PRIVATE ASIA TOUR EXPERT

The Best Myanmar Tour for the First-time Travelers

Unlike regular Myanmar tours, this 14-day itinerary allows you to explore the country in more different exciting ways. Besides the popular attractions like Shwedagon Pagoda, U Bein Bridge, and Inle lake, you will discover more off-the-beaten-path sights. Experience the thrilling train ride across Gokteik Viaduct, enjoy full-day trek in Pindaya, spend a day with elephants in Kalaw, and more to enrich your adventure in Myanmar.
Travel Route: Yangon - Mandalay - Pyin Oo Lwin - Bagan - Pindaya - Kalaw - Inle Lake - Yangon
Day: 14
Best for: First-timers
Tour Type: Escorted private tour with personal tour guide and vehicle
Why Travel with Us
We Live in this Country:
The specialist who designs this trip have lived in this country for several years, in some cases, born here. Our first-hand knowledge will help you have an authentic experience, making the most of your vaction.
Worry-Free Planning:
We guarantee 100% deposite refund during the pandemic, and provide 24/7 emergency service during the trip.

Highlights

Explore Yangon, the former capital and largest city of Myanmar.

Enjoy a circular train ride; visit Shwedagon Pagoda, Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple, and explore Bogyoke Market and Chinatown.

Have a sightseeing in Mandalay, the last royal capital of Myanmar.

Visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, Mahagandayon Monastery; Take in the scenery of U Bein Bridge.

Visit the quaint hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin town.

Discover colonial-style buildings, local markets, and stroll around beautiful botanical gardens.

Discover the ancient city of Bagan, home to around 2000 temples and pagodas.

Visit the Shwezigon Pagoda, Ananda Temple, Thatbyinnyu Temple; enjoy a horse cart ride through the pagodas.

Make friends with adorable elephants.

Visit the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp to interact with elephants and learn more about them.

Relax in the picturesque Inle Lake area.

Enjoy a boat trip on Inle lake and experience the unique lifestyle of local floating villages.

