As a relative newcomer to adventure travel, exploring the mysterious nation of Myanmar (also known as Burma) often feels like setting foot on a foreign, untouched planet. With few other travellers to contend with, the natural and man-made wonders of this underexplored part of Southeast Asia often feel like they’ve been placed here just for you. And what wonders they are: Inle Lake’s unique floating gardens, the staggering imperial ruins of ancient Bagan, the incomparable palaces of Mandalay, and enveloping forests throughout. Unknown pleasures await – come find them.

 

TRAVEL DATES:

 

Day 1 Yangon
Arrive at any time.

 

Day 2 Yangon/Kyaiktiyo
Visit the incredible Shwedagon Pagoda before hiking to Golden Rock for an overnight stay.

Start the day with a visit to the famous golden stupa of the Shwedagon Pagoda, the "heart" of Buddhist Myanmar.

Later, travel through the delta and over the Sittang River to Kyaikhtiyo. From Kinpun, the pilgrimage road runs 10km to the 1200m high pagoda on the famous Golden Rock. Take a typical Myanma passenger truck to a camp. Walk about one hour from here to the Golden Rock.

At the summit, a simple but well located hotel awaits.
Accommodation: Mountain Top Hotel (or similar)

 

Day 3 Kyaiktiyo/Yangon
Travel back to Yangon, stopping in Bago to see a reclining Buddha.

Start the descent from Golden Rock in the early morning to retrace your steps back to Yangon before travelling to Bago.

 

Day 4 Yangon/Mandalay
Take an early flight to Mandalay and explore its ancient temples and sights, like the Golden Monastery.

Fly to Mandalay and visit the famous Golden Monastery (Shwenandaw), the only building still standing from the one hundred plus that once stood on the palace grounds. From here, visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda and look at its 729 marble slabs displaying the entire Buddhist canon.

After lunch, explore the Mahamuni Temple which houses the country´s holiest Buddha image, the 3.5m tall Arakan Buddha, made of bronze and gold leaf.

Later, visit the workshops of gold leaf and marble carvers. Opt to climb to the top of Mandalay Hill for a bird´s eye view and a visit to the Shwe Kyin Monastery for sunset.
Accommodation: Emerald Land Hotel (or similar)

 

Day 5 Mandalay
Visit the nearby ancient royal capital of Amarapura. Opt to traverse the world's longest teak bridge. Visit the village of Mingun before returning to Mandalay.

Head out in the morning to visit the former capital of Amarapura (Sanskrit for "Beautiful Town"). Walk over the world´s longest teak bridge, U Bein, and visit Sagaing Hill for fascinating views over the pagodas and monasteries dotting the landscape down to the Ayeyarwady River.

In the afternoon travel by boat along the mighty Ayeyarwady River, enjoying sights of washerwomen, buffalo carts, and daily life along the riverbank. Visit the village of Mingun before returning to Mandalay for the evening.
Accommodation: Emerald Land Hotel (or similar)

 

Day 6 Mandalay/Bagan
Cruise down the Ayeyarwady River to ancient Bagan.

Enjoy a slower pace as you travel by local public boat along the Ayeyarwady River, Myanmar's 'Super Highway'. Sightsee from the boat before arriving in Bagan.
Accommodation: Sky Palace Hotel (or similar)

 

Day 7 Bagan
Enjoy a packed day learning about the culture and history of this once great civilization. Visit ancient sites that host hundreds of temples and stupas. Visit the Nyaung Oo market.

In the morning, wander through the marketplace of Nyaung Oo and get a glimpse of the lifestyle of the Myanma people. Next, visit Shwezigon Pagoda, the only golden pagoda in the Bagan area. Continue to the caves of Kyanzittha Umin.

In Gubyaukgyi, a perfect Indian-style temple, view hundreds of frescoes illustrating stories of the Buddha. Finally, visit the huge Htilominlo Temple.

