Explore Myanmar's cultural and natural highlights in Yangon, Bagan and Inle Lake

Personalised journeys from start to finish

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Every detail taken care of

  • Personalised journeys from start to finish

  • Every trip helps support Conservation

  • Every detail taken care of

What's included

  • Completely private tours of Yangon, Bagan and Inle Lake
  • Luxury accommodation throughout
  • Meet and greet airport service
  • Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip
Use this itinerary to inspire your bespoke journey

At a glance

This six-day trip is the perfect way to see the highlights of historical and cultural Myanmar.

Your journey begins in Yangon, a vibrant and bustling city offering lively street markets and the grand old buildings of the colonial era. The golden Shwedagon Pagoda is Myanmar’s largest city’s centrepiece.

The following day head to Bagan, where you will be surrounded by countless temples and stupas of Bagan where, as well as a sun rise hot air balloon flight, you’ll visit local markets and villages. Next are the calm waters of Inle Lake where you can watch fishermen use their distinctive leg rowing technique and discover floating villages and even a vineyard.

Round off your trip with a few more touches of intriguing Buddhist culture, street food and art in bustling Yangon. This is the perfect trip for those looking for a short getaway and to immerse in an authentic, unique culture.

 

Example trip itinerary

Days 1-2

Yangon

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer from Yangon airport to your hotel

Accommodation in Yangon

shwedagon-pagoda-yangon
One night in Yangon One night in Yangon

Explore this energetic city with our full list of recommendations. From the enormous Shwedagon Pagoda, stroll through shaded parks and lakes and dine on delicious street food in bustling Chinatown at night - Yangon is a fascinating place to discover.

shwedagon-pagoda-yangon
Visit Shwedagon Pagoda Visit Shwedagon Pagoda

Visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, the local legend states that the original structure was built 2500 years ago then renovated several times until taking its current shape in the 15th century.

The eight-sided central stupa is 99m (324 feet) tall and gilded with gold leaf and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas and your guide will show you around the massive complex, explaining why this temple is so revered. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point.

Yangon 'Revolution Road' tour Yangon 'Revolution Road' tour

Discover the colonial city centre and its faded colonial buildings, busy street markets, and glittering temples. Visit the Aung San Old House, the former residence of independence leader General Aung San, home now to fascinating memorabilia, then enjoy a lunch of Burmese cuisine at the House Of Memories Restaurant, a historic colonial home filled with relics from Myanmar’s history.  

After lunch, visit former U.N. Secretary General U Thant’s house, Yangon University’s Convocation Hall, where violent protests of the past contrast with Obama’s historic address in November 2012 and see Aung San Suu Kyi’s house. End the day with a visit to the National League for Democracy headquarters and discussing Myanmar’s past, present and future at a local tea shop.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Yangon airport

Flight

Flight from Yangon to Bagan

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in Bagan

Days 2-4

Bagan

Accommodation in Bagan

Two nights in Bagan Two nights in Bagan

Enjoy your time in this magnificent part of Myanmar. Spend your days witnessing the spectacular temples and pagodas on bike or by horse and cart, cruising along the Irrawaddy River on an idyllic sunset boat trip and visiting the mountain-top monastery, Mount Popa.

bagan-scwezigon-pagoda
Full-day tour of Bagan Full-day tour of Bagan

Your journey begins with a visit to an elevated viewpoint where you will witness a panoramic view of the magnificent plains of Bagan. Continue to the colorful Nyaung Oo Market, and take a walk here to the local village where you will see the product of pone yeh gyi and other local treats. Then continue to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction in to Bagan’s rich history.

Nearby is Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. You'll also visit a traditional lacquer ware workshop where you can observe the production of one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Continue to Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. Take a break for lunch and to escape the midday heat.

This afternoon, travel by horse cart for a tour passing Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, the massive Dhammayangyi Temple and Sulamani Temple. Then round off this memorable tour with an unforgettable sunset over the plains from the upper terrace of one of the temples.

irrawaddy-river-sunset
Private Irrawaddy sunset cruise Private Irrawaddy sunset cruise

Board a traditional wooden river boat for a private cruise along the Irrawaddy River, enjoying magnificent views of the temples of Bagan as the sun begins to set. Sit back, relax and sip a refreshing cocktail as the boat makes its way past Shwezigon Pagoda and scenes of life on the water, small villages on the river banks, fishermen, local boats and other riverside temples.

