Best of Myanmar
Best of Myanmar
Best of Myanmar
15 Days Starting and ending in Yangon
Visiting: Yangon, Old Bagan, Myaing, Mandalay, Min Kun, Kalaw, Inle Lake, He Hoe
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TTSM
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Physical rating:
Medium
Age range:
15-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Travel to Myanmar and discover a country of mythical landscapes, ancient treasures and some of the friendliest folk you’ll ever meet. From golden-gilded Buddhas in Yangon and the magical temples of Bagan to the tranquillity of Inle Lake, Myanmar will excite, impress and intrigue you. A visit to Myanmar is to experience the South East Asia of twenty years ago, full of rarely seen sights and generations of stories just waiting to be told. Come and discover a little bit of Myanmar magic with us.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Yangon
Location: Yangon
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
Min Gala Ba! Welcome to Myanmar. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. We'll be collecting/checking insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you bring these details to provide to your leader.
If you have free time to explore before the meeting, we recommend stepping out onto the streets of Yangon. Why not take the Yangon Circle Line train for a three-hour local journey, or head over to Bogyoke Market and haggle with the locals? There’s also Sule Paya Pagoda, a 2000-year-old golden temple, and the Gems Museum, which houses some of the world’s largest sapphire, ruby and jade pieces. You may need a taxi to travel between some of these attractions; a one-way trip should cost about MMK 4,000.
Notes: You may wish to arrive early so you arrive in time to attend the group meeting today, and have free time to explore Yangon. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Optional Activities:
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Day 2 : Yangon
Location: Yangon
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start the day with a city walking tour of Yangon. Your leader will show you the city centre full of hustle and bustle of local life, street food and the shadows of the colonial time .
In the afternoon, We also head down to Kandawgyi Lake, where you’ll see Karaweik Hall, a reconstruction of a golden royal barge floating on the eastern side. Then visit the holiest shrine in the country, the Shwedagon Paya. This gold-gilded pagoda is studded with diamonds and gems, and said to contain eight hairs of the Buddha. It’s a particularly impressive sight at sunset when the lights come on and the stupa shines beautifully.
Included Activities:
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Day 3 : Bagan
Location: Old Bagan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise for a very early start today, for your morning flight to Nyuang-U (about one and a half hours). From there, transfer to the ancient city of Bagan (about 20 minutes). Bagan is an archaeological site where Theravada Buddhism was first introduced to the Kingdom. It was once the site of 10000 temples, pagodas and monasteries and still has over 2000 brick and gilded ruins. You’ll start your visit with an orientation tour of the town and visit the archaeological site tomorrow. After the orientation tour, head to the nearby Shwezigon Paya, one of the town's main Buddhist sites, also incorporating a compound dedicated to the pre-Buddhism deities, the 37 Nats.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 4 : Bagan
Location: Old Bagan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the day sightseeing in Bagan, where you'll be given a bicycle and joined by a local guide. You’ll see many of the large and impressive temples such as Ananda Pahto, Htilominlo Temple, That Bin Nyu Paya (the highest pagoda in Bagan), Dhammayangyi Pahto and Shwesandaw Paya, as well as some smaller hidden gems. Exploring the temple site by bike is a great way to take in the atmosphere of this amazing place. There are also many opportunities to climb stairs to vantage points and capture some magical views. After touring the temples, head back to the hotel for a short rest before heading out again to see the stunning sunset over Bagan.
Included Activities:
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Day 5 : Bagan/Myaing
Location: Old Bagan, Myaing
Accommodation: Community Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a free morning in Bagan. You may like to spend more time exploring the stalls at the archaeological site, the cafes in town, or the nearby Nyaung U Market – one of the more interesting markets in the country. Other places of interest include the Archaeological Museum and the Royal Palace and taxis to these local sites cost around MMK5000. In the afternoon, you'll leave Bagan and get transferred to Myaing where we have developed a community-based tourism project to support local livelihoods with sustainable employment opportunities in tourism. Have dinner in our purpose built community lodge.
Accommodation at the community lodge is basic but has a lovely traditional setting on the bank of a beautiful lake. You’ll be staying in simple twin share rooms with linen and mosquito nets provided. There's no air conditioning but there's a fan in each room. Bathroom and shower facilities are shared. You can refill your water bottle from the large water containers provided. A torch is recommended in case of power shortage although otherwise the power supply is stable at the community lodge.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6 : Myaing
Location: Myaing
Accommodation: Community Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Prepare for a full day out visiting the near by villages today. Firstly, take a scenic walk to the first village and learn about their seasonal harvests. Then continue to the second village where you'll have some breakfasts, inc. fresh papaya, chickpea fritters, boiled eggs, potato curry etc. Next, hop on a bike and cycle to the third village. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and help the villagers to cook the lunch for yourselves. You'll be able to see how they prepare the lunch ingredients, what spices and sauces that they use for cooking and of course have a freshly cooked and tasteful lunch together. A community member will also come and talk to you about the development they are making at the project and in the villages with your leader's translation. You'll also have the chance to see how Thanaka is prepared and applied to face as a protection from the sun. There's also a weaving demonstration too. In the last village that you'll visit, you'll be able to plant a tree with the help of the locals there. In the evening, after dinner, villagers from the fourth village will also come and perform traditional dances and music for you.
Included Activities:
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Day 7 : Mandalay
Location: Mandalay
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, bid farewell to the community. Travel on a private bus towards Mandalay with a lunch stop en route. Along the way, you’ll visit the beautiful Sagaing Temples, a collection of gilded stupas on the nearby hills. Total driving time from the community lodge to Mandalay is about six hours.
