DAY 1

Arrival Yangon & Yangon Sightseeing

You’ll be greeted and escorted to your hotel upon arrival. We’ll have a car and foot tour of the city center this afternoon, which is home to many historic colonial structures. Sule Pagoda is a 2,200-year-old shrine flanked by merchants and government offices. First, let’s go see it. Along the route, people head to Mahabandoola Park, hoin of the Independent Monument. You should have gone by City Hall, a little China, and a little India by now. One of the most stunning locations on earth is the Shwedagon Pagoda, where you should end your day. From here, take in the greatest views of the golden stupa. Overnight stay at Yangon.

DAY 2

Yangon – Bagan

You’re going to the airport this morning to catch a flight to Bagan. You’ll start your hike after taking in a breathtaking view of the Bagan plains from the summit of a temple. Next, we’ll see the Shwezigon Pagoda, a gold structure constructed in the style of Myanmar in 1087. Notable for its exquisite jataka mural paintings, Gubyaukgyi is a cave temple located in Wetkyi-Inn Village. Similarly, the graceful Htilominlo Temple is renowned for its exquisite plaster sculptures and glazed stone ornamentation. A visit to a traditional lacquer pottery workshop is the first activity of the day, where you can see the creation of one of Myanmar’s most well-known handicrafts. Proceed to Ananda Temple, one of the most exquisite temples in the city and among the best-designed in Bagan. Two Buddha statues at Ananda, which was constructed in the early Mon architectural style, have distinct appearances depending on your proximity to them. You will visit Dhammayangyi Temple, Sulamani Temple, and Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan. There’s an upper terrace at this temple where you may see a gorgeous sunset across the plains. You are welcome to view it there. Overnight stay in Bagan.

DAY 3

Bagan – Mt. Popa – Bagan

Make time to visit Mt. Popa, a 1518-meter-tall extinct volcano, while in Bagan. The 37 Nats, or Burmese ghosts of the past, are objects of veneration. They are honored at this shrine. (Climbing is not required!) In the afternoon, there is a one-hour trip to Bagan. We’ll make a stop in a tiny town along the way where palm trees are utilized to produce syrup and wine. Watch this incredible production process. After that, make your way to your hotel, register, and unwind. Overnight at Bagan.

DAY 4

Bagan – Mandalay– Amarapura

We’re going to Mandalay this morning via plane, therefore we’re heading north. Myanmar’s cultural hub is Mandalay. When we arrive, we’ll head straight to Amarapura, which translates to “City of Immortality.” Visit a silk-weaving workshop as well, where lovely handcrafted items are produced. Next, visit the Mahagandayon Monastery, home to almost a thousand monks. Myanmar’s most famous image is the 13-foot-tall seated Buddha, known as Mahamuni Pogada. In the afternoon, we will visit there and examine the Buddha. Overnight stay in Mandalay.

DAY 5

Mandalay – Sagaing – Ava Sightseeing

Ava, one of the old towns and a remarkably bucolic backwater of empty fields sporadically studded with widely apart ruins, monastery structures, and stupas, is our first stop today on our way to the city center. After that, we’ll move on to the city center. Take a meandering horse cart tour of Ava, making stops at the beautiful teak monastery Bagaya Kyaung, the royal monastic temple Maha Aungmye Bonzan, and the leaning watchtower of Ava, Nanmyin monastery, all constructed of stucco-covered brick. You will go to Sagaing by car this afternoon after lunch, crossing the Irrawaddy River en route. Sagaing is renowned for its endless, breathtaking white-and-gold stupas. We will also visit the Sagaing local market, a real Burmese market that not many tourists get to experience. Here, you may find a wide range of goods for sale, such as local handicrafts like pottery and silver. We will also go to a small pottery village where we can watch the people making the common water pots that you see all across Myanmar. Overnight stay in Mandalay.

DAY 6

Mandalay – Heho & Inle Lake Sightseeing

You will be taken to Mandalay International Airport for your flight to Heho after breakfast. It’s a lovely one-hour drive from Heho to the village of Nyaung Shwe, which is the entrance to Inle Lake. Stop and take pictures at the gorgeous old monastery with oval-shaped windows, the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, while you’re on the way. A quick stop at Nyaung Shwe for a quick town tour and, if one is happening that day, a visit to the vibrant market are also included. You will embark on a private motorboat ride to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most stunning locations, as soon as you arrive at its shores. See the leg-rowing fishermen, stroll through stilt-built communities above the lake, and explore their floating gardens made of strips tinted blue from the water. Explore the 800-year-old Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, which is renowned for its five gold-leafed Buddha sculptures. Visit the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory to learn more about the traditional crafts of Inle Lake. The cheroot factory produces handmade, small-batch traditional Burmese cigars. If time permits, you might be able to fit in a quick tour through one of the lakeside settlements. Spend the night at Inle Lake.

DAY 7

Inle Lake – Indein – Inle Lake Sightseeing

See the morning market by taking a stroll around the lake after breakfast. The hill tribes from the surrounding area as well as residents of the lake frequent the market, which moves locations every five days among the communities around the lake to exchange and sell goods. (Remember that the market is open every day but only on days with full and dark moons.) Proceed down a small canal to an Indian village where the ethnic Padaung people from the middle of the lake (also known as “long neck women”) live. Walking along a covered lane with a thousand pagodas bordering either side will be your experience. You will arrive to the magnificent Alaung Sithu complex after climbing a long, covered stairway. It is situated in a picturesque setting with historic stupas tucked away in verdant vegetation and a breathtaking 360-degree view of Lake Inle. You have the afternoon free to unwind at your hotel. Stay the night at Inle Lake.

DAY 8

Heho – Yangon & Yangon City Tour – Departure

After breakfast, take a flight to Yangon, where you will be met and escorted to your hotel. Depart from Heho Airport. You’ll visit Bogyoke Market, previously Scott’s Market, on the schedule for today. Here, you may browse a wide selection of Myanmar handicrafts and other items (Note: closed on Mondays and other holidays). You will then be taken to Yangon International Airport to reach your final destination.