Day 1: Yangon Arrival, Airport Pick-up
Welcome to Yangon! Upon arrival, your private guide and the driver will greet you at Yangon International Airport and escort you to the downtown hotel. After checking in, you can refuel at the hotel for your 14 days Myanmar holiday packages, or explore the surrounding areas on your own. The city is home to many British-style buildings like the Central Post Office, High Court, and City Hall, as it underwent rapid expansion during the British colonial era in the mid-to-late 19th century.
► Recommended Activity in Yangon (at your own expense)
Yangon boasts many rooftop bars, offering both nice drinks and excellent views of the stunning sunset and city night view, such as the downtown Yangon Yangon Rooftop Bar and Atlas Rooftop Bar. Savor a glass of wine, beer, or a special cocktail. Non-alcoholic beverages and local delicacies are typically offered as well. Make a reservation in advance to ensure a nice table.
► Insider Tips:
1. Vehicles usually do not yield to pedestrians in Myanmar, so be careful when crossing the road.
2. Power outages frequently occur in Myanmar, and you can bring a power bank and keep it fully charged. Our carefully picked hotels are generally equipped with backup generators.
3. Most eateries and entertainment venues close around 8 pm, so it’s advisable to avoid lingering outside late at night.
Accommodation: Rose Garden Hotel Yangon (4 stars) or similar
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Day 2: Yangon: Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple, Sule Pagoda, Indian & China Towns, Shwedagon Pagoda
After breakfast, your guide will accompany you to view Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple, which houses a 66-meter (217-foot) long reclining Buddha, with 108 patterns on its feet, symbolizing 108 reincarnations and the Buddha’s transcendence of the cycle of rebirth. Then, visit the gilded octagonal Sule Pagoda, a peaceful landmark located in the bustling city center, surrounded by 8 vivid zodiac statues. Proceed to the nearby Maha Bandula Park, where an Independence Monument honoring its namesake national hero stands in the center. It’s also an urban oasis that always beckons the locals to relax. In the afternoon, let’s explore Indian Town and China Town. In the historic, bustling, cramped neighborhoods with colonial architecture and Indian and Chinese temples, Indians in saris and Chinese in longyi tube skirts live in harmony. Then, tour the Bogyoke Aung San Market, Yangon’s largest handicraft market, offering pearls, jade, wooden lacquerware, nice longyis with ethnic-themed patterns, and hand-woven items. We won't miss the Shwedagon Pagoda, the national icon of Myanmar, which resembles an inverted bell. It houses the priceless relics of four Buddhas and is fully coated with nearly 7 tons of gold! There is always a throng of worshipers beneath the massive pagoda, including pilgrims traveling from a great distance. You can mingle with the locals to pray: circle the pagoda, bathe and gild the Buddhas, sit in meditation, and hear sutras. Always be mindful of your belongings, and if you encounter beggars, you can politely refuse. In the evening, your guide will accompany you to Karaweik Palace on Kandawgyi Lake. A sumptuous buffet dinner is served on the floating boat that resembles two mythical birds carrying a palace. During the meal, enjoy traditional dance performances inspired by royal life, myths, and legends. After the blast, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel. ► Tips for Visiting Myanmar Buddhist Spots: 1. Wear long pants or a long skirt. Longyi rental stalls are usually available outside temples. Additionally, you need to take off your shoes and socks, even before ascending religious hills. It's advisable to bring some wet wipes as the ground can get scorching in midday. 2. Walk clockwise when circling a pagoda for blessings. Additionally, Myanmar boasts eight zodiac signs, naming the Tusked Elephant, Tuskless Elephant, Rat, Garuda, Lion, Tiger, Dragon, and Guinea Pig, each corresponding to one day of the week (two for Wednesday). The zodiac statues are enshrined in most temples, and don’t forget to worship your own zodiac sign for good luck. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Rose Garden Hotel Yangon (4 stars) or similar
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Day 3: Fly to Bagan, Visit Nyaung U Market, Shwezigon Paya, Shwesandaw Pagoda & Enjoy a Boat Tour
