Myanmar 2 Week Insight Tour

Upon arrival at MANDALAY airport, welcomed and transferred to hotel (Remark – Official hotel check-in time is 14.00 noon). Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight stay in Mandalay.

Drive to visit MAHAGANDAYON MONASTERY where more than a thousand monks live and study. Time permitting you will have the opportunity to observe the monks having their last meal of the day in total silence. Continue to 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782 during the era when Amarapura was the Royal capital. Then, visit also one of the most revered religious monuments of Myanmar, the MAHAMUNI PAGODA. Mandalay is well-known for its skilled craftsmen and, while touring traditional workshops, learns more about the city’s cottage industries. Observe the production of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries, and gold-leaf, where the techniques remained unchanged from those used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court. (OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Make a marionette- Join local craftsmen at their workshop and create a unique traditional puppet. A hands-on way to learn about the local culture and create a memorable, personalized souvenir! ). In the afternoon, experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay including the GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, the only Royal Palace building to survive World War II bombing. This grand teakwood building is known for its exquisite woodcarving. Next is the KUTHODAW PAGODA, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title being home to the ‘World’s Biggest Book’. Then proceed to MANDALAY HILL for sunset. If time permit, visit Shwe Kyin Monastery to observe student monks start their evening prayers before return your hotel.

Overnight stay in Mandalay.

Option Tour - Early morning face washing ceremony

You are picked up by car at 04:00 to observe the traditional ritual of the daily face-washing ceremony at Mahamuni Pagoda, the most important pilgrimage site for local people.

After breakfast, transfer to the Mandalay jetty and board a private local boat for travel upstream on the Ayeyarwady River from Mandalay to MINGUN (11 Km, about one hour). The river is always busy - small long tail boats, bamboo rafts and ferries carry goods up and down the river. Visit the unfinished MINGUN PAYA, huge brick structure that was left unfinished after an astrologer predicted the King would die should the temple be completed. In the 1800s, an earthquake left several large cracks in the structure. Continue to the beautiful Hsinbyume (Mya Thein Tan) Paya and the MINGUN BELL which, weighing in at more than 90 tons is considered the world’s largest uncracked ringing bell. Return back to Mandalay. Afternoon, embark for a short boat ride over a river and start exploring the former Royal Capital INWA (AVA) by horse cart. Visit NANMYINT WATCH TOWER, the remains of the ancient palace building, also known as “the leaning tower of Ava”; MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN MONASTERY, built of brick and stucco; BARGAYAR MONASTERY, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Continue to visit SAGAING. Covered with numerous white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. It is home to more than 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers. Visit Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae Pagodas for a glimpse into the unique environment of this area. Return back to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Mandalay.

After breakfast, a scenic two-hour drive to the former British hill station of PYIN OO LWIN (Maymyo). Now the town is heavily inhabited by Nepalese and Indians, and their crafts and cultures predominate. Stop en-route at a locally owned winery in Pyin Oo Lwin called Ngwe Nan Taw (Silver Palace Wine), where the winemaker takes a rather experimental route by producing damson wine. Damson is a stone fruit which resembles a plum and the resulting wine has a higher level of acidity than grape wines. Arrive Pyin Oo Lwin and visit to the local market near the clock tower in the centre of the town. Continue to visit PEIK KHYIN MYAUNG CAVES, an extensive cave complex about 22 km from town. A rushing stream flows through the caves to cascade down a beautiful series of steps - one of several beautiful waterfalls in the vicinity. Have a stop (may be lunch or coffee break) to check out the famous strawberry field and dairy farm. This is a fantastic place to sample some of the delicious local food and homemade ice cream as well. Continue to see the PWE KYAUK FALLS, a favorite picnic spot for local people. Evening visit the Botanical Kandawgyi Gardens and Chinese Temple that soothes our spirit.

Overnight stay in Pyin Oo Lwin.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) railway station for an adventurous train journey to Naung Pin departing at 08.30 am. The train passes over the amazing Gokteik Railway Viaduct. When the Pennsylvania Steel Company built the viaduct across a 300 metre-depth gorge a century ago, it was the second highest bridge in the world. The view from the train is fascinating and the scenery is beautiful. At Naung Pin, disembark the train and the car will be waiting at the station to HSIPAW (60 Km, 1½ hour). Arrive in Hsipaw mid-afternoon. From the train station, visit a few other sights around town such as Bamboo Buddha, “Little Bagan” and a very colourful Nat shrine.

Overnight stay in Hsipaw.

Explore Hsipaw and sail. If you wish, wake up early morning and visit “Candle Light Market” of selling and buying local products. After breakfast at hotel, start river journey along the Dokehtawaddy River. After a few minutes’ walk to the jetty and take private long tail boat. Start upstream sail for around 30 minutes to a fruit plantation and a walk through the plantation, village and then up to a 150-year old monastery (40 minutes walking time). After visiting the monastery, return to the boat and continue sail to the confluence of the Dokehtawaddy River. Break for photos. Continue to a Shan village and take a stroll around the village to meet with the locals and learn more about their culture, traditions and lifestyles. Then return by boat to Hsipaw. The whole journey takes around 5 hours.

Afternoon head over to the former palace of the last sky prince of Hsipaw, which is also called Shan Palace. The modest house is kept up by the prince’s niece and nephew, who will share the tragic history of the last sky prince who is known with Film “Twilight Over Burma”. Continue explore around the town and enjoy the sunset views over the river from the hill.

Overnight stay in Hsipaw.

