Hidden Treasures of Burma

Overview

Hidden Treasures of Burma

Take a fascinating journey through enigmatic Myanmar, from gleaming golden temples in Rangoon to the ancient pagodas of Bagan. Walk along the longest teak bridge in the world in Amarapura, and experience rural tradition around Inle Lake. This truly is a country a world apart from any other.

Your tour begins in Rangoon, the former capital of Bumra, with a tour of the city including Strand Road and Pansodan Street before admiring the Sule Pagoda and City Hall. Visit the National Museum and browse in the Bogyoke Market before exploring the sacred Buddhist site of Shwedagon Pagoda.

Traverse the ancient city of Sri Ksetra by ox cart to the spectacular ruins of the Pyu Kingdom’s former capital, and spend the following day at Prome’s colourful central market.

Travel to Amarapura and visit Mahaghandayon Temple, home to several thousand young monks, before continuing on to the iconic U Bein Bridge, the longest teak wood bridge in the world.

Sail up the Irrawaddy River to Mingun to visit one of the world’s largest bells, the Mingun Bell; Hsinbyume Paya; and the Mingun Pagoda – had it been completed it would have been Burma’s largest.

Head to the port city of Pakokku via Thanboddhay Pagoda and the trading post of Monywa before cruising back down the Irrawaddy to Bagan. After a tour of Bagan head for Mt Popa, an extinct volcano, and visit Taung Kalat, the breathtaking Buddhist Monastery perched on its summit.

Fly to Heho and transfer to Pindaya to visit the Shwe U Min limestone caves. The caves are a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site.

Travel to Inle Lake for a boat trip past floating markets, gardens and stilt houses and to see the famous leg-rowing technique of the fishermen on Inle Lake.

Cruise on Inle Lake to the crumbling Indein Pagoda Complex. Built in the 17th Century, it is home to nearly one thousand stupas and pagodas.

For the final leg of your journey you’ll fly back to Rangoon for a final day visiting Gaba Aye Pagoda, the artificial Mahapasana Cave, Botataung Pagoda and Nanthida Jetty.

What's Included:

  • Return flights.
  • 15 nights in hotels and 1 in flight (accommodation as specified or similar).
  • Fully Inclusive basis.
  • All listed excursions, activities and entrance fees.
  • All domestic transfers.
  • Visa fees for UK & EU passport holders.
  • Services of an experienced tour manager.

Full Itinerary

Days 1-2: Fly to Rangoon (Yangon)

Fly overnight to Rangoon. The former capital of Burma (Myanmar). On arrival you will be met by your expert tour guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight - Rangoon (day 2) Meals - Dinner (day 2)

Day 3: Discover Rangoon

Head downtown to the Central Post Office from where we will begin our walking tour. Encompassing the colonial highlights and more traditional architecture, stroll Strand Road and Pansodan Street before admiring the Sule Pagoda and City Hall. Visit the National Museum and browse in the Bogyoke Market. Enjoy a photostop at the Karaweik Hall and finally explore Shwedagon Pagoda. This is Burma’s most sacred Buddhist site and is purported to have four relics of former Buddha enshrined within.
Overnight - Rangoon Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Explore Sri Ksetra

Drive to the lively port town of Prome and transfer to the ancient city of Sri Ksetra. Visit the local Museum to learn the historical background of Sri Ksetra. LAter, travelling by ox cart explore the spectacular ruins of the Pyu Kingdom’s former capital. Later visit Hmawzar village to get a glimpse of local life.
Overnight - Pyay Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Prome Market

Visit Prome’s colourful central market where you’ll be able to see members of several of Burma’s ethnic minorities. Continue to the dazzling Shwe San Taw Pagoda and admirethe wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Drive back to Rangoon via Shwe Myat Mhan Pagoda, famous for its spectacle-wearing Buddha.
Overnight - Rangoon Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: U Bein Bridge & Temples

