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Treasures of Myanmar

Yangon - Golden Rock - Bagan - Mt Popa - Mandalay - Kalaw - Pindaya - Inle Lake - Yangon
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Overview

Overview

Journey into the Land of the Golden Pagodas on a 12-day adventure in Myanmar (Burma). Start from Yangon, enjoy stunning views of Schwedagon Pagoda. Drift to the floating villages on serene Inle Lake, visit the floating garden. Climb Mandalay Hill for lovely views of the surrounding countryside. Fly to the ancient city of Bagan, home to over 2,200 temples and pagodas. With its warm people and mystical culture, find enchantment in Myanmar.

Highlights

  • Enjoy the marvel of the situation of the Rock and view the evening activities of many Myanmar Buddhist pilgrims
  • Explore the famous attractions of Yangon: Independence Monument, Botahtaung Pagoda, Ahma Mya Nan New, Bogyoke Aung San (Scott) Market, Shwedagon Pagoda
  • Discover ancient temples in Bagan: Shwezigon Pagoda, Gupaukgyi Temple, Thetbyinnyu Temple, Dhamayangyi Temple, Htilominlo Temple
  • Admire the charming beauty of Ayeyarwaddy River while cruising from Bagan to Mandalay and see the daily life of local people
  • Explore Inle Lake and its world’s largest floating garden
  • Visit Mahamuni Pagoda, Mandalay Palace, Kuthodaw Pagoda, Mahagandayon Monastery and U Bein Bridge in Mandalay

Tour Itinerary

Arrive in Yangon where you will be welcomed by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel to drop off you luggage. In the afternoon, a walk through “downtown” Yangon, a diverse mix of faded colonial architecture from the British times, and high-rises built by more recent investors; Sule Pagoda, built in the early 3rd century is a landmark in the city centre. Late afternoon visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds and rubies, sapphires and topaz – a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to begin our trip in this “Golden Land”.

Note*: The hotel room will be available at 2:00pm, and in case that you would like to secure an early-check in, an additional charge will be applied.

Meal: n/a

Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

After breakfast, drive to Kinpun Base Camp via Bago, approx; 4 hours. Bago was once the ancient Mon Kingdom as well as the seat of second Myanmar Dynasty. On the way, you can stop and visit Htauk Kyant Allied War Cemetery, the biggest war cemetery in the country maintained by the Commomwealth War Grave Commission.
After Bago, you will reach Kyaik Hto, the junction town to go up the Golden Rock. Upon arrival at Kin Pun Base Camp, transfer by open-truck up to Hermit Hill. From there, walk about one hour to reach the Golden Rock. The trekking from Hermit Hill to the top is not very difficult cheering with Myanmar pilgrims on the way, encouraging each other.
After check-in at the hotel, walk to Golden Rock. Enjoy the marvel of the situation of the Rock and view the evening activities of many Myanmar Buddhist pilgrims. After sunset on the Golden Rock, walk back to your hotel.
Overnight at Golden Rock.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hotel in Golden Rock

After breakfast, walk down to Hermit Hill and by open truck transfer to Kin Pun Base Camp. From there, drive to Kyaik Hto. You can visit Kyaik Hto Morning market where you can see a lot of local foods, seasonal fruits and vegetables, fish and prawns. Walk around in the market and take pictures. Talk to the vendors who are very friendly and not accustomed to the visits of foreigners. Then, proceed to Bago. On the way you may stop from time to time to take the photo opportunities at some villages.
Upon arrival at Bago, visit Shwe Maw Daw pagoda, the biggest and tallest Pagoda in Southern Myanmar, Bago Central Market, Shwe Thar Lyaung(Reclining Buddha) which dates back to centuries and which has the astounding history of its recovery from the bushes, and finally on the way to Yangon, visit the Kyaik Pun pagoda with four Giant Buddhas sitting in back-to-back position. Then drive on to Yangon. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hotel in Yangon

