Myanmar Culture Itinerary 8Days Tour

DAY 01: YANGON ARRIVAL

In Yangon Internal Airport, you will be warmly greeted by our tour guide and driver. They will transfer you the hotel to do the check-in.

Note: The early check-in depends on room availability, and the usual check-in is at 14:00 PM.

Start your Myanmar Itinerary 8 Days by an outdoor expedition to Kyauk Htat Gyi Pagoda that owns the impressive 70m-long reclining Buddha statue. After the pagoda sightseeing, proceed to Chinatown for a glimpse of the Chinese temple in Khen Hock Keong that is filled with dragon design and incense. Go for a stroll in the dynamic street stalls to find many vendors’ goods and feel the little Chinese setting in Yangon.

Chinese temple in Khen Hock Keong that is filled with dragon design and incense. Go for a stroll in the dynamic street stalls to find many vendors’ goods and feel the little Chinese setting in Yangon.

Around the sunset time, make sure you’re standing in the marvelous Shwedagon Pagoda that was made up of over 40 tons of gold leaf. You will be interested in discovering the eastern entrance of the site in which the shops sell many religious objects like the Burmese monks’ robes, alms bowls, etc. Mingling with the local pilgrims and tourists, you’ll have a memorable trip in Shwedagon – one of the most significant religious venues in Myanmar. Take your opportunities to pray for the best and have respect for the century-old monument.

Lunch and dinner at your own expense.
Overnight in Yangon.

DAY 02: YANGON – FLY TO BAGAN (B)

After breakfast, get a drive to the Airport for a short flight to the ancient Bagan city spotlighted with the 11th-13th-century temples. As the largest temple city or temple museum in the world, Bagan offers the ancient settings of stupas for you to cherish, as if you’re enjoying an adventure in the lost temple world. The Bagan temples tour will feast your eyes and enrich your understanding of the Burmese ancient religious monuments. So, take your time contemplating the century-old sites and spreading eyes toward the mighty Irrawaddy River.

The first-to-see is Ananda Temple, one of the most venerated sites in Bagan. As expected, you will arrive at the site prior to other tourist crowds, which help you to fully feel the beauty of the temple in a placid setting. The vast plain also covers other temple ruins to explore around the corners, and you can marvel at the 9th-14th-century artistic masterpieces of Buddhism. The tour will bring you some feelings about the rural life in Bagan that local families often work among the scattered monuments.

What’s more, the itinerary today covers the learning and cultural experiences in local workshops which are dedicated to lacquerwares and wooden crafts. There, you will learn how the delicate items are made by the skilled craftsmen whose traditions and techniques are kept from generation to generation.

OPTIONAL SUNSET CRUISE TOUR: USD8/PAX

You can opt for the Sunset Cruise in the late afternoon. With this option, the voyage on a private wooden boat will begin from the jetty downstream the Irrawaddy River. You can sit inside the boat or reach the open sundeck to watch the stunning view. Your cruise will pass by some lovely villages, local boats, the fishermen, and the identical Buddhist temples. When you are onboard, the view of the antique Bagan is truly wonderful. When the sun starts hiding itself out of sight from the sky, catch the right moment to capture as many amazing shots as possible. Afterward, disembark and drive back to the hotel for the good night’s rest. This is a wonderful end of the Bagan day tour.

Lunch and dinner at your own expense.
Overnight in Bagan.

DAY 03: BAGAN (B)

OPTIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE OVER BAGAN (Only from October through March/the beginning of Apr)

1. Golden Eagle: Standard Service-USD280/pax; Premium Services-USD380/pax (Extra USD20/pax for a period from 18 Dec to 10 Jan)
2. Balloon Over Bagan: Standard Service USD295/pax; Premium Services-USD395/pax (Extra USD20/pax for a period from 18 Dec to 10 Jan)
3. Oriental Ballooning: USD285/ pax (Extra USD20/pax for a period from 18 Dec to 10 Jan)

The morning Hot-air Balloon Ride is the second-to-none experience that is best enjoyed in the ancient temple city of Bagan. The amazing aerial tour is what people need to observe the majestic panorama of Bagan from the top, especially during the sunrise. You will need to get up so early for this balloon ride in order to catch the right dawn vista. While the aerial temple sightseeing is fantastic, the sunrise view over hundreds of the monuments and the placid Irrawaddy River can bring the magic feeling.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the vibrant Nyaung Oo Market in which you can watch the locals’ trading business. In the Old Bagan area, it is a must to visit the impressive Shwezigon Pagoda built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century. Go for a tour around the dusty lanes and tree-shaded roads past the monasteries toward a lovely village.

Furthermore, get excited in the horse-cart ride activity to the mid-12th-century Thatbyinnyu Temple which is the tallest one in Bagan. Next, spend time in a gigantic brickwork Dhammayangyi Temple and the delicate Sulamani Temple. You’ll be glad at the marvelous sunset view from the upper parts of the monument. Your camera will be kept busy with creating artistic photographs.

Lunch and dinner at your own expense.
Overnight in Bagan.

