
Discover Buddhist monks, bright golden pagodas and plains scattered with magnificent temples on our Highlights of Myanmar tour. This classic tour has been carefully created to give a true glimpse of the real Myanmar.
The tour will see you visiting bustling shops and markets full of artisan goods, allow you to learn about the daily life of local people, wander streets lined with colonial-era buildings, and marvel at the ancient city of Bagan. Approved as a UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2019, this historic Myanmar city has 3,500 stupas, temples and monasteries, built between the 11th and 13th centuries.
Despite only recently opening up to International tourism, this fascinating country is growing in popularity. We recommend visiting now if you are looking for a truly authentic experience of Asia at it's raw best.

Trip Highlights
- Explore the colonial buildings of Yangon
- Discover the thousands of ancient temples and pagodas of Bagan
- Visit peaceful monasteries and bustling markets in Mandalay
- Take a boat trip through floating gardens in Inle Lake and discover the famous 'leg rowers'
Start your Journey
Yangon
Upon arrival, meet your tour guide and begin your sightseeing tour of Yangon. Highlights include the old colonial-style city centre and the gilded Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2000 years. Visit Bogyoke Market to see the wide range of traditional handicrafts on offer and Chauk Htat Gyi, a huge reclining Buddha. Finally enjoy a photo stop at Karaweik Hall royal floating barge, where you can walk on the wooden bridge over Kandawgyi Lake and enjoy the views of the park and Shwedagon.
Yangon to Dalla to Yangon
This morning, cross the Yangon River by local ferry (10 minutes) for Dalla. Upon arrival at the other side, trishaw drivers are waiting to drive you over dusty roads through local villages as you enjoy the scenery. This is real rural life and provides a stark contrast to the busy streets of Yangon. Stop at the Indian market, before taking a ride on the circular train (30-45 minutes). Opened in 1961, the train carries 15,000-20,000 people a day starting and ending at the Central Station in Yangon. There are several stops along the journey where you can take photos, buy drinks from locals or simply stretch your legs. Later, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the world's most spectacular religious monuments, where you will enjoy the sunset.
Yangon to Bagan
Early morning transfer to Yangon Airport for your flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, enjoy a sightseeing tour starting with visits to a local market and a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples such as Shwezigon Pagoda. Continue to Kyansittha cave temple and Gubyaukgyi cave temple before visiting Htilominlo, the last Bamar style temple built in Bagan and Ananda Temple with four huge standing Buddha images. Check-in to your hotel late morning and in the afternoon, visit a lacquer craft workshop in nearby Myinkaba village. Your sightseeing continues with visits to Manuha Temple, Nanbaya Temple and Myingaba Gu Byaukgyi Temple.
Bagan
Today you will visit Min Nan Thu Village area by horse and cart. Visit Tayokepyay Temple, Phaya Thone Zu and Nandamanya Temples, noted for exquisite 13th century murals, and Kyat Kan Cave monastery, a famous meditation centre. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the nostalgic Nat Htaung Kyaung, a monastery famous for woodcarvings, built in 1781. Afterwards, visit Maung Aung Myin Lacquerware factory to watch craftsmen skilfully making the most famous of Bagan's handicrafts.
Bagan to Mandalay
Transfer to Bagan Airport for your flight to Mandalay. From the airport, start your morning Mandalay sightseeing tour with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda with its spectacular Buddha image covered with thick layers of gold leaves. Stop to see stone carving and later see gold leaf being beaten into thin pieces. Check in to your hotel late morning. In the afternoon, visit Shwenandaw Monastery, an ancient wooden building with intricate carvings, which was once King Mindon's home. Continue to Kuthodaw Pagoda and Kyaukdawgyi Pagoda and enjoy spectacular views at sunset from Mandalay Hill. Afterwards, visit Shwe Kyin Monastery and observe the evening prayers.
Mandalay to Amarapuralay to Mandalay
In the morning, visit the Jade Market before taking the local ferry to visit Innwa (Ava), located on an island between the Ayeyarwaddy and Myitnge Rivers. You will visit Innwa by horse and cart, passing through the ancient city walls to visit Maha Aungme Bozan Monastery and the impressive wooden monastery of Bagaya Kyaung. In the afternoon, drive to Sagaing and visit the picturesque Sagaing Hill, dotted with numerous pagodas and monasteries. Return to Amarapura and continue to the 150 year old U Bein teak Bridge, built in 1851. The bridge is over 1 kilometre long and from here you can walk along and enjoy the spectacular views at sunset.
Mandalay to Heho to Inle Lake
Transfer to Mandalay airport for your domestic flight to Heho. Upon arrival, drive to Nyaung Shwe, visiting Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery on the way. Board a local boat to take you to your hotel on the edge of Inle Lake. This is a photographer's dream - the calm waters of the lake are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes. See the lake's unique 'leg rowers' - the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped round an oar. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan state. Continue to visit Lae Gyae Village where Buddha images are made out of sawdust and see the century old monastery, before continuing by boat to visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery. The boat ride back to your hotel passes via the floating gardens.
Inle Lake
Today explore one of the five day markets, where you can get an insight into the lifestyle of the ethnic Pa-O, Danu and Intha inhabitants who come to these markets to sell their goods. Arrive at the village of Maing Thauk on the edge of Inle Lake by boat. Walk up a track through the village and continue up the hill to a stupa which has fantastic views out over the lake and surrounding hills. The walk takes around two hours round trip and although uphill, is not steep. In the afternoon, enjoy another boat tour to Indaing at the western end of the lake. The boat takes you through a long channel where farmers cultivate their produce. This is one of the most scenic boat tours on Inle Lake.
Inle Lake to Heho to Yangon
In the morning, transfer to Heho Airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, a car and guide is at your disposal until it is time to transfer to Yangon Airport for your onward journey, or alternatively extend your stay in Myanmar.
Includes
- Internal flights in Myanmar
- Accommodation as detailed in double or twin room with private facilites.
- Meals included as detailed
- All entrance fees for the places mentioned in the itinerary
- Services of an English speaking guide, transfers and tours on a private basis
- Drinking water and cold towels available on the vehicles
Excludes
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Beverages during meals
- Tips for the drivers/guides
- Optional balloon flight over Bagan
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