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Splendour of Myanmar 20 days

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Hanoi Voyages > Panorama > Splendour of Myanmar 20 days
HIGHLIGHTS

Discover the country’s hidden gems
Get up close to the golden city, and merge in a city mixing spirituality and architectural beauty. Explore Mandalay and its treasures such as the Kuthodaw Pagoda and admire the details of its magnificent architecture. Head to Amarapura, a former royal capital, and experience a late afternoon around the U Bein Bridge.

Go off-the-beaten-track
Stroll around the local village of Indein and enjoy a mesmerizing view on the placid around on top of the summit. Explore and trek around the village to discover Sae Ma village and have a taste of the daily lifestyle of Burmese rural inhabitants.

Admire the mythical and historical faces of Myanmar
End up in the mystic city of Yangon and explore its treasures such as the Shwesandaw Pagoda. Explore Myanmar’s most precious treasures – the plains of Bagan. Witness the remains of the past and enjoy the amazing view on the 2000 pagodas stretching in the horizon as far as the eyes can see.

Myanmar Travel Map
ITINERARY

Day 1Yangon - Arrival

  • A Hanoi Voyages representative will welcome you when you arrive at the airport and transfer you to your arranged accommodation where check-in time is 2:00 pm.
  • Let the excitement commence!
  • Highlight experience: Traditional Burmese food

Day 2Yangon - Kyaikhtiyo - Golden Rock

Set off for a pleasant drive to Kyaikhtiyo, home to one of Myanmar’s most well-known landmarks. Renowned for its religious significance, the ‘Golden Rock’ is a massive boulder covered entirely in gold leaf and precariously balanced right on the edge of a jagged cliff.

  • Make a brieaf stop at the Allied War memorial park near Htauk Kyan, the final resting place for over 27,000 Allied soldiers.
  • Visit Kin Pun, a small town at the foot of the mountain. Then switch vehicles to a public local truck for a winding, exhilarating ride to the top of the mountain

Overnight in Kyaikhtiyo
Highlight experience: Observing the Golden Rock in Kyaikhtiyo

Day 3Golden Rock - Bago - Yangon

Return to the Golden Rock and discover more:

  • Merge in a totally different atmosphere gazing at the glinting boulder bathing in the purple and misty light of dawn.
  • Explore several stupas and shrines scattered on the ridge at the top of Mount Kyaikhtiyo

Take a return trip to Yangon, en route in Bago to explore the former capital of the Mon Kingdom

  • Browse through the colourful local market where vendors sell flowers, produce and spices
  • Visit a thousand-year-old Shwemawdaw Pagoda which features a spire taller than the one of Shwedagon Pagoda and the 55-meter long Shwe Tha Lyaung Buddha, which is recognized as one of the country’s most extraordinary images

Overnight in Yangon
Highlight experience: Admiring the magnificent Shwe Tha Lyaung Buddha statue

Day 4Yangon - FLY - Bagan

Settle into a morning flight from Yangon to Bagan. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide and be transferred to Old Bagan for the exploration. The plains of Bagan is the largest archaeological site in Myanmar, with over 2000 pagodas spread out and punctuated by vegetation.

  • Explore the Ananda Temple, one of the highest in Bagan with its panoramic views over the plains of Bagan, this view will give you a taste of the impressive number of temples and their different styles
  • Participate in a traditional Buddhist ceremony, make food offerings to monks then receive a special blessing of the monk to ensure good luck and happiness
  • Learn more about the local culture and traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation with a visit of two workshops that produce the most famous Bagan products: lacquer and wood crafts in Myinkaba village
  • Visit Gubyaukgyi temple and admire the sunset while taking a carriage ride through the highest temple in Bagan – Thatbyinnyu

Overnight in Bagan
Highlight experience: Participate in a traditional Buddhist ceremony

Day 5Bagan - Nyaung Oo Market - Minathu

After a short tour of the Nyaung Oo Market, we will resume our visit to the ancient and historical archaeological sites, with a visit to Shwezigon Pagoda, one of the most beautiful and richly decorated pagodas in the country.
Embark on a carriage ride and visit the village of Minnanthu, set a little apart from the ruins

  • Visit the Sulamani temple.
  • Visit the Tayoke Pyay and see its temple frescoes, and also enjoy the spectacular views and contemplate the pinnacle of the temple.
  • Visit the pagoda Dhammayazika
  • Enjoy dinner in Bagan and a puppet show.

