Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your Guide who will accompany you as you transfer to the hotel.

Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is a relatively quiet and charming city. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes it one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia.

Check in to the hotel for a bit of rest before heading out for a food safari through Yangon. Each client will get their own trishaw and local driver. Departing from downtown, we’ll take a short ride through the area and head to Pansuriya Restaurant. This establishment is part restaurant, part art gallery, and part antique store. Have a browse through the wares while your first course of the evening is prepared. Here, you’ll be enjoying your choice of starter. Choose from homemade fish crackers, soups, or a number of traditional Burmese salads, locally known as thoke. Salads here can be made with pretty much anything, but typically consist of thinly sliced vegetables mixed with any number of toppings such as peanuts, sesame, or dried prawns. Mixed with a little lime juice or fish sauce, these delectable treats become a great start to any meal.

From Pansuriya, you’ll take a ride past the former Minister’s Office. Once known as the Secretariat, this beautiful red brick building was built by the British in the late 1800s and takes up an entire city block. Famous as the location where national hero General Aung Sang was assassinated in 1947, the inside of the building has been closed to the public for over 50 years.

Our second stop will be Monsoon Restaurant. One of the most well-known restaurants in Yangon, Monsoon has been serving up delicious South East Asian cuisine for years. Tonight for our main, we’ll be trying a traditional Burmese curry. One of the central dishes in Burmese cuisine, these curries tend to be more savory and less spicy than those in neighboring countries.

Then it’s back on the trishaws and a stop at the Rangoon Tea House. A modern take on the classic corner tea shop, this restaurant is great spot for our final course, dessert.  Choose between local influenced treats such as chai cheesecake or the much more traditional falooda, an interesting smoothie like drink.

After dessert we’ll get back on the trishaws, heading past landmarks like Mahabandoola Park, city hall, and Sule Pagoda, lit up like a beacon in the middle of town.

Finally, we’ll grab a night cap at our final destination, Yangon Yangon. Located on the top floor of the Sakura Tower in downtown, this spot offers amazing views of the surrounding area, including Shwedagon and Sule Pagodas.

Overnight in Yangon

Yangon Airport to Yangon city centre (20 km): 30 – 60 mins

This morning, after checking out from your hotel, transfer to Yangon Railways station to take a unique ride on the city’s circular train ride through the outskirts of town (20-30 minutes ride). This slowly traveling train gives you unique opportunity to observe the lively, colorful lifestyle of the local people. 

Arriving in downtown,  a 3 hour walking tour will cover 4-5 kilometres in the central districts. Many of the buildings visited are on the Yangon City Heritage List, a list of 188 man-made structures mainly consisting of religious landmarks and colonial-era buildings. Lunch will be provided along the way. (Length of walking tour can be adjusted to acommodate weather or client’s request)

Highlights include City Hall, the old railway station and the former Minister’s office where General Aung San was assassinated. Interspersed in the guided walk are various religious sites such as the St Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1899, and the Buddhist landmarks of Sule Paya and Botataung Pagoda.

By walking through the streets, you’ll also have a chance to witness the lifestyles of the locals- from the busy bus and boat stations to the tea shops and hidden street markets. There are plenty of chances to interact with Yangon residents and learn more about the Burmese culture.

Before returning to the hotel, you’ll stop for a cup of tea or coffee at a tea shop with the locals. Busy from morning until night,teas shops are engrained in the Burmese culture. If you are feeling hungry, there are semolina cakes and great noodle dishes (drinks only; food not included).

If time allows, continue to Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, to browse through the dozens of stalls and shops. This is Yangon’s best market for handicrafts and other goods.  (Note: Market is closed on Mondays and public holidays).

From here, continue to Shwedagon Pagoda the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, the local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago then renovated several times until taking its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 meters tall, gilded with gold leaf and surrounded by 64 smaller stupas and your guide will show you around the massive complex, explaining why this temple is so revered. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point.        

Overnight in Yangon

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for a flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo).

 From the 11th to 13th centuries, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, the rulers constructed thousands of huge stupas and temples, many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. 