Head to the U bein bridge, the world's longest teakwood bridge for a stunning sunset
Included Activities:
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Day 8 : Mandalay
Location: Mandalay, Min Kun, Mandalay
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning your leader will take you on a walking tour of Mandalay. After seeing the town close up, you’ll take a boat down the famous Ayeyarwady River to Mingun. Here you’ll see the Mingun Pahtodawgyi, an enormous stupa which would have been the largest in the world if it had been completed. You’ll also see the world’s largest ringing bell and the beautiful white Hsinphymae Pagoda which sits nearby.
After the excursion to Mingun, return to Mandalay where you’ll have some free time to do some optional activities in the afternoon. Perhaps find some quiet moments at the ancient Sweinbin Teak Monastery, or try your hand at gold leaf making in the Gold Pounders District. There’s also the Mahamuni Buddha Temple, an important pilgrimage site complete with giant golden Buddha. Mandalay Hill, where Lord Buddha is said to have left a footprint is great to visit for its stunning sunset and to enjoy views over the glittering stupas and vibrant mosaics of the city at this magical time of day.
For some extra entertainment in the evening, why not catch a traditional show by the Mandalay Marionettes, or a non-conformist comedy show by the Moustache Brothers?
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 9 : Kalaw
Location: Kalaw
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today will be a long day of driving towards Kalaw. Head onto the Great Road of China, a new superhighway built by the Chinese. Then, make your way into the mountains of Shan state and experience the stunning scenery of the area.
Optional Activities:
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Day 10 : Kalaw
Location: Kalaw
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today is a full day of hiking around the hills around Kalaw (approximately 6 hours). A local guide will take you to a tea plantation and some small villages. Stop and chat with locals along the way and have lunch at one of the small settlements. This experience will take you off the beaten track and away from the tourist throng. If there’s time in the evening, you might like to visit some of the lovely pagodas around town as well as a local market.
Included Activities:
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Day 11 : Inle Lake
Location: Inle Lake
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leave Kalaw for Nyuang Shwe today, where you’ll be spending time around Inle Lake. You’ll set off across the mountains and farms and stop off at the Pindaya Caves, one of the Golden Caves in Shan state. Pilgrims flock here to worship the 8,000 golden Buddha images within the caverns, tunnels and chambers of the huge limestone cave. The drive will take you to the resort town of Nyuang Shwe which will be our base for the next few days as we explore Inle Lake.
Included Activities:
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Day 12 : Inle Lake
Location: Inle Lake
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Start the day by heading out in a motorised boat. You’ll see local life on the lake, including fisherman who use a distinctive leg-rowing technique on their boats, floating tomato plantations and cottage industries such as silversmiths, weavers and cigar makers. If you’re lucky, you might even see the rotating market which circles the lake every five days. Here you can buy traditional wares produced by the locals. Stop for a home-cooked lunch at a village near the lake and sample the regional specialities. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Paya, the most religious site in the region and take a quick look inside at the various images of Buddha. You can also see a golden barge which is used during Phaung Daw Oo festival. Make a few more stops at local villages to meet the locals, then head back to your accommodation in Nyaung Shwe.
Included Activities:
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Day 13 : Inle Lake
Location: Inle Lake
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day around Inle Lake. Perhaps visit the Mingala morning market or Nyuang Shwe's oldest Buddhist monastery, Yadana Man Aung Paya. For those wishing to venture further afield, you could hire a bike and cycle to the nearby hot springs, villages or temples. Perhaps visit a nearby winery to sample a local drop, or take boat trip to the Indein temple complex and nearby villages. The price of these activities will depend on the number of people joining. Ask your leader about doing these optional activities.
Optional Activities:
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Day 14 : Yangon
Location: He Hoe, Yangon
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bid farewell to the splendour of Shan state and make your way to the airport in Heho. From here, take a one-hour flight back to the hustle and bustle of Yangon. The journey ends with an optional final dinner and night out on the town in Yangon.
Day 15 : Yangon
Location: Yangon
Meals Included: Breakfast
There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. As there is plenty to see and do in Yangon we recommend extending your stay a few extra days to make the most of all it has to offer. Perhaps do some of the activities suggested at the beginning of the trip, or ask your leader about our range of Urban Adventures day tours. Visit www.yangonurbanadventures.com for more information.
Optional Activities:
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What's Included
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Inle Lake - Boat sightseeing tour & local lunch
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Yangon - Walking tour
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Bagan - Orientation Walk
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Yangon - Kandawgyi Lake
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Yangon - Shwedagon Pagoda
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Myaing Community Lodge - Community Dinner
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Bagan - Temple bike tour
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Bagan - Shwezigon Paya
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Myaing Community Lodge - Village Bike Tour
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Myaing Community Lodge - Community Lunch
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Accommodation
- Hotel (12 nights), Community Lodge (2 nights)
Included Activities
- Yangon - Walking tour
- Yangon - Kandawgyi Lake
- Yangon - Shwedagon Pagoda
- Bagan - Orientation Walk
- Bagan - Shwezigon Paya
- Bagan - Temple bike tour
- Myaing Community Lodge - Community Dinner
- Myaing Community Lodge - Village Bike Tour
- Myaing Community Lodge - Community Dinner
- Myaing Community Lodge - Community Lunch
- Mandalay - Sagaing Hills Temples
- Myaing Community Lodge - Village Bike Tour and Monastery Visit
- Mandalay - U Bein Bridge
- Mandalay - Walking tour
- Mandalay - Boat trip to Mingun
- Kalaw - Full day trek
- Inle Lake - Pindaya Caves
- Inle Lake - Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery
- Inle Lake - Boat sightseeing tour & local lunch
Transport
- Boat , Private vehicle , Plane , Bicycle , Local truck
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
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Are internal flights included in this tour?
Yes, flight from Yangon to Nyuang-U and flight from Heho to Yangon
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, except optional activities
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details.