Shwedagon Pagoda

After breakfast we begin the tour in Myanmar with the most important attractions in Yangon. Visit to the Sule Pagoda, built in the third century and today part of the economy of the city, City Hall, High court, St. Immanuel Baptist Church, and Independence Monument in Mahabandoola Park.

We continue with a scenic walk amongst magnificent colonial building and new skyscrapers symbol of recent economic progress. Continuing in Merchant Street visit the Armenian Church and St. John Baptist Church.

Explore Bogyoke Aung San Market, or “Scott Market”, one of the largest bazaars in Yangon where over 2000 merchants sell clothes, precious stones, traditional crafts and souvenirs. 

In the afternoon we continue to Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha Temple, known for the 72 meters reclining Buddha statue, among the largest in Burma. We proceed to Kandawgyi Park to admire the Karaweik Barge and Karawaik Hall.  

We end the day at the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred pagoda in Myanmar. The massive bell of the stupa is gold-plated and the tip is embellished with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and topazes. An unmissable show and the most suitable place to start your journey.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

Trekking

After breakfast transfer to airport for domestic flight to Loikaw.

Upon arrival transfer by car to the starting point for the trekking. During the excursion of about 3-4h we visit local villages and forests.

Once in Pan Pet village we enjoy the lunch with the traditional Kayan cuisine. In the afternoon we continue the visits around the village, and return to Loikaw.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, lunch, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

After breakfast we start the bike ride to Ta Aung Pyay cave (about 40 minutes). 

We continue to villages Daw Saw Bee, PaO and Kayah. Afterwards we reach the Ghost Cave cave.

After lunch return to Loikaw.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

Sakar Temple Complex

In the morning transfer to Phekkon by car and continue by boat to Inle Lake.

During the transfer, visit Sakar, or Sawbwa, the flourishing city of the 15th century. Nowadays is a quiet and charming village, situated at the southern end of the lake, which is home to ancient monasteries and pagodas and retains the charm of yesteryear.

At the end we continue to the Hotel in Nyaung Shwe.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets, private transportation

Indein Temple Complex

After breakfast excursion in Inle Lake by canoe to discover ethnic and craft villages: an enthusiastic opportunity to observe closely the famous one-legged rowers, the unique Burmese style of fishing, and the villages including Heya Ywama (Pataung Ethnic Village) known for long-necked inhabitants.

Visit to the Phaung Daw-Oo Pagoda and to the workshops of weaving and craft production of cigars. Afterwards we visit the weaving village Inn Paw Khone and the Khit Sunn Yin Lotus center to learn about the traditional style of silk weaving.

In the afternoon we continue the excursion to the southern area of ​​Inle Lake through the lush vegetation until we reach Indein, the village known for its incredible archaeological site which houses the suggestive Shwe Indein Pagoda Complex which hosts hundreds of ancient Buddhist pagodas dated XIV-XVIII century, mostly hidden by vegetation.

Later we visit to the gardens and floating islands to learn about the agriculture system on the lake. Moving to the center of the lake we end the day with a magical sunset on the lake before returning to the hotel.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets, private transportation 

Kakku Complex

After breakfast we continue the trip to Taunggyi to visit the archaeological site of Kakku, among the largest complex of pagodas in Asia with 2400 stupa dating back several centuries ago.

The legend has it that the site was built during the reign of King Alaungsithu, in the 12th century, while some researchers, despite the absence of written artefacts, have placed the primary buildings from the 16th to the 18th century. However, some facilities are without a doubt much older.

During the transfer, visit to Htan Pya Ya Village.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation

Young monk at the monastery

After breakfast transfer by boat to Indein and start of trekking to the villages Tha Pyay Pin, Than Taung and Taungkyar.

We reach Nguh village where we will spend the night at a local house or at the buddhist monastery.

The excursion includes about 4 hours of walking with intermediate stops.

Included : Local house/Monastery, breakfast, lunch, dinner, trekking permit, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

After breakfast continue the hike from to the villages Kyauk Su, Htee Tain and Pat You Pauk where we stop for lunch.

In the afternoon visit the villages Khon Hla, Baw and Kae Nang Aww. The tour ends at Lamine village from where we return to Kalaw.

The excursion includes about 7-8 hours walking with intermediate stops.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, lunch, trekking permit, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

Keng Tung

After breakfast transfer by domestic flight to Keng Tung in the heart of the Golden Triangle, in a valley of the mountainous area between the Mekong and Salween River, a few dozen kilometers from the Chinese and Thai borders.

Upon arrival visits to major attractions including Standing Buddha Image, Long Hill Tree over 250 years old, Zawmmoon Matyan Monastery, Naung Tong Lake, the craft production workshops of traditional lacquers, Wat Zom Kham Pagoda and the beautiful Watin Monastery.

