2026 10 Days Myanmar Highlights

Myanmar Cultural Journey – 10 Days
Small group tour starting in Mandalay and ending in Yangon. Hotel stays included.

This 10-day tour is led by local guides. You travel by private car and take one domestic flight.

The trip starts in Mandalay, the cultural heart of Myanmar. This city has many monasteries and pagodas. You walk up Mandalay Hill to see a beautiful sunset. You also visit Mahagandayon Monastery, Mahamuni Pagoda, Kuthodaw Pagoda (the World's Largest Book), and U Bein Bridge, a famous old teakwood bridge.

From Mandalay, you drive to Bagan. On the way, you stop at Mount Popa, a dead volcano. You climb 777 steps to the top to see a shrine and nice views. You also visit a village and a palm plantation. In Bagan, you see thousands of old temples. You visit Shwezigon Pagoda, Ananda Temple, Thatbyinnyu Temple, and Dhammayangyi Temple. In the evening, you take a horse cart ride to watch the sunset over the temples.

Next, you fly to Heho airport. From there, you drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway town to Inle Lake. At Inle Lake, you see floating villages and gardens. You watch fishermen row with one leg. You visit workshops where they make silver and weave cloth. You meet Padaung women who wear brass rings around their necks. You also see the old Shwe Indein Pagoda complex.

The tour ends in Yangon. You take a walking tour to see old colonial buildings. You visit Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda with its large reclining Buddha. In the evening, you go to Shwedagon Pagoda, a famous golden pagoda, and watch the sunset.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Mandalay

Welcomed by car and driver. Transfer to hotel.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Remark : One time transfer at the time of most of the participants arrive.

Day 2

Mandalay sightseeing

At 08:30, meet your guide in Mandalay at hotel lobby. Set out to visit Mahagandayon Monastery to observe monastic life, followed by Mahamuni Pagoda, one of Myanmar’s most revered shrines. Visit a Kalaga tapestry workshop. Then, explore the bustling Zaygyo Market and surrounding downtown area, where you can experience the sights and sounds of local life and browse stalls selling fresh produce, textiles, household goods and other local products.

Afternoon continue explore sights and sounds of Mandalay including Shwenandaw Monastery, Kuthodaw Pagoda (World’s Largest Book), and enjoy sunset at Mandalay Hill. Time permitting, visit Shwe Kyin Monastery for evening prayers.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 3

Mandalay / Ava / U Bein Bridge

After breakfast, drive to the local jetty and take a short boat ride to Ava (Inwa), one of Myanmar’s former royal capitals.

Explore the ancient city by traditional horse cart, passing through peaceful countryside, local villages and historic ruins. Visit some of Ava’s notable monuments, including Nanmyint Watch Tower, Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery and Bagaya Monastery. (The sightseeing places visited in Ava are subject to change depending on accessibility and the condition of the monuments at the time of travel.)

In the afternoon, continue to Amarapura and visit the famous U Bein Bridge, the historic teakwood bridge stretching across Taungthaman Lake. Enjoy the peaceful lakeside atmosphere and beautiful sunset views before returning to Mandalay.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Remark : Tomorrow, your guide from Bagan will meet you at hotel for highway drive to Bagan.  

Day 4

Mandalay – Bagan (Car, Highway drive, ~ 5-6 hours, 280 Km)/ Visit Mt. Popa on the way

At 08:00, meet your guide from Bagan in the hotel lobby.

Take a scenic highway drive to Bagan (280 km, around 5–6 hours). En route, visit Mount Popa, a dormant volcano rising 1,518 metres (4,981 feet) above sea level. Climb the 777 steps to the summit to enjoy breathtaking views and explore the mountaintop monastery.

Mount Popa is considered the spiritual home of Myanmar’s 37 Nats—traditional guardian spirits deeply rooted in local belief. You’ll see colorful Nat shrines at the base and along the climb, where pilgrims offer flowers, food, and money to seek blessings for health, wealth, and protection. The lively atmosphere offers a fascinating contrast between ancient animist practices and Theravada Buddhism.

Lunch on your own account will be at a local restaurant on the way.

