10 Days in Myanmar - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Myanmar 

This wide-ranging tour of Myanmar's highlights has something for everyone: a hot air balloon adventure, a river cruise, trekking to caves, and visiting temples in the capital city.

You'll arrive in Yangon, the country's largest city, on day one. Spend the first evening and the following day exploring the city's colonial center and colorful pagodas, catching the sunset from the viewpoint at Shwedagon Pagoda. On day three, catch a flight to Bagan and hop on a boat to cruise along the Irrawaddy River. The following day, wake up early to take a hot air balloon ride over the temples of Bagan. The rest of the day is devoted to visiting Bagan's temples and villages.

On the second part of the trip, you'll travel to Mandalay. Tour Shwenandaw Kyaung monastery, the only remaining building of the city's Royal Palace, then go to Mahamuni Pagoda to see the magnificent Buddha statue covered in layers of gold leaf. You'll see the sun go down over U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge. On day six, day-trip to Sagaing and Ava to see hundreds of sacred religious sites. Continue the trip with a flight to Heho and a scenic drive to see the glittering Buddha statues in the region's caves. From there, you'll go to Inle Lake and finish up the trip with a boat trip around the lake's floating gardens and villages built on stilts. Fly back to Yangon to make your connection home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Magical Myanmar Cultural Tour

Discover the splendor of Myanmar on this itinerary focused on cultural sightseeing: highlights include a cooking class, biking in the countryside, lunch at a nunnery, and in-depth visits to ancient temples.

Arrive in Mandalay, where the trip begins. After sightseeing and resting on the first afternoon and evening, you'll head into the countryside on day two for a bike tour, a visit to a Buddhist nunnery, and a simple lunch prepared by the nuns. On the trip back to the city, stop to see Kuthodaw Pagoda and Shwenandaw Kyaung, the last remaining building of the Royal Palace. The next day, board a private boat for the trip across the Irrawaddy River to Mingun. There, you'll visit the Hsnibyume Pagoda and the world's largest uncracked ringing bell. Catch the sunset over famous U Bein Bridge, the world's longest teak bridge.

Kick off the second week of the trip in Bagan, where you'll visit temples, take a cooking class, and cruise down the Irrawaddy River at sunset. Jet off to Yangon on day seven, where you'll be based for the rest of the itinerary. Visit the major sites with a knowledgeable guide, including colonial landmarks, busy street markets, Sule Pagoda, quiet lakes, and the 'Circular Train,' which allows you to visit many of the city's neighborhoods. You'll spend the last full day of the trip touring Shwedagon Pagoda—Myanmar's holiest site—and have one last night on the town before flying out the next day. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Explore Myanmar: Yangon, Bagan & Ngapali 

There's no need to choose between the big city and the quiet coast: on this diverse trip plan, you'll visit both, stopping to tour historic temples in Yangon and Bagan, then relaxing on a secluded beach while staying in a nature lodge.

The journey begins in Yangon. Spend a day or two exploring Myanmar's largest city before moving onto Bagan, where you'll have the chance to see an aerial view of the region's temples from the vantage point of a hot air balloon. Then tour the temples, visit New Bagan Market to shop for food, take a cooking class with a local chef, and cruise down the Irrawaddy River at sunset, cold cocktail in hand. On day five, catch a flight from Bagan to Thandwe. From there, the drive to Arakan Nature Lodge takes about three hours: you'll arrive in time to enjoy some free time on the beach before the sun goes down.

Spend the next few days relaxing at Arakan Nature Lodge. Activities include kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, or just relaxing in a hammock. Then, on day eight, move onto Ngapali Beach, considered one of the region's most beautiful stretches of coastline. Rent a bicycle to explore the area or soak up some sun on the white sand. You'll have another full day—the last full day of the itinerary—to try snorkeling, visit a local marketplace, and just enjoy the laidback beach atmosphere. Don't miss sunset: it'll be your last in Myanmar before you catch a flight out the next day. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Best of Yangon, Bagan, Inle & Loikaw

Escape the crowds on this adventure through Myanmar that takes you to native villages and to the floating islands of Inle Lake, where you'll see traditional fishermen and craftsmen at work.

Touch down in Yangon. You'll spend a day or two getting to know Myanmar's largest city, including a visit to sacred Shwedagon Pagoda, before flying to Bagan on day three. Take an early morning hot air balloon ride over the region's famous temples before joining a guide for a day of touring the area's villages and archaeological sites on a bicycle. Detour to Salay to see the 12th-century Yoke Saung Kyaung teak monastery, then fly to Heho early on day five to begin the second part of the journey.

Visit Pindaya's world-renowned caves, noted for the hundreds of Buddha statues you'll see inside. Overnight in Nyaung Shwe before the following day's excursion by boat on Inle Lake. Stop to see Phaung Daw Oo, a sacred pagoda, and the following day, check out Sagar and its stupas submerged in water. You'll spend the end of the trip in and around Loikaw, a region that has long been off the tourist circuit, where you'll have the chance to meet local people in the villages of Pan Phet. Fly back to Yangon on day nine. You'll have one last day in the city before catching a flight out of Myanmar. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Myanmar & Thailand Adventure

Divide your time between Myanmar and Thailand on this multicultural adventure that takes you to hot springs, temples, pagodas, lakes, rivers, and more.  

Start in Yangon. You'll hit the ground running on day one with visits to Kyauktatgyi Pagoda and Shwedagon Pagoda. The next day, catch a flight to Bagan. View the region's temples from an elevated vantage point before touring Ananda Temple and taking a cruise down the Irrawaddy River. On day three, you'll visit Shwezigon Pagoda and walk around Old Bagan. Fly to Heho and transfer to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake, on day five. You'll board another boat in the evening for a sunset cruise on the lake, which is dotted with floating gardens and houses built on stilts.

Back-track to Yangon on day six. Squeeze in a visit to Bogyoke Market, better known as “Scott Market,” to stroll around and do some shopping, before catching an international flight to Thailand. You'll be based in Krabi for the remainder of the trip, a great jumping-off point for visiting beautiful beaches, hot springs, and cultural sights. Day-trip to Emerald Lagoon for a rainforest walk and a dip in crystal waters, then visit Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua), one of the most beautiful temples in Krabi. Kayak around Hong Island and its surrounding rock formations, then take a free day in Krabi to relax, shop, sightsee, or hit the beach again. On day ten, you'll take a flight home. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Myanmar Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Myanmar trip? Check out these other 10-day Myanmar itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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