Myanmar in Depth

Day 1 - Yangon

Arrival in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar. Transfer by air conditioned vehicle. Sightsee in Yangon.

Visit Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda The reclining Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda in Yangon which is almost as large as the enormous figure of Shwethalyaung Buddha in Bago. It's housed in a large metal-roofed shed on Shwegondaing Lan. 

Visit Botataung Pagoda The Botataung Pagoda was named after the 1000 military leaders who escorted relics of the Buddha brought from India over 2000 years ago. This ancient monument was destroyed during WWII. It was then rebuilt in a very similar style to its predecessor, however this particular iteration is hollow and one can walk through it.

Visit National Museum  The National Museum hosts several interesting exhibits, especially the 8 metre high Sihasana Lion Throne, used by King Thibaw Min, the last Burmese king, and returned to Burma in 1908 by Lord Mountbatten. The main floor contains jewellery, old black and white photos of Mandalay Palace and Yangon, royal relics, Hintha opium weights and inscribed tablets.

Visit Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset The Shwedagon Pagoda is Yangon's show stealer! The golden stupa rises 100-metres into the sky and is covered in gold leaf and rubies and topped with a diamond. This sacred stupa is at its most beautiful during sunset, as the golden stupa reflects the changing colours of twilight. 

Meals Included - None

Day 2 - Yangon - Kalaw

Transfer from the hotel to the airport and fly from Yangon to Heho. Arrive in Heho and transfer by vehicle to Kalaw.

During our road trip to Kalaw, we'll discover thousands of Buddha images in a vast limestone cavern. The Pindaya Caves are set deep in the hillside and contain a multitude of Buddha images made from teakwood, marble, lacquer and plaster.

Today's Highlights: Pindaya Caves

Meals Included - Breakfast

Day 3 - Kalaw - Inle Lake

Today, we will visit local market. Then, transfer by vehicle from Kalaw to Inle Lake. We will also visit to Red Mountain Restaurant and Winery with wine tasting, on the way. 

We get to see the famous one-legged rowers on Inle Lake. This is no ordinary lake though. Inle is an enchanting world of villages on stilts and gardens that float on the surface of the lake. One of the most photographed sights is the skilled Intha fishermen who balance on one leg, while using the other to manoeuvre the oar. We'll take a relaxing boat ride across Inle Lake, stopping to see these sights along with some pagodas and lakeside villages. 

Today's Highlights: Local market, Boat trip on Inle Lake, Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery

Meals Included - Breakfast

Day 4 - Inle Lake

Cooking Class with Mr. Min with a market visit In the morning, we meet at the hotel and go to Mingalar market in Nyaung Shwe or five-days market to buy ingredients and then drive about 15-20 mins to a villages on the lake. When we arrive we will have some tea and cook some local dishes. Enjoy them for lunch and receive a recipe book. Later there is an option for a canoe trip around the floating garden and villages. 

In the afternoon, we will visit Indein. Thousands of mysterious temples and stupas await at the end of a boat ride along a narrow creek cloaked in foliage. The indein complex is a collection of over 1,000 densely packed Shan-style stupas in varying states of decay. Part of its charm is that it has escaped restoration and the air of neglect just adds to the ethereal atmosphere. Don't forget your camera on this excursion.

Today's Highlights: Boat to Indein

Meals Included – Breakfast & Lunch

Day 5 - Inle - Pyin Oo Lwin

Transfer by vehicle from the Hotel to Heho airport and take a flight to Mandalay. On arrival transfer to Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo)

Pyin Oo Lwin is chilled out in more ways than one. Originally a colonial hill station, the British would escape up here in the summer for the cooler climate. We'll take a look around to see the numerous colonial mansions and churches that still remain. We'll also stroll through the Botanical Gardens and enjoy the views over the town. 

Today's Highlights: Botanical Gardens, Purcell Tower, Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Accommodation – Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort

Meals Included – Breakfast 

Day 6 - Pyin Oo lwin - Mandalay

This morning, transfer to train station. Experience a local train ride from Pyin Oo Lain to Naung Paing (approx. 3.5 or 4 hours) via the famous GOKTEIK VIADUCT, the highest bridge in Myanmar and when it was completed, the largest railway trestle in the world. The rail line was constructed in 1899 as a way for the British Empire to expand their influence in the region. Transfer by vehicle from Naung Paing to Mandalay. 

Visit Mandalay Hill and take an easy climb up sheltered steps to experience panoramic views over the palace, Mandalay and the paya-studded countryside. The famous hermit monk, U Khanti, is credited with inspiring the construction of many of the buildings on and around the hill in the years after the founding of the city.

Meals Included – Breakfast 

Day 7 - Mandalay

Mandalay - the name alone evokes the romance of old colonial Burma. We'll visit Mahamuni Paya, famous for its seated Buddha covered in gold leaf. We'll wander into a workshop to see muscled workers hand-beating gold leaf with enormous hammers. At Shwenandaw Kyaung, made entirely out of teak (even though it's also known as the Golden Teak Monastery), we can see the beautifully intricate carvings. There's a lot more to be enjoyed here, including Mandalay Hill, and other ornate temples and wooden monasteries such as the beautiful and peaceful Shwe Kyin Old Monastery.

