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Experience Myanmar, a feast for the soul and the senses.

Discover the magic and myth of Myanmar on a nine-day journey through some of its very best sights. Bookend your adventure in beautiful Yangon, where the golden Shwedagon Pagoda glitters in the sunset, and experience the many facets of Myanmar's heart and soul in between – tranquil temples, home-cooked cuisine, grassroots culinary wizardry, floating lake islands and the local handmade industry. Many modes of transport, from plane to bike to canoe, make for a convenient, exhilarating and authentic adventure across this enchanting land, as you discover a country that embodies the South East Asia of twenty years ago.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
Finish
Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)
Destination
Myanmar (Burma)
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
TRSH
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Spend an afternoon touring the temple town of Bagan by bicycle. This is a fantastic way to see the thousands of spectacular temples, stupas and pagodas.

  • Join a homegrown master of Burmese cuisine as you stock up on market ingredients, cook up a storm in a cooking class, then feast on the results – all the while supporting a community library initiative.

  • Enjoy an action-packed activity schedule in Mandalay. Visit the magnificent Mandalay Palace, tour a local village and monastery, and discover the hill-top pagodas of Sagaing.

  • Explore Inle Lake on a peaceful canoe trip, followed by a boat tour of its floating islands and local village industries.

  • Be dazzled by Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset. Myanmar's religious crown jewel comes alive in the dusk, with thousands of glittering diamonds on its golden stupa.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This nine-day 'highlights' trip is perfect for travellers seeking a taste of Myanmar over a short period. If you're looking for something more immersive, consider the longer Best of Myanmar trip, or perhaps spend extra time in beautiful Yangon.

  • There are 2 days of travelling by road in a private minibus, from Mandalay to Bagan (5 hours), and Mandalay to Inle Lake (9.5 hours). It's a great chance to soak up the beautiful scenery.

  • There's a fair amount of walking involved – sometimes barefoot, and sometimes up steep steps to catch incredible views. Note also that many religious sites require footwear to be removed before entry.

  • Myanmar can get hot and humid, even in winter. The hottest and driest months are March and April, while there tends to be higher levels of rainfall from May to late October. During this time humidity is typically high. Keep this in mind if planning to travel during summer.

Itinerary
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Mingalaba! Welcome to Myanmar. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you have free time to explore before the meeting, we recommend stepping out onto the streets of Yangon. Why not take the Circle Line train for a 3-hour journey around town, or head over to Bogyoke Market and haggle with the locals? There’s also Sule Pagoda, a 2000-year-old golden temple, and the Gems Museum, which houses some of the world’s largest sapphire, ruby and jade pieces. After the meeting, there's an optional group dinner – a great chance to chat with fellow travellers and enjoy sumptuous Myanmar cuisine, which draws variously on Mon, Indian and Chinese flavours.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Yangon - Bogyoke Market (Scotts Market) - Free
  • Yangon - Sule Pagoda - MMK3000
  • Yangon - Let Yangon Take You For a Ride Urban Adventure - USD33
  • Yangon - Myanmar Gems Museum & Gem Market - MMK5000
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for the group meeting today, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Take an early morning flight to Bagan (approximately 1.5 hours). This famous archaeological site, located on the banks of the Ayeyarwady River, is where Theravada Buddhism was first introduced to the Kingdom. It was once the site of 10,000 temples, pagodas and monasteries – it still boasts a staggering 2000 brick and gilded ruins. After arriving this morning, your leader will take you on a half-day bicycle tour of the stunning UNESCO site. Seeing these marvels on two wheels is ideal, as the site is quite spread out and you'll get to witness the grandeur of Ananda Temple and more.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bagan - Temple bike tour
Optional Activities
  • Bagan - Dandaree Culture Show - USD20
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Take a cooking class with a friendly, community-minded culinary expert this morning. Visit the local market to stock up on produce, then head to the kitchen to cook up a storm. Take the opportunity to ask your host about any mysterious ingredients you might see in the marketplace – she's a wealth of knowledge. As well as a chance to cook and taste real home-cooked Myanmar cuisine, it's a good cause, with part of the proceeds going towards a local children's library initiative. Enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch, followed by a free afternoon and evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bagan - Local cooking class
Optional Activities
  • Bagan - Shwezigon Paya - Free
  • Bagan - Dandaree Culture Show - USD20
  • Bagan - Lacquer Ware Workshop Visit - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
One of the best ways to experience Bagan is the optional sunrise hot air balloon flight. Experience breathtaking views above the stupa-studded landscape, followed by a light breakfast and champagne. The experience runs for approximately 2.5 hours, with flights times an average 45 minutes (can range from 1 hour to 20 minutes subject to local conditions). Weather dependent, flights operate between end of October through to March. The sunrise balloon flight is possible on the morning of day 3 (subject to availability). Advance bookings are highly recommended as places are limited. Please ask your booking agent for further details of the Premium and Classic service options.

