Upon arrival in Mandalay airport you will be met by your guide and driver. Then continue south of the city to Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th centuries, where a short ferry ride will take us across the river to where our horse and carriage are waiting. Visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort. There are many small villages located amid Ava’s ruins and as you travel by horse and cart you’ll get a glimpse of local life in the Burmese countryside. We’ll stop for lunch in Ava before returning to our car. 

Return toward the city and stop at Amarapura, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’. First visit a silk weaving workshop.  After touring this tranquil site, continue to U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200 year-old teak bridge. The bridge was constructed of 984 teak posts that were once part of the deserted Inwa Palace and it is 1.2 kilometers in length making it the world’s longest teak span. Enjoy a stroll along the bridge and the fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. 

Overnight in Mandalay

Mandalay Airport to Mandalay city centre (41 km): 60 minsMandalay-Amarapura (13 km): 30 mins

After breakfast your Exo Travel guide will pick you up at the hotel to get started on an incredible morning. Transfer to 86th street for a walking tour of the surrounding streets.  Mandalay has become a bustling city as it is strategically located in the northern Myanmar, nearby the ruby, gold and jade mines.  This position has allowed the jade industry to flourish as merchants from China, India and Thailand coalesce.  Afterwards we will visit the market, discovering white, yellow and green jade. The precious gem can be found in all forms, from its raw, unpolished state to beautiful handcrafted jewelry.  Watch as skilled craftsman cut and polish the stone on wet saws and sellers and buyers haggle over price. Our visit coincides with the busiest time of the day at the jade market.  Your guide will help you negotiate if you wish to bring one of the precious gemstones home.  

Continue to Mahamuni Pagoda. This pagoda is home to one of the country’s most revered Buddha images which, over the years, have 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. 

Next visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s Biggest Book’. Walk onwards to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace. This grand teak building is known for its exquisite woodcarving. 

Head to the top of Mandalay Hill as the sun begins to set to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River. 

Overnight in Mandalay

After breakfast, transfer to Mandalay Airport for a flight to Heho where 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. 

Depending on arrival time you may be able to visit 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 the 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. 

Upon reaching the edges of Inle Lake, board a private motorboat to head out to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. Pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people. Observe the leg-rowing fishermen and see their floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf.  

Overnight 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 day and full moon day). 

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, visiting a local school, 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 this afternoon.   

Overnight on Inle Lake

After your breakfast at hotel, transfer to Heho Airport for your flight to Yangon. 

Upon arrive at Yangon domestic Airport, your guide and car will wait for you. Then you will start your scenic 5 to 6 hours drive (293 km) to Hpa An. On the way you will have a chance to see several fascinating sites. 

In the late afternoon you arrival at Hpa An, check-in to your hotel and take a stroll through this charming town. 

Overnight in Hpa An

Yangon – Hpa An (293 km): 6h

After breakfast, you can choose one of the below optional trip.

Option 1: Trek Mt. Zwe Kabin.  Transfer to the foot hill of the 722 m high Mt. Zwe Kabin, a sacred mountain with thousands of identical Buddha statues lining the base.  The 4 to 5 hour out-and-back trek affords incredible views of lower Burma. This sacred mountain has several thousand identical Buddha statues lined up at its base. Trek to the top. 

Option 2: Walk up Phar Pu Mountain. Transfer to Hpa An’s downtown jetty. Embark on a 10 minute boat trip across the Thanlwin River. Walk 30 minutes up Phar Pu, which has stunning views of the river and downtown Hpa An.    

This afternoon, visit Sadan Cave. Typically only accessible from November to March, this cave will bring out our inner Indiana Jones. Sadan starts off as a typical Myanmar cave, full of Buddah images and even a reclining Buddah. As we make our way to the back of the cave, a natural tunnel comes into view. Follow the row of lights through the tunnel for about 15 minutes to get to the other side. As we reach the end, a magnificent view of a hidden lake and meadow come into sight. (In case of closure at Sadan cave, we will substitute another beautiful cave in the Hpa An region)

Stop and have tea or coffee at the tea shop at the edge of the lake. From here, you’ll hire one of the local boat men to take us on a tour around the lake (client’s sit on the bamboo floor of the boat as there are no seats) and through another cave accessible only by boat.