This morning, your guide and the driver will escort you to the airport to board a flight to Bagan, Myanmar’s Buddhist center and the ancient capital of the Pagan Kingdom (11th-13th centuries). After landing, your local guide and the driver will pick you up at the airport and escort you to your hotel. After a short rest, let’s explore Nyaung U Market, thick with busy stalls serving all kinds of items, including distinctive fabrics, wood carvings, daily necessities, seasonings, fresh flowers, and tropical fruits. Then, head to Shwezigon Paya, the first pagoda of the Pagan Kingdom. The golden pagoda is actually one of Bagan's rare sandstone buildings. Legend has it that when the founding king Anawrahta introduced Theravada Buddhism, he personally jumped into the Irrawaddy River and brought back the Buddhist scriptures on his head. After crossing the river, he put them on a white elephant’s back and let it roam until it eventually knelt. The king believed it was a manifestation of the Buddha and thus built the pagoda here. Next, we’ll head to the Htilominlo Temple, which was built in 1218. The massive stupa is adorned with a conical-shaped towering spire and brick carvings. Then, proceed to Nat Taung Kyaung Monastery with exquisite wood carvings. Later, explore the Shwesandaw Pagoda, featuring a cylindrical bell-shaped pagoda atop a five-tiered tapered platform. It was built by Anawrahta upon his triumphant return from subduing the Thaton Kingdom (4th-11th century). Additionally, the Lighting Festival is held here around November with lively markets, a chanting ceremony, and a monk robe-making competition. Afterward, conclude today with a boat tour on the Irrawaddy River to enjoy the charming sunset. Finally, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel. ► Warm Tips: 1. Most of Bagan’s roadways are dirt roads; therefore, wear a breathable mask. 2. Exchange enough Myanmar cash in Yangon, as there aren't many currency exchanges in Bagan, and credit cards aren't widely accepted. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort (4 stars) or similar
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Day 4: Bagan: Ananda, Thatbyinnyu, and Manuha Temples, Myinkaba Village, Pyathetgyi Pagoda
After breakfast, your guide will first show you around Ananda Temple, which is regarded as Bagan’s most exquisite and well-preserved temple. Atop a massive square base, the central Indian-style spire soars to a height of 51 meters (167 feet)! Besides, a golden Buddha statue measuring 9.5 meters (31 feet) tall stands on each of the four sides, two of which were rebuilt after a fire in the 17th century. Continue to view Bagan’s tallest pagoda in Thatbyinnyu Temple, featuring a two-story compound structure with receding terraces totaling a height of 61 meters (200 feet), whose original white façade has now gotten somewhat mottled. Then, after visiting Nanpaya Temple, a modest Hindu temple that previously held Manuhu, the final king of the Thaton Kingdom, learn more about the captured king’s depression at Manuha Temple. Exactly. It was built by him! Unlike other enormous temples, this temple’s three large Buddha statues are housed in incredibly constricted halls, with their heads and shoulders nearly reaching the eaves and walls! However, the Nirvana Sleeping Buddha's smile seems to express his joy of liberation. Afterward, proceed to Gubyaukgyi Temple to admire precious murals portraying touching stories of the Buddha's 550 reincarnations before achieving enlightenment. We’ll also tour around Myinkaba Village, which provides the best lacquerware in Myanmar at more affordable costs than places like Mandalay and Yangon. Visit a family-run lacquerware workshop to observe the craftspeople polishing bamboo, applying raw lacquer, hand-carving patterns, and painting colors. Then, round off today at the red-brick Pyathetgyi Temple, which boasts Bagan’s largest platform and was previously an excellent site for sunrise and sunset. However, climbing is no longer possible due to relic conservation. At last, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel. ► Recommended Activity (at your own expense) Taking a hot air balloon ride to admire the Bagan splendor is a legendary life experience, only accessible between October and February. As the balloon slowly rises, witness thousands of pagodas standing beneath your feet, as if you have stepped into a dream from thousands of years ago. The price ranges from MMK 315,000 to 945,000 (USD 150 to 450) due to the fluctuating exchange rates. If interested, please make a reservation in advance. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort (4 stars) or similar Ananda Temple Thatbyinnyu Temple
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Day 5: Bagan: Side Trip to Mount Popa and Visit Popa Taungkalat Monastery
After breakfast, let’s enjoy a 1.5-hour private drive bound for Mount Popa, dubbed Myanmar's Mount Olympus. From a distance, the 1,518-meter (4,980-foot) high mountain resembles a massive rock castle capped with exquisite monasteries. While ascending the 777 steps to the summit, admire the shrines honoring 37 deities of Nat, a Myanmar folk religion. Nats are the concrete manifestations of animism, including natural deities like trees and water, as well as deified humans. Our professional guide will brief you about their legends, many of which are about local heroes becoming gods through adversity.
