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The Essentials of Myanmar

Birmanie
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This trip to Myanmar allows you to experience an initial discovery of one of the most beautiful countries in Asia in just ten days. Start off in Yangon, where the city reveals its colonial architecture and you visit the incredible Shwedagon Pagoda. In Mandalay, you walk along the 1.2 kilometre-long wooden U Bein Bridge, visit a Buddhist monastery and cross the former royal capital in a carriage. Then, a day cruise along the Irrawaddy takes you to the incredible archaeological site of Bagan where you ride an electric scooter between thousands of ancient pagodas, palaces and temples. You then explore the thousand Buddhas caves of Pindaya before ending up at Inle Lake with its Intha fishermen, stilt houses, floating vegetable gardens and ethnic minorities.

Myanmar is a remarkable country that has retained much of its authenticity, having been closed to tourism for many years. You will discover an essentially rural country that is bursting with cultural richness, marked by Buddhist spirituality found in the thousands of pagodas and monasteries that you will pass throughout your journey. Inhabited by a mosaic of ethnic groups, this trip to Burma also allows you to meet the inhabitants and observe their traditions which are still rooted in daily life and in the highly developed local crafts.

Shanti Travel, with more than ten years of experience in Asia, is committed to creating a journey that suits you. We take care of the complete organization of your trip; your Travel Expert welcomes you on site and a private driver is there to accompany you when it is necessary for your comfort. An ideal way to spend a wonderful holiday for the free spirited and those looking for a discovery. Feel free to contact one of our Travel Experts who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Duration
10 days
Based on your travel dates & customizable
From
1470$
per person
excluding international flights
Request a quote
The Shanti Travel touch
  • Your Travel Expert in Yangon
  • 24h/7 assistance
  • Shanti Travel expertise
Résumé Jour par jour
Devis gratuit

A perfect holiday for...


expert-voyage
David
Myanmar Travel Expert

I strongly recommend this program for a first discovery of Myanmar. A complete itinerary which covers the highlights of this stunning country, presenting you its prestigious past, its very present spirituality and a rural and authentic way of life. A journey through fabulous landscapes for a truly unforgettable journey.

Your tailor-made trip - Birmanie

Arrival at Yangon International Airport
Day 1
Arrival at Yangon International Airport

Visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda

Welcome to Myanmar! You are greeted at Yangon Airport by your driver who brings you to your hotel. After depositing your luggage, you meet your Travel Expert who gives you the latest information necessary for the smooth running of your trip. Then, without further ado, you set off to discover the historic city of Yangon. Head to the ancient Sule Pagoda and the colonial district of Yangon for a stroll through the heart of its fascinating architecture. Then, go to the famous Bokyoke Market. In the evening, do not miss a chance to admire the sunset at the breath-taking 103-meter-high Shwedagon Pagoda! A highlight of your trip.


Yangon - Mandalay
Day 2
Yangon - Mandalay

The gold pounders of Mandalay

This morning, you take a short flight to reach the city of Mandalay. Your new driver welcomes you at the airport and accompanies you to your hotel. You then join the district of the gold pounders. Feel free to enter a workshop to observe the immaculate manufacturing technique of gold leaf that is common to all Burmese pagodas and temples. You then visit Mahamuni Pagoda which houses one of the country's most honoured Buddha representations and Kuthodaw Pagoda, with its 729 ‘kyauksa gu’ or stone shrines, each containing a marble slab with a page of text from Buddhist texts. At the end of the day, you watch the sunset on Mandalay Hill and admire the beautiful view of the Mandalay Palace and the Irrawaddy River.


Mandalay
Day 3
Mandalay

Explore the ancient royal cities

A beautiful day awaits you. You start by visiting a ‘longyi’ (traditional Burmese clothing) factory in the former royal capital of Amarapura. You then continue to Inwa, also called Ava, an ancient imperial capital. After crossing a small river by local boat, it is aboard a carriage that you discover the remains of the ancient capital of the Shan kingdom. At the top of Sagaing Hill, covered with pagodas, you have the opportunity to meet the monks of a local monastery. At sunset, during the monk’s prayer time, you walk along the U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world, stretching over 1.2 kilometres.


Mandalay - Bagan
Day 4
Mandalay - Bagan

Peaceful cruise on the Irrawaddy

Wake up at dawn to board a boat to reach Bagan. You enjoy a peaceful day cruising to the gentle rhythm of the Irrawaddy, a river born of glaciers in the east of the Himalayas. An excellent way to discover the landscape of the Burmese countryside and rural life. Along the way, the banks are lined with yellow sand from which the locals make bricks with the silt of the river. Fishermen sit on the banks while others pull the nets. You may even have the chance to watch the farmers bring their water buffaloes to cool down in the river after the morning field work.


Bagan
Day 5
Bagan

Traditional market and private sunset cruise

Your day begins with a visit to the traditional Nyaung Oo market. A place bustling with life, where locals come to stock up on tropical fruits and vegetables but also to get dressed and chat. Taking in the cheerful atmosphere, you walk the paths discovering colourful stalls where the bravest can even taste dried ants. In the early afternoon, you can visit the Manuha Temple or discover the painstaking work of lacquer, the region's renowned handicraft. At the end of the day, take a private cruise to admire the sunset over the majestic temples of Bagan. A unique experience.