On the route back to Hpa An, take a stop at Kyauk Ka Lat. This natural rock sculpture, surrounded by a manmade lake, offers spectacular views of Mt Zwekabin and the surrounding area.

Overnight in Hpa An

After breakfast at your Hotel, transfer to Kyaikhtiyo base camp (aound 2 hours drive, 125 km). 

En-route visit to Bayint Nyi Cave and Kaw Gun Cave. The former has a hot spring lake, from which you get a beautiful view of the temple complex and cave. Kaw Gun Cave is also fascinating, with over 2000 stone tablets with Mon inscriptions and hundreds of Buddha statues in the cave. 

This afternoon, arrive at Kyaikhtiyo base camp. Travel by local, open-air truck along a winding road (45 minutes) where you be dropped off at the junction camp to travel the final distance to Golden Rock on foot. The uphill trek is along a paved trekking path and offers great views of the surrounding area. For an easier alternative, four porters can carry you uphill in a specially-made sedan chair allowing you to enjoy the views without all of the hard work! (extra cost not included)  

After about one hour of trekking, reach the Golden Rock.  A huge boulder covered by gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff, Golden Rock is one of Myanmar's main pilgrimage sites.  The pagoda here is said to hold a hair of the Buddha and Buddhist from across the country come here to pay homage.  

Overnight near Golden Rock

Hpa An – Kyaikhtiyo (147 km): 2h

This morning there is the option to visit the Golden Rock again to see the rising sun casting its rays upon the rock. Starting from the pre-dawn hour, local pilgrims gather by the rock to make offerings in the solitude of the morning. 

Return down to base camp by the same route on foot and by open-air truck. 

Then your wild wetlands adventure begins with a scenic around 3 hour drive north, passing small villages. Leaving the concrete behind, venture into the natural splendors of Moeyungyi Wetlands. 

Moeyungyi is a vital shelter for both resident and migratory waterfowl. A recent census revealed that there are 125 species of birds.  The wetlands, designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1988, covers 40 square miles. The wetland is a permanent residence for 55 bird species.  Also, it has become a primary migratory stop for millions of birds, around 70 species, traveling the East Asian-Australian Flyway.  The area is also home to locals living off the wetlands, and a variety of other flora and fauna. 

Arrive at Moeyungyi Wetlands Resort, an eco-lodge, and only hotel, serving the area.  Lunch is served at Moeyungyi Wetlands Resort 

Afterwards take a boat excursion through the wetlands.  You’ll discover buffalo bathing in the shallow waters, see a vast number of birds and encounter local fisherman.  Afterwards you will have time to explore around the resort on foot.

Dinner at Resort. 

Overnight at Moeyungyi Wetlands Resort

After breakfast, there is an opportunity for more bird watching before transferring back to Yangon Domestic Airport for your flight to Sittwe, capital of the Rakhine State (about 2 hours driving, 119 km). 

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Sittwe jetty and board on a private boat to Mrauk U. The journey takes about 5-6 hours, travelling upstream on the Kaladan River. 

Lunch will be served on board. 

Mid-day arrive in Mrauk U. Mrauk U was the capital in the 15th century and at its peak it was one of the richest cities in all of Asia. This period was one of prolific building and is, today, a major archeological site.  

Check in to your Hotel. 

Overnight in Mrauk U

Moeyungyi Wetland to Yangon (119 km): 2h

Awake early and depart hotel around 06.00 (Note: departure time will depend on the season) to enjoy the sunrise over the misty hills of Mrauk U. 