Today's Highlights: Mahamuni Paya, Shwenandaw Kyaung, Kuthodaw Paya, Kyauktawgyi Paya, Shwe Kyin Old Monastery and craft workshop.

Meals Included – Breakfast 

Day 8 - Irrawaddy River Cruise

Visit Mahamuni Paya for the Buddha face-washing ceremony (4 am) This extraordinary ceremony takes place at 4 am each morning. The resident monks take part in a ritual cleaning of the venerated Buddha image, wiping it with elaborate face cloths donated by the devout. In order to witness this ceremony, it is necessary to depart the hotel around 3 or 3.30 am.

Then, we will visit Amarapura just outside Mandalay and enjoy sunrise from U-Bein's Bridge, famous 1.2 km long weathered teak footbridge. 

Before noon, transfer to the Gewein Jetty.

Cruise aboard the RV Paukan Cruises from Mandalay to Bagan (including Mingun and Sagaing) The embarkation time is 12.00 noon at Gawein jetty and cast off after half an hour time. Welcome Cocktail and briefing in the Saloon or Sundeck followed by Lunch. After cruising upstream for two hours we arrive at Mingun where we visit the impressive unfinished pagoda and the largest working bell in the world. Our English speaking manager (or your private guide) will accompany the guests during the visit. Moor Overnight at a sandbank mid-stream. After dinner guests can enjoy a Dance and Drama performance by the Mandalay Arts School on the sundeck.

Meals Included – Breakfast Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 - Irrawaddy River Cruising

Cruise aboard the RV Paukan from Mandalay to Bagan (including Mingun and Sagaing)

Early in the morning cruise downstream. During the two hour journeyadmire the natural beauty of the river and the life of its banks while relaxing on the sundeck or just sitting outside the cabin.

Enjoy the sunrise over Sagaing Hill. After breakfast passengers wishing to visit Sagaing can go ashore with the assistance of our Ship Manager or their own guide. We resume our downriver voyage at 10.30 hrs and we will sail all day long. In the late afternoon we stop at Yandabo, a village specializing in Pot-Making, where the peace treaty of the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed on Feb. 24, 1826. We visit the Pot workshops, the monastery. Moor overnight near the village of Shwe Nann Tint.

Accommodation – RV Paukan

Meals Included – Breakfast Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 - Bagan

Cast off early in the morning for the last leg of the cruise. Enjoy the sunrise near Bagan. Passengers will disembark at Aye Yar jetty around 9:30 hrs. Transfer by vehicle from jetty to the hotel. 

From Bagan, take an excursion to Mount Popa. An iconic sight, Mount Popa is an extinct sheer-sided volcano that rises out of the plain. Topped by golden stupas, it is a famous pilgrimage site for locals who come to worship at the Nat temples. We'll walk to the top via the winding staircase watched by mischievous monkeys hoping to be fed. Return to Bagan and spend the afternoon at leisure.

Meals Included – Breakfast 

Day 11 - Bagan

In the morning, we will visit The busy colourful market in Nyaung U. Nyaung U market is a very lively affair each morning when people from all around town come to buy and sell vegetables, crafts, spices, meat and other goods. Walk around the market to observe the daily activities of local people.

Then, continue with Bagan sightseeing. Bagan is a true bucket-list destination! Thousands of crumbling temples, pagodas and stupas rise from the ancient desert plain. These beautiful, other-worldly structures were built by the kings of Bagan in the 11th and 12th centuries. Words don't do this incredible landscape justice so let's get out there and see them for ourselves. We'll visit renowned temples, and also discover some of the lesser known, but equally impressive pagodas. Each temple has its own story to tell so we'll never tire of seeing more. And in the evening - we'll watch the sun setting over this land of pagodas.

Today's Highlights: Shwezigon Paya, Gubyaukhyi Temple at Wetkyi-Inn, Ananda Pahto, Gubyaukhyi Temple at Myinkaba, Manuha Temple, Shwesandaw Paya, sunset

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 12 - Bagan - Yangon

Transfer by vehicle from the hotel to the airport for the flight back to Yangon. Arrive in Yangon with an opportunity to do some more sightseeing.

Walking tour around Colonial buildings nearby Sule Pagoda Start your exploration of colonial Yangon from the Heart of Yangon, where you will see Sule Pagoda from the outside, the City Hall with amazing architecture of Myanmar, Emmanuel Baptist Church, High Court (formerly known as the Parliament for Justice) and Mahabandoola Park. Afterwards, walk down to Strand Road, on the way you will explore Gandhi Hall, the Armenian Church , the Post Office, The Strand Hotel, Port Authority building and Accountant General's Office & Currency Department. Continue to the Secretariat Building, a Victorian building, which housed the parliament from 1948-1962, was the place, where Aung San, father of Aung San Suu Kyi, was assassinated in 1947.

Visit Bogyoke Aung San (Scott) Market (Close on Mondays and public holidays) Explore the Bogyoke Aung San Market, also known as Scott Market, which contains over 2000 stalls and is the best place in Yangon to browse through the complete range of local handicrafts.

Meals Included – Breakfast 

Day 13 - Yangon

Today your tour concludes with a transfer to the airport.

Meals included - Breakfast