Overnight in Bagan
Highlight experience: Shwezigon Pagoda adventure

Day 6Bagan - Mt. Popa - Salay - Bagan

  • Travel to Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano over 1500m high, about 48 km southeast of Bagan to visit the Nat worship shrines, stupas, and monasteries at the summit.
  • Transfer back to Bagan, the largest archaeological site in Myanmar, covering around 40 square kilometres and is a testament to the populations’ Buddhist beliefs.

Overnight in Bagan
Highlight experience: View from volcanic Popa mountain

Day 7Bagan - BOAT - Pakokku - Powintaung - Monywa

Take a boat trip from Bagan to Pakokku crossing the mighty Ayeyarwady River to reach Monywa

  • Pay visits to Pakkhangyi Kyaung Monastery and Pakokku Market
  • Phoe Win Hill and Shwe Ba Hill, the caves named after U Hpo Win famous alchemist who once lived there and enjoyed the beautiful scenes of the countryside.
  • Head to Powintaung, home to 947 sandstone caves, believed to hold some of Southeast Asia’s richest collection of mural paintings and Buddha statues

Overnight in Monywa
Highlight experience: Powintaung sandstone cave discovery

Day 8Monywa - Mandalay - Highlights

Depart Monywa for a drive to Mandalay, a busy trading city of upper Myanmar (about 150km – 4 hours) to the west of Myanmar and a commercial centre of Chindwin Valley.
Upon arrival, pay visits to

  • Thanbokde Pagoda – a domed with over 500,000 Buddha images
  • Bodhi-tahtaung (one thousand sacred trees) with a thousand Buddha images sitting at the foot of each tree and enjoy the view from Aung Setkaya Pagoda, standing 130 meters high on the Pa Khaung Hills
  • Ledi Kyaungtaik, a teaching monastery where Buddhist scriptures are inscribed on 806 stone slabs
  • Kyaukka Village, known for its own distinctive kind of lacquerware

Overnight in Mandalay
Highlight experience: Visit Kyaukka Village and observe how lacquerware is made.

Day 9 Mandalay - Mingun - Sagaing - U Bein Bridge

Depart for a visit the Jade Market then board a boat to go up the Irrawaddy River towards Mingun

  • Disembark in front of the Satowya Pagoda
  • See a model of the Mingun Pagoda, and receive an explanation of same, unfinished Mingun Pagoda, started in the reign of King Bodawpaya
  • See the Mingun Bell that weighs over 90 tons, the largest bell in the world to ring.
  • Visit the Hsinbyume pagoda
  • Continue the day around the hills of Sagaing approximately 20 km south of Mandalay, cross the metal bridge at Ava to sightsee Sagaing and its impressive panorama of pagodas that dot the surrounding countryside.
  • Stroll along the legendary U Bein Bridge and enjoy the special atmosphere as the late afternoon sun casts long shadows and illuminates the local people heading home.

Overnight in Mandalay
Highlight experience: Observe Irrawaddy dolphins from the river

Day 10Mandalay - Pyin Oo Lwin

Transfer to Pyin Oo Lwin, the Flower City.

  • Spend the day exploring the local scenery.

​Overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin.
Highlight experience: Flower gardens in Pyin Oo Lwin

Day 11Pyin Oo Lwin - Gokteik - Mandalay

Train from Mandalay to Lashio (2:30 pm).

  • The train departs from Gokteik Bridge, 300m above the valley.
  • Picnic lunch on the train.

Overnight in Mandalay.​
Highlight experience: Train riding from Pyin Oo Lwin to Mandalay, overlooking Gokteik Bridge.

Day 12Mandalay - Inle Lake

Settle into a morning flight from Mandalay to Heho. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide and be transferred to Pindaya for a cave visiting.

  • In Inle Lake, find yourself surrounded by a completely aquatic landscape, see how everyday life is transformed by its proximity to and dependence on water.
  • Cruise past floating villages and note the bamboo houses on stilts, specially designed to avoid flooding and their “floating gardens”
  • Observe the daily activities of the local leg-rowing fisherman
  • Visit Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, which houses loads of early Shan Buddha Images
  • Learn about traditional Intha handicrafts such as incredible woven items from lotus silk, boat builders, cigar making workshop, blacksmiths or even silversmiths in Nam Pan village

Overnight in Inle
Highlight experience: Leg-rowing fishermen on Inle Lake

Day 13Inle Lake - Highlights - Indein

Boat down to the Southwest of Inle Lake through a long narrow canal to Indein village, known for its market and two groups of ancient pagodas.

  • Visit the lake’s morning market (the market is open every day apart from the dark moon and full moon calendar days).
  • The market’s location rotates between the lake’s villages in a 5-day schedule
  • It is also visited daily by the lake’s inhabitants as well as the surrounding natives who also come to sell and trade their wares.

