8 Days • 7 Nights
Bagan & Mandalay Cultural Journey
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll cross the teak U Bein Bridge at sunset, watch gold-beaters and marble-carvers at work in Mandalay, explore the former capitals of Sagaing, Ava and Amarapura, and spend two full days among the thousands of temples of Bagan, ideally by horse-cart and at sunrise. Yangon's golden Shwedagon bookends the trip.
With comfortable hotels, private guides and the domestic flights arranged, it is Myanmar for lovers of history and craft.
Trip Highlights
- The golden Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon
- The teak U Bein Bridge at sunset
- Gold-leaf and marble workshops in Mandalay
- The ancient capitals of Sagaing, Ava and Amarapura
- Sunrise over the temple plains of Bagan
- Bagan's Ananda, Dhammayangyi and Shwezigon temples
- A horse-cart ride among the ruins
- Short flights linking the regions
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Arrive and visit the glorious Shwedagon Pagoda at dusk, with a welcome dinner.
Fly to Mandalay, the last royal capital. Visit the Mahamuni Pagoda and gold-leaf workshops, then climb Mandalay Hill for sunset.
Explore Sagaing's stupa-topped hills, cross to the old capital of Ava (Inwa) by horse cart, and the silk-weaving of Amarapura, ending on the U Bein Bridge at sunset.
A day among Mandalay's living crafts — marble carving, tapestry, and the Shwenandaw teak monastery and Kuthodaw Pagoda with its 'world's largest book'.
Fly to Bagan and spend the afternoon among the temples, with sunset over the plain.
A full day among Bagan's finest temples — Ananda, Dhammayangyi and Shwezigon — with a lacquerware workshop.
A gentler day exploring lesser-known temples by horse cart, ending with sunset over the plain from a quiet viewpoint.
Fly to Yangon for your onward connection, with a final Burmese breakfast.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and a private guide and driver in each region
- 1 night Yangon, 3 nights Mandalay, 3 nights Bagan
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a local lunch
- A Yangon Shwedagon visit on arrival
- Mandalay Hill, Mahamuni Pagoda, gold-leaf and marble workshops
- Sagaing, Ava (Inwa), Amarapura and the U Bein Bridge
- Two full days of Bagan temple touring with a horse-cart ride
- Domestic flights Yangon-Mandalay and Bagan-Yangon
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Myanmar
- Myanmar eVisa fees (we can assist)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Camera and zone fees where not stated
- Optional excursions, experiences and hot-air balloon flights
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most nationalities need a Myanmar eVisa, applied for online before you travel, with a passport valid at least six months. We can point you to the official portal
- Travel advisories: Conditions in Myanmar can change, so please review your government's latest travel advice and ensure your travel insurance covers the destination before booking
- Cash economy: Myanmar runs largely on cash. Bring clean, crisp, unmarked US dollar notes to exchange, and the local currency is the Myanmar Kyat; cards are rarely accepted outside top hotels
- Temple etiquette: You must remove shoes and socks at all pagodas and monasteries, and cover shoulders and knees. Slip-on footwear makes this much easier
- Best season: The cool, dry season from November to February is by far the best time; March to May is very hot, and June to October brings monsoon rain
- Heat: Central Myanmar (Bagan and Mandalay) is extremely hot from March to May, so start sightseeing early and carry water and sun protection
- Getting around: Small domestic flights link Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and the Inle Lake gateway of Heho, all arranged for you
- Health: Drink only bottled or boiled water, use mosquito repellent and consider anti-malarial advice for rural areas. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential
- Respect: Monks are highly revered; women should not touch them or hand items directly. Never point your feet at people or Buddha images, and always ask before photographing people
- Connectivity & power: Mobile data via a local SIM is cheap but can be slow in remote areas. Bring a universal adapter (Myanmar uses several plug types at 230V)
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary, such as an Inle Lake lunch. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy Myanmar's fragrant curries and street food.
Are transfers and touring private?
Yes — you travel with your own licensed guide and private driver (or boat on Inle Lake), so everything is arranged for you.
Do I need a visa for Myanmar?
Most visitors need a Myanmar eVisa, applied for online before travel. We can guide you to the official portal and requirements.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February is ideal — cool, dry and clear. March to May is very hot, especially in Bagan, and June to October is the green, quieter monsoon season.
Do I need cash?
Yes — Myanmar is largely a cash economy. Bring clean, crisp US dollar notes to exchange, as cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels and ATMs can be unreliable.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add Ngapali Beach, a river cruise or a balloon flight over Bagan. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between the sights?
By short domestic flights between Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Heho (for Inle Lake), plus private cars and boats — all included and arranged.
What makes Bagan so special?
Bagan's plain holds more than two thousand temples and pagodas built between the 11th and 13th centuries — a sight to rival Angkor, especially at sunrise, and best explored slowly by horse cart or bike.
Is there a lot of walking?
There is gentle walking at the temples and ancient cities, with plenty of shade and rest stops. Slip-on shoes help, as you remove footwear at each pagoda.
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