Overview

  • Open your eyes with the energetic lifestyle and breathtaking religious architecture in Yangon.
  • Enjoy the peace and quiet in time-honored pagodas and temples in Bagan. 
  • Admire Buddha image and architectural features in Mahagandayon monastery and Mahamuni Pagoda
  • Catch a view of sun setting on the symbolic U Bein Bridge
  • Travel on a boat to discover Mandalay , Mingun and Sagaing and a pottery village.
  • Immerse yourself in the beauty of Inle Lake’s landscapes, floating villages and workshops producing traditional handicrafts
  • Get an insight in to the life of Pa Oh minority group and enjoy the view of ancient temple of Indein 
     
Hidden Charms of Myanmar 8 Days
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Best price guaranteed
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Customizable by local experts
Customizable by local experts

Full Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival Yangon

Transfer:

Meals: N/A

Your Myanmar classic journey tour will start in Yangon! Once you arrive at the airport, you will be given a very warm welcome from your tour guide, who takes responsibility for transferring you to the hotel for check-in procedures. (Note: 14.00 is the required check-in time.) Early check-in depends on availability.

Let's begin your trip with Asia Private Travels by visiting Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda. You will be impressed by the giant Buddha statue, which has a size equal to that of a blue whale. After that, the tour continues with another spectacular place of interest- Chinatown; take a look at the dragons and the amazing structure of the Khen Hock Keong Chinese temple.

Make an exploration of every vivid street stall where a variety of goods are sold, ranging from fresh fruits to clean vegetables,etc. or just simply wander around and immerse yourself in the surreal ambience of little China in Yangon. Take a stop at the Royal Lake uptown, which gains popularity among local citizens, especially at dusk and dawn. Take a glimpse of Karaweik Hall, a replica of a royal barge, and enjoy the truly magnificent sight the Golden Shwedagon Pagoda gives. A journey to Myanmar wouldn’t be complete without paying a visit to the renowned Shwedagon Pagoda.

Are you looking forward to an interesting expedition? The presence of delightful visual features makes this trip worthwhile. Catch the very moment of color transformation on the 100-meter chedi, which has over 40 tons of gold leaf encircled. Starting at the eastern staircase, you have no difficulty finding a bunch of shops located at the base of the temple that sell a variety of religious objects, such as monks robes, alms bowls, offerings, incense, and other distinctive Buddhist items.

Your guide is always available to make it clear to you the use and principles of Myanmar’s Buddhist people. For Burmese, Shwedagon remains the greatest religious site; most visitors claim that this journey is definitely unforgettable and still left a strong impression on them.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Yangon.

Let's begin your trip with Asia Private Travels by visiting Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda
Make an exploration to every vivid street stalls in Yangon
A journey to Myanmar wouldn’t be completed without paying a visit to the renowned Shwedagon Pagoda
Day 2

Yangon – Fly to Bagan

Transfer:

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport in order to take a domestic flight to Bagan. Welcome to Bagan, which is famous for being one of the most magnificent Asian architectural sites. In the past, from the 11th to the 13th centuries, Bagan was the central city of Myanmar and it owned numerous giant stupas and pagodas for the monarchs, of which the Irrawaddy River remains some of the stores on the banks to this day.

One of the most outstanding features of a Myanmar holiday is the splendor of Bagan together with 3000 red brick religious constructions on a plain equal to the size of Manhattan Island. This mixture of breathtaking views will attract the attention of every visitor.

You will have a chance to visit Ananda Temple, which is known as one of the most hailed Bagan temples. With a view to creating every possible opportunity for you to engross yourself in the majesty of the temple in the most tranquil atmosphere, we will assure you that our visit comes to this site before others.

The tour continues with your chance to pay a visit to other temples belonging to this campus, which would definitely enable you to catch a view of the diversity of architectural styles in the area along with artistic masterpieces dated back to the 9th - 14th centuries. You are also able to get an insight into rural Bagan daily life while you wander around the temples because among the sites are the workplaces of farmers and families.

A visit to two workshops making out the signature products of Bagan, which are lacquer ware and wood crafts, will enable you to experience the local culture. Your mind will be blown away as you watch the professional craftsmen apply traditional techniques to produce these beautiful items.

