Myanmar Way of Life

Upon your airport arrival, you will be greeted and welcomed by our guide and driver and then transferred to your hotel. After check in at your hotel and receive a brief freshening up before begin your city tour with us.

Heading to Yangon's colonial part, soon you realize Yangon is a unique city, unlike any other of its size in all of Southeast Asia. It is Myanmar's commercial capital with a population of more than five millions. Take a walking tour to get a sense of Yangon's beauty with its picturesque lakes, verdant parks as well as its charming people.

Next, you are about to see the highlighted destinations of Yangon. It all starts with a visit to Chaukhtatgyi Temple which holds the biggest reclining Buddha statue in Southeast Asia. Afterwards, wander around Sule Pagoda which is Myanmar's oldest pagoda of 2,500 years old. During the day, you attention might be caught by the spectacular image of Shwedagon Pagoda - patient, let's save the best for the last. When the sun sets, you will experience the wonder of this inspiring pagoda, being left breathless with its vivid color and sacred atmosphere.

After a long day, take a good night sleep at your hotel in Yangon.

In the morning, leave Yangon and take a flight to Bagan. Upon your Bagan arrival, after checking in hotel, head to Nyaung U Market where local products are boisterously bought and sold - you can get some real bargains there as souvenirs. Next, visit Shwezigon Pagoda reported to enshrine Gautama Buddha's relics, Ananda Temple which is home to four Buddha standing statues - each faces one of the four cardinal directions, and Sulamani Temple, a Buddhist edifice rebuilt in 1994 from which Htilominlo Temple was built after. Last but not least, do not forget to discover Bagan's traditional way of making lacquer wares, a part of its fame.

Stay overnight in Bagan.

After breakfast, get on horse cart to explore the most important Buddhist sites in Bagan, starting with Nan Paya Temple, one among three pagodas built from sandstones in Bagan and also one of its largest pagodas; and Myinkaba's Gubyaukgyi Temple, an Indian style pagoda built in 1113 whose exteriors are still in good condition. Next, head to Mya Zedi whose name means 'Jade Pagoda' in Burmese language - from there, two identical pillars were found. After that, visit Manuha Temple, a two-storey rectangular construction containing three sitting Buddha images and a statue of Buddha accessing Nirvana. Highlight of today tour is the breathtaking sunset view at Shwesandaw Pagoda, the second tallest Buddhist construction in Bagan.

Overnight in Bagan.

In the morning, take one hour drive from Bagan to Mt. Popa, an inactive volcano of 1518 meters high whose name derives from a Sanskrit word meaning 'flower'. Join with the pilgrims ascending the mountain through 777 stair steps, admiring the statues along the way and get some contacts with the monkey living there. When you are at the top of Mt. Popa, catch sight of the whole area around, including the Ayeyarwaddy River, surrounding villages, temples and shrines.

Afterward, descend and return to Bagan. There, enjoy a cruise on Ayeyarwaddy River - the source of Myanmar life with excellent views of local people in their daily lives as well as the archeological sites nearby, among the dim sunset lights.

Overnight in Bagan.

After having breakfast, you will be transferred to Nyaung U Airport for a domestic flight to Mandalay, the last capital of the Myanmar Kingdom before the 1885 Britain's annexation and also the heart of Burmese culture. Upon arrival, drive to Amarapura, the best place to experience the monk life in Mandalay and access its famous Mahagandayon Monastery - one of the largest monasteries in Burma. Visit U Bein Bridge - the world's most extended teak bridge. Head to local gold leaf beating workshop and Mahamuni Buddha Temple to see Mahamuni Image - a bronze Buddha statue originally from Rakhine State. Being made during the Buddha's own lifetime, the image is considered a representation his life.

After noon leave the city and head to Sagaing, an important religious center of Myanmar thanks to its numerous Buddhist monasteries. There, access U Min Thonze Cave Temple with its impressive Buddha statues and Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, Sagaing's central pagoda located at the top Pagaing Hill, offering you the enjoyment of seeing Mandalay's panoramic view.

Stay overnight in Mandalay.

In the morning, head to Mandalay port and get off a private boat to Mingun. Following the river upstream, you are about to visit the gigantic 90 ton Mingun Bell as well as the giant yet unfinished Pahtodawgyi Pagoda.

In the afternoon, come to Mandalay Palace - the last Burmese kingship's last royal construction, Shwenandaw Monastery - literally means Golden Palace Monastery, famous for its delicate teak carvings, and Kuthodaw Pagoda - formerly Mahalawka Marazein, containing the world's biggest book. Lastly, head to the top of the 236 meter high Mandalay Hill which gives Mandalay its name and enjoy the city's miraculous sunset view there.

Stay overnight at your hotel in Mandalay.

This morning you will take a short flight to the Heho Airport. Then drive to visit the amazing Pindaya Caves system which houses over 8,000 gold-covered Buddha statues in different sizes and made of different materials such as teak, marble, and alabaster. After that, drive to visit Kalaw. Check in hotel and spend times exploring this beautiful hill town surrounded by lush green mountains as you wish.

After having breakfast at your hotel, let join in a short trekking visit hill tribe villages in Kalaw.

In the afternoon, drive to Inle Lake, Myanmar's second largest lake and also the habitat of the extraordinary one leg rower Intha people. While you are on the boat ride to your Inle resort, relax yourself and enjoy the dreamy setting there.

Take a visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda which is known for five small gold Buddha images and also is believed the holiest in Inle. Next, stop at Nga Phe Kyaung which is much known as 'Jumping Cat Monastery' with its cats taught to jump through hoops and expressive Buddha images of different styles.

Overnight in Inle.

In the morning, join in five day market, a characterized event of Shan State hold in different villages surrounding the lake. Definitely, it is much enjoyable to observe the local tribes in colorful clothes as well as join in the exotic market atmosphere. Next, sail across a small canal for about 40 minutes to reach Indein village located at the lake's western bank. As you arrive, walk along the corridor and follow a covered stairway leading up to see the ancient stupas as well as its surrounding settings - which is quite worthy, bringing you a tranquil and nostalgic feeling. Traveling further to Nam Pan village, you will have a sense of the traditional Intha life by visiting cigar making houses and cotton, lotus weaving factories.

Finish the day by enjoying the setting sun on the lake, a pleasant experience. Stay overnight in Inle.

Say farewell to Inle Lake and take a flight to comeback to Yangon. Free at leisure until take your departure flight. End of tour services.

Hopefully our name pops up when you plan future Myanmar journey.