Highlights of Myanmar 8 Days

Mingalabar! Welcome to Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city and the last royal capital. In the hour it takes to drive from the airport to your hotel to check-in, you'll get to see how people live in the area and see some beautiful scenery. When you get to your hotel, you'll check in and have some time to rest before your tour the next day.

Both lunch and dinner are on your own. You will stay the night in Mandalay.

After breakfast, at about 8.30 a.m., we will begin our trip to the Mandalay Palace Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, a huge Buddha carved from a single marble block. The next stop is recognized for The World's Biggest Book, which contains Buddhist teachings carved on 729 marble slabs. Then we'll go to Shwenandaw Monastery, which was established in 1880 and has a magnificent woodcarving construction.

In the afternoon, travel to Mahamuni Pagoda to see one of the country's most renowned Buddha statues, which is fully coated in gold leaves that male worshippers apply to the statue every day. There are also numerous handicraft shops in Mandalay, and if you are interested and time permits, we may stop by one that does the gold leaf, tapestries, wood carvings, or marionettes.

Head to Amarapura, Myanmar's last royal capital. Pay to visit Mahagandayon monastery, which is a center for monastic studies and strict religious discipline, as well as a residence for hundreds of monks. After there, you might stroll to U Bein Bridge, the world's oldest and longest teakwood bridge. It was constructed towards the end of the 18th century and spans 1.2 kilometers over Taungthaman Lake. Enjoy the beauty of the late afternoon as the sun creates long shadows and lights the bridge. As the day comes to a close, return to Mandalay.

Lunch and dinner are on your own own. Overnight in Mandalay.

We will say our goodbyes to Mandalay and head to the airport to catch a local aircraft to Bagan. Upon arriving at Bagan, recognized as one of the greatest architectural monuments in Asia, you will be amazed by the plain's over 4000 red brick temples and pagodas.

Discover Bagan's best now! You can not only view the magnificent Bagan temples, but you can also learn about Burmese culture and watch traditional craftspeople at work while enjoying the powerful Irrawaddy River! The sheer quantity of temples and their various styles will astound you from here.

Then, travel to Ananda Temple, one of Bagan's four remaining temples. Continue your tour by visiting more temples distributed across the temple plains to see a diversity of architectural types in the region as well as the creative wonders of the 9th-14th centuries. Traveling around the temples gives you a sense of rural Bagan life in this 'living museum' environment where farmers and families work alongside the monuments.

Return to your hotel in the afternoon to rest.

Lunch and dinner are on your own. Overnight in Bagan.

OPTIONAL: HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE OVER BAGAN - (Only take  part in from October/November to March)

The day will begin with a wonderful hot-air balloon flight over the Bagan countryside. When the sun starts to rise over the Irrawaddy River and various stupas in the area, you will be treated to one-of-a-kind sights. There aren't many other possibilities like this on the planet.

Today, we'll head to Nyaung U Market, where villagers come every day to sell fresh produce and other things. The next visit will be Shwezigon Pagoda, which was built as a religious monument by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century. You will get the opportunity to go to a small village along dusty paths and tree-shaded roads past temples and monasteries. We will go around the village and get a sense of Bagan's native life.

After that, we'll travel on a trip to see Thatbyinnyu, Bagan's tallest temple, and then to the biggest temple, Dhammayangyi Temple, which has amazing brickwork, and Sulamani Temple. Finally, watch the sunset from one of Bagan's top temples and pagodas.

Lunch and dinner are on your own. Overnight in Bagan.

After breakfast, our guide and driver will transport you to Nyaung U Airport for your domestic trip to Heho. When we arrive in Heho, we will take a 1-hour trip to NyaungShwe, the entrance settlement to Inle Lake.

After that, in a private motorboat, we shall view the spectacular and stunning scenery of Inle Lake. You will be able to see the everyday routines of the locals and appreciate the floating villages as well as a bustle into nature with floating gardens as you go downstream along the lake. You will be particularly surprised by one leg-rowing fisherman, one of the most distinctive highlights at Inle Lake.

The next visit is Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, which was formerly famous for "jumping cats". Following that, we will take a boat to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, which has five sacred images of Buddha covered in gold leaf.

If time allows and you like, we may visit numerous traditional crafts originating on Inle Lake, as lotus weaving, boat builders (depending on the time of year), a cigar manufacturing workshop, blacksmiths, or even silversmiths.

Lunch and dinner are on your own. Overnight in Nyaung Shwe.

You can visit the lake's morning market in the morning. It's open every day except for the dark moon and full moon calendar days. In the early morning, all lake residents may sell and purchase fresh produce and other things at the market.

After that, we'll take a 1-hour boat journey to the Pa-Oh Village of Indein, which is situated on the western side of Inle Lake. Walk around the village before you climb up the moss-covered stairs to the top of a hill. When you reach the peak, you will see an iconic Buddha Image enshrined amid hundreds of stupa ruins and dense foliage.

Continue walking for 45 minutes to Sae Ma Village. Along the trip, we'll take in a natural beauty and panoramic views of the region while relaxing in the shade of the bamboo channels. Upon arriving in the village, watch the rural residents' everyday lives.

We will return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Lunch and dinner are on your own. Overnight in Nyaung Shwe.

Enjoy your breakfast at your accommodation before we take you to Heho Airport for a domestic flight to Yangon in 1-1.5 hours. When you arrive in Yangon, our guide and driver will meet you and take you to your hotel for check-in.

We will begin your tour with a visit to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which has a 70-meter-tall reclining Buddha. Then go to Chinatown to take in the vibrant scenery and incense of the beautiful Khen Hock Keong Chinese Temple. You might visit the bustling street stalls and taste various fruits, vegetables, and other things. Before leaving Chinatown, take a walk around and take some photos.

The gleaming royal barge at Kandawgyi Park is the next destination, followed by sunset from Shwedagon Pagoda.

The gleaming royal barge at Kandawgyi Park is the next destination, followed by sunset from Shwedagon Pagoda. A series of stores selling different religious items such as monks robes, alms bowls, and so on can be found beside the eastern entrance. When you visit Shwedagon's main platform, you will be taken aback by the 100-metre gold-covered chedi.

Lunch and dinner are on your own. Overnight in Yangon.

After breakfast, you will have a free day before returning to Yangon Airport for your international departure.