Myanmar Family Travels

This 16-days tour will take you around all the famous destinations throughout Myanmar overlapping six main attraction sites and the surrounding highlights and guarantee that you will get authentic experiences around the country. You will be meeting authentic local people, interacting with them, learning their daily lives, tasting local cuisines, enjoying wildlife, beautiful sceneries and cultural and heritages of people around the country. The trip is suitable for all type of travelers of different ages. Planning the tour arriving in and departing from two different points, Mandalay and Yangon, saves considerable amount of time and enables more time for exploration.

Myanmar was once known as Burma and so we name this tour as “The Grand Burma Tour”. This 14 days luxury tour will take you through all the famous or highlight destinations of Myanmar such as Yangon, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Bagan and the Ngapali beach with luxury options of transportation and activities in between. You will also be enjoy luxury cruise in between Mandalay and Bagan and will be ending with refreshing beach stay. 

This exciting 14-day tour will allow you to experience the very best that Myanmar has to offer. Be prepared to get mesmerized by centuries-old temples and monuments while you enjoy local sceneries. You will also get a chance to visit a World War II cemetery of Allied forces. Enjoy a private boat cruise along Inle Lake to see the marvelous sights in the area. You may also choose to take optional tour packages to make your trip even more exciting and memorable.  

Covering all the main attraction sites and even extending to more highlight attractions around, this 21 days Myanmar tour would be a perfect choice for you if you plan to explore all wonderful sights on one trip. The trip is well planned by including not only the sites, but also well balanced to involve and interact with locals and their lifestyle. It will leave you with a lot of memories.

Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrive Yangon (-, L, D) Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to the hotel. After check in, you will visit city center and stroll around Mahabandoola Park’s formerly known as Fitch Square since before 1895, colonial The High Court built in 1911, and the city hall built in 1936. Next, travel on foot around the down town with various historical buildings. Then you will have lunch at popular teashop to enjoy Burmese tea and its traditional culture brought to Myanmar by the British over one century ago. You may choose from a variety of traditional snacks and noodles. Some of the famous dishes are: Mont Pyar Tha Let (rice pancake), Mont LeitPyar (wanton-like parcels of bean and jaggery), ShweHtamin (Golden sticky rice), Mohingar (rice noodle with fish soup- Myanmar’s ‘national’ dish) and Own Noe Khauk Swe (yellow noodle with chicken and coconut soup). After lunch, you will visit the Mawtin Jetty and witness the busy riverside activities on Yangon River. Peruse the daily market of fruits, sweets and other foodstuffs. Travel to Night Market for another market visit and sample traditional Chinese delicacies. Venture through the stalls selling everything from flowers to seafood, spices to fresh tofu. Then proceed to 19th Street which is a popular place to have draught Myanmar Beer, together with vegetable and meat sa-tays (BBQ), in the evening.   Overnight in Yangon (Your hotel room is available from about 2.00 pm available. Your luggage may already be parked in thehotel and is a former reference of rooms subject to availability on arrival.) Day 2: Yangon – Bagan (B, L, D) After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Yangon’s Mingaladon Airport for the flight to Bagan. During the 11th to 13th centuries, Bagan was the capital of Myanmar. During this time thousands of ancient stupas and temples were constructed. This is one of Asia’s most remarkable important sites. Many of these structures still stand today along the Irrawaddy River. You will begin your exploration with a visit to Shwezigon Pagoda, which is the prototype of the first Myanmar Stupa. Then visit Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jatakas murals paintings and the elegant Htilominlo Temple renowned for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. Enjoy lunch at Burmese restaurant and sample local style curry. In the afternoon, visit Ananda, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple and AnandaOkkyaung is one of the few surviving brick monasteries from the early Bagan period and Thatbyinnyu, the highest temple to represent the Ultimate Omniscient Wisdom of Buddha. From Thatbyinnyu, travel by horse carriage tour through the traditional village of Taungbi to see the lifestyle of locals, Sulamani Temple and the massive Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. Enjoy the sunset over the site from one of the open upper terraces of a temple. Then you will be taken to Local Restaurant for your dinner. Overnight in Bagan Day 3: Bagan (B, L, -) Optional Touring Begin your morning with an overview of the city on a grand scale with a hot-air balloon flight over the plains of Bagan. Enjoy the fabulous views as the sun rises over the stupas and Irrawaddy River. This is truly an unforgettable and unique experience! (Note: available only from October to March) After breakfast at the hotel, visit the vibrant Nyaung Oo Market. Enjoy this immersion into local life as villagers from the surrounding areas sell their goods and produce. Next, visit a Pone Yay Gyi (Bean Paste) shop and witness the production of Bagan’s most famous treat. You will also travel to a Pe Chaung (Fried Ground Bean Strip) shop for the production of Pe Chaung from the gram bean. Travel out of Bagan to the toddy palm fields and observe these farmers as the go about their daily business, collecting the toddy juice and processing it into molasses, alcohol and other products. Enjoy a village lunch prepared by the toddy farmer’s family. This afternoon, return to Bagan for a visit to a lacquer ware house and witness the skills of artists who draw decorative figures and patterns by free hand. Then you will drive to Irrawaddy River which is the Life Stream of Myanmar and the largest one out of four Rivers, You can have a boat ride along this famous river. From the water enjoy magnificent views of the temples and riverside villages as the sun begins to set. This evening feel free to have dinner at your convenience. Overnight in Bagan Day 4: Bagan – Mandalay (B, L, -) After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Nyaung Oo Airport for the flight to Mandalay, Myanmar’s cultural center as well as the 2nd biggest commercial capital of Myanmar. Upon arrival, begin at the Mahamuni Pagoda, famous for