- 4.9/5 473 Latest reviews
- Destination: Myanmar
- Duration: 16 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: In-Depth
About This Trip
The Myanmar In-Depth Tour is a carefully crafted 16-day private journey designed for travelers who want to experience the real Myanmar beyond the highlights. From the sacred streets of Yangon and the legendary Golden Rock to the ancient capitals of Bagan and Mandalay, this immersive itinerary reveals Myanmar’s rich spiritual heritage, living traditions, and breathtaking landscapes. Traveling at a relaxed pace, you’ll explore thousands of historic temples, revered pagodas, bustling local markets, and authentic rural villages that showcase the country’s timeless charm.
This in-depth Myanmar tour goes deeper with meaningful cultural encounters and nature experiences. Trek through the scenic highlands of Kalaw, visit hill tribe villages, observe traditional Shan paper-making in Pindaya, and cruise across the floating gardens of Inle Lake. With private guides, hand-picked accommodations, and flexible planning, this tour offers comfort, authenticity, and insight. Ideal for culture lovers, history enthusiasts, and slow travelers, the Myanmar In-Depth Tour delivers a complete and unforgettable exploration of one of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating destinations.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1
Yangon
Shwedagon Pagoda, Sule Pagoda, Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda
2 - 3
Bago, Kyaiktiyo
Bago: Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Shwethalyaung Buddha
Kyaiktiyo: Golden Rock
4
Pindaya
Pindaya Caves, Process of Shan Traditional Paper Making
5 - 7
Kalaw
Magwe Elephant Camp, Trekking Tour with Visit to Hill Tribes
8 - 9
Inle Lake
Inle Lake Boat Tour, Indein Village, Floating Gardens
10 - 12
Mandalay
Shwenandaw Monastery, Mandalay Hill, U Bein Bridge
13 - 15
Bagan
Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung Oo Market, Minnanthu Village
16
Yangon
Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Yangon – First Glimpse of Myanmar
Arrive in Yangon, the former capital and spiritual gateway to the country. After hotel check-in, begin your Myanmar in-depth tour with an orientation of the city’s historic core. Visit Sule Pagoda, standing at the crossroads of downtown Yangon, followed by Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to a beautifully detailed reclining Buddha. Enjoy a peaceful walk around Kandawgyi Lake before ending the day at Shwedagon Pagoda, where chanting monks, golden spires, and sunset light create a powerful first impression of Myanmar’s devotion and culture.
- Yangon
- Day 2: Yangon – Bago – Golden Rock Pilgrimage Route
Travel north to Bago, once an important Mon kingdom. Walk through local neighborhoods and visit Shwethalyaung Buddha, one of the country’s oldest reclining Buddha images. Continue to Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Myanmar’s tallest stupa, and Kyaik Pun Pagoda with its four seated Buddhas. In the afternoon, drive through scenic countryside to Kimpun Village and ascend to the Golden Rock, a gravity-defying boulder revered by pilgrims from across Myanmar.
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- Golden Rock
- Day 3: Golden Rock Sunrise – Return to Yangon
Wake early to witness sunrise at the Golden Rock, when mist surrounds the mountaintop and pilgrims offer prayers. After breakfast, descend and travel back to Yangon. En route, stop at Taukkyan War Cemetery, a serene memorial dedicated to fallen soldiers of World War II. Arrive in Yangon by late afternoon with time to relax or explore local tea shops and street life.
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- Yangon
- Day 4: Yangon – Heho – Pindaya Highlands
Fly to Heho and journey into the Shan Highlands toward Pindaya. Visit the renowned Pindaya Caves, a sacred pilgrimage site filled with thousands of Buddha images placed by devotees over centuries. Later, observe the traditional Shan paper-making process, learning how mulberry bark is transformed into handmade paper used for religious and artistic purposes.
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- Pindaya
- Day 5: Pindaya – Kalaw – Elephant Conservation Area
Travel along winding mountain roads to Kalaw, a former British hill station known for its cool climate and pine forests. Visit Magwe Elephant Camp, where conservation efforts focus on the ethical care of retired working elephants. Learn about elephant behavior, forest preservation, and local livelihoods before returning to Kalaw to rest and prepare for the trekking experience ahead.
