Very Best of Myanmar – 10 Days / 9 Nights Classic Package Tour

• Upon arrival in Yangon, you will be warmly welcomed by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. After a short break, enjoy a private city tour through downtown Yangon to discover its fascinating blend of cultures, history, and architecture.
• Drive through the city centre, where streets are lined with historic buildings reflecting a faded colonial charm rarely found elsewhere in Asia. Visit the historic Post Office, pass by the iconic Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden, and the Independence Monument. Continue to Chauk Htat Kyi Pagoda, home to the impressive 70-metre-long reclining Buddha, whose feet are intricately carved with traditional symbols and where locals gather to pray and pay homage.
• Make a photo stop at the Karaweik Hall, a majestic royal floating barge set on Kandawgyi Lake. The day concludes with a visit to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar’s most sacred landmark, where you can observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the golden stupa.
• Overnight in Yangon.

After breakfast, take a morning flight from Yangon to Mandalay, the legendary last royal capital of Burma and today one of Myanmar’s largest cities, as well as an important cultural and spiritual centre.

Upon arrival, enjoy a private tour beginning with visits to local artisan workshops specializing in traditional gold leaf making, tapestry weaving, wood carving, and marble carving. Many of these crafts continue to follow techniques that have remained unchanged for centuries, once used to create exquisite works for the Royal Court.

In the afternoon, visit the elegant Shwenandaw Monastery, also known as the Golden Palace Teak Monastery. This impressive teak structure, famed for its intricate wood carvings, is the only remaining building from the 19th-century Royal Palace. Continue to Kuthodaw Pagoda, often referred to as “the world’s largest book,” where Buddhist scriptures are inscribed on 729 marble slabs.

Before sunset, travel to Amarapura to visit the iconic U Bein Bridge, a 200-year-old teak bridge and the longest of its kind in the world. This highly photogenic landmark offers a memorable sunset and is one of Myanmar’s must-see sights.

• After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a full-day exploration of the ancient capitals surrounding Mandalay, including Amarapura and Ava, once important centers of Myanmar’s royal history.
• Begin with a visit to Mahagandayon Monastery in Amarapura, one of the largest and most influential monasteries in Myanmar, where hundreds of monks follow a disciplined monastic life. Continue by road to Ava (Inwa), the former royal capital. Cross the river and explore the area by traditional horse cart, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the past.
• Visit Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, a fine example of brick-and-stucco architecture, followed by Nanmyin Tower, famously known as the “Leaning Tower of Ava.” Continue to the nearby Yadana Hsemee complex, a small yet charming group of ancient brick pagodas illustrating the development of early monastery architecture. Later, stop at a traditional silk-weaving workshop to observe the production of this elegant local fabric.
• In the late afternoon, return to Mandalay and transfer to Mandalay Hill, the best vantage point for panoramic views over the city and surrounding plains, especially beautiful at sunset. Nearby, visit Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda, home to an impressive Buddha image carved from a single block of marble.
• This day offers a wonderful introduction to Mandalay’s ancient heritage and cultural richness.
• Overnight in Mandalay.

• After breakfast, depart by road from Mandalay to Bagan (approximately 4 hours). En route, stop at Mount Popa, an extinct volcano rising more than 1,500 metres above sea level and considered the spiritual centre of Nat (spirit) worship in Myanmar. Climb the 777 steps from the base of the volcanic plug to the monastery perched at the summit, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
• Upon arrival in Bagan, begin an in-depth exploration of this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the afternoon discovering the architectural masterpieces scattered across the vast plain, visiting a carefully selected collection of the most significant pagodas and temples. These ancient monuments, dating from the 9th to 13th centuries, reflect the height of Bagan’s religious devotion and architectural achievement, creating one of Southeast Asia’s most extraordinary archaeological landscapes.
• Overnight in Bagan.

