Glimpse of Myanmar – 6 Days

Day 1: Yangon Arrival. Brief city tour
Mingalabar! Arrival at Yangon International Airport, you are welcomed by our tour guide and driver. Welcome to Myanmar, the country just opened itself to the world and now waiting people to discover its unique Buddhist culture and heritage.
Yangon is the former capital of Myanmar but nowadays one of the most developed cities in Myanmar. The bustling city of Yangon is the best place to witness the country in transition, where century-old buildings from the British colonial period vie for space with the emerging modern skyline.
Now you have a trip downtown with a walking tour through the historic quarter. Along the way you visit the former City Hall and various other examples of 1940’s colonial British architecture. The hidden art galleries inside the small alley could also be the next stop on your tour. Continue to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses the sacred reclining Buddhas as well as the country’s largest one. Spend time at Bogyoke Market, formerly Scott Market (closed on Mondays and public holidays). Built in the 1920s under British rule, the side is listed a heritage of Yangon. It has more than 2,000 stalls dominated by large selections of antique Burmese handicraft, clothing and jewelry… Last but not least, you go to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist site of Myanmar and the oldest one in the world. The monument contains a 99m high golden stupa and spires, adorned with 7,000 diamonds, sapphires and rubies and allegedly, hairs belonging to the Gautama Buddha. If you are fortunate, join a special oil lamp lighting ceremony with thousand oil lamps are lit around the gilded pagoda. This ancient and symbolic Buddhist ritual will be the truly awe-inspiring spiritual experience.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon
Day 2: Yangon – Fly to Bagan – Sightseeing
After breakfast at hotel, you are leaving Yangon for Bagan. Spend the whole day exploring Bagan where over 2,000 ancient temples blossom from the countryside. Our first temple visit is to Ananda Temple, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nanpaya Temple, Thatbinnyu… In the afternoon, you visit a traditional lacquerware workshop, try creating some products yourself and bring home some unique the handicrafts. Later on, from an elevated vantage point, you witness the panoramic view of the archaeological wonders in sunset. This is the most relaxing way to end a day in Bagan.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan
Day 3: Rural Bagan sightseeing – Mt. Popa
Begin the sightseeing with a visit at the colorful Nyaung U market which remains very authentic with a wide range of local grown products. Next, you take an exotic horse cart ride around the ancient land, feel free to drop by any temples in Bagan and many other interesting sites nearby. Now you proceed to the typical Burmese villages, discover their agricultural lifestyle, such as Min Nan Thu Village and Shwe Hlaing village…
Continue your journey to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano standing 1518 metres high. It is the worshipper center of the pantheon of Burmese ‘Nat” spirits (which form an essential part of Buddhist beliefs in Myanmar).  Climb 829 steps with bare foot to reach the revered Popa Taungkalat Monastery perched dramatically on a large rocky outcrop. The adventurous is rewarded with sweeping views of Popa National Park.
In the afternoon, drive back to Bagan and stop en-route at the workshop making traditional palm sugar, cigar maker and peanut oil distillation. You cap the day with an unforgettable sunset from a boat on the Irrawaddy River.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan
Day 4: Bagan – Fly to Heho – Indein boat trip
After the short flight to Heho, you arrive at the gateway to Inle Lake and the Shan region. This freshwater lake is Myanmar’s second largest and measures about 70 square kilometres. There are an estimated 70,000 people living in more than 200 villages on or around the lake. To get a real sense of the lake’s expanse, you will take a longboat cruise navigating pass floating gardens and stilt houses, observe the “one-leg rowing technique” of the Intha fisherman with incredible balance. It’s indispensable to immerse yourselves in the magnificent view of peaceful lake and cascading mountains.
Boarding on a boat and sail toward Indein. Upon arrival, you reach Indein village. Take an easy walk through verdant bamboo groves to the hilltop of more than 1000 ruined stupas embracing the Shwe Indein pagoda in the middle. All were constructed during the 17th and 18th centuries. You then visit small communities that live along the lake. Wrap up the fruitful day trip with fantastic sunset over the beautiful lake.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 5: Inle Lake boat trip – Fly to Yangon
Continue your boat journey this morning; you visit local 5-day market which is rotating between 5 different lakeside villages over 5-day period. The market is a unique culture; people all around the lake and mountains come here to exchange not only their daily products but also the indigenous cultures. The next stop is Phaungdawoo Pagoda, the holiest one of Inle Lake with five 800-year-old golden Buddha images. In the afternoon, you visit Ngaphechaung monastery, the biggest and oldest one over Inle Lake. Here you observe the unique architecture, remarkable collection of Buddha images (But it’s best known for the ‘jumping cats’. In the past, they were trained to jump through hoops in the air). From here, you proceed to Nam Pan village; cigar house, cotton and lotus weaving factory of Intha people.
Afterward, you fly back to Yangon. Upon arrival, you have the transfer to hotel, check in and relax.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Yangon
Day 6: Yangon departure
You are free to explore Yangon on your own till the airport transfer. Get ready for your onward flights. Thanks for your traveling time with us!
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: N/A