In the early morning, transfer to the Yangon airport for the flight to Bagan (Picnic breakfast can be arranged from your hotel!). Hundreds of Ancient Stupas, Temples, Monestaries, Libraries and Buddhist Universities welcome you to the then Heart of Buddhism. On arrival, drive to a temple to have a glimpse of Bird’s eye view tasting a bit of its marvel. Then you may visit Nyaung U morning market which is known as Market On The Floor with a variety of local vegetables and products such as typical snacks, food, Handicrafts, Thanakha the most adorned Burmese Make-up, and so on. Then, visit the most sacred stupa Shwe Zi Gon built in 11 Century by the most outstanding Buddhist King, Anawrahta, Gu Byauk Gyi Temple to see the mural from 12 Century, the massive red-colored Htilominlo Temple, and lastly before check-in at the hotel, visit most beautiful Ananda Temple built in late 11 Century housing giant Standing Buddhas which give the viewers illusion of Smiling-or-Serious facial expression of the Enlightened One.
In the afternoon, a visit to famous Lacquer Wares Workshop is worth enough to see its hand-made black products that come in a variety of household items from the smallest one of tea-cup to the Giant Sun Oak, the food container to be sent to the Buddhist monasteries in the yester years. Then, drive to the jetty of Mighty Ayeyawaddy river to enjoy sunset by boat.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hotel in Bagan

After breakfast, mount a bicycle touring around in the monument zone taking the snap-shots here and there among the ruined temples occasionally climbing some climbable pagodas to have the different panoramic views. Meet with local Sand Paintings sellers, Lacquered Items hawkers, etc and learn the local culture.
In the afternoon, drive to Mt. Popa(approx) one and a half hour, the extinguished million-year-old volcano. Also Popa is the abode of Myanmar Nats, the Spirits worshipped by some weak Buddhists. No wonder that the poor mind may seek the shelter under which one can feel certain of high-yield harvest, safe life. The name Popa represents the abundance of flowers and you can see seasonal flowers and fruits once you enter the small town at the foot of the extinct volcano. On the way to Mt. Popa, you may stop at a palm tree collection workshop to see the ways of living of AnyarThar people. Visit central Nat Shrine at the foothill of Mt. Popa. Going up 777 steps is optional but the view from the top makes tired-feet quite relaxing. Mount Popa houses not only Nats but also Asian monkeys along its steps uphill. Feeding the poor Gibson, Baboon costs not much money and you may gain some merits to add a step towards Nirvana. In the afternoon, drive to Mandalay. Enjoy scenic view on the way. Arrive Mandalay in late afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hotel in Mandalay

After breakfast, you will be transfer for Jetty for a private boat across the river Ayeywarwaddy to visit Mingun. The dedications of King Bodawpaya such as the unfinished Pathodawgyi Pagoda a brick counterpart of pyramid in Egypt and the Mingun Bell, the second largest bell in the world are the most prominent religious heritages. Then visiting the Myatheintan Pagoda, the best representation of the Universe, will refresh your tiredness and fatigue. Return to Mandalay and then you will take a sightseeing tour of Mandalay which includes Mahamuni Pagoda, a life like Buddha image. Mandalay is the last capital of Myanmar and that make her to be the best place to see all the traditional arts and crafts. Start visiting gold leaf making work-place and see how the gold leaf is being made by hand in a traditional way. Continue visit the Old Palace grounds; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world’s largest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha’s Doctrine; Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill..

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hotel in Mandalay

The day begins with a visit to the 18th century capital, Amarapura. Attend the daily meal of over thousand monks at the country’s largest monastery; Mahagandayon. Visit a silk weaving workshop, the craft specialty of Amarapura. Then continue south of the city to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries, where a short ferry ride will take us across the river to where our horse and carriage are waiting. Visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort. There are many small villages located amid Ava’s ruins and as you travel by horse and cart you’ll get a glimpse of local life in the Burmese countryside. In the afternoon cross the bridge over the Irrawaddy River and continue to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar. It is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers and you will visit pagodas such as Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae. Finish the day return toward the Mandalay city and stop at Amarapura, continue to U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge. The bridge was constructed of 984 teak posts that were once part of the deserted Inwa Palace and it is 1.2 kilometers in length making it the world’s longest teak span. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

