Best of Burma tour

Showcases all the best of Burma – Myanmar, combining perfectly the rugged beauty of colonial heritages and spiritual highlights.

Burma, an exotic land of tradition and sacred sites from the awe-inspiring religious monuments of Yangon to evocative Mandalay and its Royal Palace, the spectacular stupa-filled plains of Bagan and heavenly Inle Lake with a few surprises along the way. Best of Burma tour start from Yangon, the former capital or Burma which located by the river of Yangon with golden pagoda of Shwedagon.

Tour Duration: 16 days / 15 nights
Tour Type: Cultural, Higlist
Cities: Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake
Price: From US$ 1500/person
Activity Level: Regular itinerary

Day by Day Tours

Day 1 Arrival Yangon by flight
Day 2 Yangon – Mandalay – Amarapura – Inwa – Mandalay by flight + car
Day 3 Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay by boat
Day 4 Mandalay – Sagaing – Monywa by car
Day 5 Monywa – Powin Taung – Monywa by car
Day 6 Monywa – Pakokku – Bagan by car + boat
Day 7 Bagan by car
Day 8  Bagan – Salay – Mt. Popa – Bagan by car
Day 9 Bagan – Heho – Pindaya – Inle by by flight + car + boat
Day 10 Inle – Indein – Inle by boat
Day 11 Inle by boat
Day 12 Inle – Heho – Thandwe – Ngapali by boat + car + flight
Day 13 & Day 14 Ngapali Beach
Day 15 Ngapali Thandwe Yangon by car + flight
Day 16 Departure Yangon by flight

Tour Prices (US$/person)

Group of 02 persons  : OnRequest
Group of 04 persons  : OnRequest

Important notes:
Surcharge in Peak Times eg: Christmas, New Year Eve, and Water festival may be applicable.

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I’LL TAKE THIS TOUR

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1 Arrival Yangon by flight

Arrive Yangon international airport, welcome by tour guide. Transfer to the hotel for check in. Visit Shwedagon Pagoda, famous worldwide – its golden stupa is the ‘ Heart ’ of Buddhism Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa in surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. And overnight stay at hotel in Yangon.

Day 2 Yangon – Mandalay – Amarapura – Inwa – Mandalay by flight + car

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Yangon International airport for flight to Mandalay. Mandalay, the commercial centre and cultural tourism site, was established in 1857 by King Mindon, Arrive at Tada Oo International airport and direct sightseeing to the ancient city of Amarapura. Visit to Mahagundayone Monastery to study the daily life of the monks observing Buddha scriptures, U Bein Wooden Bridge (1.2km long) across Taung Tha Man Lake. Proceed to Ava (Inwa). Sightseeing inclusive of Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery , the hand-made workshop industry producing lacquer alms for Monk. Then drive to Mandalay and check in at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Ubein Bridge- the longest wood teak bridge in the world, Amarapura, Burma

Day 3 Mandalay – Mingun – Mandalay by boat

After early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the jetty to take a boat trip to Mingun. Visit Mingun Unfinished Pagoda, Mingun Bell, one of the world largest hanging bronze bells and Myatheindan Pagoda. After sightseeing in Mingun, sail back to Mandalay. Afternoon visit Mahamuni Buddha Image, Zegyo Market and some of Mandalay’s cottage industries, such as weaving and tapestry making, Burmese candy making, Bamboo fan making near Eindaw Yar Pagoda, Atumahsi Monastery and Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery), Kuthodaw (Maha Lawkamarazein Pagoda) which is famous as the world largest book of many stone slabs on which is inscribed the whole Buddhist Literature.. Enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill. Overnight stay at hotel in Mandalay.

Day 4 Mandalay – Sagaing – Monywa by car

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to Monywa. On the way, a visit to Sagaing Hills (21km south-east of Mandalay) and western bank of the Ayeyarwaddy river, Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda which is the copy of Mahaceti Pagoda in Siri Lanka. Tour continues to Monywa located in the Valley of Chindwin River and a pleasant destination for the visitors. Sightseeing inclusive of Thanbode where a half million of Buddha images exits. Bode Tahtaung where a thousand of Bo trees or Banyan trees and a 300 foot long reclining Buddha image would be visited. Overnight at hotel.

Sagaing Hill, Burma

Day 5 Monywa – Powin Taung – Monywa by car

After breakfast at hotel, cross Chindwin River and drive to Hpo Win Taung and Shwe Ba Taung by local pick-up taxis. The caves contain Buddhist statues, wood carvings and murals dating to 17th and 18th centuries. Return to Monywa and overnight.

