12 Days Best of Myanmar Discovery Through History and Beauty

After breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up at 8:30 AM and take you to the Yangon Railway Station for a ride on the local circular train, offering a 20–30-minute journey to the outskirts of the city. This scenic ride provides a glimpse into the vibrant daily life of rural Burmese communities. Upon arrival, you'll visit Kyi Myin Daing Market, where colorful street stalls and friendly locals create a lively atmosphere perfect for exploring and immersing yourself in the local culture. Afterwards, you’ll return to downtown Yangon to enjoy a delicious lunch featuring traditional Myanmar cuisine before continuing your afternoon city tour.

The next stop is the Old City Hall, a striking example of colonial architecture with a harmonious mix of Western and Burmese styles, recognized as part of the Yangon City Heritage List. You’ll then visit Botahtaung Pagoda, renowned for its golden interior and sacred relic of Gautama Buddha’s hair. Next, explore Bogyoke Market, a bustling bazaar filled with traditional Burmese handicrafts, including stone, wood, and bronze carvings. A relaxing walk through Kandawgyi Park follows, where you’ll see the famous Karaweik, a majestic replica of a royal barge, located near the Chaukhtetgyi Reclining Buddha Image. The day concludes with a visit to the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda—one of Myanmar’s most revered Buddhist sites and a symbol of national pride—where you'll enjoy the breathtaking sunset before returning to your hotel for a restful evening. Overnight in Yangon

Enjoy your free time in the morning until your transfer to the airport for a short one-hour flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, your local guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Around 5:30 PM, your tour guide will take you to Mandalay Hill, where you can enjoy a breathtaking sunset view over the city. Nearby, you’ll also visit several notable landmarks, including The Golden Palace Monastery, renowned for its intricate wood carvings; Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to the “Biggest Book in the World”; and Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda, which is famous for its enormous Marble Buddha. After the tour, you will return to your hotel for a relaxing evening and a good night's rest. Overnight in Mandalay

After enjoying your breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Mandalay between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM. You'll drive to Mingun, located 11 km up the Ayeyarwady River on the west bank from Mandalay. In Mingun, you'll explore several fascinating historical sites, including the Mingun Bell, known as the world's largest uncracked bell; the Pathodawgyi Pagoda, often called the world's largest pile of bricks; and the striking white Myatheindan Pagoda, designed to resemble the mythical Buddhist Mount Meru.

Next, you’ll continue to Sagaing, the ancient capital of the Shan and Myanmar Kingdoms, renowned for its countless white and gold stupas. Considered the spiritual heart of Myanmar, Sagaing Hill is home to the serene Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda, offering beautiful panoramic views. After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant in Sagaing, you’ll cross a bridge over the Irrawaddy River and take a horse cart ride to explore the ancient royal capital. Highlights include the 27-meter tall leaning tower, the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, a brick structure adorned with intricate stucco decorations, and the Bargaya Monastery, a magnificent teakwood monastery known for its detailed wood carvings.

Your final stop is Amarapura, the former royal capital of Myanmar, which you’ll explore in the late afternoon. In Amarapura, you’ll visit the Mahargandaryon Monastery, the largest teaching monastery in the country, and stroll along the iconic U Bein Bridge, where you can observe local life and enjoy the sunset. You'll also stop by a Weaving Workshop, as weaving is the primary livelihood of the Amarapura people. After the tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel to enjoy your free time and have a restful evening.
Overnight in Mandalay

This morning, after enjoying breakfast, you’ll be transferred by private van to Bagan. The journey covers a distance of approximately 112 miles and takes about three hours. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, you'll begin exploring the ancient city of Bagan, home to over 4,000 Buddhist pagodas and temples scattered across the landscape. Your first stop will be Nyaung Oo Market, a bustling local market where residents buy and sell fresh produce and everyday goods. You’ll then visit the magnificent Shwezigon Pagoda, the largest pagoda in Bagan, adorned with real gold leaf.

Next, enjoy a memorable horse cart ride to the small village of Taung Phi, where you’ll see a charming teak monastery. The ride continues through winding paths and ancient temples, as the late afternoon sun casts dramatic shadows across the plains. The day concludes at Shesandaw Pagoda, where you’ll witness one of the most breathtaking sunsets in Southeast Asia before returning to your hotel.
Overnight in Bagan

Today, you'll start your day early at 5:00 AM for an unforgettable experience—a hot air balloon flight over the stunning temple plains of Bagan. As you drift silently above a breathtaking landscape of ancient pagodas, with the Irrawaddy River and distant mountains as your backdrop, you’ll gain a truly magical aerial perspective of this historic region. The entire experience lasts about 2.5 hours. Upon landing, the trained Myanmar ground crew will pack up the balloon while you enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne. You’ll also receive a personalized flight certificate signed by the pilot.

