This great value 10-day joint group tour (with an English speaking guide) allows you to experience the amazing cultural and scenic variety of Myanmar. Experience the fast-changing metropolis of Yangon; the beautiful Shan HIlls that surround Inle Lake; the old royal capitals near Mandalay; exploring thousands of ancient temples on the plains of Bagan. This tour has them all, and more! The tour ends back in Yangon.
This is a group tour with set departure dates which individuals, couples or groups can join. Details of pricing, group size and airport transfers can be found at bottom of page1.
Tour Overview
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US$1,2101
US$1211
You will be met at Yangon International Airport by your Go-Myanmar.com representative, and then taken by minibus transfer1 to your hotel.
In the evening, enjoy a stroll around downtown Yangon and a chance to try the tasty street food - supporting small-scale businesses by buying from local vendors, at your own leisure.
Overnight in Yangon.
Myanmar's political capital until 2005, Yangon remains its largest city and most bustling. Take a guided tour of this fascinating and fast-changing place, first visiting the National Museum to see its historical treasures, then traditional Myanmar handicrafts at Bogyoke Aung San Market (also known as Scott Market). Later in the afternoon, we will visit the huge Reclining Buddha Chauk Htat Gyi, before enjoying sunset at the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world's great religious structures.
In the evening, explore the vibrant streets of Chinatown, with the chance for some street-side beer and barbeque food.
Overnight in Yangon.
Early morning transfer for the flight from Yangon to Heho, from where we will drive to Pindaya, a serene lakeside town set in the hills of Shan State. Along the way, there will be the opportunity to see the Pa-O and Danu tribal villages of Pwehla and Ji Chanzi, as well as fields of dry cultivated mountain rice and potato as far as the eye can see.
Overnight in Pindaya.
After breakfast, head to the Pindaya Caves. Located just to the south of the town, they contain nearly 8,000 Buddha images that have been placed there over the centuries as a form of merit making. Made of various materials and of different sizes, the statues are situated in every nook and cranny throughout the many cave chambers. On the walk to the caves, you will pass through an atmospheric section between gigantic trees whose trunks and branches weave unusually along the ground.
From Pindaya, head to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway town to Inle Lake. On arrival, you will take a boat from the jetty for a sightseeing tour of the lake. Highlights include the floating gardens; Inn Paw Khone village to witness the lotus and silk weaving industries, where you can buy locally-produced handicrafts; the floating village of Ywama, the central Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the beautifully preserved Nge Phe Kyaung monastery and Thae Lae Oo village. If it coincides with your visit, you will get also get a chance to see the five day market, which moves around the lake.
In the evening you will have the chance to explore the town of Nyaung Shwe, where your hotel is located.
Overnight in Inle Lake/ Nyaung Shwe.
In the morning, take the short walk from your hotel to Nyaung Shwe jetty. Your boat will take you to the crumbling 17th century pagodas at Indein on the western shore of Inle Lake, weaving up narrow creeks as you make your way to the pagodas. Also in the area you will have the chance to explore ethnic Pao villages, after which you will return to Nyaung Shwe.
Next, head to one of Inle Lake's islands and the home of an Intha tribal person, who also runs one of the best restaurants in the area. Learn about cooking traditional dishes at his house, where you will see the fresh catch being brought directly. Together, you will prepare Shan specialities that are famous across Myanmar; participants can take away printed recipes, as well as a souvenir apron and a cap to remember the day. Taking part contributes directly to the local economy, will give you a greater understanding of the local culture, and is great fun!
Overnight in Inle Lake/ Nyaung Shwe.
Take a morning flight from Heho and arrive to Mandalay. Check in at hotel and start a tour of Mandalay and its surrounding area. First we will visit Amarapura, to the south of Mandalay, where you will meet young monks at the Mahagandayon Monastery and make a traditional offering. Nearby is the beautiful and unique U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world.
Next we will head further south to another ancient capital of Burma, Inwa (Ava). Founded in 1364, Inwa was the royal capital on occasions for more than 400 years. The site is now abandoned to local farmers, with beautiful, crumbling structures lying amongst the paddy fields - you will be taken around by a resident in their horse and cart, contributing directly to the local economy. Highlights include the include the elegant Nanmyint watch tower (the 'leaning tower of Ava'), sand-coloured Maha Aungmye Bonzan temple and the teakwood monastery of Bagaya Kyaung.
