24 Day Tour

Yangon Arrival by Air (AM Flight). Sightseeing in Yangon by Private Vehicle. Overnight in Yangon.

Yangon. Sightseeing in Yangon by Private Vehicle. Overnight in Yangon.

Yangon – Bagan by Air (AM Flight). Sightseeing in Bagan by Private Vehicle. Overnight on Bagan.

Bagan – Salay – Mt Popa by Private Vehicle. Sightseeing in Mt.Popa and Salay by Private Vehicle. Overnight in Popa.

Popa – Bagan by Private Vehicle. Sightseeing by Private Vehicle. Overnight in Bagan.

Bagan – Mandalay by Express Boat (0600 – 1730 PM). Overnight in Mandalay.

Mandalay. Sightseeing in Sagaing, Ava & Amarapura by Private Vehicle. Overnight on Mandalay.

Mandalay – Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin) by Vehicle. Sightseeing in Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin) by Private Vehicle. Overnight in Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin).

Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin) – Hsipaw by Train. Overnight in Hsipaw.

Hsipaw. Trekking in Hsipaw. Overnight in Hsipaw.

Hsipaw – Mandalay by Private Vehicle. Sightseeing in Mandalay City. Overnight in Mandalay.

Mandalay – Kyaing Tong by Air (PM Flight). Overnight in Kyaing Tong.

Kyaing Tong. Sightseeing in Kyaing Tong by Private Vehicle. Overnight in Kyaing Tong.

Kyaing Tong – Heho (Inlay Lake) by Air (PM Flight). Free morning in Kyaing Tong. Heho (Inlay Lake) – Kalaw by Private Vehicle. Overnight in Kalaw.

Kalaw. Sightseeing in Kalaw by Private Vehicle. Overnight in Kalaw.

Kalaw–Pindaya – Inlay by Private Vehicle. Sightseeing in Pindaya. Overnight in Inlay.

Inlay. Sightseeing in Indein by Private Boat. Overnight in Inlay.

Heho (Inlay Lake) – Yangon by Air (PM Flight). Free morning in Inlay Lake. Overnight in Yangon.

Yangon – Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock) by Private Vehicle. Sightseeing in Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock). Overnight in Kyaiktiyo.

Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock) – Mawlamyine by Private Vehicle. Sightseeing in Mawlamyine by Private Vehicle. Overnight in Mawlamyine.

Mawlamyine. Sightseeing in Mawlamyine by Private Vehicle. Overnight in Mawlamyine.

Mawlamyine – Hpa-an by Private Vehicle. Sightseeing in Hpa-an by Private Vehicle. Overnight in Hpa-an.

Hpa-an – Yangon by Private Vehicle. Overnight in Yangon.

Yangon Departure by Air (PM Flight).

Shwedagon Pagoda

• Upon arrival your tour representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.
• Free morning/afternoon in Yangon.
• Evening, make a sunset visit to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, which is one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites. The pagoda is believed to enshrine eight hairs of the Guatama Buddha as well as relics of 3 former Buddhas. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds and rubies, sapphires and topaz a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to start your trip in this “Golden Land”.
• Overnight in Yangon.

Downtown Yangon

• After breakfast, travel by private vehicle and take a walk around Downtown Yangon where you find a diverse mix of colonial architecture from the British times and high-rises built by more recent investors. You can then visit the famous Bogyoke Market (closed on Mondays) also known as the Scott Market. This is Myanmar’s largest market and contains over 2,000 local shops where you can purchase or browse through a variety of items including traditional clothes, art, jewelry, souvenirs etc.
• After shopping, take a break at the hotel and freshen up.
• Evening, closer to sunset, visit the 2000-year-old golden Sule Pagoda located at the center of the city. This is a great example of modern Asian business life melding with ancient Burmese tradition. You will find a lively atmosphere around the pagoda with many local visitors as well as shops.
• Overnight in Yangon.

