This 10-day itinerary showcases Myanmar’s complex history, touring important and iconic sites such as the temples and stupas of Bagan, the colonial buildings of Yangon, and the stilt-house villages of Inle Lake. You’ll gain insight into the tapestry of ethnic cultures that form modern-day Myanmar and see some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery.

We can create a custom Myanmar Tour Package entirely from scratch based on your available time, interests, budget and preferred pace.

DAY 1

Begins in the capital, Yangon, you’ll enjoy a tour of the city’s grand colonial architecture via “Elephant Coach” - a restored antique Chevrolet bus. These Elephant Coaches are unique to Yangon and feature teak interiors decked out with Shan textiles and elaborate woodwork. You’ll stop at Bogyoke Aung Sun markets today where you’ll find local tea, silk, and rattan products, and in the afternoon enjoy sunset over Shwedagon Pagoda’s beautiful golden spires.

DAY 2

Enjoy more of Yangon’s fascinating cultural heritage today with a tour of its contemporary art galleries. On this tour, you’ll visit the studio of one of Myanmar’s emerging artists, with the possibility of chatting. In the evening, set sail on a relaxing sunset cruise on the Yangon River, enjoying stunning views as the sun sinks beneath the horizon..

DAY 3

You’ll travel to the old capital of Bagan today, with its countless gold spires rising above the tree line. Bagan has an intriguing history, and here you’ll see it unravelled in its architecture - sites such as Ananda Temple, Shwezigon Pagoda, and the Minnanthu village temples. Ananda Temple was built nearly a thousand years ago and features a spectacular gold spire and four standing Buddha statues. Shwezigon Pagoda was constructed for Theravada Buddhism, with its immense circular gold-leafed stupa, one of Bagan’s most compelling and iconic sights.

DAY 4

Get up early today for a sunrise hot-air balloon ride, available in peak season from October to April. This unforgettable experience allows you to appreciate the true extent of Bagan’s beauty, its thousands of temples and its serene countryside. Today you’ll also climb the 777 stairs to the top of volcanic Mt. Popa, where you’ll discover monasteries, shrines and gold stupas at its peak. For dinner, take a private cruise on the Irrawaddy, glimpsing village life on the riverbanks.

DAY 5

Today you’ll travel to Mandalay to explore the city’s historic highlights. Start with the Mahamuni Paya and see the famed Buddha, covered in gold leaf by pilgrims every day. You can also visit the beautiful Shwenandaw Kyaung teak monastery, built entirely of teak wood and featuring intricately-carved depictions of the life of the Buddha. Enjoy lunch at a casual local Mandalay restaurant and settle into a hotel by the Red Canal.

DAY 6

Start your day with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda, one of Mandalay’s most striking locations. This 19th-century complex is home to the “world’s largest book”, comprising 729 white marble tablets engraved with Buddhist scriptures. The tablets are arranged in groups, each crowned by a white stupa, making for a remarkable sight. Today you can also stroll across U Bein’s Bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge at three-quarters of a mile long.

DAY 7

Travel to the peaceful Inle Lake today - another must-see location in Myanmar. This is the site of floating farms and stilt-house villages where more than 70,000 people of different ethnicities call home. Get a feel for river life with a visit to the floating markets, then enjoy a unique Myanmar experience - a visit to a local vineyard. Here, you can enjoy a picnic and wine-tasting surrounded by beautiful countryside. Next up, you’ll visit the village of Indain on the west side of the lake, where you’ll see the crumbling remnants of 12th-century stupas, some overgrown with vines, others containing Buddha statues.

DAY 8

You’ll begin your day with a hike to the village of Pa-O, where traditional farming methods are still used to cultivate tobacco and mustard. In Pa-O, you can visit the local markets to observe village life and find out from the locals what it’s like to live so remotely. Today you’ll also have the unique opportunity to join a cooking class in an Inthar stilt house, cooking - and eating - authentic Myanmar dishes, and afterwards visit Phaung Daw U Pagoda, located on the lake.  Phaung Daw U Pagoda is one of three main shrines in the country, housing Buddha statues from the 12th century.

DAY 9

Return to Yangon today where you’ll start off with a kickboxing lesson. Different from Muay Thai due to its lack of boxing gloves, the sport dates back to the 15th century. You can find out more about it when you take the kickboxing students at the gym out to lunch. Next, head to Shwe Phone Pint fortune-telling pagoda where more than 30 different vendors ply this ancient trade. Afterwards, head to Ta Yoke Tan - Chinatown - where you can pick up local snacks, fresh fruits and some mementos of your journey before heading back to your hotel for the final night of the trip.