► Warm Tips:
1. You might encounter monkeys on the mountain. For your safety, please avoid playing with or feeding them.
2. You need to take off your shoes and socks before climbing, so please be mindful of fruit peels left by the monkeys.
Perched atop Mount Popa is the Popa Taungkalat Monastery, Myanmar’s most revered pilgrimage site for Nat worshippers. From the viewing platform, you can take in the magnificent temple complex and the zinc-roofed dwellings along the streets. After the visit, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel in Bagan.
► Dinner Recommendation (at your own expense)
Tea leaf salad, a mixture of fermented tea, seasonal vegetables, and spices, is a signature cuisine in Myanmar. Served possibly as an appetizer or a main course with rice, it can be savored in upscale restaurants and street food stalls. Consider trying it at San Thi Dar, a family-run eatery in Myinkaba Village that offers authentic local cuisine for an average cost of MMK 10,000-15,000 (USD 5-8) per person.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Bagan Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort (4 stars) or similar
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Day 6: Fly to Mandalay, Visit Mahamuni Pagoda, Shwenandaw Monastery, Mandalay Hill
Today, enjoy a private transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, your local guide and the driver will escort you to check into a downtown hotel. After a brief rest, your guide will accompany you to visit Mahamuni Pagoda, where a 2,500-year-old Buddha statue of the same name is enshrined, covered with 16-centimeter (6.3-inch) thick gold foil! According to folklore, the Buddha allegedly breathed on it, causing it to reveal his own image. That’s why it is considered the most revered Buddha statue. The locals often hold major events here, including the grand ordination ceremony. You may have the chance to witness one of the most important rites for Myanmar Buddhists: children aged 5 to 15 dressed in their nicest attire to worship and receive tonsure. According to Myanmar’s Buddhist customs, there is no time restriction for monks’ monastic life, and they can rejoin it after returning to the secular world, but nuns who do so risk a fall in their social standing. Our temple tour continues to the Shwenandaw Monastery, the sole surviving building of the original 19th-century Royal Palace. The teak edifice will astound you not only by its intricate, vivid carvings of mythical creatures and flora, but also by the breathtaking gilded interior chambers, which explain why it’s also called the Golden Palace Monastery. Then, after admiring Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, home to a 6-meter (20-foot) tall seated Buddha figure carved from a single block of marble, proceed to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, dubbed "the world’s largest book"! The 729 stone tablets bearing the Buddhist teachings "Tiptaka" will surely leave you awestruck. It’s said that during the Konbaung Dynasty (1752-1885 AD), the king promised a reward to anyone who discovered any mistakes; however, no one claimed the reward! Subsequently, let’s ascend Mandalay Hill, where we’ll enjoy a bird's-eye view of numerous Buddhist temples, the stunning Mandalay cityscape, and a spectacular sunset if the weather permits. Finally, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Eastern Palace Hotel, Mandalay (4 stars) or similar Mahamuni Pagoda A Temple at Sagaing Hill
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Day 7: Mandalay: Visit Mahagandayon Monastery, Sagaing Hill, and Boat to Enjoy U Bein Bridge
★ Experience Myanmar Devout Alms-giving CultureThis morning, we’ll head to Mahagandayon Monastery in Amarapura town, Myanmar’s most revered monastic academy, to get insights into the unique Buddhist alms-giving involving over a thousand monks! Myanmar monks are not prohibited from eating meat, but they abstain from solid food after midday. They usually have breakfast at 4:00 am and lunch at 10:00 am. Novice monks in white robes and elderly ones in maroon robes line up barefoot and hold alms bowls for alms. During meals, they focus on their food silently, despite being watched by tourists from all over the world - perhaps that’s also a form of meditation for them. Every household aspires to donate a meal to the monks once, notwithstanding the cost totaling around USD 1,500. Afterward, we’ll travel to Sagaing Nunnery via the City Harbor Bridge spanning the Irrawaddy River to catch a glimpse of Myanmar nuns’ lives. Following that, ascend the forest-clad Sagaing Hill and savor the incredible scenery of Mandalay city and the lush hillside dotted with golden and white pagodas. In the evening, let’s take a boat tour to admire the U Bein Bridge, a teakwood footbridge that has firmly stood for nearly 200 years! It takes on its most charming form at sunset, exuding an indescribable serenity. The considerate boatman will sail to the ideal spots so that you can snap photos of people strolling on the bridge, withered trees solely rising from the vast river, and fishermen fishing... At last, your guide will accompany you back to your hotel in a comfortable private vehicle. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Eastern Palace Hotel, Mandalay (4 stars) or similar
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Day 8: Fly to Heho, Visit Pindaya Caves, Cruise on Inle Lake
Today, your guide and the driver will take you to the airport to board the flight to Heho. Upon landing, your local guide and the driver will pick you up and directly accompany you to tour the Pindaya Caves. The 150-meter (492-foot) long holy site houses thousands of Buddha statues of styles ranging from the early Konbaung Dynasty to the modern period, making it one of the places with the most comprehensive styles of Myanmar Buddha statues. You may see people praying peculiarly: they collect the water dripping from stalactites and stalagmites and gently apply it on their faces for good luck!