Head to Pa-Oh village of Indein, located on the western shores of Inle Lake on an hour boat ride down a small canal

  • Stroll around the village and ascend to the summit for mesmerizing views of the placid surroundings
  • Visit Indein Pagoda complex which is undoubtedly one of the most amazing sites around the shore of the lake and it consists of hundreds of small overrun stupas
  • Embark on a gentle trek to Sae Ma village, observe the daily lifestyles of the rural inhabitants
  • Learn more about history and culture of the lake’s indigenous people and taste a delicious coffee and cake at Inthar Heritage House

Overnight in Inle
Highlight experience: Indein Pagoda complex.

Day 14Inle Lake - Taunggyi - Kakku

Depart for an Inle Lake adventure with the starting point from Inle Lake to Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State and to Kakku, 30km south of Taunggyi:

  • Visit more than 2000 stupas in a site closely packed together in ranks covering an area of approximately a square kilometre apparently unknown to outside world
  • Explore Kakku, a hidden treasure an unusual, magnificent collection of Buddhist Stupas unheard of by historians and unlisted in guidebooks lies in the deepest Pa-oh territory

Overnight in Inle
Highlight experience:Admire Kakku’s pagoda complex

Day 15Inle Lake - FLY - Thandwe - Ngapali

  • Enjoy the last boat ride to Nyaung Shwe then be transferred to Heho airport to settle into a morning flight to Thandwe.
  • Arrive and be welcomed by our guide and be transferred to arranged accommodation in Ngapali
  • Enjoy free time to leisurely lounge on the beach

Overnight in Ngapali
Highlight experience: Boat riding in Nyaung Shwe

Day 16Ngapali

Enjoy free time to leisurely lounge on the beach
Overnight in Ngapali

Day 17 Ngapali

Enjoy free time to leisurely lounge on the beach
Overnight in Ngapali

Day 18Ngapali - FLY - Yangon

  • Enjoy free time to leisurely lounge on the beach
  • Settle into an afternoon flight from Ngapali to Yangon. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide and be transferred to your arranged accommodation.

Overnight in Yangon
Highlight experience: First night Yangon discovery

Day 19Yangon - Highlights

Stroll around in beautiful Yangon for the day.

  • Visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda to see a 70m long reclining Buddha statue around the size of a blue whale
  • Catch a view of Karaweik Hall, a reproduction of a royal barge and enjoy a spectacular view of the Golden Shwedagon Pagoda
  • Visit legendary Shwedagon Pagoda, the most important religious site for the Burmese, witness colours transform on the 100m chedi which is literally enclosed in over 40 tons of gold leaf
  • Check out the dragons and incense of the interesting Khen Hock Keong Chinese temple
  • Explore the vibrant street stalls where vendors sell all kinds of fruit, vegetable, and other goods or simply just walk around and soak in the atmosphere of this little China in Yangon.

Overnight in Yangon
Highlight experience: Shwedagon Pagoda adventure

Day 20Yangon - Departure

Free time until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

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EXTENSION

BEACH BREAK - SIHANOUKVILLE
Mandalay - Bagan - Cruise
BANGKOK DISCOVERY - THAILAND

Lounge on the beach and let the sand kiss your toes!
Sure, Sihanoukville (ក្រុងព្រះសីហនុ) would never win first prize in a pretty-town competition. But despite the rapid and mostly unwanted development, it has remained the jumping-off point for the best of Cambodia’s white-sand beaches and castaway-cool southern islands!

Day 1 – ARRIVE IN SIHANOUKVILLE Ready your senses for something truly exceptional? Sihanoukville is worth the wait. This destination is the perfect tropical paradise for your getaway. Wide boulevards and white sandy beaches signal relaxation and happiness, the Ochheuteal and Serendipity beach is an attractive seaside stopover.

Day 2 – TREKKING – WATERFALLS The Kbal Chhay Waterfalls are a tiered, 14-metre drop in the middle of extensive forests, with loads of food stalls, picnic spots, hammocks and local shops selling all manner of useless stuff to help you while away a very relaxing few hours in between splashes.

Day 3 – DIVING OR SNORKELLING The best time of year to go diving or snorkelling in and around Sihanoukville is December to April when the dry season and currents mean that visibility is at its best. On the other hand, while conditions might be less ideal in quiet months you’ll get more of that ocean all to yourself. Cambodia does offer some of the cheapest scuba-diving in the region in some of the least crowded waters.

