Jan
min : 18°C
max : 32°C
We Love —
- Embark on a trip to an untouched, spiritual destination that is relatively unexplored by tourists!
- See all of Myanmar - explore the traditional floating villages of Inle Lake
- Marvel at one of the world's most spectacular religious monuments - the glittering golden Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay.
- Our members will enjoy an 8-night tour, with an optional beach extension in Phuket!
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Destinations —
Phuket
Our Offers —
Offer 1: 8 nights
8 nights Myanmar Discovery Tour
Offer 2: 12 nights
8 nights Myanmar Discovery Tour
4 nights Phuket Extension
Offer 3: 14 nights
8 nights Myanmar Discovery Tour
6 nights Phuket Extension
Your Tour Itinerary In Brief —
Day 1 - Arrival in Mandalay
Day 2 - Mandalay - Amarapura - Ava - Sagaing - Mandalay
Day 3 - Mandalay - Nyaung U - Bagan
Day 4 - Bagan
Day 5 - Bagan
Day 6 - Bagan - Nyaung U - Heho - Inle Lake
Day 7 - Inle Lake
Day 8 - Inle Lake - Indein - Heho - Yangon
Day 9 - Yangon - Departure
It will be quite unlike any place you know about
Your Itinerary —
Day 1 - Arrival in Mandalay
Upon arrival, begin a sightseeing tour of Mandalay with a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda. This pagoda is home to one of the country’s most revered Buddha images which, over the years, has been covered with so much gold leaf by revellers that it has attained a unique and iconic ‘lumpy’ texture.
Mandalay is well-known for its skilled craftsmen and, while touring traditional workshops, learn more about the city’s cottage industries. Observe the production of wood carvings, kalaga tapestries, and gold-leaf, where the techniques remained unchanged from those used centuries ago to craft items for the Royal Court.
This afternoon, continue the tour of Mandalay with a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda, whose 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures have earned it the title ‘World’s Biggest Book’. Continue to Shwenandaw Monastery, the only remaining building from the 19th century Royal Palace. This grand teak wood building is known for its exquisite woodcarving.
Then head to the top of Mandalay Hill as the sun begins to set to enjoy magnificent views of the city and Irrawaddy River from the highest vantage point in the area. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Meals at leisure.
Overnight in Mandalay.
After breakfast at your hotel, cross a bridge over the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar. Visit pagodas such as Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae. Then, visit Sagaing’s local market, a typical Burmese market that few tourists visit. We will also stop at a small pottery village to see the process of making the ubiquitous water pots found throughout Myanmar.
Then continue south of the city to Ava, the Burmese capital from the 14th to 18th centuries, where a short ferry ride will head across the river to a waiting horse and carriage. While taking this charming form of transportation, visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort. There are many small villages located amid Ava’s ruins and, while travelling by horse and cart, get a glimpse of local life in the Burmese countryside.
Return toward the city and stop at Amarapura, a former capital whose name means ‘City of Immortality’. First, visit a silk weaving workshop which produces exquisite handmade products. After touring this tranquil site, continue to U Bein Bridge for a walk along this 200-year-old teak wood bridge. Afterwards, head back to the hotel in Mandalay.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Mandalay airport for your flight to Nyaung U (Bagan). Arrival in Bagan and transfer to your hotel.
On arrival, the journey begins with views of the magnificent plains of Bagan on the way to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda for an introduction into Bagan’s rich history. Then, visit nearby 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.
In the afternoon, pay a visit to a traditional lacquerware workshop and 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. From here, travel by horse cart for a tour passing Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple in Bagan, Dhammayangyi Temple, a massive temple noted for its remarkable brickwork, and Sulamani Temple. Continue to an elevated viewpoint to watch an unforgettable sunset over the plains before returning to the hotel.
Days 4 - 5 - Bagan
take this time to visit the colourful Nyaung Oo Market where villagers gather every day to buy and sell their produce and other goods. See the Myinkaba Village and take a short walking tour to explore the temples of Manuha and Nan Paya. Explore more temples in the area, visit more craft shops or return to the hotel for a break to relax from the midday heat.
In the rural village of Minnanthu, one of Bagan’s least-visited areas, you can explore temples such as Payathonzu, Lemyentha and Nandamannya before heading to the riverside pier. Board a local boat for a slow cruise down the Irrawaddy River. While cruising, observe the lifestyle of fishermen and riverside villagers and take in the unique perspective of Bagan’s temples.
Get a taste of local culture with an excursion, on day 5, to Bagan’s countryside. Travel to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano that rises more than 1500 metres high. Mount Popa is believed to be the home of the nats, 37 guardian spirits worshipped by the Myanmar people. Arrive at the base of Taung Kalat, a volcanic plug where a massive shrine has been constructed. Get a glimpse into this unique form of worship at a small museum where statues of each nat are displayed. Then climb the stairs to the top of the shrine, joining local pilgrims on the way. On the way, learn more about the nats and the role they play in Myanmar culture. Upon reaching the top, relax and enjoy the views.
On the return journey, stop at Shwe Hlaing. Explore this local village which is famous for its toddy palm trees. See how the ingenious farmers use the trees to produce everything from tables to sweet molasses and even strong wine. Return to Bagan and visit of Kyaukku U Min temple, north of Nyaung U.
