Burmar Signature

Arrive at Yangon international airport, you will be greeted by our guide then transfer to the hotel.

Yangon has been the capital of Myanmar since the British transformed it into their administrative center of future India. Its impressive colonial and spiritual heritage makes Yangon one of the most fascinating capital of South East Asia. The city still bewitches with an impressive array of ancient cultural and historic gems. This includes magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, one of Myanmar’s most sacred Buddhist sites and a pivotal force in Yangon daily life. Shwedagon contains a 99m (325ft)-high golden stupa and spires, adorned with 7,000 diamonds, sapphires and rubies and allegedly, hairs belonging to the Gautama Buddha.

In the evening, you will join the throng of pilgrims at a special oil lamp lighting ceremony, an ancient and highly symbolic Buddhist ritual. Observe red-robed monks chant ancient Pali scriptures as more than a thousand oil lamps are lit around the gilded pagoda. Our guide explains the meaning behind the chants, helping you understand the ritual. A truly awe-inspiring spiritual experience.

Meal: No 

Accommodation: overnight at hotel in Yangon 

Yangon is a sprawling city with a relatively small downtown area including several markets, colonial buildings, the Yangon River and a very green area with tree-lined streets and several lakes. Today you will take a full day city tour to see the different faces of Yangon.

Visit the Sule Pagoda built before the Shwedagon Pagoda during the time of the Buddha, making it more than 2,600 years old. Next, stroll around the colonial downtown for an insight into excellent examples of the bygone era of Yangon. Proceed to the harbor where you will stop for a drink (your own account) at Strand Hotel and visit one of the colorful local markets. The reclining Buddha will be followed just before taking a tasteful lunch of typical dishes from tribes from all over the country like Kachin, Shan and Rakhine. A local market will lead us to a small station where we take the famous circular train to bring us right behind Bogyoke Aung San market before heading back to your hotel.

Morning, free at leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Bagan.  Arrival, meet with our guide then transfer to hotel for check in.

Afternoon, transfer to visit the busy market in New Bagan, a very lively affair when people from all around town come and buy their vegetables, herbs, meat and other ingredients for the day. Your guide will give an assignment to go and buy and taste 3 different kind snacks typical for the region. There also is extra time reserved to buy some souvenirs. We continue to Taungbi village where we visit the old wooden monastery built for royalty and two temples that are not well known but certainly worth a visit.  Around 16.00 pm we continue the tour by horse cart to Pyathagyi pagoda for sunset with some refreshing drinks served. The rest of the day the car and guide are available for additional visits of the temples till 18.00 pm if wanted. 

Accommodation: overnight at hotel in Bagan 

Meet our guide and car at hotel then start half-day tour driving across the stunning landscape of hundreds of ancient temple ruins spread over the vast plain, in-between thick bushes and dusty roads. Your guide will tell you the stories behind each temple. Besides visiting some well-known pagodas like Shwesandaw – a graceful white pyramid-style pagoda with steps leading past five terraces to the circular stupa top, the imposing Ananda houses thousands of stone images inside, Sulamani known as crowing jewel, and Dhammayangyi – the largest of all the temples in Bagan.

After lunch, transfer to airport for flight to Heho by 16:55-17:35. Transfer to hotel in Inle Lake for check in  
Accommodation: overnight at hotel in Inle Lake 

Inle Lake, the second largest freshwater lake in Myanmar at 22km length and 10-meter width, is the main life source for communities in the Shan plateau region. Surrounded by hills and mountains, the lake is renowned for its hydroponic floating gardens and local fishermen practicing a one-leg rowing style.

Morning, get on a private motorboat for a full day exploring the lake. Discover its natural beauty, visit the floating gardens, see some of the famous leg rowers, and have a cup of tea at a local family’s house. Around the lake area, a local market serving most common daily needs is held in different villages on a 5-day rotating schedule. You will call on to this market frequented by Shan and PaO people to explore the local’s daily life. Up next, stop by a local cheroot factory where the Burmese cigars are made, cruise through floating tomato gardens, explore Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda which houses five gilded Buddha images and finally see Inthar Heritage House where the Burmese cats are bred - and if wanted, pay a visit at a weaving factory.

Morning, free at leisure until transfer to airport for departure flight to Yangon at 11:35-12:45 then connect your flight back home.