Ancient Kingdom of Myanmar

Handcrafted Travel
Daily Departure

Overview

  • Day 1: Arrival Yangon
  • Day 2: Yangon City tour
  • Day 3: Yangon – Flight to Bagan
  • Day 4: Bagan Balloon Ride – Explore local Villages
  • Day 5: Bagan – Flight to Mandalay – Amarapura
  • Day 6: Mingun – Ava – Sagaing
  • Day 7: Mandalay – Flight to Yangon
  • Day 8: Yangon – Departure

Customizable itinerary

Discover the history of the ancient kingdom of Myanmar with this unforgettable tour. Explore Yangon with visits to its historical buildings, the famous Chauk-Htat- Kyi and the astonishing Karayouik Hall royal floating barge. Make unforgettable memories when flying high on the sky on Bagan with spectacular views from your balloon. Wander between the striking architectural masterpieces and local villages in Bagan and ride on a wooden boat to cruise down the Irrawaddy River to Shyouzigon Pagoda. Visit the cultural capital Mandalay with abundance of historic sites, including Golden Palace Monastery, Kuthodaw Pagoda, the giant Mingun Bell, the magnificent Sagaing Hill and the ancient city of Ava.

After your arrival in Yangon, you will be collected by your private guide and then driven in a private van to your chosen hotel in downtown. The rest of the day you’ll be able to explore the city at leisure.

Overnight in Yangon


Morning
Enjoy the private tour and drive through downtown to explore the city centre and its fabulous mix of architecture and sites. The streets are filled with historical buildings, many of which have a faded colonial charm not seen elsewhere in Asia. You’ll start at the post office – a lovely historic building, passing by Strand Hotel, Mahabandoola Garden and Independence Monument along the way. Then, visit the famous Chauk-Htat- Kyi, which houses one of the most revered reclining Buddha statues in the country. The Buddha statue is 66 metres (217 ft) long, and one of the largest in Burma. The feet of the statue, carved with traditional symbols, often have many locals gathering around them to pay homage and pray.

Afternoon
Continue to visit the stunning Karayouik Hall royal floating barge, a great photo stop. Nothing has quite prepared you for Shyoudagon Pagoda, with its glittering gold stupa. At the pagoda, observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at the picturesque Shyoudagon Pagoda.

Overnight in Yangon
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)


Morning
Transfer to Yangon Airport to take a short flight to Bagan.

Upon arrival, you will be met by your private guide and driver. Then transfer to the city. You begin your exploration by visiting a busy local market and gaining an insight into Bagan’s bustling market atmosphere. You will spend the day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing town with visits to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples.

Late afternoon
You will climb to the top of the Temple for sunset views. Sit back, relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient pagodas.

Overnight in Bagan
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)



Optional: A sunrise flight over Bagan is a unique experience offering unforgettable views. Depart the hotel before sunrise and transfer to the departure point (depending on the wind). While sipping coffee/tea and having a croissant, observe how the crew inflates the balloons. A thorough safety briefing follows before you take off for a 45-minute to 1-hour flight. Upon landing, vehicles will be on hand to serve sparkling wine and refreshments before a transfer back to your hotel. The whole excursion door to door normally lasts between 2.30 – 3.00 hours.

More than just temples, your tour introduces you to and provides a great overview of Bagan’s history, culture and local lifestyles.

Morning
You will observe the authentic day-to-day lives of Myanmar people by visiting villages near Bagan to view the local lifestyle. Explore Bagan from a different perspective as you explore the area by pony cart. The cart can explore areas that cars are unable to enter offering a more authentic feel of Bagan.

Late afternoon
Transfer to a jetty where a private wooden river boat is waiting. Sitting under the shade or on the open-deck, you’ll be treated to fabulous views as you cruise down the Irrawaddy River to Shyouzigon Pagoda. A private riverboat tour during sunset will hopefully allow you to enjoy the most spectacular part of the day in serenity. Relax and enjoy the scenery.

Overnight in Bagan
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)


Morning
Transfer to the airport for your flight to legendary Mandalay, a city of great cultural importance. This morning, visit the second most sacred image in Myanmar. Next to the Shyoudagon Pagoda is the Mahamuni Pagoda. Visit local artisan’s workshops of gold leaf making, woodcarving and marble carving.

Afternoon
Continue to visit Golden Palace Monastery famous for its intricate woodcarvings. Continue to the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 marble slabs. Before sunset, visit a 200-year-old teak bridge, the most photographic site in Myanmar.

Overnight in Mandalay
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)


Morning
After breakfast, you’ll board a private local boat for a trip up the Irrawaddy to Mingun (45 min each way). Visit the Mingun Bell which weighs more than 87 tons and is the world’s largest intact bronze bell and the unfinished MingunPaya (built with the intention of being the world’s biggest pagoda). Mingun’s other highlight is the Hisnbyume Pagoda, a white-washed temple built to resemble Mount Meru. Throughout Mingun there are small neighborhoods crafting traditional basketry and other artistic items.