After lunch, we will see more of the sights of Mandalay, the final capital of Burma’s Konbaung Dynasty until its decline in 1885 at the hands of the British Empire. Explore its plethora of pagodas and monasteries, including the highly-revered Mahamuni Pagoda, the wood-carved Shwenandaw Monastery and the 'world’s largest book' at Kuthodaw Pagoda. In the evening, enjoy a spectacular sunset from atop Mandalay Hill.
The Chinese population of Mandalay is huge, and before dinner we’ll walk around an interesting Chinese night market on 75th street, with stalls selling a huge variety of goods - including fruits, vegetables and Chinese cuisine.
Overnight in Mandalay.
Transfer to the Mandalay's Gawein Jetty at 6am for boat cruise down the mighty Irrawaddy River to Bagan, arriving in time for dinner. On the way you will have the chance to relax and take in the slow pace of riverside life, including a local village visit (lunch on board the boat). Due to a lack of rainfall, travel by boat is not possible during the low season (April-September) and a private car will be arranged.
Overnight in Bagan.
Take a sightseeing tour of one of Asia’s most stunning archaeological sites, the thousands of temples on the plains of Bagan.
You will have the chance to explore some of the most beautiful and historically significant temples such as the Shwezigon Pagoda; Wetkyi-in-Gubyaukgyi; Ananda Pagoda; and Ananda Ok Kyaung; as well as the the lively Nyaung Oo market. After lunch, visit a traditional lacquerware factory (a speciality of this region) and have the chance to buy distinctive, finely-crafted, locally produced products from a small business.
Finish the day with one of the finest pagodas in all of Bagan, the Dhammayangyi Pahto and then, at sunset, witness extraordinary views across the plain from atop a pagoda selected by your guide.
Overnight in Bagan.
Head south east by minibus for a half-day trip to Mount Popa, where you will have the chance to ascend the 777 steps to the famous Popa Taunkalat Monastery. Located perilously on top of a volcanic plug on the slopes of the mountain and offers panoramic views of the region, the monastery is said to be home to 37 nats (ancient Burmese spirits that pre-date Buddhism, which are represented by statues at the base).
After a hearty locally-made lunch, which today is provided as part of the program, return to Bagan, stopping on the way to see the process of making htan ye (palm toddy), a mildly alcoholic drink fermented from the sap of the same palm trees used to make sugar. If you buy some toddy or locally-produced sweets, you will be directly supporting the local agricultural economy.
Option: during the afternoon, explore the plain of Bagan by electric bike (USD8 per person).
Finally, after a hard day of exploring, take the chance to relax by the pool at your boutique hotel.
Overnight in Bagan.
Fly from Bagan to Yangon with early morning flight .If your flight departure time allows, explore the streets of downtown Yangon at your own leisure. Home to the largest number of colonial-era buildings in Southeast Asia, you can also visit one of Yangon's social enterprises, which put their profits back into local communities and focus on the professional training for the underprivileged (your guide will provide a city map and some detailed suggestions).
Depart from Yangon International Airport, transfer by your own arrangement1.
Would you like to extend your tour to the magnificent Golden Rock, the sacred mountains of Hpa An, or 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 (please remember that the tour above is a set group tour, but any extensions can be customised to your own needs).
| Standard (3*) | Deluxe (4*) |
| Yangon - Panda Hotel | Yangon - Melia Hotel |
| Pindaya - Pindaya Inle Inn | Pindaya - Pindaya Inle Inn |
| Inle Lake - Royal Nadi Resort (Nyaung Shwe) | Inle Lake - Pristine Lotus Resort (Inle Lake) |
| Mandalay - M3 Hotel | Mandalay - Eastern Palace Hotel |
| Bagan - Thazin Garden Hotel | Bagan - Hotel @ Tharabar Gate |
Our Service Include:
Our Service Do Not Include:
Important Notes:
[1] Tour pricing, group size and airport transfer:
- Low season tour price (April to September) is USD1,210 with 3* hotels (single room occupancy supplemental cost USD273)
- High season tour price (October to March) is USD1,352 with 3* hotels (single room occupancy supplemental cost USD320)
- This is a joint group tour with a maximum size of 14 people.
- Airport transfer arrangements: at the start of the tour, we will provide one complimentary minibus pick-up from Yangon International Airport to the hotel for the largest group arrival - this will depend on the number of people arriving on different flights. If you arrive on a different flight from the largest group, your airline may provide a complimentary transfer to downtown Yangon, or you can take a taxi. At the end of the tour, Yangon airport transfer is by your own arrangement.
- The above itinerary is indicative and some details may change according to conditions and availability; you will always be informed of such changes.
*Ngapali beach extension is only available from November to May.