Temples of Bagan

• After breakfast, transfer to the Yangon Airport to fly to Bagan.
• Your tour representative will pick you up at the Bagan airport. Check into the hotel and depart for a sightseeing excursion around the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area. A comprehensive exploration of Bagan includes Nyaung Oo market, Shwezigon Pagoda: the prototype of later Myanmar stupas, Kyansittha Umin, Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple: with exquisite mural paintings of the 13th century and Htilominlo Temple. In the afternoon, after a visit to lacquer ware workshops, continue to Manuha Temple built by exile King Manuha, Ananda Temple: an architectural masterpiece and Oak-Kyaung monastery decorated with multicolor mural paintings. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset views from one of the temples of Bagan.
• Overnight in Bagan.

Mt. Popa

• After breakfast, drive to Salay (2 – hour drive).
• Salay is a colorful old religious center. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of this compact city of colonial buildings, monasteries and pagodas. Before leaving don’t miss the chance to visit the Yoke Song Kyaung Monastery, famous for its spectacular woodcarvings, on the bank of the Irrawaddy River.
• Afterwards, leave for Mt. Popa (90-minute drive) which is an extinct Volcano known as the abode of Nats (spirits) – a collection of 37 magical spirits both feared and honored by some Myanmar people and the Nat museum, which houses 37 life-size Nat statues sculpted from teak. To get to the top of the mountain you have to climb 777 steps. Later, proceed to Popa Mountain Resort, which is built on the Mountain. The hotel offers a great view of the central temple plains as well as the surrounding area.
• Overnight in Mount Popa.

• After breakfast, drive back to Bagan (2 – hour drive).
• On the way back stop at a village to learn the regional cottage-industry products as well as to watch the collection of juice from the palm trees and its conversion to brown sugar.
• After arrive in Bagan, check-in to your hotel and freshen up.
• Late afternoon, visit the Thanaka Gallery to learn about Myanmar’s most popular cosmetic product. Myanmar is the only country where Thanaka is widely used. You can purchase products made out of the Thanaka tree at the gallery and also learn about the local customs as well as production methods.
• Evening, explore the famous Irrawaddy River by private local boat at sunset. The views are spectacular and it’s an exciting way to learn about life on and near the river.
• Overnight in Bagan.

• At 5 AM transfer to the Bagan Jetty to depart for Mandalay by Express Boat with other tourists. The express boat ride is very scenic and memorable as you are able to witness life on the famous Irrawaddy River.
• Lunch will be served on the boat.
• (Note: due to river conditions the boat service may not be available. If so we will be using a Private Vehicle for the transfer). If you travel by road you can visit some of the many villages on the way and experience a scenic road trip.
• Arrive at Mandalay in the evening, your tour representative will meet you at the jetty and transfer to the hotel.
• Overnight in Mandalay.

U Bein’s Bridge

• After breakfast, travel to the former Royal Capital Sagaing (40-minute drive). Sagaing Hill is considered a religious center of Myanmar as it has over 600 pagodas and monasteries housing up to 3,000 monks and over 100 meditation centers. Visit the Umin Thounzeh Pagoda which is famed for it’s crescent-shaped colonnade of 45 Buddha images and the Sagaing local market where you can find a range of locally crafted items such as silver, pottery, art and other handicrafts.
• Afterwards,visit Ava (also known as Inwa) (20-minute drive). Ava was an ancient Royal Capital of Myanmar often referred to as the Kingdom of Ava. You will be transferred on to a private ferry boat which will take you across there river where your horse cart awaits you. Travel by horse cart to visit the nearby villages and other places of interest such as the Bagaya Kyaung Monastery, which is a lovely teak monastery, built in 1834. You can have a chat with the monks and visit the school for novices here.
• On the way to Mandalay visit the city of Amarapura (20-minute drive), which means “City of Immortality”. Amarapura was Myanmar penultimate Royal Capital. The main highlight in Amarapura is the 200-year-old U Bein’s Bridge, which is the world’s longest teak bridge and spans over 1.2 kilometers long. A sunset visit to the bridge is highly recommended.
• Arrive at Mandalay City in the evening and overnight in Mandalay.

The Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens

• Today, we will drive out of Mandalay to visit the old colonial hill station of May Myo which is now known as Pyin Oo Lwin. Pyin OoL win is renowned for it’s cool climate and many reminders of the colonial era such as colonial buildings, hotels and the botanical gardens.
• After breakfast, take a 2-hour scenic drive to Pyin Oo Lwin and first visit the local market famous for their homemade jams and fruit wines.
• Late afternoon and early evening visit the many colonial era homes, hotels and other buildings. A visit to the beautifully landscaped Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens, which was also built during the colonial period, is highly recommended. You can also opt to take a horse cart ride through the gardens as well as the city.
• Overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin.

• After breakfast, head to the train station for your journey to Hsipaw by local train (or private vehicle if preferred).
• Arrive in Hsipaw in the late afternoon and check-in to your hotel.
• Evening at leisure.
• Overnight in Hsipaw.

Hsipaw Resort and the Doktawady River

• Hsipaw is a laidback and intriguing town with a vibrant history. Once a Shan Royal City it is now an ideal destination for soft hill trekking. Visitors are able to gain a unique perspective into Shan culture and traditions as well as learning about ancient agricultural methods.
• After breakfast, your trekking guide will meet you at the hotel and take you across the river by boat (5 to 10 minute ride). Then trek (3 hours) through a rice field on a hill that is over 100ft high with a nice pool at the base. During this short trek you can see splendid views of the Shan Royal Tomb as well as the lime stone caves nearby. You can also see/visit farmer’s villages, panoramic paddy fields, seasonal agricultural fields, traditional basket weaving methods and of course get an deep exposure into the traditional living style of the Shan people.
• Next get on a boat and travel upstream to visit a Shan village. The boat ride provides spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, valleys and fruit plantations.
• Lunch will be pre-arranged by your guide.
• After visiting the Shan village and spending time with the locals travel back by boat to the hotel.
• Overnight in Hsipaw.
• Trekking time – 3 hours
  Trekking level – Easy / soft trek
  Boat ride – 5 hours

Mandalay Hill

• After breakfast, drive to Mandalay (4-hour drive).
• Arrive at Mandalay, check in to your hotel and then take a tour of the local traditional workshops to get an idea of the city’s cottage industries. You can observe the ancient methods used centuries ago for woodcarving, gold leaf manufacturing, gold workshops and marionette production.
• Late afternoon visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda which consists of the “World’s Biggest Book” (729 Marble Slabs of Buddhist scriptures).
• Continue on to the Shwenandaw Monastery, which was built in the 19th Century and is entirely made of very finely carved teak. The monastery is built inside the Royal Palace ruins and was also once known as the Golden Palace Monastery.
• Climb Mandalay Hill at sunset to get an amazing view of the city as well as the magnificent Irrawaddy River.
• Overnight in Mandalay.

Mahamuni Pagoda

• Morning, visit the Mahamuni Pagoda that is home to the country’s most sacred and revered Buddha Images covered completely in gold.
• Afternoon, transfer to the Mandalay Airport to fly to Kyaing Tong.
• Your tour representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
• Overnight in Kyaing Tong.

The vibrant and colorful Akha Tribe of Kyaing Tong

• After breakfast, explore the morning market of Kyaing Tong and set off for Lwai-Mwe (2-hour drive) where you can visit colonial-era buildings such as the former governors house and the old church.
• From the Lwai Mwe village trek to visit the nearby hill tribes. The highlights of this trek are visits to the hill tribes in the area such as the Akha, Wa and Lahu. Trekking through their villages will give you a unique perspective of tribal culture and ways of life.
• Lunch will be pre-arranged for you by your guide.
• Evening, return back to Kyaing Tong.
• Overnight in Kyaing Tong.
• Trekking Time: 5 hours
  Trekking Level – Easy / Medium

• After breakfast, further explore Kyaing Tong with your guide.
• Afternoon, transfer to the Kyaing Tong Airport to fly to Heho.
• Your tour representative will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Kalaw (1-hour drive).
• If time permits, sightseeing in Kalaw.
• Overnight in Kalaw.

