Day 1: Yangon Arrival

Meal: Welcomed dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

Day 2: Yangon city tour

Start early this morning at 6.30 am with a visit to the bustling fish market on the Yangon River. Continue to a vegetable market and sample the famous Burmese breakfast called Mohinga, a mild fish soup with noodles and crackers. By this time, the monks are walking through the streets to collect their alms and you have the opportunity to donate some food to them. Head back to your hotel for a full western breakfast and later, explore the different faces of Yangon from famous landmarks to the hidden markets that have seen few westerners. Starting from a famous tea shop in the 1960s, you will visit the Sule Pagoda, colonial downtown, the harbour, the historic Strand Hotel and the Kandawgyi Lake. Stop over at the reclining Buddha before taking the famous circular train which takes you right behind the Bogyoke Aung San market. Overnight in Yangon

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

Day 3: Yangon to Lashio to Hsipaw

Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Lashio. Upon arrival at Lashio, you will be met by our representative and proceed to drive about 1.5hours to Hsipaw. If time permits, you will take an easy walk in a nearby village. Overnight in Hsipaw. 

Good to know: There are no daily flights to Lashio. If your flight is not available, you will fly from Yangon to Mandalay and take a scenic 6 hours drive to Hsipaw with stops along the way

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hispaw

Day 4: Hsipaw exploration

After breakfast, take a boat ride up the Dokthawaddy River through the amazing scenery of mountains, plantations and rural village life. You will get out of the boat for an hour’s walk to visit a 150 years old Shan monastery in the forest. If desired, you may swim at the river confluence. On the way back to Hsipaw, visit a charming traditional Shan village and learn more about their culture. In the afternoon, walk through a panoramic scenery of paddy fields and other seasonal crops. Passing by small creeks, Shan villages, local schools, the grave of the first prince of Hsipaw, a local nunnery as well as a wooden monastery. Learn about the life of Shan people around Hsipaw and see some home-based industries like cheroot (cigar) rolling and bamboo weaving. Hear why each Shan village has a spirit house built at the entrance of the village. Overnight in Hsipaw.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hispaw

Day 5: Hsipaw to Kyaukme 

This morning, visit the local market in Hsipaw and continue by car to Kyaukme for about 1 hour. On arrival, start trekking through the mountains surrounding Kyaukme. You will get an insight to the life of the Palaung people living in the hills. Enjoy lunch (excluded) in one of the Palaung villages where you can still find people who have never seen a western foreigner and live by century old traditions. Overnight in Kyaukme in a very simple guest house.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Guesthouse in Kyaukme

Day 6: Kyaukme to Pyin Oo Lwin 

In the morning, you have some free time to explore the town with its colonial buildings and a colorful market. Transfer to the train station and board the train for a 3 hour ride to Pyin Oo Lwin, crossing the mighty Gokteik Viaduct which was constructed in 1901 by constructors from the Pennsylvania Steel company and was once the second highest railway bridge in the world. The train will also pass by spectacular mountain scenery and small villages where vendors will enter the train to sell drinks and local snacks. At around 2pm, you will disembark from the train and continue another hour by car to Pyin Oo Lwin. Visit the botanical gardens and some of the colonial houses this town is famous for. Overnight in Pyin oo Lwin.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Pyin Oo Lwin

Day 7: Pyin Oo Lwin - Mandalay 

In the morning depart for Mandalay by car for about 1.5 hours.  Visit the exquisite Shwenandaw pagoda and Kuthodaw pagoda, often referred as the “world’s biggest book.” Hike up the Yankin Hill to see Nga Yant Min (King of Mudfish) Cave and receive meritorious prosperity by pouring water over the fish statues. Afternoon, you will check in at your hotel before exploring Amarapura, the 18th century capital of Myanmar on bicycles. Stop along the way at a local teashop and visit a colourful market. Continue to Mahamuni pagoda, the most sacred temple in Upper Myanmar. Visit a local weaving workshop and see how tiny bits of gold are flattened into thin gold leaves where locals paste them onto Buddha images. Walk over the famed U-Bein Bridge, a 158 years old teak wood bridge - the longest teak bridge in the world. Return to hotel by your bicycle. Overnight in Mandalay. 

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

Day 8: Mandalay to Bagan

Your morning is free to relax at the hotel or explore Mandalay city on your own. Transfer to the airport for your noontime flight to Bagan, the most famous archaeological zone in Myanmar. On arrival in Bagan, you will be taken to a temple with a good view over the Bagan archaeological zone. Learn the history of this ancient capital which was a central power base in the mid 9th century under King Anawratha, who unified Burma under Theravada Buddhism. You will also visit other remote temples and enjoy a spectacular sunset view over thousands of temple ruins. Overnight in Bagan.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Day 9: Bagan temple tour

An optional hot-air balloon ride at dawn is available, but pre-booking required (does not operate between April 1st and October 15th). Enjoy breathtaking views of the temple-studded landscape of Bagan. The dry, arid conditions have uniquely preserved more than 4000 stupas and temples built here between the 11th and 13th centuries.

Explore the less visited temples today by mountain bikes along small unpaved lanes. Stops are made to enjoy some of the most spectacular views of ancient temples and you can stop whenever you wish for more photo opportunities. Arrive at noon at a temple in Minnanthu area where a picnic lunch is awaiting. After, continue by your bike to explore some of most famous temples before returning to your hotel. 

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Day 10: Bagan to Heho to Kalaw 

Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Heho. Upon arrival, drive another 2 hours to Kalaw, at 4300 ft above sea level. Kalaw was once a favourite hill station for British administrative officials and a summer resort. On arrival in Kalaw, your guide specialized in elephant conservation will welcome you and start a half day trek through the forest. Along the way, learn about the different vegetation and animals in this area. Arrive in a local village and meet the village elders before helping to prepare a typical local dinner. 

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Kalaw

Day 11: Kalaw elephant camp

Wake up to a local village style breakfast in the jungle. This morning, you will visit an elephant camp and be a mahout for half a day. Learn the basic commands to give an elephant, help to feed and wash the elephants. After a simple lunch at the camp, you will drive back to Kalaw. Rest of the afternoon is free at leisure to explore this charming hill station. Overnight in a local monastery in Kalaw. 

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Local monastery in Kalaw

Day 12: Kalaw to Inle Lake  

Today you will cycle about 4 hours from Aung Ban to Indien, south of Inle Lake. The trip is mostly off-road and technically easy with most of the roads flat or downhill. You will bike through numerous Pa O villages where few foreigners are seen. Stop on the way to enjoy the fantastic views over the lake and the Shan countryside. Lunch is served in a local village before visiting the ancient ruins of Indein, which are partly covered by vegetation and resemble a “pagoda forest”. After, continue to your hotel by private motorboat and relax with a spectacular sunset view over the lake. 

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Day 13:  Inle Lake to Heho to Yangon 

Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Yangon. Upon arrival be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a 1 hour foot massage and continue to Bogyoke market for some last shopping. The rest of the day is free for your last night in Burma. Overnight in Yangon. 

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon 

Day 14:  Departure from Yangon

Spend some last free time to explore the city on your own way until our guide and driver get you to transfer to the airport for your departure flight to connect to your next adventures in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos with ActiveTravel Asia or fly back to your home country. 
Our services for Myanmar Off beaten tour end up here.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Not available