Treasures of Myanmar - 13 days/12 nights

Yangon – Mt Popa – Bagan – Mandalay –

– Inle Lake – Ngapali Beach – Yangon

This itinerary is similar to our Highlights of Myanmar tour, but with a visit at the end to the serene and beautiful beaches at Ngapali. You'll experience a culture in harmony with its religion and beautiful landscape, but with an underlying tension resulting from the rule of its military leaders. Go back in time as local Buddhists painstakingly attach gold-leaf to statues and temples, as monks make their morning rounds for alms, and as fishermen toss their nets in the rivers and lakes. Your private local guides will involve you in the local Burmese culture, cuisine, and customs of this devoutly Buddhist country in an itinerary designed to have a balance between seeing the major sights and experiencing the local culture.

• Itinerary
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• Book this Tour

Privately-Guided! Whether you are a single person, a couple, or a group, you'll have your own guide and driver for all airport pickups, dropoffs, and daily excursions.

Choose your own dates! This is not a fixed-departure-date tour. Just let us know the dates that work best for you and we will arrange everything.

Customizable! Need more time? Less time? Want to see or do something that isn't included? Just let us know, and we will arrange it for you and let you know the change in costs.

Click here to read what our clients have told us after they return.

Trip Highlights

• Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon
• Mt. Popa and local rural villages
• Ancient capital Bagan and it's temples
• 2548 pagodas of Kakku
• Beautiful beaches of Ngapali

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrive Yangon
Arrive at Yangon International Airport where you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 2:  Yangon
In the morning, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the world famous golden stupa that dominates the Yangon skyline. Take a walking tour in the heart of Yangon and continue on to see the Chauk Htut Gyi Reclining Buddha Image. After lunch visit Bogyoke Market to shop for traditional Myanmar crafts and Kandawgyi Park. In the evening visit Shwedagon Pagoda for its magical views and amazing atmosphere. Have dinner at Karaweik Palace restaurant and enjoy an evening of traditional Myanmar dance and music. Overnight in Yangon. (Breakfast)

Day 3:  Yangon to Bagan to Mt. Popa
Transfer to the airport for your early morning flight to Bagan, the first and most beautiful capital of Myanmar. Upon meeting your guide at the airport head out to Mt Popa (4981 feet), an extinct volcano, with temperate weather and lush green landscape. For “serious” hikers, a hike on Mt. Popa can be arranged. Overnight in Mt. Popa. (Breakfast)

Day 4:  Mt. Popa to Bagan
On your drive back to Bagan, see the agrarian lifestyle of local farmers as they extract palm juice from palm trees and make a local favorite candy called “jaggery.” Spend the day exploring Bagan and see the ancient temples that Bagan is renowned for. Visit Shwezigon pagoda, an extraordinary example of the early style of the Myanmar stupa. Next is Htilo Minlo, a temple that is famed for its intricate carving and named after King Nga Daung Mya. Last temple before lunch is Wetgyi-In Gu Byauk Gyi which possesses numerous fine mural paintings of jataka scenes depicting Buddha’s life.

In the afternoon visit the workplace of handmade lacquerware. Continue visiting Bagan’s temples, including the massive Dhamayangyi temple, beautiful Anada temple, and Bagan’s tallest temple, Thatbyinnyu. Visit Shwesandaw Pagoda for unparalleled views of Bagan’s landscape at sunset. Overnight in Bagan. (Breakfast)

Day 5:  Bagan to Mandalay
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Visit Amarapura, the 18th century capital of Myanmar. See Maha Gandayon Monastery and observe the daily meal of over a thousand monks at the country’s largest Monastery. Next is a short drive to the famed U Bein Bridge: a 158 year old teak wood bridge - the longest teak bridge in the world. Amarapura is also known for its fine silk weaving, and after crossing the U Bein Bridge you will have the opportunity to view a silk weaving center.After lunch return to Mandalay and visit Mahi Muni Image, the most sacred Pagoda in Upper Myanmar. Cotinue on to Zay Cho Market to shop for hand made goods and then visit a tapestry workshop to learn about this traditional process.  Later visit Shwenandaw Monastery, Kuthodaw Pagoda, and end your day on Mandalay Hill with magnificent views of the city. Overnight in Mandalay. (Breakfast)

Day 6:  Mandalay
Take an hour boat excursion to Mingun village on the bank of Ayarwaddy River. Enjoy a picnic on board while taking in the relaxing views and see how the local people earn a living and enjoy their lifestyle along the river. Disembark at Mingun and proceed to the Mya Thein Dan Zedi, built by the King of Saggaing as a memorial for his beloved wife and late queen. The views from the top of this temple are among the best in the region. Also visit the Mingun Bell before returning to Mandalay. Enjoy lunch on the boat, where you will disembark and drive to Saggaing.Upon arrival in Saggaing, visit Saggaing hill, regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. Enjoy the great panoramic view of the city and river. Next journey to the base of Saggaing and visit a home for nuns.  Drive back to Mandalay via the Bridge of Saggaing that was built over the Ayarwaddy River during British Colonial times. Enjoy the sunset at U Bein Bridge. Overnight in Mandalay. (Breakfast)

