Delectable Myanmar Cuisine

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by us and then be transfer to the hotel for check-in (early check in depends on room availability and costs an extra fee). After that, head to the city center, catch sight of city hall, colonial buildings, take photos at Sule Pagoda for a while and wander around Maha Bandula Park. That is how our walking tour starts.

At lunch time, access a popular tea shop to discover Myanmar's tea tradition. Because of British influence, the Burmese has drunk strong tea with sugar and condensed milk for over a century. Still, they also drink green tea to get rid of the sweet flavor. Plus, you can also enjoy typical Burmese snacks and noodles such as: Mohinga (rice vermicelli with fish sauce), Shwe Htamin (Golden sticky rice), Mont Leit Pyar (bean and jiggery wonton-like), Mont Pyar Tha Let (rice pancake), and Ohn No Kauk Swe (chicken soup served on noodles).

After lunch, we will take you to Mawtin Jetty to see the hustle activities at the sides of Yangon River and visit a market which sells sweets, fruits, and snacks daily. Next, move to another market at China Town for Chinese as well as Burmese specialties such as fresh tofu, spices or seafood. Then, come to the 19th Street nearby which is famous for local beer. Also, at this street you can find Myanmar BBQ, snacks and salads.

Overnight in Yangon.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Yangon Airport for the domestic flight to Nyaung U and then be driven to Bagan, the land of thousands pagodas and Myanmar's most important archaeological sites. There, explore Bagan's remarkable pagodas: Shwezigon Pagoda, Wetkyi-in's Gubyaukgyi, and Htilominlo Temple. Next, savor lunch at La Min Thit Burmese Restaurant, a great place where various delicious Burmese are served, especially curries.

In the afternoon, visit the Ananda complex. The temple itself is home to four Buddha standing statues; each faces one of the four cardinal directions. Within the complex is Ananda Okkyaung, one of the rare red brick monasteries still remained nowadays. After that, head to Thatbyinnyu Temple, Bagan's highest pagoda whose name means 'omniscience', including two storeys and four corridors. Take a horse cart ride passing through Taungbi Village to visit Sulamani Temple, a Buddhist edifice rebuilt in 1994 from which Htilominlo Temple was modeled after and Dhammayangyi Temple - Bagan's largest consisting of two parallel corridors and two vestibules. Around sunset, contemplate the marvelous settings at Pyathatgyi Temple, a double-cave construction.

Stay overnight at hotel in Bagan.

After breakfast at the hotel, our guide will take you to the colorful Nyaung U Market and show you several kinds of herbs and vegetables used in cooking. After that, drop by a workshop manufacturing Pone Yay Gyi (black soybean paste) - Bagan is an important producer of this condiment. It can be mixed with sliced onions, beaten dry shrimp, salt, peanut oil, and may be some sliced chili to create a salad dish. At the workshop, you can learn how to transform raw soya beans into Pone Yay Gyi step by step. Next, come to another workshop to see another famous Bagan dish - Pe Chaung snack - is made from green beans.

Around lunch time, head to a family-owned palmyra garden out of the town, a good occasion for you to witness the daily routine of palm climber. Also, see how toddy is made, from fruit collecting to wine fermenting. Coming there from August to February, you will see other plants in the garden: beans, peanuts, cottons. Savor a delicious lunch prepared by the family.

In the afternoon, we will head back to Bagan, access a lacquer ware house and observe skilled artisans draw decorative patterns. Next, you will be driven to Ayeyarwaddy River and enjoy a boat ride sailing down the river, catching sight of antiquated temples and peaceful villages in the magnificent sunset.

Stay overnight in Bagan.

After having breakfast, you will be transferred to Nyaung U Airport for a flight to Mandalay, the cultural capital of Myanmar.

Our Mandalay sightseeing tour starts with Mahamuni Buddha Temple, the home for the gigantic gold-gilded Mahamuni statue. Next, come to traditional workshops creating marble, gold leaf, and Kalaga tapestry. Then, spend some time to discover Laphet Thoke, a kind of salad mainly made from fermented tea leaves, adding beans, sesames and peanuts. Another variation of Laphet Thoke is A Phoe Gyi Thoke, made by adding dried shrimp, green chili, garlic, sliced tomatoes and cabbages.

At lunch, stop at a popular teahouse of Myanmar named Min Thiha. There, two popular Mandalay dishes are served: Mandalay Monte and Khotaung Monte. Apart from enjoying lunch, you can also socialize with locals or do business.

In the afternoon, access Kuthodaw Pagoda which holds the world's biggest book and 729 slabs of marble carved with Buddhist scriptures and Shwenandaw Monastery which is renowned for its delicate teak carvings. Enjoy sunset at Mandalay Hill.

Spend the evening as your wish and stay overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, leave Myanmar for a flight to Heho. Upon arrival, you will be driven to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake.

Firstly, stop at a morning market to see inhabitants of Inle Lake and nearby exchange their products. Next, take a cyclo drive to the canal where boats carrying vegetables gather for distribution around the country. Also, the cyclo takes you through peaceful streets, nunneries and monasteries. Drop by 'tomato house' where tomatoes are graded and priced, and stop for taking photos. Then, head to the port and get on the private motorboat taking you to Inle Lake.

This fresh water lake is one of the most renowned destinations in Myanmar and also the habitat of the extraordinary one leg rower Intha people. Make your first Inle stop at a tomato garden, the main product of Inle grown in floating gardens. Check out on-water planting techniques, socialize with local farmers and see their life. At Thalay Village, prepare and enjoy lunch with local delights like Inle-style Tomato Salad at a traditional Intha house.

In the afternoon, access Phaungdawoo Pagoda, one of the principal shrines in Myanmar, presenting the most extraordinary Buddha images. Plus, drop by the silk weaving village Inn Paw Khon and a cheroot making workshop (a kind of Burmese cigars) to discover local crafts.

Stay overnight at hotel in Inle.

Have breakfast early before joining in five day market, a typical activity in Shan State which takes place around the lake. Next, sail to the northwest part of Inle to visit Khaung Daing Village which is noted for the traditional Shan Tofu. You will be amazed by the delicious flavor of this dish.

Head to the northeastern coast of the lake and visit Red Mountain Estate Vineyards & Winery. There, taste wines and also observe various kinds of grapes planted in the Red Mountain Estate. Drive back to Nyaung Shwe and enjoy lunch at View Point Restaurant with the best authentic Shan dishes. Shan State is the region possessing the most remarkable cuisine in Myanmar.

In the afternoon, access the 150-year-old Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery and contemplate bizzare windows in oval shape and impressive glass mosaic. Lastly, we will transfer you to Heho Airport for the returning flight to Yangon.

Spend the night sleep at hotel in Yangon.

After breakfast at the hotel, take a cooking lesson delivered by an experienced. He will be your company to a local market and help you choose ingredients to make popular Myanmar dishes. He will teach you the usage of various types of spices and vegetables. Head to Monsoon Restaurant and prepare your meal. Enjoy your achievement. Come back to your hotel for rest before joining in our sightseeing tour.

This afternoon, have a bit of a rest at your hotel and then continue with a visit to Chaukhtatgyi Temple which holds the biggest reclining Buddha statue in Southeast Asia. Around sunset, experience the wonderful 99 meter Shwedagon Pagoda, being left breathless with its vivid color and sacred atmosphere. Then, head to Kandawgyi Park to enjoy fresh air and splendid settings of Karaweik Palace, Shwedagon Pagoda and the surrounding areas.

Stay overnight in Yangon

Freely rest or explore the city on your own before taking the departure flight at Yangon International Airport.