Day 6 Monywa – Pakokku – Bagan by car + boat

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Pakokku – famous for cotton blanket. Visit local market, weaving industry, peanut snacks making cottage. And then transfer to the jetty cruise by charter private to Bagan situated in Central Myanmar, on the east bank of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. Arrive at Bagan in the evening. Overnight stay at hotel in Bagan.

Day 7 Bagan by car

Option: Balloon Over Bagan (BOB)
It is a unique opportunity to see the Bagan with ‘BALLOONS OVER BAGAN’. You get a magnificent birds-eye view of thousand year-old pagodas, temples and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River as it has never been seen before. The balloon is guided by gentle winds not exceeding 24 km/h. Eight/Six passengers plus a pilot fit into the balloon’s basket. The champagne flights at sunrise last just under an hour and take off daily from October through March. Price is US $ 250 / pax. Due to the limited capacity, advance bookings at an early stage are highly recommended.

After breakfast, start whole day sightseeing of Bagan’s most important temples and pagodas ranging from the temples with the earliest wall paintings to the prototype pagada the influenced the designs of later Buddhist monuments. Tour highlights include colorful Nyaung Oo Market, and Shwezigon Pagoda – built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine, then go to Ananda Temple – King Kyansittha’s masterpiece and the crowning achievement of the early style temple of architecture, next is Thatbyinnyu Temple – the highest building on the Bagan plain, after that visit to Htilominlo Temple – the largest temple of Bagn – noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. In the afternoon observe the process of traditional lacquer ware, one of Myanmar’s best known handicrafts and a specialty of Bagan. Then visit Manuha Temple, Myingabar Gubyaugyi Temple – an early period Pyu-style temple of Hindu influence with some of the oldest mutual paintings in Bagan and Dhamanyangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. Lastly watch sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River from Buphaya or Shwesandaw Pagoda. Overnight at hotel in Bagan.

Baloon in Bagan, Burma

Day 8: Bagan – Salay – Mt. Popa – Bagan by car

After breakfast, drive to Salay (famous for its ancient monastery). Then drive to Mt. Popa where a house for Myanmar spirits. On the way you can observe toddy farm and ways of making Toddy Candy. Return to Bagan. Afternoon visit Bagan for the rests of the famous pagoda. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9 Bagan – Heho – Pindaya – Inle by by flight + car + boat

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to leave for Heho. Arrive at Heho Airport and drive to Pindaya (65 km). Sightseeing inclusive of Pindaya Cave with thousands of Buddha Images placed there by pilgrims over many centuries and Umbrella workshop which is made from pulp, stroll underneath the old Banyan trees which are said over 200 years. Take fresh breath and photos. Drive to Nyaung Shwe and transfer to hotel by boat to Inle Lake. Being located at the 900 meters above sea level, Inle Lake is the second largest natural lake in Myanmar with hazy blue mountains as backdrop. Overnight stay at hotel in Inle.

Pindaya Caves with thousands of Buddha Images

Day 10 Inle – Indein – Inle by boat

After breakfast at the hotel, sightseeing by foot around the Botaloke Lake and local market. After lunch, visit Indein Village, located at the western side of the lake. Passing Nyaung Ohak Monastery and follow a stair path lined up with many hundreds o wooden columns, you finally will reach the impressive Shwe Indein Pagoda Complex. From the hillside you have great view over the lake area. On the way back to the boat, walk through a romantic bamboo forest at the riverside, where you may observe local people having a bath. Overnight in Inle lake region.

Day 11 Inle by boat

In the early morning, breakfast at hotel and visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, the most famous pagoda of the Shan State. Ywa-Ma village, gold and sliver smiths’ workshop. After lunch, visit Jumping Cat Monastery and floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and the famous leg rowers. In the evening, enjoy the sunset while visiting the Inle Lake by boat. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 Inle – Heho – Thandwe – Ngapali by boat + car + flight

After breakfast, transfer to the Heho Airport and flight to Thandwe. Transfer to the beach by shuttle bus. Leisure at beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 & Day 14 Ngapali Beach

Breakfast at hotel. You can visit the near by fishing villages, where you can find the fishermen begin setting and drawing drift nets before dawn and continue into the late morning, when they load their catches in baskets. Women carry the baskets of fish on foot, and then return with lunch for the men. Overnight at hotel.

