Day 1: Arrive Yangon
Arrive Yangon. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon at Shwedagon Pagoda — the 99-meter golden stupa at sunset is Myanmar’s most iconic sight. Evening Chinatown stroll. Overnight Yangon.
Day 2: Yangon City & Colonial Heritage
Morning: Chauk Htat Gyi reclining Buddha (65m), Bogyoke Market for lacquerware and jade. Afternoon: colonial architecture walk — Strand Hotel, Sule Pagoda, and the downtown grid laid out by the British. Late afternoon second visit to Shwedagon, now illuminated. Overnight Yangon.
Day 3: Fly to Bagan — Temple Plain
Morning flight to Bagan. Afternoon temple tour: Ananda Temple (four magnificent Buddhas), Thatbyinnyu (tallest at 61m), Dhammayangyi (mysterious pyramid-like structure). Sunset from a temple platform as the golden light floods the plain. Overnight Bagan.
Day 4: Bagan Sunrise & Lacquerware
Pre-dawn sunrise viewing — the temple plain emerging from darkness. Morning: Sulamani Temple frescoes, Dhammayazika’s pentagonal layout. Afternoon: lacquerware workshop visit, then horse-cart ride through the temples at golden hour. Overnight Bagan.
Day 5: Fly to Mandalay — U Bein Sunset
Morning flight to Mandalay. Afternoon: Mahamuni Pagoda — Myanmar’s most sacred Buddha image, covered in gold leaf. Late afternoon: Amarapura’s U Bein Bridge at sunset — monks walking the 1.2km teak bridge against golden water. Overnight Mandalay.
Day 6: Mandalay — Royal Palace, Kuthodaw & Mingun
Morning: Mandalay Hill for panoramic city views, Kuthodaw Pagoda’s 729 marble “book pages.” Afternoon: boat to Mingun — the 90-ton bell and unfinished giant stupa. Farewell dinner at a riverside restaurant. Overnight Mandalay.
Day 7: Depart Mandalay
Morning visit to Zegyo Market. Transfer to Mandalay International Airport for departure.