Cross a bridge over the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing. Covered with 600 white-painted pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is widely regarded as the religious center of Myanmar. It is home to 3,000 monks and 100 meditation centers. You will visit pagodas such as Swan OoPonNya Shin and U Min ThoneSae. You’ll also visit Sagaing’s local market, a typical Burmese market that few tourists have the opportunity to visit. Here you will find a range of items for sale including locally made pottery, silver and other handicrafts. You will also stop at a small pottery village to see the process of making the ubiquitous water pots found throughout Myanmar.

Afternoon
Continue to visit the city of Ava, the capital from 14th to 18th century, where a short ferry ride will take us across the river to where your horse and carriage are waiting. Visit the old wooden Bagaya Monastery and the remains of the Royal Palace and Fort. There are many small villages located amid Ava’s ruins and as you travel by horse and cart, you’ll get a glimpse of local life in the Burmese countryside.

Drive back to Mandalay and transfer to your hotel in the evening.

Overnight in Mandalay
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)

Morning
Transfer to the airport for a short flight back to Yangon.

Upon returning to Yangon, you will enjoy a visit to Scott Market, a sprawling 75-year-old market. At the market, you will find a wide variety of interesting Burmese souvenirs, from lacquer ware to gems & jewelry – bargain at the stores to fully experience the Burmese market atmosphere!

Afternoon
Drive through the city and observe the influences of other cultures in the region. Interspersed throughout the tour are various religious sites such as St. Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1899, the Buddhist landmarks of SulePaya, and over 100-year-old beautiful Rangoon Synagogue. In there you will have the opportunity to meet with Trustee of the Synagogue to learn about Jewish Life in the Pagoda Land. Then, visit Little India and Chinatown – stop to greet the vendors and let them introduce you to their wares – some familiar, some exotic.

Overnight in Yangon
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)


After breakfast, day at leisure until your private driver collect you from your hotel and transfer you back to Yangon airport for your International departure flight.

Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)

Useful Information

This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services.

Please click on REQUEST A FREE QUOTE (above) and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!

Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suite your requirements, but may incur price changes

What’s Included?

  • Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
  • Private Vehicles and Drivers
  • Private English Speaking Guides (Other languages if available, upon request)
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
  • Domestic flights within Myanmar
  • Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
  • Service Charge & Government Taxes

What’s Not Included?

  • Your International Flights to and from Myanmar (Burma)
  • Myanmar entry Visa Fees (contact us for further information)
  • Personal Expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
  • Any bank fees or charges at your end
  • Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Personal Travel Insurance
  • Tips for guides and drivers
                           

Request A Free Quote

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We are committed to giving our customers unforgettable experiences in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and beyond, not just something staged for tourists. Read reviews written by our customers about their experiences in Indochina after they have returned home. These include the ratings and comments on attractions, guides, activities, hotels and food.

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This trip is once in a lifetime time experience that I advise anybody who has enough budget to experience. Vietnam is one of most beautiful countries a person can visit. It’s so diverse, a traveler can enjoy nature at its finest and meet one of the most friendly people.

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Ismail B - Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Oct 4, 2024

Vietnam Trip, Da Nang, Hoian, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay trip

I would like to take this opportunity to THANK Annie Phung for her professionalism and support through the start until the end of my travelling journey. She has been amazing from day one. I have no doubt that Asia Pioneer has the best staff. She even went the extra mile by visiting me at the hotel with gifts just to Thank me for choosing Asia Pioneer. You have gained a recurring client. Well done Annie keep up the good work🥰

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Sep 25, 2024

Memorable solo trip to Vietnam.

I had a wonderful 10 days trip covering South, Central and North Vietnam. I was assigned Gina from Asia Pioneer Travel as my travel designer and she was exceptional throughout the whole planning of the trip together and during my trip where she would regularly remind me of tour/pickup times, give me insightful tips and info too.

The tours were punctual and well organized and the tour guides were knowledgeable and accommodating when I needed a photo taken considering I was a solo traveler. I had an amazing experience in beautiful Vietnam!

I highly recommend Asia Pioneer Travel and look forward to planning more trips with them

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Ravin M - Malaysia
Sep 23, 2024

Excellent services and will visit Vietnam again in near future

We enjoyed the trip despite the typhoon. Cherry was very helpful and kept us up-to-date on typhoon situation. She provided us alternate plan when we could not go to Ha Long Bay due to the closure of the cruise. Tour guide, Eric, quick to act due to the changing weather to ensure we did the outdoor activities in Ninh Binh especially the boat ride through the caves first. He added another activity, the Train Street at Hanoi with no extra cost. He is knowledgeable and kind. Ninh Binh is very scenic and surrounded by mountains and caves. We did the cooking class and really had fun and food were delicious. Vietnamese people are friendly and kind.
I highly recommending anyone to book with Asia Pioneer. Thank you Cherry for planning our trip.

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Gek C -
Sep 18, 2024

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