its gold leaf Buddha statue. Mandalay is renowned for its skilled craftsmen, traditional workshops and watch as crafts such as marble masonry, Kalaga tapestry and gold leaf making. Enjoy the unique Burmese culinary treat: Le PhetThoke, a local salad made from seasoned tea leaves. For lunch, dine at Min Thiha tea shop, serving two of the city’s most famous dishes: Mandalay Monti and Khotaung  Monti. As you dine, watch the vibrant local life in the teashop. In the afternoon, visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the largest book in the world. The Pagoda houses 729 marble stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures. You will also visit Shwenandaw Monastery, noted for its exquisite woodcarving in Teak, witnessing the durability of Teak. Enjoy the sunset from Mandalay Hill to end the day. This evening is free at your leisure. Stroll through the night market and sample local barbeque and salad. Or visit the famous ‘chapatti corner’ where tourists and locals gather to dine on mutton curry, biriyani and chapattis. Overnight in Mandalay Day 5: Mandalay – Heho – Inle Lake (B, L, -) This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Heho. From Heho a 1-hour scenic drive leads to Nyaung Shwe, on the Inle Lake. Start with a visit to the Nyaung Shwe morning market where locals gather every morning to buy and sell fresh produce from the lake and its surroundings. Take a tour by local trishaw the bustling canal and watch the boats unload their produce for distribution to markets around the country. Visit the ‘tomato house’, a warehouse where produce is sorted and priced for sale. Continue to the jetty and board a private motorboat for a cruise on Inle Lake. Pass Intha villages built on stilts over the lake and the floating gardens. Visit a floating tomato garden to learn about this unique concept. Next, proceed to a Inthar House at Tharlay village where you will help the family prepare lunch including Inle Style Tomato Salad. Take this opportunity to learn about their cuisine and culture. Enjoy lunch on the floor, at a low table, with the family. This afternoon, visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary, housing five sacred Buddha images covered in gold leaf and the thickness of Gold makes the shape of Buddha to disappear and become look like a lump of Mushroom. Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, to see Burmese cigars are rolled by hand. Overnight at Inle Lake Day 6: Inle Lake – Heho – Yangon (B, L, -) After breakfast, visit the daily market on the lake, which rotates around the lake. After visiting the market, continue by boat to Khaung Daing village, famous for its traditional Shan tofu – Watch as they sift, boil and mash soy beans into tofu cakes left to dry in the sun. Proceed to Nyaung Shwe and visit Red Mountain Estate Vineyards and Winery. Tour the vineyard and enjoy views of Inle Lake and its stilt villages as you sample wines in an open air bar. Return to Nyaung Shwe for lunch at View Point Restaurant which features some of the best Shan food in the country. After lunch, visit 150 years old Shwe Yan Pyay monastery with its unusual oval shaped windows and impressive glass mosaics. Transfer to Heho airport for your flight back to Yangon. Overnight in Yangon Day 7: Yangon (B, L, -) This morning, (We could introduce the Moek Hinn Gar or Ohn Noe Khauk Swe ( Myanma Rice Noodle in fish soup or Myanmar Noodle in Chicken and Coconut Soup ) before a visit to a local market with an experienced chef. Learn about the various spices, vegetables and other ingredients used in Burmese cuisine as you buy the ingredients for your personal cooking lesson at one of the famous Local Restaurants. Then, enjoy your own prepared Burmese lunch.This afternoon, take a short break at your hotel and then continue with a visit to Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, which houses a 70-meter reclining Buddha. Then, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, the most revered Buddhist temple in Myanmar. The 8-sided central stupa is 99 meters tall and gilded with gold leaf. It is surrounded by 64 smaller stupas. Enjoy breathtaking views of the golden stupa from this vantage point. From Shwedagon, continue the bustling Kandawgyi Park. Dine and enjoy local bands with the locals who come to enjoy the fresh air (Guest’s own account). You will have good photos of illuminated Karaweik Royal Barge, Shwedagon Pagoda and surrounding lake. Overnight in Yangon Day 8: Yangon Departure (B, - , -) Today is free at leisure to explore on your own. Then, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.  (Your hotel room is available until 12:00. If you are departing later, you can ask the hotel to keep the luggages. A late check-out is possible upon availability with some charge.)

