Off the beaten track Myanmar – 20 days

Day 1: Yangon Arrival – City tour
Arrival at Yangon International Airport, you are greeted by our tour guide and driver.
Welcome to Myanmar, the country has just opened its doors to the world after 60 years of isolation and now waiting people to explore its unique heritage and culture.
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 Pagoda 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, have a chance to 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 – Kyaikhtiyo
After breakfast at hotel, you are leaving Yangon; enjoy a scenic journey to Kyaiktiyo, 190km to the east. One of Myanmar’s great pilgrimage sites is the Golden Rock, a huge boulder covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff. The pagoda at the Golden Rock is said to hold a hair of the Buddha. Late morning, arrive at Kyaiktiyo base camp and transfer to the transit junction with one of the small open trucks in one-hour ride, followed by up to an hour challenging walk up to the hill top.
Here, you visit Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, built on the top of a huge gilded boulder and enjoy sunset from this unforgettable site.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Kyaikhtiyo
Day 3: Kyaikhtyio – Hpa-An
Breakfast at the hotel and head to the less explored Kayin State and the sleepy capital of Hpa An, surrounded by limestone cliffs, wide lakes and mountain ranges.
After short refreshment, take a short drive out and visit the beautifully decorated limestone caves of Kawgun Cave and nearby Yathaypyan. Return to the town and free on your own to explore the town.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hpa An
Day 3: Hpa-An visit
After breakfast, take a short drive to Lumbini Garden with thousands of Buddha images at the base of Mt. Zwekabin. Hike about 1,5-hour up to the top and enjoy breathtaking view of the plain and mountain. Drive further to Sadan Cave, considered as the best attraction in Hpa-An. Here, you will take a short relax boat ride through a cave and lake which added-up as the highlight.
On the way back to the town, stop for photo-stop at Kyauk Kalat, a pagoda which is built on layers of natural rock formations.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hpa An
Day 5: Hpa-An – Bago – Yangon
Today, you head to Yangon via Bago, an ancient capital dating back to the 6th century. Stop en route for a visit at the interesting Ba-yin-yi caves with beautiful wall carvings and numerous intricate Buddha images sculpted in all sizes. Sightseeing in Bago includes the beautiful 55m long reclining Buddha called Shwethalyaung and the Mon style Shwemawdaw Pagoda, one of the most venerated in Myanmar. Its spire stands 114m high and is even taller than the Shwedagon Pagoda. Also visit the old Palace of Kambozathadi and the huge four sitting Buddhas. Transfer back to Yangon in late afternoon
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon
Day 6: Yangon – Fly to Mandalay – Sightseeing
Take the morning flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, meet our tour guide and head to Sagaing, which is renowned as the religious center of not only Mandalay but also Myanmar. Here you will be impressed with the view of the countless white and gold pagodas dotting along the river and around the Sagaing Hill. Furthermore, it is also the home to more than 100 meditation centers and 3,000 monks. Here you will have the visit at Pagoda Cave, U Min Thonze Pagoda and U Ponya Pagoda. You then board a ferry for a short ride across the Myint Nge Rive River for Ava, which was the ancient capital of Shan and Burmese Kingdoms from the 14th to the 18th century. Upon arrival, you take a horse-cart for a leisurely ride around villages. Stop for a visit at the Bagaya teak monastery; Being over three hundred years old, but the construction is well preserved and now still in use. The next monument is the Nanmyin watch tower, also called the “Leaning Tower of Ava”. It is the last standing structure of the Ava dynasty palace. Last but not least, you visit the 300-year old Maha Aungmye Bonzan monastery with the finest construction of elegant archways.
End of the day, you have a drive to Mandalay Hill for the sunset and the panoramic view.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay
Day 7: Mandalay – Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo).