Return to your hotel for breakfast and then continue sightseeing in Mrauk U.  Begin with a visit to the local market and continue to the ruins of the Royal Palace. At the peak of Mrauk U’s power, the Royal Palace loomed high over the city however today there only remains a small brick platform. Then tour includes Koethaung Temple, the Pitakataik Library, Laungbanpyauk Pagoda, Yadana Mannaung and Sakaya Mannaung Pagodas. These temples and pagodas are in a low-lying area surrounded by hills and are some of the most important religious shrines of the medieval Mrauk U period. 

After lunch time, visit Shitthaung Temple, Mrauk U's most important monument. Built in 1535 with a labor force of more than 1,000 architects and workmen, Shitthaung Temple contains a remarkable collection of Arakanese Buddha images and reliefs.   

Continue to the multi-spire Andawthein Ordination Hall, which is filled with unique stone carvings.  Then visit the circular Ratanabon Pagoda and the fortress-like temple of Dukkhanthein, whose vaulted passages contain interesting stone sculptures. Your last stop of today is at Laymyetnha.  Built in 1430, Laymyethnha was the first pagoda erected in Mrauk U. 

Overnight in Mrauk U

After breakfast, start a scenic journey on a bumpy road by car about 30 minutes to the village. 

Then continue by boat up along the Lay Mro River to the Lay Too Chin minority villages for 2-3 hours. Chin people are probably best known for their colorful fabrics, as well as tattoo on faces of women. A legend said that the Burmese King from central land used to explore their State as Chin women are most beautiful among other minorities. Chin girls not later than age of 13 had to tattoo on their faces to make them ugly and to prevent from being taken to the Burmese palace. As tattooing habits are stopped, you can see mostly elderly women with tattoo nowadays.

During the day of touring, a picnic lunch will be served. (lunch box) 

After visiting 2 to 3 Chin villages, you will return back to Mrauk Oo by boat and car. 

Overnight in Mrauk U

After an early breakfast, board chartered local boat (5-6 hours) at around 06:00 to travel from Mrauk U to Sittwe. Along the way, you will have an opportunity to enjoy the riverine lifestyle of local people in Rakhine State. 

Upon arrival in Sittwe, stop for lunch at a local restaurant (own account) before transferring to Sittwe Airport for your flight to Yangon. 

Arrive in Yangon in the evening and transfer to your hotel for check-in. 

Overnight in Yangon

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

After breakfast, your guide and driver will greet you at the hotel for a full day exploring 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. 

Transfer to Yangon Railway station to take local circular train journey to the outskirts of town (45 minutes ride). The slowly traveling train gives you a unique opportunity to observe the lively and colorful life of the rural Burmese people.  

Disembark to visit Insein market where a variety of street vendors sell colorful wares.  Enjoy exploring the market and meeting the friendly locals before returning by road to Yangon. 

Then take a tour of downtown Yangon. On foot or by car venture down city streets lined with fading colonial buildings, bustling markets and tea shops. Visit Mahabandoola Park and the Sule Pagoda before heading to Chinatown, a hub of activity at all hours of the day. 

Stop for lunch midday at Feel Myanmar, one of Yangon’s most popular Burmese restaurants. Amid the locals sample tasty, fresh dishes typical of Myanmar cuisine. (Client’s own account) 

After Lunch, venture downtown to explore the city centre and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. You’ll start at the post office – a lovely historic building- and walk to Sule Paya in the middle of downtown, passing by Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument along the way. Then visit Little India and Chinatown, a colorful cacophony of restaurants, temples and markets. Reach Bogyoke Market, formerly known as Scott’s Market, where there is time 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). 

Late this afternoon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar.  The central stupa is 90 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf.  As the sun begins to set enjoy the breathtaking views of the Pagoda and surrounding skyline before transferring back to your hotel. 

Overnight in Yangon

Today is at your leisure until transferring to the airport for your onward flight.

Note: The itinerary described above may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.