Continue the journey to Bagan with a stop at a typical local village and a toddy palm plantation to see how palm sugar and toddy are traditionally made. Upon arrival in Bagan, if time permits, enjoy sunset at one of the ancient temples.

Overnight in Bagan.

Day 5

Bagan

Begin your day with a visit to the charming village of Minnanthu, one of Bagan’s less-visited and peaceful areas. Observe traditional cotton weaving, sesame grinding, and local farming practices that offer a glimpse into rural Burmese life.

Continue to the revered Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan’s most significant religious monument and an important pilgrimage site. Then visit the magnificent Ananda Temple, famed for its perfectly proportioned architecture and standing Buddha images.

Next, explore Thatbyinnyu Temple, the tallest in Bagan, followed by a visit to the massive Dhammayangyi Temple, renowned for its precise brickwork and mysterious legends.

In the evening, enjoy a relaxing local horse cart ride, passing through temple-dotted plains as the sun sets over Bagan. Stop at a temple or sunset hill to witness the magical golden hour. Afterward, return to your hotel by car.

Overnight in Bagan.

Optional Activity, Early Morning Balloon Ride (Not Included in Package Price):

Start your day early with an unforgettable hot air balloon ride over the plains of Bagan (available from October to March). The 45-minute flight offers panoramic views of ancient pagodas and the Irrawaddy River. Advance booking required.

Estimated cost: USD XXX (subject to confirmation)

Day 6

Bagan – Heho (8M-8211, 11:40-12:20) – Inle Lake

After breakfast, transfer to the airport with car and driver. Flight to Heho.

Upon arrival, welcomed by your guide in Inle Lake and drive to Nyaung Shwe (25 km – approx. 1 hour), a charming small town at the gateway to Inle Lake.

Overnight in Nyaung Shwe / Inle Lake.

Day 7

Inle Lake

After breakfast at the hotel. Begin a sightseeing tour on Inle Lake, known for its stilted villages, floating gardens, and cultural richness. Cruise by private boat to observe the unique Intha leg-rowing fishermen, who skillfully row with one leg while balancing on the other.

Visit Heyya-Ywama Village, where you’ll witness daily life on the water, and continue to the sacred Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, one of the most revered religious sites in southern Shan State.

Stop by a local silversmith workshop and a weaving center to observe traditional craftsmanship. Where possible, you may also participate in their work for a hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of daily life. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet the long-neck Padaung women, known for their cultural heritage and distinct brass neck rings.

Lunch (on your own account) will be at a traditional Intha restaurant on the lake.

In the afternoon, travel by boat to the charming Indein Village, where you can stroll through bamboo groves and explore the ancient Shwe Indein Pagoda complex, featuring hundreds of weathered stupas in a jungle-like setting.

After a scenic return boat ride, return to your hotel.

Overnight in Nyaung Shwe / Inle Lake.

Day 8

Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon (By domestic flight)

After breakfast, transfer to Heho Airport with car and driver for your domestic flight to Yangon.

Upon arrival, warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel with car and driver(depending on your arrival time).

Day 9

Yangon

At 08:30, meet your guide in Yangon at hotel lobby.

Begin your day with your guide in Yangon and begin with a walking tour through the colonial heart of Yangon, where you’ll discover heritage buildings such as Yangon City Hall, the High Court, and the grand facades of the city’s former British institutions, now buzzing with local life.

In the afternoon, visit Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, home to one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in Myanmar.

Conclude your day with an immersive visit to Shwedagon Pagoda. Instead of entering directly, you’ll walk in from the base of Singuttara Hill, passing through vibrant local neighborhoods, small markets, and monastic zones. Along the way, you’ll observe monks in daily rituals, locals making merit, and families offering oil lamps. As you reach the golden stupa at the summit, your guide will share insights into the symbolism, spiritual traditions, and architectural marvels of this sacred site. This meaningful journey offers not just a visual highlight—but a deep cultural and spiritual connection. After the sunset, transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight in Yangon.

Day 10

Yangon Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport with car and driver for departure.

 

Day 10

Yangon Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport with car and driver for departure.