After breakfast, transfer to Mandalay International Airport for the flight to Heho, Shan State. Upon arrival at Heho airport, drive to Kalaw (approx 1 and a hlaf) on the way stop at Aung Ban, stop at a local Market selling typical foods, wines, traditional handcrafts, and you may try Shan Noodles there at one of Myanmar Traditional Teashops. Besides those items, the small street market has Myanmar Orchids Selling stalls and fruits. Shan Dried Tea there is the best of Myanmar. Then, continue to Kalaw, a British Hill Station, a small town with ethnic minorities, such as Pa-O, Palaung, besides the Shan People. In the town, you can still feel the colonial atmosphere with the colonial buildings and the houses with the chimney indicate the weather of the lovely town which is over 1300 meters above sea-level.
After check-in at the hotel, in the afternoon drive to the west of the town where you start your half-day Trekking to Palaung village of Pain Hgne Pin. Before, this tribal minority used to live in Wooden long houses for a big family. And now with the growing wealth on farming they demolished their typical long houses and use cement and Adobe bricks to construct the houses and for the roofing, corrugated iron instead of thatch grass. Visit a household in the village and your local trekking guide will introduce you to the tribe. In the afternoon, walk back to another meeting point where you will see your car and then transfer back to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Kalaw

After breakfast, drive to Pindaya(approx; 2 hours), a small peaceful town situated at the base of Shan Mountains and the end of very fertail plains. On the way to Pindaya from Aung Ban is really picturesque and you can make many stops for photographing and introducing to the local farmers working in their fields cultivating a variety of crops such as Sesame, Cabbage, Coliflower, Mustard Oil, Wheat and so on besides the perennial orchards like Mandarin Oranges and Tea. Upon arrival visit Paper Umbrella Cottage industry where you can see the Shan Paper production, Process of Umbrella Making only by hands. Then, drive up to Pindaya Lime-stone Natural Caves with more than 8000 Buddha Images. Get lost yourself in the cave taking pictures of most beautiful Shan Style Buddhas.
In the afternoon, drive to Nyaung Shwe (approx; 3 hours) another Shan town bordering famous Inle Lake on the northern end. On the way, you can visit Shwe Yan Pyay monastery built mainly of teak wood in 1882 and it’s pagoda with colorful mosaics decorated on the interior walls around the central pagoda constructed 2 years before its adjacent monastery. Then continue to Nyaung Shwe where you embark on the long boat to reach your hotel at Inle Lake.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Full-day Sight-seeings of Inle Lake, start with a morning 5-day traditional market at a village on the lake or on the shore of the lake. Here at Inle Lake, the markets come on 5-day basis. Besides the Inthars, some tribal ladies such as Pa-O, Pa Laung can also be seen at the market selling their farm produce and afterwards they go back to their villages on the mountain with the purchase of what they need for the household. The market is a photo opportunity for you. Then visit the Phaung Daw Oo pagoda which is the Holiest Religious Stupa housing 5 buddha images, Silk Weaving village (lotus fabrics weaving technique can also be seen unique only in here!), Blacksmith, Cheroot or Myanmar Cigar factory, the nature of Inthars, Lake Residents with their Floating Gardens and finally visit the Jumping Cat monastery which is the oldest one with antique Shan-style Buddhas and Buddhas’ alters. Enjoy the cat show at the monastery.
In the afternoon, continue by boat to Indein Ruined Pagoda Complex along a small river that sustains Inle Lake by flowing into it. Passing the Large green Myanmar Bamboo forests on the way, you will reach the Ruined Indein pagodas that stand on the hill slope providing a panoramic view to the lake.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Free to relax till airport transfer for the flight to Yangon. Checkin the hotel upon arrival.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

After breakfast, you are free until your departure time. Our driver will take you to Yangon International Airport for your flight home. Tour ends…

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a

Important Note*

  • PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
  • The itinerary can be customized basing on your interests (you can extend your stay at each location, add/remove activities)

Price & Inclusion

Hotel category Private Tour
(US$/person)
2 – 4 pax 5-8 pax 9+ pax
3* Hotels US$ US$ US$
4* Hotels US$ US$ US$
5* Hotels US$ US$ US$
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Note*:

  • The price would vary depending on the group size, grade of hotel. Please contact us or book the tour for price in details.
  • Surcharge will be applied for single traveler or single room request

