Essential Myanmar

This group tour introduces you to the culture and sights of a beautiful land

OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE AWARD WINNING LUXURY HOLIDAYS 100% FINANCIAL PROTECTION

Group Tour

Duration10 Days
Flights IncludedYes
Prices From £ 3295

Places Visited : Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake, Yangon

Our Essential Myanmar group tour introduces you to the culture and sights of a beautiful land that, until recently, was one of the least visited countries in Asia.

Beginning at Yangon we see majestic Shwedagon Pagoda. Continue to Mandalay to see the ancient capital cities of Amarapura, Sagaing and Inwa. Visit the hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin before travelling on to Bagan to awe in the splendour of its thousands of stupas and pagodas. Visit Mount Popa, a sacred animist centre, and enjoy a sunset cruise on the Ayerwaddy (Irrawaddy) River. Enjoy the vast Inle Lake and its surroundings before returning back home.

Mingun monks at Kailash Pagoda

Suggested itinerary

Day 1

Yangon

Arrive in Yangon and transfer to the Hotel Esperado or similar for two nights.

Day 2

Yangon

This morning, visit the Sule Pagoda in the centre of town. Walk around the Mahabandoola Park to see the colonial courthouse and Kandawgyi Royal Lake. Stop for tea at a local tea shop and visit the bustling Yangon harbour area. End the day with sunset at the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda. Welcome dinner arranged in the evening.

Day 3

Yangon, Mandalay

Fly to Mandalay this morning. Transfer to the Magic Mandalay Hotel or similar for two nights. Take a tour of Mandalay in the afternoon, visiting Mahamuni Pagoda and Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble slabs of Buddhist scriptures. Drive to Mandalay Hill for a view of the city at sunset.

Day 4

Mandalay

Drive to Amarapura in the morning to witness the daily meal of over a thousand monks at the country’s largest monastery, Mahagandayon. Continue on to see the Sagaing hills, dotted with hundreds of stupas and pagodas. Take the ferry to Inwa (Ava), enjoy a horsecart ride and visit Bagaya Kyaung teakwood monastery. Return to Amarapura for a boat ride to witness the spectacular sunset at U Bein teak bridge over a glass of champagne.

Day 5

Mandalay, Bagan

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bagan. Stay at the Areindmar hotel or similar for three nights. Visit Bagan’s many temples and pagodas including Ananda, an architectural masterpiece, and Thatbyinnyu, the highest pagoda in Bagan. Enjoy the sunset over the plains of Bagan.

Day 6

Bagan

Morning visit to Salay village. Late afternoon, return to Bagan and stop at the countryside village of Minnanthu, the least visited temple area in Bagan. Enjoy a sunset boat ride along Ayeyarwaddy River in the evening. Optional excursion: Hot air balloon ride.

Day 7

Bagan

The day is at leisure to enjoy this charming city. Optional excursions: Full day tour of Mount Popa, Lacquerware workshop or Cycling tour of Bagan at sunset.

Day 8

Bagan, Inle Lake

Fly to Heho this morning and drive to Nyaung Shwe to take a boat transfer to a resort on Inle Lake. Stay at the Novotel Inle Hotel or similar for two nights. Take a full day tour of Inle Lake, visiting the lotus robe weaving village of Inpawkhon. Stop at a floating village at Ywama, the lake’s downtown area, to see Kan Paw Nan Paw Pagoda. End the day at the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda.

Day 9

Inle Lake

Take a scenic boat tour to the village of In Dein. From the middle of the lake, the boat heads through a long channel from where farmers can be seen cultivating their produce. After a walk around the village, passing by a local school, take the covered stairway to see ancient stupas in the beautiful Alaung Sitthu area for a magnificent view over the lake.

Day 10

Inle Lake, Yangon

Transfer to Heho airport and fly to Yangon. Board your onward flight.

What's Included

✓ 9 nights accommodation
✓   Arrival & departure transfers, Internal travel by road and rail
✓   English-speaking guides. Accompanying tour escort when minimum group size achieved
✓   Breakfast daily. Dinner on day 2
✓ Entrance fees to sites and monuments listed in tour itinerary

Holiday Extensions for this tour