Myanmar has opened its doors to the world and the country's astonishing sights remain blissfully devoid of mass tourism. Looping across the country, this classic Myanmar tour explores the intimate and the authentic, revealing the untouched world-wonders that dapple the landscape. From the temples of Bagan, to ancient capitals and colonial relics, the 10-day itinerary traverses the eras while always connecting with Myanmar's generous soul.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Yangon – Sunset at Myanmar's Most Important Pagoda
Captivating Yangon feels like it's stuck in a distant era. While a few modern buildings are slowly rising in the city, most of the city center retains the architectural and commercial integrity of the early-20th century. There are no McDonalds or Coca Cola billboards and virtually no sign of imported influence. Instead, the city is awash with golden pagodas, stone-carved narrow townhouses and the faded relics of colonial times. Beneath these facades you find bustling atmospheric streets, filled with tiny tea shops, samosa (a classic Indian snack) sellers, wooden carts piled with vibrant cloth and the intoxicating smells of street food. It can be overwhelming, purely because there's so much to absorb in such a small area.
You'll be greeted at the airport and transferred to a five-star hotel. A timeless relic located along the harbor, this hotel has been recently restored and returned to the Leading Hotels of the World list. Your guide is available and can tailor a day of experiences dependent on your interests, from relaxing in plush colonial-era cafes to wandering the crowded streets around the old market. An evocative introduction to Myanmar comes at Shwedagon Pagoda, an enormous golden edifice that's easily the most important Buddhist structure in a country that's almost entirely Buddhist. As the sun sets, it reflects off of the towering pagoda, shimmering through the golden color spectrum and glowing beneath the new night's sky. Thousands of locals are seen at the pagoda during this time of night, an insight into the spirituality that pervades all life in the country.
What's Included:
Day 2
Yangon – Colonial Beauty in the Old City
Day 3
Bagan – Lost in the Temples of a Nation
Day 4
Bagan – Exploring the World Heritage Site by E-Bike
Day 5
Bagan – Hot Air Ballooning and Hidden Temples
Day 6
Bagan to Mandalay – Cruising the Great Irrawaddy
Day 7
Mandalay – Three Ancient Capitals and U Bein Bridge at Sunset
Day 8
Inle Lake – Lounging on the Water
Day 9
Inle Lake – Village Markets and Unusual Fishermen
Day 10
Heho to Yangon – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Hot air balloon above the temples of Bagan and admire the wonder of one of the world's greatest religious sites
- Explore the revered colonial heritage of Yangon (Rangoon), taking a walking tour through the old city with high tea at the Strand Hotel
- Explore three ancient Burmese capitals in one day, the historic cities found along the water close to Mandalay
- Lounge on the vast Inle Lake, surrounded by tumbling green hills and authentic rural villages that are home to atmospheric markets
- Travel along the great Irrawaddy River on a boat cruise, a sublime journey that reveals local life along the riverside
- Spend three days in Bagan, admiring its crumbling concoction of 2,200 temples
- Discover Kipling's Mandalay and immerse yourself in its old glory
Detailed Description
As Myanmar slowly opens its doors to the world, a series of astonishing attractions are being made accessible to tourists. From mysterious temples across the plains of Bagan, a colonial city with architecture untouched by modern development, these ancient capitals retain a resonance from the 14th century. Visit Myanmar and there's no pressing need to go off the beaten track as the whole country remains mostly untouched by mass tourism, a feeling that's magnified by the scale of its main attractions. Take Bagan--you'll find 2200 temples in a relatively compact area. So even though this World Heritage site is on almost every visitor itinerary, there's only a handful of individual temples where you find the panorama spoiled by other tourists.
This luxury itinerary takes you on an iconic loop of Myanmar's four essential destinations, journeying through the eras and diverse appeal of the country. Yangon, (colonial name, Rangoon), retains the distinctive atmosphere of a lost era. Architecture and ambiance revolve around narrow streets of charm and bustling market stalls. Golden pagodas dapple the city while a heritage walking tour reveals the architectural beauty of Britain's Burma. Move onward with a direct flight to Bagan for three nights amongst a staggering array of temples and pagodas. A hot air balloon flight reveals the scale followed by two days of customized private tours to fully unravel all of the intimate detail. It would take a year to see everything here, but three days is prime to get your head around the baffling mystique and 9th – 12th-century design.
A river cruise then takes you along the Irrawaddy River, a chance to absorb local life along the riverside and take in the rural green of Myanmar. Your destination is Mandalay, the legendary destination from a Kipling poem and the base for exploring a series of ancient Burmese capitals. Complete the luxury vacation on Inle Lake with a grand lodge standing on its private piece of the water. Private excursions on the water reveal unique fishing styles, bustling colorful markets, and quaint traditions. But for all of the aesthetics, like everywhere in Myanmar, it's usually the locals that linger longest in your memory. Meeting foreigners remains a novelty and there are always wonderful opportunities to interact.
Starting Price
$3,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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