Overnight international flight to Bangkok

Connect with the regional flight to Yangon. Upon arrival in Yangon, airport reception and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Enjoy a full day city tour of Yangon’s most important historical and cultural sites with a private guide. Beginning at the Sule Pagoda in the city center, continue through the streets of the downtown area. Home to some of the most splendidly kept colonial buildings meshed with ancient pagodas, Yangon still encapsulates its colonial past. Continue to visit the Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha. Said to be one of the largest images of its kind, the huge reclining Buddha stretches over 223 feet. Next visit Botahtaung Pagoda, named after the one thousand military leaders who are said to have brought relics of the Buddha from India thousands of years ago. From there, continue to Kandawgyi Park and the amazing Karraweik Royal Barge.


There will be time to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant for a taste of Myanmar (Burma) cuisine. Undoubtedly the best time to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda is in the early evening as the sun begins to fall over the city. Testament to the faith of the Burmese, the Shwedagon stands at 326 feet and is covered with hundreds of gold plates; the top of the Stupa is encrusted with 4,531 diamonds – the largest of which is a single 76 carat diamond. Enjoy dinner at another local restaurant before returning to the hotel for the night.
...read less

Morning visit to the Kalaywa Monastery, which is home to approximately 1,000 monks. Here, experience one of the most auspicious moments one can hope to experience in this mystical land. Each morning Myanmar (Burma) is scattered with thousands of monks roaming the streets collecting alms for their meals. Observe this traditional procession before continuing to the National Museum to learn about the rich culture and heritage of Myanmar (Burma).


Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit the Scott Market, a sprawling 80-year-old market that is home to a variety of interesting Burmese goods, from lacquer ware to gems and jewelry. To gain a sense of the everyday life of the Burmese, continue to Chinatown and the local fruit market. Again, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for the night.
...read less

Morning departure from Yangon for your drive to Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda. Along the way, travelers will be able to see several scenes of local Burmese life. Upon arrival, transfer for the more adventurous drive to the transit junction. From here, a light hike will bring travelers to the glory of the Golden Rock’s terrace. Check into the hotel for a brief refreshment and a late lunch. In the evening, explore around the Golden Rock Platform and enjoy a fabulous sunset at this marvelous pilgrimage site before dinner in the evening.

Enjoy a full day to explore the surrounding areas of the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda. If one would like to do some light trekking they will be able to do that here. Around the pagoda, there are many other places of interest to see. This time will allow travelers to see the daily lives of the people and monks who live in these mountains. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before taking an evening stroll along the long row of shops to peruse for souvenirs. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before retiring for the night.

Morning transfer back to Yangon. On the way, stop at Bago, an ancient capital of the Mon Kingdom from the 13th century, and visit the highest pagoda in Myanmar, the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, which stands at 114 meters (374 feet) tall. After lunch at a local restaurant, there will be time to wander around and shop in the interesting markets of Bago before continuing on to Yangon.


En route, visit a local pottery village where over fifty pottery makers work to carry on this time honored tradition. Then continue to the Htauk Kyant War Memorial Cemetery, where 2,700 stone graves mark the final resting place of fallen soldiers of the Commonwealth and Allied Forces during the Myanmar Campaign and the Second World War. Finally, arrive in Yangon and check into the hotel for an evening at leisure.
...read less

Be met at the hotel by a Yampu representative and transferred to the airport for a flight to Heho. Upon arrival, drive approximately 2 hours to the hill country of Kalaw, on the rim of the Shan Plateau. There are several interesting hill tribe villages in the area, including the Palaung and Pa-O tribes. On the way, stop at a farming village where Pa-O and Shan people live. These people are known for their very colorful costumes and friendly faces. Upon arrival in Kalaw, transfer to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps take a walk around or simply relax. ...read less

This morning, check-out of the hotel and explore Kalaw’s interesting and colorful market before transferring to Pindaya in a private, air conditioned car. The road to Pindaya passes through pastoral settings with the Shan Plateaus covered in rice and potato fields. Pass many tribal villages along the way.

Upon arrival in Pindaya, visit the Pindaya Caves. Located in a limestone ridge overlooking the lake, they are known for the temple-like structures covering the ramps to their entrance. If one would like, travelers can also visit Shan paper-making and umbrella-making factories. Afterwards, transfer to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake. Upon arrival in Nyaung Shwe, proceed to the hotel via private boat. Check in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
...read less

After breakfast, visit the 5 Day Market, which is held at five different rotating village locations. At the market, see a variety of ethnic minorities dressed in their traditional costumes buying and selling produce. After the market, visit the beautiful temples of Indein. Pass through covered passageways to approach the summit where there is a scenic view over the lake. These temples are unusually similar to Khmer in style, and date back to the 17th and 18th centuries.


