A Private Tour of Myanmar

Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to the inviting Chatrium Hotel. After time to refresh, your guide will be waiting to take you on a privately guided tour including Colonial-era landmarks like City Hall and the High Court Building as well as the golden Sule Pagoda, one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. You’ll also explore the bustling Bogyoke Aung San Market; still commonly called by its old British name Scott Market, this is one of the best places in the country to shop for traditional Burmese arts and crafts including paintings, lacquerware and jewelry. Just south of this Colonial landmark is a bustling commercial district where city residents do their daily shopping.  Tonight you’ll dine at Le Planteur. Set in an elegant century-old Colonial landmark, this wonderful restaurant is renowned for its fine French-Indochine cuisine.  Meals D
 
[Please Note: The Bogyoke Aung San Market is closed on Monday]

Today’s private exploration begins at the Kalaywa Monastery; With more than 1,000 monks and nuns of various ages, this Buddhist learning center offers a fascinating look into monastic life and the enduring spiritual traditions of the country. For lunch, we take you to House of Memories, a unique restaurant set in a historic Colonial mansion. Filled with authentic period furnishings and historic memorabilia, this wooden villa is a virtual living museum. After dining, you’ll have time to stroll through the house and learn about its history.
 
In the afternoon, your private touring continues at Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, home to an enormous reclining Buddha statue that stretches more than 200 feet in length. Enjoy a pleasant guided stroll in Kandawgyi Park, set on the shores of a city lake. As the sun dips toward the horizon, you’ll see the illuminated stupa of the imposing Shwedagon Pagoda. Come evening, you’ll visit this venerated landmark. Founded more than 2,500 years ago, Shwedagon Pagoda soars more than 320 feet above the green cityscape of Yangon and its jewel-encrusted golden stupa is testament to the strong Buddhist faith of the country. With darkness descending, this is a moving and tranquil time to be here as you join city residents lighting hundreds of small candles at the base of the Pagoda – an evocative and timeless ritual that takes place nightly here at Shwedagon.  Meals B+L

Your car and driver will take you to Yangon’s airport this morning for your flight to Bagan. With thousands of pagodas spread across the wooded plains, Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia and you’ll spend this day exploring the most significant temples including Ananda, one of the largest, oldest and best preserved of all the Bagan temples. Exploring at a pace tailored for your comfort, you’ll also visit the towering 150-foot tall Htilominlo Pahto, built in 1218, and Gubyaukgyi - known for its fine carvings.
 
Bagan is famous not only for its ancient pagodas but also revered for the skill of its local artisans. Today you’ll also visit a local workshop to see the creation of some of these handicrafts including lacquerware and woodcarvings. In the evening, your private guide will lead you to the top of one of Bagan’s pagodas – the perfect vantage point to witness the sun setting across the golden, temple-studded plains. Enjoy a memorable 3-night stay at the enchanting Bagan Lodge.  Meals B

This morning’s adventure begins as you step aboard a traditional wooden motor boat to cross the Irrawaddy. Once on the western shores, a comfortable jeep will take you into the countryside to visit rural villages – each distinguished by their own specialized cottage industry: Thezin village, known for the skill of its cane-weavers; Htan Taw Kyuk where villagers weave functional and beautiful baskets from palm leaves; and Ey Shey with its cotton textile workshop. With insight from our native guide, you’ll gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for Burma’s enduring traditions and the pace of life in rural areas.
 
Next, our jeep will take you up an imposing riverside hill to visit Tant Kyi Taung Pagoda, built in the 11^th century by King Anawrahta – revered as the founder of the Pagan Empire and first king of Burma. Though less visited than the Bagan temples, this ancient landmark is dear to the hearts of the Burmese people and offers sweeping views across the Irrawaddy and even some of the Bagan temples on the opposite shore. After sightseeing, we’ll take you back across the river to the Bagan Lodge where the rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy as you wish.  Meals B

If you wish, you can join an available hot air balloon adventure early this morning. Rising silently 1,000 feet into the air as the sun casts its first golden rays over the wooded plains of Bagan, you’ll be captivated by breathtaking views of the temple-studded landscape. Offered from early October into mid March, this 45-minute excursion is based on weather conditions.
 
After breakfast, today’s exploration begins at the colorful market at Nyaung Oo, where your Burmese guide will be on hand to explain the various customs and traditions you’ll observe as well as to answer any questions you have about the exotic produce for sale. Continue to the nearby village of Phwar Saw to experience other enduring aspects of rural life.
 
This afternoon, you’ll continue your privately guided sightseeing of Bagan’s ancient temples – this time in a horse-drawn cart so you can explore some of the lesser-visited sites and more remote temples not accessible by car. A relaxing cruise on the gentle Irrawaddy River is the perfect end to this day.  Meals B

We’ll take you to the airport this morning for your nonstop flight to Heho where our private car, driver and guide will be waiting to greet you. Visit the Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery; with its teak pillars, oval windows and saffron-robed monks, this distinctive landmark has been the subject of many arresting travelers’ photographs. Then step aboard a privately-chartered boat to begin your guided excursion across the vast waters of Inle Lake. Step ashore to visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda; with its five ancient gold-gilded Buddha images, this is the holiest monastery on the lake. You’ll also tour the temple at Nga Hpe Kyaung. Built upon wooden stilts on the shores of the lake, this temple is famous for its ancient Buddha images and its resident cats which have been trained by the monks to jump through small bamboo hoops. Your guided lake cruise reveals beautiful floating gardens and offers a chance to observe Inle’s celebrated leg-rowing Intha fishermen.
 
Enjoy dinner at the Inle Lake View Resort where an upper floor Junior Suite has been reserved for your 2-night stay.  Meals B+L+D

After breakfast, your private car, driver and guide will take you to the bustling 5-Day Market where you’ll meet colorfully dressed villagers of various ethnic tribes who are here on market day to barter and sell their goods.
 
Then explore the ancient temple complex at Inn Dein. Left in their natural state, many crumbling to the ground, their beauty is undeniable and bears testament to Burma’s long and rich spiritual heritage. From the hilltop, weather permitting, there are magnificent views across the lake.
 
After a wonderful picnic lunch in the forest, you’ll spend the afternoon exploring some of the villages of the region and learning about their local industries. Nampan is known for the fine cigars hand-rolled by its residents and Inn Paw Khone is a small village that specializes in silk weaving. Your day will end with a delightfully pleasant canoe ride across the placid waters of Inle Lake. Floating villages and other timeless scenes of lakeside life promise a memorable experience.   Meals B+L+D
 
[Please Note: The 5-Day Market rotates between different towns in the Inle Lake region and the schedule is subject to changes. If needed, your private guide will adjust the sequence of your touring at Inle Lake to accommodate the market schedule. On some occasions, there may not be any market at all – in which case, an alternative cultural experience will be arranged]

After breakfast, your private car and driver will take you to the airport in Heho for your flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, you’ll be escorted to the international airport for your onward journey.  Meals B