Arrival in Yangon and Sightseeing

Yangon (Rangoon) - Upon arrival at the airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our guide, who will be holding a placard with your name on it.

Yangon City Hall - Transfer to the Yangon Heritage Trust’s downtown office, where a specially-trained guide will provide a briefing on the progress and challenges of preserving the city’s historic buildings. Following this, embark on a 2.5-hour walking tour through central Yangon, starting at the Yangon Heritage Trust Office on Lower Pansodan Road. Highlights include City Hall, the High Court, and the former Burma Railways Company – one of Yangon’s oldest administrative buildings.

Shwedagon Pagoda - Continue to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, local legend suggests the original structure was built 2500 years ago and has been renovated several times, taking its current form in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa stands 99 meters tall, gilded with gold leaf, and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. Your guide will show you around the vast complex, explaining why this temple is so revered. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point.

Yangon - Golden Rock Pagoda

Taukkyan War Cemetery - On the way to Golden Rock, stop to visit the Htaukkyant War Cemetery.

Kyaiktiyo - Arrive at the pilgrim village, the starting point to the famous Golden Rock. From the hotel in Kyaikhtiyo, take a truck and then enjoy a trek to Golden Rock, which takes about 1 hour uphill to enjoy the sunset at the Golden Rock. The famous ‘Golden Rock’ is a sacred, massive gold-leafed boulder delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff near the top of Mt. Kyaikhtiyo and is one of the most revered Buddhist shrines.

Golden Rock - Bago - Yangon

Bago - Bago, located only 80 km away, was an ancient capital of the Mon Kingdom in the 15th century. Enjoy sightseeing in Bago, including Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha (55 meters long), Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Myo Ma Local Market, the 28-meter high huge Buddha Image of Kyaikpun Pagoda, and the Chinese Kwanyin Temple. If interested, visit the Kanbawzathardi Palace of King Bayinnaung.

Yangon - Fly to Bagan - Sightseeing

Bagan - Bagan is an ancient city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar.

Htilominlo Pahto - Htilominlo Pagoda is one of the largest temples in Bagan, noted for its fine plaster carvings.

Shwezigon Paya - Shwezigon Pagoda, where the Frontlet Relic of Buddha is enshrined.

Gubyaukgyi Temple - Gubyaukgyi Temple is renowned for its wall paintings.

Dhammayangyi Temple - Dhammayangyi Pagoda extends approximately 255 feet on each of its four sides.

Thatbyinnyu Temple - Thatbyinnyu Pagoda is Bagan’s tallest temple, standing almost 217 feet tall.

Shwesandaw Pagoda - In the late afternoon, enjoy the breathtaking sunset from Shwesandaw Pagoda, the most popular sunset-viewing spot in Bagan.

Bagan - Mount Popa Excursion

Mount Popa - Mt Popa is an extinct volcano standing 1518 meters high. It has played an important role in Myanmar culture, religion, and history since ancient times. Its shrine is dedicated to the worship of the 37 Nats, the Burmese ancient animist spirits. (Climbing is optional!)

Bagan - Fly to Mandalay - Amarapura Sightseeing

Mandalay - Mandalay is Myanmar’s cultural capital. The city’s focal point is an abrupt hill, rising above a vast moated and walled square.

Mahamuni Pagoda - Mahamuni Pagoda features a 13ft-high seated Buddha image, one of Myanmar’s most famous.

Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World’s Largest Book - Kuthodaw Pagoda, with its 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures, has earned the title ‘World’s Biggest Book’.

Shwenandaw Monastery - Shwenandaw Monastery is the only remaining building from the 19th-century Royal Palace. This grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving.

Mandalay Hill - Head to the top of Mandalay Hill to enjoy magnificent views of the city and the Irrawaddy River.

Amarapura - Drive to Amarapura, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’. First, visit a silk weaving workshop that produces exquisite handmade products, then visit Mahagandayon Monastery, home to over one thousand monks.

U Bein Bridge - U Bein Bridge is the world’s longest and 200-year-old teak bridge. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams.

Mandalay - Sagaing - Inwa

Sagaing - Visit Sagaing, once a 4th-century capital city. Sagaing lies 21 km southwest of Mandalay, beside the Ayeyarwaddy River. The Sagaing Hills are dotted with pagodas, and there are over 500 monasteries, a retreat for some 6000 monks and nuns. The city remains a nexus of reverence and devoutness, rather than political power.

Inwa Bridge - Inwa (Ava): In-wa, situated 20 km (1 hr drive) southwest of Mandalay, was founded as the nucleus of the Myanmar empire in 1364 after the fall of Bagan to the Mongol army of Kublai Khan. It remained the seat of Myanmar kings for almost four centuries. Its original walled boundary was not geometric but shaped like a seated lion, similar to those that guard the entrances of many pagodas. Only a small part of this wall remains, the gated section where the ceremonial hair washing of the king took place. The original name of In-Wa, Yadanarpura, meant City of Precious Gems.

Mandalay - Fly to Heho - Inle Lake Sightseeing

Inle Lake - Drive to Inle Lake and enjoy a full-day boat ride. Begin sightseeing with a visit to the Phaungdawoo Pagoda, which houses five small Buddha images. The temple is also home to an annual festival, usually held in October, which is the biggest occasion at Inle Lake.

Inle Lake - Indein Sightseeing

Indein Village - From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to Indein, populated by ethnic Padaung (“long neck women”). Walk along a covered alley lined on both sides with a thousand pagodas. Continue on foot by a long covered staircase to discover the magnificent complex of Alaung Sithu, set in beautiful scenery of ancient stupas buried in vegetation with a panoramic view of the lake.

Inle Lake - This afternoon is at leisure at the hotel.

Heho - Yangon Departure

Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda - Visit Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, famous for its huge image of a reclining Buddha, built in 1966 to replace the old image built in 1907. You will also have the option to visit Kandawgyi Lake and surrounding areas, which offer numerous photo opportunities.

Yangoods Bogyoke Market - Go shopping at the Bogyoke Market (formerly “Scott Market”), where you can find a wide range of Myanmar handicrafts, jewelry, fabrics, and lacquerware. Time permitting, your guide will take you to the famous MK Gems shop, where high-quality gems are displayed in eight different decorated showrooms.

Yangon (Rangoon) - Transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight.

• Entrance fees for all listed sites
• Expert English-speaking guide (other languages on request)
• Exclusive Inle Lake private boat tour
• Traditional Inwa boat and horse cart experiences
• Meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Comfortable accommodation with daily breakfast
• Climate-controlled transport
• Open Truck Fees for Golden Rock Pagoda

• Visa Letter / Visa stamp fee
• Domestic Flight from Yangon – Bagan, Bagan-Mandalay, Mandalay- Heho and Heho-Yangon
• Sagaing Hill Truck Fee, Sedan Chair at Golden Rock pagoda & Mandalay Hill Truck Fee
• Drinks, other meals, TIP and personal expenses
• Any services not mentioned in the program

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.