Take in Myanmar’s religious, cultural and scenic highlights as well as heading further off the beaten track, by train into the beautiful rolling hills of Shan State. Hike around old colonial-era summer retreats and explore the temples of Bagan, historic Mandalay and life on the waters of Inle Lake.
Tour Overview
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Deluxe Hotel Supplement:
US$41 per day
US$1,5151
US$1261
Arrive in Yangon and head to the Buddhist heart of Myanmar – the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda. Wander downtown during the balmy evening and explore the many restaurants and bars now cropping up in this increasingly cosmopolitan city.
Fly from Yangon to Heho airport, then to Kalaw by car. Feel refreshed by the cool mountain air after the heat of Yangon, and explore this bustling old colonial outpost with its large population of Nepali guides whose families remained here after the Second World War.
Wake up early for a traditional Myanmar breakfast before starting your hike to Inle Lake, passing through the beautiful and unspoilt Shan hills and spending the night at a local monastery or homestay. Arrive at the serenely picturesque Inle Lake via the crumbling mass of pagodas at Indein and then take some time to explore the area, including the Intha people who live on the water, before heading to your hotel.
If you go for the superior hotel option, a boat will take you to your hotel on the lake (standard hotels are located in the characterful town of Nyaung Shwe). Finish up your day with sunset wine tasting at Red Mountain Estate vineyard and then dinner on the lakeshore.
Fly west to the thousands of temples on the plains of Bagan, arriving in time for one of its uniquely beautiful sunsets. Begin the next day by exploring the Ananda pagoda, dating from the 12th century and famed for its gilded sikhara tower at its peak; choose from bicycle, car or horse and cart for your preferred mode of transport around the temples. Later in the day, take a sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy and enjoy some Myanmar wine over dinner by the pagodas.
We can arrange hot-air balloon rides that will give you spectacular sunrise views of the Bagan plain (additional charge and must be booked in advance).
Head up to Mandalay and visit the last royal palace of the Konbaung dynasty, recalling the days of Thibaw and his queen, Supayalat, before they were expelled to India by the British, and take in the sights from Mandalay Hill. At sunset, take a stroll down the longest teak bridge in the world, the iconic U Bein bridge in Amarapura. The town of Amarapura is full of textiles stores and small metal works factories, where you can watch master craftsmen cast Buddha statues in bronze or visit a weaving factory to see how fabrics are made.
Take the short drive up to the hills and the cooler climate of Pyin U Lwin; this colonial hill station was once considered the summer capital of British Burma and still has many of the old houses and mansions still standing. Explore the town by hopping on a bicycle or taking a colourful horse and cart carriage – working relics of bygone days. Ride to the beautifully maintained botanical gardens and take a dip in one of the many waterfalls in the surrounding countryside.
Take the train eastwards to Hsipaw through the beautiful and rolling Shan hills, which makes for one of the most memorable railway journeys in Asia – this route was made famous by Paul Theroux in his books The Great Railway Bazaar and later Ghost Train to the Eastern Star, and takes in the towering Gokteik Viaduct.
Hsipaw is a charming and laid-back town located high in the hills, made special by its quiet, dusty streets, beautiful traditional buildings and trekking opportunities. There are numerous shrines in the area, including the atmospheric collection of pagodas to its north, dubbed ‘Little Bagan’; a hilltop pagoda with lovely views over the town and its valley; and a huge Chinese cemetery. Or you can ride around by bicycle to get to the fresh water pools, waterfalls and rock formations of the surrounding hills, witnessing the lives of local farmers in their paddy fields and banana plantations.
Drive back to Mandalay and enjoy some of the wonderful street food the city has to offer on the roads surrounding the palace walls, ahead of your departure from Myanmar by plane.
Would you like to extend your tour to the beautiful and relaxing Ngapali Beach? Our travel advisors will be able to arrange this for you, along with any other travel, accommodation or activity requirements you may have. Just fill out the ‘Any further queries’ box after you have clicked on the ‘Book Tour’ button.
| Standard hotels for above program | Deluxe hotels for above program |
| Yangon - Clover Hotel | Yangon - Chatrium Hotel |
| Kalaw – Dream Villa Hotel | Kalaw - Amara Mountain Resort |
| Inle Lake (Nyaung Shwe) - Hupin Hotel | Inle Lake - Amata Garden Resort |
| Bagan - Floral Breeze Hotel | Bagan - Bagan Lodge |
| Mandalay - Hotel Rama | Mandalay - Mandalay Hill Resort |
| Pyin U Lwin - Royal Park View Hotel | Pyin U Lwin - The Governor’s House |
| Hsipaw - Mr. Charles Guest House | Hsipaw - Hsipaw Riverside Resort |
To get prices for this tour with luxury accommodation or basic accommodation, please enter a query in the ‘Any further queries’ field when you submit your tour booking form (link below).
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Important Notes:
The above itinerary is indicative and some details may change according to conditions and availability; you will always be informed of such changes.
There may be changes to estimated prices depending on air fuel cost, domestic airfares, US$ exchange rates and festive season surcharge. All supplemental cost to be advised.
[1] Price per person based on two person tour (twin hotel room sharing basis) during high season (October to April). Larger groups will pay less per person, single person purchase will mean a higher price.
