TRULY VACATION IN MYANMAR 12 DAYS

Breakfast at hotel. Today, take a break from normal highlights; you are seeing Yangon's uncommon areas of common life. You will be traveling on a circular train that runs across city's outskirts. Hop on the train at a local station and ride for about 45 minutes. From the window, scene changes from urban arena to humble local houses & serene rural part, as interesting as abundant view of local life on board.

You will get off the train at a station near Insein Market and take a trishaw to your car.

This afternoon visit is highlighting the "real" sights & sounds of Yangon. Your starting point is Bogyoke (Scott's) Market. Here, your individual visit around the lines of shop can easily take an hour. You find various items of souvenir in this market. Then, after 45-mins coffee break at Zawgyi House, take a walking tour in Yangon's busiest area. Late in the afternoons, pavement on both sides of the roads turns into night bazaar with all kinds of street shops - food, accessory, fruit & flower shops, etc. You may also visit the wet market on 38th Street. You can simply walk there (or) as a quick alternative, you can hop on a local bus; get off at the next stop and walk towards the market. These markets are part of Yangon's life, offering nothing for the tourists, all for the locals.

Dinner at Green Elephant Restaurant.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Yangon.

Breakfast at hotel. Today, you will start before dawn, departing hotel around 0530 hrs for domestic flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, we will escort you to your hotel first. After checking-in, take your time to freshen up and rest for a while.

Bagan morning tour starts with Nyaung U Market and continues with visit to significant pagodas and temples. First, you will visit Shwezigon Pagoda built by the great King Anawrahta in 11th century. It serves as a prototype of later Myanmar pagodas. Then, continue to Ananda Temple known for its finest artistic value and is perhaps the most beautiful monuments in Bagan. A brief stop is made for photo at Tharabar Gate.

Enjoy Myanmar Cuisine at River View Restaurant.

This afternoon, we take you to Manuha Temple built by a captive Mon King. Here, one sees a huge sitting Buddha image housed in a relatively small chamber. As gloom and odd one would discern seeing as it is widely said that the captive king explained his despair through this image; it surely serves its purpose. Take a break from the temples and observe intricate steps of crafting Bagan's famous lacquer ware and to stroll in a typical Myanmar farming village. Then, proceed to enjoy the enchanting sunset over Bagan's plain as the conclusion of today's tour.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Bagan.

We suggest 02 options:

Start your morning with a hot-air balloon flight over the plains of Bagan. Enjoy the fabulous views as the sun rises over the stupas and Irrawaddy River. This is truly an unforgettable and unique experience! (Note: available only from October to March).

This afternoon, we take you with horse carts to Myingaba Gubyaukgyi Temple, noted for its mural paintings (under the protection of UNESCO). Continue to Damayasaka Temple, a complex pentagonal shape zedi, a contemporary structure at the time. Afterwards, visit the temples near Minnanthu Village, including Leimyethna, a temple with well-preserved frescoes, Payathonzu Complex (if open), the three interconnected shrines with Tantric mural paintings and Nandamannya Temple with fine frescoes and an unexpectedly erotic mural.

The horse carts will then take you to Bupaya – to enjoy sunset over Ayeyarwaddy River.

Dinner with cultural show at Nanda Restaurant.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Bagan.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, transfer to Nyaung U Airport for domestic flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival at airport, drive directly to Amarapura, a royal capital founded before Mandalay.

Firstly, we take you to Mahagandayon, one of the most prominent monasteries where nearly a thousand monks live and study. It's a chance to observe unique Myanmar monkshood. Then, proceed to U Bein Teak Bridge originally built in 1851. Take a leisurely walk over the bridge and enjoy the panoramic view of Taungthaman Lake and surrounding. If time permits, a brief stop is possible at traditional silk & cotton weaving.

Lunch at Amarapura Restaurant.

This afternoon, visit Maha Myat Muni, the most revered Buddha statue in entire Myanmar. The whole image, except, the face is covered with thick layers of gold foils; a token of the devotees' intense faith to Buddha. Continue to Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung (Golden Palace Monastery), a delicately carved wooden building and Kuthodaw Pagoda (the world's largest book), consisting of 729 marble slabs engraved with Buddhist scriptures. If time permits, you may visit one of the tapestry workshops.