On arrival, your journey begins with a visit to an elevated temple from where you will have a panoramic view of the magnificent plains of Bagan. Continue to the colorful Nyaung Oo Market where every day the locals come to buy and sell fresh produce and other goods before visiting the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction in to Bagan’s rich history. Then, visit to nearby Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings and the elegant HtilominloTemple, noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations.

This afternoon, begin with a visit to a traditional lacquer ware workshop where you can observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples.  Built in the early Mon-style, Ananda contains two unique Buddha images whose expressions seem to change depending on the distance from which the statue is viewed.

From here, travel by horse cart for a tour passing Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, massive Dhammayangyi Temple, noted for its remarkable brickwork, and Sulamani Temple.

Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the temples.

Overnight in Bagan

Nyaung U Airport to Old Bagan (9 km): 20 mins

Nyaung U Airport to New Bagan (12 km): 20 mins

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Nyaung U Airport for the flight to Mandalay.

Upon arrival at Mandalay Airport, you will depart from Mandalay on a scenic two-hour drive to the former British hill station of Maymyo, now officially called Pyin Oo Lwin.  The town is located on a plateau 1000m above sea level and renowned for its cooler temperatures and lush foliage. Many reminders of the colonial era are still present in Pyin Oo Lwin, including brick and timber houses with British names and the Botanical Gardens to the south of town.

This afternoon is free at your leisure for lunch and sightseeing. We suggest taking a traditional horse and carriage ride through the town to see the historical houses including Candacraig, built in 1905.  Your horse and carriage will drop you off at the 175-hectare Botanical Gardens where you can take a relaxing walk though the beautifully-landscaped gardens. Or visit the local market in the center of the town near the clock tower where a colorful array of items are for sale including locally-produced jams and fruit wines.

Overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin

You’ll depart around 0800 and transfer to the Pyin Oo Lwin train station where we’ll board the local train to Naung Pain Village. The journey takes around 3-4 hours, passing through stunning scenery including the Gokhtiek Viaduct.

A lunch box will be prepared and served along the way.

At midday reach Naung Pain Village and transfer back to Mandalay by car (around 4 hours).

On the ride back to Mandalay, stop at December Farms. Famous for its strawberry field and dairy, December Farms is a great place to try the local fruit wine or some homemade icecream (client’s account)

Overnight in Mandalay

Mandalay Airport to Mandalay city centre (41 km): 60 mins

After breakfast, transfer to the Mandalay jetty and board a private local boat for a 1-hr cruise on the Irrawaddy River to Mingun.

Visit the main sites of Mingun beginning with the famous Mingun Pahtodawqyi.  This huge brick structure was left unfinished after an astrologer predicted the King would die should the temple be completed.  In the 1800s, an earthquake left several large cracks in the structure.  Continue your visit at the beautiful white Hsinbyume Pagoda whose distinctive style is meant to resemble the mythical Mount Meru.  Then, see the Mingun Bell which weighs 90 tons and is considered the world’s largest uncracked ringing bell.

Return to Mandalay by boat, enjoying lunch on board as you make your way back to the city.

Next, visit Mahamuni Pagoda. This pagoda is home to one of the country’s most revered Buddha images which, over the years, has been covered with gold leaf giving it an almost ‘lumpy’ texture. Mandalay is well known for its skilled craftsmen and as you tour traditional workshops, you will learn more about the city’s cottage industries.  Observe the production of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries, and gold-leaf where the techniques remained unchanged from those used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court. 

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Make your own marionette - Join the local craftsmen at their workshop and create your own, unique puppet. A hands-on way to learn about the local culture and create a memorable, personalized souvenir!

Continue your tour to Amarapura and visit U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak structure. The bridge was constructed of 984 teak posts that were once part of the deserted Inwa Palace and at 1.2 kilometers in length, is the world’s longest teak span. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams.

Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Mandalay

Mandalay - Amarapura (13 km): 30 mins

After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for a flight to Heho.

From Heho, a scenic one-hour drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which features beautiful carvings and a collection of Buddha images.