Shwedagon Pagoda
Horse Cart Ride
Inle Lake

Tour Itinerary

 
Day 1: Yangon Arrival
Welcome to Yangon!
Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for you to take a good rest or have a leisure walk around to have a glimpse of the city.
Stay overnight in Yangon.
Day 2: Yangon Tour
After breakfast, you will enjoy a circular train journey to discover the local life in Yangon. You will get through local neighborhoods, small towns, local markets, and interact with some locals.
After that, you will go to visit the famous Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple, which houses one of the most revered reclining Buddha images in the country. The Buddha is 66-meter long, and one of the largest in Myanmar. You will also see and take a picture of the grand Karaweik Hall royal barge.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy your free time to wander the Bogyoke Market. Then take a stroll through the busy streets of the Chinatown and Yangon Jetty.
At the end of the day, go to see the beautiful sunset view of Shwedagon Pagoda, which is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar painted with real gold.
Stay overnight in Yangon.
One of the most revered reclining Buddha images.
Day 3: Yangon to Mandalay
In the early morning, you will leave Yangon and take a flight to Mandalay. Of all the ancient capitals in Myanmar's history, only Mandalay has been preserved intact. Here you can explore various Buddhist monuments and historical relics.
Upon arrival, you will first take an excursion to Amarapura to visit the Mahagandayon Monastery, to learn about the monks’ education. Then visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Myanmar.
After that, have your lunch in a local restaurant on the City Harbor Bridge. Then continue to visit the Sagaing Nunnery to learn about the daily life of the nuns, before driving to Sagaing Hill to appreciate the stunning overview from the top.
Finally, you will head to visit the famous U Bein Bridge. Built in 1850, it is believed to be the oldest and (once) longest teak bridge in the world. You can take a boat trip on the Taungthaman Lake, and enjoy the amazing sunset view of the bridge.
Stay overnight in Mandalay.
Sagaing Nunnery, one of the world's largest nunneries.
Day 4: Mandalay to Mingun
After breakfast, you will take a boat trip to the ancient Mingun city, which sits on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. Here you will explore the gigantic unfinished Mingun Pahtodawgyi, and the huge Minggun Bell, the second largest ringing bell in the world.
Here in Mingun you will also visit the Settawya Pagoda, which is a small, whitewashed Buddhist temple constructed along classical Pagan lines. And then the Hsinbyume Pagoda, which is a beautiful white architecture designed to represent Mount Meru, the center of the universe in the Hindu and Buddhist mythology.
After that, you will travel back to Mandalay to visit the Shwenandaw Kyaung, a historic Buddhist monastery located near Mandalay Hill. And the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which contains the world's largest book.
Stay overnight in Mandalay.
Hsinbyume pagoda is a beautiful all white structure.
Day 5: Mandalay to Pyin Oo Lwin
Today you will head to Pyin Oo Lwin, a scenic hill town located about 67 km away from Mandalay. At an altitude of 1070 meters, the town has a cooler climate than Mandalay and was used as a summer retreat during the British rule.
Here you will spend the whole day exploring the town of Pyin Oo Lwin by horse and cart. You will appreciate the colonial-style buildings, explore the local markets and some quiet side streets.
You will also stroll around the beautiful botanical gardens here, which are unique across the country and have collected plants and flowers from all over the world.
Stay overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin.
Travelers can explore the town of Pyin Oo Lwin by horse and cart.
Day 6: Pyin Oo Lwin to Gokteik Viaduct to Mandalay
Today, you will enjoy a scenic train ride on the Mandalay-Lashio railway. Leaving from Pyin Oo Lwin, the train journey will take you through charming scenery of local villages and endless farms.
The most highlighted part is crossing the Gokteik Viaduct, which is Myanmar’s highest bridge built in 1900. You will appreciate stunning views while the train traverse the gorge.
After about four hours’ train journey, you will get off the train at a small town. And then get transferred back to Mandalay.
Stay overnight in Mandalay.
Mandalay-Lashio railway is crossing the Gokteik Viaduct.
Day 7: Mandalay to Bagan
Today you will leave Mandalay and take a flight to Bagan. Bagan is famous for its historical monuments, and houses around 2000 temples and pagodas from different periods.
You will visit the Nyaung Oo Market, the authentic local market where local people buy foods and daily necessities. Then visit the Shwezigon Pagoda, which is gold plated and is one of the oldest and most impressive monuments in Bagan.
After having a rest in the hotel in the afternoon, you will enjoy a Horse Cart Ride to enjoy the sunset. Travelling through the pagodas in the quiet of dusk, you will feel the the tranquility and peace of the Bagan city.
Stay overnight in Bagan.
Enjoy a Horse Cart Ride in Bagan.
Day 8: Bagan Tour
Today you will continue to explore the hidden charm of old Bagan. You will first visit the Thatbyinnyu Temple, which is recognized as a monument in the Bagan Archeological Area, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Then go to visit the Gubyaukgyi Temple in Myinkaba Village, to admire the well-preserved frescoes on its interior walls, the oldest original paintings to be found in Bagan. You will also get to know the village life of locals.
After that continue to visit the Ananda Temple, one of Bagan’s best known and most beautiful temples. The architectural style of the temple shows Mon and North Indian influence.
At last, you will visit the Pyathatgyi Temple, a large and impressive brick temple located south east of old Bagan.
At the end of the day, stay overnight in Bagan. 
Thatbyinnyu Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 9: Bagan to Heho to Pindaya
In the morning, you will leave Bagan and travel eastwards to Heho by flight. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the town of Pindaya.
Here in Pindaya, you will first explore the local market, which sells all kinds of goods from fresh produce to dried fish. Then visit a local family at their tea plantation, to enjoy tea and local food, and to learn about how to pick tea leaves.
After that, you will go to visit the famous Pindaya Cave, an important pilgrimage site for Burmese Buddhists. Set in a limestone hill, this huge cave contains thousands of Buddha images in various styles.
Stay overnight in Pindaya.
Buddha images in Pindaya Cave.
Day 10: Pindaya Full Day Trek; Pindaya to Kalaw
After breakfast, you will leave the town to take a trek into the hills. You will trek along the dirt road leading to small villages. As the trail gently rises higher and higher, you will overlook the beautiful views of the town and surrounding fields from the hill.
At lunch time, take some rest and have your meal at one of the small villages which is inhabited by the Danu ethnic group. You can have a chance to witness the lifestyle and traditions of the local Danu people. After that, continue to trek along a different trail, and then walk downhill.
After the trek in the afternoon, you will be transferred to Kalaw.
Stay overnight in Kalaw.
Trek along the dirt road leading to small villages.
Day 11: Kalaw Day Tour with the Elephants
In the morning, you will head to visit the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp, which is a care center for elephants that are no longer fit to work. You will spend the day interacting with the elephants here, learn more about these adorable creatures.
After the visit, you will return to Kalaw.
Stay overnight in Kalaw.
Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp
Day 12: Kalaw to Inle Lake
Today, you will first enjoy a sightseeing in the town of Kalaw. Kalaw is a old hill station with refreshing climate, colonial architectures and scenic views. You can explore the local markets, or take a light trek to the hills.
In the afternoon, you will head to the Kalaw train station to take the train to Inle Lake. It is a slow train with the outdated carriage dated back from colonial time. You can relax your mind and take in the fabulous scenery of Shan mountains, local villages and rice fields.
After about three hours, get off the train at the town of Nyaung Shwe, the main town in the Inle Lake area.
Stay overnight in Inle Lake.
Take a photo with locals in the town of Kalaw.
Day 13: Inle Lake Tour
In the morning you will board a wooden motorboat for an excursion on the Inle Lake. Located in the highlands of northern Myanmar, Inle Lake is the second largest lake in the country. It is more than 970 meters above sea level and is surrounded by mountains on three sides.
The lives of local people are centred on the lake. A boat is tied to the front door of every house here, and the locals have been trained to paddle with their feet since they were children. Here you can see the traditional fishing method of local people.
You will also visit Phaung Daw Oo pagoda, the the most highly revered monastery in the Inle Lake area, and then continue your boat ride to the Nga Phe Chaung monastery, which is a beautiful wooden monastery built on stilts around 200 years ago over the lake.
After that, move on to the floating garden called Kyun-Hmyaw, which was built-up from strips of water hyacinth and mud.
Stay overnight in Inle Lake.
Inle Lake is the second largest lake in Myanmar.
Day 14: Inle Lake to Yangon; Yangon Departure
Today you will first transfer to the airport for the flight back to Yangon, and then connect your international flight back home or your next destination.
End of the tour.
Enquiry Now