DAY 04: BAGAN – MANDALAY – SAGAING – INWA (B)

This morning, you will take a domestic flight from Bagan to Mandalay, the second largest city in Burma. Also, Mandalay is the last royal capital of the Burmese described as “most traditional, timeless, and charming.” Situated on the bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city preserves the authentic culture, traditional, beauty, and food that can mesmerize tourists. Upon your arrival, take the one-hour drive to the city center and across the Irrawaddy River. A must-see destination is Sagaing that is featured with 600 ivory-colored monasteries. The Sagaing Hill itself is the spiritual hub of the locals who often get there to do meditation. Some other praiseworthy monuments are Swan OoPonNya Shin, U Min ThoneSae, and Shin Pin Nam Gyaing. The off-the-beaten-track journey will continue to the local market, and then the pottery village that you can know how friendly the Burmese people are.

For history learning, you’ll be taken to Ava – the ancient capital that survived the 14th-18th centuries. Next, you’ll be ferried across a small river, and then experience a traditional horse cart to access the wooden Bagaya Monastery that preserves the elaborate woodcarvings. Don’t miss the remnants of Nanmyint Watch Tower (the leaning tower of Ava) and Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery. After that, take a drive to Amarapura (City of Immortality) which was once a royal capital of Myanmar although its glorious period was short. For an understanding of monastic study and strict Buddhism discipline that thousands of young monks are following, let’s visit Mahagandayon Monastery. Then, walk or take a short bus to the celebrated U Bein Bridge – the world’s longest teakwood bridge built over Taungthamma Lake. Take the precious opportunity to enjoy the sunset over the bridge. You can choose a boat trip to view the Bridge from afar or walk across the long bridge and mingle with the Burmese monks as well as the residents.

Lunch and dinner at your own expense.
Overnight in Mandalay.

DAY 05: MANDALAY – MINGUN – MANDALAY (B)

Our destination today is Mingun. From Mandalay jetty, you will embark a private boat to start the exhilarating 1-hour cruise on Irrawaddy River. When you are in Mingun, go to see Mingun Paya which is a gigantic brickwork that holds interesting fortune-telling about its collapse during the 1800s. You can ascend the flat top of the construction for a scenic view of Hsinbyume Paya, the fascinating riverscape, and Mingun village. Later, the exploration of Mingun cannot be complete if you miss the extraordinary Mingun Bell of 90 tons which is still ringing. Prior to the drive back to Mandalay, you will have a nice trip to the neighboring villages of the traditional basketry and get to know the craftsmen.

When you are back in Mandalay, challenge yourself by climbing up Mandalay Hill for the rewarding panorama of the city, Mandalay Palace, Irrawaddy River, and more beautiful sites. The day tour will continue to the must-see Kyauktawgyi Pagoda that enshrines the great marble Buddha image. Next, pay a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda (aka “The World’s Biggest Book”) that has 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhism teachings. The day tour will conclude at the golden Shwenandaw Monastery that is known for the impressive woodcarvings in each detail.

Lunch and dinner at your own expense.
Overnight in Mandalay

DAY 06: MANDALAY – HEHO – INLE (B)

Take a morning flight from Mandalay to Heho. Then, at the Heho airport, you will be transferred to Nyaung Shwe village. Use your time to explore the countryside workshops and witness how the Shan people make the unique paper and handcrafted umbrellas. Buy for yourself a Burmese-style umbrella as a photogenic accessory might be a good idea. Also, visit the Shweyanpyay teak monastery to marvel at the sophisticated woodcarvings.

Then, the long-expected motorboat trip on Inle Lake will begin. As one of the most spectacular attractions, Inle Lake offers the wonderful vista filled with the floating vegetation, fishing canoes, magnificent hills, and serene stilted houses inhabited by the Intha people. There, you can observe how the Intha fishermen row by one leg and stand firmly on the boat by another leg, how the gardens are floating and anchored to the water bottom by bamboo poles, etc. The beautiful time in Inle Lake can give you peace of mind. Return to the hotel.

Lunch and dinner at your own expense.
Overnight in Inle Lake.

DAY 07: INLE LAKE – INDEIN (B)

Following the breakfast time will be the visit to the local market near Inle Lake. You will meet many inhabitants and visitors who come to trade and buy goods in a vibrant atmosphere. The 1-hour cruise downstream the canal will bring you to the Pa-Oh village of Indein which is settled on the western lakefront. Just roam around the village, and then ascend the moss-filled stairway to the hilltop. At the peak, you can do homage to the Buddha image amid many stupa ruins and the overgrown shrubbery. Also, reward yourself with the bewitching vista of the placid sceneries. You’ll be glad to see the Indein Pagoda complex that is somehow overwhelmed by greenness and ignites the mysterious look. At that moment, it feels like you are a main character in the discovery episodes.

During the next hours, enjoy the 45-minute trek by boat to Sae Ma village and relish the pristine Nature. You can try basking below the bamboo shade, which is a perfect way to unwind. In the village, watch the locals’ life activities and traditions. On the return routes, if time permits, you can visit the Inthar Heritage House to know more about the indigenous people in the lake, their history, and culture. Drive back to the hotel.

Lunch and dinner at your own expense.
Overnight in Inle Lake.

DAY 08: INLE LAKE – HEHO – YANGON DEPARTURE (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, take the 1-hour drive transfer to Heho Airport for a domestic flight to Yangon. In the Yangon Airport, check-in your international flight if any (Tour Guide and Car in Yangon are not included).

Lunch and dinner at your own expense.