Classic Myanmar
12 nights / 13 Days
AsktheTraveller local Partner
Over 27 years of organising Travel
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If your looking for an authentic experience then you are with the right people. Unique holidays, inspirational experiences and original adventures are the cornerstone of this partners holiday offering in Myanmar. We know you will be impressed, as we at AsktheTraveller are.
Hi, I'm Novinda
Trip highlights
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Amarapura/Ava/Sagaing
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Bagan
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Bagan sunset cruise
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Inle Lake
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Yangon
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Mount Popa
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Shwedagon Pagoda
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Mandalay
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Ubein bridge
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Ngapali beach
Day 1
Arrive (Myanmar)
Arrival - Welcome to Myanmar!
Transfer to Yangon
Yangon city tour and Shwedagon Pagoda
Overnight in Yangon :
Belmond Governor's Residence B&B
Details
Arrive (Myanmar)
Arrival - Welcome to Myanmar!
Upon arrival in Yangon, you will be welcomed by your local guide with a sign board and your name on it.
Transfer to the hotel for check-in.
After freshening up we will visit some of Yangon’s highlights; Chauk That Gyi pagoda to view its magnificent reclining Buddha, home museum dedicated of national hero Aung San. We take a short “trishaw” bicycle taxi ride through a local neighborhood off the beaten trails. At Singuttara hill we take a walk through lively streets filled with local fresh produce, and small shops making and selling all kinds of merchandise for Buddhist pilgrims.
We complete the day with a visit to one of the world’s most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda, a gold covered bell dome structure that dominates the city’s skyline.
Legends state that the sacred hairs of the Buddha are enshrined here. The Shwedagon is an iconic symbol of the country, a sight not to be missed.
Overnight in Yangon :
Belmond Governor's Residence B&B
Day 2
Yangon highlights tour plus fly to Bagan
Start the day with walking tour of Yangon.
Visit River Art galley & Bogyoke Market
After lunch catch flight onto Bagan (additional cost)
Overnight in Bagan :
Aureum Palace Hotel B&B
Details
Yangon highlights tour plus fly to Bagan
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then embark on a journey to explore Yangon highlights. Starting from the colonial-style city centre and one of the landmarks Sule Paya stupa – built over 2,000 years ago and being the focal point of numerous historical events in the city. We continue on foot to the quaint Yangon Old Quarter, built during the British Burma. Many charming historical buildings are still located here. During our walk through bustling market streets full of merchants and food stalls, we visit a local pharmacy and learn about Myanmar traditional medicine, and stop for a tea and snack at the Rangoon Tea House, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Yangon.
We continue to one of Asia’s architectural landmarks, the elegant Strand Hotel built by the Sarkies brothers. Inside, you can visit the River Art Gallery should you wish, where the works of some of the most famous and skilled Burmese artists are on display fitting of the grand surroundings. We continue to bustling Bogyoke (Scotts) Market, where hundreds of gemstone, handicrafts, art, clothes and food stores are tucked in a maze of colour. (Please note that the market is closed on Mondays and on public holidays)
After your lunch break transfer to Yangon airport for flight (1hr) to Nyaung U/ Bagan. Upon arrival to Bagan airport transfer to hotel in Bagan. Time permitting you can enjoy sunset at one of the temples.
Overnight in Bagan :
Aureum Palace Hotel B&B
Day 3
Bagan - Temples & highlights
Full day tour
Overnight in Bagan:
Aureum Palace Hotel - Breakfast
Details
Bagan - temples & highlights
After breakfast we begin our journey into the Ancient Kingdoms of Bagan.
The Dhamayazeka Zedi is our first stop, providing panoramic views of the temple studded plains of Bagan. We continue to the Archeological Museum and the gold gilded Swezigon Stupa, purported to contain a holy tooth relic of the Buddha. Not far from the stupa, the Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple is a sight to behold, housing Bagan’s best preserved mural paintings of the Buddha’s Jataka re-incarnations. Next, we learn how Bagan’s famous lacquerware crafts are produced in Myingaba Village, and then visit Htilominlo Temple to learn how Burmese sand paintings are created. The day’s temple tour ends with a visit to the beautifully symmetric and majestic Ananda Temple with its four standing Buddha images that seem to gaze at the viewer with fixed serenity wherever the viewer stands.
For sunset, a bullock or horse cart ride around the temples offers unparalleled photo opportunities of one of the richest archeological treasures in Southeast Asia as the sun dips behind the temple ruins (weather permitting).
