Treasures of Myanmar - 13 days/12 nights

	Ananda Statue at Mandalay Hill

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 painstakenly 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 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.

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.

What our Clients Say - Our clients can't wait to tell us how their trip went when they return. Read what some of our clients have written to us.

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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

Visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the world famous golden stupa that dominates the Yangon skyline. Enjoy a walking tour in the heart of Yangon where you will observe various architecture and have opportunities to take pictures of Burma’s capital. Visit the Chauk Htut Gyi Reclining Buddha Image. After lunch visit Bogyoke Market where local merchants offer Myanmar traditional silks, cotton, paintings, tapestries, handicrafts, silverware, lacquerware, national dress & ethnic fashions, gems & jewelry. Visit Kandawgyi Park, and in the evening visit Shwedagon Pagoda for its’ magical views and amazing atmosphere. Enjoy dinner at Karaweik Palace restaurant where you will enjoy a delightful dinner while you absorb 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. Be welcomed at the airport and proceed 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 Popa. (Breakfast)

Day 4: Mt. Popa to Bagan

On the way back to Bagan, observe the agrarian lifestyle of this region’s farmers extracting palm juice from palm trees and making a local favorite candy with the same palm juice called “jaggery.” Spend the day exploring Bagan where you will 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. These mural paintings depict Buddha’s life. In the afternoon proceed to the workplace of handmade lacquerware, and observe the detailed process of making Myanmar lacquerware and its products. Continue visiting Bagan’s temples, including the massive Dhamayangyi 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 at the airport be welcomed and taken to your hotel for check-in. Visit Amarapura, the 18ths 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 you will have the opportunity to view a silk weaving work place. It is not unusual to find the silk woven in Amarapura donned during many of Myanmar’s special occasions, such as a wedding ceremony or graduation.

After lunch return to Mandalay and visit Mahi Muni Image, the most sacred Pagoda in Upper Myanmar. Enjoy a tapestry workshop where the finest tapestries in Myanmar are laboriously handmade with excellent attention to detail. Visit Shwenandaw Monastery that was constructed by the last Mynanmar King Thibaw, for the memorial of his late father King Mindon. See Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 729 stone slabds of Buddha’s scriptures (known as the world’s biggest book). Finally visit Mandalay Hill and enjoy the magnificent landscape over the city from this vantage point. 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, cast in 1905 AD and weighing 90 tons; it’s considered the world’s largest ringing bell.

Return to Mandalay while enjoying lunch on the boat, where you will disembark and drive to 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 to observe their daily work.  Then 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 and observer their lifestyle. 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.” You will have the opportunity to observe the floating gardens as well as the lifestyle of the local people who reside on the lakes in homes that rest high above the water. Watch carefully to see the skilled boatmen paddle their craft with an oar using their foot. See the colorful five day market to see hill tribes trading their farm products, art, and unique wooden sculptures in a bustling atmosphere. Visit Ymama village and its floating gardens, traditional weaving mill and silk weaving workshops. At Nampan village you will see how Burmese Cheroots are produced mainly by young ladies using traditional methods. 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. 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

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. Rest of day at leisure for your last day in Burma. Overnight in Yangon (Breakfast)

Day 13: Yangon to Home

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.

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Hotels - The best hotels in the best locations!

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.

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PER PERSON RATES (based on double occupancy):

Prices good through September 30, 2010. 

 
3-star Hotels: $ 2,470

4-star Hotels: $ 2,790

4 and 5-star Hotels: $ 3,385

Single Person Traveling Alone:

3-star Hotels: $ 4,325

4-star Hotels: $ 4,980

4 and 5-Star Hotels: $ 5,870

 
Single Room Supplement (in groups of 2 or more)

3-star Hotels: $ 665

4-star Hotels: $ 985

4 and 5- star Deluxe Hotels: $ 1,525

Rates Include
- Meet and assist at the airport and transfers to hotel and from hotel to airport

- 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, or 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. 

To Ask Questions

Call Toll Free: 877-362-2793

Email: info@redlanternjourneys.com

Or, fill out our online form: Contact Us

To Book this Tour

- Download, print and fill out the Reservation Form for each person.

- Fax the form to 206-529-4803, or mail it with your non-refundable $500 per person deposit to:

Red Lantern Journeys

1000 N. Northlake Way, Suite H

Seattle, WA 98103

 

- Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made less than 75 days prior to departure, full payment is needed to reserve your spot.

Upon receipt of your deposit, we will initiate the reservations and send you a statement showing your payment. Final payment is due 75 days before your departure. 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 files)

Reservation From with Complete Terms and Conditions