OPTIONAL: $8 USD/PAX FOR SUNSET CRUISE

You will be transferred to the quay in the late afternoon, and a private wooden boat is ready to bring you on another amazing trip. Breathtaking scenes are easy to spot as you travel on the legendary Irrawaddy River, whether you sit under the shade or on the open deck. You will be treated to other beautiful scenery while cruising down the river, such as small villages, fishermen, local boats, and definitely the famous temples of Myanmar.

You stand an opportunity to open your eyes as what you see on the river brings another unseen angle of Myanmar that you haven’t experienced through the tour on land. As the sun begins to go down, it slowly states that it’s time you get off and be driven back to the hotel to relax. An ideal way to refresh yourself after a busy day making a journey is to go sightseeing in Bagan.

Spend a night at a hotel in Bagan

Welcome to Bagan, which is famous for being one of the most magnificent Asian architectural sites
Visit Ananda Temple, which is known as one of the most hailed Bagan temples
You are also able to get an insight into rural Bagan daily life while you wander around the temples
Day 3

Bagan

Transfer:

Meals: Breakfast

OPTIONAL: HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE OVER BAGAN (Only available from October through March)

Your third day with Asia Priate Travels will begin with an amazing ride on a hot air balloon. It will definitely be an amazing viewpoint for you to admire the Bagan countryside below, especially the unique scenery of sunrise over the Irrawaddy River and many stupas in the area. Such an opportunity rarely exists elsewhere in the world. (This ride is only in service from October/November to the following year’s March).

After enjoying your breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up by your tour guide and driver to start exploring Bagan. It begins with a visit to the energetic Nyaung Oo Market, which welcomes the local inhabitants to trade fresh products and other daily items.

From this point, you will take a look around the Old Bagan beginning with a visit to the famous Shwezigon Pagoda, which was constructed as a religious monument to King Anawrahta in the early 11th century. Travel through the tracks filled with dust and shady roads cross temples and monasteries to a small village. At one of these sites, you will stand a great opportunity of take part in a distinguished traditional Buddhist ceremony.

Then you will travel on horse cart for an expedition that crosses many breathtaking sites, namely Thatbyinnyu- the highest temple in Bagan, the giant Dhammayangyi Temple, which is known for its famous brickwork, and finally Sulamani Temple. Wallowing yourself in the glorious sunset picture from the upper terrace of one of the temples in the area.

Spend a night at a hotel in Bagan

Your third day with Asia Priate Travels will begin with an amazing ride on a hot air balloon
Visit to the energetic Nyaung Oo Market
Then you will travel on horse cart for an expedition that crosses many breathtaking sites, namely Thatbyinnyu
Day 4

Bagan – Fly to Mandalay

Transfer:

Meals: Breakfast

You will take a short flight to Mandalay this morning! Mandalay - the city that comes in second based on its size compared to others in Myanmar.

Additionally, it is known as one of the antique royal centers that often appeared in literature through perception and description, symbolizing the overall features of Asia as being the most traditional, attractive and eternal for all visitors who have experienced a booming and colorful city positioned on the shores of the legendary Irrawaddy River.

However, together with spreading the energetic vibe and owning a prosperous business, the city still successfully preserves the richness of culture and tradition of arts such as drama, music, dance… It will take you about an hour to be transferred to Mandalay City. Across the Irrawaddy River, you will meet Sagaing. Sagaing Hill is famous for being a huge spiritual hub of Myanmar which consists of 600 pagodas and monasteries colored by ivory, and well as being the habitat of about 3000 monks and 100 meditation shrines. You will have great chances to pay a visit to other pagodas, namely Swan OoPonNya Shin, U Min ThoneSae and Shin Pin Nan Gyaing.

Continually, you will come to a less popular place which is the local market of Sagaing. We will come to a famous destination- pottery village which is distinguished for its producing popular water pots. Here you will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of how the tradesmen make use of traditional skills to manufacture their items
The next tourist attraction is the reigning capital from the 14th through the 18th centuries, Ava. A ferry will be used to help us cross the small river and the old- time horse and carriage will take us to the wooden Bagaya Monastery which is widely known for its amazing elaboration in woodcarvings. You have to surely visit Nanmyint Watch Tower which is hailed as” the leaning tower of Ava”.

