A Journey Through Timeless Burma
15 days, 14 nights
Mandalay – Bagan – Kalaw – Pindaya – Inle – Ngwe Saung - Yangon
From Mandalay, the ancient royal capital where echoes of past dynasties still resonate, to the golden pagodas of Yangon, this journey traverses the soul of Myanmar. In Bagan, the horizon is filled with thousands of temples and stupas, bathed in light at sunrise. Then comes the gentle hills of Kalaw and Pindaya, where mountain villages and sacred caves reveal another facet of the country. The adventure continues on the shores of Inle Lake, a true suspended jewel, where Intha fishermen perpetuate their ancestral skills on the water. Finally, after the intensity of cultural discoveries, it's time to relax on the tranquil beaches of Ngwe Saung, between fine sand and endless sunsets. An itinerary that combines heritage, nature, and authenticity, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the essence of Myanmar.
Ethical Getaways
Adventure
What Makes This Escape to Burma Unique
Mandalay, Between Hills and Traditions
Mandalay reveals its vibrant monasteries, timeless wooden bridges, and golden pagodas. Between the monks' devotion, the colorful markets, and the sunset over the hill, the city exudes spirituality and authenticity.
Bagan, the Endless Realm of Temples
Thousands of temples stretch across the horizon, bathed in the ever-changing light of day. By bicycle or hot air balloon, Bagan reveals itself through millennia of history, encounters with local villages, and unforgettable sunsets over the sacred plains.
Kalaw, Hills, Nature, and Local Encounters
A former British hill station, Kalaw charms visitors with its fresh air, rolling landscapes, and colorful markets. An ideal starting point for treks through rice paddies and ethnic villages, it offers a genuine encounter with rural Myanmar.
Pindaya, Sacred Caves and Living Crafts
Pindaya is home to its famous caves where more than 8,000 Buddha statues create an impressive display. Nestled between verdant hills and tranquil lakes, the town also perpetuates the delicate art of mulberry paper umbrellas, a reflection of a unique and ancestral craft.
Inle, on the Waters of Time
A world suspended on stilts, where fishermen, artisans, and floating villages perpetuate ancestral traditions. Inle Lake offers a gentle immersion, amidst floating gardens, hidden pagodas, and preserved traditions, lulled by the gentle lapping of canoes.
Ngwe Saung, Peaceful Beach and Endless Sand
With its 15 kilometers of white sand bordered by the turquoise waters of the Bay of Bengal, Ngwe Saung offers calm and serenity. Between swimming, vibrant sunsets, and fishing villages, it's the ideal seaside getaway to end a trip.
Yangon, the Gateway to Gold
A mosaic of eras and cultures, Yangon blends colonial quarters, bustling markets, and majestic temples. The Shwedagon Pagoda, resplendent at dusk, embodies the spiritual soul of the country and offers a luminous farewell to eternal Burma.
Mandalay
Mandalay, the last royal capital of Burma, embodies the spiritual soul of the country. Between living monasteries, golden pagodas and the mythical U Bein Bridge, the city reveals a vibrant cultural heritage, mixed with the gentle charm of its markets and sacred hills.
Day 1: Arrival in Mandalay
“We are beginning our descent into Mandalay. Please return to your seat and fasten your seatbelt,” announces the cabin crew chief. In less than thirty minutes, you will land in the heart of Myanmar’s former royal capital, a cradle of spirituality and artisanal traditions. Between vibrant monasteries, gleaming pagodas, and fragrant markets, Mandalay offers a first glimpse of authentic Asia. Depending on your flight time, we can offer you an immersion in its lively streets: a stroll at the pace of the artisans, a discovery of small temples, and your first taste of the vibrant energy of Myanmar.
- Airport pick-up and private driver to your hotel
Day 2: Amarapura - Mandalay
Meet your guide for an immersive experience in the heart of Burmese life. Discover Mahagandayon Monastery, where over a thousand young monks pursue Buddhist studies, before visiting the legendary U Bein teak bridge, a stage for scenes of daily life and unforgettable encounters. Continue with a visit to Bagaya Monastery, built from solid teak, and Mahamuni Pagoda, a place of profound spiritual devotion where devotees tirelessly cover the sacred Buddha statue with gold leaf. At the end of the day, be captivated by the magic of a breathtaking sunset from Mandalay Hill.
