Myanmar Express
Explore Myanmar’s highlights in an exciting tour. After discovering Yangon we will move to Bagan surrounded by inspiring plains. In the end you get astonished by the leg rowers and delightful floating gardens of Inle Lake.
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Su Shwe Yee Aung @ Skylar
Myanmar DiariesYour trusted Myanmar travel specialist who warmly welcome to create memorable trips for you
- Local time:05:17
ITINERARY
DAY 1
ARRIVAL YANGON
Mingalabar and welcome to Myanmar! The former capital Yangon, also known as Rangoon, remains Myanmar largest city and continues to be the country's the most important commercial hub and gateway for most of its international visitors. Its colonial background and religious legacy make it one of the most mesmerizing and genuine places in all of Southeast Asia. Upon arrival at the airport you will be warmly welcomed by your guide who will take you to your hotel for check in (note: check in time is 14.00. Early check in is subject to availability). Visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which is home to a 72 meter long reclining Buddha statue that features detailed carvings on his feet. Afterwards, you continue through town in order to make a quick stop by the Royal Lake located in Kandawgyi Park which is very popular with local residents, especially in the early morning and around sunset. Catch a view of Karaweik Hall, a reproduction of a royal barge and enjoy a spectacular view of the Golden Shwedagon Pagoda. No Myanmar expedition can be considered truly great if it’s lacking a visit to the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda. Ready for an amazing experience? The visual delights present there alone, are worth the trip. Begin at the eastern entrance to find a row of shops at the base of the temple selling various religious items. Here you will find monks robes, alms bowls, offerings, incense and other unique Buddhist objects. As your browse the stalls your guide will explain the use and rituals of Myanmar’s Buddhist people. Then continue up the stairs to the main platform. Witness the colors transform on the 100-meter chedi which is literally enclosed in over 40 tons of gold leaf. Shwedagon is largely considered to be the most important religious site for the Burmese; most visitors report that the trip is extremely memorable and still etched into their minds. Return to your hotel for a relaxing evening. Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight stay in Yangon. Read more
YANGON, 1 NIGHT
DAY 2
YANGON-BAGAN BY FLIGHT
After enjoying your breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Bagan. Welcome to Bagan, known to be one of the greatest architectural sites in Asia. When Bagan was the center of Myanmar from the 11th to 13th centuries the monarchs built multitudes of massive stupas and pagodas, scores of which are still present on the shores of the Irrawaddy River. The majesty of Bagan with more than 4000 red brick temples on a plain of the size of Manhattan Island is one of the highlights of a Myanmar holiday that will soothe the eye of every traveller. Discover the best of Bagan today! Not simply a chance to see the splendid Bagan temples, this excursion also introduces you to the Burmese culture, allows you to see traditional craftsmen at work and takes you up the mighty Irrawaddy River to a decidedly unusual ‘cave’ temple! Your fist port of call is an elevated temple with its panoramic views of the Bagan plains. This viewpoint will give you a taste of the sheer number of temples as well as some of their distinctive styles. From here you will have a look around the Ananda Temple – one of the most exalted of Bagan’s temples. We will ensure that our tour reaches this point before the majority of tourist arrive, enabling you to enjoy the splendor of the temple in relative tranquility. Continue to various other temples dotted around the temple plains to experience a variety of architectural styles in the area as well as the artistic wonder of the 9-14th centuries. Traveling amid the temples you will get a taste of rural Bagan life in this ‘living museum’ setting where farmers and families work amongst the monuments. Next on the agenda is your chance to learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan’s most famous products - lacquer ware and wood crafts. Watch in amazement as the skilled craftsmen use traditional techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items. You will be driven late in the afternoon to the jetty where a private wooden river boat awaits you to set off upriver towards Kyauk Gu U Min. Throughout your Irrawaddy river cruise you will be treated to fabulous scenes of life on and by the water: