Yangon to Bagan holiday: Myanmar in 2 weeks

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Yangon
• 3 nights Inle Lake
• 3 nights Bagan
• 3 nights Mandalay

Day 1: Depart UK

You will depart the UK from your chosen airport today

Included: International flight

Day 2: Arrive in Yangon

Upon arrival in Myanmar you will be met and transferred to your hotel within this fascinating city, coloured by its colonial and spiritual heritage. You will visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda for a first look into the Buddhist culture before  stopping off at a local tea shop on route to Kandawgyi Park.  From here you will continue your tour to the magnificent Schwedagon Pagoda and marvel at its 99 metre, 8 sided, gold leaf gilded central stupa surrounded by 64 smaller stupas.

Included: Arrival transfer, services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 3: Yangon

A half day tour will take you on a 45min train journey around the neighbourhoods of Yangon to observe the lively and colourful life of the rural Burmese people.  You will disembark in the township of Insein, housing one of the best fresh markets in the city, after enjoying a stroll around these markets you will transfer back to the centre of Yangon for a walking tour of vibrant Chinatown and Little India.   

This afternoon is yours at leisure.

Included: Breakfast, half day services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 4: Yangon – Inle Lake

After breakfast you will fly to Heho and transfer to Nyaung Shwe – the gateway to Inle Lake where you will have a chance to visit the local market if is operating that day.

On arrival at the famed Inle Lake you will board a private motorboat and pass through stilted villages observing the leg rowing fishermen and their floating gardens built from water hyacinth and mud.  Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary and stop at a weaving village and cheroot factory.

Tonight you will stay on Inle Lake.

Included: Breakfast, services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 5: Inle Lake – Kayaking

An early departure will take you to the lakeside village of Kyar Sar for a glimpse of traditional local life in this small lakeside village, famous for its soy bean and tofu treats.   From here you will board your kayaks and after a short practise you will enter the elaborate canal system where local tribes have built entire floating communities, the canal then opens up and you can cruise alongside the locals, eventually finishing your trip at Lin Kin Monastery.

From here a longtail boat will transfer you back to Nyaung Shwe, Nampan or your hotel.

Included: Breakfast, services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 6: Inle Lake – In Dein

After breakfast visit the lakes’ morning market filled with the goods and wares of the lakes inhabitants as well as those of the surrounding hill tribes.

You will then get to visit the Pa-oh village of In Dein, from here you can explore on foot the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area, filled with ancient stupas and offering magnificent lake views.

This afternoon is free to do as you wish before staying another night on Inle Lake.

Included: Breakfast, half day services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 7: Inle Lake – Bagan

Today you will have the morning at leisure before transferring back to Heho for your flight to Bagan.  You will stop on route at the Red Mountain winery – a French / Pa Oh people collaboration!

From the 11^th – 13^th Centuries Bagan was the capital of Myanmar and on the banks of the Irrawaddy river the rulers of that time constructed thousands of stupas and temples.  The impact of the view you can still see today is not to be missed!

Overnight in Bagan.

Included: Breakfast, half day services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 8: Bagan

After breakfast you will visit the colourful Nyaung U market buzzing with local life and brimming with crafts, goods and spices before heading to your tour of the temples.

Start your tour of the Bagan temples from an elevated viewpoint for magnificent panoramic views before continuing on to the golden Shwezigon Pagoda steeped in rich history.  You will also get to vew the murals of the cave temple Wetkyi-In Gubyaujgyi and carvings and décor of the Htilomonlo temple.

After an afternoon visit to a lacquer ware workshop and the impressive Ananda temple you will be taken by horse and cart through more of these amazing temple structures including the tallest standing Thatbyinnyu.   Climb high again for a sunset in Bagan that is out of this world.

Included: Breakfast, half day services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 9: Mt Popa

After breakfast you will embark upon your tour of Mt. Popa.  This is a place of great importance to the Burmese who believe it is the house of 37 Nats, Burmese ancient animist spirits. Your guide will accompany you up nearly 900 stairs past the many shrines explaining the theory of Nat worship.  The view over Myingan Plain from the top of the volcanic peak is well worth the climb.

The journey back from Popa will take you to a village to witness the production of palm toddy where you will stay for a traditional Burmese lunch.

Included: Breakfast, services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 10: Bagan – Mandalay

Today you will take an early morning transfer for your flight to Mandalay.  Once refreshed, you will visit Mahamuni Pagoda, home to one of the country’s most revered Buddha images.  Mandalay is renowned for its skilled craftsmen and you will tour the traditional workshops observing the centuries old techniques still used in the production of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries and gold-leaf.

This afternoon you will visit Kuthodaw Pagoda to see the ‘World’s Biggest Book’ - 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures.  From there you will go to the grand teak Shwenandaw Monastery which is the only remaining building from the 19^th century Royal Palace.

Sunset from the top of Mandalay Hill overlooking the city and Irrawaddy River is a perfect end to your day tour.

Overnight Mandalay.

Included: Breakfast, services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 11: Amarapura – Ava – Sagaing

Today’s excursion takes you to the former capitals of Ava, Sagaing and Amarapura.  Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar, covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries.  You will get to visit some pagodas before heading to the local market to explore.

Continuing south to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries, a short ferry ride will take you across the river to where your horse and carriage await.  Get a glimpse of local life in the Burmese countryside, see the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort.

This afternoon you will visit Amarapura, the ‘City of Immortality’.  Here you will stop at a silk weaving workshop before heading to the beautiful U Bein bridge, constructed of 984 teak posts that were once part of the deserted Inwa Palace.

Included: Breakfast, services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 12: Mingun

After breakfast you will be collected and transferred to the Mandalay jetty before boarding a private local boat for a 1-hr cruise on the Irrawaddy River to Mingun.

Today you will visit the main sites of Mingun beginning with the famous Mingun Pahtodawqyi.  This huge brick structure was left unfinished after an astrologer predicted the Kings would die should the temple be completed.  In the 1800s, an earthquake left several large cracks in the structure. From there you will head to the beautiful white Hsinbyume Pagoda and see the 90 ton Mingun Bell, considered the world’s largest un-cracked ringing bell. 

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Included: Breakfast, half day services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 13: Depart Mandalay

Today you will be transferred to the Airport by private car to connect with your flight back to the UK.

Included: Breakfast, half day services of a driver/guide & hotel

Day 14: Arrive UK