Journey into the Land of the Golden Pagodas on a 12-day adventure in Myanmar (Burma). Cruise the mighty Irrawaddy River to the ancient city of Bagan, home to over 2,200 temples and pagodas. Drift to the floating villages on serene Inle Lake. Visit Kyan Sithar Umin monastery to meet a Buddhist monk, and climb Mandalay Hill for lovely views of the surrounding countryside. With its warm people and mystical culture, find enchantment in Myanmar.
Day 1 Yangon
Arrive any time today. An arrival transfer is included.
Day 2 Yangon/Mandalay
Fly to Mandalay and explore this ancient city, including the Golden Palace Monastery, Kuyuk Taw Gyi Pagoda, Kuthodaw Pagoda, and Mahamuni Temple. Climb Mandalay Hill for magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.
Day 3 Mandalay
Take a boat to the village of Mingun to visit the pagodas and local craftspeople. Visit the spiritual centre of Myanmar at Sagaing and the ancient royal capital of Amarapura.
Day 4 Mandalay
Continue exploring Mandalay and take some free time on your own.
Day 5 Mandalay/Bagan
Relax and watch the sights on a full-day cruise down the Irrawaddy River to ancient Bagan.
Day 6 Bagan
Explore the ancient sites of Bagan including Shwezigon Pagoda, Gubyaukgyi (Wetkyi-in) cave temple, and Manuha and Nan Paya temples. Also visit Kyan Sithar Umin monastery where we have a talk with a monk on Buddhism and daily life.
Day 7 Bagan
Travel to the outskirts of town to a village in the middle of a toddy palm farm. Watch as the locals scale the trees and harvest the juice of the palm fruit and then process it into alcohol or molasses.
Day 8 Bagan/Inle Lake
Travel by plane, bus, and boat to serene Inle Lake. En route, visit Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, Nyaung Shwe by cycle rickshaw, and observe floating villages and gardens.
Day 9 Inle Lake
Explore the lake by boat and visit the morning market, floating villages, and a cheroot factory, as well as the Phaung Daw Oo pagoda and Inthien temple complex. Along the way, visit the home of a local chef and learn the basics of Burmese cooking. Sit back and relax in this charming setting on Inle Lake and enjoy a scrumptious home-cooked meal.
Day 10 Inle Lake/Kalaw
Travel by boat and bus to the cooler air of this former British hill station. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon.
Day 11 Kalaw/Yangon
Fly back to Yangon and visit the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda, then take some free time to explore and shop in the old capital. Tonight, enjoy a lecture and farewell dinner at a G Adventures for Good-supported project — LinkAge Restaurant. This social enterprise trains local youth for careers in the hospitality industry.
Day 12 Yangon
Depart any time today.
- Your G for Good Moment: LinkAge Restaurant, Yangon
- Arrival transfer
- Tour of Mandalay
- Boat trip and tour of Mingun village
- Visit Sagaing and the ancient city of Amarapura
- Irrawaddy River boat trip
- Guided tour of Bagan archaeological zone
- Toddy palm farm visit
- Taungkalat Monastery and Mount Popa area visit
- Visit Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery
- Tour Nyaung Shwe by trishaw
- Boat tour of Inle Lake including floating villages and markets
- Visit a cheroot factory
- Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and the Nge Phe Chaung Monastery
- Tour Shwedagon Pagoda
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- 11 breakfasts
- 1 lunch
- 1 dinner
Reference : GAH