Amazing Myanmar (Burma)

This escorted group tour introduces you to the culture and sights of a beautiful land that, until recently, was one of the least visited countries in Asia. Beginning in Mandalay, you will visit the ancient capital cities of Amarapura, Sagaing and Inwa.

Visit the hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin before traveling on to Bagan to awe in the splendour of its thousands of stupas and pagodas. Visit Mount Popa, a sacred animist centre, and enjoy a sunset cruise on the Ayerwaddy (Irrawaddy) River. Enjoy the vast Inle Lake and its surrounds before ending in Yangon to see the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda.

Group size – 4-16 people (ask about private tours)
Internal travel – A combination of road and air
Accompanying guide – English speaking accompanying guide throughout

Meal plan
Bed and Breakfast
Lunch on days 2 to 9
Dinner on day 2

Special Experience – Enjoy a sunset boatride at U Bein bridge. Sip on a chilled glass of champagne while seated in your longtail boat, as you look across to a spectacular sunset behind the U Bein teak bridge near Mandalay.

Itinerary
Day 1- Yangon
Arrive in Yangon and transfer to the Hotel Esperado or similar for two nights. Welcome dinner arranged in the evening.

Day 2- Yangon
This morning, you will visit the Sule Pagoda in the centre of town. You can walk around the Mahabandoola Park and see the colonial courthouse and Kandawgyi Royal Lake. Afterwards, you can stop for tea at a local tea shop and visit the bustling Yangon harbour area. You will end the day with sunset at the awe-inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda.

Day 3-Yangon & Mandalay
You will fly to Mandalay this morning and then transfer to the Bagan King Hotel, or similar for three nights. You can take a tour of Mandalay in the afternoon, visiting Mahamuni Pagoda and Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 marble slabs of Buddhist scriptures. You can also drive to Mandalay Hill for a view of the city at sunset.

Day 4- Mandalay
You will drive to Amarapura in the morning to witness the daily meal of over a thousand monks at the country’s largest monastery, Mahagandayon. You will then continue on to see the Sagaing hills, dotted with hundreds of stupas and pagodas. Afterwards, you will take the ferry to Inwa (Ava), enjoy a horsecart ride and visit Bagaya Kyaung teak-wood monastery. You will then return to Amarapura for a boat ride to witness the spectacular sunset at U Bein teak bridge over a glass of champagne.

Day 5- Mandalay
Today you will take an excursion to Pyin Oo Lwin, formerly called Maymyo. You will visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens, Purcell Tower and the Church of Immaculate Conception in this idyillic British hill station.

Day 6- Mandalay & Bagan
You will transfer to the airport for your flight to Bagan. Stay at the Areindmar hotel or similar for two nights. Later, you will visit Bagan’s many temples and pagodas including Ananda, an architectural masterpiece, and Thatbyinnyu, the highest pagoda in Bagan. The day ends by enjoying the sunset over the plains of Bagan.

Day 7- Bagan
In the morning you will visit a Salay village. In the late afternoon, you will return to Bagan and stop at the countryside village of Minnanthu, the least visited temple area in Bagan. You can enjoy a sunset boat ride along Ayeyarwaddy River in the evening. There is an optional excursion of a hot air balloon ride.

Day 8- Bagan & Inle Lake
You will fly to Heho this morning and  then drive to Nyaung Shwe to take a boat transfer to a resort on Inle Lake. You will stay at the Novotel Inle Hotel or similar for two nights. You can take a full day tour of Inle Lake, visiting the lotus robe weaving village of Inpawkhon. You can also stop at a floating village at Ywama, the lake’s downtown area, to see Kan Paw Nan Paw Pagoda. At the end the day, you can visit the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda.

Day 9- Inle Lake
Your day will start with a scenic boat tour to the village of In Dein. From the middle of the lake, the boat heads through a long channel from where farmers can be seen cultivating their produce. After a walk around the village, passing by a local school, you will take the covered stairway to see ancient stupas in the beautiful Alaung Sitthu area for a magnificent view over the lake.

Day 10- Inle Lake & Yangon
You will transfer to Heho airport and fly to Yangon. You will then board your onward flight.

Optional Extension – Ngapali

Day 10 Inle Lake & Ngapali
Fly to Ngapali in the morning. Stay at the Bayview Beach Resort for three nights. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Days 11 & 12 Ngapali
Days at leisure.

Day 13 Ngapali & Yangon
Fly to Yangon for your onward flight.

Departure Dates:
14th October 2021
11th November 2021
27th January 2022
10th February 2022
3rd January 2022

A single person supplement is offered from £445.

Optional beach extension: 4 days / 3 nights from £525 per person (single supplement from £255)

If you are looking to depart on an alternative date please contact us as other tour options may be available.