Overnight in Bagan :
Aureum Palace hotel - Breakfast
Day 4
Bagan, Mount popa and private sunset cruise
Full day tour - Manuha Temple / Nyang market / Mount Popa (burmese spiritual epicentre)
Ayeyarwaddy River private sunset cruise
Overnight in Bagan :
Aureum Palace hotel - Breakfast
Details
Bagan, Mount popa and private sunset cruise
After breakfast, we visit the Manuha Temple, built by the Mon king to represent his time in captivity under the Bagan king. Continue to the Nyaung U market, the largest market in the Bagan region, nearby we can see how Burmese cigars “cheroots” are rolled by hand.
Next, a 1.5hr (approx) drive takes us to Mount Popa, the Burmese spiritual epicenter for those who worship the pantheon of nat spirits and martyrs. After paying respects to the Nat Shrine at the foot of Mount Popa, we climb nearly 800 steps to the pagoda perched at the top of the mountain to admire the views of the surrounding plains and farm lands.
In the afternoon, we drive back to Bagan and stop en-route at a local hut to observe the process of making the rich and caramel-like toddy candies from the sap of the toddy palms.
In the late afternoon, we transfer to the Ayeyarwaddy River for a private sunset cruise where local cocktails can be enjoyed on board along with views of the temple silhouettes and bustling shore.
Overnight in Bagan :
Aureum Palace hotel - Breakfast
Day 5
Mandalay City Impressions
Flight to Mandalay (Additional cost)
Mandalay artisan area explored.
Mahamuni Pagoda, Golden Palace Monastery & the Kuthodaw Pagoda.
Finishing off with sunset from Mandalay Hill.
Overnight in Mandalay :
Mandalay Hill Resort B&B
Details
Mandalay City Impressions
After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Bagan airport for a 30min flight to Mandalay (additional cost).
Transfer 40km/1hr to Mandalay City where enjoy a morning stroll through the lively Zegyo in the heart of the city and making stops at Burmese snacks and “thanaka” (make up) stalls.
We continue to the artisan quarters, where some of the oldest craftsmanship is showcased dating back to last kingdom of Myanmar. Observe the process of pounding gold leaf, detailing teakwood carvings and embroidering Myanmar tapestry. We also see how bronze and marble Buddha statues are carved, cast and molded.
Next, we proceed to the highlights of Mandalay: the sacred Mahamuni Pagoda, housing one of the most significant Buddha images in the country, covered in several tons of gold leaf and the crown prize in long past wars between competing Myanmar kingdoms; the Golden Palace Monastery, the only surviving Royal Palace building in Mandalay, offering a glimpse of the original style and architecture of the Myanmar royals; and lastly, the Kuthodaw Pagoda, a compound housing Buddha’s teachings carved in the sacred Pali script on stone slabs and regarded as the world’s largest book in terms of surface area.
We end our day with sunset panoramic views over city skyline on Mandalay Hill, the highest point of the city.
Overnight in Mandalay :
Mandalay Hill Resort B&B
Day 6
Ava (Inwa) - Sagaing - Amarapura - U-bein Bridge
Visit ancient kingdoms of Myanmar with a full day private tour concluding with a sunset view of U-bein bridge.
Overnight in Mandalay :
Mandalay Hill Resort B&B
Details
Ava (Inwa) - Sagaing - Amarapura - U-bein Bridge
After breakfast at the hotel, we discover the ancient kingdoms of Myanmar near Mandalay.
First we drive 15km to Ava (Inwa), the ancient capital of the Shan and Burmese Kingdoms for over four centuries. We cross over the Myint Nge River by ferry and explore the small roads of Ava by horse cart. We visit the Bagaya Teak Monastery, over three hundred years old yet well preserved and still in use by local monks; the Nanmyin Watch Tower, the last standing structure of the Ava dynasty palace compound also known as the “Leaning Tower of Ava”; and the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery building with its graceful curves and archways.
We continue to the Ancient Kingdom Of Sagaing, located across the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. From the Sagaing Hills, we enjoy magnificent views overlooking the river and hill side covered with countless pagodas. Sagaing being one of the most important Buddhist centres in Myanmar we take the opportunity to visit a monastery or nunnery and learn about daily life to the devotees.