The Kalaw Morning Market

• Kalaw is a beautiful hill station previously used as a Colonial Summer Resort area by the British. Kalaw is home to some of the most scenic landscapes in Myanmar and is an ideal destination for photographers. It is also home to many of Myanmar different ethnic tribes giving visitors an opportunity to learn about the diversity of the Myanmar people.
• After breakfast, early morning, transfer from Pindaya to visit the morning market in Kalaw. Tribal villagers come from all over the area to sell their products at the market. Afterwards, visit some of the nearby villages in the area to really gain exposure into the different ethnic groups in the area.
• Then head to the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp. A representative from the Camp will transfer you to their base camp where you will receive a history about the Elephants in Myanmar. The Green Hill Valley Camp is home to retired working elephants and also focuses on other ecological efforts such as reforestation and protection of the exiting biodiversity of the area. The area is well known for its fauna and flora.
• During the tour of the camp you can interact with the elephants and may even get a chance to bathe them.
• Late afternoon, transfer to your hotel.
• Overnight in Kalaw.
• Note: The elephant camp program may change depending on weather conditions.

Pindaya Cave

• After breakfast, depart the hotel for your journey to Inlay Lake. Your tour representative will take you on a scenic 1-hour drive to visit the Pindaya Cave. These limestone caves host over 8,000 Buddha images and is a wonder on it’s own.
• Continue on to the nearby villages and also visit the traditional Shan paper making workshops as well as the umbrella and pottery workshops.
• Late afternoon / early evening, travel to the town of Nyaung Shwe near Inlay Lake (90-minute drive).
• Overnight near Inlay Lake.

Inlay Lake

• Inlay Lake is one of the most beautiful and unique destinations in Asia and is often referred to by travellers as the “Venice of Asia”. This vast and breathtaking Lake is home to stilt-housed villages, island-bound Buddhist temples and floating gardens.
• After breakfast, transfer from Kalaw to Inlay Lake (1-hour drive) and check-in to your hotel. You can then spend the day travelling by long-tailed boat. You can witness the leg-rowing fishermen with their own unique style of fishing as well as the floating farms and gardens, which are built on the Lake. A visit to the village of Inpawkhone is highly recommended as this village contains many handicraft shops and warehouses which produce silk, gold, silver etc.
• You can also visit the Phaungdawoo Pagoda on the Lake, which houses the five most revered Buddha Images in the State.
• Travel on the Lake stops by 6 PM and you will be free this evening.
• Overnight near Inlay Lake.

Colorful Pa-Oh Village Market

• After breakfast, you can take a walk around the town of Nyaung Shwe and/or continue sightseeing on the Lake. If possible you will be taken to visit the morning market, which rotates, between the town area as well as the Lake. Then, continue to the Western Bank of the lake by boat and go through a small canal to the village of Indein. Indein is home to a Pa-Oh Tribal community and you will be able to visit them to learn more about ethnic life in the region. At this village you can find a stupa-covered hill that gives amazing views of the surrounding lake below. This hill is a complex of 1054 weather-beaten stupas known as the Shwe Inn Thein Paya.
• After sightseeing at Indein, transfer by private vehicle to the Heho airport to fly to Yangon.
• Overnight in Yangon.

The Golden Rock Pagoda

• Today, we will drive out of Yangon to visit the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, which is also known as the Golden Rock Pagoda. It is located on a mountain 3,615 feet above sea level. The Pagoda was built more than 2,500 years ago and legend has it that it was built on a Hair Relic of the Lord Buddha. It can also be qualified as one of the wonders of the world by virtue of the fact that it sits uniquely at the apex of a huge, almost granite shaped boulder, which balances on the mountain. It has not fallen off the peak even through earthquakes. Local legend believes this is due to the power of the Hair Relic of Lord Buddha. Tripadvisor.com has rated it as one of the “most awe-inspiring places to visit in South East Asia”. The Golden Rock Pagoda is one of Asia’s most important pilgrimages sites and a top tourist destination in Myanmar.
• After breakfast (8am), our tour representative will pick you up at the hotel & drive you to “Kinmon Base Camp” at the foot of Mount Kyaiktiyo (3-hour drive).
• Arrive at Kinmon Base Camp in the afternoon and transfer to a local truck to drive to the terminal near the Golden Rock Pagoda (1–hour drive).
• Transfer to the hotel.
• Evening, visit the amazing Kyaiktiyo (Golden Rock) Pagoda and watch the spectacular sunset. Afterwards, explore the local shops in the area.
• Overnight in Kyaiktiyo.