fishermen, ferry boats, riverside villages and views of the Bagan temples. There will be a stop at a riverside village to allow you go ashore for a short stroll and observe the lives of the river’s residents. The friendly people work as farmers and fishermen, living a simple but happy life. After returning aboard the cruise continues to Kyauk Gu U Min on the eastern side of the river from where it is only a five to ten minute walk to the temple. This beautiful masterpiece has exquisite stone carvings depicting religious figures and flowers. The temple itself is built into the side of cliff and behind the main hall is access to a quiet and tranquil cave. Inside the cave there are several small recessed alcoves which are ideal for meditation. Legend has it that the cave was built during the 13th century for the locals to hide from the invading Mongols. After your exploration of Kyauk Gu U Min, you’ll return to the boat for a relaxing cruise back to Bagan (around 1 hour). Transfer back to your hotel. Lunch and Dinner on own account. Overnight stay in Bagan. Read more
BAGAN, 2 NIGHTS
DAY 3
BAGAN
OPTION: HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE OVER BAGAN The morning will start off with an exciting hot-air balloon ride above the Bagan countryside. You will observe one-of-a-kind views when the sun begins to rise over the Irrawaddy River and various stupas in the region. You’re simply not going to find many other opportunities like this on earth. (Only available from October/November through March) After breakfast at your hotel, your guide and driver will pick you up to start your Bagan excursion. It’s off to the vibrant Nyaung Oo Market, where the locals come to trade fresh produce and other goods daily. From here you will start with a visit of the renowned Shwezigon Pagoda, constructed by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious memorial. Travel over dusty lanes and tree shaded roads past temples and monasteries to a small village. Explore the village on foot, getting a glimpse of local lifestyles of Bagan’s residents. Continue to more lesser-known monuments, selected based on your interest, in the area for the remainder of the morning. If you wish, a short walk can be arranged through a series of smaller monuments which allows for a unique perspective of Bagan. From here you will journey on by horse cart for an excursion that passes Thatbyinnyu, the tallest temple in Bagan, gigantic Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork, and of course, Sulamani Temple. Take pleasure in an extraordinary sunset from the upper terrace of one of the surrounding temples. Lunch and Dinner on own account. Overnight stay in Bagan. Read more
BAGAN
DAY 4
BAGAN-HEHO-INLE LAKE
After enjoying your breakfast you will be transferred to the airport (1 hour) for your domestic flight to Heho. From Heho, you will experience a lovely scenic one-hour drive (32km – 1 hour) which leads to Nyaung Shwe, gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, you will have an opportunity to visit rural workshops that specialize in traditional Shan paper and unique handcrafted umbrellas. Also, be sure to stop in at the teak monastery of Shweyanpyay to witness the intricate wood carving artwork and craftsmanship of the monks there. Upon reaching the edge of the lake, you will board a private motorboat and begin heading out onto Inle Lake where your hotel is located. You will pass several villages that are built on stilts over the lake, which are inhabited by the local Intha people. Observe the daily activities of the local leg-rowing fishermen and see their ‘floating gardens’, which are built up from strips of water hyacinth, earth and anchored to the bottom of the lake with bamboo poles. Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight stay in Inle Lake or Nyaung Shwe. Read more
INLE LAKE, 2 NIGHTS
DAY 5
INLE LAKE-INDEIN
After breakfast you’ll pay a visit to the lake’s morning market (the market is open every day apart from dark moon and full moon calendar days). The market’s location rotates between the lake’s villages in a 5 day schedule and is also visited daily by the lake’s inhabitants as well as the surrounding natives who also come to sell and trade their wares. You’ll continue across the lake passing several villages that are built on stilts over the lake, which are inhabited by the local Intha people. Observe the daily activities of the local leg-rowing fishermen and see their ‘floating gardens’, which are built up from strips of water hyacinth, earth and anchored to the bottom of the lake with bamboo poles. Proceed to the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main haven, which contains five sacred images of Buddha decorated