Highlights
- Discover daily happenings and Buddhist culture at Shwedagon Pagoda
- Explore hidden corners of Bagan and Inle Lake with a local guide
- Learn to cook traditional Myanmar food in Bagan
- Meet with an astrologer for fortune-telling in Yangon
- Dine on traditional Inthar dishes in a family home on Inle Lake
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Yangon Arrival | Yangon |
| Day 2 | Yangon's Highlights and hidden places | Yangon |
| Day 3 | Fly to Bagan; Explore Ancient Temples | Bagan |
| Day 4 | Bagan: Cooking Class & Free Afternoon | Bagan |
| Day 5 | Fly to Heho, Drive to Pindaya & Nyaung Shwe (Inle Lake) | Nyaung Shwe |
| Day 6 | Inle lake: Full day by boat | Nyaung Shwe |
| Day 7 | Fly to Yangon; International Departure |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Yangon Arrival
Welcome to Myanmar! After clearing customs at Yangon International Airport, your guide will be waiting to greet you. Transfer into town (30-50 minutes depending on traffic) and check in to your hotel.
Day 2: Yangon's Highlights & Hidden Places
Set off for a full day exploring the former capital of Yangon with an expert local guide. You'll start at Myanmar’s most holy site: Shwedagon Pagoda. A tour of this Buddhist site is a great way to start your visit.
After lunch, discover the diversity of downtown with its colonial buildings, leafy side streets, and busy street markets: you'll learn about the fascinating history of the city and get a taste for its modern side, as well. During the afternoon, pop into a tea shop to interact with locals while sipping a cup of tea and sampling regional snacks. If you feel like it, board Yangon's Circular Train, a slow-moving commuter train that takes you through urban neighborhoods and showcases scenes of daily life.
Day 3: Fly to Bagan - Explore Ancient Temples
Wake up early and transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, your local guide will be waiting to greet you. Spend a full day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring more than 2,000 temples and religious monuments. The day's visits can be done by car or electric bike, according to your personal interests.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Bagan - Cooking Class & Free Afternoon
Start the morning with a cooking class with a local. You'll drive to New Bagan market to meet with her, and together, you'll shop for ingredients for lunch. Then it's a short walk to her family home, giving you a chance to see what life is like beyond Bagan's temple-filled plains. Spend the morning cooking and chatting, learning about the local culture and culinary secrets of Myanmar.
After lunch, return to the hotel for a swim or a nap. The rest of the day is free at your leisure to explore on your own or relax.
Day 5: Fly to Heho, Drive to Pindaya & Inle Lake
Say farewell to Bagan this morning as you board a domestic flight to Heho. You'll fly east to the Shan Hills, one of the most scenic parts of Myanmar. With your guide, take a scenic drive to Pindaya, a small town inhabited by the Danu people. The drive takes you past farmland and fields, with plenty of great opportunities for photos. Once reaching town, visit a local workshop where locals make incredible handmade umbrellas and paper, then explore Pindaya's famous caves. These limestone caverns are filled with thousands of Buddha statues.
After lunch, continue on to Nyaung Shwe, the town on the edge of Inle Lake, and check in to your hotel. The evening is free to relax or explore.
Day 6: Inle Lake - Full day by boat
Take a short walk to the Nyaung Shwe jetty, where you'll board a wooden motorboat for a full day excursion on Inle Lake. You'll see villages built on stilts and floating gardens, getting a chance to learn about the life and culture of the lake’s residents. Stop into workshops to see people making incredible hand-woven silks and fabrics with the fibers of the lotus flower, visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, or go ashore for a walk through a farming village.
Day 7: Fly to Yangon; International Departure
After breakfast, your driver will transport you to Heho Airport. Fly to Yangon to catch your international flight out of Myanmar. Safe travels!
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