Service Included

Private English-speaking tour guide
All entrance ticket fees for sightseeing listed in the itinerary
Private van for land transportation
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Hotel accommodation
Governmental taxes

Service Excluded

International air tickets
Visa Handling fee, visa stamp fee
Meals as not listed in the itinerary
Tips and gratitude to the guide and driver
Surcharge for public holidays (if any)
Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, etc.

Myanmar Travel Restriction 2022

Myanmar reopened inbound tourism to overseas tourists on April 1, 2022.

Under the current COVID-19 travel restrictions, in addition to your passport and visa, you will need to provide a printed copy of your COVID-19 vaccination certificate (which must have been administered at least 14 days before travel) and a negative result of a COVID-19 antigen test performed within 48 hours before arrival.

When you arrive in Myanmar, you will still need to pay for the COVID-19 test at your own expense and purchase valid medical insurance with COVID coverage through a designated insurance provider.

There are only 12 visa-free countries. If you travel with a passport from all other countries, you will need to apply for a Myanmar tourist visa in advance.

Please feel free to contact us for more details on Myanmar visa application agent travel.

Contact Us via WhatsApp
Account:++63 9620450241
Start planning your tour now. Our 1-on-1 local travel consultant will reply within 24 hours.
Preferred Travel Date
Hotel Preference
Luxury 5-star
Comfortable 4-star
Economy 3-star
Self-booking
More Travel Ideas:
First Name *
E-mail Address *
Phone number (We'll only call if you ask.) *
Having a phone number, especially with WhatsApp/iMessage capability will improve communication efficiency.

More Related Tours You May Also Like