and Htilominlo, the gorgeous multi-story construction.
In the late afternoon, transfer to a sunset hill in Bagan where you will sit back and enjoy the stunning sunset of the day.
Day 5: Bagan – Fly to Heho – Pindaya – Inle Lake (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, say goodbye to Bagan and our driver will take you to the airport to take a domestic flight to Heho, the gateway to Inle Lake. On arrival, take a drive to Pindaya, a mesmerizing town that will bewitch your soul with its laid-back atmosphere, an impressive lake, and magnificent Pindaya Caves.
On arrival, take a scenic drive to Pindaya Caves, a unique site housing thousands of golden Buddha images places thereby pilgrims and devotees over the centuries. Leaving the cave, the driver will take you to Nyaung Shwe to take a private boat trip to the hotel on the shore of Inle Lake.
Day 6: Inle Lake (B)
A full day to explore the natural beauty and holy sites in Inle Lake. After breakfast at the hotel, we get on a boat trip to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the most sacred religious site in southern Shan State. You will pass through scenic channels and villages where you will have a very first glimpse of the local handicrafts, silk weaving, wooden handlooms, and traditional blacksmith methods.
Leaving the pagoda, head to the Shan and Intha villages to discover their daily life and traditional practices. Take your time to interact with the local artisans and share your own cultural experience.
Day 7: Inle Lake – Indein – Heho – Fly to Yangon (B)
Start the day with a visit to the local market which rotates every five days. Be excited while marveling at the colorful and traditional outfits of the hill tribe people. Take a stroll around the market area to see a variety of local products and people barter for the goods. After that, follow our guide to pass through narrow channels to reach the ancient village of Indein. We will spend time exploring the complex of more than 1000 thousand ancient shrines and stupas in different shapes and sizes. Along the colonnade of the pagoda, there are many shop stalls shelling exotic souvenirs.
Next up, we visit the long-neck women who live harmoniously with nature and keep many unique customs including wearing big rings around their necks. Along the way back to the hotel, we will make a stop at the traditional village to discover the art, craft, and lotus weaving.
In the late afternoon, the driver will take you to the airport to take a flight to Yangon.
Day 8: Yangon City Tour (B)
A full day to explore the timeless charm of Yangon. After breakfast, take a scenic drive downtown to observe the fabulous mix of architecture and sites. Your private driver will provide you with a window to the great mix of Burmese and colonial architecture faded on the city’s historic buildings.
We will first visit Chauk Hat Gyi Pagoda, home to the massive 66 meters long reclining Buddha image. The feet of the Buddha are carved with many traditional symbols and it’s where local people often gather to pay homage and pray.
Next up, transfer to Karaweik Palace, one of the most prominent landmarks situated on the serene Kandawgyi Lake. In the afternoon, make your way to our highlight of the day – Shwedagon Pagoda, a glittering pagoda made of 16 tons of pure gold, topped with over 7000 sapphires, rubies, and diamonds. Through 2500 years, it has become one of the most popular pilgrimage sites for locals for housing many sacred relics of the Buddha.
Day 9: Yangon – Ngwe Saung beach (B)
Today will be a long day of traveling to Ngwe Saung Beach. After breakfast, take a scenic drive to Pathein (approximately 5 hours). On arrival, check-in at the hotel near the beach and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 10: Ngwe Saung (B)
Day at leisure in Ngwe Saung beach.
Day 11: Ngwe Saung (B)
Day at leisure in Ngwe Saung beach.
Day 12: Ngwe Saung – Pathein – Yangon (B)
After breakfast, enjoy your morning free at the beach. In the afternoon, check out from your hotel and we drive back to Yangon.
Day 13: Yangon Departure (B)
After breakfast, enjoy the day at leisure until the driver transfers you to the airport to take an international flight. Trip ends. Thank you for making your 13 day Myanmar tour with Go Myanmar Tours!
