12 Day Myanmar with Beach Break

Mingalabar, welcome to the wonderful country of Myanmar! Your 12 Days in Myanmar with Beach Break starts with Mandalay – the second largest city in the country. This former capital is famous for its well-preserved historical value, like a shimmering jewel on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Prepare for an amazing exploration of Mandalay’s history, arts, and traditions. 

As soon as you arrive, be moved to the hotel in Mandalay for check-in. The transfer should take about 1 hour. 

Lunch and dinner at your expense. Overnight at the hotel in Mandalay. Your first day with Asia Private Travels ends.

The first stop of our Mandalay trip today is the Mandalay Palace Kyauktawgyi Pagoda which is home to a Buddha statue created from one gigantic marble rock. 

Then, immerse yourself in the most well-known landmarks of the city. Kuthodaw Pagoda is located at the foot of Mandalay Hill. The site comprises a gilded pagoda, hundreds of shrines housing inscribed marble slabs and several pavilions. Kuthodaw is also called the world’s largest book, named after the 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings.

Proceed to the Monastery of Shwenandaw, constructed in the 19th century, and contemplate its splendid carved woodworks. 

In the afternoon, follow our guide to the Mahamuni Pagoda. The pagoda is best-known for its sacred Buddha images coated with gold leaves that are applied everyday the devotees. 

If time permits, we should stop by some workshops where they make gold leaves, tapestries, wood carvings and marionettes via well-preserved traditional techniques.

Then be transferred to Amarapura which is the second last imperial capital of Myanmar. Pay a visit to the Monastery of Mahaganayon. The site plays the role of the shelter for more than a thousand young Buddhist monks and an institute for Buddhist study with monastic rules and restrictions. Take a short walk to in Taungthman Lake where it stands the world’s longest teakwood bridge – U Bein. This wooden landmark was built in the 18th century and possesses a length of 1.2 kilometres across the lake. Don’t miss the legendary sunset of Myanmar as the view is perfect from the bridge. 

Head back to the city of Mandalay afterward. 

Lunch and dinner are not provided. Overnight stay at the hotel in Mandalay.

Wake up early for your transfer to the airport to fly to the sanctuary of Bagan which is considered one of Asia’s largest religious sites. Bagan used to possess more than 13,000 red brick temples between the 11th and 13th centuries, most of which were destroyed by earthquakes, humans or times. However, with over 3000 temples left, Bagan is still a highlight of Myanmar and the world’s Buddhist community. Be immersed with its time-honored and magnificent stupas, pagodas and temples which still stands gloriously on the banks of the River of Irrawaddy. Let's explore this beautiful place with Asia Private Travels.

To capture the whole scenic view of the plains of Bagan whose size is about as large as the Manhattan Island, you will be taken to a cave temple.

This elevated site should be a perfect viewpoint to contemplate the pristine Irrawaddy River and the captivating temples of Bagan. This trip to Bagan is not only to feast your eyes on the exotic architecture of religious buildings but to understand the cultural values of the Burmese as well. 

From the cave temples, we proceed to another gilded jewel of Bagan, the Ananda temple. Enjoy this tranquil temple before moving on to some others around the plains of Bagan. Inhale the rural life of this living museum will surely be a memorable experience in Myanmar. 

In the afternoon, return to the hotel in Bagan. 

No lunch or dinner provided. Overnight in Bagan.

From October to March, we offer a hot air balloon ride over Bagan. This is optional with an added expense, as described below: 

Golden Eagle: standard service USD 280 per pax // Premium services USD 360 per pax (Extra USD20 /pax for the period from 18 Dec to 10 Jan)
Balloon Over Bagan: standard service USD 295 per pax // Premium services USD 385 per pax (Extra USD20 /pax for the period from 18 Dec to 10 Jan)

Oriental Ballooning: USD 285 per pax (Extra USD20 /pax for period from 18 Dec to 10 Jan)
We highly suggest you do not miss this opportunity to contemplate Bagan as the sun ascends from the Irrawaddy River and coats the entire area with its heavenly light. This is not a scene you can see every day. 

In the morning, we shall pay a visit to Nyaung Oo Market to blend in the countryside life of the Bagan locals. You may find some lovely souvenirs for your loved ones here. Then set your feet on the ground of the Shwezigon Pagoda, built under the reign of King Anawrahta in the 11th century.

Discover some other small religious sites and villages in Bagan and dive into the peaceful atmosphere of this area before heading for other highlights of today’s trip. There are more lesser-known villages and religious sites around Bagan for you to discover. We can arrange a short walk through the areas to visit these other landmarks upon your demands. 

Get on horse-carts to head to to the highest temple in Bagan – Thatbyinnyu built in the 11th century. The next stop is the massive Temple of Dhammayangyi with renowned brickwork. Last but not least, the enthralling Sulamani Temple.