Nearby are still standing the remains the ancient walls, the ancient city gate, Old Gate Pa Len, and some colonial buildings.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets, private transportation

After breakfast we start the trekking to Loi Mwe, the old hill station during the British colony. The name Loi Mwe translates to “misty mountain” and is located at 1600 meters on a plateau about 30 km from Keng Tung and enjoys a pleasant temperate climate.

During the excursion we can admire the magnificent scenery, rice terraced fields and several decaying colonial buildings that take us back to the colonial period. Most probably we will have the opportunity to meet the Akha ethnic minority Shan, Lahu and Wa.

The excursion includes about 2-3 hours walking with intermediate stops.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, lunch, trekking permit, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

After breakfast we continue to Pin Tauk (about 45 min), an area known for trekking in Khaing Tong area. The route is not strenuous allowing us to immerse ourselves in the local community of these remote areas of Myanmar and meeting the tribes Akha, Ann (at Pan Lea village) and Lahu.

After visiting the villages return drive to town. On the way stop to the laboratory of handmade rice wine.

The excursion includes about 3-4 hours walking with intermediate stops.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, lunch, trekking permit, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

After breakfast short transfer by car to Kar Bar Aye and visit to some tribal villages on the way.

Later we continue to the airport and catch the domestic flight to Mandalay.

Visit Ku-Tho-Daw Pagoda, UNESCO World Heritage Site, considered the “largest book” in the world of the Buddha’s doctrine engraved on 729 marble slabs, and Shwe Nandaw Monastery (Golden Monastery) known for its exquisite wood carvings. The day ends with an exciting sunset from Mandalay Hill.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

U Bein bridge

In the morning transfer to Amarapura, the “city of immortality” twice capital of Myanmar in the 18th and 19th centuries, known today for the precious silk and cotton processing.

Visit Mahar Gandar Yon Monastery to deepen understanding of the Buddhist religion and learn about the daily life of the monks.

We continue to Ava (Inwa) and visit the 27 mt high Inwa Watch Tower, Nan Myint, Me Nu Oak Kaung known as the Maha Aung Myay Bonzan Brick Monastery, Bagaya Monastery, built with 276 teak wood columns, and Yandanar Semi Pagoda Complex.

In the afternoon we visit Sagaing Hill and visit Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda, U Minh Tone See Caves caves which host numerous images of the Buddha. At the end we return to Mandalay for a memorable sunset on the famous U-Bein teak bridge on Lake Taungtaman, built in 1850, 1.2 Km long and considered the longest wooden bridge in the world.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation

Htilo Minlo – Bagan

In the early morning we catch the domestic flight to Bagan the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Pagan from IX to XIII, formerly known as the Arimaddanapura. Of the 10,000 temples 2,200 survived over 700 years of history. Bagan was for many decades the center of religious studies since the times of the Khmer Kingdom.

Upon arrival we visit the colorful and crowded local market: a unique opportunity to observe local folklore and learn about the Burmese daily lifestyle. We continue with a visit to Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of the stupas built subsequently in Myanmar, for an introduction to the rich history of the archaeological Bagan temple complex. 

Afterwards we visit Wetkyi-In Gu-Byauk-Gyi temple, known for the narrative murals of the Jataka (previous life of Buddha) and the two-storey temple Htilo-Minlo, known for the plaster sculptures.

After lunch we continue to Ananda temple, one of the greatest architectural masterpieces in Bagan, built in the early Mon-Myanmar style. We proceed to That-Byin-Nyu temple, built during 12th century, the highest in Bagan, to Dhamma Yangy temple, known for its singular brick construction , and to Gawdawpalin temple.

Enjoy the romantic sunset from Nyaung The het Hill.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation

Lady at Minnanthu village

After breakfast we continue the visits to the rural village Minnanthu, one of the places where you can see the collection and processing of cotton.

We proceed to Laymyathnar monastery complex, Phaya Thone Tzu temple and Nandamannya temple, the latter particularly known for the murals depicting “The Temptation of Mara” dating back to the 13th century. 

In the afternoon we visit Myinkabar village to observe the traditional production of Burmese lacquer. We proceed to Manuha Temple, Nan-Paya Temple and Gu-Byauk-Kyi (Myinkaba), known for its murals of Jataka narrative (previous lives of the Buddha). 

At the end transfer to airport for the domestic flight to Yangon.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation  

Circular train Yangon

We conclude the trip in Myanmar with a panormaic view of Yangon aboard the famous circular train, the 50 Km long railway line realized during the british colonial period that serves the metropolitan area of the city following a circular route that allows 39 stops.

This economic means of transportation is heavily used by commuters and by local population and therefore allows us to observe an authentic insight into everyday life in Yangon.

Afterwards stop at a local tea shop, visit Kalaywa Tawya Monadtery  and Kaba Aye Pagoda built by U Nu in preparation for the Sixth Buddhist Council. We conclude the day at Kandawgyi Park where we enjoy the beautiful view of the Karaweik barge, the sumptuous palace built in the 70s on a royal barge, and the view on Shwedagon Pagoda.

Transfer to airport for departure flight.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets, private transportation