After the visit, continue driving for about 2 hours to the hotel in Inle Lake. Upon arrival, your guide will assist you with the check-in procedures.
► Tip: Bring a coat, as Inle Lake features chilly mornings, particularly during the dry season between Nov. and Feb., when the average temperature drops to around 10°C (50°F).
★ Inle Lake Cruise: Witness One-legged Fishermen & Floating GardensAfter a short break, let’s embark on an Inle Lake cruise. The vast lake is encircled by mountains and scattered with seagulls, with tiny rivers connecting communities and Buddhist temples. The huge lake also produces a rare culture of one-legged fishermen. You'll be amazed to see them stand on one leg and wrap the other around the oar, while their right hand firmly grips the handle and the left hand drags the fishing net! We’ll also head to Nampan Village to observe the distinctive floating gardens, an embodiment of the villagers' wisdom! They mix waterweeds and mud and fasten them with long wooden poles, making fertile floating “lands” to grow vegetables, flowers, and crops. These unique floating gardens can even rise and fall with the water level, moving like a boat, and they are perfectly adapted to the aquatic environment. Finally, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min Hotel (4 stars) or similar
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Day 9: Inle Lake: Explore Shwe Indein Pagoda Complex, Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, and a Silk Workshop
This morning, your guide will first show you around Indein Village. After passing through a corridor fringed with handicraft vendors, we’ll arrive at the hilltop Shwe Indein Pagoda complex, composed of thousands of stupas, most of which are made of earth and stone. Some are intricately carved, some are decorated with gold foil and renovated, but many more have been weathered and are even covered by vegetation. Then, proceed to the highly revered Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, where five small Buddha statues have lost their natural forms and are completely coated in gold foil, like five gourds. Afterward, visit the unique wooden Nga Phe Chaung Monastery amidst a floating garden. It was well-known for having monks train cats to jump through hoops. Although such performances no longer exist, there are still many adorable cats living in the monastery. Inle Lake villages feature unique lotus silk fabrics, and we’ll watch a manual weaving performance at a local silk-weaving workshop. The locals collect threads from lotus stems, and then manually twist and weave them into items such as monk robes, shawls, and scarves. The exquisite woven items can be made only between May and October, when the lotuses are in full bloom, and astonishingly, one piece of clothing requires around 6,500 lotus threads! Due to the complex process and limitations, the price of lotus silk fabrics is quite high, ranging from several dozen to several hundred dollars. At last, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel, and you can either rest or explore the surrounding areas on your own. Consider heading to the lake’s southwest side to visit the Ywama Village, home to long-necked women, who wear copper collars from the age of 5 and add one more each year, gradually making their necks extremely long. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min (4 stars) or similar Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Nga Phe Chaung Monastery
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Day 10: Transfer to Heho, Fly to Thandwe, Relax on Ngapali Beach
Myanmar is not only famous for stunning temples and pagodas, but also boasts vibrant beaches. Today, your guide and the driver will escort you to Heho airport to board the flight to Thandwe, a coastal city famed for its primitive and affordable beaches. Upon your arrival, the hotel staff will pick you up at the airport and escort you to the hotel.