Escaping from the high temperatures of Mandalay, you have a 2-hour-driving to Pyin Oo Lwin (formerly Maymyo). At the altitude of 1,070m, Pyin Oo Lwin is blessed with the pleasant weather and once was a summer retreat during British rule. This hill station is well-known for its colonial buildings and lush botanical gardens. Late in the morning, you reach the hill town and wander around to explore the landmark, including the colorful local market, Purcell Clock Tower in the town center. Following up is the traditional horse drawn carriage through the streets which is very different to the one in Ava. During the ride, you experience the small taste of the colonial past, especially the unique brick and timber British houses. Following is the soft trek to Pwe Kauk Water Fall. Finally, you have a visit at Botanical Gardens. This 175-hectare garden allows you to leisurely stroll around and enjoy the wonderful landscape of peaceful lake, flower galore, and forestland.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Pyin Oo Lwin
Day 8: Pyin Oo Lwin – Train to Gokteik – Hsipaw.
Wake up early and get ready to experience one of the most exhilarating train rides in Myanmar After breakfast, you are picked up for a short transfer to Pyin Oo Lwin train station. Here, you will start a bumpy yet safe ride towards the Gokehteik Viaduct.  Finished in 1900, it was one of the world’s largest steel structures and considered a spectacular feat of engineering. Crossing throughout the Shan hills, you enjoy the authentic and peaceful scenery. You also have interesting opportunities observing the locals from different villages as they get on and off with their numerous wares. After 4 hours of train entertainment, you disembark at Naung Paine station where our car and driver will be waiting to drive you to Hsipaw. Arriving by late afternoon, you might want to have a walk around this charming trading town amid the Shan Hills; or relax at hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hsipaw
Day 9: Hsipaw trekking.
08.00AM you are picked up from hotel and have the beautiful drive along the Shan valleys 1 hour to the area of mountain villages. It’s time for a tea break and start trekking. Walking across the corn field, mountain rice field, bamboo forest, jungle, spring river, different forest and tea plantation, you will head to the Ta Ang-Palaung Ethnicity village. During the time is your chances to interact with the locals and join their daily activities.
After lunch, you continue the trekking while enjoying the panoramic mountainous view above 1400m and take a tea break in the next village (about 02 hours).
Finally, you take the trek down along the tea plantation’s valley and the isolated mountain rice field. Through the mountains and jungle, you see the different landscape views and trek back to our pick-up village. Drive back to Hsipaw by sunset time.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hsipaw
Day 10: Hsipaw – Mandalay
Today you leave Hsipaw for Mandalay. After 6-hour driving, you will be back in city. Return to hotel, check in and relax.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay
Day 11: Mandalay sightseeing
Today you visit Amarapura, the royal capital from 1783 until 1859, now has the country’s most prominent monastic college named Mahagandaryone Monastery. Here you have great chance to experience the monk life in Mandalay. Every day at mid-morning, monks and novices line up silently to receive their daily offering of alms and food from faithful Buddhists. Next, you embark on a private boat upstream Irrawaddy River to visit Mingun. Upon arrival, the first site attracting your attention is Mingun Pahtodawgyi, the uncompleted yet the largest pagoda in Mandalay. Continue the sightseeing to Mingun Bell, the world’s largest ringing bell, which is said to weigh around 90 tons. Then take a walk to the incredibly-white Hsinphymae Pagoda with its special structure and history. A visit to Mingun is definitely the highlight of your journey in Mandalay. In the afternoon, visit Shwenandaw Monastery, the famous construction with the exquisite wood carvings and stunning perfection in every detail. It is the sole surviving Royal Palace building in Mandalay, which offers a glimpse of the original style and traditional architecture of the Myanmar royals. The next stop is Kuthodaw Pagoda, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, well-known as the world’s largest book inscribed on 729 stone slabs. It’s time to learn about the story and scriptures with our experienced tour guide. Late afternoon, you have the drive back to Amarapura and transfer to the nearby U Bein Bridge, which is the world’s longest teak footbridge. This is a fantastic place to take beautiful photos and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the bridge as the sunsets.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay
Day 12: Mandalay to Monywa
After an early breakfast, make the 4-hour drive to Monywa, along the banks of the Chindwin River. First visit the Thanbodday Zedi temple complex and the Boditataung Pagoda, both known for their extensive Buddha statuary, and the Shwe Thar Lyaung Reclining Buddha Image on Pho Khaung Hill, the largest reclining Buddha image in Burma. After lunch, cross the Chindwin and make the 45-minute drive to Powin Taung stopping along the way to admire the stone-cut pavilions of Shwe Ba Taung. Known as the “Hill of the Alchemists”, Powin Taung Hill boasts several Buddhist cave sites from as early as the 16th century. Numerous Buddha images were carved along the stone walls of these caves, creating a gallery of different images. Throughout the centuries, mural paintings were added, creating what some archaeologists call the richest mural painting collection in Southeast Asia. Overnight in Monywa.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Monywa
Day 13: Monywa – Pakokku – Bagan
After an early start, depart for Pakkoku, one of the more famous towns in Central Myanmar. En route, visit Mau Ale Village, a fascinating ruined pagoda built in the 17th century. You can also observe the workshops of local incense makers and bamboo scale producers. After arriving in Pakkoku, visit the workshops of local blanket weavers (hand-woven) and a marketplace specializing in thanakha (a traditional Burmese cosmetic made from tree bark). Afterwards, head to Bagan.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.
