Myanmar
Tribes, Temples, and Treasures
“This is Burma, and it will be quite unlike any land you know about...” Rudyard Kipling
Myanmar is remote, exquisite, and a revelation to visit. Join a group or design a private trip to enjoy the treasures, history and culture of this ancient, picturesque country. For more information or a custom itinerary, please contact Silk and StoneS Travel Customer Service.
Please give us a call for more details on travel in Myanmar, or to discuss any concerns you have. For inspiration see the Myanmar Photo Album, for detailed lists of restaurants, hotels, shops, see the Myanmar Resources, and for an initial exposure to the cuisine, see the Myanmar Recipes.
Read the sample itinerary below to start your planning for your own custom trip to this fascinating country.
Day 01 - Arrive Yangon
Upon arrival in the morning from your international flights transfer to the hotel for a start to sightseeing in Yangon, including Colonial downtown Yangon, Chaukhtatkyi reclining Buddha, the landmark Shwedagone Pagoda, Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott’s Market) and the Chinatown farmer’s market. Stop at the small shop on 13th street to start your appreciation of Myanmar’s superb lacquerware. In late afternoon, gather at the verandah bar at the hotel for a welcome reception and dinner in the garden.
Day 02 Yangon - Heho - Inle Lake
After breakfast transfer to Yangon airport for a flight to Heho. On the drive through the picturesque hilly region to Inle Lake, watch villagers at work. Arriving at Inle Lake, board a long boat and slowly motor down the lake to see the fishermen with conical nets using their free leg to position their boats. Stop at several floating villages and enjoy the landmark Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the Ngaphaechaun Monastery, and selected local silk weaving centers. Inle Lake has a unique tradition of using the lotus plant for a weaving fiber.
Day 03 - Inle Lake and environs
After breakfast drive to Indein village and visit the traditional 5-day market of Lake Inle area, with tribal villagers in colorful dress. Enjoy a scenic trip up a narrow creek to the idyllic site of Indein with it’s 17th century ruins of pagodas in an “indiana Jones” type setting, a literal “forest” of spires, walking along trails in bamboo groves. Return to Inle Lake for relaxation and bird watching from your deck before dinner.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Nampan village to visit the biggest market of Lake Inle area, including the floating garden to the Shan paper production cottages, where paper is made out of raspberry barks. Transfer back to the hotel for check out for your flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival in Mandalay and welcome, transfer to the traditionally designed, but newly constructed hotel, a quiet oasis in the bustle and chaos of Mandalay.
Day 05 - Mandalay - Amarapura - Sagain - Mandalay
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the ancient towns of Amarapura and Sagain as well as sights in Mandalay: Mahagandayone monastery of 1500 monks, the world longest teak bridge, U Bein, silversmithing in Sagain, the scenic U-Min-Thoun-Se Temple, the landmark Mahamuni temple, typical gold leaf art in Mandalay. Finish with sunset views over Mandalay Hill. Overnight in Mandalay.
Day 06 - Embark Pandaw Cruise to sail to Bagan
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Landmark Mahamuni temple on the way to the jetty to embark on a Pandaw Cruise at 11am. The cruise departs Mandalay at noon with cruising through lunch and the afternoon. Enjoy the cruise and scenery along the Irrawaddy River. Dinner on board. Overnight on board.
Day 07 - Pandaw cruises on Irrawaddy River
Breakfast on board and cruise on Pandaw with a shore excursion to the villages of Yandabo in the morning and Ohn-Ne-Choung Village in the afternoon. Lunch and dinner on board. Overnight on board the Pandaw Cruise.
Day 08- Pandaw Cruise to Bagan
Breakfast on board, arriving at Bagan for transfer to the hotel. After check-in, see beautiful, charming Bagan: the beautiful Ananda temple, lacquer ware handicrafts, a horse cart ride among the ancient temple, sunset and panoramic view from a fairly high temple. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 09 - Bagan Activities
After a hotel breakfast, continue sightseeing in Bagan, seeing Nyaung Oo farmers market, landmark Shwe Zi Gone Temple, unique Manuha and Nanpaya temples, and a stroll around the Wet Kyiln Village. Consider an optional cooking class starting with the chef’s guidance selecting produce at the market. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 10 - Bagan to Yangon
Breakfast at the hotel followed by transfer to the airport for flights to Yangon. Overnight in Yangon.
Day 11 - Yangon and Home
Bogyoke Aung San Market. In the late afternoon, transfer to Yangon International Airport for connections to international flights.
Silk and Stones Travel tours are designed for very small groups, using suppliers and partnerships with local providers, and with sensitivity to the unique environmental, ecological, and cultural opportunities in each country. Silk and Stones Travel brings the best of travel to unusual places with comfort, safety, and with cultural and environmental sensitivity. Click on the following to learn about the group tour itineraries, or to gain insights for designing private, custom trips.
What Makes This Trip Unique?
• Great value and quality
• Unique access to activities and sights in each location: a briefing by an art gallery owner in Yangon, special school visits in Inle Lake, lunch with a Buddhist monk and nun to discuss the Buddhist traditions in Myanmar
•Unique events during the festivals
•Flexible options
For help designing a custom itinerary, please contact Silk and Stones Travel
For additional help planning your trip, please see Organization, Resources, Packing List, Application, and Terms and Conditions. For additional suggestions on Myanmar shops, restaurants, activities, check the Myanmar Resources page.
Photos courtesy of Barbara T. Bauer, 2009
World’s Longest Teak Bridge, Mandalay, Myanmar