- Breakfast, guide, private transportation
Bagan
Bagan, a mythical plain with thousands of temples, offers a journey out of time. Between bike rides, hot air balloon flights and flamboyant sunsets, every moment reveals the spiritual grandeur and timeless beauty of Burma.
Day 3: Mandalay - Bagan
After breakfast, visit Shwenandaw Monastery, a masterpiece of finely carved teak, then Kuthodaw Pagoda, nicknamed “the world’s largest book” with its hundreds of marble stelae. On the way to Bagan, stop at the tranquil Meiktila Lake, a true haven of serenity, before continuing to Mount Popa, a sacred volcano overlooking the plain and offering spectacular views. Arrive in Bagan at the end of the day. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.
- Breakfast, guide, private transportation
Day 4: Bagan
Begin your day with a visit to the local market, a vibrant hub of activity where colors, scents, and everyday interactions intertwine. Next, discover the majestic Shwezigon Pagoda, guardian of sacred relics, followed by the Hti Lo Min and Klay Min Ga temples, renowned for their ancient frescoes and breathtaking views. In the afternoon, enjoy some relaxation at the hotel before admiring the splendid Ananda Temple, a masterpiece of Burmese architecture. Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel. (Optional: Hot air balloon flight in Bagan, from November to March)
- Breakfast, guide, private transportation
Day 5: Bagan
In the morning, immerse yourself in Burmese culinary art with a cooking class at a local’s home, then savor your creations at lunchtime. In the afternoon, explore the plains of Bagan by electric bike, stopping at timeless villages and temples. End the day with a sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River, cocktail in hand, for an unforgettable experience. Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
- Breakfast, guide, private transportation
Kalaw - Pindaya
Nestled in the Burmese hills, Kalaw and Pindaya offer a refreshing and authentic escape. Kalaw charms visitors with its hikes through villages and verdant landscapes, while Pindaya captivates with its sacred caves and mulberry paper umbrella craftsmanship. These two destinations are ideal for discovering rural Myanmar in all its simplicity.
Day 6: Bagan – Kalaw
After breakfast, depart for Kalaw, nestled in the heart of the verdant Shan State hills. A former British colonial resort, the town has retained its old-world charm with its wooden houses and peaceful atmosphere. Perched at an altitude of over 1,300 meters, Kalaw captivates visitors with its cool climate and the beauty of its rolling landscapes. It is also a prime meeting point with local ethnic minorities, whom you will encounter on the surrounding trails. You can choose to relax, stroll through its quiet alleyways, or explore the surrounding hills. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.
- Breakfast, guide, private transportation
Day 7: Kalaw – Pindaya
After an early breakfast, embark on a hike in the Kalaw region, traversing rolling trails, rice paddies, and small ethnic villages nestled in the heart of Shan State’s natural landscape. This experience offers wonderful encounters with the locals, all at the peaceful pace of the Burmese countryside. Next, head to Pindaya, a charming town renowned for its sacred caves and colorful scenery. Check into your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the surrounding area or stroll through the quiet alleyways. Dinner is at your leisure, and you’ll spend the night at the hotel.
- Breakfast, guide, private transportation
Lake Inle
Nestled at an altitude of 900 meters, Inle Lake is one of Myanmar's jewels. Its Intha fishermen, who row with only one leg, embody a unique skill. Villages on stilts, floating gardens, colorful markets, and traditional crafts create a peaceful and timeless world, where every moment reveals the harmony between humankind and water.
Day 8: Pindaya – Inle Lake
In the morning, explore the sacred caves of Shwe U Min, an impressive sanctuary housing thousands of Buddha statues placed there by devotees. Then, travel to Nyaung Shwe and visit the Shwe Yan Taung Monastery, famous for its oval windows that let in soft light. Afterwards, take a cyclo-rickshaw ride through the town, between bustling markets and peaceful alleyways, before boarding a traditional longboat to reach your hotel on the shores of Inle Lake. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.