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- Kalaw
- Day 6: Kalaw Trek – Villages & Farmland
Begin your trek through rolling hills, vegetable farms, and forest paths. Pass through Danu and Pa-O villages where traditional houses, farming techniques, and daily routines remain unchanged. Stop at monasteries along the way and enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by scenic landscapes. Spend the night with a local family or at a monastery, experiencing simple but heartfelt hospitality.
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- Kalaw
- Day 7: Kalaw Trek – Remote Highlands
Continue trekking through quieter, less-visited areas of the Shan Plateau. Walk past rice fields, bamboo groves, and small rural schools. Visit wooden monasteries that serve as spiritual and community centers. The evening is spent sharing meals and stories with locals, offering genuine insight into rural Myanmar life.
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- Kalaw
- Day 8: Trek Completion – Arrival at Inle Lake
Complete the final leg of your trek, gradually descending toward Inle Lake. Upon reaching the lakeshore, transfer by motorboat to your hotel. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s most sacred site, followed by a stop at a cheroot workshop where traditional cigars are hand-rolled using age-old methods.
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- Inle Lake
- Day 9: Inle Lake – Floating Gardens & Craft Villages
Spend the day exploring Inle Lake by boat. Visit Indein Village with its centuries-old stupas hidden among greenery. Observe floating gardens anchored by bamboo poles and learn how locals grow vegetables on the water. Visit weaving workshops, blacksmiths, and boat builders, gaining insight into the lake’s unique economy and lifestyle.
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- Inle Lake
- Day 10: Inle Lake – Mandalay Cultural Heart
Travel from Inle Lake to Mandalay, Myanmar’s cultural and historical center. Visit Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to the world’s largest book carved onto marble slabs. Explore the elegant Shwenandaw Monastery, a masterpiece of teakwood architecture, and enjoy sweeping city views from Mandalay Hill at sunset.
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- Mandalay
- Day 11: Mandalay – Amarapura – Sagaing
Explore the former royal capitals surrounding Mandalay. Visit Mahagandayon Monastery in Amarapura to observe daily monastic routines. Continue to Inwa, once the seat of Burmese kings, and explore historic monasteries and pagodas. Cross the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing Hill, a major religious center, before watching sunset at the iconic U Bein Bridge.
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- Mandalay
- Day 12: Mandalay – Bagan Archaeological Plain
Begin the day at Mahamuni Buddha Temple, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Myanmar. Explore Mandalay Palace and its fortified walls before flying to Bagan. Upon arrival, enjoy a relaxed evening surrounded by ancient temples and open plains.
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- Bagan
- Day 13: Bagan – Temples, Markets & Artisans
Explore Bagan’s most significant temples, including Shwezigon Pagoda, Ananda Temple, Thatbyinnyu Temple, and Htilominlo Temple. Visit Nyaung Oo Market to see local trade in action. In the afternoon, tour lacquerware workshops and admire temple frescoes that reflect Bagan’s artistic and religious heritage.
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- Bagan
- Day 14: Bagan – Leisure & Optional Exploration
Enjoy a free day to explore Bagan at your own pace. Optional activities include cycling through temple fields, visiting lesser-known pagodas, enjoying a traditional massage, or relaxing at your hotel while taking in the peaceful surroundings.
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- Bagan
- Day 15: Bagan – Villages & Return to Yangon
Visit Minnanthu Village, known for sesame and peanut oil production, and explore hidden temples in quieter areas of Bagan. Optional hot-air balloon ride offers a breathtaking aerial view of the temple plain (seasonal). Fly back to Yangon in the afternoon.
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- Yangon
- Day 16: Yangon – Departure
Spend your final hours browsing Bogyoke Aung San Market for handicrafts, gems, and souvenirs. Transfer to the airport for departure, concluding your journey through Myanmar’s rich history, landscapes, and traditions.
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