Win Sein Taw Ya – One of the largest reclining Buddha’s in the world

• Today we travel to the city of Mwalamyine that was the inspiration for two of history’s finest writers: George Orwell and Rudyard Kipling. With a ridge of stupa-capped hills on one side, the sea on the other and a centre filled with mosques and crumbling colonial-era buildings, Mawlamyine is a unique combination of landscape, beauty and melancholy. Formerly the capital of British Burma from 1826 to 1852, Mwamlayine is now a leading tourist destination.
• After breakfast and another visit to the Golden Rock Pagoda, transfer to the Kinmon Base Camp to meet your private vehicle, then drive to Mwalamyine (3-hour drive).
• Arrive at Mwalamyine in the afternoon and check-in to your hotel to freshen up.
• Early evening, take a stroll (or travel by car) along Strand Road by the river where many of the old colonial buildings are located. Interesting landmarks are the Holy Family Cathedral, Kaladan Mosque and Judson Church.
• Overnight in Mwalamyine.

• After breakfast, visit the Zeigyi central market that is the largest market in Mwalamyine and contains dozens of stalls selling local products. An ideal place to shop for souvenirs.
• Continue on to visit some of the iconic pagodas in the area including the Kyaik Thanlan Pagoda which is the city’s tallest and most visible Stupa. Directly north of here is the Mahamuni Pagoda which is the largest temple complex and easily one of the most beautiful.
• Afterwards, travel to Win Sein Taw Ya, which is a 560-ft long reclining Buddha and is one of the largest in the world. There are 500 statues lining the road to Win Sein Taw Ya. Asside from the statues the area offers wonder panoramas.
• Evening, transfer back to your hotel.
• Overnight in Mwalaymine.

Kyauk Kalat Pagoda

• After breakfast, drive to Hpa-An (90-minute drive).
• On the way to the city stop at the Kha Yon Caves. Locals come here to worship and ask for good health and prosperity. The main features of the cave are the Buddha Images located inside and also the centuries old stalactites and stalagmites.
• Continue on to Hpa-An, along the way stop at villages or other places of interest.
• Arrive at Hpa-An and visit the Kyauk Kalat Pagoda, which stands in the middle of a small artificial lake. Kyauk Kalap is a tall finger of sheer rock mounted by one of the most unlikely pagodas in Myanmar. The rock offers great views of the surrounding countryside.
• After lunch, head to the Kawgun Cave. The 7th century artwork here consists of thousands of tiny clay Buddhas and carvings plastered all over the walls and roof. There are certain inscriptions here that no scholar has been able to interpret. Kawgun is known as the “Cave of Ten Thousand Buddhas”.
• Evening, proceed to Mount Zwekabin. At the foot of the mountain there are several thousand identical Buddha Statues. Visit the waterfall near the mountain or hike up to the top of the mountain (2-hour walk) for staggering sunset views of the surrounding area. There is a small monastery and village at the peak of the mountain.
• Overnight in Hpa-An.

Kyaik Pon

• After breakfast, visit the morning market in Hpa An and then travel back towards Yangon.
• On the way to Yangon visit the ancient royal capital of Bago (6-hour drive from Hpa An).
• Arrive at Bago and explore the city sights such as:

– The Shwethalyung Buddha, which is 180ft long and 53ft high reclining statue of the Buddha.
– The Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which is 376ft high and can be seen from even outside the city of Bago.
– The Snake Monastery, which houses a 17ft long Python who is believed by legend to be over 125 years old. The locals believe that the python is a reincarnation of a famous monk.
– The Kyaik Pun Pagoda, which was built in 1476 and consists of four 100ft sitting Buddha statues.
– The Kanbawzathadi Palace, the original palace of Bago built in 1556.

• On the way to Yangon you can visit the Taukkyan War Cemetery. The cemetery, which is the resting place for over 27,000 Allied World War 2 soldiers, is a beautifully landscaped area and a peaceful getaway from bustling Yangon.
• Arrive at Yangon in the evening and transfer to the hotel.
• Overnight in Yangon.

• Morning, at leisure to do some last minute shopping or sightseeing until your international departure.
• Transfer to the Yangon International Airport to depart for the next destination.