• After breakfast, begin the day with a visit to a bustling local market, offering a lively insight into daily life in Bagan. More than just a land of temples, today’s exploration provides a deeper understanding of Bagan’s history, culture, and local lifestyles. Continue to nearby villages to observe the authentic way of life of local communities, gaining a genuine perspective on rural Myanmar beyond the famous monuments.
• Spend the remainder of the morning and early afternoon sightseeing around Bagan and its surroundings, discovering lesser-known temples and scenic countryside that add depth and character to the ancient landscape.
• In the afternoon, visit a traditional lacquerware workshop to observe the production of one of Myanmar’s most distinctive handicrafts, made using techniques passed down through generations. Continue to the magnificent Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most revered and beautifully preserved temples.
• The day concludes with an unforgettable sunset experience, enjoying panoramic views over the plains from one of the elevated viewpoints. Sit back, relax, and admire the magical scenery as the sun slowly sets behind thousands of ancient pagodas, creating one of Myanmar’s most iconic and memorable moments.
• Overnight in Bagan.

• After breakfast, depart by private car from Bagan towards Inle Lake (approximately 5–6 hours). Enjoy scenic countryside views along the way, with stops at local villages to observe everyday rural life and capture the changing landscapes of central Myanmar.
• Upon arrival at Inle Lake, transfer to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing you to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the lake after the journey.
• Overnight in Inle Lake.

• After breakfast, enjoy a full-day exploration of Inle Lake by private boat. Begin with a visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the most sacred religious site in southern Shan State and an important pilgrimage destination for local people.
• Cruise across the lake and discover a fascinating world of traditional craftsmanship along the way. Observe local artisans practicing silk weaving on wooden handlooms, traditional blacksmith techniques, and other time-honored handicrafts. Visiting Inle Lake is not only about the scenery on the water, but also about experiencing the unique lifestyles of the Shan and Intha communities living along the lake’s banks.
• Pass by endless floating gardens, stilted houses, monasteries, and small villages that define the distinctive character of Inle Lake. Continue to Nampan Village, where you will visit a local cheroot factory to see how traditional Burmese cigars are made, as well as workshops specializing in canoe carving.
• This immersive day offers a deeper insight into the cultural traditions and daily life of the Inle Lake communities.
• Overnight in Inle Lake.

• After breakfast, begin the day with a visit to a local market, which rotates between villages every five days. This vibrant market offers a colorful insight into daily life, where hill tribe people dressed in traditional attire gather to trade goods and fresh produce.
• Continue sightseeing on Inle Lake, cruising by boat through long, scenic waterways lined with stilted houses and floating gardens. Travel to the fascinating village of Indein, home to an impressive complex of ancient shrines and weathered stupas. Wander through atmospheric covered walkways, stairways, and small shop stalls leading up to the pagoda hill.
• Along the way, visit weaving and craft villages built on stilts and meet the famous Intha fishermen, known for their unique leg-rowing technique—standing on one leg while wrapping the other around an oar. The journey also offers opportunities to encounter local ethnic communities, adding depth to the cultural experience.
• This day is a feast for the senses and a true paradise for photographers, capturing the timeless beauty and vibrant traditions of Inle Lake.
• Overnight in Inle Lake.

• After breakfast, transfer to Heho Airport for a morning flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival, begin a city exploration showcasing Yangon’s vibrant multicultural character.
• Visit the historic Bogyoke Aung San Market (also known as Scott Market), a lively 90-year-old bazaar (closed on Mondays and public holidays). Browse a wide range of Burmese souvenirs, including lacquerware, handicrafts, gems, and jewelry, and enjoy the opportunity to bargain while experiencing the authentic local market atmosphere.
• Continue with a drive through downtown Yangon, observing the city’s diverse architectural influences shaped by different cultures. Along the way, stop to visit notable religious landmarks, including St. Mary’s Cathedral, Yangon, built in 1899, the iconic Sule Pagoda, and the historic Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue, over 100 years old. Here, you may have the opportunity to meet with a synagogue trustee and learn about Jewish life in Myanmar, often referred to as the “Pagoda Land.”
• The day continues with visits to Little India, Yangon and Chinatown, Yangon, where you can stroll through lively streets, greet local vendors, and discover a fascinating mix of familiar and exotic goods.
• Overnight in Yangon.

After breakfast, enjoy free time at leisure until the scheduled transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.