After a short rest, you can freely enjoy yourself on Ngapali Beach, a 7-kilometer (4.35-mile) white sandy stretch with huge coconut palms and crystal-clear water. You can swim, stroll barefoot on the fine sand, build sandcastles and collect shells, and unwind beneath the coconut trees, waiting for the sunset. Please be careful when swimming, as you may encounter jellyfish. Additionally, you may see ladies clad in longyi skirts, wearing Tanaka makeup, and holding a huge basket of fruits on their heads -such a unique sight you won't see on other beaches!
What beach trip would be complete without a seafood feast?! Head to a nearby restaurant in the evening, and savor delectable seafood on your own, such as cashew shrimp rice, steamed crabs, grilled lobsters, and grilled fish. It typically costs around MMK 20,000-25,000 (USD 10-12) per person.
► Note: We will reserve the next three full days of free time for you at Ngapali Beach. Whether you prefer active exploration or a peaceful retreat, the choice is yours. If you would like to adjust the number of free days, just feel free to contact us for customization.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ngapali Bay Villas & Spa (4 stars) or similar
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Day 11: Ngapali Beach Free Day
Today, embrace your leisurely time in Ngapali freely. Consider a day trip to explore the nearby Pearl Island by traditional long-tail boat! The island was once a pearl-farming area and is now a snorkeling haven for discovering rich marine life and coral reefs. Additionally, don’t miss snapping a lovely picture of you sitting on the huge seaside swing. If you are a fishing junkie, ask the boatman to take you sea fishing, and you can even bring your trophies back for dinner at any eatery! ► Local Transportation Tips: 1. Tuk-tuk: A tuk-tuk ride to a nearby hamlet is both convenient and reasonably priced, costing around USD 1, and can be called from the roadside. 2. Charter Boats: The receptionist at your hotel can assist you in chartering a boat, which costs around MMK 30,000 (USD 15) for a 4-6-hour trip. 3. Bicycle or Scooter Rental: A bicycle can be rented for free at your hotel, and a scooter can be rented for around MMK 10,000 (USD 5) per day at the seashore rental kiosks. Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: Ngapali Bay Villas & Spa (4 stars) or similar
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Day 12: Ngapali Beach Free Day
Continue to freely explore Ngapali Beach today. Maybe ask your hotel for recommendations about local hiking trips and participate in a half-day or full-day trek. Wander through the jungle and explore the distinctive flora and fauna, such as wild pineapples, rubber trees, various mushrooms, and butterflies. Be mindful of the loose, slippery stones. You can also ascend a nearby hilltop for a sweeping view of the lovely beach and Pearl Island. In the afternoon, drop by a nearby hamlet to see how the locals take care of crops and livestock and make handicrafts like woven baskets and hats.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ngapali Bay Villas & Spa (4 stars) or similar
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Day 13: Ngapali Beach Free Day
Today is still at your command. You can rent a bicycle and ride along the beautiful hills behind Ngapali Beach, passing through rice fields, villages, and coastal dirt roads. Head south and visit Gyeiktaw, a simple fishing village with thatched-roof and bamboo-frame dwellings scattered beneath coconut palms. On the shore beside the village, there are large heaps of small fish drying in the sun, and men preparing boats for fishing. Before sunset, ascend the island’s southernmost hill to admire the Tilawkasayambhu Buddha Statue, a massive gold-clad Buddha standing on a lotus pedestal. Use caution as the hill path is a bit steep. Additionally, you can take in a breathtaking sunset and enjoy bird’s-eye views of the meandering coastline, scattered villages, and vibrant fishing boats anchored at the seaside.
Before returning to your hotel, you can savor some moreish seafood, such as coconut seafood curry, squid salad, and grilled barramundi, from the beach's various seafood eateries on your own.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ngapali Bay Villas & Spa (4 stars) or similar
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Day 14: Fly to Yangon from Thandwe
Your two weeks private Myanmar holiday ends today. Once you check out, the hotel staff will escort you to Thandwe Airport for your flight to Yangon. At Yangon International Airport, you can board your homeward flight. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need further help. Have a pleasant return journey!
If Myanmar has sparked your curiosity about Asia, consider extending your trip to Mount Fuji in Japan, the coconut groves of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, or Angkor Wat in Cambodia... We are always ready to customize more itineraries for you!
Meal: Breakfast
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