Wrap up the day with a glorious sunset view of Bagan. Then return to the hotel. 

No lunch or dinner provided. Overnight in Bagan.

From the captivating Bagan, be transferred to the airport to fly to Heho. Then we travel to the incredible Inle Lake. Stop en route to visit the village of Nyaung Shwe before arriving at Inle Lake. The driving should take about one hour, enjoy the landscapes of Myanmar nature on the way. 

Inle Lake is the second largest lake in Myanmar embellished with floating gardens and splendid mountainous scene. The beauty of the lake is not completed without the features of living humans as you can find wooden fishing boats and unique local stilted houses around the lake. Therefore, this place should not be missed in your itinerary with Asia Private Travels.

On the way, our dearest tourists can enjoy the calm images of fishermen rowing their boats with just one leg and original stilted houses of the local people of Intha. The fascinating floating flower beds of the lake are made of a totally natural mixture of Hyacinth plants, soil and bamboo poles.

The next stop of the day is the Monastery of Nga Hpe Chaung which is home to numerous Shan Buddha Images. The monastery was once famous for the “jumping cats”. What a pity that the images of the feline have faded into history. Then we head for Phaung Daw Oo Stupa to see five scared statues of Buddha coated with gold leaves. 

If time permits, we shall stop en route at some villages to observe the way local people handmake exotic products like lotus silk, cigar, blacksmiths, silversmiths and wooden boats (only available in certain time of the year).

Lunch and dinner on your own expenses. Overnight on Inle Lake or Nyaung Shwe.

In the morning, pay a visit to the traditional morning market on the lake, which is closed on every full-moon and dark-moon day. The market is a major trading site on the lake whose location changes every five days.

Then, hop on the boat for one hour to ride through a canal to reach the Pa-Oh village of Indein located on the western shores of the lake. Spend a while in the peaceful village before taking the old stairway to climb a hill there, on top of which sits a gigantic Buddha statue. Feast your eyes on various ancient stupas as well. Then go trekking to Sae Ma village for about 45 minutes. Indulge the pristine beauty of the area while going under the shade of bamboo trees. After the trek to the village, be escorted back to the hotel to rest.

No lunch or dinner included. Overnight stay on Inle Lake of Nyaung Shwe village. 

Today, be moved to Heho Airport for your flight to Thandwe. As soon as you arrive in Thandwe, you will be greeted by the hotel staff and be transferred to Ngapali Beach. Let's start your beach break tour now! Check-in at the hotel in Ngapali. The rest of the day is free at your leisure. Enjoy your beach break of the trip in Ngapali.

No meals provided. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Be free to explore the vibrant Ngapali for there comes no guide today. Relax on the beach and enjoy its crystal-clear water or take a bike trip to a nearby neighbourhood to blend in the life of the locals. Feel free to participate in fishermen’s daily routine.

No meals provided. Overnight in Ngapali.

Another day in Ngapali awaits you. Snorkeling or a boat trip should be a great idea to discover the blue sea of Ngapali. Ẹnoy the beach break.
Please note that these activities are suggestions only. If you wish to book in advance, there might involve surcharges. 

No meals provided. Overnight in Ngapali.

Say goodbye to Ngapali as you are escorted to Thandwe Airport to fly to the former capital of Yangon. Then be transferred to the hotel for check-in and take a short rest until we start our Yangon exploration later today.

The first destination of the day is the Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda which is located in the very center of Yangon.

The site is home to the massive lounging Buddha statue with a length of 70 meters. Proceed to Chinatown for a Chinese-style temple of Khen Hock Keong. Images of Eastern Asian Dragons can be found here. Stroll around the Chinatown for an exotic atmosphere in the middle of vibrant Yangon. 

Then contemplate the tranquil beauty of the Royal Lake of Kandawgyi Park in the uptown part of the capital which is a favourite location of the locals to watch sunrise and sunset. Learn an interesting lesson about Buddha and the religion of Myanmar when climbing the stairway to the well-known Shwedagon Pagoda. Look for some exotic Buddhist merchandise like monk robes, alms bowls, offerings and incense en route.

The Pagoda of Shwedagon is a gilded site to the Burmese and the pride of Yangon. The stunning images of the site’s 100-metre gold-covered chedi should definitely linger in your mind for a long time.

Feel free to discover this wonderful ancient capital of Myanmar in your own ways. 

Lunch and dinner are not included so why don’t you try some local food when in Yangon. Overnight stay in the hotel in Yangon.

We hope you have had an amazing journey in Myanmar. Now comes the time to say farewell to the country. 

Be transferred to Yangon International Airport for your flight home. 

No meals included. End of the tour with Asia Private Travels!