We continue to another beautiful ancient capital city, Amarapura, famous for its weaving traditions and Ubein Bridge, a simple yet strong teak structure that spans 1,2km over Taungtaman Lake. The bridge silhouetted by the setting sun is one of the most magical experiences in Myanmar and a photographer’s dream.
Overnight in Mandalay :
Mandalay Hill Resort B&B
Day 7
Inle lake - floating Islands & leg rowers
After breakfast transfer to Mandalay airport for flight to Heho (additional cost)
Scenic drive towards Inle lake and explore the lake and surroundings.
Overnight in Inle Lake :
Inle Princess Resort B&B
Details
Inle lake - floating Islands & leg rowers
Enjoy breakfast and then transfer to the Mandalay airport for the 30min flight to Heho, a quiet transit town with one of the few airport links in the beautiful hills of Shan State.
On the way to Inle Lake, we stop at a local family’s house to see Shan umbrellas and paper making using traditional methods and fibres of the mulberry tree. Next, we take a 1-hour drive to Inle Lake that descends through the valley with views of the Shan mountains and rice paddy fields.
After checking into the hotel, we embark on an afternoon exploration of Inle Lake, populated with floating islands and gardens made from the naturally tangled roots of water hyacinth plants and reeds. Delight in the picturesque sights of fishermen who balance and row with one leg, a technique indigenous to the Inn Thar minority group who do this only on Inle Lake. Visit the century’s old Nga Phe Kyaung monastery with beautiful Buddhas inside.
Overnight in Inle Lake :
Inle Princess Resort B&B
Day 8
Boat excursions on Inle Lake
Journey by boat on the lake - visit ancient pagodas and take in a local school visit to experience real local life.
Rest of the day spent exploring the lake
Overnight in Inle lake :
Inle Princess Resort B&B
Details
Boat excursions on Inle Lake
After breakfast we journey out by boat, following the currents of a small river to reach the Inn Thein, a site that makes us feel as if we’ve stepped through a forgotten portal in time. To access the Inn Thein archeological site we walk through verdant bamboo groves that open up to a field covered with the ancient pagodas constructed over 1,000 years ago.
Continue by foot or by boat along tree shaded creek to Sae Ma village for a visit to local school. Meet the teachers and students, before taking a boat back to Inle Lake.
The rest of the day is for lake explorations, learn how the floating islands and cultivations are shaped and tended, marvel at lotus thread and garments making in Inn Phaw Khone village, visit the Ywama village known for its silver smith traditions. Time permitting we can visit the Burmese Cats at Inn Thar Heritage House and end the day with scenic canoe ride propelled by leg rowers.
Overnight in Inle lake :
Inle Princess Resort B&B
Day 9
Inle lake - Heho - Ngapali Beach
Flight from Heho to Thandwe Airport (Extra cost)
On arrival at Thandwe Airport, you will be welcomed by your hotel rep and transferred to the hotel.
Rest of the day is for enjoying the beach and facilities.
Now it’s time to relax.
Overnight in Ngapali Beach :
The Residence by Sandoway B&B
Day 10 - 12
Ngapali Beach
For the next 3 days just kick back and relax at your own pace, whilst enjoying the best that Ngapali beach and the surrounding area has to offer.
Overnight in Ngapali Beach :
The Residence by Sandoway B&B
Day 13
Last day and transfer to airport
last morning breakfast before tranfer to Thandwe airport for your connecting departure flight.
Departure - We recommend that you arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to your departure and/or connecting flight (or 2 hours if travelling business class). Your departure time will be given to you by your chauffeur guide. It is recommended that you check in online for your departure flight so that you can avoid long queues at the airport check in counters. On line check in is available for most airlines 24 hours before your flight. Your hotel will be able to help you with this if necessary. We wish you a pleasant journey back home or to your next destination.
International flights home
Trip details
Price from £ 3395 Per person based on twin share basis.
With all domestic & international flights to/from Uk approx price from £ 4530 per person
Price includes
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Private tours and transfers
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All site entrance fees on tours
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English speaking guides
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Hotels as shown
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Meal plans as show day by day
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Luggage handling fees at airports
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ATOL protection (When taking international flights)
Additional Extra's
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Domestic & International Flights
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Additional unscheduled excursions / activities
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Early check-in, late check-outs
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Drinks during meals
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Camera & Video fees - some sites ask for small fees for taking photographs and video recordings
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Immunisations
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Visa's
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Personal travel insurance
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local gratuaties