10-Day Best of Myanmar: From Golden Pagodas to Shan Highlands

Tour Overview

Discover the best of Myanmar on this comprehensive 10-day journey from the golden pagodas of Yangon to the ancient temples of Bagan, the royal city of Mandalay, and the serene beauty of Inle Lake in the Shan Highlands. Experience the rich culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality of this fascinating Southeast Asian country.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Yangon

Arrive at Yangon International Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Explore Yangon (Rangoon), the former capital and largest city of Myanmar. Visit the Shwedagon Pagoda (Golden Pagoda), the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, a 99-meter-tall stupa covered in gold leaf, enshrining relics of the Buddha. Visit at sunset for the most magical experience. Explore the bustling Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for shopping. Evening welcome dinner with Burmese cuisine. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon exploration

Full day exploring Yangon. Visit the Sule Pagoda, a 2,500-year-old pagoda in the city center. Visit the National Museum of Myanmar with its collection of royal artifacts, including the Lion Throne. Visit the Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple with its massive 65-meter-long reclining Buddha. Visit the Kandawgyi Lake and the famous Karaweik Palace (a replica of a royal barge). Explore the colonial architecture in the downtown area: the Secretariat Building, the High Court, the Strand Hotel. Visit the Botataung Pagoda. After lunch, take a circular train ride around Yangon to experience local life. Evening enjoy a traditional Burmese puppet show or dinner cruise on the Yangon River. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 3: Golden Rock (Kyaiktiyo) & to Bago

Morning drive to Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock), one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Myanmar, a massive 7.6-meter-tall boulder covered in gold leaf, perched precariously on the edge of a cliff, seemingly defying gravity. The rock is believed to be held in place by a single hair of the Buddha. Visit the pagoda and enjoy the stunning views. After lunch, drive to Bago (Pegu), the former capital of the Mon Kingdom. Visit the Shwemawdaw Pagoda (the tallest pagoda in Myanmar at 114 meters), the Kyaik Pun Pagoda (with its four giant seated Buddhas), the Kanbawzathadi Palace (reconstructed royal palace), and the Mahazedi Pagoda. Evening continue to Yangon or overnight in Bago. Overnight in Yangon/Bago.

Day 4: Yangon to Bagan (Flight)

Morning fly to Bagan (Nyaung U Airport, approximately 1.5 hours), the ancient capital of the Bagan Kingdom, home to over 2,000 temples, pagodas, and stupas scattered across the plains, one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, start exploring the temples: visit the Shwezigon Pagoda (a beautiful golden pagoda, prototype for later Burmese stupas), the Ananda Temple (one of the most beautiful and best-preserved temples in Bagan, with its four standing Buddhas and beautiful frescoes), the Thatbyinnyu Temple (the tallest temple in Bagan at 61 meters), and the Dhammayangyi Temple (the largest temple in Bagan). Sunset at a temple for stunning views over the plains. Overnight in Bagan/Nyaung U.

Day 5: Bagan temple exploration

Full day exploring Bagan by e-bike (electric bicycle) or horse cart. Early morning sunrise at a temple (Shwesandaw Pagoda is popular for sunrise). Visit the less-visited temples: the Sulamani Temple (known as the Crown Jewel of Bagan for its beautiful frescoes and architecture), the Htilominlo Temple, the Gawdawpalin Temple, the Payathonzu Temple (three connected temples with beautiful frescoes), the Nandamanya Temple, and the many smaller temples scattered across the plains. Visit the Myinkaba Village and the Abeyadana Temple. After lunch, visit the lacquerware workshops in Bagan and watch artisans at work. Take a sunset cruise on the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River for stunning views of the temples from the water. Evening enjoy a traditional Burmese dinner. Overnight in Bagan.

Day 6: Bagan to Mandalay (Flight or boat)

Morning take a slow boat down the Ayeyarwady River to Mandalay (approximately 9-10 hours, a scenic and relaxing journey through the Myanmar countryside) or fly (30 minutes). If flying, visit the Mount Popa area on the way: Mount Popa, an extinct volcano with a monastery perched on top, known as the Mount Olympus of Myanmar for its association with nat (spirit) worship. Climb the 777 steps to the top for panoramic views. Upon arrival in Mandalay, the last royal capital of Myanmar, check into your hotel. Visit the Mandalay Palace (the last royal palace of the Konbaung Dynasty, reconstructed after being destroyed in WWII). Visit the Mandalay Hill for sunset views over the city. Evening enjoy Mandalay cuisine. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 7: Mandalay & Amarapura

Full day exploring Mandalay and the former royal capitals around it. Visit the Mahamuni Buddha Temple, the most sacred Buddha image in Mandalay, a 4-meter-tall bronze Buddha covered in gold leaf (men only can approach the image to apply gold leaf). Visit the Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to the world largest book (729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist scriptures, each in its own stupa). Visit the Sandamuni Pagoda. Visit the Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery), a beautiful teak monastery with intricate wood carvings, the only surviving building of the original Mandalay Palace. After lunch, visit Amarapura, the former royal capital, famous for the U Bein Bridge, the longest teakwood bridge in the world (1.2 kilometers), spanning Taungthaman Lake. Walk across the bridge at sunset for stunning views. Visit the Bagaya Monastery (a beautiful teak monastery) and the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda. Evening return to Mandalay. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 8: Mandalay to Inle Lake (via Heho)

Morning fly to Heho (approximately 1 hour) and drive to Inle Lake (approximately 45 minutes), a beautiful freshwater lake in the Shan Highlands, famous for its unique leg-rowing fishermen, floating gardens, stilt-house villages, and beautiful mountain scenery. Check into your lakeside hotel. Afternoon take a boat tour on Inle Lake: visit the leg-rowing fishermen (unique to Inle Lake, they row with one leg wrapped around the oar while standing on the stern), the floating gardens (where farmers grow tomatoes and other vegetables on floating mats of vegetation), the stilt-house villages, the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda (the most sacred pagoda on the lake, with five golden Buddha images), and the Nga Hpe Kyaung Monastery (Jumping Cat Monastery). Sunset on the lake. Evening enjoy Shan cuisine. Overnight in Inle Lake/Nyaung Shwe.

Day 9: Inle Lake & Kalaw

Morning continue exploring Inle Lake: visit the Indein Village with its stunning Shwe Indein Pagoda, a forest of ancient stupas covered in moss and vegetation, one of the most atmospheric sites in Myanmar. Visit the local markets (the five-day rotating market, if it is in session). Visit the silk and cotton weaving workshops and the cheroot (cigar) rolling workshops. After lunch, drive to Kalaw (approximately 1 hour), a beautiful hill station in the Shan Highlands, founded by the British as a summer retreat, with its cool climate, colonial architecture, pine forests, and diverse ethnic groups (Shan, Palaung, Danu, Pa-O). Explore Kalaw: visit the Kalaw Market, the Christian churches, the Buddhist monasteries, and the colonial-era buildings. Take a short hike in the surrounding hills to visit ethnic minority villages. Evening enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family. Overnight in Kalaw.

Day 10: Kalaw to Heho & departure

Morning take a short trek from Kalaw to visit nearby ethnic minority villages (Palaung, Danu, or Pa-O villages), walking through beautiful countryside of rice terraces, pine forests, and farmland. Meet the local people and learn about their traditional culture and way of life. After lunch, drive to Heho Airport (approximately 1.5 hours) for your flight to Yangon (1.5 hours) and onward international departure, or fly directly to your next destination. Concluding your unforgettable 10-day best of Myanmar journey.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses