Travelling with a group of no more than 12 people, our new Small Group trips provide you with more space for your comfort and pleasure. Dive straight into a land of untouched natural beauty, captivating stories from recent history, welcoming locals, and an abundance of awe-inspiring temples! This 8-day circular route through Myanmar – formerly known as Burma – ticks off the unmissable villages, countryside, ancient ruins, and charming cities through a unique style of grassroots tourism. Walk the iconic wooden pathway of the winding U Bein Bridge as monks, workers, and vendors pick their way through the local crowds. Explore the world’s largest and densest concentration of Buddist monuments in Bagan and enjoy an optional Hot Air Balloon ride at sunset. Trek through lush forest to mountain resorts with unparalleled views across the horizon. Travel by horse and carriage through ancient city ruins and, immerse yourself in the unique way of life as you discover the floating markets of Inle Lake. If you’re looking for an extraordinary adventure that’s definitely off the well-worn path, Myanmar is calling!
Duration
Destination
Start/Ends in
8 Days
Myanmar
Yangon / Yangon
Hotels
Group Size
Age Requirement
5 & 4 Star
4-12
18+
Trip Rating
Trip Theme
Departs
0
0 reviews
Classic,Overland
All Year Round
Why You’ll Love This Tour
Journey with a small group of 12 travellers at most, enjoy more personal space and embark on Safe Travels.
Save on travel time with three included flights to ensure you arrive in each city with plenty of time to explore.
Stay in carefully selected 5 & 4-star hotels with luxurious facilities including swimming pools, bars and included breakfasts.
Hop on board horse-drawn carriages as you follow your guide through ancient cities and local villages across Mandalay, Ava and surrounding regions.
Soak up the serenity of Inle Lake while cruising past floating villages, wooden temples and local fishermen practicing their unique hunting methods.
Marvel at the iconic Golden Shwe Dagon Pagoda in Yangon. Then, get your camera ready to snap up some incredible pics at the famed Bagan Archeological Zone – the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist monuments in the world!
Experience bucket-list travel moments including an optional hot air balloon ride over the magical stupas of Bagan at sunset!
Former capital of Myanmar, and now a township of Mandalay city. Amarapura is bounded by the Irrawaddy river in the west, Chanmyathazi Township in the north
Ananda Temple
The Ananda temple is a Buddhist temple Its main feature is the relation between religion, politics and architecture that has influences on its morphology and plan.
Bagaya Monastery
Bagaya Monastery, often called "Teak Temple", is the oldest architecture in Mandalay. It is a famous spot that attracts tourists from around the world every year.
Dhammayangyi Temple
Dhammayangyi Temple is the most massive structure in Bagan which has a similar architectural plan to Ananda Temple. It was built by King Narathu (1167-70)
Golden Palace Monastery
Originally part of the royal palace at Amarapura, before it was moved to Mandalay, where it formed the northern section of the Hmannan and part of the king's apartments.
Inle Lake
Inle Lake is famous for its floating villages and gardens and the unique way of life of the local Intha people, with their living communities based entirely on the water.
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second largest city in Burma, and a former capital of Myanmar. The city is the economic and religious hub of Myanmar and is centred around the Royal Palace.
Manuha Temple
Manuha Temple is a Buddhist temple built in Myinkaba, by captive Mon King Manuha in 1067, according to King Manuha's inscriptions. It is a rectangular building of two storeys.
Nyaung U Market
The colorful Nyaung U Market is definitely a must-see. It is divided into different sections selling a variety of items and especially noteworthy.
Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
The Phaung Daw Oo pagoda is the most highly revered monastery in the Inle Lake area. It houses five ancient images of the Buddha that are completely covered in golf leaf.
Shwezigon Pagoda
This Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa located in Nyaung-U. A prototype of Burmese stupas, it consists of a circular gold leaf-gilded stupa surrounded by smaller temples.
Yangon
Yangon is the largest city in Myanmar . A mix of British colonial architecture, modern high-rises and gilded Buddhist pagodas define its skyline.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Welcome to Myanmar – a country quite unlike any other before it!
Meet your guide and new tour mates in the hotel lobby at 6.00pm for an informal welcome meeting. Afterwards, get amongst the hustle of Yangon for an optional tour group dinner or explore the night markets and busy streets as they come to life after dark!
Accommodation Rose Garden Hotel – 5 Star
Included Activities Welcome Meeting
Optional Activities Group Dinner
This morning we’ll take to the skies with a domestic flight from Yangon to Mandalay! On arrival, visit the neighbouring 18th-century capital of Amarapura to explore the country’s largest monastery; Mahagandayon and witness the daily meal of over one thousand monks. Then, attend a silk weaving workshop to learn of Amarapura’s craft specialty before a short ferry across the river towards Ava! This former capital of the 14th to 18th century is a great introduction to local life in the Burmese countryside. Ava is is best explored on horse and carriage, so hop on board and keep your eyes peeled for the old wooden Bagaya Monastery, ruins of the Royal Palace, and many small villages amid ruins. In the afternoon, head towards Sagaing to see the 600 white pagodas and monasteries surrounding Sagaing Hill. This place is widely regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar with over 3,000 monks calling Sagaing home! Visit the Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae pagodas before heading back to Amparapura to take a wander along the picturesque U Bein Bridge. The iconic bridge surrounded by lush countryside has to be up there with Myanmar’s most photographed sites. After a big day exploring, rest up in the evening back at your hotel in Mandalay.
Accommodation Rupar Mandalar – 4 Star
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities Mahagandayon Monastery
Silk Weaving Workshop visit
Sagaing Hill
U Bein Bridge
Fill up on breakfast before a big day exploring Mingun and Mandalay! First up, head across the river to Mingun – home to sereval unique sites, as well as the foundations for what could have been the largest temple in the world! Then check out the picture-perfect Myatheindan Pagoda – famous for its distinctively white arches and architectural charm. In the afternoon, return to Mandalay for a half-day city tour to the unmissable spots across the city including Mahamuni Pagoda, a gold-leaf making workshop, the Old Palace grounds, Kuthodaw Pagoda, and Golden Palace Monastery. Finish up the day with an easy climb to the nearby Mandalay Hill. Soak up the views as sunset falls across the city below or even chat with a young monk as they practice their English!
Accommodation Rupar Mandalar – 4 Star
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities Mingun Visit
Mandalay City Tour
Entrance Fees Mingun & Mandalay – 15 USD
Start the day at the Jade Markets in Mandalay where you’ll find a mass of traders handling, hawking and polishing their prized Jade stones. You don’t have to want or even like the stone to appreciate the timelessness of these markets that echo trading from another era. Then, we’ll hit the road for Mt Popa with a visit to villages along the way. On arrival in Mt Popa, check out the Toddy Palm Groves, Jaggery Cottage Industry, Kyaukapaduang Market, Popa Village, and the famous Popa Taung Kalat – a tower-like volcanic plug lying on the south-western slope of Mt. Popa. This fascinating volcano last erupted some 250,000 years ago! Tonight, you’ll stay in the exclusive Popa Mountain Resort. This naturally-designed resort lays a short 25-minute walk deep within the lush forest of Mt Popa and showcases blinding views across the horizon and valleys below. Not to mention, the infinity pool and spar are nothing short of spectacular! Time to rest up, relax, and take in the epic mountain scenery.
Accommodation Popa Mountain Resort – 4 Star
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities Jade Markets
Mt Popa Sightseeing
Load up on breakfast in the mountains before making tracks to Bagan! Often compared to Cambodia’s famed Angkor Wat in terms of scale and significance, The Bagan Archaeological Zone was the first Burmese kingdom and is home to more than 2,500 Buddhist stupas, temples, and monasteries – making it the largest and densest concentration of Buddist monuments in the world! We’ll explore the Nyaung Oo Market, Shwezigon Pagoda, Kyansittha Umin, Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple, Htilominlo Temple and plenty more. In the afternoon, after a visit to lacquer ware workshops; continue on to the Manuha Temple and Ananda Temple with your guide, before ending the day with a horse and carriage tour of the traditional Taungbi village. Complete a jam-packed day with an optional Hot Air Balloon ride over the majestic stupas and Irrawaddy river as dusk falls over Bagan (available October to March). This is truly an unforgettable and unique experience!
Accommodation Ananta Bagan Hotel – 4 Star
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities Bagan Sightseeing
Traditional Taungbi Village
Optional Activities
Hot-air Ballooning at sunset over Bagan – 305 USD
Entrance Fees Bagan Archaeological Zone – 25 USD
Take an included flight from Bagan to Heho as we get set to explore the glorious Inle Lake! The most popular way to experience Inle Lake is by boat – we’ll take a private motorboat through Inle Lake’s unique watery world – passing wooden homes perched above the water on ticket stilts and watch on as the kicak fisherman row their canoes with one leg. In the afternoon, visit the local villages and wander through the markets filled with a spectacular array of traditional handicrafts. Check out the famed Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, home to dozens of Shan Buddha Images, but is more famous for its unique ‘jumping cats’ who jump through hoops in the air! Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf.
Accommodation Novotel Inle Lake Hotel – 4 Star
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities
Inle Lake Boat Ride
Local Village Visit
Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery
Entrance Fees
Inle Lake Zone – 10 USD
Start the day with a visit the Inle Lake’s local morning market! The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5-day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: the market is daily except on dark moon day and full moon day). From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of In Dein. Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village, visiting a local school, and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below. In the late afternoon transfer to Heho airport for a domestic flight back to Yangon.
Accommodation Rose Garden Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities Inle Lake Morning Market Visit
Boat Ride to In Dein
Alaung Sitthou Sightseeing
Today is our last day together in magical Myanmar! Let’s make the most of it with an included city tour to Yangon’s most impressive sights. First up, Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. A visit to Chauk Htat Gyi provides a great overview of Buddhism with murals depicting the life of Buddha. The feet of the statue is carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray. Then, visit Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell-shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is intricately decorated with diamonds and rubies, sapphires, and topaz – a stunning sight as the sunsets for our final days in this unique country! Savour those final moments with your new travel mates before we bid our farewells and head to the airport via included transfer. We would recommend to arrange your departure flight later than 2pm.
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities Yangon City Tour
Entrance Fees Shwedagon Pagoda – 10 USD
Day 1 Yangon
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Yangon
Welcome to Myanmar – a country quite unlike any other before it!
Meet your guide and new tour mates in the hotel lobby at 6.00pm for an informal welcome meeting. Afterwards, get amongst the hustle of Yangon for an optional tour group dinner or explore the night markets and busy streets as they come to life after dark!
Accommodation Rose Garden Hotel – 5 Star
Included Activities Welcome Meeting
Optional Activities Group Dinner
Day 2 Yangon, Flight to Mandalay, Ava, Amarapura, Sagaing, Mandalay
Detailed Itinerary
Day 2 Yangon, Flight to Mandalay, Ava, Amarapura, Sagaing, Mandalay
This morning we’ll take to the skies with a domestic flight from Yangon to Mandalay! On arrival, visit the neighbouring 18th-century capital of Amarapura to explore the country’s largest monastery; Mahagandayon and witness the daily meal of over one thousand monks. Then, attend a silk weaving workshop to learn of Amarapura’s craft specialty before a short ferry across the river towards Ava! This former capital of the 14th to 18th century is a great introduction to local life in the Burmese countryside. Ava is is best explored on horse and carriage, so hop on board and keep your eyes peeled for the old wooden Bagaya Monastery, ruins of the Royal Palace, and many small villages amid ruins. In the afternoon, head towards Sagaing to see the 600 white pagodas and monasteries surrounding Sagaing Hill. This place is widely regarded as the religious centre of Myanmar with over 3,000 monks calling Sagaing home! Visit the Swan Oo Pon Nya Shin and U Min Thone Sae pagodas before heading back to Amparapura to take a wander along the picturesque U Bein Bridge. The iconic bridge surrounded by lush countryside has to be up there with Myanmar’s most photographed sites. After a big day exploring, rest up in the evening back at your hotel in Mandalay.
Accommodation Rupar Mandalar – 4 Star
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities Mahagandayon Monastery
Silk Weaving Workshop visit
Sagaing Hill
U Bein Bridge
Day 3 Mandalay, Mingun, Mandalay City Tour
Detailed Itinerary
Day 3 Mandalay, Mingun, Mandalay City Tour
Fill up on breakfast before a big day exploring Mingun and Mandalay! First up, head across the river to Mingun – home to sereval unique sites, as well as the foundations for what could have been the largest temple in the world! Then check out the picture-perfect Myatheindan Pagoda – famous for its distinctively white arches and architectural charm. In the afternoon, return to Mandalay for a half-day city tour to the unmissable spots across the city including Mahamuni Pagoda, a gold-leaf making workshop, the Old Palace grounds, Kuthodaw Pagoda, and Golden Palace Monastery. Finish up the day with an easy climb to the nearby Mandalay Hill. Soak up the views as sunset falls across the city below or even chat with a young monk as they practice their English!
Accommodation Rupar Mandalar – 4 Star
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities Mingun Visit
Mandalay City Tour
Entrance Fees Mingun & Mandalay – 15 USD
Day 4 Mandalay, Mt Popa
Detailed Itinerary
Day 4 Mandalay, Mt Popa
Start the day at the Jade Markets in Mandalay where you’ll find a mass of traders handling, hawking and polishing their prized Jade stones. You don’t have to want or even like the stone to appreciate the timelessness of these markets that echo trading from another era. Then, we’ll hit the road for Mt Popa with a visit to villages along the way. On arrival in Mt Popa, check out the Toddy Palm Groves, Jaggery Cottage Industry, Kyaukapaduang Market, Popa Village, and the famous Popa Taung Kalat – a tower-like volcanic plug lying on the south-western slope of Mt. Popa. This fascinating volcano last erupted some 250,000 years ago! Tonight, you’ll stay in the exclusive Popa Mountain Resort. This naturally-designed resort lays a short 25-minute walk deep within the lush forest of Mt Popa and showcases blinding views across the horizon and valleys below. Not to mention, the infinity pool and spar are nothing short of spectacular! Time to rest up, relax, and take in the epic mountain scenery.
Accommodation Popa Mountain Resort – 4 Star
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities Jade Markets
Mt Popa Sightseeing
Day 5 Popa, Bagan
Detailed Itinerary
Day 5 Popa, Bagan
Load up on breakfast in the mountains before making tracks to Bagan! Often compared to Cambodia’s famed Angkor Wat in terms of scale and significance, The Bagan Archaeological Zone was the first Burmese kingdom and is home to more than 2,500 Buddhist stupas, temples, and monasteries – making it the largest and densest concentration of Buddist monuments in the world! We’ll explore the Nyaung Oo Market, Shwezigon Pagoda, Kyansittha Umin, Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple, Htilominlo Temple and plenty more. In the afternoon, after a visit to lacquer ware workshops; continue on to the Manuha Temple and Ananda Temple with your guide, before ending the day with a horse and carriage tour of the traditional Taungbi village. Complete a jam-packed day with an optional Hot Air Balloon ride over the majestic stupas and Irrawaddy river as dusk falls over Bagan (available October to March). This is truly an unforgettable and unique experience!
Accommodation Ananta Bagan Hotel – 4 Star
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities Bagan Sightseeing
Traditional Taungbi Village
Optional Activities
Hot-air Ballooning at sunset over Bagan – 305 USD
Entrance Fees Bagan Archaeological Zone – 25 USD
Day 6 Bagan, Flight to Heho, Inle Lake
Detailed Itinerary
Day 6 Bagan, Flight to Heho, Inle Lake
Take an included flight from Bagan to Heho as we get set to explore the glorious Inle Lake! The most popular way to experience Inle Lake is by boat – we’ll take a private motorboat through Inle Lake’s unique watery world – passing wooden homes perched above the water on ticket stilts and watch on as the kicak fisherman row their canoes with one leg. In the afternoon, visit the local villages and wander through the markets filled with a spectacular array of traditional handicrafts. Check out the famed Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery, home to dozens of Shan Buddha Images, but is more famous for its unique ‘jumping cats’ who jump through hoops in the air! Continue to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, which contains five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf.
Accommodation Novotel Inle Lake Hotel – 4 Star
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities
Inle Lake Boat Ride
Local Village Visit
Nga Hpe Chaung Monastery
Entrance Fees
Inle Lake Zone – 10 USD
Day 7 Inle Lake, Indein Boat Trip, Heho, Flight to Yangon
Detailed Itinerary
Day 7 Inle Lake, Indein Boat Trip, Heho, Flight to Yangon
Start the day with a visit the Inle Lake’s local morning market! The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5-day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: the market is daily except on dark moon day and full moon day). From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of In Dein. Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village, visiting a local school, and wander through the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area. Alaung Sitthou is filled with picturesque ancient stupas and has magnificent views of the lake below. In the late afternoon transfer to Heho airport for a domestic flight back to Yangon.
Accommodation Rose Garden Hotel – 5 Star
Meals Included Breakfast
Included Activities Inle Lake Morning Market Visit
Boat Ride to In Dein
Alaung Sitthou Sightseeing
Day 8 Yangon
Detailed Itinerary
Day 8 Yangon
Today is our last day together in magical Myanmar! Let’s make the most of it with an included city tour to Yangon’s most impressive sights. First up, Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, home to a 70-meter long reclining Buddha. A visit to Chauk Htat Gyi provides a great overview of Buddhism with murals depicting the life of Buddha. The feet of the statue is carved with traditional symbols and often many locals gathering to pay homage and pray. Then, visit Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell-shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is intricately decorated with diamonds and rubies, sapphires, and topaz – a stunning sight as the sunsets for our final days in this unique country! Savour those final moments with your new travel mates before we bid our farewells and head to the airport via included transfer. We would recommend to arrange your departure flight later than 2pm.
A/C Vehicles, Horse Cart, Local Boat, Domestic Flights.
Airport Transfer(s)
Airport transfers for the included domestic flights on the tour.
Tour Guiding
Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licenced by the Ministry of Tourism
Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi access ( where available )
What is NOT included?
What is NOT included?
- Any flights not mentioned above
- Travel Insurance
- Meals not stated above
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips and gestures
- Entrance fees to the sights and museums
- Optional activities
- Other services not stated in the itinerary
Dates & Rates
All prices are per person, based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers not wishing to pay a single supplement will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender.
This unique luxury property offers an authentic Myanmar style in the heart of downtown Yangon. The magnificent Golden Shwedagon Pagoda is situated in walking distance from the hotel.
RUPAR MANDALAR RESORT
Mandalay
4 Star
Nestled within tropical gardens and located just 15 minutes from the center, Rupar Mandalar offers the most charming accommodation away from the bustle of Mandalay.
POPA MOUNTAIN RESORT
Popa
4 Star
Set on a mountain surrounded by lush greenery, the Popa Mountain Resort is situated on the volcanic peak of Mount Popa – 48km from the ancient city of Bagan.
ANANTA BAGAN HOTEL
Bagan
4 Star
Ananta Bagan is located in the heart of the Ancient Bagan City, just beside the significant "Shwezigone Pagoda", one of the remarkable 4-stars boutique resort with a taste of Bagan.
NOVOTEL INLE LAKE HOTEL
Inle Lake
4 Star
Novotel Inle Lake offers an unforgettable backdrop to your holidays. Located on the peaceful Inle lake in Myanmar; the resort is just 15-minute drive from Nyaung Shwe village.
Accommodation
Yangon
ROSE GARDEN HOTEL
5 Star
Accommodation
Mandalay
RUPAR MANDALAR RESORT
4 Star
Accommodation
Popa
POPA MOUNTAIN RESORT
4 Star
Accommodation
Bagan
ANANTA BAGAN HOTEL
4 Star
Accommodation
Inle Lake
NOVOTEL INLE LAKE HOTEL
4 Star
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Why You’ll Love This Tour
Journey with a small group of 12 travellers at most, enjoy more personal space and embark on Safe Travels.
Save on travel time with three included flights to ensure you arrive in each city with plenty of time to explore.
Stay in carefully selected 5 & 4-star hotels with luxurious facilities including swimming pools, bars and included breakfasts.
Hop on board horse-drawn carriages as you follow your guide through ancient cities and local villages across Mandalay, Ava and surrounding regions.
Soak up the serenity of Inle Lake while cruising past floating villages, wooden temples and local fishermen practicing their unique hunting methods.
Marvel at the iconic Golden Shwe Dagon Pagoda in Yangon. Then, get your camera ready to snap up some incredible pics at the famed Bagan Archeological Zone – the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist monuments in the world!
Experience bucket-list travel moments including an optional hot air balloon ride over the magical stupas of Bagan at sunset!