Booking Policy

Price Includes

  • Overnights in selected hotels or similar
  • All in-tour stationed local English speaking guide.
  • Entrance fees for sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary
  • Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicles (including airport pick up & see off)
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • 3 Internal flights (Yangon – Bagan; Mandalay – Heho; Heho – Yangon)

Price excludes

  • Meals and services other than those noted in the itinerary
  • Visa fee
  • International flights pre/post tour
  • Laundry, telephone calls, and personal expenditures
  • Gratuities for guides, drivers, porters, boat crew, and personal, non-itinerary services

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellation received 60 days or more before arrival date: 25% of total rate
  • Cancellation received from 30 days to 59 days prior arrival date: 35% of total rate
  • Cancellation received from 15 days to 29 days prior arrival date: 75% of total rate
  • Cancellation received less than 14 days prior arrival date or No show: 100% of total rate

Children Policy

  • For infant (<02 years old): FOC (except cost for internal flights)
  • 02 – 10 years old without bed: 50% adult rate
  • 02 – 10 years old with extra bed: 75% adult rate
  • 02 – 10 years old in twin share: 90% adult rate
  • from 11 years old: 100% adult rate

Note*: The rate for children applicable for one child sharing a twin or double room with two adults

Customer Reviews

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5 star ratingExcellent company Booked a short trip -collected from Bagan and taken to POL via Mount Popa. The following day went to Goteik viaduct on the train via a market and returned to POL via car. The day after went around the colonial... read more
sillyboyz Avatar
sillyboyz
5 star ratingAmazing Tour Company We booked an 8 day tour of Myanmar through Hannah (Hmwe Hmwe) who was excellent throughout the whole process, answering all my emails and queries beforehand.She met us on arrival and had arranged our hotel room to be decorated (Tawin... read more
Jezza A Avatar
Jezza A
5 star ratingHighly Recommend! In February we needed assistance booking 3 domestic flights in Myanmar using our American credit card. Taking the advice of a fellow traveler, we contacted the agent based in Yangon, Myanmar. Not only was Hmwe Hmwe, (Hannah) with this travel... read more
Beth L Avatar
Beth L
5 star ratingBrilliant short trip Contacted the agent for a quote and was pleased with response. I had quite a thorough list of what I wanted to do and Hme Hme responded promptly. She made a couple of minor amendments which were much better than... read more
Elizabeth L Avatar
Elizabeth L
5 star ratingInformative and enjoyable! Travelled to Yangon and Bagan with family members. Our guide in Yangon, Spring, was friendly and had lots of good suggestions and recommendations. He was entertaining, personable and informative. Linn in Bagan was very polite and informative. He brought... read more
Isabel C Avatar
Isabel C
5 star ratingReliable, helpful and efficient travel agent We chose Indochinatreks travel after comparing multiple agencies. We were very satisfied with the service we received from our contact person, Hannah (Hmwe Hmwe) for our two week trip to Myanmar in January. She always replied promptly with the... read more
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CheetahToronto
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Our Suggested Hotels in Myanmar

Cities 3* Hotels 4* hotels 5* Hotels
Yangon Grand United Hotel SuleShangri-la Hotel The Governor's Residence
Bagan Floral Breeze Hotel Bagan Thande Hotel Aureum Palace Hotel
Mandalay ShweIngyinn Hotel Mandalay HillResort Mandalay HillResort
Kalaw Hill Top Villa Hotel Royal Kalaw Hills Resort Royal Kalaw Hills Resort
Inle Lake Amazing Nyaungshwe Pristine Lotus Inle Resort Aureum Palace Hotel
Ngapali Pleasant View Resort Jade Marina Resort& Spa SandowayResort

Note*:

  • Depending on your budget, you can choose a suitable hotel category.

  • Early checking/late checkout are not included and you can change the to any other hotels  and room type if required. Additional charge/discount will be made accordingly.

  • The list of hotels are used for our all tour itineraries in Myanmar.

  • Different hotels might be selected depending on your request.

  • Our tour price includes the ROH room at the hotel. If any special request, please let us know in advance. Surcharge is applied for higher room type.

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