Snorkeling in Ngapali Beach, Burma

Day 15 Ngapali Thandwe Yangon by car + flight

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport by shuttle bus and flight back to Yangon. On the way to the hotel, visit Kabar Aye (the World Peace pagoda) and Maha Pasana (the great cave for Buddhist synod) and check in at the hotel. After lunch shopping at Bogyoke Market (Scott’s Market) of hundreds of shops where you can find local products such as Gems & Jewelry , slippers, cloth, and so on. Evening stroll along the China Town and study the ways of living of Yangon citizens (which can observe the tradition and modern costume). Overnight stay at hotel in Yangon.

Day 16 Departure Yangon by flight

Breakfast at hotel. Leisure till the flight time. Transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight to conclude this unique experience.

Enjoy your tours with Our top favorite Burma package tours

Tour Prices (US$/person)

Group of 02 persons  : OnRequest
Group of 04 persons  : OnRequest

Important notes:
Surcharge in Peak Times eg: Christmas, New Year Eve, and Water festival may be applicable.

I NEED TAILOR-MADE

I’LL TAKE THIS TOUR

Essential Notes

Passports and Visas

The first thing goes first. You definitely must obtain valid VISA in order to travel into any country and so is Myanmar (Burma). Unless your country is in VISA exemption list, it is your responsibility to get valid VISA before arrival. There are two ways to get Myanmar VISA:

• Go to Myanmar Embassies and Consulates in your home country and you will be guided procedure. You may want to check the list of countries where Myanmar has embassies and consulate offices by clicking here.
• Obtain VISA On Arrival (VOA). For tourists coming from countries has no Myanmar Diplomatic Rep offices, you can obtain VOA online via www.myanmarevisa.gov.mm – the official portal for VOA by Myanmar government. The portal launched in Sep 01, 2014 and took its pilot operation for a month. Providing you encounter any issue, please contact us for support.

Climate & Clothing

Generally speaking, Myanmar is a tropical country with rather hot weather. Sometimes in year or in some Northern places, temperature cools down but not that can be called cold. Roughly saying that the best time to travel Myanmar is from Oct to March due to dry and cool season. Other months, however, you may get very nice deals of promotion.For clothing: comfortable clothes, absolutely. We suggest you should take at least one long pan, a long skirt and a sleeve top because we will visit some religious site and many of them require proper code of dress.All of temples and pagodas require you enter with bare feet. A pair of sandals is highly recommended.

Cell Phones & Calling Cards

You may wish to carry a cell phone while traveling. Check with your cell phone provider if your phone will work in the destination(s) you are visiting. Myanmar service is dominated by the GMS technology standard, while some of the world such as U.S uses the incompatible CDMA standard. We suggest that you should check carefully or you may incur high international roaming fees.We said previously “the SIM card in Myanmar is not very popular and still quite expensive”. But now, forget it! SIM cards in Myanmar now are cheap and easy to buy in any main city as cheap as about US$ 02 each. Cell phones, even smart phones are available on sales widely.

Making Telephone Calls from One Country to Another

When dialing a number from one country to another, you should proceed as follows: dial your country’s Exit Code + destination Country Code + Phone Number. Country Code of Myanmar is 95.

Wireless Internet Access

Passengers traveling with WiFi enabled devices (such as a personal computer, smartphone, tablet, or digital audio player) may be able to connect to the internet via a wireless network access point (or hotspot). Wifi is now popular in most hotels from three stars up. Most of them are supplying Free Wifi but some may incur extra charges. We suggest you should ask the receptionist before.

Cards and Currency

Myanmar’s national currency, the KYAT (pronounced chat, abbreviated in MMK) is divided into the following banknotes: K1, K5, K10, K20, K50, K100, K200, K500 and K1000.We once said “ATMs are still very hard to come” but from my latest inspection of Myanmar, the country now starts using ATMs. Most three stars hotels up often have at least one AMT machine right at their lobbies. Main hotels now accepts credit cards payment.Anyway, we suggest you should bring with some cashes just in case. Local buying there accept Burmese and US dollars widely. However please pay at attention when bring US notes with you:

• The US$ notes must be new.
• The US$ notes torn, marked, folded will not be accepted.
• The US$ notes having series before 2003 backward may not accepted.

You are allowed to bring up to US$ 5000 in cash per person to enter Myanmar.

Trip Preparation

A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. We suggest you should taking a checklist below:

• Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you.
• Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas, driver’s license) are in order.
• We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal ID and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. If you lose the originals while traveling, you’ll have copies for easier reporting and replacement.
• You may consider bringing a small supply of over the counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhea pills. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names.
• We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock.
• Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage.

Happy Travelling with CRYSTAL HOLIDAYS ASIA!

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