4 Days Taste of Myanmar

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, and after that the nearby Mahapasana Cave, which traditionally use to host Buddhist Tipitaka (scripture) ceremonies.

After a small rest to fresh up at your hotel, we will continue exploring this enchanting colonial-style city. The next stop will be the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, having 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 city center restaurant.

Myanmar is a very religious country, and therefore tourists are strongly recommended to show respect to their traditions and religion. Please dress in a respectful way and cover your shoulders and your knees in case you’re wearing a skirt. When entering a pagoda or temple, always take off your shoes. Also, 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 so.

This evening enjoy a special visit to the massive Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar. It was built more than 1000 years ago according to archeologists, and 2500 years ago according to the myths. 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 highlighted with a 76-carat diamond at the tip. Our tour ends today with a traditional dinner buffet and a cultural show.

Overnight in Yangon.

This morning you are taken to the Phnom Penh airport for your flight to Siem Reap. You are met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel with time to freshen up and have lunch (on your own).

This afternoon, drive to the biggest religious temple in the world, magnificent Angkor Wat. It was built by Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, to honor god-king Vishnu. The temple complex covers 80 hectares, a size comparable to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Angkor Wat is considered by art historians to be the typical example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Its soaring five towers, with their distinctive extraordinary bas-reliefs, are seen emblazoned on the Cambodian flag.

End the day at Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset over the Cambodian countryside. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Today you will explore the colorful Nyaung Oo local market and then we will visit the Manuha Temple, built by the imprisoned Mon king Manuha. Inside you will find three seated Buddha statues and an image of Buddha entering Nirvana. Continue to the Nanphaya Temple, a sandstone-based temple over a brick core built in the XI century, with typical perforated stone windows of the early Bagan architecture. The Nanpaya Temple is the first cave-style shrine in Bagan. Also, we are going to visit the sophisticated XII century Sulamuni Temple and the Hindu Nathlaung Kyaung temple, dedicated to Vishnu, before having lunch at a local restaurant.

Afer lunch we will head to the Manuha Myingaba Village area to meet women in weavers at a local village, who are making clothes on their traditional looms, the same way it has been done for generations.

In the late afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Yangon. After arrival, you have time to relax at your hotel before having a traditional dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Yangon.

In your last day in Myanmar we will visit Botataung Pagoda, which was destroyed by the British Empire and then 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, drive to Nan Thida jetty to witness the busy life along the Yangon River and 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.