Two nights at a hotel in Bagen.
Leave Bagen after breakfast at the hotel in the morning. From Heho, a scenic one-hour drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway village to Inle Lake. Along the way, stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery which features beautiful carvings and a collection of Buddha images. We will also stop in Nyaung Shwe for a short walk around town and visit the colourful market if it is being held that day.
Upon reaching the edges of Inle Lake, board a private motorboat to head out to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular sights. Pass villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people. Observe the famous leg-rowing fishermen and see their floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf.
Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where traditional Burmese cigars are made by hand. If time permits, there may be time to enjoy a short walk through one of the lakeside villages.
Overnight on Inle Lake.
Breakfast at the hotel. Board a motorboat canoe for a day trip to the south of Inle Lake. First, embark on a journey to Sagar, a sleepy village at the far southern reaches of Inle Lake. The boat trip passes through stunning scenery, with lush mountains forming a backdrop for the small villages and fishermen on the water. Relax and enjoy the passing views.
Arrive at Sagar and start exploring the various sites on the water’s edge. Visit the iconic ‘sunken’ stupas of Sagar, a collection of 108 stupas dating back to the 16th century. Several months a year, the water level rises and partially submerges the stupas thus giving them their nickname. Go ashore near to the stupas and take a walk through the compound and its neighbouring village.
15 minutes from Sagar is the Takkhaung Mwedaw complex. Its pagodas, similar in style to those of In Dein and Kakku, evoke the glorious past of Sagar, which was the capital of a Sawbwa Shan (one of the many mini-kingdoms that made up the Shan States). Some pagodas are buried in the vegetation, others half submerged under the waters of the river.
Afterwards, head to Inle Lake and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Inle Lake.
Today the sightseeing starts at 08:00, after breakfast, with a visit to 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. (Note: The market is daily except on dark-moon day and full-moon day).
From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of Indein. Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village and wandering through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below.
After today’s tour, drive to the Heho Airport for the flight to Yangon. Arrival in Yangon and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure (no driver, no guide).
Day 9: Yangon – Departure
Breakfast at your hotel. Free time at leisure (no guide, but car and driver at your disposal) until transfer to the international airport of Yangon for your return flight.
Transfer to Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. Although the origins of the pagoda are unclear, local legend states that the original structure was built 2,500 years ago then renovated several times before taking its current shape in the 15th century. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 metres tall, gilded with gold leaf and is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. Follow the guide’s lead around this massive complex and learn why this temple is so revered.
Next, the guided tour goes to Kandawgyi Park, one of central Yangon’s greenest spots. Here, see the glittering Karaweik Barge, a replica of the Royal Barge, with the vast lake and views of Shwedagon in the background. Depending on the day of the visit, Kandawgyi may be busy with local families who come on the weekend to relax in the fresh air.
Your Tour Hotels —
You will enjoy staying in the below hotels, with Bed & Breakfast.
Bagan - Amata Garden Resort 4* in an Amata Deluxe Room
Inle Lake - Sanctum Inle Resort 5* in a Cloister Deluxe Room
Yangon - Chatrium Hotel 4* in a Deluxe Room
Rooms sleep up to
2 Adults
Please note: Some facilities may incur an additional fee, payable locally.
Please note: some dining outlets/menu items and premium, branded and international drinks may not be included and may incur a surcharge payable locally. Meals, snacks and drinks may be available at selected times only
Your Phuket Beach Extension —
When opting to add the beach extension, you will stay at the Chanalai Flora Resort 4* for either 4 or 6 nights.
Stay in Deluxe Pool View Room with Breakfast. Upgrade to Half Board (breakfast and evening meal in the hotel's main restaurant - excluding drinks) for an additional fee at the next stage of the booking process.
Just for you:
- 2 x bottles of drinking water replenished daily
- Free welcome drink and cold towel upon arrival
- Roundtrip seat in coach transfer from/to airport/hotel
- One-off excursion SIC Evening Siam Niramit Show & Dinner (food only)
Please note: Some facilities may incur an additional fee, payable locally.
Deluxe Pool View Room (37 sqm)
Sleeps up to
2 Adults
+ 1 Child
or
3 Adults
Please note: the bed for the 3rd/4th guest sharing is likely to be a sofa bed or camp style bed.
Your Board Basis
Serving a wide selection of international dishes with quality fresh ingredients sourced locally, Buussarakam has 60 dishes on offer including traditional Thai delicacies, classic salads, starters and mains from the east and west, Italian selections, sandwiches and burgers along with seven dessert choices.
Terrace Restaurant
Watch the world go by in style with a laid-back music soundtrack in downtown Kata from the compact ground-floor Terrace Restaurant and bar.
Pool Bars
The Resort offers two Pool Bars at the Paitoon Pool and the Paytai Pool. Served up are delicious all-day light snacks and a list of unique drinks.
Please note: some dining outlets/menu items and premium, branded and international drinks may not be included and may incur a surcharge payable locally. Meals, snacks and drinks may be available at selected times only
Your Journey —
Flights: You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process.
The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers: Private and shared transfers are included throughout.