Early morning hot air ballooning over Bagan Early morning hot air ballooning over Bagan

Start your morning with a hot-air balloon flight over the plains of Bagan. Enjoy the fabulous views as the sun rises over the endless stupas and Irrawaddy River. This is truly an unforgettable and unique experience.

Bagan Lacquerware
Painting laquerware in Bagan Painting laquerware in Bagan

This day-long crash course in Burmese lacquer ware takes place in Bagan's oldest lacquer ware shop where master craftsmen have been honing their expertise for centuries. After being talked through the process of creating a lacquer ware piece, guests will have the opportunity to paint over designs sketched onto coasters by the craftsmen - enabling them to take their very own masterpiece away with them.

Cycling tour of Bagan’s villages Cycling tour of Bagan’s villages

Bike through Bagan’s outskirts and explore a land of endless fields, toddy palm farms and rolling hills. Along the way, pedal by scenic villages, stopping in to see what traditional rural life is like and meet with the curious locals. This guided day trip travels along narrow lanes inaccessible to cars and buses, leading well off the tourist trail.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Bagan airport

Flight

Flight from Bagan to Heho

 
Transfer from Heho Airport to Inle Lake, visiting Pindaya en route Transfer from Heho Airport to Inle Lake, visiting Pindaya en route

Transfer from Heho Airport to Inle Lake, visiting Pindaya en route, an impressive cave that is home to over 8000 golden buddha statues.

Days 4-5

Inle Lake

Accommodation in Inle Lake

Fisherman on Inle Lake, Myanmar
Two nights by Inle Lake Two nights by Inle Lake

Enjoy the following days in this peaceful region, watching the renowned leg-rowing fishermen and seeing the lake's floating markets. You can also visit the famous pilgrimage site Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda.

inle-lake-fisherman-myanmar
Tour of Inle Lake and In Dein Tour of Inle Lake and In Dein

After breakfast, visit the lake’s morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a five-day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. Continue past villages inhabited by the Intha people who build their houses on stilts and floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. You will also see the leg-rowing fishermen of the lake who steer their boats with incredible balance.

From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of In Dein. Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Heho airport

Flight

Flight from Heho to Yangon

Transfer

Private transfer from Yangon airport to your hotel

Days 5-6

Yangon

Accommodation in Yangon

sule-paya-yangon
One night in Yangon One night in Yangon

Explore this energetic city with our full list of recommendations. From the enormous Shwedagon Pagoda, stroll through shaded parks and lakes and dine on delicious street food in bustling Chinatown at night - Yangon is a fascinating place to discover.

yangon-colonial-building
Architectural walking tour of Yangon Architectural walking tour of Yangon

Explore Yangon on this half-day walking tour around the central districts of downtown. Highlights include City Hall, the old railway station and the former Minister’s office where General Aung San was assassinated. Interspersed in the guided walk are various religious sites such as the St Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1899, and the Buddhist landmarks of Sule Paya and Botataung Pagoda.

By walking through the streets you’ll also have a chance to witness the lifestyles of the locals - from the busy bus and boat stations to the tea shops and hidden street markets. There are plenty of chances to interact with Yangon residents and learn more about the Burmese culture. Finally, stop for a cup of tea or coffee at a popular local tea shop.

myanmar-street-food
Yangon food tour Yangon food tour

This morning set off with your guide to explore the best of Yangon’s food. Start with a visit to one of downtown’s main morning markets where vendors gather to sell everything from fresh vegetables and fruits to fish and meats. Try out morning treats popular with the locals, such as noodles, pancakes, steamed sticky rice with beans and fried donuts and samosa.

Next, visit Seikkan Tha Street, another morning market area with many stalls selling palata (thick pancakes), flowers and fruits. Having worked up a thirst, make a stop at Maung Aye Tea Shop to enjoy a cup of sweet Burmese tea. Across the street is a popular stall specialising in Burmese tea leaf salad. Finally transfer to Feel Myanmar for lunch, a popular local restaurant, to sample an array of local curries all accompanied by dozens of vegetables, dips and a soup. This is very traditional, tasty Burmese lunch and a perfect way to complete your culinary exploration of Yangon.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to Yangon airport

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