Day 7:  Mandalay to Heho to Inle Lake
Transfer to the airport for your morning flight from Mandalay to Heho. Be welcomed at the airport and driven to Kakku via Taunggyi, the capital of southern Shan State. En route, visit a Pa-O village. Kakku was recently opened to foreigners and has an amazing 2548 pagodas built within a very small area. Continue on to Nyaung Shwe. Upon arrival board a boat that will take you to a stunning hotel that has a great vantage point for some of the best sunsets in the region. Overnight in Inle Lake.  (Breakfast)

Day 8:  Inle Lake
Inle Lake is often called the “Venice of the East." Take some time to see the floating gardens and observe the lifestyle of the local people. Watch carefully and you can see boatmen paddle their craft with an oar using their foot. Visit Ymama village and its floating gardens, traditional weaving mill, and silk weaving workshops. See how Burmese Cheroots are produced mainly by young ladies using traditional methods at Nampan village. Also visit the work place of Shan paper, made from mulberry bark. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and its 5 holy Buddha images. Finally visit Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, one of the most impressive of the many monasteries on the lake with its 150-200 pillars with elaborate wooden carvings. This monastery is also known as the “jumping cat monastery” where visitors are treated to a show that involves well-trained felines.

Evening free at leisure, we recommend visiting the colorful five day market to see hill tribes trading their farm products, art, and unique wooden sculptures in a bustling atmosphere. Overnight in Inle Lake. (Breakfast)

Day 9:  Inle Lake to Ngapali Beach
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Thandwe. Upon arrival be welcomed and transferred to Ngapali Beach, the most pristine of Myanmar’s coastline offering stunning sunsets, water activities, and delectable seafood - a great way to unwind at the end of your trip. Overnight in Ngapali Beach. (Breakfast)

Day 10:  Ngapali Beach
Relax at the beach and soak up the beautiful scenery. Note: a boat excursion to a private island can be arranged, just ask us for details. Overnight in Ngapali Beach. (Breakfast)

Day 11:  Ngapali Beach
Enjoy a full day free for relaxing on the beach, swimming, snorkeling, or bike riding. Overnight in Ngapali Beach. (Breakfast)

Day 12:  Ngapali Beach to Yangon
Transfer to Thandwe airport for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy your last day in Myanmar at leisure. Overnight in Yangon. (Breakfast)

Day 13:  Yangon to Home
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.

Rates

Per Person Rates (based on double occupancy) start from:

4-star Hotels: $3,150
5-star Hotels: $3,510

Single Traveler

4-star Hotels: $5,435
5-Star Hotels: $6,390

Single Room Supplement (in groups of 2 or more)

4-star Hotels: $745
5-star Hotels: $795

Contact Us for advice on hotels and a quote based on your choice.

Please note that peak season supplements for stays over Christmas and New Years may apply.

Rates Include

• All airport transfers
• All tours and excursions as outlined in the itinerary
• In-country flights as outlined in the itinerary
• All surface transportation as per the itinerary by air conditioned car with water and cool towels
• Hotel accommodation on twin sharing bed & breakfast basis inclusive of all taxes and service charges.
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Entrance fees to indicated sites
• Services of a local English speaking guide for all visits and excursions
• Yangon International Airport Tax $10 upon departure

 
Rates Do Not Include

• International airfare
• Visa fees
• Tips
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Supplements for stays on Christmas or New Year's Eve and mandatory gala dinners at the hotels on those dates

Hotels

Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking. If a hotel listed below is not available, an alternative hotel of similar quality will be substituted.

To Book This Tour

Please call us toll free at 1-877-362-2793 and let us know that you would like to book this tour. Then follow these instructions:

1. Download, print, and fill out the Reservation Form for each person.
2. Fax the form to us at 206-529-4803, or mail it to:
   
   Red Lantern Journeys
   1000 N. Northlake Way, Suite H
   Seattle, WA 98103

3. Pay a non-refundable $500 per person deposit and we will initiate your reservations.
4. Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure.

If your reservation is made less than 75 days prior to departure, the non-refundable deposit will allow us to initiate reservations. Full payment will be due immediately upon confirmation of all hotels and transportation services. If the services quoted cannot be confirmed, alternate accommodation or transportation will be arranged and the price will be adjusted accordingly.

Payments can be made by personal check, bank wire transfer, or credit card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will initiate your reservations and send you a statement showing your payment. Approximately 4 weeks prior to your departure, we will send you a final confirmation package containing your itinerary and detailed information on the logistics of your trip.
 
Forms to Download (pdf file)
Reservation Form with Complete Terms and Conditions

Cancellation/Refund Policies

- Cancel more than 60 days prior to departure - forfeit your deposit.

- Cancel between 30 and 60 days prior to departure - forfeit 50% of the tour cost.

- Cancel less than 30 days prior to departure - NO REFUND of tour cost.

- Cancellations must be made in writing and sent via mail, fax, or email to Red Lantern Journeys.

- Refunds will be processed within 30 days of receipt of your written request.

- No refunds are available for unused services or tours during your trip.