
Majestic Myanmar
If you're fascinated by Myanmar, but don't know where to start, we made this for you.
It’s a fine tapestry of all of Myanmar’s greatest hits: monks and markets, temples and pagodas, curry and culture. We’ve even thrown in a cruise down the Irrawaddy River aka ‘The road to Mandalay’. But all of this is just an example - let's chat about your ideas and create a bespoke itinerary just for you.
Pricing
Key facts
A 12-hour cruise down the Irrawaddy, three domestic flights and two journeys by private car.
What's great
This trip is ideal for first-time visitors to Myanmar, as it covers the classics: Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake
There are also some lesser known sites in the mix, like the Pindaya Caves and a Pa’O village near Inle Lake
Lots of the experiences are accompanied by knowledgeable Burmese guides who’ll introduce you to the locals you meet along the way
Myanmar has some of the world’s best hot air ballooning, which is easy to add on in several places on this trip
Things to consider
The best time to enjoy the beaches of Ngapali is October to May
We designed this trip for history and culture lovers, so expect lots of temples
The hike requires a good level of fitness – we can arrange an alternative if this is not your cup of tea
In Pindaya, the accommodation options are limited to a traditional farmhouse that’s been turned into a simple, yet lovely, hotel
The experience
We design completely custom trips. Classic Myanmar is just an example, so our experts can tailor destinations and experiences to suit you.
Day 1-2
Mandalay
Kick start your trip in Mandalay. The city won’t win any beauty contests, but it’s full of interesting people and historic sites. Your guide will introduce you to gold-leaf makers, weavers and wood carvers. You’ll also get your first taste of Theravada Buddhism at the Golden Palace Monastery, built by the last monarch of Myanmar, and Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to ‘the world’s largest book’. On your second day explore three rural towns, each one a former capital of Myanmar. Sagaing has beautiful temples overlooking the Irrawaddy. In Ava, take a horse drawn carriage to the watch tower and monasteries. Finish the day at sunset in Amarapura on a boat ride alongside U Bein Bridge.

Highlights
Dip into Myanmar’s religious heritage at Mandalay’s most iconic temples
See the sun set from Mandalay Hill and by the world’s longest teakwood bridge
Slow the pace on a rural day trip to the ancient capitals of Sagaing, Ava and Amarapura

Day 3-5
Bagan
The best way to reach Bagan is from the Irrawaddy River, just as explorers have done since the 6th century. Now it’s your turn: Set sail on a teakwood cruiser from Mandalay, drifting past longtail boats and thatched-roof villages. You’ll know you’re in Bagan when you see Buddhist monuments, 3,000 of them, dotted across the sun-baked earth. Some are working temples, some are monasteries, pagodas and stupas. Wind your way between them by horse and cart as your guide points out the best-preserved frescoes and tells stories about the kings who dreamed up this spiritual landscape. If you fancy seeing all of this from the sky, we can arrange a hot air balloon ride.

Highlights
Cruise down the Irrawaddy River past scenes of oxcarts, fishing villages and stilt houses
Explore the temples of Bagan, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Get a bird’s eye view of Bagan from a hot air balloon (optional extra)

The finer detail
What's included
- Breakfast every day
- Two lunches: one on board the cruise from Mandalay to Bagan; one on the trek at Inle Lake
- Five full-day experiences: explore the ancient capitals of Sagaing, Ava & Amarapura; tour of the temples of Bagan; boat trip around Inle Lake; day trek through villages around Inle Lake; city tour of Yangon
- Three half-day experiences: city tour of Mandalay; visit the Pindaya Caves and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda; Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset
- Day cruise from Mandalay to Bagan
- All entrance fees to sites included in guided experiences
- All internal transport & accommodation
Logistics and journey times
Day 1:
Car transfer from Mandalay Airport to Mandalay (1 hour)
Day 3:
Cruise from Mandalay to Bagan (12 hours)
Day 6:
Flight from Bagan to Heho (30 minutes)
Car transfer from Heho Airport to Pindaya (1 hours)
Day 7:
Car transfer from Pindaya to Inle Lake (1.5 hours)
Day 10:
Car transfer from Inle Lake to Heho Airport (45 minutes)
Flight from Heho to Ngapali (1 hour)
Day 13:
Flight from Ngapali to Yangon (50 minutes)
What's not included
- Visas
- International flights
- Meals not mentioned
- Entrance fees to any sites not included in guided experiences
- Tips for guides & porters