Day 14: Bagan ancient land sightseeing
After breakfast, today you start exploring ancient Bagan with a visit to Nyaung U market, then have an exotic horse cart ride around to Shwezigon Pagoda, which is believed to enshrine a bone and tooth of Gautama Buddha. Continue to Htilominlo Temple, Ananda Temple, housing four standing Buddha and then to Sulamani Temple.
This afternoon, continue to one of the biggest temples in Bagan: Nan Paya pagoda and many other interesting sites nearby. You then enjoy the gorgeous sunset on boat over the Irrawaddy River.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.
Day 15: Bagan rural sightseeing
Drive to the Ayeyarwady River for a short boat ride to Kyun Thiri Island. Visit a typical farming village, interacting with the villagers and observing their way of life. Take tea with some monks then return to Bagan late morning.
In the afternoon, take bicycle to visit short training class to a local lacquer ware workshop and learn how this traditional piece of art is made. You can experience some lacquer ware creation and make your artwork memory. Another highlight today is the panoramic sunset view over Bagan.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.
Day 16: Bagan – Fly to Heho – Nyaung Shwe town
After the short flight to Heho, you enjoy the breathtaking drive to Nyaung Shwe town with the peaceful villages, Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery (an interesting teak monastery famous for its oval windows and richly decorated mosaics walls) and Red Mountain Estate Vineyards & Winery. This is the place you learn about the varieties of grapes and how the soil and vines are maintained in a tropical environment. Taste the premiere white and red wines while soaking in the scenic view. Afterward, take the boat ride to your hotel in Inle Lake, check in and relax.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 17: Inle Lake exploration
Journey by boat to 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. Continue to most outstanding sites, including: Phaungdawoo Pagoda, the holiest one of Inle Lake with five 800-year-old golden Buddha images. In the afternoon, you visit to 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. Finally, 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 lake.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 18: Sagar boat trip
Today, you take the trip to Sagar, the far southern region of Inle Lake. Taking the boat journey within 2.5-3 hours, you will see the fabulous views of the most beautiful and off-beaten-track places in Shan State. The area is so far protected and administered by PNO (Pa O National Organization). The most outstanding site of Sagar are ‘sunken’ stupas. There are 108 stupas from the 16-17th centuries. The next stop is Sae Khaung Pottery Village to see the crafting of oil and water pots as well as the natural, underground kilns used by the villagers. Following is a visit to the home of Pa-oh at Thaya Gone village, where you can climb up to the hill top for the panoramic view over the area. Take time to the western shores, you head to Tar Kaung with more than 200 ancient stupas… In the afternoon, you come back to your hotel, enjoy the beautiful sunset over Inle Lake.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 19: Pindaya Cave – Departure
Enjoy a scenic drive to Pindaya with opportunities to stop and photograph the colourful farms and rolling hills of the Shan Plateau. Upon arrival, you visit the limestone caves that house more than 8,000 Buddha well preserved statues of various sizes. Afterward, you proceed to the handicraft village and see how the locals make the Shan parasols and paper.
Finally, you head to Heho airport, fly back to Yangon. Get picked up on arrival; rest of the time is at leisure.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon
Day 20: Yangon departure
Breakfast at hotel. Today is your free day and we arrange you the airport transfer. Get ready for the International flights.
Thanks for your trust and traveling with us!
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: N/A