Prepare for a long day of travel as you drive to Mandalay by private minibus (approximately 5 hours). Make sure you’re stocked up on snacks and your devices are fully charged for the journey, or perhaps take the time to get to know your fellow travellers. Though it's mostly a hub for day trips, the enchanting and evocative former royal capital of Mandalay has many lovely churches, temples and mosques to discover. Enjoy free time exploring or simply relaxing this afternoon.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Mandalay - Moustache Brothers - MMK10000
  • Mandalay - Mandalay Hill - MMK1000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Embark on a morning boat trip up the famous Ayeyarwady River to Mingun (approximately 1 hour each way). Here you will find a small handful of impressive pagodas and unique sites, as well as the foundations of what had the potential to be the largest temple in the world. Spend some time exploring, then return to Mandalay. This afternoon, visit the impressive Mandalay Palace and Shwenandaw Monastery before heading out of the city to witness an awesome sunset over the U Bein Bridge.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mandalay - Shwenandaw Teak Monastery
  • Mandalay - Boat trip to Mingun
  • Mandalay - U Bein Bridge
Optional Activities
  • Mandalay - Gold Leaf Pounding Workshop - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today is a full day of travelling by private bus to Nyaungshwe (approximately 9.5 hours). En route, stop and visit the community-based tourism village of Meiktila. Wander through the village and learn about the culture and traditions of the villagers and the inspiring work done here to improve the lives of the locals, before enjoying a hearty home-cooked lunch. This evening arrive at Nyaungshwe, your gateway to Inle Lake, and a picturesque and culturally fascinating area. Settle into your hotel, then enjoy free time to perhaps visit the bustling night market or enjoy a drink in one of the local bars.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Meikhtila Village - Community Based Tourism Visit
  • Meikhtila Village - Community Based Tourism Lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

This morning, explore the lush waters of Inle Lake by canoe, then continue by motorised boat for a sightseeing tour. Stop by to see the local cigar makers, silk and lotus weavers, and see the unique floating gardens. This tour is a fascinating insight into local handmade traditions, even the floating gardens require considerable manual labour to landscape – local farmers collect weeds from the depths of the lake, then fashion them into gardens with the help of bamboo poles as anchors.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Inle Lake - Boat trip & village tour
  • Inle Lake - Canoe tour
Optional Activities
  • Inle Lake - Bicycle hire - MMK3000
  • Inle Lake - Red Mountain Estate Winery Tasting - MMK5000
  • Inle Lake - Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Catch a morning flight to Yangon. After settling into your hotel, head out to see the holiest shrine in the country, the Shwedagon Pagoda. This gilded pagoda is studded with nearly 5000 diamonds and a number of gems and is said to contain eight hairs of the Buddha. It’s a particularly impressive sight at sunset when the stupa begins to shine in the fading light of the day. This evening, why not head out for a final group dinner to toast to your adventure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Yangon - Shwedagon Pagoda and Oil Lamp Lighting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your trip comes to an end today and you are free to depart at any time.
Optional Activities
  • Yangon - Hands-on Yangon Urban Adventure - USD81
  • Yangon - Yangon's Streets By Night Urban Adventure - USD40
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

8 breakfasts, 2 lunches

Transport

Bicycle, Boat, Canoe, Plane, Private minbus

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights)

Included activities

  • Bagan - Temple bike tour
  • Bagan - Local cooking class
  • Mandalay - Shwenandaw Teak Monastery
  • Mandalay - Boat trip to Mingun
  • Mandalay - U Bein Bridge
  • Meikhtila Village - Community Based Tourism Visit
  • Meikhtila Village - Community Based Tourism Lunch
  • Inle Lake - Boat trip & village tour
  • Inle Lake - Canoe tour
  • Yangon - Shwedagon Pagoda and Oil Lamp Lighting

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Myanmar Highlights trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport). Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
3. Intrepid can book an optional sunrise balloon ride over the Bagan (operating end of October to March). Please refer to the itinerary for more information. Places are limited and we recommend advance booking with your agent.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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