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll have some free time to relax until your tour guide picks you up between 1:00–1:30 PM for an excursion to Mount Popa, a dormant volcano that stands as the highest point in the Pegu Range. Here, you’ll visit the dramatic Popa Taungkalat Monastery, perched atop a rocky outcrop, offering sweeping views of the surrounding plains and the majestic Mount Popa. You’ll also explore the nearby Nat Shrine, where mannequin-like figures represent the 37 Nats—traditional Burmese spirits still worshipped today.

Please note that reaching Popa Taungkalat Monastery requires climbing 777 steps. If you prefer a more relaxed alternative, you can opt to visit the sandalwood forest and medical herb garden, rich in native flora and fauna. On your return journey to Bagan, you’ll stop at a palm tree plantation, where you can observe local villagers working with the trees—an engaging cultural experience that offers insight into rural life and traditional livelihoods in Myanmar.
Overnight in Bagan

In the morning, after breakfast, your tour guide will escort you to Inle Lake, enjoying the scenery on the way. Inle Lake is the second-largest lake in Myanmar. The whole drive takes around 7 hours.

In the late afternoon, you’ll arrive at Inle Lake, the rest of the time is on your arrangement. You could visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda and Paya, Inthein Village, and Yan Aung Nan Aung Hsu Taung Pye Paya.
Overnight in Inle Lake

In the morning, after breakfast, you’ll start the Inle Lake full-day tour. Firstly, go to visit the lake’s morning market. This market is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes to sell and trade wares.

Then you’ll continue down a small canal leading to Indein in the middle of the lake, populated by ethnic Padaung (“long neck women”).

Walking through a covered alley lined on both sides with a thousand pagodas and a long-covered staircase, you’ll have chance to discover the magnificent complex of Alaung Sithu in beautiful scenery of ancient stupas, which are buried in vegetation with a panoramic view of the Inle Lake.

After enjoying local Burma lunch, you’ll continue to visit Khaung Daing Village in the afternoon. Khaung Daing Village is a native village near the northwestern of Inle Lake. There are some Shan-style temples to visit.

When the tour ends, you’ll be escorted to the hotel in Inle Lake. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Inle Lake

After breakfast, your private tour guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and escort you to Pindaya, a scenic town located about 1.5 hours away. Pindaya is famous for its impressive limestone cave filled with countless Buddha statues. Perched on a hillside, the area has three caves, though only one is open to visitors. You’ll explore the remarkable Pindaya Cave, which stretches 150 meters and houses thousands of Buddha images in various shapes, sizes, and materials. Afterward, enjoy a peaceful moment at Boutaloke Lake, a serene and picturesque spot ideal for relaxing. You’ll also visit a local handicraft workshop where traditional Shan paper and umbrellas are made, offering insight into the region's artisanal heritage. After the tour, you’ll be escorted back to your hotel to relax and enjoy the rest of your day. Overnight in Inle Lake

After breakfast, enjoy your morning until your tour guide escort you to the Heho Airport to take the flight to Yangon. It will take 75 minutes. Upon arrival, your local tour guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel for the rest.

In the evening, your will take an evening street food and walking tour in Yangon with the guide at the picturesque Maha Bandula Park.

You'll walk through small alleys in the old part of the city where different cultures live, explore Chinatown and Little India, and stop at food stalls and family-owned eateries.

Then, you'll go to a special market that most tourists don't know about. Finally, end your walk at a BBQ place on 19th Street. After the tour, you’ll be escorted to the hotel for the rest.
Overnight in Yangon

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, your tour guide will pick you up for a journey to Bago, a historic town located about 44 miles north of Yangon, taking approximately 1.5 hours by car. On the way, you'll stop at the Allied War Cemetery, a solemn site honoring fallen soldiers. Upon arriving in Bago, you'll begin your exploration with a visit to KyeinPun, known for its four massive seated Buddha statues built in 1476. Next, you'll visit the serene KyatKha Wine Monastery before continuing to the impressive Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda, also known as the “Golden God Temple,” which stands as the tallest pagoda in Myanmar.

After enjoying a delicious local lunch at a Burmese restaurant, your tour continues with more highlights. You’ll visit Hintha Gone Pagoda, a scenic hilltop shrine offering panoramic views over Bago. Then, explore the majestic ShweThaLyaung Reclining Buddha Image, one of the largest and most beautiful reclining Buddhas in the country. Lastly, step back in time at the Hanthawaddy Palace, once the capital of an ancient Myanmar empire. After your enriching day in Bago, you'll return to your hotel in Yangon for a well-deserved rest.
Overnight in Yangon

In the morning, after breakfast, your tour guide will escort you to the airport. Tour service ends here.