The next visit will be to the five Buddha images of Phaung Daw U Pagoda, the holiest pagoda in Inle Lake. The images have been covered in so much gold leaf, they look like spheres of solid gold. On the way back to the hotel, stop to see some of the fishermen on the lake skillfully row with one leg while fishing at the same time. Visit a floating farm and see how the farmers grow produce in the middle of the lake. Enjoy an evening canoe ride to the floating villages before returning to the hotel for the night.
...read less

In the morning, transfer to Nyaung Shwe and take a private car to Heho Airport for the flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to the hotel. After check-in, visit the Bagan pagodas that are the most culturally significant and best preserved, including the Shwezigon, Ku Byauk Gyi Temple (which is known for its exquisite murals), Khay Min Ga Temple, Htilo Minlo and the amazing Ananda Temple.


Bagan is not only famous for its profusion of pagodas, but also for its artistic handicrafts and lacquer ware. Master craftsmanship of lacquer ware has been the pride of Bagan since the days of the Bagan Empire. After lunch (not included), visit a local lacquer ware store where one can see the process of making each piece from start to finish.


In the afternoon, take a pony cart and explore the areas that cars are unable to enter. The only way to truly appreciate the beauty of Bagan is to watch the sunset from the sunset viewing platform for the panoramic views of the surrounding temples. Sit back, relax, and be amazed by the panoramic view while watching the sun slowly set behind the ancient pagodas. Return to the hotel for the evening.
...read less

Early this morning, take the unique opportunity to see one of the most remarkable sights in Asia, while drifting over the enchanting landscape dotted with ancient temples. The magic of Bagan has inspired visitors for many centuries and Marco Polo once described it as 'one of the finest sights in the world'. Riding in a hot air balloon allows for a spectacular vantage point of this celebrated landscape.


As travelers drift over a panorama of ancient pagodas scattered below, the fabulous spires begin to glow with the dawn and then blaze with vibrant color as the sun rises over the far horizon. Travelers will be able to see long lines of red-robed monks weaving through the streets collecting early morning alms and children delighted at the sight of a hot air balloon waving upwards. When returning from the balloon ride, enjoy a glass of champagne before heading back to the hotel for breakfast.


After breakfast, drive to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano with spectacular views located an hour away. It's considered the abode of Myanmar's most powerful Nat (Spirits) and the remains of a petrified forest here produce a profusion of trees, flowering plants and herbs. En route, visit some palm tree plantations to enjoy a relaxing break and experience the local plantation lifestyle.


Enjoy lunch at Popa Mountain Resort and begin the exploration of Mount Popa. At the foot of the mountain, one can observe the major pilgrimage destination, the Nat Shrine, which contains a display of mannequin-like figures representing the 37 Nat. Then travelers will have a choice to visit the summit, the Sandalwood Forest or the local museum and medicinal herbs garden. Afterwards, drive to Mandalay and check in to the hotel.


Note: Light winds and stable weather conditions are needed for the balloon ride, and these conditions determine the length of the ride. The experience typically lasts about 3 hours with an average of 45 minutes of flight time, and a portion from each flight is donated to community programs that benefit the local population.
...read less

Transfer to the jetty for q morning excursion to Mingun. Travelers will take a one-hour boat trip up the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River, a major river that bisects the country. Journey to Mingun to visit the unfinished Mingun Paya (Pagoda), begun in 1790 by King Bodawpaya, and the Myatheindan Paya with its seven circular terraces. Continue to the 90 ton Mingun Bell, built by King Bodawpaya in 1808. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.


This afternoon's sightseeing will be to the Mahamuni Pagoda, named after the holy image "Maha Muni" housed within. The image is said to have been cast in the lifetime of the Gautama Buddha and that Buddha embraced it 7 times, thereby bringing it to life. Consequently, devout Buddhists hold it to be alive and refer to it as the "Maha Muni Sacred Living Image."


Next, visit Shwe Kyaung (Golden Palace Monastery), a fragile reminder of the old Mandalay Palace where it was originally housed before being moved to its current location in 1880. After this, visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda which is known as the world's largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. A drive to the top of Mandalay Hill will provide a beautiful atmosphere for sunset over Mandalay. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and then transfer back to the hotel.
...read less

This morning's activities start with a drive to Amarapura, situated about 11 kilometers (about 7 miles) south of Mandalay. Here, visit U Bein Bridge, the longest teakwood bridge in the world. It crosses the Taungthaman Lake and is curved to withstand the wind and waves. The next stop will be the Mahagandayone Monastery. In his lifetime, a Myanmar male is expected to spend some of his life serving as a Monk to learn the ways of Buddhism.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then continue to Ava. A few kilometers south of Amarapura, Ava was the capital of the Burmese Kingdom for nearly 400 years during the Second Myanmar Empire. Here, visit picturesque ruins, villages and a quaint country monastery by pony cart.


Continue to the surrounding area of Sagaing Hills. Sagaing is considered to be the living center of the Buddhist faith in Burma and the hundreds of monasteries reverberate with the echoes of cymbals, gongs and pagoda bells. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and then return to the hotel for the night.
...read less

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Bangkok, where one will fly home or continue with the Yampu Tours add-on of choice.