A visit to 230 meter high Mandalay Hill will conclude today's tour. Up on the hill, you find a scenic view of the city, the plains surrounding it, the Shan Mountain, as well as the Ayeyarwaddy River, especially great at sunset.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Mandalay.

We suggest 02 options:

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, you will take a locally-built private boat to Mingun, on the legendary Ayeyarwaddy River. This 1-hour up-river journey will introduce the life along Myanmar's lifeline river, the panorama view, the scenery of local villages and firms on the fertilized shore.

Upon arrival, you will visit the unfinished Mingun Phato, the famous Mingun Bell is famous as the world's largest bell, Mya Thein Dan Zedi with its artistically designed stairways to heaven etc. Return to Mandalay by boat

Lunch at Myanandar Restaurant.

In the late afternoon, take a rickshaw tour for approx. 1 hour. Tour starts from the foot of Mandalay Hill to visit Shwenandaw Monastery, an ancient wooden building with intricate carvings, which was once King Mindon's home. Continue to Kuthodaw Pagoda with Buddhist Scriptures inscribed on marble slabs - also known as the 'world's largest book'. You have the opportunity to enjoy the open-air observation of Mandalay and its people. Mandalay evening is somewhat different from other cities; majority of locals in Mandalay travels on bicycles, especially in the late afternoon.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Mandalay.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, transfer to Tada Oo airport for domestic flight to Heho. Proceed by road to Nyaung Shwe (25 km - 1 hour) – a gateway to Inle Lake, a freshwater lake in the heart of Shan Highlands.

Proceed by boat (approx. 30 mins) to your hotel on the lake. After a brief refreshment stop, start an excursion by boat on Inle Lake admiring the view of famous leg-rowers, typical floating gardens, local methods of fishing and village life. Don't miss it; it's a great photo time.

Further visits are made to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the weaving village of Inpawkhon and Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery.

Tonight, Traditional Shan dinner will be served at your hotel.

We suggest 02 options:

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, visit a local market (on market day only) and then, proceed to Nampan Village and see the small traditional work places producing hand-made goods for local use and trading.

Lunch at Nampan Restaurant.

After lunch, enjoy a boat tour to Inndein Village at the western end of the lake. The boat takes you through a long and narrow waterway with both shores covered by reeds and bamboo forest. This is probably one of the most scenic boat rides on the lake.

Upon arrival, walk past the village and head to the ruined temple complex following a stair path. Alternatively, bullock carts can transport you from the village to mountain top (advance booking required). Return to jetty through nature path and proceed to your hotel by boat.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Inle Lake.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, transfer by boat and by road to Heho Airport for domestic flight to Thandwe ( Ma-Zin airport). If time permits, visit a colorful local market en route (on market day only). Upon arrival at the airport, the representative from your hotel will meet and transfer you to hotel.

Free your time at leisure at the beach, to enjoy sun, sand & sea. Overnight in Ngpali.

We suggest 02 options:

Breakfast at hotel.

Free at leisure at the beach. Overnight in Ngapali.

Breakfast at hotel. Free your time at leisure until proceed to the airport to take domestic flight to Yangon.

You can visit the National Museum (closed on public holidays) - famous for the 8-meter-high Golden Lion Throne and Mandalay Royal Regalia. As a free and easy tour for today, you may opt for taking a stroll at Bogyoke (Scott's) Market with numerous shops (closed on Mondays), or, a brief walking tour at downtown area where various stalls are set on the platform to later turn to the night market.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Yangon.

his morning, take a ride on Yangon’s circular train; a journey which lasts around 30 minutes and takes you through the city’s outskirts. The train also makes a stop at Kyi Myin Daing Market and Insein Township Market, which is one of the city’s best fresh markets. The break will allow you to look around and chat to the friendly vendors, soaking up the atmosphere amid the stalls, investigating the fresh fruits, meat and hand-made produce.

Transfer back to city, free your time at leisure until our guide and driver pick you up and transfer to the airport for departure flight.