6 Days Myanmar Explorer

Welcome to Yangon, the former Rangoon, a city filled with tree-lined avenues, quiet lakes, and glistening temples that will drive you to another world. You will be met upon arrival and then transferred to your hotel. See the Kaba Aye Pagoda (World Peace Pagoda), a pagoda with a characteristic cave appearance inspired by the Satta Panni cave in India. After that, you will visit the nearby Mahapasana Cave, which traditionally hosts a Buddhist Tipitaka (scripture) ceremony.

After a small rest to freshen up at your hotel, we will continue exploring this enchanting colonial-style city. The next stop will be the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda with one of the biggest reclining Buddha statues, and Sule Pagoda with its iconic golden chedi located at the heart of downtown Yangon. Our last stop will be Mahabandoola Park and then we will take a break to have lunch at a local restaurant in the city center.

As Myanmar is a very religious country, tourists are strongly recommended to pay and show respect to their traditions and religion. Please dress in a respectful way, covering your shoulders and your knees in case you’re wearing a skirt. When entering a pagoda or temple, always take off your shoes. In addition, keep in mind that the head is considered a holy part of your body, so please don’t touch anybody’s head, and make your apologies if you accidentally do it.

This evening enjoy a special visit to the massive Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar. The was built more than 1000 years ago. according to archeologists. However, according to the myths, it was built from 2500 years ago. Attracting pilgrims from all around the world, its central stupa is surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. The pagoda is encrusted with nearly 8,000 diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and topazes, and set with a 76-carat diamond at the tip. Our tour ends today with a traditional dinner buffet and a cultural show.

Overnight in Yangon.

Today you will take a flight heading from Yangon to Bagan, an impressive 26-sq-mile area next to the Irrawaddy river dotted with thousands of 800-year old temples and pagodas. it is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia.

Your tour here begins by visiting the Shwezigon Pagoda. Built by King Anawrahta in the early XI century, this is one of the most significant religious structures in Myanmar, serving as a model for the stupas (temples) that was about to come in the upcoming centuries.

After check-in at your hotel, your sightseeing tour will continue with a visit to Ananda Temple, the first fo the grand temples in Bagan, built in XII century as one of the masterpieces of Mon architecture. There you will find four huge standing Buddhas, facing the four cardinal directions, and a collection of well-preserved murals and numerous seated figures in niches around the galleried interior.

After having lunch at a local restaurant we will visit Thatbyinnyu Temple, the tallest temple in Bagan (more than 60 meters tall) that dates from 1144. The next temple to see will be the Htilominlo Temple, this large temple was built in 1218 and it’s noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. Admire the fine brickwork at the Dhamannyangyi Temple, then relax yourself to watch the sunset along Ayeyarwaddy River.

This evening, be entertained during dinner with a pleasing puppet show at Nanda.

Overnight in Bagan.

Today we will explore the colorful Nyaung Oo local market before driving to Mt. Popa, an extinct volcanic mountain topped with the Popa Taungkalat shrine. Inside the shrine are the statues of the 37 Mahagiri Nats, the guardian spirits of legendary ancestors. These spirits were considered very important in the ancient Burmese culture, as early Burmese kings needed to consult the Nats before commencing their reign.

After lunch at Popa Mountain Resort, we will drive back to Bagan with some village stops en route to observe the local lifestyle. Visit the picturesque Minanthu Village with toddy palm farms where they make palm sugar, roofing materials, twine, sieves, folk art objects, and toys.

We will enjoy the sunset at Mingalarzedi. Built in the XIII century, this is the latest large pagoda in Bagan, and it’s considered the masterpiece of Bamar pagoda architecture. Our last stop today will be at a traditional local restaurant for having dinner.

Overnight in Bagan.

Today we will take a short flight heading to Heho in the green highlands. Right after arriving we will go to Nyaung Shwe and Inle Lake, a vast and serene natural beauty 883 meters above sea level. With its calm waters dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes and a backdrop of soaring scenic hills, the lake is a dream for all photography lovers.

Check in at your hotel and then we will have a boat excursion to the holy floating pagoda Phaung Daw Oo Paya in the north of the lake.

After having lunch at a local restaurant we will visit the beautiful floating gardens, lush with vegetables and flowers, and view the pile dwellings along the shore. Here villages are built on stilts over the lake, and boats are the sole means of transport. Meet the Inthars, the leg rowers who row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar, and learn about their culture and environment. After that, we will visit some traditional workshops, including a silversmith, a blacksmith, and a boat builder.

During the evening we will visit the Nge Phe Chaung, a beautiful wooden monastery built on stilts around 200 years ago over the Inle Lake, and watch the sunset while boating.

Overnight at Inle Lake.

Take a morning boat excursion through a long channel to charming Shwe Inndaing (In Dein Village), located at the western end of Inle Lake. Walk up the stairway that leads to the hidden In Dein Temple complex. This area has an 800-year-old pagoda and hundreds of small Shan-style stupas, overgrown by moss and foliage.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before going to Heho to take a flight back to Yangon.

After arriving at Yangon, you will have rest before we go to have dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Yangon.

In your last day in Myanmar we will visit Botataung Pagoda which used to be destroyed by the British Empire and rebuilt after the Independence day, in 1948. According to local beliefs, this pagoda was built 2500 years ago, and it was named because of the 1000 military leaders who escorted the relic of the Buddha from India to this place, where a sacred hair relic of Buddha is enshrined. After that, you will drive to Nan Thida jetty to witness the busy life along the Yangon River, and we will explore the lively and colorful Bogyoke Market. Wander among the hundreds of local vendors selling varied items, from gems and jewelry to clothes, slippers, and local crafts.

After having lunch at a local restaurant you will be transferred to the airport for your departing flight.