Upper Myanmar On a Budget

Enjoy a personal meet by our experienced driver at your hotel in Mandalay .Get ready for your amazing tour of Mandalay city, with top destinations like Mahamuni Pagoda,Zay Cho Market,Royal Palace, Shwenandaw Kyaung and Kuthodaw Pagoda.

Then climb up to the Mandalay Hill to see sunset on the Irrawaddy River and Mandalay City view. Overnight at Mandalay.

After you have finished breakfast, the second day of your trip begins with Mingun Pahtotawgyi.Then visit to the Mya Thein Dan Pagoda and Mingun Bell. Afterwards, head to Sagaing Hill,Umin Thonesae and Soon Oo Ponya Shin Pagoda overlooking Ayeyarwaddy River.

Next stop is Sagaing’s local market and discover locally made pottery, silver and other handicrafts. The afternoon’s activities will kick off with a visit to Amarapura, Myanmar’s penultimate royal capital. You’ll stop at a silk weaving workshop known for their exquisite merchandise. Once the sun starts to set, visit to U Bein Bridge which is one of the most impressive sunsets in memory. After sunset, overnight at Mandalay.

After a local breakfast our experienced driver will take you to the Mt.Popa.

A comfortable four-hours drive from Bagan will take us to the magnificent Mt. Popa rising 1,520 meters into the sky. We will climb almost 900 steps to reach the top and Popa Taung Kalat, a temple that is home to Burma’s most revered nats (spirits).

During our ascent, we will pass dozens of nat shrines and the pilgrims that come to honour them. Don’t forget your camera, because when we reached the top prepare to be rewarded by breath-taking, panoramic views of the surrounding region.

Later,we can go to a nearby resort to enjoy the views over a local lunch. After lunch we have a wonderful opportunity to either take a scenic drive back to Bagan .

The rest of the day is free for you to explore or relax at your leisure.

We will continue our journey with a visit to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda where we will be introduced to Bagan’s rich history. Next up, get ready to immerse yourself in the full grandeur of Burmese culture at Htilominlo, one of the largest and most impressive temples in Bagan.

Let yourself get lost in the splendour of its fine plaster carvings over its arch pediments, frieze and other stunning architectural qualities. Lunch will be served at a delicious local restaurant before a comfortable transfer to your hotel to take some rest for 1-2 hours.

Our afternoon of adventure begins with a visit to Ananda Temple. Built in the early Mon-Myanmar style, the Ananda Temple is an architectural masterpiece and one of Bagan’s most beautiful temples. Ananda contains two unique Buddha images. The Buddha’s expressions seem to change depending on the distance from which the statue is viewed making this temple a truly unique and exciting experience.

Next visit is the unforgettable Thatbyinnyu Temple, an asymmetrical cross-shaped temple built in the middle of the 12th century. Sit back, relax and enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the rolling plains spanning Sunset Hill. We will continue our journey with a visit to the golden stupa of Shwezigon Pagoda where we will be introduced to Bagan’s rich history.

Sit back, relax and enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the rolling plains spanning Sunset Hill. 

Our driver will drop you to the bus station to catch a bus your next destination. Overnight bus to Inle Lake.

On arrival to the famous city. Get ready for an exciting day in one of Myanmar’s most wonderful regions.

We will have the privilege of taking a comfortable, private boat to enjoy our journey across the lake, passing through villages with stilted houses, and floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Along the way we will see the famous leg-rowing fishermen who steer their boats with incredible balance.

Afterwards, we will head to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary. Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda contains five sacred Buddha images and houses several royal barges that are used during the pagoda’s annual festival.

We will then proceed to the village of Inpawkhone where we will have the opportunity to observe the traditional silk-weaving techniques of Inthar people. Inpawkhone is also known for weaving with the stems of lotus flowers, a time-consuming process that results in high quality materials famous throughout the country. We can also visit a cheroot factory where local Burmese cigars are rolled by hand.

Next stop is the fascinating Inthar Heritage House. Here we will learn more about the history and culture of the lake’s indigenous people and enjoy a delicious Shan lunch.

The afternoon will be free for you to enjoy at your own leisure. Continue sightseeing on the lake, take a stroll through one of the lakeside villages, or return to the hotel to relax. Overnight in Nyaung Shwe or Inle Lake.

After you have finished breakfast, the second day of your trip begins to Pindaya.

Embark on a scenic drive through Shan State, first stopping at Pindaya Market, a typical rural market selling an array of food and dry goods. Then continue to Pindaya Caves to explore this incredible complex. This multi-chambered cave system is filled with hundreds of Buddha statues and is a popular pilgrimage spot for locals. We then visit a local workshop making umbrellas and paper from the mulberry tree. This is one of the few areas in Myanmar still practicing this fast disappearing craft.
Then, transfer to Kalaw, is a former colonial British hill station, with local and colonial style houses. Its altitude ensures that the weather is cool throughout the year.

Start with a visit to Hnee Pagoda in the south west of the town, a 500 year old pagoda home to a bamboo Buddha statue. From there it is a leisurely 40 minute walk to the centre of Kalaw. As with many towns in Myanmar the market lies at the heart of Kalaw and is a hub of activity in the morning when villagers from the surrounding hills come to sell their wares. During the walk to the market there are several reminders of the British colonial period, especially the architecture.
After that walk up to Thein Taung Pagoda and Monastery, just north of the market. The steep walk up the stairs offers great views of Kalaw and the surrounding hills.
Thein Taung Paya is a good spot to visit in Kalaw as it is located on a hillside and allows you vistas over the main market and the city center.

Our driver will drop you to the bus station to catch a bus your next destination. Overnight bus to Mandalay.

Enjoy some shopping this morning at Zay Cho market before heading to the airport for conclusion of you tour, farewells and memories to last a lifetime.