Fabulous Burma Exploration – 9 Days/8 Nights

General Information

Duration: 9 days/8 nights
Tour Routine: Yangon – Golden Rock – Bago – Inle Lake – Bagan – Mt. Popa –Yangon
Intended Travel Date: No Fixed Departure, Anytime You Wish
Start/End: Yangon/Yangon
Tour Style: Landscape, In-depth Cultural
Guides: Myanmar Local Guide (English Speaking Guide, Other Languages upon Request)
Transportation: Private First-class Air-conditioned Vehicles

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Yangon Arrival
Day 2: Yangon – Golden Rock
Day 3: Golden Rock – Bago – Yangon (B)
Day 4: Yangon – Heho – Inle Lake (B)
Day 5: Inle Lake – Kalaw (B)
Day 6: Inle Lake – Red Mountain (B)
Day 7: Inle Lake – Bagan (B)
Day 8: Bagan – Mt. Popa (B)
Day 9: Bagan – Yangon Departure (B)

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Yangon Arrival

Mingalaba! Welcome to Myanmar!
Meet and greet your local guide at the airport and then transfer to the hotel for check-in. Today is free for you to relax and meals are on your own.

Day 2: Yangon – Golden Rock

Today, meet our local guide at the hotel and start the day with a scenic drive to reach Golden Rock for 5 hours. Arrive at Golden Rock base camp, move to the transit conjunction to embark on an open truck and transfer to the Pagoda. Contemplate the fantastic view of the Golden Rock as you reach the top of the mountain. Listen to your guide about the legend of the sacred pagoda.

Day 3: Golden Rock – Bago – Yangon (B)

This morning, be an early bird to capture the sunrise time around the hill. Stroll through the area near your hotel to gaze out at the tranquil beauty in the morning before the driver transfers you to the base camp to drive back to Yangon. En route, visit Bago – the former capital of Mon Kingdom. Take this chance to visit Shwemawdaw pagoda – the tallest pagoda in Myanmar dating back a thousand years ago.

Visit Kanbawzathardi Palace – one of the most impressive royal palaces in Myanmar built in the second half of the 16th century. From here, move to Shwethalyaung Pagoda to marvel at one of the largest Buddha images in Burma and Kyaik Pun pagoda which is known for its four towering images of the Buddha visible from far away. Then continue your trip to Yangon, get a glimspe at the local market and a Mon neighborhood where the locals once produced woven textiles. Finally, drive back to Yangon and stop for a short visit at Allied War Memorial Cemetery.

Day 4: Yangon – Heho – Inle Lake (B)

After breakfast, say goodbye to Yangon and take a domestic flight to Heho, the gateway to Inle Lake. On arrival, drive to Nyaungshwe where you will embark on a boat trip to discover the picturesque Inle Lake. Pass through the imposing mountains, stilt houses, and scenic floating gardens to reach Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery to observe the collection of carving and Buddha images.
Then along your boat trip, you will have a great opportunity to stop at a floating island and meet the Intha people to learn about their unique farming on the water. Stop at Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, considered the lake’s main haven – well-known for 5 images of Buddha decorated in gold leaf. Later on, gaze out at Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery – a beautiful wooden monastery built on 635 stilts and then return to your hotel in Nyaung Shwe.

Day 5: Inle Lake – Kalaw (B)

This morning, travel by road to Kalaw – a poetic hilltown surrounded by stunning farmland and pine forests. Be mesmerized by the majestic scenery along your way before you reach the town. Previously, Kalaw is known as a British Hill station with pleasant temperatures all year round. Follow your tour guide and wander around the antique town to observe the life of people. Indulge in the lively market and see the daily trading of the people and enjoy some authentic local food.

Day 6: Inle Lake – Red Mountain (B)

Spend the whole morning of today to explore the lake’s shore. Gaze out at the local market where you will hear vibrant sounds of buyers bargaining in front of the vendors and stalls and see colorful attires of the tribes gather to sell their products. Continue moving to the eastern shore of the lake to visit the villages of the Pa-Oh and Inthar people. Along your way, you might have a chance to see Buddhist nuns and monks return from their morning alms. Your guide also leads your way to walk to the meditation center in the mountain.

Highlight your afternoon sightseeing with a visit to the Red Mountain – home to the first Myanmar vineyards and wine factory. Take this opportunity to learn about the process of growing grapes in the hill and taste the wines at sunset. Overnight in Inle Lake.

Day 7: Inle Lake – Bagan (B)

Leave Inle Lake this morning to take a domestic flight to Bagan – the dreamland of magnificent temples. Welcome by Bagan local guide at the airport then transfer directly to Nyaung Oo Market – the largest local market in the Bagan to get a glimpse at the daily life and trade.

After that, enjoy a full day temple trip to unlock the hidden beauty of Bagan. Discover the art and architecture masterpiece that remained for centuries across the plain. Visit Shwezigon Pagoda where is known to be built to enshrine one of the four replicas of the Buddha’s relic. Then captivate the allure of Ananda Pagoda – the most beautiful Pagoda in Bagan built in Mon and Indian style. You will also visit That Byin Nyu Temple – an ancient temple dating back to the 12th century, Dhammayan Gyi Temple – the largest temple in Bagan constructed by King Narathu, and Gubyauk Gyi Pagoda a superb temple built by sandstone. Fulfill your Bagan temple tour with a drive to the sunset hill where you can catch the fantastic sunset over magnificent temples.

Day 8: Bagan – Mt. Popa Yangon  (B)

An amazing day for you to take a day trip from Bagan to the spectacular Mt Popa – an iconic extinct volcano where you will have a chance to challenge yourself to climb 777 steps to reach the top of the mountain and learn about 37 Nats of Burmese (natural spirits) in Taungkalat Monastery. En route, stop for a short trip to the ancient village of Salay. Learn more about the life of monks in the monastery, Buddhism and the unique architecture featured in the monastery. Don’t miss this chance to visit the oldest wooden hall in the region – Salay Yoke SoneKyaung Monastery.
After that, drive toward the east to reach Mt Popa to capture crazy statues and monkeys along the passage. Enjoy the view.

Day 9: Bagan – Yangon Departure (B)

After breakfast at your hotel this morning, your driver will come to pick you up and transfer to the airport for a flight back to Yangon, from there you will take your departure flight to your home. Thank you for making your trip to Burma from India.