Start with a visit to the Nyaung Shwe morning market where locals gather every morning to buy and sell fresh produce from the lake and its surroundings.

Continue by local trishaw down to the bustling canal which is a hive of activity in the morning as boats from the lake come in to unload tomatoes and other vegetables for distribution to the markets around the country. Watch as baskets laden with produce are transferred from boats to trucks and bikes.

Hop back on the trishaw and wind through quiet streets. Make a stop at the ‘tomato house’, a warehouse-like structure where tomatoes are sorted and priced for sale. Then continue past some of the many monasteries and nunneries in the town, stopping for photos as you go.

Lunch at local restaurant in Nyaung Shwe (Own Account).

And then you’ll start on a mountain bike ride around the area. First, take the bikes to the west of the lake toward the village of Khaung Daing. We start by crossing over the town’s main canal to the rice paddies. From there, we head south for around 8 kilometers to Khaung Daing. Take time to explore this village- known for its production of soya bean products- and then catch a local ferry boat across the lake to Maing Thauk Village. The relaxing boat trip takes around 20 minutes and is the perfect break from your biking.

From here, turn north up the lakes eastern shores for around 10 kilometres to Red Mountain Estate. The ride is gorgeous, passing many local farms and villages as you pedal along quiet roads. Take a break to visit Red Mountain Winery, a collaboration between the Pa-Oh people and a French wine expert.

Then descend to Nyaung Shwe, arriving in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Nyaung Shwe or on Inle Lake

Heho Airport to Nyaung Shwe (28 km): 45 mins

Nyaung Shwe Jetty to Hotel on Inle Lake (10 – 20 km): 30 – 60 mins

After breakfast, visit the lake’s morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5 day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: market is daily except on dark moon and full moon days).

Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf. 

OPTIONALAL ACTIVITY: Prepare your lunch with a local family - This cooking course is a fun and interesting way to learn about the traditional flavors and preparation techniques of Burmese Cuisine.  Join a local Inthar family in their kitchen to cook local dishes then sit on the floor at a round table and dine in the local way. Minimum 2 persons

Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand.

From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of In Dein.  Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area.  Here you can climb the covered stairway to the top of a hill which is covered with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below.

After enjoying your visit to In Dein, return to your boat. Continue along the lake for additional sightseeing before returning to your hotel.  

Overnight in Nyaung Shwe or on Inle Lake

This morning transfer to the Heho Airport for your flight to Yangon.

And transfer to the international airport for your onward flight. If you have time, we suggest joining one of our optional tours.

Cycle the Backroads of Yangon: This trip is an adventurous cycle through the heart of Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar. Due to a lack of development over the last 50 years, Yangon still has quite a few back roads. Perfect for cycling, these paths crisscross throughout the city, connecting Yangon’s many communities. This trip will explore areas rarely visited by tourists, places where bamboo houses and teak shops are still the norm in this rapidly growing city of 5 million.

Yangon for Foodies: Get a taste for Burmese food and culture with our half day guided ‘Yangon for Foodies’ tour. Visit some of the city’s best fresh markets, sample tasty treats, sip a cuppa with the locals in a tea shop and enjoy a traditional curry lunch. From the sweet (fried donuts) to the strange (fermented tea leaf salad), you’ll get to try it all! (Lunch included)

Pilgrimage Tour: Trace the path of a Yangon legend that stretches back 2000 years on our guided Pilgrimage Tour. Visit three stupas where many years ago sacred Buddha relics, brought from India, were enshrined by two merchant brothers. Join local pilgrims on this fascinating spiritual journey. (Note: although this program visits Shwedagon Pagoda again, we will visit it in the morning when the activities and atmosphere is very different to the evening)

Art Gallery Tour: Explore traditional and modern Burmese art with a guided tour of Yangon’s art scene. Visit a selection of local galleries displaying paintings, sculptures and photographs from famous art pioneers and emerging young artists. Enjoy a cocktail at House of Memories restaurant, a historic building once used as a headquarters for the country’s independence movement and containing many remnants of this era including General Aung San’s typewriter.