After breakfast, drive to LASHIO (74 Km, around 2-3 hours). Arrive Lashio and stroll through the busy local market where modern gadgets as well as local produce can be found. If time permit, continue to Quan Yin San, one of the largest Chinese temples in Myanmar that bears testimony to Lashio’s thriving Chinese community. Then, transfer to airport and flight to Heho. Upon arrival, drive to NYAUNG SHWE (25 km - 1 hour), the gateway town for Inle Lake, and transfer to hotel.

Overnight stay in Nyaung Shwe.

After breakfast, day excursion by boat on the Inle Lake will include sights of the famous leg rowers, typical floating gardens, and local methods of fishing, village life and magnificent scenery. The visit begins with the local market in the Inle Lake region (Remark : on market days only). Then proceed to the Western Shore of Inle Lake, where you will find the beginning of a stair path leading to the well hidden INDEIN complex. Visit one of the most amazing historical sights on the shore of the lake consisting of hundreds of small stupas overgrown by moss and green vegetation. Continue to an Intha family’s house or local restaurant and join them in preparing lunch. Using local produce, prepare a feast of traditional dishes handed down from generation to generation of Intha families. Enjoy a delicious lunch in the company of a warm and continue boat excursion in Inle Lake including the PHAUNGDAW OO PAGODA, one of the most sacred shrines in Myanmar, dating back to the 18th century; Silver Smith, Black Smith, Weaving Workshops and Traditional Burmese Cigar Workshops in YWA-MA and INPAWKHON. Also visit the NGA PHE KYAUNG MONASTERY wonderfully carved wooden floating monastery in the lake. Return back to Nyaung Shwe and enjoy evening walk to hotel.

Overnight stay in Nyaung Shwe.

Optional: Balloons Over Inle 

Shan state is one of Myanmar’s most beautiful and culturally diverse areas. This exclusive balloon ride is a truly remarkable experience allowing you to venture off the beaten path and gain a unique perspective of the country and people. To fly over the lake in a balloon, has to be one of the most beautiful ways to see this wonder. You will see the morning fishermen looking for the first catch of the day, and boats laden full of produce on their way to the market by the immense labyrinth of canals. At higher altitude you will be amazed to see thousands of village houses seemingly floating on the lake.

After early breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for a domestic flight to BAGAN.

Bagan day tour by car to the best known temples of the area including Ananda, Dhammayangyi, Sulamani, and Thatbyinnyu that will certainly impress you.

Afternoon explore the village life around Bagan - Leave to Taung Bi Village, and visit the noodle makers, a Myanmar-style movie theatre, the village hairdresser and a local tea shop. Proceed to visit traditional family business including blacksmiths, brick makers, dry snack workshops and bamboo roof producers. Continue to an elevated viewpoint for an unforgettable sunset over the plains.

Overnight stay in Bagan.

After breakfast, we depart to explore the countryside around Bagan. Drive along the banks of the Ayeyarwady River through Chauk, where you will see old Burma Oil installations ('nodding donkeys'). Continue to Kyaukpadaung small town to visit local market and bustling heart of the town. Continue to SALE. Visit YOKE SONE MONASTERY, which is the oldest surviving wooden monastery hall, built on 154 teak posts with beautiful wood carvings decorating the outer walls. Continue to Payathonzu, a complex of three brick shrines with mural paintings from the Bagan period, and see Man Paya - a large lacquer Buddha image, said to date from the 13th century. Continue to drive to Mageekan Tamarind Lake village located near Salay, an ancient town. Visit around the village and enjoy the home cooked meal at the village house and experience the authentic local life. Return back to Bagan.

Overnight stay in Bagan.

Optional: Experience the magic of Bagan and a thousand years of history from the enchanting platform of a hot air balloon, for the first time ever. Balloons in Bagan offers visitors exclusive sunrise champagne flights over the ancient pagodas of Bagan from late October to April.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a domestic flight to YANGON. Upon arrival, welcomed and transfer to hotel. Then, depart for a heritage tour start at YANGON CITY HALL, located at the heart of the colonial-era city. Nearby is the former Immigration Department. This building was designed in 1910 to be the country’s most upmarket department store, Rowe & Company. Proceed to the High Court, a 1911 brick building designed by the architect John Ransome. Continue walking down to PANSODAN STREET enjoying impressive colonial buildings and have a stop at HLA DAY, a non-profit social enterprise shop, offers quality contemporary and traditional handicrafts sourced from local producers often struggling to overcome disability, exclusion and poverty. You'll find colorful women's and kids' clothing, soft toys, stationery, jewellery, home wares and more there. Continue to Strand Road, home to the three-storey former New Law Courts. Next stop is the 1916 Custom House, a large building with an elegant white tower and double-faced clock above the entrance. Walk past the red brick General Post Office to the luxurious Strand Hotel, built in 1901 by the Sarkies brothers, Armenian hoteliers. And also see the bustling life at the NANTHIDA JETTY. Visit and stroll through the BOGYOKE (SCOTTS) MARKET (closed on Monday and Gazette Holiday), a compound of hundreds of stalls and shops, that gives you the opportunity to see Myanmar's wide range of handicrafts. After a photo stop at the KARAWEIK HALL, a 'hamsa-bird-shaped' floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, visit the magnificent reclining Buddha CHAUK HTAT GYI. Evening, visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the SHWEDAGON PAGODA.

Overnight stay in Yangon.

After breakfast, drive to Ngwe Saung beach (232 Km, 5 hours) with car and driver. This car journey will pass through green paddy fields, villages and forested area. And also, drive through Pathein, the capital of delta region, where you may have lunch break. Arrive Ngwe Saung Beach and check in at hotel.

Overnight stay in Ngwe Saung Beach.

Free day at the beach.

Overnight stay in Ngwe Saung Beach.

Drive back to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to airport for departure.

Itinerary is subject to changes depending on flights, road conditions and availability of rooms.