This place used to be part of the antique palace and Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery. Making a return past the river and we will drive to Amarapura, the penultimate royal centre of Myanmar. “City of Immortality” is the meaning under the name of Amarapura, despite the fact that the lasting period of its being the capital city is relatively short. Starting from Mahagandayon monastery, it claims residence for more than a thousand monks, making its name for monastic study and strict religious regulations.

Travel on foot or by bus for a short distance, and you will get to the great U-Bein Bridge, which was constructed in 1872 when all the attention was down to Amarapura. The length of this bridge is 1.2 km across the shallow Taungthaman Lake, and it is recognized for being the longest teakwood bridge in the world. Take pleasure in the amazing picture of sunset shadows and set light on the local inhabitants coming back home. Majestic sunset scenery at U-Bein Bridge.

Have a good night sleep at a hotel in Mandalay.

Hsinbyume Pagoda
Sagaing Hill is famous for being a huge spiritual hub of Myanmar which consists of 600 pagodas and monasteries colored by ivory
Travel on foot or by bus for a short distance, and you will get to the great U-Bein Bridge
Day 5

Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay

Transfer:

Meals: Breakfast

You will begin your day with a transfer to Mandalay jetty and take a private boat for a relaxed journey of about 1 hour on the Irrawaddy River to Mingun.

Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of Mingun, beginning with the Mingun Paya, which would have been considered the world’s largest (if it’s not been for the death of King Bodawpaya before its completion) and this is the reason why you shouldn't miss this place in your trip with Asia Private Travels.

There was a cease to the construction of this gigantic building of brick because of the prediction of the King’s death before finishing by a fortune-teller. In the 1800’s, the site was under the massive influence of an earthquake; it was nothing but a partial rubble, which makes it possibly the largest pile of bricks on earth. You will catch a glimpse of Hsinbyume Paya, Mingun village, and the river from the thin top.

The tour continues with a particular stupa - Hsinbyume Pagoda which has many stories behind it. It’s the replica of the Sulamani Paya which is based on the meaning of plan of the cosmos of the Buddhist and positions on top of the Mount Meru (the mountain that stays at the heart of the universe).

After that, visit the Mingun Bell weighing 90 tons and known as the second largest hanging in the world. This unbreakable bell remains in its capacity of ringing. Before heading to Mandalay by boat, you will spare enough time to make an exploration of the small neighborhoods that have a tradition of manufacturing basketry and take a chance to get familiar with the hospitable businessmen and craftsmen.

An expedition to Mandalay Hill which has the height of 240 meters above the whole city will start off your visit to Mandalay. On the top, you will have a chance to experience the extraordinary scenes ranging from the Great Mandalay Palace to the south, the legendary Irrawaddy River to the west, and the beautiful blue shape of the Shan Hills to the east.

Right from the south of Mandalay Hill is the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, being hailed as the Great Marble Image’s pagoda which was built from a block of marble. It’s claimed that it took almost a fortnight for 10,000 men to transfer the massive marble block from the riverside to its current site. The tour goes on with a visit to” The World’s Biggest Book”- Kuthodaw Pagoda; this call comes from the fact that this pagoda contains up to 729 marble slabs etched to Buddhist texts.

Then comes the Shwenandaw Monastery; this golden site is the only remaining construction of the Royal Palace in the 19th century. The amazing woodcarving contributed to this magnificent structure. 

Spend a night at a hotel in Mandalay.

Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of Mingun, beginning with the Mingun Paya
You will catch a glimpse of Hsinbyume Paya, Mingun village, and the river from the thin top
Then comes the Shwenandaw Monastery
Day 6

Mandalay – Heho – Inle

Transfer:

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, you will come back to Mandalay airport to take a flight to the center of the Shan State - Heho. After arriving at the Heho airport, you will pay a visit to Nyaung Shwe village.

On the way here, you will stand a good chance of going to rural workshops where to produce specialized products such as old- time Shan paper and special Handcrafted umbrellas.

Additionally, make sure to take a stop at the teak monastery of Shweyanpyay to take a look at elaborate wood-crushing artwork and the monks’ craft skills there.

On your way to Inle Lake, you will travel on a private motorboat. Inle Lake is one of the most magnificent and amazing sites of Myanmar. On its tranquil waters are the presence of fishing canoes which have a perfect backdrop of scenic hills and vegetation. You will cross many villages that are constructed on stilts over the lake which is home to the local Intha citizens.