- Breakfast, guide, private transportation
Day 9: Inle Lake
Aboard a traditional dugout canoe, discover the daily life of the inhabitants of Inle Lake: Intha fishermen, floating gardens, and stilt villages. Afterwards, share a convivial lunch with a local family before continuing on to Indein, one of the lake’s most unspoiled villages. Explore its ancient pagodas overgrown with vegetation and immerse yourself in local crafts, from silk weaving and silver work to the making of cheroots, the famous Burmese cigars. Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
- Breakfast, guide, private transportation
Ngwe Saung
Stretching over fifteen kilometers of white sand, Ngwe Saung is one of Myanmar's most beautiful beaches. Bordered by the turquoise waters of the Bay of Bengal, it offers a peaceful setting. Fishing villages, vibrant sunsets, and an authentic atmosphere make it an ideal place to relax after an intense cultural journey.
Day 10: Inle Lake – Heho – Ngwe Saung
Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Heho airport and then flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, private transfer to Ngwe Saung, a long, pristine beach bordered by white sand and turquoise waters.
- Breakfast, guide, private transportation
Day 11: Ngwe Saung
A free day to fully enjoy Ngwe Saung beach. Relax on its pristine white sand, swim in the turquoise waters or stroll in the peaceful atmosphere of the nearby fishing villages.
- Breakfast
Ngwe Saung
Day 12: Ngwe Saung
A free day dedicated to relaxation on the Ngwe Saung coast. Enjoy the softness of the fine sand, swimming in a translucent sea and the surrounding tranquility for a moment of pure rest.
- Breakfast
Day 13: Ngwe Saung – Yangon
After breakfast, enjoy a final relaxing morning on the beach. At noon, check out of the hotel and transfer by private vehicle to Yangon. Arrive in the late afternoon and check into your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a stroll through Kandawgyi Park, located just across the road, for a glimpse into local life.
- Breakfast, private transportation
Yangon
Yangon, the former capital and largest city of Myanmar, captivates with its energy and contrasts. Between colonial buildings, bustling markets, and traditional neighborhoods, it reveals a unique atmosphere. Its jewel, the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, shines brightly and embodies the spiritual fervor of the country.
Day 14: Yangon
In the morning, explore Yangon’s colonial quarter, with its period buildings and lively streets, before stopping at the Sule Pagoda. Continue to Bogyoke Market, a hub for handicrafts and precious stones. In the afternoon, admire the imposing reclining Buddha statue at Kyauk Htet Gyi Pagoda. In the evening, immerse yourself in the profound atmosphere of the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, a true spiritual treasure and symbol of Myanmar. Dinner at your leisure and overnight at the hotel.
- Breakfast, guide, private transportation
Day 15: End of your adventure
Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a final moment in Yangon to stroll through its lively streets, explore a local market, or simply soak up the city’s unique atmosphere. Then, transfer to the airport for your international flight. And if you wish, continue your adventure by exploring new horizons in Thailand or Vietnam, two neighboring destinations rich in cultural discoveries and captivating landscapes.
- Breakfast, private transportation
Interested in this travel inspiration?
We create personalized estimates based on duration, season and your preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I need to take my outbound and return flight?
Arrival is in Mandalay and departure from Yangon. We can, of course, take care of booking your international return flights. Domestic flights are not included, but we can certainly arrange them for you.
What is the best time for this trip?
The best time to travel to Myanmar is from November to March, during the dry season. The weather is pleasant, with sunny days and mild temperatures, ideal for exploring the temples of Bagan, sailing on Inle Lake, or strolling through the streets of Yangon. April and May can be very hot, while the monsoon season from June to October makes travel less comfortable.
Is it possible to travel to Myanmar currently?
Traveling to Myanmar in 2025 remains complicated due to the current situation. For now, we are not operating any tours there, but we plan to resume in 2026, as soon as conditions allow for safe and worry-free travel. Please feel free to contact us for more information and to be kept informed about the resumption of our departures.
Is it possible to change hotels in certain destinations?
Of course. Each step is customizable and it is entirely possible to adapt or replace a hotel with another address according to your wishes and criteria.
Are all forms of transport private ?
Land transfers are by private vehicle for optimal comfort. Sea journeys are shared (speedboat or ferry), but can be privatized upon request for an additional fee.
Is this suitable for children?
Yes, the tour is suitable for a family trip. The activities are flexible and the accommodations are suitable for children, with a pace that remains flexible.
Can I make any changes to this trip?
Absolutely. This itinerary is a customizable base: you can modify the duration, the hotels, or add excursions to create a trip that fully suits you.
A Journey Through Timeless Burma
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