Fly to Mandalay and transfer to Amarapura where you’ll visit Mahaghandayon Temple, home to several thousand young monks as well as a place of monastic study and strict religious discipline. Continue to U Bein Bridge, the worlds longest teak wood bridge, before taking a short boat ride to Ava where you will travel by horse and carriage to see the Nanmyint Watch Tower, the wooden Bagaya Monastery and if time permits the Sagaing Hill before returning to Mandalay.
Overnight - Mandalay Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Explore Mandalay

Mandalay is considered the epicentre of Burma’s cultural and so there is much to explore. Visit the Mahamuni Pagoda, Shewe Inbin Monastery, the Golden Palace Monastery and Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to the world’s largest book; each page inscribed in marble. Visit a traditional handloom silk workshop before finishing the day on Mandalay Hill.
Overnight - Mandalay Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Cruise to Mingun

Set sail up the Irrawaddy River to Mingun to visit one of the world’s largest bells, the Mingun Bell; Hsinbyume Paya; and the Mingun Pagoda – had it been completed it would have been Burma’s largest. Though incomplete, it is still a monumental structure – 50 metres tall, 72 metres wide and constructed entirely of brick. Return to Mandalay and spend the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight - Mandalay Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Monywa & Bodhi Tataung

Head to the trading post of Monywa via Thanboddhay Pagoda, said to contain over half a million colourful images of Buddha followed by a visit to the Bodhi Tataung where a thousand Buddha images rest at the feet of banyan trees. In the afternoon travel to Hpo Win Taung, a network of sandstone caves full of statues, carvings and murals of Buddha, afterwards heading to Shwe Ba Taung.
Overnight - Monywa Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Pakhangyi Kyaung

Drive to the port city of Pakokku with a stop at the wooden monastery of Pakhangyi Kyaung. Visit the lively local market by traditional trishaw (if available) and observe the production process of typical Myanmar cotton blankets. Continue by boat down the Irrawaddy to Bagan, arriving in time to catch the sunset.
Overnight - Bagan Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Explore Bagan

Visit Nyaung U Market and Shwezigon Pagoda, which is the most important Pagoda in Bagan. Also visit the Ananda Temple.Later, visit Htilominlo Pagoda, Thatbaintnyu Temple and take a short drive through the scenic countryside to Myinkaba village.
Overnight - Bagan Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12: Mt Popa & Bagan Temples

Travel to Mt Popa, an extinct volcano, and visit Taung Kalat, the breathtaking Buddhist Monastery perched on its summit. Continue to visit Manuha Temple, Nanbaya Temple. In the evening, travel to temples that are farther a field on board a colourful ox-cart – a local method of transport.
Overnight - Bagan Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13: Pindaya Caves

Fly to Heho and transfer to Pindaya to visit the Shwe U Min limestone caves. The caves are a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site.
Overnight - Pindaya Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14: Inle Lake

Travel to Inle Lake for a boat trip past floating markets, gardens and stilt houses and to see the famous leg-rowing technique of the fishermen on Inle Lake. You will also visit the Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda and the Nga Phe Kyaung Monasterey. Also visit the weaving village of Inpawkhon.
Overnight - Nyaung Shwe Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15: Indein Pagodas

Cruise on Inle Lake to the crumbling Indein Pagoda Complex. Built in the 17th Century, it is home to nearly one thousand stupas and pagodas. Walk through the fields of villages in Sae Ma where you will also have the opportunity to visit a school in the village.
Overnight - Nyaung Shwe Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 16: Rangoon

Fly to Rangoon and upon arrival visit Gaba Aye Pagoda and the artificial Mahapasana Cave. Later you’ll visit Botataung Pagoda and Nanthida Jetty. In the evening, stroll around Chinatown and through the night markets.
Overnight - Rangoon Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 17: Fly Rangoon to UK

Fly overnight to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
Meals - Breakfast

Hand Picked By

Maria Millard

I have been very lucky to travel recently with Wendy Wu Tours to these countries. So many highlights! So much is included, even the visas, making these tours excellent value for money – just don’t forget you camera.

Maria Millard

Additional Information

  • Date: Various departures for 2024
  • Board Basis: All inclusive
  • Duration: 16 nights
  • Departure Airport: London Heathrow
  • Guide Price: From £3,290pp
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