This exciting 7-day adventure will take you to different amazing places in Myanmar. First stop is the capital city of Yangon where you will visit ancient monument and structures. This will be followed by a journey to the marvelous city of Mandalay where more ancient sites await you. You will also tour wonderful sites along Inle Lake and Bagan.

Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Yangon – Bago In the morning, our tour guide will pick you up at the hotel and then drive to Bago. Arrive at Bago in the morning, then visit Shwethalyaung Temple which houses a beautiful 55-meter long reclining Buddha. Take a short visit to a nearby Mon neighbourhood, a charming, quiet area typical of many rural neighbourhoods in Myanmar. Continue to the Mon-style Shwemawdaw Pagoda, one of the most venerated in Myanmar and whose 114 meter spire is taller than the one at Shwedagon Pagoda. From here, we take a 15 minute walk to nearby Hinthar Gone Pagoda. The walk passes by many monasteries and nunneries and is a great opportunity to see the simple, peaceful lives of the monks and nuns. At Hinthar Gone Pagoda there is an extravagant nat shrine with dozens of statues and offerings. Depending on the day, you may have the chance to witness a traditional nat dance. (Note: Schedule depends upon donor offering; can only be confirmed one day before arrival) Next, visit Bago’s strangest, and some would say creepiest, sight. Nearby Kanbawzathadi Palace, the Snake Monastery is a pilgrimage site to see the 9 meter, and reportedly century old, Burmese Python.  The monastery is devoted to a Buddhist abbot who was reborn as a python. Overnight in Bago Day 2: Bago – Kyaikhtio (B, - , -) After breakfast, you will be heading to Golden Rock, a huge boulder covered by gold leaf and balancing on the edge of a cliff. Golden Rock is one of Myanmar's main pilgrimage sites. The pagoda here is said to hold a hair of the Buddha and Buddhist from across the country come here to pay homage.  From the base-camp, Travel by local open-air truck to the junction camp which has a distance of 15 Minutes’ walk to the final distance to Golden Rock (a porter will carry your bag). The uphill trek is along a paved trekking path and offers great views of the surrounding area. For an easier alternative, four porters can carry you uphill in a specially-made sedan chair allowing you to enjoy the views without all of the hard work! (Extra charge for sedan chair-client own account). After taking a short time at the top of the mountain return to the base camp by open-air truck and walk to your hotel. Overnight at base camp. Day 3: Kyaikhtiyo – Hpa-an (B, - , -) After breakfast, today you travel to Hpa-an. Enroute you pass the Bayin-Nyi cave with hot spring at the base of the hill that includes some very interesting Buddha statues at the front side. The more attractive part of the cave is at the back side with a long corridor full of stalactites. The Kayin state’s capital is located on the banks of river Thanlwin. This small and busy provincial town is favored by farmers traveling in carts or trishaws and selling their products. Stroll through the market and visit Shwe Yin Myaw Pagoda at the river banks. Overnight stay in Hpa-an. Day 4: Hpa-an (B, - , -) We will take you to the meeting point Hotel Gabana for biking starts at 08:00 am and start riding to Kan Thar yar Lake through local villages and beautiful mountains. Visit to Kyauk Ka Latt Pagoda 10 km south of Hpa an and continue to Lumbuni garden at the base of Mt. ZweKabin which is the landmark of Hpa an. We take a rest and photo stop at Lumbuni garden where the thousands of sitting buddha images and finally we will ride back to hpa an meeting point by mountain bike (11:30 pm approx).  Then you will be taken to the restaurant to have lunch and back to your hotel for a short rest.  After that, stroll through the market before you continue your tour with a visit to Kaw Gun Cave also known as the ‘Cave of the Ten Thousand Buddhas’. As you walk through the cave, you will see more than 2000 votive tablets of Lord Buddha and Mon inscriptions. Then visit huge famous Sadan Cave and YathePyan (hermit)cave andback to your hotel or take a stroll through this charming town. Overnight in Hpa-an. Day 5: Hpa-an – Mawlamyine (B, - , -) After breakfast, you will take a Than Lwin Princess Boat to Mawlamyine: the capital city of Mon State overlooking the river's scenic estuary and Gulf of Martaban. Enjoy the scenic journey and the charm of Thanlwin River along the boat ride.  You will arrive around the noon and check into your hotel in Mawlamying for a short rest and lunch. Then continue through the downtown streets, stopping to visit the colonial buildings, mosque, other city landmarks, Holy Family Cathedral which is built during the colonial era, this cathedral has a beautiful interior rarely seen by tourists. Nearby is Judson’s Church, which was built in 1827 by Dr. Judson who translated the Bible into Burmese.   Then you will head to the eastern mountains to visit KyaikThanlan Pagoda, the city’s main landmark. Built in 875 AD, this temple enshrines the Tripitaka Buddhist manuscripts as well as a hair relic from the Buddha. The 40-meter-high stupa is located on a hill surrounded by 34 smaller Zediyan pagodas. From the top, guests can enjoy panoramic views over the city and harbor. It is also thought to be the site where Rudyard Kipling wrote his famous poem, Mandalay. As today draws to a close, guests will proceed to U Zina Pagoda to enjoy the beautiful sunset. Overnight in Mawlamyaing. Day 6: Mawlamyine - Excursion to Shampoo and Bilu Islands ( B, - , -)   After breakfast, you will set off for a full day of excursions on the water.Take a short boat ride to Ta Kaw PonZa Lai, Shampoo Island. The island sits at the confluence of five rivers and is where the Mon Kings held ritualistic shampooing ceremonies during the local water festival, Thingyan. Spend time here exploring the monastery, nunnery and pagoda. Next, continue to BiluKyun, known as Ta Kaw SaMan in Mon, which means ‘Orge Island’. You will tour 2-3 villages by horsecart to experience local life and culture. You may also observe the making of traditional handicrafts such as pipes, small toys, walking sticks and chalkboards. At midday, stop for lunch at a local restaurant (own account) on the island before continuing with your visit of the villages.Then transfer to the jetty and back by ferry to Mawlamyine.Upon arrival in Mawlamyine.This evening, stroll along Strand Road where colonial buildings overlook the river and dine at a local restaurant. Overnight in Mawlamyine Day 7:Mawlamyine  – Yangon  (B, - , - )                  Start today with a morning visit to the bustling colorful Zeigyi (central market). Wander through the dozens of stalls where local vendors come to buy and sell their wares.Next, you will visit the ancient Queen Sein Don Monastery (locally known as YadaBonmyint Monastery). This monastery is more as 100 years-old and is famous for the intricate woodcarving and Burmese crafts it houses. It was founded by Queen Sein Tone who had to flee Mandalay at the time that Myanmar’s last monarch, King Thibaw Min, took power. She became home sick and asked the local carpenters to build a monastery in the style of her former palace. Afterwards, you will drive back to Yangon.Depending on your arrival time in Yangon, you will transfer to hotels. *** End of services ***

Get yourself ready for this 2-week adventure which will take you to the most amazing places in Myanmar. The trip will start at the capital city of Yangon where you will get to visit local sites and sceneries. Then your journey will take you to more ancient sites and monuments as you travel across the country. You will also get a chance to meet local people and observe them as they go about their daily lives.

Relaxing and taking a break in this quiet and unique beach which water is transparent and the sea is tranquil. Sit on the white sand and splash around the sea will make you fall in love. While walk along the beautiful beach, learn the fishermen begin setting and drawing drift nets before dawn and continue into the late morning, when they load their catches in baskets. This beach getaway will give you the leisure days.

Get lost in the most pleasant  beach after the famous Ngapali Beach. Add up this getaway to your vacation for rest and recreation at the beach before you wind up your trip to Myanmar. Spend the days lazing on the palm-tree lined beach, swimming in the warm waters and cycling to charming fishing villages.