in gold leaf. There are also many traditional crafts origininating on Inle Lake and, should you wish, we can stop for a visit to one making incredible woven items from lotus silk, boat builders (depending on the time of year), a cigar making workshop, blacksmiths or even silver smiths.In the afternoon set sail down a small canal to the Pa-Oh village of Indein (1 hour), positioned on the western shores of Inle Lake. Take a leisurely stroll around the village before ascending to the top of a hill. Once you’ve arrived at the summit, you will be greeted buy an iconic Buddha image which sits enshrined among hundreds of stupa ruins and overgrown shrubbery. Here, from the peak, you will also be rewarded with mesmerizing views of the placid surroundings. The Indein Pagoda complex is undoubtedly one of the most amazing sites around the shore of the lake and it consists of hundreds of small stupas which are overrun by moss and greenery. Should time allow, you'll stop at Inthar Heritage House to learn more about the history and culture of the lake's indigenous people. The day will come to a close with a return trip by boat back to your hotel. Lunch and dinner on own account. Overnight stay in Inle Lake or Nyaung Shwe. Read more
INLE LAKE
DAY 6
INLE LAKE - YANGON DEPARTURE
Breakfast will be served at your hotel before driving by a combination of boat and car to the Heho Airport (1-1.5 hour) for a short flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival at Yangon airport you’ll be greeted by your guide and driver who will be at your disposal until returning to the airport for your international connection. Lunch and dinner own account. Read more
YANGON
ACCOMMODATIONS
Day in trip
Location
Hotel
TRIP PACKAGE
Package includes
- Overnight stay with breakfast in above mentioned hotels or alternative hotels depending on availability
- Domestic flights with Air Bagan, Air Mandalay, Yangon Airways, Asian Wings, Golden Myanmar Airways, Air KBZ
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
- Activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary
- Transport and transfers in private vehicles with driver on excursion days
- Local English speaking guides (stationary guides) per town / city
- Entry fees for the visits mentioned in the itinerary (except camera fees)
- Horse-drawn carriage ride in Bagan
- Private motorboat at Inle Lake
- 1 bottle of drinking water per day and refreshing towels
Package excludes
- International flight to / from Myanmar
- Visitation fee for Myanmar
- Optional excursions / activities (shown and calculated separately)
- Evening transfers to local restaurants if dinner is not included in the confirmed program
- Drinks during meals (to be paid directly on the spot)
- Tips generally (for guides, drivers, restaurants, luggage carriers in the hotel, etc.)
- High season surcharges (Christmas, New Year, Myanmar New Year)
- Mandatory dinners on the 24th and 31st of December (extra charge for booking)
- Entry fees for visits not mentioned in the itinerary
- travel, luggage and health insurance
- Expenditure of personal nature (laundry, gifts, etc.)
- Other services not included in "Included or Included in Price"
REVIEWS
Rand Morimoto , United States
We LOVED this trip, the communications from Su throughout the planning process and through the details was VERY helpful, the hotels exceeded our expectations, the mix of pagodas along with Cooking Class, Elephants, Electric Bikes, lunch on the boat, etc and all of the guides (particularly Lin Lin in Yangon) made the trip the best ever! We are very pleased, thank you!!! Su was awesome, he helped put together the right mix of activities, great locales, and was extremely responsive to even our last minute questions, was exactly what we needed! Read more
Amanda Herrald, Australia
Was really impressed how nothing was too much trouble. Communication was excellent Rate Su very highly. Extremely helpful and flexible. Any questions or changes were no trouble
Liz Siddons , Canada
I had the most fantastic trip! I saw everything I wanted to see and lots that I didn't know I wanted to see. Everything went smoothly. Hotels and guides and drivers were all great. Travel arrangements all worked well with no delays. Very pleased with all aspects of my trip. Su was great with organising my trip. Always very prompt with replies and planned a trip that suited me perfectly. Read more
THE TEAM
Myanmar Diaries Team
Inspirational Journeys
Your trusted Myanmar travel specialist who warmly welcome to create memorable trips for you
If you have any questions or you want to customize your trip we are here for you at any time.
- Languages:English
- Local time:05:17
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