Take a chance to watch the daily routines of the local fishermen with their floating gardens, which are structured by strips of water hyacinth and earth and stitched to the bottom of the lake on the bamboo poles. Take a drive back to your hotel.

Lunch and dinner are at your expense. Spend a night at the hotel on Inle Lake.

On your way to Inle Lake, you will travel on a private motorboat
You will cross many villages that are constructed on stilts over the lake which is home to the local Intha citizens
Immerse yourself in the picturesque Inle Lake
Day 7

Inle Lake – Indein

Transfer:

Meals: Breakfast

After enjoying breakfast, you will travel to the morning market by the lake (the market is always available except for dark moon and full moon on calendar days).

The morning market’s position varies among the lake’s villages in a 5-day routine and this place welcomes the lake’s inhabitants along with nearby natives who also come here to sell and trade their goods. After traveling for an hour by boat down a small canal, you will get to the Pa-Oh village of Indein whose location is on the western banks of Inle Lake.

Wander around the village before coming to the stairway covered by moss to the peak of the hill. When you arrive on the summit, you will catch sight of a legendary Buddha image, which sits right among hundreds of stupa ruins and old shrubbery. On the peak, you will have a chance to enjoy the amazing views of the surrounding places.

The Indein Pagoda definitely deserves its reputation for being the most magnificent monument around the lake’ bank and it contains hundreds of small stupas that are controlled by moss and greenery. Then start off trekking for 45 minutes to Sae Ma village. On the go, you will experience the true beauty and amazing vistas of the area while being shaded by the bamboo groves in the site.

When arriving at the village, you will have an opportunity to overlook the daily life habits of the rural people. On your way back, if time allows, take a stop at the Inthar Heritage House to have a thorough insight into the history and culture of the local and sip a delicious coffee and cake (snack break not included). Once the visit ends, make a return trip to your hotel and have some relaxation.

Get to the Pa-Oh village of Indein
The Indein Pagoda definitely deserves its reputation for being the most magnificent monument around the lake’ bank
Wander around the village before coming to the stairway covered by moss to the peak of the hill
Day 8

Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon Departure

Transfer:

Meals: Breakfast

You will be served breakfast at the hotel before heading off to the Heho Airport (1-1.5 hour) to take a short flight back to Yangon. When arriving at the Yangon airport, you will have to move to the International Airport for your international communication. (Neither a guide nor a car are available in Yangon.)

This is the end of Hidden Charms of Myanmar 8 Days tour. 

A bustling market in Heho
Spend the last moments to explore the rest of Heho
You will be served breakfast at the hotel before heading off to the Heho Airport

Inclusions

Exclusions

Reviews us on Tripadvisor

The Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Timothé Lompech

France

"Woww, absolutely speechless, I find no words to describe my experience in hidden charm of Myanmar 8 days tour. Really refresh my mind, many thanks to Asia Private Travels for making my tour become great! I have the tour with my family, and had my best memory ever with them."

The Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Eduardo Molina

Philippines

"The Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour was the absolute bomb-diggity! Myanmar is a hidden paradise, and this tour was like a VIP pass to the best of the best. We explored ancient temples, experienced the local culture, and even got our chill time on Inle Lake. Mandalay and Mingun were straight-up mind-blowing! The local guides were super cool and showed us all the hidden charms."

The Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Jackson Chu

China

"Guys, I just got back from the Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer! Myanmar is a hidden gem, and this tour allowed us to dive right into its awesomeness. From exploring ancient temples to cruising along the Irrawaddy River, every moment was pure magic. And don't even get me started on the tranquility of Inle Lake – it was like stepping into a whole new world. The local guides were mad cool and made the trip unforgettable."

The Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Irmgard Otto

Germany

"The Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour was straight fire, y'all! Myanmar is a country of incredible beauty and rich traditions, and this tour allowed us to soak it all in. From the golden wonders of Yangon to the peaceful tranquility of Inle Lake, each day was filled with awe-inspiring moments. The ancient temples of Bagan and the stunning sights in Mandalay and Mingun were the icing on the cake. The local guides were dope and made the whole experience hella memorable."

The Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Dylano de Graaf

Netherlands

"Oh my days, the Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour was absolutely mind-blowing! Myanmar is a treasure trove of hidden gems, and this tour took us on a roller coaster ride of adventure and discovery. We explored the ancient wonders of Bagan, witnessed the grandeur of Mandalay and Mingun, and soaked in the beauty of Inle Lake. The local guides were the real MVPs and made sure we had the time of our lives."

The Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Han So Hee

South Korea

"OMG, the Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour was absolutely lit! Myanmar is the real deal, and this tour was the ultimate way to experience its magic. From the vibrant streets of Yangon to the serene beauty of Inle Lake, every day was a new adventure. The ancient temples of Bagan and the jaw-dropping sights in Mandalay and Mingun left us in awe. The local guides were so chill and made the trip even more epic."

The Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Carita Heinonen

Finland

"Okay, listen up, y'all! The Hidden Charms Of Myanmar 8 Days tour was the absolute bomb! Myanmar is the real deal, and this tour was like a treasure hunt for all the hidden gems. From the bustling streets of Yangon to the ancient temples of Bagan, every moment was filled with excitement and wonder. And let me tell you, Mandalay and Mingun were straight-up mind-blowing! The tranquil Inle Lake was the perfect ending to this epic adventure. The local guides were super cool and made sure we didn't miss a thing."

Must use tour company in Myanmar
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

warf81

England

"This company is fantastic and Lan Anh, our consultant, couldn’t have been more helpful. Lan Anh organised cycling tours in Bagan, day trips in Mandalay and Yangon. Booking from the U.K. was tricky and this experience made things very relaxing."

Outstanding service within multiples tours and activities done with the Myanmar private holidays agency
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

r201900

Iceland

"We used the services of the agency for numerous day tours in Yangon, Inle, Mandalay and Bagan in addition to flights and other transportation and cruise bookings over three weeks. Ms Kay Khine Win, our primary contact was beyond perfection ! Responsive 24/7 within minutes , extremely helpful, efficient and kind, much beyond the call of duty! All the organised services were excellent with competent and most friendly staff. Our journey, exploration and vacation was a delight and we can only highly recommend and hope to use Myanmar private holidays again also in other countries they cover!"

Excellent guided tour
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

kev123321in

Singapore

"Our local guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and chose good places to see and eat. We were picked up and dropped off at airports and hotels each time. Everything was arranged for us, including domestic flights and all entry fees or charges, which made everything very simple for us. They even supplied water and cleansing materials during trips to various places. They were flexible and adapted to a difficult schedule due to flights arriving late etc. Hotel in Bagan was fantastic, hotel in Yangon was about the best you could expect for a 3-star in Yangon. I would recommend this company to anyone coming to Myanmar for the first time."

excellent staff and service
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

mercy a

Thailand

"I highly recommend Asia Private Travels to all fellow travelers. Alex Phan and his stafff delivers excellent services, from the tour gudes and their drivers to choice of accommodations. Iam happy with their personalised way of touring. I will never have second thoughts of getting their services again. I used this agency for my MYANMAR, VIETNAM and LAOS tours."

Wonderful trip in Myanmar!
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

maza24

Finland

"We just finished our wonderful trip in Myanmar. We got very good service from sales and all the wonderful guides. Thank You! Their knowledge about important places and good english helped our trip to succeed. Normally we book everything by ourselves but now they made our life easy :) Exellent Organizing! Suosittelemme Asia Private Travel. Auttoivat alusta loppuun kaikessa ja tekivat lomastamme ihanan. Myanmarissa on uskomattoman upeita paikkoja, jotka ovat vierailun arvoisia. Inle Lakessa (Aasian Venezia) olisimme halunneet viettaa useamman paivan! Kannattaa varata lomalle mahdollisimman monta paivaa, etta jaksaa.. :)"

Fantastic Visit
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

ritaallen2017

Belgium

"We have always wanted to visit Myanmar and in planning our trip reached out to several tour groups, including Asia Private Travels. From the onset, we were provided with quick and detailed responses to our questions and chose to work with this group in part because of their efficiency. We toured Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake as well as an acinent region named Mingun. In general, the staff catered to each couple or group well and nothing to complain In all of the other locales, we were met by a guide and driver who were available to us throughout our stay. Ms. Hang Tran was our contact and in addition to helping plan and execute the visit, she seemed to be available immediately as she would respond quickly to emails, including when we had questions while in Myanmar. We also liked the idea of working directly with a local agency and it proved to be a perfect choice."

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