Myanmar Explore

Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture. 

Head downtown to the Central Post Office from where we will begin our walking tour. Encompassing the colonial highlights and more traditional architecture, stroll Strand Road and Pansodan Street before admiring the Sule Pagoda and City Hall. Visit the National Museum and browse in the Bogyoke Market. Finally explore Shwedagon Pagoda whose huge golden stupa dominates the city’s skyline. This is Myanmar’s most sacred Buddhist site and is purported to have four relics of former Buddhas enshrined within. 

Fly to Bagan. Upon arrival, visit Nyaung U Market and Shwezigon Pagoda, where a replica of Buddha’s tooth is enshrined. Later visit Htilominlo Pagoda, Ananda Temple and take a short drive through the scenic countryside to Phwar Saw village. Enjoy a spectacular sunset from Aureum watch tower. 

Travel to Mt Popa, an extinct volcano, and visit Taung Kalat, the breathtaking Buddhist Monastery perched on its summit. Return to Bagan stopping at a typical local village and a toddy palm plantation. This afternoon cruise on the Irrawaddy River to enjoy the sunset. 

Fly to Mandalay and transfer to Mahamuni Pagoda, Shwe Inbin Monastery, the Golden Palace Monastery and Kuthodaw Pagoda. Set sail up the Irrawaddy River to Mingun to visit one of the world’s largest bells; Hsinbyume Paya; and the imposing Mingun Pagoda. Visit a silk workshop before finishing the day on Mandalay Hill. 

Drive to Amarapura and visit Mahagandayon Temple, a place of monastic study and home to several thousand young monks. Carry on to the lovely teak wood Bagaya Monastery. Transfer to Ava. Board a horse-drawn carriage to see the sights of this former royal capital – Nanmyint Watch Tower, Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery and Bargayar Monastery. Visit the Sagaing Hills before proceeding to the U Bein Bridge for a sunset boat ride. 

Fly to Heho and visit Pindaya Caves, home to thousands of Buddhist images placed here by pilgrims over the centuries. Visit a Shan umbrella and mulberry paper production business. Venture through the Shan Hills to Kalaw, a lively market town where many local minority people come to trade. 

Visit Pinmagon Monastery to see the Bamboo Buddha, an eight foot Buddha image made of bamboo strips, before visiting the colonial Catholic King Church and the local market. Drive to Inle Lake. The lake is best known for the extraordinary ‘Intha’ people, who live on and around the water, and their unique rowing technique. Visit the Shwe Yan Pyae monastery before spending the night near Inle Lake. 

Transfer by boat to the western shore of the lake to explore the crumbling Indein Pagoda complex. Walk to a nearby villages to see the locals farming with traditional techniques. Pass through the rice fields to Saema to meet the friendly villagers. Visit the famous Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, one of Myanmar’s most scared shrines before admiring the collections of ancient Buddhas at Nga Phe Monastery. Finally visit the weaving village of Inpawkhon.

Fly to Yangon and upon arrival visit Gaba Aye Pagoda. Later you’ll visit Botataung Pagoda and Nonthida Jetty. This evening, stroll around Chinatown and through the night markets.  

Free time until transfer to Yangon Airport for your departure flight.