DAY 1. MANDALAY – SAGAING & AVA
Board the luxurious cruise on the riverside of Mandalay. Today you will head to Sagaing and the former royal capital of Ava.

DAY 2. AVA – YANDERBO The cruise will continue to the village, Yanderbo. You can explore the village on foot while looking at the techniques and skills to produce a variety of pots. Try making one of your own. The evening has an open air cinema under the stars on the sun deck showing classic movies.
DAY 3. PAKOKKU – BAGAN  The stop of today is the old trading town on the western riverbank of the Ayeyarwady, Pakkoku. Right before arrival, you will see the longest bridge in Myanmar. This town is known for its small industries like Cherrot-rolling factory and producer of flip-flops.

Pakokku is also well known for the production of tobacco, so if you look for buying Burmese cigars, this is the place. In the afternoon you reach Bagan, the city with over 2.000 temples, stupas and pagodas, where you will visit the most remarkable once.
DAY 4. BAGAN The morning starts at the Nyaung-U market, which is a Burmese market where everything is offered. After the market, you visit the revered Shwezigon Pagoda and stop at a lacquerware workshop, which is a must-see of long-standing, fascinating craftsmanship. In the afternoon you can see an exploration of Myinkaba Village, where the Manuha Pagoda from 1059 is located.
DAY 5. BAGAN Enjoy a last breakfast on board before your cruise ends and your journey on the land of Ancient Capitals is over or can be continued with one of our other extensions offered.




 

BANGKOK – A vibrant city / 3 days 2 nights
Spice your holidays by stepping in a vibrant city, mixing modernity and spirituality. Stroll around golden temples and palaces. Get a shopping session through all of the markets of the city, and end your trip experiencing the Thai lifestyle for three days.
Day 1 – BANGKOK – ARRIVAL Spice your holidays and step into the vibrant city of Bangkok. After a short flight from Phnom Penh, settle in your hotel and start your Thai adventure. Relax and enjoy the amenities of your hotel before having dinner on the rooftop of one of Bangkok’s skyscrapers.

Day 2 – BANGKOK – HIGHLIGHTS After breakfast, visit the highlights of the city such as the Grand Royal Palace complex which includes the Royal Palace and the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew (known for the Statue of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho, a giant house of the lying Buddha or the Beautiful part of the Khlong with a mix of old wooden houses and new modern mansion. In the evening enjoy a drink on the rooftop of a bar and have a taste of Bangkok’s nightlife.
Day 3 – BANGKOK – MARKETS
After breakfast, relish the taste of the local snack and photograph the Maeklong railway market, slow down on the waterway to the picturesque floating market of Damnoen Saduak and experience the vibrancy of Bangkok daily routine.


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Handpicking tea in Vietnam

TRAVEL NOTE

TIME TO VISIT MYANMAR

DRY SEASON

Feb - Mar
Feb - Mar
Mar - May
The weather is hot and dry in the whole country
19°C–34°C (66-94°F)
The weather is the hottest, can reach up to 40°C
22°C–36°C (70-96°F)

WET SEASON

Jun – Aug
Jun – Aug
Aug – Sep
Consistent rainfall throughout the months
24°C-32°C (76°F-89°F)
Still rainy, but temperatures don’t drop much
24°C-30°C (76°F-87°F)

More information on best time to visit Myanmar here

PHYSICAL LEVEL

Cycling Tour:
Level:
This is a middle-level Cycling Tour, appropriate for kids over 6 years old
Kayaking Tour:
Level:
This is a low-level Kayaking Tour, appropriate for kids over 6 years old.

PASSPORT AND VISA

There are two options for a Burmese visa – Normal Tourist Visa (50USD) and Tourist Visa Express Service (56USD)

  • You will get a single entry tourist visa which allows a stay up to 28 days
  • Your passport must be valid 6 months after the expected date of your departure from the country
  • You have to upload one COLOR PHOTO (4.6 cm X 3.8 cm) taking during last (3) months
  • Visa exemption up to 14 days for some ASEAN Countries, and up to 30 days for a few Asian Countries such as Japan, China.

For more information regarding visa for Myanmar, refer to this page.

WHAT TO PACK

To make sure you will enjoy all of the activities included in this trip without missing of anything, here is a short list of what you should bring with you:
– Trekking shoes (or running shoes)
– Sunscreen
– Sunglasses
– A raincoat
– Insect repellant

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Trip to Viet Nam
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Personalised trip for 4
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Highly recommended
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Thanks to Hanoi Voyages and especially to Mrs Thuy who was so kind with my group of 10 people. I organized the route and they prepared and contracted everything for us. If I ever come back to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Thailand I’ll deal with them again.

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