Bagan
Day 6
Bagan

Explore the temples of Bagan by electric scooter

Today will be without a doubt one of the most memorable days of your trip. You set off on an electric scooter to explore Bagan, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Asia. Completely free, you spend your day discovering thousands of temples and pagodas along small dirt roads. Make sure to visit Ananda Temple, Shwezigon Pagoda and Sulamani Temple, which are some of the most impressive buildings, but don’t forget to stop and visit the smaller lost temples along the way that give this archaeological site its charm. At sunset, climb to the top of one of the temples to enjoy an incredible view of the entire site for an unforgettable experience.


Bagan - Kalaw
Day 7
Bagan - Kalaw

The caves with a thousand Buddhas

This morning, wake up at dawn to ensure that you don’t miss one of the most beautiful shows in Burma. At sunrise, hot air balloons rise above the roofs of pagodas adding even more magic to the site. Then take the road to Bagan Airport to reach the city of Pindaya where you will discover its natural caves in which there are thousands of statues of Buddhas covered with gold. You walk through a succession of cavities that reach almost 150 metres into the hillside, sometimes having to crawl to get through. Then you continue on road towards Kalaw to spend the night. At dinner, treat yourself to a tea leaf salad, a specialty of the region.

Opportunity to witness the sunrise aboard one of the hot air balloons.


Pindaya - Inle Lake
Day 8
Pindaya - Inle Lake

Crossing the Shan countryside by train

After a morning tour of Pindaya Market, your private driver will take you to Aung Ban Train Station to catch your train to Shwe Nyaung. The train runs slowly, allowing you to admire the beautiful scenery of the Shan countryside. You cross colourful fields, small green groves, carts loaded with produce and traditional wooden houses. Your driver will meet you at the station to bring you to your hotel at Inle Lake. Located more than 850 metres above sea level in the heart of the Shan Mountains, this immense expanse of fresh water is the meeting point of the many ethnic groups that populate the region.


Inle Lake
Day 9
Inle Lake

An unforgettable day on the lake

You get up in a hurry, eager to discover the beauty of Inle Lake. You embark on a traditional canoe to discover life around the lake. Taking it all in, you let yourself be overwhelmed by a wave of wonder. The fishermen here paddle on one leg using the Inn Thar technique, forming a majestic ballet on the water. You advance on small canals twisting in between stilt village houses and floating vegetable gardens. Here, life is spent on the water. Next, you visit Indein, a village known for its lotus flower fabric, or the village of Nampan where women hand roll traditional cigars.


Inle Lake - Yangon
Day 10
Inle Lake - Yangon

Last moments on the lake and return flight

If you feel like it, and depending on your flight schedule, you can indulge yourself on a last outing on the lake and head to the local market, which is held every day at a different location on the lake. You come across women of the Pa-O ethnic group wearing colourful fabrics who come down from the mountains to sell their fruits and vegetables. Your driver will then bring you to the airport to catch your domestic flight from Heho to Yangon. In the afternoon, take the time to visit the major sites in Yangon that you did not have time to explore on the first day. Then, depending on the time of your flight, your driver will bring you to Yangon International Airport for your return flight.


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Travel terms and conditions

Price includes

  • 24/7 assistance from your Shanti Travel Expert.
  • Welcome by your Travel Expert or our representative upon your arrival in Yangon.
  • A local SIM card to allow you to communicate with your driver and Travel Expert during your tour.
  • Government taxes and service taxes.
  • Transfers and land transport by private vehicle with driver. The driver is available from 8am daily and at the latest until nightfall. During the activity days, only transfers are included, unless stated otherwise. The vehicles are equipped with air conditioning, radio, safety belts, and fire extinguishers. The price includes petrol, road taxes, car parking, insurance of the vehicle and driver, and accommodation and meals of the latter.
  • Domestic flights (prices subject to change depending on seat availability. Domestic flight schedules may be delayed or changed without notice). Note that domestic flights do not always include the same baggage allowance as your international flights. Any extra baggage fees will be at your expense, to be paid by you during the check-in.
  • Accommodation as mentioned in the program in a double room.
  • Breakfasts.
  • Activities marked "included" as described in the program, most of the time accompanied by a local English-speaking guide.
  • Not including any other item not mentioned in the quotation.

Price does not include

  • Visa fees and bank charges for payments made by credit card and/or bank transfers.
  • International airport taxes.
  • International flights. 
  • Tips. They are part of the culture of the country (the locals themselves are used to giving it).
  • The main meals (budget € 2 to € 3 for a local meal in a local restaurant, and from € 8 to € 20 in an international restaurant per meal/person). Except for the meals mentioned in the program.
  • Drinks and personal expenses.
  • Entrance fees, excursions and optional activities.
  • Repatriation assistance.
  • Anything that is not listed in the "Price includes" section.

Details

  • Starting from 1470$ per person based on 2 travellers
  • Quotation is subject to change according to availability, exchange rates and government tax rise. All the rates mentioned are based on current best available rate and can be modified at the moment of the booking.

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