In the afternoon, explore Manuha Temple before checking out the elaborate stone engravings at Nanpaya Temple.

Head south to witness the beautiful Abeyadama Temple and finally the Lawkananda Pagoda, a landmark of Ayeyarwady fishermen.

Visit traditional manufacturers of unique Bagan lacquerware and relax at one of the pagodas as the sun sets over Bagan.
Accommodation: Sky Palace Hotel (or similar)

 

Day 8 Bagan
Enjoy a free day and continue your exploration of this gorgeous area or take some time to relax.

If you plan to take a hot air balloon ride in Bagan, this is the best day to do it. Keep in mind this should be reserved in advance and the ballooning season is from Oct 1 to March 31 every year.
Accommodation: Sky Palace Hotel (or similar)

 

Day 9 Bagan/Kalaw
Drive to the cooler air of Kalaw, a former British hill station, visiting Mt Popa en route.

Leave early to reach Kalaw. Journey through sun-parched plains sprinkled with Palmyra palms to the 'Mountain of Deities', Popa.

Climb a staircase (about 20 mins) up the huge volcanic rock to see shrines for Nats (celestial spirits of Myanma mythology) and small temples dedicated to the Buddha. On the climb up, pass many food stalls and shops selling herbal remedies.

Continue to Kalaw for the evening.
Accommodation: Dream Villa (or similar)

 

Day 10 Kalaw
Stretch your legs with a hike through the scenic hills of Kalaw and enjoy an included lunch.

Explore the countryside whilst enjoying the cooler air at 1320m above sea level. Pass through tea plantations, citrus groves and tribal villages.

In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Kalaw's vibrant market or visit Aung Chan Tha Zedi, with its sparkling gold and silver glass mosaics, or the Hnee Pagoda with its 500-year-old bamboo Buddha.
Accommodation: Dream Villa (or similar)

 

Day 11 Kalaw/Inle Lake
Travel by bus to serene Inle, home to the Intha people and floating villages and gardens, stopping en route to visit the Pindaya Caves.

Drive to Pindaya along an interesting route through the hills and across the Shan Plateau through fields of garlic, sesame, and vegetables, with many small Pa-O and Danu villages.

Continue on to Nyaungshwe—the biggest village and former capital of the local Shan Kings at Inle Lake.
Accommodation: Paradise Hotel (or similar)

 

Day 12 Inle Lake
Explore the lake by boat and visit some of its floating villages. Try to spot the famous Intha leg-rowers during the tour.

Visit some of the intriguing floating villages and investigate the great Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda with its five holy Buddha images.
Accommodation: Paradise Hotel (or similar)

 

Day 13 Inle Lake/Yangon
Fly back to Yangon for a final chance to explore and shop in the old capital.

After breakfast, board a flight back Yangon. The afternoon is free to explore the markets and sights of Yangon with plenty of time for some last minute shopping before an optional final dinner together.

 

Day 14 Yangon
Depart any time.

 

 

Price per person sharing: 2100 GBP (subject to change and availability)

 

 

Includes:

• Shwedagon Pagoda visit (Yangon)

• Mandalay combo entry ticket (includes most sights in Mandalay)

• Golden Rock visit

• Amarapura visit

• Sagaing visit

• Bagan Archaeological Zone guided tour

• Irrawaddy River boat trip

• Inle Lake boat tour including floating villages (half-day)

• Shwemawdaw Stupa visit

• Mingun boat trip

• U Bein Bridge visit

• Mahagandayong Monastery visit

• Sagaing Hills Meditation Centre visit

• Mt Popa visit

• Hilltribe hike (half-day)

• Internal flights

• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

 

Does not include:

• All international flights and visa fees, currently $30 per person

• International airport tax (Included in Airline Ticket)

• Meals, unless mentioned differently

• Beverages and personal expenses

• Other excursions and entrance fees

• Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation and evacuation in the event of accident of illness)