Burma Explorer

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Yangon

  Welcome to Myanmar! Upon your arrival, your guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel. After freshening up, head to the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda, the symbol of the country and a holy place for the people of Myanmar. The umbrella crown at the top is encrusted with more than 5,000 diamonds and 2,000 rubies. At sunset, get to see the lights coming on and watch the stupa glowing in the darkness.

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  • Yangon

• Day 2: Yangon

  In the morning, explore Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple where you can see the third largest reclining Buddha. Later, proceed to the Sule Pagoda, a lovely historic building. Tour the Maha Bandula Park (Maha Bandula Garden) later, the most outstanding structure in the park is the Independence Monument, a 48 meters high obelisk erected in 1948 to commemorate the independence of Myanmar.

  In the afternoon, visit the Bogyoke Aung San Museum and stroll along the beautiful Inle Lake.

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  • Yangon

• Day 3: Yangon - Bagan

  Take your flight to Bagan in the morning and begin your exploration by visiting the Nyaung-U Market and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere. Tour the 2,500-year-old Shwezigon Pagoda, the holiest Buddhist site in Myanmar as it enshrines the relics of the four Buddhas who had attained enlightenment. Later, head to Htilominlo Temple, one of the largest temples at 150 feet tall.

  In the afternoon, visit a lacquer-ware workshop and watch craftsmen carving the intricate patterns. After that, admire the Gubyaukgyi Temple, inside which is one of the best-preserved wall paintings. Conclude your today's trip with the spectacular sunset over the white Shwesandaw Pagoda.

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  • Bagan

• Day 4: Bagan

  In the morning, visit a sanctuary of 37 nats and learn about interesting stories at Mount Popa. On the way, stop at a local village to capture sights of the local life. Later, climb up 777 stair steps to reach the summit and admire the view of the Bagan plain with numerous temples. After that, back to Bagan and explore the splendid Ananda Temple, one of the highest temple in Bagan.

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  • Bagan

• Day 5: Bagan - Heho - Inle Lake

  Fly to Heho in the morning. Reach the pier (about 1 hour's drive) and get to your hotel on Inle Lake by a private boat. Proceed to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, one of the most revered shrines in Myanmar.

  In the afternoon, visit a traditional silk-weaving workshop, which uses wooden handlooms and a blacksmith's forge. Later, back to the hotel and have a good rest.

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  • Inle Lake

• Day 6: Inle Lake

  Spend the day at Inle Lake. Pay a visit to the lake's morning market and take a leisure stroll around the primitive Indein Village which lies on the western bank of the lake. After that, take a scenic boat ride, as your boat gets into some smaller waterways, you will have a chance to learn about how the locals grow tomatoes, lentils and other vegetables in the floating gardens. Get back to your hotel and enjoy your free time in the afternoon.

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  • Inle Lake

• Day 7: Inle Lake - Heho - Mandalay

  You'll be free at leisure in the morning before your guide escorts you to take the flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, you'll head to take a boat trip and enjoy the unparalleled sunset views at the picturesque U Bein Bridge. Later, check in to your hotel and have a good rest.

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  • Mandalay

• Day 8: Mandalay

  In the morning, have a glimpse of City Harbor Bridge, and then proceed to Sagaing Hill to overlook the descent downhill to the river.

  In the afternoon, continue with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, which houses one of the country's most honored Buddha images completely covered in gold leaves. Make your way to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only enduring structure from the Royal Palace of the 19th century. Later, get to Kuthodaw Pagoda, the "World's Largest Book", where you can view hundreds of small tablets revolving around the main pagoda and each tablet tells a piece of the life story of Buddha. Enjoy an incredible sunset at Mandalay Hill.

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  • Mandalay

• Day 9: Departure

  Today, you'll set off to Amarapura by a drive, Myanmar's penultimate royal capital, and pay a visit to Mahagandayon Monastery to watch the resident monks lining up silently for their lunch if time permits. After that, your guide will escort you to the airport to take your return flight.

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